6 People Kidnapped At UniAbuja Staff Quarters May Have Been Rescued

November 3, 2021

There are indications that six people kidnapped by gunmen at the University of Abuja staff quarters yesterday November 2 have been rescued successfully.
A staff of the University confirmed that the victims were rescued at Abaji, along Abuja-Lokoja Expressway.
The staff said this was achieved with the help of the Police and local vigilante.
“The rescued victims are currently at the Abaji police station,” the staff said.
In the early hours of yesterday, over 40 gunmen stormed the staff quarters of the University, located at Giri, along Abuja-Lokoja Expressway, attacked staff and their family members, and made away with six people: a Professor, his son and daughter, another Professor and two others.
The attack sent strong fears and panic among students and lecturers of the school, who had before now, registered their concerns about the poor state of security in the school and its environs, particularly the increasing number of strange faces and movements within the school campus.
Some of the frightened residents threatened to vacate the staff quarters as quickly as possible because of the fear of further attacks by gunmen.
The kidnapped persons include a nine-year-old son of Professor Bassey Ubong and his housemaid, one Deputy Registrar identified as Malam Mohammed Sambo, one Professor Sumaila Obansa Joseph with his son and one Dr. Tobins Ferguson Hamilton.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, Chairman and members of the Governing Council, and other management staff of the school as well as the police and detachment of soldiers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were the early callers at the venue of the attack.
Students at both the mini and main campuses of the University were seen in groups discussing the development, with fear and anxiety written all over their faces.
Victims and eyewitnesses told journalists that the gunmen took advantage of the porous nature of the school community, gained entry into the staff quarters through the unfenced part of the quarters, and began to unleash terror on the residents.
They confirmed that the operation started few minutes past 12am on yesterday and lasted for more than two hours.
Source: Daily Sun.

Nigeria Requires 1.5 Trillion Dollars In 10 Years To Bridge Infrastructure Gap – Buhari

Editorial staff

November 3, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria requires cumulative 1.5 trillion dollars over a ten-year period, to achieve an appreciable level of the National Infrastructure Stock.

President Buhari stated this on Tuesday in Glasgow at a COP 26 high-level side event on improving global infrastructure hosted by President Joe Biden of the United States, EU Commission President, Von Der Leyen and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

‘‘Nigeria is ready for your investments in infrastructural development in the country.

‘‘My administration has established a clear legal and regulatory framework for private financing of infrastructure to establish a standard process, especially on the monitoring and evaluation process.

‘‘We look forward to working with you in this regard,’’ he told world leaders at the high level meeting on the margins of the climate change conference.

President Buhari declared that his administration had taken infrastructure expansion in Nigeria seriously, conscious of the fact that new investments in critical sectors of the economy would aid lifting 100 million Nigerians from poverty by 2030.

‘‘There is a nexus between infrastructural development and the overall economic development of a nation.

‘‘My administration identified this early enough as a major enabler of sustainable economic development and the realization of other continental and global development aspirations particularly the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

‘‘On my assumption of office in 2015, Nigeria faced a huge infrastructure deficit and the total National Infrastructure Stock was estimated at 35% of our Gross Domestic Product.

‘‘In solving these problems, we embarked on a massive infrastructure expansion programme in the areas of Health care, Education, Transportation, Manufacturing, Energy, Housing, Agriculture, and Water Resources.

‘‘We provided more financial resources for these policies, charted new international partnerships and pursued liberalization policies to allow private sector participation.

‘‘We introduced the revised National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan – a policy document that ensures our infrastructure expansion projects is cross-sectorally integrated and environmentally friendly.’’

The President welcomed the G7 countries for its ground-breaking plan to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars of infrastructure investment for low – and middle-income countries.

“Build Back Better World” plan, an initiative of the G7 countries, is expected to be a values-driven, high-standard, and transparent infrastructure partnership.

‘‘It is our fervent hope and expectations that this plan will be pursued to its logical conclusion in order to bridge the infrastructural gap between the North and South,’’ he said.

The President also used the occasion to outline the principles, values and standards Nigeria would like to see from infrastructure initiatives and the challenges the country has faced in partnering with donors on infrastructure development.

‘‘The aim of pursuing quality infrastructure investment is to maximize the positive economic, environmental, social, and development impact of infrastructure and create a virtuous circle of economic activities, while ensuring sound public finances.

‘‘This virtuous circle can take various forms in stimulating the economy,” he said.

The Nigerian leader noted that infrastructure investment should, therefore, take into account economic, environmental and social, and governance aspects, guided by a sense of shared, long-term responsibility for the planet, consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The President added that the positive and negative impacts of infrastructure projects on ecosystems, biodiversity, climate, weather and the use of resources should be internalized by incorporating these environmental considerations over the entire process of infrastructure investment.

