By Khadijat Abdulfatai
9th September
The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday officially resumed duty from his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, after a three-month medical vacation in Germany.
Akeredolu returned to Nigeria on Thursday from Germany where he spent some months treating an undisclosed ailment.Akeredolu met with stakeholders from the state, including the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, and the state’s deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was acting Governor while he was away.
Leaders of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), also met with him at his Ibadan residence.During the meeting, the Gov. handed over his resumption letter to Oladiji and provided a copy to Aiyedatiwa.He said by the grace of God, he will be “alive” to complete his tenure, which ends in February 2025.
He proceed, “I came back yesterday, and as you know, it was a long journey. I decided that I must meet with you today,”Akeredolu added: “God has answered our prayers, and we give Him all the glory. I can assure you that our return is to the glory of God and the prayers of all of you here, and those who wished us well, I thank you very much.The Governor was welcomed by his close aides at his residence in Ibadan on Thursday.Meanwhile, the Ondo chapter of the opposition party PDP has knocked Akeredolu for resuming his official duties in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, where he landed.The party alleged that while Akeredolu was in Germany, attending to his health, Ondo State suffered multidimensional setbacks. The party said it is expected that, since Akeredolu is back in Nigeria, his first point of call should have been Ondo State, where everybody prayed for his quick recovery and return to his duties, instead, he headed for Ibadan and allegedly instructed all Cabinet members and lawmakers to join him.“This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of Ondo state people.If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he has been barely tolerated”, PDP added.
Man accused of killing wife over food
By Onu Faith Chidera
9th September
The police in Edo State have arrested a 21-year-old youth, Salami Anedu, for allegedly killing his wife, Esther Friday, 21, following a misunderstanding over food.
The suspect was paraded by the Edo State Police Command alongside other suspects arrested for various crimes in the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said Anedu was arrested on August 30 by men from the Fugar Police Division.
He said one Aluaye Momoh reported to the police that Anedu used a stick to kill his wife during a misunderstanding at their house in Ugbekpe community.
Nwabuzor said the police stormed the scene and arrested the suspect before taking the corpse to the Fugar General Hospital mortuary.
In an interview with journalists, the suspect, while denying killing his wife, said he had a quarrel with her over food.
He said, “She cooked rice and said I should not eat from the food. I went to cook yam and egg on my own, but she said I could not eat the food. As I was still eating the food, she started quarreling with me and threatened to bring her brothers to my house to beat me up.
“I thought she was joking. But she came back with two of her brothers, who were armed with sticks and they started fighting me. After the fight, my wife went to my mother’s house to pass the night, but I was surprised when vigilantes came to arrest me that I killed my wife.
“I didn’t kill my wife; I didn’t hit her with wood. It was her brothers that came to my house with wood but because I dragged with them, they said I was the one that killed her. My wife was sick before.”
AFCON QUALIFIER: ‘NFF WASTEFUL!’
By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
9th September
The last group match of the 2023 AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe tomorrow in Uyo, can be likened to the Biblical David v Goliath duel. Coach Jose Peseiro, whose contract was extended last week has invited 23 foreign-based professionals, including Ballon d’Or nominee, Victor Osimhen, Nottingham Forest’s in-form forward Taiwo Awoniyi, AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, Gift Orban, Victor Boniface, among others.
On their part, Sao Tome and Principe came to Nigeria with an all-foreign-based squad, their first in the country’s history. The coach’s decision to travel with all foreign based squad has left the local clubs in that country’s domestic league fuming. But the coach has argued that he was looking beyond the Nigeria match. Although he will be praying for an upset in Uyo, his plan is to put the team in shape before the commencement of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Notwithstanding, football buffs have wondered whether that was enough reason for Nigeria to invite as many as 23 foreign-based players against the lowly-rated Island country that the Super Eagles thrashed 10-0 in Morocco last year. Victor Osimhen led the onslaught with a double brace.
Former assistant coach of the Super Eagles Sylvanus Okpala would have preferred coach Jose Peseiro to use mainly home-based players against São Tomé and Principe. With the Eagles already qualified for next year’s AFCON, it was pointless to invite an all-star cast for the dead rubber match.
A former Super Eagles midfielder, Moses Kpakor, also faulted Jose Peseiro for excluding home-based players from the squad.
“We have to try and blend the foreign-based with the local players. We have qualified for the next AFCON so home-based players should have been invited to play the match.”
The former BCC Lions of Gboko legend recalled, “In our days, Clemence Westerhof started with us gradually and we progressed to form the nucleus of the national team. It was a gradual progress but we were all integrated.
Another commentator who pleaded anonymity branded the NFF as “wasteful”. He said, “check the cost of flight tickets for the players and their allowances. That will amount to millions of naira and the NFF cries of no funds every day.”
Apart from the financial implications, critics point to the apparent lack of prudence and direction. “When will they start building a standing home-based team?” another asked. “This is a lost opportunity in that if there was one(standing team),, the team should have been made to face Sao Tome and Principe. They must sit up.”
