Blog

 

By Aminu Garko

Kano:  Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba, is dead.

Na’aba died in Abuja Wednesday morning. He was aged 65.

Mr Ahmed Tijjani Lawal, an aide to the deceased, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Wednesday in Kano.

“The former Speaker died in the early hours of Wednesday at the National Hospital, Abuja,” he said.

Na’Abba represented Kano Municipal Federal Constituency and won election to the National Assembly on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in1999.

He became the Speaker of the House of Representatives after Alhaji Salisu Buhari was forced out of the Assembly over certificate and age issues.

He left behind one wife, 10 children and three grandchildren.

“We are currently making arrangements to transport the corpse to Kano for burial today,” the aide told NAN.(NAN) www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

 

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned in totality the barbaric killing of 96 persons and razing of 221 houses in Plateau on Dec. 24, being Christmas eve.

The President of NANS, Comrade Pedro Obi, in a statement in Enugu on Wednesday, said that the colossal killings and destruction had left a trail of sorrow, devastation and anguish in its wake.

According to Obi, NANS expresses its deepest condolences to the families and communities affected by the gruesome and heart-wrenching incidents that occurred on the Black Christmas Eve in Plateau State.

“The heinous attacks, characterized by wanton destruction and loss of innocent lives, are an affront to humanity and a stark reminder of the urgent need for stronger security measures to safeguard Nigerians.

“NANS calls on the relevant authorities to take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.

 

“It is disheartening that such acts of violence continue to occur, despite the efforts of the government and security agencies to maintain peace and security in the country.

 

“NANS implores the Federal Government to intensify its efforts in ensuring the safety and protection of all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or geographical location,” he said.

Obi explained that the lives lost in these attacks are not mere statistics; they represented sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters who had dreams, aspirations and hopes for a better future.

 

He noted that NANS stands in solidarity with the affected communities, offering our unreserved support and prayers during this difficult time.

 

“NANS also calls on the Federal Government to consider the long-term consequences of such attacks on the affected communities.

 

“It is imperative that appropriate measures are taken to provide necessary relief and support to the victims, including the provision of humanitarian aid and rebuilding of destroyed homes as well as access to medical care and counseling services.

“NANS appeals to the Federal Government to enhance collaboration with regional and international partners in intelligence sharing, capacity building, and the implementation of effective strategies to combat terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminal activities.

 

“It is vital that we unite as a nation to tackle these security challenges and protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians,” he said.

 

The NANS boss urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to appropriate authorities, adding: “We must work together to create a society where peace and harmony prevail, and where every Nigerian can live without fear”.

 

He said that NANS was reiterating its call for justice for the victims and a comprehensive review of security strategies across the country.

 

“We stand united in our resolve to ensure that such acts of violence become a thing of the past and that Nigerians can once again feel safe and secure in their homeland,” he added. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Ismail Abdulaziz

Abuja:  President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, as he celebrates his 70th birthday.

The president commended Akume for his consistency and perpetual dedication to duty in coordinating the affairs of government.

Tinubu’s media aide, Mr Ajuri Ngelale stated in Abuja on Tuesday that the president noted Akume’s rich portfolio of leadership experience and laurels.

The president also noted Akume’s attainments as governor, minister, senator, and top-flight public servant, which he brought to bear on his current role.

He extolled Akume’s temperance, affability, harmony, and stability which he consistently personifies as he coordinates activities between the executive and other arms of government.

“He makes himself accessible, focused, and dependable in bridging the divide between policy and implementation.

“George Akume is one of the most reliable citizens this country can boast of.

“The people of Benue have attested to his sterling leadership principles and leveraged his remarkable talent for so many years because of what he has always stood for.

“He will be with you in the best of days, and even most reliably, in the worst of days.

“The country has been blessed with the dedication and sure-handedness of Sen. Akume,’’ Ngilale quoted the president as having said.

While wishing Akume good health and strength, the president implored him not to relent in his diligent service to the country, Ngilale stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)  /Flowerbudnews

 

 

By Mohammed Tijjani
Kaduna:  The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna Sector Command says four persons died and 56 others sustained injuries in a road crash on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

The Sector Commander, Mr Kabir Nadabo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the road traffic crash occurred at Sabon Sara village along the expressway on Tuesday.
Nadabo said the tragic accident involved a trailer(Iveco) with registration number MKA 99YS and it occurred at around 03:30hrs.

“The combined rescue teams of RS1.113 Zhipe and RS1.17 Birnin Yero conducted the rescue, ” he said.
According to him, the initial investigation revealed that the cause of the crash was overloading of goods and humans as well as fatigue .
Nadabo said, “Further investigation of the incident shows that 73 people were involved in the crash, 59 got injured, and sadly, 4 were deceased,”
He said the injured have been conveyed to St. Gerard and AP Smart Hospitals, all in Kakuri.
Nadabo explained that the FRSC would continue to call on the motoring public to adhere to all safety regulations on the road, adding,”as you all know, the yuletide season is the most travelled period of the year, thus the frequent road traffic crashes experienced.”

He reassured that the corps was doing everything possible to curtail the menace of crashes and save lives and properties.