‘‘Domestic resource mobilization is critical to addressing the infrastructure financing gap. Assistance for capacity building, including for project preparation, should be provided to developing countries with the participation of international organizations.

‘‘Quality infrastructure investment also needs to be tailored to individual country conditions and consistent with local laws and regulations.

‘‘Furthermore, Infrastructure projects should align with national strategies and nationally determined contributions for those countries determined to implement them, and with transitioning to long-term low emissions strategies, while being mindful of country circumstances.”

The President called for the environmental impact of infrastructure investment to be made transparent to all stakeholders, noting that this will enhance the appreciation of sustainable infrastructure projects and increase awareness of related risks.

Kogi Commissioner Accuses Sterling Bank Of Opening Account With N20 Billion Bailout Without His Knowledge

Editorial staff

November 2, 2021

The Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris Asiru has accused Sterling Bank of opening a fixed deposit account in the name of the state without his knowledge and the knowledge of the State government.

Asiru who appeared before members of Kogi State House of Assembly alongside the Accountant General of the state, Jibril Momoh, Auditor General, Yakubu Okala to clarify the alleged N20 billion recently said to be forfeited to the Central Bank of Nigeria, said that the government was perplexed when it received the news that the bailout money meant to upset workers salaries was kept in a fixed deposit account to yield interest.

Asiru explained to the house that the government wrote to Sterling bank and they responded that the government has no fixed deposit account.

Lawmakers took turns to drill the the commissioner as they asked if Kogi State Government will sue Sterling Bank for damages and also if the money returned to CBN belongs to the state.

Responding to the questions, the Commissioner said that the end of the investigation will determine if they will maintain a relationship with Sterling Bank.

On the said mirror account, Asiru said the state government also wrote to Sterling Bank about the money that will be returned to the CBN as reported but that the Bank changed its position, saying the Account in question was a liability account.

He said that the Kogi government was paying N89 million on monthly basis to settle the bailout debt and that no fixed account was ever opened.

“No fixed account was ever opened nor authorised by anyone, neither was there any N20 billion kept anywhere. The facility in that sum collected from the bank via the approval of CBN 2019 has since been used for the purpose intended: salary payment and other overheads.

”As a state, we are known for transparency, accountability and efficiency in funds management as it has become a culture under Governor Yahaya Bello that can not be rubbed in the mud easily. As a Government, Governor Bello remains upright and our books are there to be checked.

”Kogi State is in the good books of the World Bank and other international partners for openness, transparency and accountability, therefore, no amount of misinformation and mischievous assault can fault the records.”

This was even as the Accountant General of the state, Momoh Jibril and the Auditor General of the state both submitted that the said bailout fund was judiciously used for the purpose it was meant for.

The Branch Manager, Sterling Bank and his team were absent and are expected to appear in the next legislative sitting.

It would be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) withdrew the suit seeking the forfeiture of N20 billion bailout funds granted to the Kogi State government.

On August 31, 2021, Tijani Ringim, a Lagos high court judge, had frozen the Kogi State account domiciled in Sterling Bank Plc, following an ex parte application brought by the EFCC.

The Commission had alleged that the money, which was meant for the payment of salaries in the state, was kept in an interest-yielding account with the name ‘Kogi State Salary Bailout Account’.

At the resumption of proceedings on Friday, Kemi Pinheiro, counsel to the EFCC, moved an application dated October 13, seeking discontinuance of the matter.

One of the grounds of the application was that N19.3 billion will be returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

NUJ Election: NAWOJ Buys Nomination Form For Incumbent Chairman, Ogbeche For Second Term

Greenbarge Reporters

November 2, 2021

The National Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) has bought nomination form for the re-election, for a second term, of the incumbent chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche.
A statement by Ogbeche’s campaign leader, Mr. Timothy M. Choji, said that the form was bought today, November 2, at a brief ceremony at the secretariat of the NUJ FCT Council, Utako Abuja.
Speaking at the event, President of the NAWOJ, Ladi Bala, said that the women journalists decided to purchase the form on behalf of Ogbeche in appreciation of the remarkable achievements recorded by Ogbeche in leading the FCT NUJ in the last three years.
She called on practicing journalists in Abuja to re-elect Ogbeche to enable him consolidate on his achievements.
Responding, Comrade Ogbeche, who was visibly emotional for the good gesture, pledged to do more for the welfare of Journalists in Abuja.
Among those who graced the occasion were former Presidents of NAWOJ, Evelyn Onyilo and Asabe Baba Nahaya, who both commended Ogbeche’s sterling achievements and plegded support for his re-election.
Other members of the Fresh Start Team who also picked their forms for election included Patrick Osadebamwhen, (Vice Chairman) and Ochiaka Ugwu (Secretary), among others.
About 80 members of the NUJ were present at the historical event.

