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Army chief orders full medical care for wounded soldiers

The General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division Nigerian Army, Major General AE Abubakar, on Wednesday, visited soldiers who were wounded in action during the ongoing Operation Hakorin Damisa IV at the Jos University Teaching Hospital in Jos, Plateau State.

The PUNCH reports that the Nigerian Army had in July 2023, launched a new military operation in Plateau state, code-named Operation Hakorin Damisa IV following a series of attacks by gunmen in different communities which left over 300 persons dead and properties destroyed.

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, who launched the new operation in Mangu Local Government Area of the state said the aim was specifically to end the spate of attacks and killings in the LGA and other parts of the state.

The Media Officer of the Special Task Force, Captain Oya James, who disclosed the visit of the GOC to the Jos University Teaching Hospital in a statement on Wednesday, said he was accompanied by Commanders and Principal Staff Officers from 3 Division headquarters and Operation Safe Haven.

Although the statement did not disclose the number of injured soldiers receiving treatment at JUTH, it disclosed that during the visit, the GOC who is also the Commander, Operation Safe Haven, assured the wounded personnel of adequate medical treatment that would enable them to recover quickly from the injuries sustained.

“The nation was proud of their selfless service and continued sacrifices toward maintaining peace in the country.

“Lagbaja has directed that comprehensive medical care was imperative for the wounded heroes including further medical therapy overseas should the need arise. He reiterated that the welfare of troops was of utmost importance to the COAS while wishing them quick recovery,” the statement partly read.

September 20, 2023
BREAKING: Tribunal sacks NNPP’s Abba Yusuf, declares APC’s Gawuna winner in Kano

The Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Gawuna, winner of the March 18 governorship poll.

Reading of the judgment was transmitted virtually via Zoom, a teleconference service as the panel members were not physically in court.

The ruling came weeks after lawyers of both parties made their closing arguments on behalf of their clients on 21 August.

Recall the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared that the NNPP polled 1,019,602 votes to defeat the APC with its candidate, Nasir Gawuna, who scored 890,705 votes. The NNPP candidate thus won with a margin of 128,897 votes.

However, the APC filed a petition at the tribunal to challenge the results declared by the electoral body.

Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the NNPP was declared winner of the election by the INEC.

After the declaration by INEC, Gawauna congratulated Yusuf, but the All Progressives Congress headed to court to challenge the victory.

The three-man panel, on Wednesday, ordered the withdrawal of certificate of return which INEC presented to Yusuf, and directed a certificate of return to be issued to Gawuna.

The court deducted 165,663 votes from Yusuf as invalid, stating that the ballot papers (165,663) were not stamped or signed and therefore declared invalid

September 20, 2023
Tuition Hike: FG appeals to students, parents as varsities resume

The Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu, has appealed to students, parents and lecturers in public tertiary institutions to shun acts capable of disrupting the academic session as schools get set for resumption.

Sununu made the appeal in Abuja on Wednesday when the leadership of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) paid him a courtesy visit.

Speaking ahead of the resumption of academic activities in tertiary institutions, the minister said the show of restraint would be in the best interest of all stakeholders as well as the stability of the system.

He noted that his ministry is having constructive dialogue and consultation with stakeholders over the welfare of students, staff as well as the provision of infrastructure in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

While acknowledging that strikes and non-use of facilities could lead to rapid decay, Sununu promised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to avoid any situation that could lead to further industrial actions.

Earlier speaking, the President of CONUA, Niyi Sunmonu, said there could be likelihood of unrest occasioned by the new increase in school fees, which he said had the potential of disrupting academic activities and the school calendar.

Sunmonu also appealed to government to look into ways of improving the condition of service of academic and non-academic staff of universities, which he said had deteriorated due to the petroleum subsidy removal.

He added that there was need to revisit the issue of the 8-month salary arrears that arose from the last strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), arguing that members of CONUA did not go on strike.

September 20, 2023
BREAKING: Bauchi Guber Tribunal upholds Bala Mohammed’s victory

The Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar

The tribunal affirmed the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The three-man panel chaired by Justice P.T Kwahar, held that there was “no strong reason to nullify the election”, stating that the poll was conducted in compliance with the law.

DAILY POST reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Bala Mohammed winner of the March 18 governorship election.

