Category: General

Sen. Umar Al-Makura (APC-Nasarawa), representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District and notable Islamic clerics have called for support and prayers for the incoming presidency of Sen. Bola Tinubu, the President-elect.

Al-Makura, who is a former governor of the state made the call on Tuesday evening in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was the Ramadan lecture and special prayer for Nigeria, organised by Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023, a foremost support group of the President-elect.

Al-Makura called for prayers for the incoming leadership and described the emergence of Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shetima, the Vice president-elect as an act of God which no man can change.

He said all indications before, during and after the presidential election pointed to the direction of a renewed hope for Nigeria.

Al-Makura who is also one of the patrons of the support group urged Nigerians to pray for a successful transition programme from the current administration to the incoming leadership which he said would build on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I urge Nigerians and all Muslim faithful across the length and breath of this great country that in the spirit of the Ramadan season, we should pray for the peace of our dear nation.

“We should pray to Almighty Allah (SWT) to guide the outgoing government in its ongoing transition programme to successfully hand over to the President-elect Sen. Bola Tinubu and the Vice president-elect, Sen. Kashim Shetima.

“I call on all Nigerians regardless of their faiths to support Tinubu and Shetima government in prayers to successfully pilot the affairs of this nation and offer Nigerians dividends of democracy promised them during the campaign.

“From the beginning of the campaign, to the election period and now, peace has been restored to the nation and our hope has been renewed.

“The election itself was a new hope and indication of national cohesion and unity because majority of the votes of Northerners went to Tinubu; this is a sign of togetherness.

“We thank God for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and we should continue to pray for its successful transition programme to the incoming leadership.

“We should ask Almighty Allah (SWT) to guide and offer wisdom to Tinubu and Shetima to successfully direct the affairs of the nation,” he said.

Some of the guests at the event

Also guest lecturers at the event preached national unity and peace as the only way to gain dividends of democracy as citizens.

Dr. Kabir Muhammed, who represented Prof. Shehu Galadanci, the Murshid of National Mosque, Abuja, thanked Nigerians for giving their mandate to Tinubu and Shetima through majority votes.

“Nigerians have given Tinubu and Shetima their votes, now it is time for action, everybody should listen to Allah (SWT) and work towards achieving the renewed hope which he has promised Nigerians.

“Please pray for Nigeria, pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, pray for Tinubu and Shetima to achieve a successful transition programme and a peaceful Nigeria ” he said.

Also, another guest lecturer, Dr. Fadilat Ashiribo, urged Nigerians to stay at home and build their own country instead of running to foreign countries where they’re treated as second class human beings.

“I want to advise Nigerians especially the youths who are embracing “japa’ to stay at home and join hands with the incoming government to build this nation and make it a pride to all of us instead of running around where they’re treated as second class human beings,” he said.

The Director-General of Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023, Mr Realwan Okpanachi, said the event was aimed at recognising the divine power of God in the political affairs of men.

According to him, this year’s event which marked the 13th in the series of the organisation’s Ramadan lectures was focused on praying for a peaceful transition and godly wisdom for the incoming Tinubu administration.

NAN reports that top politicians and Islamic clerics from different parts of the country attended the event where prayers were offered for national peace followed by breaking of the ongoing Ramadan fasting (Iftar).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government says it has completed the Loko-oweto bridge and the 2nd Niger Bridge and both would be commissioned and handed over before the in-coming administration by May 29.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola said this during the inspection of the completed Loko-oweto road and bridge on Tuesday in Nasarawa.

According to him, the contractors had promised that the project would be completed by the end of March and they made good their promise.

“So that’s why we’re here today. Today is the 4th of April. So, they indicated last week that they had finished and you saw as we crossed each of the sections all of them with our officers reported completion.

“So, we essentially made the timeline we set; so we’ve kept to that timeline, courtesy of our contractors, and also our staff and I think we deserve the commendation of all Nigerians for the work that have been done.

“What remains now on this project is to send a report to the Office of the President to say that on this project, mission accomplished, and whatever date is then possible, to do a ceremonial handover,” he said.

Speaking further on the value of the oweto bridge Fashola said it crosses the River Benue while the second Niger bridge crosses the River Niger and that it is a North-South link while the river Niger is an East-West link.

