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Enugu: Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, says the Army remains in the fore-front of promoting nation’s rich and beautiful cultural heritage.

Dada said this on Thursday at the West Africa Social Activities (WASA) of the 103 Battalion, Awkunanaw,
Enugu held at the Battalion’s barrack.

The GOC, represented by the Commander of 54 Signal Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Kubiangha, noted that WASA provided an opportunity to present the nation’s diverse cultural cuisines, attires, dance displays and other unique heritage of the great people of the country.

“It is also a unique occasion for us as officers and soldiers to sit together and interact with our family members, which call of duty might not easily permit us.

“It is also time to get our families to know each other one-on-one and look after each other wellbeing within the barrack or cantonment community and our civilian neighbours.

“This event will also enhance understanding of our diverse cultural norms and practises as well as promote peace and geninue oneness,” he said.

The GOC, however, tasked troops of the Battalion to remain focussed in their assigned duties and continue to keep the flag flying.

Earlier, the Commanding Officer (Rear) of 103 Battalion, Awkunanaw,
Maj. Opeyemi Abai, appreciated the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and the GOC for making the WASA occasion possible.

Abai also thanked the guest of honour, former Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, as well as representatives of the commissioner of police, commandant of NSCDC and the State Director of the DSS for making it to the event.

“WASA is an annual event to bring all members of the barrack communuty together as well as our friends in other security agencies, civilian friends and well-wishers to enjoy our local culture and cuisines.

“The event is in line with the COAS philosophy and the need to relate well with other security agencies in a joint security environment,” he said.

The event featured various cultural cuisines, attires and dance displays as well as tug-of-war and presentation of awards to deserving soldiers that performed exceptional well in 2023.

The bonfire edifice was ignited by former Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to signal the end of the colourful occasion.  (Flowerbudnews)

 

-Says Nigeria Risks Losing Headship of OPEC’s Board of Governors in 2025 if Aduda is Not Retained

By Danladi Ahmed

Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Stakeholders within the civil society community have appealed to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Presidency to retain Gabriel Tanimu Aduda as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The Executive Director, National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, Amb. Blessing Akinlosotu, who made the appeal at a press conference in Abuja, noted that Aduda had built enough capacity to handle affairs of a mainstream and sensitive Ministry.

Akinlosotu said;  “we appeal to the Head of Service and the Presidency to urgently reconsider the redeployment, and retain Amb Gabriel Tanimu Aduda as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources for positive continuity.

(The group during the conference held in Abuja on Tuesday)

“Aduda obviously has acquired remarkable experiences and built enough capacity to handle affairs of a mainstream and sensitive Ministry that is of great importance to the National Economy, which is clearly shown in his impressive performances in just one year.

“Staff of the Ministry have testified that they have never had such dynamic and results-driven leadership as his. We therefore do not understand why such impeccable track record should be sacrificed on the alters of political mediocrity in clear violation of all that the civil service holds dear by removing and replacing him with a first-time newly appointed Permanent Secretary and who has only one year to retire from service. What exactly could be the sinister motive for this unholy action?

“The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria has resolved to occupy the Office of the Head of Service and National Assembly indefinitely if our appeals fall on deaf ears.”

The Council observed that redeploying Aduda to another Ministry would mean Nigeria losing the seat of Chairmanship of OPEC Board of Governors in 2025 (Flowerbudnews)

FELICITATION!

 

The Timi of Ede land, HRM, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa the 1st, has felicitated Delta State Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, who hails from the ancient town on his elevation to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

This was contained in a press statement personally signed by the monarch and made available to the newsmen by the palace Director of media and Public Communication, Dapo Akinyele, in Ede on Thursday.

 

The Royal father eulogized AIG Wale Abass for his dedication to duty, resilience and doggedness which every Ede indigene is known for, adding that AIG Wale Abass is a courageous Officer with the courage of his forebears as great warriors.

 

The highly revered monarch also used the medium to pray for God guidance and protection over the new AIG, while also urging all sons and daughters of Ede, both at home and in the diaspora to be good ambassadors of the ancient town wherever they are.

 

“On behalf of all Indigenes of Ede in Nigeria and in the diaspora, I heartily felicitate with AIG Wale Abass on his recent elevation to the exalted position of Assistant Inspector General of Police; it is indeed a profound reward of gallantry and diligence.