However, the APC candidate, a former Chief of Air Staff, approached the court to nullify the election over alleged irregularities

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September 20, 2023
Auchi Poly grants amnesty to four repentant cultists

The Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State has granted amnesty to four repentant cultists.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Umar, made this known on Wednesday while addressing the repentant cult members.

Umar urged the students of the institution to renounce their membership in cults.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the former cultists renounced their membership of secret cult groups at a renunciation programme organised by the management of the polytechnic in Auchi,

Edo.

Renouncing cultism means abandoning reckless lifestyle and evil ways, no good thing comes from the devil.

“Auchi Polytechnic in a bid to establish zero tolerance for cultism has organised this renunciation programme.

“This renunciation programme is a kind of amnesty to enable staff and students who are cultists to renounce membership of such cults.

After the renunciation programme, any staff or students who gets involved in any cult related activities, will face appropriate penalties and punishment,’’ the rector said.

The fight against cultism, he said, was a collective one.

“Churches and mosques are not left out in the fight against cultism. They should also establish strong youth departments and programmes where youths can be mentored regularly,“ he said.

He urged other students who didn’t want to publicly renounce their memberships to do so.

Earlier, Mr Daniel Osita, who gave his testimony as a renounced cultist, commended the students for renouncing cultism.

”By this decision, you have opened positive doors to your futures,” he said.

He advised the students to be mindful of the decisions they make in life, pointing out that choices made by humans in life either make or mar their future.

September 20, 2023
India issues advisory to citizens in Canada amid diplomatic tussle

New Delhi: (Xinhua/NAN) The Indian government on Wednesday issued an advisory to its citizens in Canada against travelling to areas which are prone to anti-India activities.

The advisory came in the wake of souring relations between the two countries after the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada which the Canadian government blamed on Indian agencies.

Both countries have expelled one diplomat from each other’s embassy.

“In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution,” said an official statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

It particularly advised Indian students in Canada to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant given the “deteriorating security environment in Canada.” (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

September 20, 2023
Court acquits Anambra varsity professor, others of forging chieftaincy documents

Abuja: A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, discharged and acquitted Prof. Obiajulu Obikeze and four others of allegations bordering on forgery of chieftaincy documents.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on the defendants’ motion on notice dated April 29, 2022, and filed by their counsel, Kelvin Nwufo, SAN, quashed the 11-count charge in its entirety for being invalid, unconstitutional and ultra vires.

“The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted. This is the order of this court,” Justice Ekwo declared.
The judge agreed with the defendants that filing the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 after a similar matter had already been decided in an Anambra High Court and two more suits were still pending before the courts on same subject matter was an abuse of court process.

“It is the law that where persons have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, they are bound by the judgement thereof,” he said.

It would be recalled that the police had, on Feb 22, 2022, arraigned Prof. Obikeze, who works with the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, formerly known as Anambra State University Igbariam in Anambra,

Obikeze, the 1st defendant, was arraigned alongside Dr Raymond Ofor, Chief Ezue, Sir Amobi Nwafor and Okafor Bethram IK as 2nd to 5th defendants respectively.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Inspector-General of Police, was the complainant in the 11-count charge.
The defendants, however, pleaded non-guilty to all the charges.

In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 dated and filed on July 6, 2021, by the prosecution lawyer, Celestine Odo, the defendants were charged for the offences of conspiracy, forgery of the constitution of the Igweship Constitution of Awa, and punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010.

They were alleged to have committed the offence around Jan.15, 2019, at Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra.
While count two accused them of uttering forged documents, count three accused them of making “a forged letter to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra on Chieftaincy and Towns Union Matters.

The document was titled, “Submission of Awa Chieftaincy Constitution,” knowing it to be false, with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine at the Government House, Awka, Anambra State.”

But in a preliminary objection dated April 29, 2022, the defendants’ lawyer, Nwufo, prayed the court to dismiss the charge for being an abuse of court process.

The senior lawyer argued that an High Court of Anambra had already delivered judgment in a similar matter in suit number: AG/155/2018 on Jan. 29, 2020 in which the court dismissed the case.

Besides, he said that two others matters were pending in the state courts.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Ekwo held that even if someone later wrote a petition on a matter that judgement had been given, It was the duty of the police to advise the parties or any person connected thereto to either obey the judgement or proceed on appeal.