Observers agree that nothing has changed in the NFF. The perfidy and crass mismanagement that have seen the country’s football go down over the years has only taken a more dangerous dimension.
G20 expands as African Union joins bloc
By Abba Batholomew Adikwu
9th September
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the inclusion of African Union as a permanent member of G20.
He made the announcement during his opening speech at the summit of the G20 which comes as growing global rifts and the absence of key players threaten to make reaching consensus on the thorniest issues elusive.
The African Union has been granted permanent member status in the Group of 20 top world economies, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday, adding momentum to his drive to give a greater voice to the Global South as host of this year’s annual summit.There was widespread support, however, for adding the AU to the G20, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union.
Modi rapped his gavel three times before announcing the move to applause in the room.
He shook hands with the current AU chair, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, and embraced him warmly before inviting him to sit at the table. Modi addressed the delegates from behind a nameplate that listed his country not as India but as “Bharat,” an ancient Sanskrit name championed by his Hindu nationalist supporters that his government has been pushing at the G20.
Modi has made giving voice to the Global South a centerpiece of this year’s summit, and adding the AU at the outset was a strong step in that direction.
He told leaders that they must find “concrete solutions” to the widespread challenges that he said stemmed from the “ups and downs in the global economy, the north and the south divide, the chasm between the east and the west,” and other issues like terrorism, cyber security, health and water security.
Elon Musk’s X Corp. sues the state of California
By Onu Faith Chidera
9th September
Elon Musk’s social media platform has sued the state over a law requiring social media companies to publish their policies for removing offending material such as hate speech, misinformation and harassment.
Elon Musk’s X Corp. on Friday, September 8, sued the state of California over a law requiring social media companies to publicly post their policies regarding hate speech, disinformation, harassment and extremism. The parent company of X, formerly known as Twitter, argued in a federal suit that the law referred to as AB 587 violates its free speech rights.
“The true intent of AB 587 is to pressure social media platforms to eliminate certain constitutionally-protected content viewed by the State as problematic,” the suit contended. “The state is compelling social media companies to take public positions on controversial and politically charged issues.”
The suit railed against the law, which requires social media companies to publicly post policies regarding hate speech, disinformation, harassment and extremism on their platforms, and report data on their enforcement of the policies.
“California will not stand by as social media is weaponized to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said when he signed the bill into law a year ago.
“Californians deserve to know how these platforms are impacting our public discourse, and this action brings much-needed transparency and accountability to the policies that shape the social media content we consume every day.”
THE GOVERNOR OF KATSINA STATE MALAM DIKKO UMAR RADDA HAS LAUNCHED THE CONSTRUCTION OF 75 SECONDARY SCHOOL
By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
9th September
The Governor of Katsina state Malam Dikko Umar Radda has lauched the construction of 75 secondary School, giving 100 million Naira to 15 secondary School for renovation.
Under the program of AGILE coorpration with Katsina state Government, which was lauched in Koda town Charanci local government on 9th Saturday September 2023.
School that benefitted from 100,000,000 million Naira fund came from Katsina funds which AGILE system went and voted themselves without politics or pride.
GOVERNOR DIKKO UMAR RADDA HAS PAID A CONDOLENCES VISIT TO THE YOUTH LEADER OF APC IN KATSINA STATE
By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
9th September
The Governor of Katsina state Dikko Umar Radda has paid a condolences visit to the youth leader of APC in Katsina state Alhaji Hamza Mamman Sheme.
On Saturday 9th September 2023 the Governor and the chairman of APC in Katsina state and other party leaders visited the condolences of his father that passed away.
After completing the condolences, special prayer were held for the deceased and other Muslims, praying to Allah to bring lasting peace to Katsina state.
EFCC arrests 40 internet fraudsters in Warri
By Abba Batholomew Adikwu
9th September
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Friday, arrested 41 suspected internet fraudsters in Warri, Delta State.
The arrest followed a sting of operation based on intelligence reports.It was learnt that the suspects were apprehended by the operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC.
A statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects were “involved in various forms of online fraud, such as romance scams, identity theft, phishing and money laundering”.
It affirmed that the suspects had made useful statements and will be charged in court as soon as investigations have been concluded.
Items recovered from the suspects, according to Uwujaren, include eight exotic cars, two Toyota Venzas, one Range Rover, one Lexus EX 350, two Lexus RX 350s, one Toyota Camry, one Mercedes-Benz C300, a Mercedes-Benz GLK, phones and laptops.
The EFCC urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities of internet fraudsters to the nearest office of the commission or through its website.The Commission also reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria.
NIGERIAN ARMY CORPS OF SUPPLY AND TRANSPORT ORGANIZES MAIDEN DEFENSIVE DRIVING, ETIQUETTES WORKSHOP 2023
By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
9th September
In line with the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja’s Command Philosophy to Transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment, the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport (NACST) has organized a 2-day workshop for Nigerian Army (NA) drivers to improve on defensive driving disposition.
