Pope Francis Begs South Sudan Leaders, On His Knees, To Embrace Peace

April 11, 2019

Pope Francis has begged South Sudan warring leaders on his knees, asking them to embrace peace and to be one another’s brothers they are supposed to be.

In a dramatic gesture after an unprecedented retreat at the Vatican today, Thursday, the Pope appealed to them not to return to a civil war. He also appealed to President Salva Kiir, his former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar, and three other vice presidents to respect a peace agreement they signed and commit to forming a unity government in May.

“I am asking you as a brother to stay in peace. I am asking you with my heart, let us go forward. There will be many problems but they will not overcome us. Resolve your problems. Francis said in improvised remarks.

The leaders appeared to be stunned as the 82-year-old pope, helped by aides, knelt with difficulty to kiss the shoes of the two main opposing leaders and several other people in the room.

The Pope’s words were made even more pressing as anxiety grew in South Sudan over whether Thursday’s coup in neighbouring Sudan could scupper a fragile peace deal that ended South Sudan’s brutal five-year civil war.

The Vatican brought together South Sudanese leaders for 24 hours of prayer and preaching inside the pope’s residence in a last ditch attempt to heal bitter divisions a month before the war-ravaged nation is due to set up a unity government.

Police Boss Warns Top Officers To Be More Proactive As Crimes Rise In Nigeria

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has warned lazy police leadership to wake up to the new challenge and be more proactive in the renewed determination to contain the rising cases of criminal activities in the country.

The IGP, who attributed the rise in criminal activities to among others, the conclusion of the general elections, stressed that the current security realities in the country have made laziness amongst the top police officers intolerable.

“While some of you have demonstrated a very high and commendable level of professional competence which has manifested in the moderation of crimes in your commands, unfortunately, the professional proficiency and sense of commitment to duty of some others are being called to question in the face of inappropriate response to threats of crimes in their jurisdictions.”

The police boss, who spoke when he had a meeting with strategic police management in Abuja today, Thursday, charged the leadership of the police to renew their sense of commitment to duty and demonstrate requisite professional leadership needed to roll-back the current unacceptable trend of crimes in your commands.

“In so doing, you must have the knowledge to see things differently, wisdom to think differently and courage to act creatively. Because as noted by Albert Einstein: you cannot be ‘doing the same thing over and over and expect different results.’”

“The dynamics of crime should task you to evolve new thoughts and new approaches to crime management. Your ability to this is what defines you as a professional and an experienced police manager.

“You must therefore, return to your commands to evaluate and coordinate actions directed at overhauling your current crime control structure and strategies being conscious that the current security challenges represent a test on your leadership ability. You must learn to crime-map your jurisdiction and harness the strength within to neutralize all forms of crimes and security threats.

“The only way we can stay ahead of criminals is to continually generate actionable criminal intelligence to support our anti-crime functions. This can only be achieved if we cultivate citizens’ partnership and confidence by returning policing to the people.

“Consequently, in reviewing your current strategies, you must fully engage the two core policing policies of the current police dispensation which are built on community policing andintelligence-led policing values. While we at the apex leadership level will strive to support and motivate you, we shall, henceforth, not hold back in sanctioning any officer whose dereliction or weak leadership capacity continually occasions increase in crimes.

“Indeed, it is in furtherance to our commitment to complementing you that Operation Puff Adder was conceptualized and launched on 5^thApril, 2019 to address in the shortest possible time the threat of kidnapping, armed robbery and armed banditry in Kogi, Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina States as well as the FCT. It is gladdening to note that this initiative has recorded remarkable achievements. Between 5^th April, 2019 (when the operation was launched) and today, the initiative has recorded the following achievements:

i. No. of kidnapping suspects/armed bandits arrested – 46

ii. No. of Suspects killed in operations – 10

iii. No. of victims safely rescued – 2

iv. No. of firearms recovered – 18 (9 AK 47 rifles and 9 other locally fabricated/automatic weapons)

v. No. of live AK47 ammunition recovered – 1300

vi. No. of live cartridges recovered – 28

vii. No. extra rifle magazines recovered – 10

“I expect you to replicate this strategy in your various commands in order to restore order in the public space and enhance public confidence in the Police. Let me reassure all citizens of our renewed commitment to emplacing effective strategies towards addressing the current security challenges. The threats might appear challenging, but I can assure that they are surmountable and we shall provide the requisite leadership needed to address them. We, however, cannot do it alone.

