Female Pilgrim From Taraba State Declared Missing In Saudi Arabia

August 6, 2022

A female pilgrim, Hassan Abdullahi Bamuze, has been declared missing in Saudi Arabia after where she had gone for pilgrimage. She was among the 668 Muslim pilgrims airlifted from Taraba State to perform this year’s Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.

Bamuze was reported to be missing from the two batches of pilgrims that returned to Taraba State after completing the pilgrimage.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Baba Hamza Muri, confirmed the report today, August 6, in Jalingo, the state capital.

According to him, the missing female pilgrim “has not been found yet.”

Muri said that the state completed the 2022 Hajj successfully with the arrival of the last batch of 131 pilgrims from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

He said that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has assured that everything will be done to locate the missing woman.

Police Intercept Igbo Woman Transporting 2 Kanuri Kidnapped Kids In Borno

Editorial staff

August 6, 2022

Borno State Police Command has intercepted an Igbo woman, who gave her name simply as Mrs. Nkwenwu, for allegedly transporting two Kanuri children suspected to have been kidnapped. She was also with a two year old baby girl.

Borno State Police spokesman, ASP Sani Kamilu Muhammed, who confirmed the story today, August 6, said that Mrs. Nwenwu was arrested with the children on her way from Maiduguri, Borno State to Abuja.

A Commercial driver operating on the Abuja route at the motor park where the woman was arrested, Danjuma Mohammed, told newsmen that the woman had arrived the Borno express motor park along with three children: two males and a baby girl, strapped on her back, late Thursday evening on her way to Abuja.

The driver said that because it was late, she requested for accommodation in the motor park to spend the night.

Mohammed said that on Friday morning, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) working in the park noticed the suspicious attitude of the woman and promptly arrested her.

A member of CJTf at the motor park, Mallam Bukar, said: “the woman solicited for accommodation to spent the night in the park and after undergoing interrogations by security and surveillance officials they gave her a room where she and the children slept.

“When one of children was hungry and began screaming for food, she rushed him to a nearby restaurant where some women noticed that the child crying bear Kanuri tribal marks on his face and became suspicious about the woman.

“It was one of the women who asked the child in Kanuri dialect and the boy revealed that the woman picked him at the popular Post Office roundabout and promised to buy him slippers. She called to inform me that an Igbo woman with suspicious signs brought a Kanuri boy (Almajiri) crying for food in her shop.

“I went straight to the restaurant and met the boy eating while she returned to the main wall of the park where she kept the remaining children. When she returned, I approached her to know the relationship with the child and she claimed that the children belong to her elder sister who is also going to travel alongside with them to Abuja. We waited for hours for the acclaimed sister but she did not show up and we reported to the police who moved her to the Metro Police Station.”

We Lost 2 Officers, 2 Expatriates, 2 Others To Unknown Gunmen In Kogi

Editorial staff

August 6, 2022

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the killing, by unknown gunmen, of six persons, including two police officers, two expatriates and two company drivers, along the Lokoja-Ajaokuta road. The two policemen were escorting the expatriates to the West Africa Ceramics Company in Ajaokuta.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Williams Aya, said that military personnel have been deployed to the scene.

The statement said said that the gunmen escaped.

“Two expatriates, two company drivers and two Police Inspectors died in the exchange of fire with the hoodlums, before the Area Commander and a detachment of Military in the area reinforced to the scene of incident, and the attackers fled.

“The Commissioner of Police (CP) assures that the Command is committed to working in synergy with other security agencies as well as patriotic stakeholders to make the state a safe and secure place for all and sundry.”

The statement said that investigations into the incident have commenced towards identifying and apprehending the attackers.

“The CP has further asked the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to commence investigations into the unfortunate incident so as to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the attack with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.”

Kogi State has witnessed an increase in security challenges recently.

In July three police officers and five members of a local vigilante group were killed by gunmen in the Ajaokuta area council of the state.

Firstbank Confirms “Unlawful” Sealing-Off Of Abuja Branch

Editorial staff

August 5, 2022

The Media and External Relations of the Firstbank’s Coomassie House Branch in Abuja, Kehinde O Taiwo, has confirmed the sealing-off of the bank yesterday over what was termed: “a garnishee order issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.”