 

“Without mincing words, this present assignment is an impetus for him to continue to do more in the course of protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian through systemic and pragmatic policing”, the statement read.

 

 

By Flowerbudnews
Enugu: A cleric, Rev. Fr. Daniel Onah, has urged Nigerians to put forthright and honest stewardship to make indelible mark in life even as all will surely transit to greater glory of eternity.

 

Onah gave the admonition in a homily on Wednesday at the Service of Songs for Mr Chigozie Ugwu, 39, a gallant fire-fighter, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

 

Ugwu lost his life on Dec. 13 while fighting mid-night fire outbreak at the Motor Spare Parts Market, Coal Camp in Enugu.

The cleric said that it remained a painful death, however, he died trying to save lives and property within the state.

 

Onah, who is in-charge of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu, said that Ugwu remained outstanding and forthright among his fellow fire officers and with positive testimonials following his life.

 

“We are here for someone whose stewardship and sacrifice even in death stand out and just as our Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for us to have eternity.

“Nigerians should make their life outstanding and holy as death can come anytime and the account of our stewardship will be required,” he said.

 

Speaking, the Director of Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service, Engr Okwudiri Ohaa, said that Ugwu was exception and passionate about the job.

 

Ohaa noted that he missed an initial employment in the service and after some years later gained employment into it.

He said: “Ugwu always lead his team by being at the fore-front of the operation and does not feel comfortable delegating operation to his subordinates.

 

“He also shown selflessness in his relationship with other colleagues and even subordinates under him directly.

 

“The Service lost a gallant fighter and someone that is highly dependable.”

 

The director said that “it is still painful after much sacrifice and numerous commendations both from the state and nation the Service had received due to his commitment to duty, Ugwu left us.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ugwu, who is Senior Fire Officer, is second in a family of eight.

 

He studied Mechanical Engineering at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUTH) where he graduated with a first class.

Until his death on Dec. 13, 2023;, he was a Watch Officer in-charge of Red Watch – one of the shifts at the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service.(Flowerbudnews)

Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered that the five Port Harcourt-based men arraigned by the Federal Government on terrorism charges be remanded at Kuje Prison in Abuja.

The suspects are to remain in prison custody till February 2 when their respective bail applications would be determined by the judge.

 

The five defendants are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

In the 7-count charge, the defendants were accused of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalizing and burning down the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex in the wake of political crisis that rocked the state in October last year.

 

The crisis followed the face-off between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

 

Beside allegedly burning down the State House of Assembly, the suspects were also accused of killing a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state.

 

The police informants alleged to have been killed are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.

 

The Federal Government also accused them of using various cult groups, namely – Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland – to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities.

 

However, when the charges against them, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, was read, they all pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Although the immediate past factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie, was not listed in the 7-count terrorism charge, he was however represented in court by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Oluwole Aladedoyin, on the ground that his name featured prominently in the alleged offences.

 

He challenged the allegations that he was at large alongside other suspects.

 

Justice Olajuwon did not however allow further arguments on the ground that he was not yet a defendant in the trial.

after the arraignment, the leader of the prosecuting team, Audu Garba, applied for a date for full blown trial of the defendants.

 

However, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Lukman Fagbemi, who stood for Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele, who are 1st and 2nd defendants, sought to move applications for their bail on the ground that they have been in the police custody since last year.

 

The government lawyer, Audu Garba, vehemently opposed the motion, arguing that he had just been served with the bail applications and needed time to study them and file a counter affidavit.

 

Justice Olajuwon agreed with the prosecution lawyer that the bail applications were not ripe for hearing. He subsequently fixed February 2 for hearing of all bail applications.

 

Pending hearing and determination of the bail applications, the judge ordered that the five defendants be taken to Kuje Prison until the adjourned date.

Isaac Fayoade, brother of former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, confronted a minister for driving against traffic on a one-way lane in the Maitama area of Abuja.

 

The incident is believed to have happened on Wednesday night.

 

However, the identity of the minister was not revealed.

 

In a video making the rounds on social media, Fayose instructed the policemen on duty to send the defaulting minister back, urging them to exercise their authority.

 

He was heard saying: “Send them back, you are authority, they are not authority.

 

“Even if you are a minister, go back. If you are driving a minister, is this the country you people want?

Go back now, DPO is talking to you, enter your car and go back now.”

 

Fayose’s action has generated diverse reactions on social media, with many people praising him for the rare action