“Coming from the South-East, for example, and you go through Otukpo to link Nasarawa, instead of going through Lafia to Keffi, you can now pass Loko and burst out at Keffi. That reduces your journey time by about four hours.

“This is what this bridge has done in terms of business efficiency, reduction of travel time, reduction of travel costs, and ultimately, ease of doing business.

“In terms of scope, there are two bridges here, the main bridge is 1.8 kilometers long. So it is 200 meters longer than the main bridge of the second Niger bridge.

“Although the second Niger bridge has a total of three bridges, and in terms of project scope, they aggregate to about 2.6 kilometres.

“The two bridges here aggregate to 2.2 kilometres. But individually, in terms of river crossing, this is 200 metres longer than Niger bridge,” Fashola said.

The minister said that the administration should be commended because this was a development that many African countries could not accomplish in today’s economy.

“We should be proud to project these developments because they are the basis of our future prosperity – linking people, creating opportunities, creating trade, driving commerce, and economic exchange.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there is over 70 kilometres of road linking Benue State to Nasarawa State and 74 kilometres of road linking Benue and Nasarawa into the Federal Capital Territory Abuja is funded by SUKUK IV.

Speaking further on the Second Niger bridge, Fashola said it would be opened to traffic on May 15.

“The dates that we have now for the completion of the link road, because the bridge itself is finished.

“The link road that we formally opened to traffic, the date we have now is the May 15 as of yesterday. We are rolling out all the stops to support the contractor to see that that date is achieved.

“Just about two weeks before the end of term, the President will be invited to the completion, and maybe any day thereafter, he will be able to fly in and do the ceremonial.

“But by the May 15, the bridge should be fully open to traffic.” Fashola said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A Lagos High Court on Monday dismissed a “no-case’’ submission filed by ASP Drambi Vandi, who allegedly shot a Lagos-lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem to death on Dec. 25, 2022.

Vandi had filed his “no-case’’ application on Feb. 28, praying the court to quash the charge preferred against him.

His counsel, Mr Gbenro Gbadamosi, had earlier argued that the evidence of the prosecution witnesses called in the case were inconsistent and did not link Vandi to the murder.

Presiding Justice Ibironke Harrison, held, however, that the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) had established sufficient oral and documentary evidence linking Vandi to the crime.

Vandi has a case to answer, Justice Harrison ruled.

“The prosecution has established a prima facie case requiring some explanation by the defendant.

“The court isn’t looking at the credibility of the prosecution witnesses at this stage. The court will not delve into the substantive case right now.

“The only real issue now is whether a prima facie case has been made by the prosecution and not whether it has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,’’ Justice Harrison held.

She ruled also that the evidence of the defendant, being the only other eyewitness who is yet to testify before the court, would shed light on what happened on Dec. 25, 2022.

Before the prosecution closed its case on Feb. 15, it had called 11 witnesses made up of eight police officers, some of who are colleagues of the defendant; two eye witnesses and a pathologist.

Counsel to the defendant told the court that the defence team would review the ruling and decide on whether to go on appeal or not.

In his submission, Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Babajide Martins, said an interlocutory appeal would not stop the continuation of the trial in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of Lagos State.

He consequently applied for a date for further hearing.

The case was adjourned until May 16 for the defendant to open his defence.

Vandi was arraigned on Jan. 16, on a one-count charge of murder.

The prosecution stated that the defendant shot and killed the 41-year old pregnant property lawyer by shooting her in the chest in Lekki area of Lagos on the day of the incident.

It submitted that the offence contravened the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Vandi pleaded not guilty to the charge

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Disrupting stress factors in the lives of Nigerians

A news analysis by Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Salaudeen Mohammed, a teacher in Niger State, said what worries him the most daily is the way people behave inside commercial transport, especially when talking about the problems of the country.

‘’You hear someone expressing an opinion about national issues with such jaundiced points that one have to intercept him as an educated person. But what do you get; the anger is transferred to you as if you caused the issue. Thank God if the speaker does not have a stereotype about one tribe or the other. That will be another wahala,’’ he said.

For Mrs Evelyn Adejo, a trader in Wuse market, it is the challenges she faces coming to the market that gives her concerns and headaches.

‘’I live in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, and come to Wuse, FCT, market every day except Sunday to sell my wares. The heavy traffic and manner of driving on the road gives me goose pimples and stress. So see driving of all kinds; wrong overtaking, speed, change of lane and sometimes government officials harassment.