The spokesman, in a statement today, August 5, denying the sealing-off story, said that the bank is currently challenging the action of the court.

“Our attention has been drawn to the news reports online with the conflicting claims that FirstBank branch or/head office has been sealed.

“Please be informed that the referenced story is a misrepresentation of the facts and misleading. Neither our branch nor head office was sealed.

“On the 4th of August, 2022, there was an unlawful enforcement at the Bank’s Coomassie House Branch of a garnishee order issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which order the Bank is still challenging in court.

“While the Bank has taken appropriate legal steps to deal with the situation, we wish to reassure our customers of unhindered banking services and unique customer experience in all our branches and through our numerous alternative channels.”

Colonel In Nigerian Army, Bags Brazilian Govt Award On Science And Technology

Editorial staff

August 5, 2022

A serving Colonel in the Nigerian Army, Nicholas Ashinze, has won the ‘Brazilian Government Prize for the Best Project on Science and Technology.

Ashinze of the military intelligence corps, bagged the prize for an outstanding research project titled: “Digital Currency and National Development in Nigeria: E-Naira in Perspective.”

The Prize was given today, August 5, at the National Defence College (NDC), Course 30 Graduation in Abuja. The College, established in 1992, also celebrated its 30th anniversary.

The Commandant of the NDC, Rear Admiral MM Bashir, said that the graduation ceremony was held for 102 participants of Course 30 and that the Nigerian Army had 28 participants, while the Nigerian Navy and Air Force, respectively had 20 and 5 participants.

Others are the Department of State Service, DSS, with 3 participants, the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, with 2 participants, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with 2 participants, the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, with 2 participants, and the Nigerian Police Force with 6 participants, in the long list of Strategic Institutions/Ministries, Departments and Agencies with participants in the Course 30 programme.

Addressing the participants, President Muhammadu Buhari, said that he is deeply worried over the activities of bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements across the country.

The President, who spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, the President lamented that the number of violent and unprovoked attacks on citizens has been on the rise, recently.

He described the situation as unacceptable, even as he tasked security agencies to deal decisively with enemies of the country, just as he assured the country that his government will continue providing maximum support to the military and other security troops, to curb the spate of wanton attacks on harmless citizens.

Source: PRNigeria

2023: 15 De-Registered Political Parties Regroup, Endorse Peter Obi For President

Editorial staff

August 5, 2022

The 15 political parties which were deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have regrouped under the aegis of Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) and endorsed Peter Odi and throw weight behind the party, the Labour Party.

The CGG, in a statement today, August 5 by its national chairman, Okey Chikwendu, and Publicity Secretary, Don Anthony Harmattan, said that the group party took the decision to back Obi after carefully studying each presidential candidate to know the most reliable and credible among them.

The statement read: “We have earlier stated that the outcome of the political parties primaries for the presidential ticket and selection of the vice presidential tickets will determine which party we, the Coalition for Good Governance comprising of 15 deregistered political parties and some former presidential candidates would endorse and support for the 2023 presidential election.

“The choice is based on identifying the ticket with the most credible candidates who are tested, trusted, and exhibit sufficient intellectual capacity to salvage our nation from the wreck we find ourselves and meet the yearnings of the Nigerian people which is equitable, fair and just irrespective of tribe or ethnicity.

“In furtherance to the above, the CGG on July 28 held a meeting in Abuja well attended by the National Party Chairmen and former presidential candidates of deregistered political parties whereby they took a very critical appraisal of all the current presidential contenders for the 2023 presidential elections and their Vice, the house unanimously voted Peter Obi/Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the most credible among the candidates and as such resolved to support and work with them and their campaign group on the platform of Labour party.

“We, therefore, agreed to rebrand our offices nationwide as Campaign support offices for the project. Our structures all over the 36 States and 774 Local Government Areas are henceforth required to support the Obi ticket.

“Nigerians have had enough of the disunity, eminent disintegration, lingering ASUU strike, terrorist threats, killings, kidnappings, hunger, unemployment, unbearable petrol cost and scarcity, high electricity tariffs, its epileptic situation, rising food cost etc and the continued lack of resolve by the establishment to put an end to these crises.