“We seek the citizens’ support and we trust that you shall all partner with us to present a common front in the war against criminal elements that are bent on re-ordering our national values and testing our common will.”

National Common Entrance Exam Now To Hold April 27 – NECO

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has postponed the 2019 National Common Entrance Examination into unity schools to April 27.

Astatement signed by the head of public relations, Azeez Sani, said that the examination, which was initially scheduled for April 13, has been rescheduled to give more time and opportunity to states with low registration to increase their portal.

He said that already, a total of 70,720 candidates have so far registered for the examination, which will qualify them into the nation’s unity schools.

According to him, the federal government is committed towards upgrading and maintaining their standards.

Group Worries Over Spate Of Killings In Parts Of Nigeria

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), a sociocultural group of Berom Youths, has expressed worry over spate of killings in zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Benue States.

President of BYM, Rwas Gabriel Sunday Badung, in a statement today, Thursday, said that members of the group are upset with the spate of unwanted and indiscriminate killings of innocent lives and the destruction of property.

“These killings are not just inhuman but very unfortunate, at a time when most developing countries like Rwanda that had similar experiences in the past are constantly in touch with the reality and is poised to sustain the peace in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide.

“Berom Youth Moulders calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to rise up to its constitutional responsibility of defending the lives and properties of citizens and this can only be possible if the fight against criminality is objective. “The Government should exert the political will needed to apprehend and prosecute criminal elements whose activities have made peace elusive.”

The association reminded the Federal Government that the continued killings and heightened criminal activities has the potentiality of retarding development as investors would prefer to invest their resources in countries they are assured of maximum security of lives and properties.”

BYM advised citizens to be law abiding even as it called on the people, especially in the rural areas to be vigilant, considering that the farming season is approaching.

“Ensure that all suspicious activities and movements are reported to security agencies for prompt action please. Also, avoid divisive comments but rather make good and positive use of the social media so as not to escalate tension in the country.”

Insecurity: Police Boss Gives Bill Of Clean Health On Abuja-Kaduna Road

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

File: Area view of Abuja-Kaduna expressway

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has given assurance to those plying Abuja-Kaduna road that it is now safe to travel on the road without fear of attack.

“I want to assure Nigerians that Kaduna–Abuja roads are now safe. We have cleared the roads. We have arrested a lot of kidnappers and in confrontation with some of them, some were fatally injured. “So the road is cleared. Our patrol teams, the combined security services that are patrolling the road are constantly there, 24 hours.”

The police boss spoke to news men today, Thursday, shortly after the security meeting which President Muhammadu Buhari held with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to review the security situation in the country.

At the meeting, the President gave the security agents a marching order to deal with bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers that have been tormenting Nigerians across the country.

“The President ordered us to deal with the issue immediately and ruthlessly and ensure that all those bandits are immediately dealt with and all those issues that are bordering with our security are properly addressed.”

Reward For Yashim Nuhu, A Hardworking Aso Rock Driver

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

Yashim Nuhu (right), a Senior Vehicle Driver and Mechanic II on Grade Level 5 in the Transport department of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, receiving an Outstanding Driver award today, April 11 at an award for excellent services organized by the SERVICOM in the State House.

Nuhu, who has put in a total of eight years in the service of the State House, is very popular for his cordiality and enviable sense of dedication to duty among staff and journalists covering the seat of power.