“It can be seen from the respective averments of the parties to this application that the criminal charge in this case, is an attempt by the nominal complainants to use the police to intimidate, harass, frighten and cow the defendants/applicants.

“On this ground, I find that this charge is a product of self-help and cannot be allowed to stand and I so hold. I make an order dismissing it,” he declared.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

September 20, 2023
2023 Hajj: NAHCON, NNPC strike deal on aviation fuel

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Abuja: The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said it had reached an agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) for availability of ‘Jet A’ fuel for seamless transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made this known in a statement issued by Fatima Usara, Assistant Director, Public Affairs of the commission, on Friday in Abuja.

Hassan advised the approved air carriers for this year’s hajj to meet the NNPC for briefing and perfection of the arrangement.

The chairman said that the commission decided to consult with the aviation experts to seek professional advice.

He assured that the commission would work with the advice of industry’s stakeholders in the interest and safety of Nigerian pilgrims.

Hassan said that steps had already been taken by the commission to curtail any possible drawbacks in the transportation of pilgrims once it commenced.

“In order to ensure ceaseless supply of Jet A fuel for the purpose of the airlift, NAHCON has made arrangements with NNPC to that end,”he added.

On his part, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Musa Nuhu, stated that his organisation had inspected all the designated hajj airlift airports to take stock of all security and functional facilities.

He called on the selected carriers to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of engagement that they would sign.

The director-general also advised the air carriers to meet up with the requirements that would be spelt out in the agreements as NCAA was ready to sanction any possible non compliance.

He decried the issue of delay and cancellation of flights experienced during the 2022 hajj, saying that they had ripple effects on hajj operation in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

Nuhu sad: “Over this perpetual bottleneck, NCAA was earlier invited by General Authority on Civil Aviation (GACA) to measure the level of effect it has on Madina and Jeddah airports’ Hajj operations.

” Hence, NCAA has laid down stringent measures to avoid cancellations and flight delays this year.”

He also expressed concern over the closure of the airspace of the war-torn Sudan. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

September 20, 2023
FCTA to begin arresting violators of Abuja Master Plan, says Development Control

By Philip Yatai

Abuja: The Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says it will begin arresting violators of Abuja Master Plan in addition to demolishing the structures.

Its Director, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, stated this after a foiled attempted demolition of an abandoned three-storey building at Asokoro in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that officials of the department had begun demolishing the fence of the building when the owner came with a court order stopping the exercise.

Galadima told journalists that the building was not only abandoned but was also constructed in violation of the approval given for the structure.

“Aside from building contrary to the approval, the structure had been abandoned for a long time and had become a safe haven for criminals.

“If you look at that area, it is purely a low-density residential area, mostly duplexes with one suspended floor or two suspended floors.

“But the structure in question is a massive structure of luxury apartments, which may end up being a hotel.

“There was no approval to that effect. I have gone through all the files. The approval was for a duplex, but they didn’t build it in line with what was approved for them.,” he said.

The director recalled that the former minister had visited the structure for the same reason, adding that notice for removal had been served to the owner.

He added that part of the reason for the demolition, apart from violating the approved plan, was also that the building was abandoned and constituting a security threat to residents.

He also said that the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, frowns at abandoned structures.

“These are why we moved in to remove that structure to give way but while the operation was ongoing, the owner of the property came up with a court order.

“The Order specifically barred FCTA from tampering with the property.

“As responsible citizens, I have to stop the action and consult with the Legal Secretariat of the FCT to advise on the next line of action,” he said.

When asked if the department will go ahead with the demolition if the Legal Secretariat gives its consent, Galadima said “It will come down”.

After some cleanup of operations at Asokoro and Maitama, the director said that the department would sustain the cleanup exercise.

He said that the exercise would focus on dark spots constituting security threats and those constituting hygienic and environmental problems.

“The clean up is a continuous exercise to sanitise and clean the city. Already we have cleaned up Kabusa Junction, Galadimawa Roundabout, Sun City, and Ring Road 2 Corridor.

“So, we’re going all around the city, but this time around, once we clear, we will arrest those violating the Abuja Masterplan,” he said. (NAN)/Flowerbudnews

September 20, 2023