The Plateau Peace Building Agency has charged the Plateau State Police Command and the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) vested with the responsibility of maintaining the peace in the state to intensify operations to flush out all miscreants and criminal elements orchestrating attacks on communities especially in Bassa LGA. Joseph Lengemang who made the call in Jos, when he led management and staff of the agency to pay courtesy visits on the separate command formations, said the call became necessary in view of the recent upsurge of violence and destruction of cultivated farmlands in Irigwe chiefdom of Bassa…
Author: Victor Gai
Bauchi Govt. commissions 345 commercial tricycles to ease transportation during COVID-19 By Nick YashiThe Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has officially commissioned and distributed the first batch of 1,000 units of commercial tricycles (keke NAPEP) numbering 345 units in Bauchi. The State government stated that it expended the sum of N250 million out of the N500 million earmarked for the purchase of commercial tricycles and vehicles to ease transportation challenges caused by COVID 19 in Bauchi State.The State government hadearlier issued an executive order, placing a ban on commercial motorcycles commonly called ‘Achaba’, for health and security reasons.According to the…
The Nigerian Presidency has stated that the violence in Southern Kaduna in North-West Nigeria was more complicated than people think and described it as “an evil combination of politically-motivated banditry, revenge killings and mutual violence by criminal gangs acting on ethnic and religious grounds”. A press release made available on its Twitter page, has as its title: “revenge killings worsening security problems in southern Kaduna”. “The Presidency wishes to state that the problem of insecurity in Southern Kaduna State is more complicated than many people are willing to admit. From available records, Southern Kaduna enjoys comprehensive security deployments, including…
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolence over the loss of his “longtime friend”, Ismaila Isa Funtua. The president stated in his Twitter page by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu. “President Muhammadu Buhari received with deep sadness on Monday evening information on the passing of his longtime friend and associate, Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, who was Life Patron of International Press Institute and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). “The President condoles with family members, government and people of Katsina State, and all associates of the former President of NPAN, especially the media industry, on the loss, describing him as “greatly…
Thirty-three suspected Kidnappers, 2 cult members, 10 robbery suspects and 16 persons were arrested for allegedly inciting communal conflict in the state between July 1st and now. The Commissioners of Police, Adamawa state, Mr Olugbenga Adeyanyu, while parading the suspects on Monday at state police command in Yola, said that the achievement was recorded was as a result of relentless efforts of the command. “The Command arrested 33 suspected Kidnappers, two cult members,10 robbery suspects and 16 persons for inciting communal conflict in the state. “The achievement was recorded as a result of the relentless efforts by the command’s gallant…
Leicester City might miss the champions league as the English Premier League winds up next weekend. A Harry Kane inspired Spurs beat the foxes with three unreplied goals on Sunday, thereby compounding the losing streak of Leicester as the season ends. J. Justin conceded a goal against his team at the 6th minute while Harry Kane hit the net in the 37th and 40th minute. Amazingly, Leicester had a 70% ball possession but the host capitalized on a laxed rear guard and some faulty passes to beat the visitors on the counters. With the present result, in-form Manchester United, which…
Current Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) champions, Plateau United of Jos, will not have the privilege of playing in the ultra-modern Jos stadium because it does not meet CAF standards due to its uncompleted state. Instead, the Plateau state government will upgrade the Rwang Pam stadium in order to beat time before the competition starts. The Plateau state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Victor Lapang, while speaking on Rhythm FM Jos on Monday morning, revealed that due to the short time available before the competition starts and the cost of completing the new stadium, the government has decided to fix the…
Chelsea will meet Arsenal in the final of the FA Cup at the Wembley Stadium after both teams defeated the Manchester duo of City and United. Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday, while Chelsea beat Manchester United, 3-1 on Sunday to reach the finals. In today’s semi-finals, Oliver Giroud scored for Chelsea in the extra time of first half while Mason Mount scored in 46th minute. A Harry Maguire own goal in the 74 minutes buried the hopes of United. However, Bruno Fernandez took the penalty in the 85th minute as a consolation for the red devils.
With a few matches left to conclude the English Premier League, the fight for the third and fourth position on the table is open to Chelsea, Leicester City and Manchester United. Already, the league has since been won by Liverpool and Manchester City is far from within reach in second place, leaving the three teams, who are separated by just an average of one point, to fight for the remaining two champions league slots. The competition has been worsened by Monday’s appeal judgement in favour of Manchester City, who had earlier been banned from the champions league over violation of…
Nigeria has been bleeding profusely from waste in the economy as a result of corruption, abandoned projects and misplaced priorities by successive governments. In Nigeria, most likely than not, projects are initiated based on political reasons and not necessarily due to the needs of the people. As a result, we have abandoned projects spread around the country which have come at a huge cost to the country. These ‘white elephant’ projects were initiated without the necessary needs assessment and when they were begun, the approved funds were diverted to private pockets or overtaken by other projects which were seemingly more…
The usefulness of data for effective policymaking, meaningful resource allocation and efficient public service delivery was the highlight of the 12th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series that held virtually on Monday, 13 July 2020. According to a press release, signed by the Center’s Executive Director, Motunrayo Alaka, speakers at the event organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) to mark Professor Wole Soyinka’s 86th birthday have pushed for Nigeria to have accurate and relevant data towards national development. The panellists who discussed the broad theme of “Data media and national development” included Oluwayemisi Alaba, Senior Lecturer, Statistics…
The Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong, has reiterated his government’s decision to develop a state-owned peacebuilding model, and therefore encouraged communities in conflict to bring forward their own model that is “workable” in their localities. The governor stated this during a one-day capacity building training for members of the Miango Internal Security Peace Committee, held on Monday at the Plateau Peace Building Agency(PPBA). Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Dr Danladi Atu, Lalong urged the committee to remain resolute as there are persons who “reap” from the conflict. He expressed the governor’s pleasure on the decision…
Watford vs Newcastle 2-1 Norwich City vs Westham 0-4 Liverpool vs Burnley 1-1 Sheffield United vs Chelsea 3-0 Brighton vs Man. City 0-5 Wolves vs Everton 3-0 Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace 2-0 Tottenham vs Arsenal 2-1 Bournemouth vs Leicester 4-1
On BSN sports, in Spain, Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze was on from the start as Villarreal got a 3-1 win away at Getafe. Chukwueze had some lively moments early in the game but was unable to create an assist nor score a goal before he was taken off in the 52nd minute. All the four goals of the game were scored after his substitution. In Italy, Nigeria international fullback Ola Aina was a second-half substitute in Torino’s 3-1 home win over Brescia. Aina was introduced in the 75th minute. He played a part in Torino’s third game as he won the ball…
The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), has exposed the real motive behind Monday’s arrest of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. A press release signed by a member of the committee, Femi Odekunle, a professor, says: “a preliminary reaction of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) to the alleged ‘arrest’ of Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)”. Odekunle, who is a foremost professor of criminology, stated that PACAC had not had a formal meeting on the development but that the committee was able to meet and came out with a…
The All Progressives Congress (APC), has lost seven states to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) between 2015 and 2020, mainly due to internal wranglings in the party and leadership style of erstwhile chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was removed as chairman of the party by the courts, a situation that threatened to bring down the party, but for the quick intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari. Our findings show that in 2015, the APC had 19 of the 36 states, which was part of the huge success of the party in the general elections. As a…
The Plateau state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Abel Aku, has tested positive to COVID-19, even as Gov. Simon Lalong, has directed members of the State Executive Council to undergo test and isolate themselves for COVID-19. A press statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang, says “based on the governor’s directive, specimens of the Commissioners are to be taken and forwarded to the COVID-19 laboratory at The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom for testing. “During the period and pending the outcome of the results, members of the public are advised to be guided by unnecessary visits…
The chairmanship and councillorship elections for all the local government councils conducted on Tuesday were adjudged hitch-free while the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious in all the 16 councils. Our correspondent who monitored the election in Takum reports that the election was hitch-free, orderly and peaceful. Hon. Shiban Tikari won in Takum Local Government, the hometown of Gov. Darius Ishaku, while Danièl Adi won in Wukari local government. The security arrangement was adequate and the election materials were provided in good time. The election also witnessed a large turnout of eligible voters who cast their votes without any…
It has been revealed that 60 per cent of the confirmed cases of the coronavirus exist in 18 out of the 774 local government areas nationwide, according to the Nigerian government. The government has, therefore “decentralised the National Response with State Governments and communities taking ownership and more responsibility”. This was disclosed in an address by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. According to him, “Data shows that 60% of the confirmed cases are in a handful of local governments in the country (18 out of 774 LGAs nationwide)”. He mentioned the targeted interventions put in…
The Plateau state government in collaboration with law enforcement agencies have begun the strict enforcement of face masks, as Plateau state records 39 cases of the virus bringing the total confirmed cases to 337. The Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Atu, had earlier in a press conference said that “commencing from tomorrow, Monday 29th June 2020, the enforcement teams will wage a robust action on defaulters whether citizens or organisations particularly in the 6 Local Governments which include Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Kanam and Kanke”. The major streets and junctions in the city…
One of the fashions that is taking the youth sub-culture like wildfire in Nigeria today is the art of football lottery. The art of sports lottery and football lottery, in particular, has been a global phenomenon, especially in western countries with organised and successful sporting programs. It is a multi-billion pound industry in England and the USA. The introduction of the European football leagues on TV in Nigeria and the large followership that ensued promoted the business of sports lottery. A lot of investors came on board while a lot of fans have been initiated into the lottery with…
Governors of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have described as untrue the claim by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state that 10 of them were going to defect to the APC. Speaking through the Director-General of PDP Governors Forum, C.I.D. Maduabum, on Saturday, the state executives cautioned Bello to concentrate on delivering good governance to the people of Kogi. “This statement does not merit any response but for the fact that it may demoralise PDP members and Nigerians who are not aware of the facts,” the PDP governors stated. “It is obvious that this is a diversionary tactic to shore…
The Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, has killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists in Tongule and Bukar Meram areas of Borno State, the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche did confirm in a statement issued on Saturday. According to him, the airstrikes were carried out on June 25 after a series of surveillance missions indicated a resurgence of terrorists’ activities at the two settlements. The latest military action is “another set of successful air interdiction missions executed by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole under the subsidiary Operation Long Reach,” Enenche said. Stressing further,…
Despite huge military successes against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East and the adoption of a new strategy towards combating banditry in the North West, the clamour for the removal of the military service chiefs, is rising to a fever pitch of late. Nigerians are unanimous on the need to change guards in the armed forces to give a breath of fresh air to the fight against Boko Haram and bandits. In reality, the bulk of the work has already been done in the North East against Boko Haram and what remains now is just clearance operation, while…
Former Senator and Civil Rights Activist, Sen. Shehu Sani, has listed the “reasons why negotiations with bandits led to more attacks. The message on his Twitter handle read as follows. “Three reasons why negotiations with bandits led to more attacks; Firstly, Bandits are cluster groups without a central leadership; Their motivation is money & can only be sustained by money; They are transnational gangs, operate without respect or recognition for any laws or Govt”. However, the message could be alluding to the various negotiations held between the government of Zamfara and Katsina states and the bandits in the past which…
Nigerian music star, Yemi Alade will be among top world music artistes and celebrities to perform at a concert to fight the deadly COVID-19, Allure Vanguard reports. According to the report, Global Citizen and the European Commission are the organisers and has as its theme: Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concert, to ensure that no one is left behind in the global fight to tackle COVID-19. The concert also targets vulnerable persons and communities under the COVID-19 situation to highlight their plights. “The concert, which will premiere on Saturday, June 27, is a globally televised and digitally streamed special…
The Kaduna State government has stated that security agencies on fighting patrol on the Kagoro hills did not encounter the presence of over 600 armed bandits as alleged by some groups. This was disclosed in a statement dated 22nd June, 2020 by Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs. “A few days ago, some groups in Kauru local government alleged in a widely publicised press statement, the presence of over 600 armed bandits at Zangang hills. “The Kaduna State government reached out to the security agencies for immediate action on the matter. Operation Safe Haven (OPSH),…
A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Bauchi state known as Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) with support from Actionaid Nigeria has donated foodstuffs to 250 women selected from five local government areas of the state. Speaking after the distribution of the palliatives at Bogoro and Kirfi local government areas, the executive director of FAWOYDI, Hajiya Maryam Garba, explained that the gesture was meant to ameliorate the hardship of the beneficiaries due to the economic predicament caused by coronavirus pandemic globally. According to her, items donated include rice, maize, spaghetti to 75 women in Bogoro and same to another 75…
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that Ondo state deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, has resigned from APC and registered as a member of the PDP. “Breaking News! The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi has resigned his membership of the failed @OfficialAPCNg. Hon. Agboola after his resignation, picked the @OfficialPDPNig membership card at Ward 2, Apoi, in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State,” the party stated on its official Twitter page. Similarly, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has welcomed the Ondo State deputy governor into the party. In his Twitter…
The Bauchi State Government has flagged off the 2020 farming season with the approval of N653 million revolving fund to the Bauchi State Agricultural Supply Company (BASAC) as part of efforts to ensure the continuous supply of genuine and certified fertilizers to farmers at a subsidized rate in the state. The State governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, disclosed the package during the weekend at the official launching ceremony of the 2020 farming season sales of fertilizers and OPC Africa COVID 19 palliative support project to Bauchi farmers in Bauchi. According to the Governor, the present administration came into power with a…