“Kaduna state is a critical corridor that links the North to the South, this is why the Kaduna State Command has activated several measures and home grown initiatives.
”Like the establishment of road side camps at Kakau and Rigachikun to promptly respond to crashes, the provision of standby ambulances at Jere, Doka, Kakau, Gonin Gora, Rigachikun, Zaria and Tashar Yari, with experienced staff to handle first aid care.

”Also the corps in the state will continue to aggressively create awareness and sensitisation to road users on general safety ethics.
“For the record, I want to inform the public that henceforth, any driver arrested with overloading of goods and humans will be arraigned before the courts for prosecution for endangering the lives and properties of Nigerians.
“Already, concerted efforts have resulted in the arrest of the trailer driver involved in this crash.
“I wish to emphatically reiterate our resolve in reaching out to stakeholders particularly transport unions to preach and sensitise their drivers on the dangers of excessive speeding, overloading, dangerous driving and use of phone while driving, among others,” he said.
Nadabo appreciated the Kaduna state Government for its support and interventions to FRSC activities in the state,and also lauded the media for working with the corps in propagating safety .

He,however, appealed to the public to take safety as a priority and work with FRSC, saying, ” together we can save lives and properties.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng (Flowerbudnews)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

A grieving Governor Mutfwang, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, said the attacks were unprovoked and tasked security agents to unravel the sponsors of the “carnage” and their blood-thirsty foot-soldiers.

 

“Just when we had finished preparations for Christmas, unprovoked attacks were unleashed on our communities,” a sombre-faced Mutfwang narrated the blood-curling simultaneous attacks by assailants on over 15 communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of the state on Christmas eve.

Several houses were set ablaze by the attackers on Sunday night. The gun-wielding and blood-curling men also looted farm produce and destroyed properties as they butchered the residents.

As I am talking to you, in Mangu Local Government alone, we buried 15 people. As at this morning, in Bokkos, we are counting over 100 corpses. Not to talk of that of Barkin-Ladi.”

 

Several houses were said to have been set ablaze by the attackers who also looted farm produce and destroyed properties in the process.

 

 

The governor said the attacks were “unprecedented and monumental”, noting that though the assailants intended to break the spirit of the people and pull down the two local governments, the spirit of the people on the Plateau remained unfazed.

 

Mutfwang, however, said the response time by security agents, especially the men of the Nigerian Army can be better.

 

The governor also said the attacks were unconnected to land disputes between aboriginal dwellers and marauding terrorists. He warned that the people attacked could defend themselves but it might get to a time that the people might not be able to restrain themselves from defending themselves and their lands against the assailants

 

Two people have been confirmed dead, while six others were injured in an early Tuesday crash said to have occurred around 2:21 am, around Car Park C turning of the Redemption City, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

 

The lone crash involving a Toyota bus with number plate ACA607XT was blamed on excessive speed after which the bus lost control and crashed.

 

The spokesperson for Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Florence Okpe, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.

 

The injured victims were said to have been taken to a nearby hospital while the corpses of the deceased were also said to have been deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

 

The Sector Commander, FRSC Ogun Sector Command, Anthony Uga, is said to be sad over the refusal of motorists to obey simple traffic rules especially that of speed limit which has been the cause of fatal cra

shes on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.He further advised motorists to go with the stipulated speed limit and drive to stay alive.

 

The statement partly read, “The crash occurred in the early hours of today Tuesday, December 27, 2023, at about 0221 hrs around Car Park C turning on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

.A total of eight persons were involved, all male adults, six were injured and two persons were recorded dead.

 

“The vehicle involved was with registration number ACA607XT a Toyota Hiace bus.

 

“The suspected cause of the lone crash was excessive speed which led to loss of control and the vehicle crashed.”

 

 

A 29-year-old fun-seeker identified simply as Francis has drowned while swimming at the Pop Beach Club in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

 

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Thursday at about 12pm while the victim was holding a birthday hangout with his friends.

 

It was gathered that the late Francis and three others left their colleagues while the celebration was going on and went to the sea to swim.

 

An eyewitness told our correspondent on Sunday that some of the lifeguards close to the sea raised the alarm after they sighted the four of them struggling to swim against the tide.

 

The eyewitness said, “The celebrant came with 11 friends including the victim around 12 pm. They were having fun when about four of them went to swim in the beach. After spending about 30 minutes swimming, we could no longer see them again. The next moment we saw them, they were already struggling in the water. That was when we alerted the lifeguards who went into the sea to rescue them. They were only able to rescue three of them.”

 

Efforts by the lifeguards to rescue the deceased victim were unsuccessful as he was already too weak to swim.

 

After they searched for the remaining one and could not find him, the management went to the police station to report the incident. By the time a team of police arrived, the management had also gone to hire local divers who came to begin another round of search for the missing person. The search lasted till the evening but he was not found,” the eyewitness added.

however, gathered that the remains of the deceased were later found on Saturday.

 

A police source in the community said, “His body was washed to the shore of the sea on Saturday morning. And immediately people saw it, they alerted the management.”

 

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

 

He said, “It happened. The body was recovered two days after the incident and the corpse has been deposited in the morgue.”