Minister Begs Security Agencies To Rescue 6 That Were Kidnapped From UniAbuja Staff Quarters

Editorial staff

November 2, 2021

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has pleaded with security agencies to ensure that the six people kidnapped by hoodlums from the University of Abuja staff quarters at Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council are rescued.

The Minister, who reacted to reports of the invasion of the staff quarters by a number of gunmen in the early hours of today, November 2, assured members of the University community that the Government would do all that is necessary to ensure the safe return of the abductees.

While condemning the attack on the University Community, Malam Muhammad Miss Bello said that concerted efforts are being made to provide adequate security for all institutions of learning in the Territory.

He called on members of the public to always support and cooperate with the security agencies, whenever the need arose.

Meanwhile, patrol teams of Security personnel, made up of the Military, Police, Local Vigilante and the University Security officials, are currently on the trail of the hoodlums.

INEC Chairman Lands In Anambra For Saturday Gubber Election

Editorial staff

November 2, 2021

INEC Chairman, Mahmoud and Anambra Police Commissioner

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has landed in Awka, the capital of Anambra State for the gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday, November 6.

The chairman was accompanied today, November 2, by National Commissioners, members of the Technical Team, Directors and other Directing Staff.

A statement from the Commission said that one of the conveners of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Hassan Kukah also flew into the State in the same flight with the INEC team.

The statement said that Professor Yakubu would attend the traditional and final Stakeholders’ Meeting tomorrow, November 3 in Awka.

The idea, according to the statement, is to discuss final aspects of the State Governorship Election, even as he is scheduled to attend the Peace Accord ceremony on Thursday, where all the contesting candidates of the 18 Political Parties will commit themselves to peace in writing.

Gunmen Kidnap 6: 2 Professors, 2 Lecturers, 2 Children At University Of Abuja Quarters

Editorial staff

November 2, 2021

Gunmen have kidnapped a professor, his son and daughter, another Professor, and two others at the University of Abuja quarters along Gwagwalada-airport road, close to Giri junction and Army Signal.

Those who were kidnapped are

Professor Bassey Ubom, his son and daughter, Professor Obanza, Malam Sambo, Mohammed and Dr. Tobit

Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters said that the gunmen arrived at about 11.57pm of November 1, and disarmed the security men at the university’s both gates to comfortably carry out their operation unhindered, with sporadic heavy gunshots, until about 2pm.

It was learnt that several neighbours, who are mostly Lecturers and non teaching staff were robbed of their belongings such as money, laptops, phones and other valuable items.

It was gathered that Officers of Nigeria Police Force ( NPF ) arrived at the scene at about 2:15am today, November 2, and are yet to make any arrest or make official statement.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers are said to be demanding the sum of N10 million ransom for the release of the lecturers.

President Buhari Shines In Glasgow For His Climate Change Actions

Greenbarge Reporters

November 2, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari is attracting words of commendation from the world leaders in Glasgow, Scotland in the United Kingdom, over his positive handling of the climate change, especially his leadership role in restoring degraded lands in Nigeria.

One of such leaders, the American billionaire and founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, yesterday, November 1, described the commitment of President Buhari to restore four million hectares of land as exemplary.

Bezos joined President Buhari, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prince Charles and the Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani at a COP 26 side event entitled: “Accelerating land restoration in Africa, the case of the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative.”.

Heaping praises on the Nigerian leader at the event co-hosted by the French President, his Mauritanian counterpart and the Prince of Wales, the Amazon founder said:

‘‘We are fortunate to have President Buhari of Nigeria with us today.

‘‘Nigeria plays a critical role in the restoration movement and has pledged to restore 4 million hectares of degraded lands.

‘‘This kind of ambition coming from Africa’s largest economy underscores just how vital this issue is.’’

The Bezos Earth Fund has a 10 billion dollar fund to allocate money to projects fighting climate change.

Nigeria is due to assume the leadership of Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall.

President Buhari had used the occasion of his address to appeal to fellow leaders to continue to make concerted efforts at land restoration.

‘‘I am optimistic that Africa’s ambition of restoring over 100million hectares of degraded landscape for productive agriculture is achievable,’’ he said.