The workshop with the theme “Enhancing NA Drivers Capabilities in Defensive Driving and Drivers Etiquettes for Efficient Service Delivery” was held today 9 September 2023 at the Headquarters Guards Brigade Education Auditorium, Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment Asokoro Abuja.
Declaring the workshop open, the Special Guest of Honour, Chief of Logistics Army, Major General E Akerejola ably represented by Brigadier General Solomon ER, noted that the training is been organized for drivers from various formations and units of the NA as well as those attached to senior officers within Abuja. He stated that the workshop is in line with the roles and responsibilities of NACST towards fulfilling it’s training obligation to ensure efficiency of personnel tasked with managing and handling NA vehicles.
Major General Akerejola commended the Corps Commander for conceiving the idea of the training, starting that it will no doubt impact the knowledge of the drivers. He also averred that the Corps has been focused and dedicated on training of all it’s personnel in areas such as fire fighting, supplies and transport as well as driving and maintenance to boost it’s overall service delivery for the NA.
He urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Workshop to improve on themselves so as to effectively and safely deliver on the assigned tasks. The Senior officer commended the team of facilitators and resource persons for their invaluable contributions towards making NA drivers more efficient in their day to day duties as he assures them of the goodwill of the Chief of Army Staff.
Earlier, the Commander Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Major General AA Adeyinka ably represented by Brigadier General Nansa Shagaya, revealed that the workshop is aimed at refreshing Nigerian Army Drivers’ knowledge on road traffic laws and Drivers Etiquettes to enhance their capabilities and ensure safety of the vehicles as well as occupants and other road users.
He stressed that drivers across Nigerian Army formations and units are expected to be good Ambassadors who would obey all rules so as to project and protect the good image of the NA in discharging their duties, he emphasized that the training is gear towards enhancing optimal performance. “the training was strategically planned to cover theoretical lecture presentations, practical driving exercises covering defensive driving techniques, etiquettes as well as communication skills”.
Adamawa Government confirms 8 dead in canoe accident, 7 still missing
By Waliyat Abdulsalam
9th September
The Adamawa State on Saturday said eight people had been confirmed dead after a canoe accident in Yola South Local Government Area.
A boat carrying 23 passengers had capsized in Njuwa Lake at Rugange, a village in the Yola South LGA, early on Friday, with the government confirming one dead as search operations continued.
Eight people had been rescued and eight bodies found, leaving seven other people yet to be accounted for.
The Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, ADSEMA, Mohamed Suleiman, gave the update when he accompanied the state Deputy Governor, Prof Kaletapwa Farauta, on a sympathy visit to families of the affected people.
The ADSEMA boss assured that rescue efforts were on to determine the fate of the passengers that were yet to be tracked.
At the scene of the canoe accident, the deputy governor said a directive had been given for provision of life jackets for canoe users, to check casualty in case of future accidents.
She advised residents of riverine communities, other canoe users, and operators of canoes to monitor weather conditions, including likelihood of rain and storm before embarking on any journey.
The canoe accident of Friday was attributed by sources to a rain storm which hit the canoe and threw it off balance.
Niger Delta: Chevron refutes alleged involvement in crude oil theft
By Olasukanmi Temitope
9th September
Chevron Nigeria Limited, operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and CNL – NNPCL/CNL JV – has refuted alleged involvement in crude oil theft in the Niger Delta creeks.
In a signed statement made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State on Saturday, Esimaje Brikinn, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs noted that though it is aware of the online media report, “it is untrue, incorrect, and made without any basis”.According to him, CNL’s commitment to working with government agencies and others to prevent oil theft and its impact on the environment was recently commended by the Special Investigation Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria set up by the Federal Government during their visit to CNL’s operation While reiterating Chevron’s commitment to supporting the collaborative efforts to prevent oil theft and pipeline vandalism in its area of operation, the statement affirmed that illegal bunkering and oil theft in the Niger Delta region “has negatively impacted CNL’s operation and has devastating effects on the nation’s economy and the environment in the Niger Delta region”.
CNL therefore pledged to continue to monitor the environment in its areas of operations and report any suspected illegal activity and breaches to the relevant Government Security Forces and regulatory agencies.
The statement stressed that CNL has helped in reducing pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger delta region by collaborating with communities around the areas of the company’s operations to set up the Community Pipeline and Facilities Surveillance Programme (CPFSP) in 2005.
The statement read partly, “Through the CPFSP, CNL continues to tackle the challenge of oil theft and pipeline vandalism and engage the community youth in pipeline surveillance to reduce oil theft in CNL’s area of operation.“CNL also deploys security surveillance equipment and other technologies in addition to physical water-borne patrols by the CPFSP and the government security forces.“CNL is committed to the highest ethical standards and business principles. CNL operates as a responsible company and conducts its business in full compliance with the law and a socially and environmentally responsible manner.“CNL will continue to work with the Nigerian government towards the development of the oil and gas industry and the Nigerian economy generally”.