Former militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), has confirmed that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s-led Federal Government is negotiating with militants from the region through some oil companies and law enforcement agents.

MEND’s claim is coming on the heels of the denial by a rampaging separatist group; Niger Delta Avengers that the Federal Government has commenced dialogue with agitators. Avengers had described those said to be negotiating with the government as “mercenaries” and not agitators.

But, the defunct agitator confirmed the negotiation in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo on Sunday.

The statement reads: “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to confirm that indeed it has been in preliminary talks with the Federal Government through oil companies and law-enforcement agencies as revealed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, July 21, 2016.

“These preliminary talks are the precursor to a wider dialogue between the Federal Government and the MEND Aaron 2 peace initiative, which will seek to find solutions to the short, medium and long-term future of the Niger Delta region.”

The former militant group disclosed that the Federal Government in the course of the meeting, “made it clear that a negotiation with criminals is out of the question.

“The Niger Delta Avengers, internet-based ‘militant’ groups such as Joint Revolutionary Council, Ultimate Warriors etc., an Ijaw opportunistic tribal assembly, which were compromised to keep silent during the six (6) years of Goodluck Jonathan’s misrule and neglect, pirates, pipeline vandals, oil thieves, commercial kidnappers, waterway.” [myad]

The paramount ruler of Remoland, Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, is dead. He died Saturday evening in London.

This was even as the death of the former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Magaji Abdullahi , also occurred in the early hours of Sunday, aged 69. He died after a protracted illness at his residence located at NNDC Quarters, Sharada area in Kano metropolis.

Oba Sonariwo, who was the Chairman of Ogun State Traditional Council, was flown to London on July 17 following an illness.

Oba Sonariwo, who ascended the throne on July 14, 1990, was born on July 28, 1936 and also died in July.

“He died Saturday evening in UK where he was flown to since July 17 after a brief illness. He joined his ancestors in the presence of his Olori, Abosede, who accompanied him on the medical trip,” a family member said.

A Sagamu high chief described the departed Oba as a great philanthropist, saying: “he donated 30-bed ward to the Ogun State Teaching Hospital, Sagamu at a point in time. I can vividly remember that.”

Sonariwo, who was born in Ita Eleye in Lagos State in 1936, attended St. John’s School, Aroloya, Lagos from 1941 to 1949 before he proceeded to Methodist Boys High School from 1950 to 1955.

The traditional ruler, who became an orphan at the tender age of six and had dreamt of working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to become the Governor, “so that I would sign my name on the naira notes,” later travelled abroad for further studies and series of training in tax and the accounting profession.

He worked with the Inland Revenue Service before he was invited to ascend the throne of his forefathers.

A source from the government confirmed that the news of the monarch’s death has been communicated to Governor Ibikunle Amosun by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Bashorun Muyiwa Oladipo, both indigenes of Sagamu.

The death of Magaji Abdullahi was confirmed by his former spokesman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim, and said that the deceased is survived by one wife, many children and grand children.

According to him, the deceased was a one-time commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport between 1989 and 1990, and later commissioner for Water Resources.

Magaji Abdullahi came into limelight when he contested for the governorship of Kano State under the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1991.

In 1999, he defeated Senator Kabiru Gaya in the APP governorship primaries, but lost to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

He later became Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s running mate in 2003 and served as Deputy Governor under APP and later ANPP from 2003 to 2007.

The deceased had since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites at the Dandolo grave yard at Goron Dutse in Kano metropolis.

Among those who attended the funeral prayer were Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his Deputy, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, as well as other top government officials and politicians from within and outside the state. [myad]

No fewer than 585 houses have been washed away in seven towns of Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The Chairman of the local government council, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jelani, told news men in Wurno town, headquarters of the local government that the tragedy occurred as a result of a late night heavy downpour which lasted up to the wee hours of Saturday.
He listed the affected towns as Wurno, Laka, Barayar Zaki, Tambogarkar Daji,Koliyal Kwargaba and Tunga.
“The problem was aggravated by the blockage of some drainage in the affected town and their environs.”
The chairman said that those who lost their houses to the flood are now squatting with neighbours, relatives and other good Samaritans.
Jelani said that although there was no loss of any lives, but that the flood destroyed many farm produce believed to be worth millions of naira.
They include onions, garlic, rice, wheat and beans. Several farmlands were submerged.
Jelani said that the local government has set up a 13-man committee to find out the remote and immediate causes of the disaster.
“It will also assess the extent of damage caused by the flood as well as recommend the form of assistance to be rendered to the victims. I am also appealing to the state government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other donor agencies to come to the immediate aid of the victims.”
Another flood tragedy which occurred the previous week, destroyed no fewer than 52 houses in Wurno town, although there was no loss of life. [myad]

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has announced plan to soon begin to issue Certificates Of Occupancy (C Of O) to the rightful owners of landed properties in the capital territory.

The minister, who spoke when he received a delegation of the Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN) led by its National President, Surveyor Ugochukwu Chime in his office, reiterated that the issuance of the C Of O will validate title on the properties, saying that the document would be made available for all landed properties in the Federal Capital Territory, irrespective of the size.

“Properties anywhere in Abuja would be certificated, whether they are just on one-off plot, in estates or high-rise buildings. Wherever they are, we have realized that it’s very important for every person to have a title document for his or her building or land.

“This is something that we are working on and we feel very encouraged that a reputable group like REDAN is also advocating the same thing.”

Muhammad Bello said that it is the duty of the FCT Administration to ensure that owners of properties in Abuja derive to the fullest, maximum benefits, including obtaining credit facilities from financial institutions the way it is done all over the World.

The Minister called on REDAN to come forward with further ideas that can help in fine-tuning this policy, adding that present leadership in the FCT is committed to rendering quality and effective services to the public. [myad]