President Buhari also pledged Nigeria’s unalloyed commitment to expanding the achievements of the GGW programme in Africa from the enviable status attained under the leadership of President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania.

‘‘Together we commit to the transformative process of restoring the African degraded landscape and ultimately the continent’s environment,’’ he said.

Army Dismantle Oil Bunkerers’ Camp, Arrest Vandals In Rivers, Bayelsa States

Editorial staff

November 1, 2021

The Nigerian Army has announced the destruction of five oil bickering camps with 16 cooking ovens and 21 reservoirs in parts of Bayelsa and Rivers States.

The operations were carried out by the troops of 6 Division, operating under “Exercise Still Waters.”

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, who spoke to newsmen today, November 1, on the ongoing army exercises across the country in Abuja, said that the troops in conjunction with personnel of sister security agencies, conducted aggressive night patrol to Amousa in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers following credible information on the activities of bunkerers in the vicinity.

According to him, a total of three dumps with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were subsequently destroyed.

“This was followed by another raid operation on Oct. 7 within Opromor-Peretoror in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

“The raid led to the destruction of five bunkering camps, 16 cooking ovens and 21 reservoirs,” he said.

Nwachukwu also disclosed that troops also apprehended three suspected metal vandals along Oku–Iboku–Mbak road in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

He said the suspects were duly handed over to relevant authorities for further action.

The Army spokesman further stated that troops of 81 Division, had on Oct. 7, intercepted a large barge of illegally bunkered petroleum products along the Ojodu-Berger waterways.

He added that a Joint Patrol team, comprising troops of 2 Division, paramilitary personnel and vigilantes, rescued 18 kidnap victims from kidnappers’ hideout at Ezizubowa forest in Edo on Oct. 7.

According to him, the troops overwhelmed the criminals and forced them to flee the hideout.

“Troops subsequently rescued the kidnap victims and recovered 20 cartridges, 70 rounds of 7.55mm ammunition, one HP Laptop, 15 mobile phones, and the sum of N223,200, amongst others,” according to him.

Besides, he disclosed that troops of 81 Division also apprehended 17 suspected drug users and recovered a large volume of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa on Oct. 6.

Nwachukwu also said that troops of 81 Division, in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), conducted an anti-drug raid operation and arrested eight suspects at Idi-Oro in Mushin, Lagos State.

He said that a foreign national in possession of several sacks of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and other psychoactive drugs, worth about N6.5 million were intercepted.

“Same day, troops of 2 Division apprehended a serial impostor, one Ahmad Suleiman, following credible information on his nefarious activities in defrauding unsuspecting members of the general public around Tanke general area of Ilorin township.

“The suspect was arrested with two Guard belts and one pair of camouflage inner shirt and trouser, amongst other items,” he said.

Nwachukwu said the troops of 2 Division had on Oct. 9, arrested six suspected bandits’ logistics suppliers at Kaiama Forest in Borgu Local Government Area of Kwara.

He said the suspects were arrested with 160 gallons which the suspects confessed were used in conveying fuel to bandits.

According to him, troops of 6 Division had on Oct. 12 apprehended 7 suspects, while one human skull, one locally made pistol, one motorcycle and seven mobile phones were also recovered.

Source: NAN.

President May Not Have Need For Foreign Medical Trips Again, As First Class Facility Surfaces In Aso Rock

Editorial staff

November 1, 2021

Foundation of a first class Presidential wing of the State House Clinic has been laid in Aso Rock to take care of the health challenges of the President, Vice President, their families and visiting heads of State from other countries.

The facility, which construction began immediately is expected to be commissioned in December, 2022. It is expected to make foreign medical trips by President unnecessary.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who performed the ground breaking ceremony of the facility today, November 1, at the presidential villa, said: “this is an essential facility because we have to have the best facility for the President, the first family and other very distinguished senior officials of government.

“It is also a facility that, when finished, will be at the disposal of visiting dignitaries who may require medical assistance during their visit.”

According to the Chief of staff: “nobody will remember much what we say but generations to come will remember what is done, which is to begin the process of constructing what will be first class, state of the art facility which will be best and appropriate for the leadership of this country.”

This was even as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina lauded the idea behind the project.

He said that for years and decades to come, the facility would serve the sitting and visiting Presidents as well as other dignitaries.

Permanent Secretary in the State House, Tijjani Umar, stressed the importance of the foundation laying event as it was done in keeping with the timelines approved for the construction of the Clinic.

Present at the occasion were the Chief Medical Director, State House Clinic, Dr. Munir Hussaini Yakasai and other members of the State House top management as well as the construction team of Julius Berger, Nigeria.

1...604605606...2,507 Page 605 of 2,507