‘‘His main schedule of driving shuttle bus makes it imperative for him to play the role of a first contact person to many highly placed visitors to State House and staff alike,’’ a citation on him at the award ceremony said.

Another recipient, Gwaza Habila, a Principal Catering Officer on Grade Level 12, has put in 19 years and catered for prominent State guests, including Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of England during a State Visit in 2003.

Habila was given the ‘‘Outstanding Catering Staff’’ Award and was praised for his ‘‘hardwork and effectiveness at Presidential functions’’ as well as imparting knowledge to his subordinates.

One of the two female recipients, Mrs Margaret Arigu, a Principal Executive Officer II, in the State House Medical Center, was decorated with ‘‘Outstanding Medical Registry Staff.’’

Arigu who has served for 23 years in the State House Clinic, all in the Medical Centre, received encomiums for being ‘‘very professional, courteous, respectful to staff and clients alike.’’

Other award recipients were Mr Ogba Ukpabi (Evergreen Outstanding Contributor to SERVICOM Unit), Olutayo Fasipe (Outstanding SERVICOM Departmental Representative), Abubakar Wambai (Outstanding Stores Staff) and Rilwan Badega (Outstanding Library Staff).

Others are Mr Mohammed Abdulkarim (Outstanding Finance and Accounts Staff), Mr Samuel Arigu (Outstanding Registry Staff), and Mrs Christiana Kontekopo (Outstanding Staff Canteen Staff).

Congratulating the recipients, the Permanent Secretary, State House who was represented by Bashir Alkali, Director, Finance and Accounts urged the staff to remain dedicated to ensure that State House maintains its place as the premier SERVICOM MDA in the country.

Arabi disclosed that in the past two years, State House had received back-to-back SERVICOM National Office Awards as the best SERVICOM MDA in its group of over ninety government establishments.

He also announced that the best Nodal Officer in 2018 was given to State House Nodal Officer, Mr A.M Ogueri, while the Awards of SERVICOM Champions were given to Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, State House.

Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, National Coordinator of SERVICOM told the workers that reward for hard work is more work.

‘‘The benefits for giving these awards are to increase employees’ productivity, performance and organization’s profitability. When these happen we retain top talents in the Civil Service, reduce mediocrity in the system, uphold excellence and create team spirit,’’ she said.

Introduced in 2004, SERVICOM entails the Government entering into a SERVICE COMPACT with all Nigerians. The core provision of the Compact is to provide basic services to which citizens are entitled to, in a timely, fair, honest, effective and transparent manner.

Ex Boko Haram Spokesman Sues Security Agency, Demands Apology, N500,000

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

A former spokesman of Nigeria’s insurgent group, Boko Haram, Ali Sanda Konduga has sued the State Security Service (SSS) at the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory High Court, demanding the sum of N500,000 and a public apology for alleged breach of his fundamental human right.
Konduga dragged the Director-General of the Service, also known as Department of Security Services (DSS) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.
Konduga through his counsel, Mohammed Tola, filed a suit before Justice Samira Bature alleging that he was kept in detention for an extra three years after serving his three-year jail term before he was released in 2016.
Konduga was convicted by a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja and sentenced to three years imprisonment for criminal intimidation in 2011.
In the suit, Konduga claimed that he was kept in the custody of the DSS instead of the conventional prison to serve his term because the government wanted him to serve as a key witness to prove a terrorism charge against Sen. Ali Ndume in a Federal High Court in Abuja.
He further stated as of the time of his release, he was never called to testify in the matter or any other matter.
Konduga said that he was taken to the DSS’s office in Maiduguri on Sept. 8, 2016, and was released on Sept. 9, 2016, to his parents.
He alleged that DSS offered his family the sum of N700,000 when he was released, and informed his family that the money was meant for his medical treatment.
The gesture, Konduga said showed that the DSS knew he was entitled to compensation for his illegal and unlawful detention, adding that the Service refused to pay him any other compensation except the N700,000.
He said that some individuals attacked him after he was released in 2016 and he sustained head injury from the attack.
He added that as a result of the injury he sustained, the police from GRA Police Station, Maiduguri, Borno, took him into protective custody and later referred him to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri.
He, therefore, demanded an unreserved public apology in three national newspapers.
Konduga also prayed for an order of the court, directing the respondents to jointly and severally pay him N500,000 as aggravated damages and compensation for the illegal, unconstitutional and unlawful detention.