“We as leaders in mainstream politics in Nigeria wish to make clear that only an efficient, effective and credible candidate of renowned character can resolve most of Nigeria’s lingering problems and we, therefore, urge Nigerians to heed to our advice and support our goals of returning Nigeria as the true giant of Africa and the production hub of West Africa.”

Court Orders Providus Bank To Refund N329.4 Million To Customer Over Alleged Scam

Editorial staff

August 5, 2022

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Providus Bank Limited to refund the sum of N329,454,650.28 to Aqua 10 Nigeria Limited for alleged fraudulent transfer.

The judge of the court, Justice Peter Lifu, also awarded the cost of N100,000 against Providus Bank Limited in favour of Aqua 10 Nigeria Limited.

The judgment was sequel to a suit filed by Barrister Kelechi Chukwu on behalf of Aqua 10 Nigeria Limited against Providus Bank Limited and seven others namely: Jethra Designs Investment Limited, Vacubeg Group of companies limited, Heroes Heights construction company Limited, Vacubeg Investment Limited, North Alta Trading Limited, Abiodun Shoyombo Trading under the name and style of Seatea Enterprises, Abiodun Afeez Adeyemi Trading under the name and style of Adeyemi Digital Enterprises.

In an affidavit sworn to by the Managing Director of the company, Oladipo Okuntola alleged that sometime between July 9 and 12, 2021, the total sum of N558,569,000 were removed from the account of his company in Providus bank Limited to the account of Jethra Designs Investment Limited in another bank in 8 tranches.

He said that the funds were meant for the payment for goods to be purchased from HG Honkong company Limited and new silver industry company Limited in China.

He added that the funds were again moved from the account of Jethra Designs Investment Limited to Vacubeg Group of companies limited.

Okuntola said that Vacubeg, in turn, moved the funds to the account of Heroes Heights construction company Limited, and that the funds were again moved by Heroes Heights construction company Limited account to Vacubeg Investment Limited

He explained that Vacubeg Investment Limited, upon receiving the funds moved same back to the account of Vacubeg Group of companies limited and then Vacubeg Group of companies limited move the funds to the account of North Alta Trading Limited.

He said the total sum of N329,454,650,296.28 were moved to the three accounts, stated below domicile in Providus bank: North Alta Trading Limited -N93,361,828.97; Abiodun Shoyombo Trading under the name and style of Seatea Enterprises- N185,133,525,.08 and Abiodun Afeez Adeyemi Trading under the name and style of Adeyemi Digital Enterprises-N50,959,296.23.

“Subsequently, it was discovered that internet fraudster were behind the companies and business names sued as 2nd to 8th defendants in this suit, and that the persons behind the companies had fled from Nigeria.

“The matter was reported to the Interpol, and through Interpol, the movement of the plaintiff’s funds and the persons involved in the fraud were traced. The Plaintiff has requested that its funds traced to the 6th, 7th and 8th Defendants accounts in the Providus Bank who is also the Plaintiff’s bankers be returned, but the bank is insisting that without the court’s directive or order, the bank will not return the Plaintiff’s funds traced to the 6th, 7th and 8th Defendants’ accounts in the Providus bank.

“That unless the Court intervenes, the Providus bank will not return the Plaintiff’s money traced by Interpol into the accounts of the 6th, 7th and 8th Defendants domiciled in the bank. That it is in the interest of justice to grant this application.

“That the Defendants will not be prejudiced by the grant of this Originating Summons, more so, when the individuals behind the 2nd to 8th Defendants are on the run,” he said.

The bank’s counsel Ifeoluwa Badejo submitted that the bank reversed the sum of N50,700,000, from the account of the 6th defendant to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following the order issued by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, and that same was not done with intention of interfering with justice in this case.

Justice Lifu in his judgement, ordered as follows: that the first defendant, that is Providus bank limited “is hereby ordered or directed to move or transfer the plaintiff’s fund in the account of the 6th, 7th and 8th defendants to the plaintiff’s account kept with her.

“Since the sum of N50,700,000 has so far been reversed, the remaining balance in the total sum of N329,454,650.28 that is, less the N50,700,000 should be transferred to the plaintiff’s account forthwith.

“A cost of N100,000 is hereby awarded against Providus Bank Limited but in favour of Aqua 10 Nigeria Limited.”