A retired civil servant, Mr Audu Stephen, said he has taken all the challenges in his stride because there is always a solution to every problem in life.

‘’Due to my experience as a civil servant, I have realised that I need to do my own quota to get the change that I want to happen.

“In my community now I have taken it on myself to take care of challenges that we have with the electricity distribution company.

“Another retiree, has taken it on himself to take care of any problem of the community relating to local government in terms of tax and levies’’, he said.

Every day coming from home, reaching places of engagement as well as when returning home, a Nigerian is faced with one stress/depression or the other, mostly due to lack of action or inaction of a fellow human being.

Simply put the stress factors include commuters on commercial vehicles not behaving orderly, drivers’ recklessness and not wanting passengers to caution them, holdups along the road due to careless parking in unauthorised areas to pick passengers. The list is endless.

Unruly behaviours of medical personnel in health facilities, bank officials, unapologetic and lack of courteous attitudes of tricycle and motorcycle operators, vehicle inspection officers, FRSC, states road marshals can also be added to the list of stress faced Nigerians.

According to UNICEF, depression can happen as a reaction to something like abuse, violence and the death of someone close or family problems like domestic violence or family breakdown.

Someone might get depressed after being stressed for a long time. It can also run in the family. Sometimes we may not know why it happens.

If you’re constantly under stress, you can have physical symptoms like headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, and problems with sex and sleep. Stress can also lead to emotional problems, depression, panic attacks, or other forms of anxiety and worry.

What can be done to rectify these challenges in order to bring sanity to Nigeria and its patriotic citizens? Yes, patriotic.

All hands must be on deck to have an individual commitment to seriously consider ‘’doing unto others what you will want done unto you’’ and also making the rule of law work.

If you are among those that read or watch films, you will see deliberate efforts by citizens of developed countries to make their society liveable in all aspects.

They give information to the relevant authorities’ to handle any infractions observed and actually follow up to see that the right thing is done.

There is no society without laws and regulations well defined. It has not been enough for Nigerians to complain about things not working or acting correctly in those societies where there is order.

Take for example, in some parts of the country particular habits are not permitted and everybody that wants to live there abides by it.

So, in effect we should as citizens take it upon ourselves to see that well defined rules and regulations for our safety and wellbeing are discharged by those paid and charged with the responsibilities.

Politicians have shown the right attitude over time by taking their disagreement over election results to the law courts as demanded by the constitution and the electoral Act.

This is the way to go. The journey to greatness starts with a move in the right direction. Nigerians must move towards the right direction and one day, our dream of a better Nigeria would be realised.

Nigerians must not be deterred by one incident and hastily conclude that nothing will work in the country.

Getting what we want requires much sacrifice so as to allow the future to be much brighter. It requires knowing the law, following it and when needed changing it to suit current situations.

Experts say the functions of law in society are infinite. Law ensures survival of the society, sustains accepted standards of public morality, provides the substratum for social-economic emancipation, a desire to live, and necessity for living in society.

The law teaches how to organise our affairs in a manner that discourages conflicts by guiding human actions.

What are the citizen roles in the community? A citizen must have a role in the community that others recognize as important.

Being a teacher, a parent, a student, an artist, a neighbour, a committee member, and/or a person in recovery are all roles that are recognized as important and valuable for society and the individual.

For example, local residents need to engage in voluntary work, organise litter-clearing campaigns, set up collectives to purchase solar panels or form local care cooperatives. They may also be involved in the decision-making about the municipal budget.

Researches show that rule of law correlates to higher economic growth, greater peace, less inequality, improved health outcomes and more education.

The rule of law is a critical factor for the advancement of democracy, rooted in equal rights and accountability.

By strengthening the rule of law, we protect the rights of all people, advance inclusiveness, and limit the arbitrary exercise of power, which are the cornerstones of modern democracy.

According to the father of rule of law, A.V. Dicey, personal liberty is “the right not to be subject to imprisonment, arrest and any other physical coercion in any manner that does not admit of legal justification.”