Buhari Government Revokes 6 Oil Mining Licences

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

The Muhammadu Buhari Federal Government has revoked the licences of six Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) and one oil prospecting lease (OPL), in the onshore, shallow water and deepwater Niger Delta basin.
This was announced by the ministry of Petroleum Resources, headed by Present Buhari himself with Ibe Kachikwu as junior minister.
No reason was publicly made available for the revocation, but it might not be unconnected with default by the culprits on royalty payments .
The acreages affected include OML 98, an onshore asset located on the western flank of the Niger Delta, held by Pan Ocean, a company controlled by the Nigerian businessman, Festus Fadeyi; OMLs 120 and 121, held by Allied Energy, which has changed its name to Erin Energy and has now gone bankrupt; OML 108, held by Express Petroleum, but whose technical activities are managed by Shebah Exploration & Petroleum, a company owned by Seplat Chairman A.B.C Orjiakor and OML 141, held by Emerald Resources whose principal, Emmanuel Egbogah, passed on recently..
The only OPL among the seven is OPL 206, held by Summit Oil International, a company founded by the late Moshood Abiola, politician and businessman, whose victory at the country’s Presidential elections in 1993 was annulled by the Military.
The Nigerian government is believed to be the most lenient in Africa, in applying the full force of the law on oil acreage rent, especially when it concerns local E&P.

Flying Bees Kill Senior Custom Officer At Badagry, Lagos

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

A senior officer of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Abba Abubakar has been stung to death by a swarm of flying bees as he was carrying out his duties at the Ashipa area of Badagry in Lagos State.
Abba Abubakar, a native of Yobe state, was survived by wife and children.
The spokesman of the Seme command of the NCS, said: “With sadness and deep sorrow, the Seme Area Command announces the death of our colleague CSC Abba, A.
“The sad event occurred yesterday due to an attack by a swarm of bees around Ashipa axis, Lagos- Badagry Expressway.
“We pray that Allah (SWT) shower His mercy and grant him the highest level of Jannah, and give his family the patience and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Aameen.
“He has never failed to report at his duty post daily. We regret to lose such a gallant officer.”
Abubakar has been buried according to the ordinance of the Islamic rites.

Army Strike In Sudan, Sack Omar Al- Bashir

Editorial staff

April 11, 2019

The Sudanese army have sacked the government of Omar Al-Bashir in a coup today, Thursday. The coup was led by the Sudanese defence minister, Awad Ibn Auf.
Awad Ibn Auf announced, in a nation wide broadcast this morning that the constitution has been suspended and the military will now be in charge of the country for another two years.
A three-month state of emergency has also been imposed, as protesters demand immediate set up of a democratic transition. Several political prisoners held by Mr Al-Bashir are now being released.
“I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place,” Mr Ibn Auf said in a televised address Thursday at about 2:00 p.m. local time. He will lead the newly-inaugurated supreme military council.
Ibn Auf said Sudan’s airspace would be shut for 24 hours, while border crossings would be closed indefinitely.
Ousted Omar Al-Bashir was pushed out of office following five days of massive protests across the country. The protesters initially hailed the military for aiding their demand for Mr Al-Bashir’s exit, but the suspension of the constitution in place of a military rule for at least another two years could further plunge the country into chaos.
The protesters said that president Al-Bashir had ruled for 30 years and demanded that no one near his power within that time should be allowed near power again.
They vowed to continue the protest even though a curfew has been imposed as part of the three-month state of emergency. It was unclear whether the military was ready to violently resist the protesters in its early days in power.

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