Ekiti State University Proscribes ASUU, SSANU, NASU

Editorial staff

August 5, 2022

The management of Ekiti State Government-owned Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti has proscribed all the unions in the institution.

The proscription affects Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASUU).

The acting Registrar of the university, B.S. Momoh, in a memo to the university community today, August 5, said that the step was necessary as the unions, through their actions, were distracting the university from its development vision and mission.

He said that the situation in the university has been “one day one trouble” since June 2, when the unions protested against the activities of the instruction’s Governing Council.

“The management views these acts as unbecoming of and unexpected of responsible staff members hiding under the guise of union activism.

“BOUESTI, being a new university, certainly does not need these distractions if it must develop properly to fulfill the vision and mission for which it was established. It has, therefore, become imperative to ensure that irresponsible acts like these are avoided in our university.

“After a review of the incidents and in line with the directive of Ekiti State Governor and Visitor to the university, the three trade unions in BOUESTI – ASUU, SSANU and NASU are hereby proscribed with immediate effect.

“Members of staff are hereby enjoined to go about their normal duties without fear and desist from getting involved in unlawful activities.”

Source: PUNCH.

Nigeria Now Manufactures Helicopters

Greenbarge Reporters

August 5, 2022

Nigeria, through the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has began the manufacturing of made-in-Nigeria helicopters.
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna made this known today, August 5, in Abuja.

Professor Haruna, who briefed newsmen shortly after a private audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, said that experts have been trained for mass production of the helicopters.
He said that the ones that have been successfully produced are awaiting approval of Nigerian Aviation Authority and international approving body to fly.
Professor Haruna said that President Buhari had given a go-ahead for the mass production of the helicopter after being approved, adding that the President also asked that the production site should be moved to the Nigerian Aviation School in Zaria, Kaduna State, which already has most of the facilities, like run-way and others, on ground.
The Executive Vice Chairman said that the body has the capacity to produce bigger aircraft.

US Energy Firm Lands In Nigeria, To Revolutionize Industry, Agric

Greenbarge Reporters

August 5, 2022

An energy firm, SUN Africa LLC, from the United States of America, has arrived in Nigeria to partner with the federal government towards revolutionizing both industrial and agricultural sectors of the economy.

Speaking when he and his team visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, Founder of Sun Africa LLC, USA, Goran Rajsic, said that the company, which is into renewable and infrastructure developments, will deliver solar power in multiple locations across the country, just as it has done in Angola, with financing done through the US EXIM Bank.

According to him, the company is currently working with other leading energy companies, with the capacity to do what Nigeria requires in the area of power.

“We will create something that will be of immediate need for Nigeria, and last for years to come.”

He described what Sun Africa LLC, USA has in mind as “a partnership for energy and infrastructure, which will revolutionize both the industrial and agricultural sectors.”

This was even as President Buhari acknowledged the fact that the rapid integration of solar power into the country’s energy mix will lead to an increase in electricity access to underserved and unserved communities.

The President said that his government has embarked on several reforms aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s energy sector aimed at improving energy access to communities across the country.

He commended the interest of the US developer to invest in Nigeria’s power sector, pledging that the Federal Government would remain committed to collaborating with the private sector in improving energy access, creating jobs and industrial development.

Highlighting some of the reforms embarked upon by this administration to address Nigeria’s energy needs, the President listed the recent signing of the Nigeria Climate Change Bill in November 2021, the implementation of the Power Sector Recovery Programme with the World Bank and the Nigeria Electrification Program aimed at enhancing energy access to remote communities.

He said that the Presidential Power Initiative with Siemens was aimed at achieving end to end alignment across the electricity Value Chain.

“Initiatives like these will go a long way in developing local capacity through technology transfer and relieving transmission constraints through the generation and distribution of electricity in the local Distribution Companies Franchise Area, making off-take easier.

“The Ministers of Finance and Power as well as other Agencies of Government will remain available at all times, to ensure the achievement of this significant project as part of our efforts towards achieving Net Zero Emission by 2050.

“I am pleased to note the technology transfer content embedded in this initiative as well as the employment generation potentials.

“I thank you all for coming and look forward to receiving regular updates as you achieve significant milestones in developing your projects in Nigeria.”

1...465466467...2,493 Page 466 of 2,493