Nigerians fate does not only rest in the hands of a few, the majority have a lot to do in the attainment of the right atmosphere and environment for a better society that promote stability, mental health and socio-economic development of all.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Defence Headquarters has clarified that the UN Peacekeeping fighting vehicles and equipment sighted recently in Benin, Edo were meant for deployment for peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Gusau said circulation of the video of the said equipment on social media, had given rise to insinuations that were inimical to public peace which might cause panic.

He said that presently, Nigeria is contributing troops to various UN Peace keeping operations; the most recent is United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Southern Sudan.

“The Mission is commanded by a Nigerian, Ma.-Gen. Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr.

“It should be noted that the UN doesn’t have its own troops, rather it enter into agreement with troops contributing countries to provide their personnel and equipment for operations in its various missions.

“Therefore, it is imperative to state emphatically that the military fighting vehicles and equipment painted in UN colour as sighted are being moved through the Warri port for movement to the mission area in Southern Sudan.

“The Defence Headquarters under the leadership of Gen. Lucky Irabor, wish to assure Nigerians that our nation is not under any threat that will warrant the deployment of UN troops on our soil”, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a video clip titled, “tension as heavy military UN trucks arrive Nigeria”, surface on one BVI Youtube channel on Sunday.

The commentator was seen raising alarm that something was cooking in the country that the government was not telling the citizens

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Police Command in Kano State has arrested one Philibus Ibrahim for allegedly strangling his pregnant girlfriend, 22-year- old Theresa Yakubu.

Ibrahim, who committed the offence in Tudun Wada Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, was arrested alongside his accomplice Gabriel Bila, both of Unguwar Korau Tudun-Wada LGA.

Mr Mamman Dauda, the Commissioner of Police in the state, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Kano.

According to Dauda, on April 2 at about 4:30 p.m., we received an information from a good Samaritan that a lady was seen lying on the roadside, unconscious on Kano-Jos Road in Anadaria Village.

“On receiving the information, a team of policemen was rushed to the scene and the victim was taken to Tiga General Hospital where she was confirmed dead by a doctor.

“Investigation, however, revealed that the victim left Nassarawan Kuki to Yantomo Village in Garin Babba LGA of Kano on March 27, at about 6:00 p.m.

“In the course of investigation, the principal suspect was arrested and confessed committing the offence by using the victims veil to strangulate her.

Dauda said that investigation was ongoing and once completed the suspects would be charged to court

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied suspending the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege from the party.

This is contained in a statement by the Delta APC Executive Committee signed by Elder Omeni Sobotie, the state chairman of the party and Mr Peter Akarogbe, the secretary in Warri.

The APC said that Omo-Agege, who was its govenorship candidate in the March 15, election. remained a bonafide member of the party.

It described the publication alleging his purported suspension, as the handwork of rabble rousing impostors who claimed to have held positions at the various levels of the party in the state.

“We the legitimate and only recognised state executive committee of the APC at the National Headquarters, in consultations with all other levels in the chain hereby disclaim the publication as fraudulent, a ruse and of no consequence.

“Therefore, it should be disregarded and ignored as the handiwork of mischief makers by all party faithful and the general public.

“The executive committee members of the APC at the wards, local governments, senatorial districts and state levels, were duly elected by bonafide members of the party in a transparent process at the different congresses organised by the party.

“So, they remain legitimate and still hold their offices and positions in accordance with the APC Constitution.

“The general public, party faithfuls and stakeholders are therefore advised to discountenance the said publication, and view it as the worthless undertaking of men with crooked intentions,” it said.

The APC added that the signatories were not only dubious impostors, but very reckless, saying that their claims could cause a breach of public peace and should not be permitted.

It, however, enjoined the police, Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to take note of the wanton rascality and the unscrupulous intent to cause disharmony and a breach of public peace in the state.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Olaolu Modupe-Oni, Medical Director, HealthGate Medical Centre, has highlighted the need for regular physical exercises to improve brain health, manage weight and reduce the risk of diseases

Modupe-Oni gave the advice on Saturday at an inter-house sports competition, organised by Holy Child Educational Home, with the theme, “The champion in Me”, in Abuja.

He said: “We need to get active and exercise our bodies.

“There are diseases that stem from children not being active. Also being active helps them in their educational endeavours.

“Children need these exercises because it is not only adults that are obese, we also have children obesity.

“Competitions help in the release of positive endorphins when you exercise and it is essential to us all,’’ he said.

