Author: Obiajulu Joel Nwolu - Page 222

Nigerian Army Speaks on Southern Kaduna Killings, See its Position

29Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Interview, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety, Security, Terrorism

Nigerian Army Speaks on Southern Kaduna Killings, See its Position

The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that the killings in Southern Kaduna are one-sided attacks. It stated that it was making effort at accelerated response to distress calls in steep terrain, raising the number of troops in the area and plans and coordinating with the Air Force for joint response. This was disclosed by Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major-General CC Okonkwo in a meeting of senior security officials on Tuesday with Kaduna State Governor El-Rufai on the killings in Southern Kaduna, reports say. The security officials “confirmed that a cycle of attacks and reprisals was compounding criminal activities in the area and causing needless loss of lives and appealed to all sides to embrace peace.” Okonkwo confirmed at the meeting that he welcomed a deployment of...

Governor Bala Mohammed Distances Self from Dogara’s Defection to APC

29Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria

Governor Bala Mohammed Distances Self from Dogara’s Defection to APC

Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor has distanced himself from the defection of erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) describing him as a “pandemic” in politics. The governor also alleged that Dogara was involved in constituency project contract inflation. He disclosed these on Tuesday at the Government House, Bauchi when a multitude of party faithful from Dogara’s constituency - Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas paid him a courtesy visit. He said, “Besides the Bauchi LGA, there is no place that gave me many votes like Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro and in the past; these same votes were given to me at the time I contested under the ANPP; the votes I got then were 20 times more t...

FG Declares July 30, 31 Public Holiday to Mark Sallah

28Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety

FG Declares July 30, 31 Public Holiday to Mark Sallah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 will be observed as public holidays to heed Eid-el-Kabir Celebration. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah announced in a statement on Tuesday. The statement contained a congratulatory message to Muslim faithful and Nigerians by Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior. It read in part, “He called on the Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country especially as the world is witnessing global health challenges caused by Covid-19 pandemic.” Aregbesola asked Nigerians to observe saf...

NDDC Contract: Lawmakers Debunk Akpabio’s Allegation

28Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Corruption, Crime, Economy, Finance, Interview, Justice, Legislature, News, Niger Delta, Nigeria

NDDC Contract: Lawmakers Debunk Akpabio’s Allegation

Senators mentioned as beneficiaries of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contracts by Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, have denied the allegation and asked the minister to give account of N81.5 billion spent by the commission instead. Speaking with reporters yesterday, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs and his forerunner Senator James Manager, said that they were not awarded any contract by NDDC between 2017 and 2019 as alleged by Akpabio. In his reaction, Nwaoboshi dared the minister to submit the list to anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies if he can prove that he was awarded 53 NDDC projects as alleged. Nwaoboshi said, “The unsubstantiated allegation is in line with Mr. Akpabio’s well-known age...

AfDB Corruption Probe: Independent Panel Exonerates Adesina

28Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

African Development, Corruption, Economy, Justice, News, Nigeria

AfDB Corruption Probe: Independent Panel Exonerates Adesina

The independent committee inaugurated to examine the report of the Ethics Committee of the Board of Directors on the accusations made by the whistle blowers against the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has cleared the bank’s president of any wrongdoing. The top-class independent review committee headed by Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, turned in its report on Monday. The panel was inaugurated in July 2 by the Bureau of Governors of the Bank, following a complaint by the United States, to crosscheck the process by which two organs of the Bank – the Ethics Committee of the Board, and the Bureau of the Board of Governors had hitherto cleared Adesina. In the top-class Revie Panel were- Mary Robinson, who is a former President of...

Court Martial of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi: Yoruba Elders Chide Nigerian Military

27Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Justice, News, Nigeria, Terrorism

Court Martial of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi: Yoruba Elders Chide Nigerian Military

Yoruba elders have criticized the court martial of Major General Olusegun Adeniti over his comments on Boko Haram war in the North East. In a clip released in March, Adeniyi disclosed that Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents were ill equipped to combat the terrorists. The video irked the public and intensified pressure on government to contain the terrorism ensued. After the outcry, military hierarchy redeployed Adeniyi from being the commander of Operation Lafiya Dole and moved him to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja. In what was described as cherrypicking of its soldiers, the Yoruba elders under the aegis of the Yoruba Summit Group at a meeting lamented that real culprits of the crime against the Nigerian people and nation were left unpunished. The for...

Nigeria Opens 14 Airports for Domestic Operation

27Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Aviation, Covid-19, Economy, News, Nigeria, Safety, Transportation

Nigeria Opens 14 Airports for Domestic Operation

The Federal Government of Nigeria said 14 airports were now accessible for domestic flight operations in the country. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation in a tweet on his official twitter handle said that 14 airports were now fully operational for domestic and commercial flights. The minister said that ministerial approvals for private and charter flights in and out of the 14 airports were not required, as the public would be informed of the other airports in due course. He disclosed that the 14 airports are: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. Others include the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri; Maiduguri Airport, Maiduguri; Victor At...

Moroccans Risk Fine, Jail for Failing to Wear Mask in Public

26Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Morocco, News

Moroccans Risk Fine, Jail for Failing to Wear Mask in Public

Moroccan government on Saturday said citizens who fail to wear face mask in public could be fine a maximum of 140 U.S dollars or up to three months incineration. The Interior Ministry said in a statement, “Anyone who refuses to wear a mask in public will face a term of one to three months’ imprisonment and a fine of between 32 dollars and 140 dollars, without excluding other severe criminal penalties.” This warning follows “the laxity of certain people with regard to compliance with the mandatory measures of wearing protective masks outside the home,” the ministry statement noted. On Friday, Morocco registered 570 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths, raising the tally of infections in the North African country to 18,834 and the death toll to 299. Source: CGTN Africa

El-Rufai Supports Decision to Increase Abuja-Kaduna Train Fares

26Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cost of Living, Nigeria, Transportation

El-Rufai Supports Decision to Increase Abuja-Kaduna Train Fares

Nasir el-Rufai governor of Kaduna State has ruled out security challenge in the Abuja-Kaduna rail line but alluded the challenge to people obeying COVID-19 guidelines put into place by the Federal Government. EL-Rufai advocated for an increase in the fares along the route, saying that the tickets were under-priced. The governor said that the low prices paved way for extortion. “If you come to buy the tickets, you can’t get it. You have to buy it from a middle man, and it’s twice the price. “So, why shouldn’t the government capture that? So, it is quite right, and I fully support the decision by the Federal Government to increase the fares,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted him to have said. He added, “In fact, the fares should even be slightly higher than this to make it di...

Glasgow Rangers Boss, Gerrard, Excited to Sign Balogun

25Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

Glasgow Rangers Boss, Gerrard, Excited to Sign Balogun

Steven Gerrard, Glass Rangers coach has said that the club is excited to have acquired the services of Nigerian defender Leon Balogun. Balogun, 32, sealed a one-year contract and an option for an extension with Rangers after exiting relegated English club Wigan Athletics. He moves to Glasgow with massive experience from spells at Premiere League and German Bundesliga and spent last season at Wigan Athletic. Injury to defender Niko Katic means he will provide the side with much needed defensive reinforcement. Steven Gerrard Rangers gaffer said he is delighted to have signed the experienced Nigerian international who much needed defensive experience. Gerrard said, “I am pleased to secure the signature of Leon. He is an experienced center half who will add strength and depth to...