He noted that children rarely exercise but focus more on the digital devices like the phones, laptops, computer games and television, which gives them little time for exercises, hence, they are prone to obesity and other diseases.

“We live in a digital era, kids are always in front of laptops, ipads, television and they hardly get any physical activity done.

“These kind of engagements also foster healthy competitions, cooperation amongst them and a sense of camaraderie, and provides academic guidance,’’ he said.

He also advised parents to disclose the medical history of their children to school authorities to enable them know the activities that the students can engage in that will not affect their health.

Mrs Ajibike Olufemi, the school Director, said the inter-house sports activity was to build the students confidence, discover talents and connect them with relevant stakeholders that would groom them for the future.

“There is a high level of potentials and talents in them that we want them to tap from, build on it and make the best use of it.

“We also want them to shun social and negative vices by instilling in them positive and healthy values in such a way that they can have self-confidence, determination and strive hard for success.

“We have some sports council officials that are here to actually identify talents who they can build up and train,’’ she said.

Miss Esther Joel, a student and one of the participants, said engaging in sporting activities is to prepare her pursue a career in basketball.

Similarly, Mr Okewu Anthony, another student, said: “sport makes me happy, makes my brain function well and I intend to pursue a career in the military, so this activity will help me to be strong, agile and ready for the task ahead.’’

One of the parents, Mrs Oluwakemi Annafi, said “the event was an opportunity for parents to network and also to encourage some of us and our children to be medically and physically fit.

“This sporting event enables the children to improve intellectually, gives them a sense of competition and confidence to participate in competition and win.’’

Similarly, another parent, Mrs Ngozi Uzokwu, urged the school to partner with others towards harnessing the sporting potentials of the students to enable them pursue careers and represent the country in sports.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, on Monday in Abuja inaugurated two committees to help boost agricultural development in the territory.

While inaugurating the committee, the minister expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the partnership on the projects.

She said that the committees are the Steering and Inter-Agency Technical Committees of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Projects in the FCT.

Aliyu stated that the projects would go a long way in bringing about the avowed promise of leaving behind a legacy that will chart an unhindered course for sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

She added that the first phase of these projects was the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), which was facilitated by the World Bank.

Aliyu said that it was aimed at helping northern part of Nigeria and the FCT to address critical challenges of regional desertification control and landscape management.

She said: “The projects align with the goal of Buhari’s administration to set out broader landscape restoration of 4 million hectares of degraded land, and the promise of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.”

Aliyu further stated that the implementation would take place in the six Area Councils of the FCT; particularly in the rural communities, and would cater for the farmers and farm groups, women and youths groups.

She said that the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme (SAPZ) was co-financed by the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

According to her, it aims at mobilising private sector entities to develop value chains for selected strategic crops and livestock in the participating states.

Aliyu also said that the programme would significantly drive the modernization of the FCT agricultural sector and reduce food imports.

It will also enhance value addition in livestock value chain, staple food crops and create new economic zones of wealth and jobs creation in rural areas.

She said that the steering committees of the projects were the apex decision-making bodies for the operation of the projects in FCT.

According to Aliyu, they have the responsibilities of providing guidance and taking decisions on the recommendations forwarded by the StateTechnical Committee and StateProject Management Unit (SPMU)

The Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Abubakar Ibrahim, said that several states across the federation had already keyed into the programmes.

He said: “Today’s inauguration marks the official take-off of the programmes in the nation’s capital.”

Ibrahim stated that the projects aimed at addressing environmental challenges as well as reinvigorating the livestock sector to enhance sustainable agricultural production and improved food and nutrition security.

He, however, assured that in view of the huge expectations on the projects, membership of the two committees were carefully drawn from relevant secretariat’s departments and agencies (SDA’S) of the FCT Administration.

Responding on behalf of the members of the committee, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, noted that the implementation of the two projects could not have come at a better time than now when the capital city was in dire need of the implementation of innovative programmes.

” Programmes that have the capacity to rapidly guarantee the attainment of food and nutrition security, as well as improve the quality of lives of the growing population of the FCT.

Ibrahim said: “There is no gainsaying the fact that the issues of climate change and global hunger are interwoven, and experts have warned that unless urgent and necessary measures are taken, nations face immense threat of global food crisis.”

He assured the minister that members of the committees would put in their best to ensure that the objectives of the projects were realised.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria