Nigeria Air Force Goes Ruthless, Shells Uncountable Terrorists At Their Meeting In Borno

December 16, 2019

The Nigerian Air force has shelled several members of ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State

The terrorists were said to have gathered at a meeting point in a building at Kollaram, Borno state when the fighting air force officers descended on them.

According to a statement from the Air Force’s Commodore Ibikunle Daramola today, December 16: “in continuation of Operation Rattle Snake, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has neutralized some Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters as they assembled for a meeting at their hideout in Kollaram on the fringes of Lake Chad in the Northern part of Borno State.

”The operation was executed on 14 December 2019 following credible intelligence reports indicating that some of the ISWAP leaders had assembled for a meeting in one of 2 buildings at the centre of the settlement.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets dispatched by the ATF to attack the location scored accurate hits on the target building completely obliterating it and killing its terrorists’ occupants. “The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the Northeast.”

Nigeria’s Schools Lack 277,537 Teachers, As Govt Pumps In N153 Billion In 4 Years

Editorial staff

December 16, 2019

Information has emerged that Nigeria’s basic education schools currently lack a total of about 277,537 despite that the sum of N153 Billion had been expended on it in the past four years.

According to the new National Personnel Audit report, the over N153 billion was disbursed to state governments in the last four years for the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) in the country.

These facts were made known today, December 16 in the 2018 National Personnel Audit (NPA) that was conducted by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), on public and private basic education schools in Nigeria. It was officially launched in Abuja by the minister of education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

According to the report, there was a deficit of 135,319 teachers at the Early Childhood Care Development Education, 139,772 deficit in primary schools and 2,446 shortage in Junior Secondary Schools across the nation.

The report also put the number of primary-school-age children who are not in school at 10,193,918, which is said to be 25 per cent of all primary school-age children in the country.

On school enrollment, the 2018 NPA report indicated that there are 27.8 million learners in primary schools-22,384,755 in public primary schools and 5,504,632 enrollment in private schools.

The Minister of Education in his address during the presentation of the report to the public at a ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, disclosed that from 2015 when the current government came in, to date, over N173 billion has been released to UBEC as matching grant.

Adamu noted that out of this figure, N153 billion was disbursed to the states government for the implementation of the Universal Basic education in the country.

Similarly, he said the sum of N34 billion was also released to states for Teacher Professional Development while over N8 billion was released to states for the education of children with special needs.

Court Gives Tough Bail Conditions To 4 Directors In Gombe Over N47 Million Fraud

Editorial staff

December 16, 2019

A Federal High Court in Gombe State has given tough bail conditions to four directors of the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service who allegedly conspired and obtained by false pretence, the sum of N47 million, against the money laundering law.

The suspects are Aishatu Yakubu, Executive Director, Admin and Finance; The Mohammed Musa Mohammed, Executive Director, Tax Operation; Wesley Kumusa Audu, Executive Director, Tax and Audit, and Mijinyawa Sani Labaran, Executive Director, Non Tax Operations.

Responding to a request by their counsel for bail, the trial Judge, Justice Nehizena I. Afolabi said that the bail is granted in the sum of N15 Million each with two sureties in like sum, even as he ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant and the other, a civil servant of level 14 or above.

The judge said that the sureties must be resident within Gombe Metropolitan City and have landed properties with Certificate of Occupancy and, adjourned the case to February 4, 2020 for trial.

In a statement today, December 16, the spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren said that it is the Gombe zonal office of the Commission that arraigned the four directors.

The defendants were alleged to have conspired among themselves to pay several allowances and benefits which amounted to N47m without approval. They also awarded fictitious contracts for which payments were released and diverted for their personal use.

“The payments were made from the national plate number account of the Board which is meant for remittance into the state internally generated revenue, IGR account.”

Count one of the charge reads, “That you, AISHATU YAKUBU, MOHAMMED MUSA MOHAMMED, WESLEY KUMUSA AUDU and MIJINYAWA SANI LABARAN sometime in December, 2018 or thereabout at Gombe, Gombe State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did agree among yourselves to commit an offence to wit: convert monies properties of Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue Service and thereby committed an offence, contrary to, and Punishable under the provision of Section 18 (a) & (c) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition ) Act,LFN 2011 ( as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

But all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution counsel, A.Y Muntaka applied to the court for a date to commence the trial.

The defence counsel, Habu Abdu sought the leave of the Court to move the bail application of his clients, which was granted by the Judge.

University Of Abuja Dismisses 2 Professors, Demotes Others Over Sex For Mark

Editorial staff

December 16, 2019

The University of Abuja has dismissed two of its professors over alleged inappropriate relationships with some female students of the school.

Also, two other lecturers, one of who is a Ph.D. holder have been demoted by rank over the said alleged offense.

The two professors, according to a statement today, December 16, by the Head of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob, were Professor Adeniji Adedayo Abiodun of the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Professor Agaptus Buzo – Chibuzo Orji of the Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education.

The university gave the names of the two lecturers demoted as Dr. Robert Dajal, Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education, demoted by a rank, from Associate Professor to Senior Lecturer, and Mr. Gana Emmanuel Sunday Defian, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, also demoted by two ranks, from Lecturer 1 to Assistant Lecturer,” for their complicity in various acts of misconduct inimical to the good image of the University.”

The statement said that the University Council at its 85th Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, 11th and Thursday, 12th December 2019, considered reports and recommendations from its Disciplinary Committee and after due diligence, approved the termination of appointment of two Professors for various acts of misconduct.

It would be recalled that a female student of the university had in July this year, alleged that a professor in the Department of Agriculture of the university allegedly demanded sex in order to give her marks.

The lecturer had earlier been issued a query after he was caught pants down during a sting operation by policemen of the Gwarinpa police station.

It was gathered that following threat by the lecturer that the student, with registration number: 16211546, would not pass a course he was taking unless she gave in to his sexual demands, she reported the matter to security operatives, who organised a sting operation.

The sting operation was carried out by men of the Gwarinpa police station, where the professor was caught pants down in a hotel room in the highbrow estate of the Federal Capital Territory. The university statement read thus: “Council at its 85th Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, 11th and Thursday, 12th December 2019, considered reports and recommendations from its Disciplinary Committee and after due diligence, approved the termination of appointment of two Professors for various acts of misconduct: (1) Professor Adeniji Adedayo Abiodun of the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, for inappropriate relationship with a female student which is a misconduct of ‘scandalous and disgraceful nature’ as provided in Section 16, subsection 3(c) of the University of Abuja Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (1999), ‘Falsification of academic records’ and ‘aiding and abetting of examination malpractice’ in line with section 7, subsection 1b(ii) & (v) of the University of Abuja Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (1999). ”

Professor Agaptus Buzo – Chibuzo Orji of the Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education, University of Abuja, for ‘falsification of academic records’, ‘aiding and abetting of examination malpractice’, in line with section 7, subsection 1b(ii)&(v) of the University of Abuja Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (1999), ‘Corruption and dishonesty’ in line with Section 7, subsection 1b (iv) of the University of Abuja Condition of Service for Senior Staff (1999).

“Council also approved the demotion of Dr. Robert Dajal, Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education by a rank, from Associate Professor to Senior Lecturer, and Mr. Gana Emmanuel Sunday Defian, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture by two ranks, from Lecturer 1 to Assistant Lecturer, for their complicity in various acts of misconduct inimical to the good image of the University.

“The University of Abuja wishes to restate its commitment to high moral standards and determination to take appropriate disciplinary measures against any act of misconduct perpetrated by its staff and/or students, in the interest of justice and educational development.”

Ogun Gov Promises Agitating Women Of Appointment Of Women In His Cabinet Soon

Editorial staff

December 16, 2019

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, has promised women in the state that more of them would be appointed in the State Executive Council, as well as agencies and boards.

Abiodun told women, who were protesting the recently released list of commissioners without a woman nominee, said that the list was not exhaustive, adding that new commissioner positions reserved exclusively for women would be unveiled shortly.

The protesting women had tagged the exercise as ‘Occupy Oke-mosan.’

The governor, in a statement today, December 16 by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, said that the interests of women were on top of his administration’s agenda, adding that his promise that women would play a pivotal role in his administration remained irreversible.

Governor Abiodun said that the choice of a female, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, as his deputy was to drive women-focused programmes in the state, saying that already, some of his Special Advisers and cabinet-rank members were women.

He said that in addition to appointing women in office as Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants, the recent appointment of Mrs Amope Chokor as the Head of Service, showed his recognition of the commitment of women to the development of the state.

“No nation or state that wants to enjoy rapid socioeconomic development can toy with the very pivotal role of women in governance.

“The point cannot be disputed that women are nation builders, whose loyalty is unparalleled.

“The appointments just announced are just a tip of the iceberg. In the subsequent announcements that will be made, women’s interests would be more than adequately protected.

“In doing this, we are affirming our belief that the ‘Ogun’ of our dreams is not attainable without the critical inputs of women.”

Humility, Hard-Work Have Been My Watchword, Ebenezer Obey Confesses

Editorial staff

December 16, 2019

A juju music legend, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey has confessed that humility and hard work have always been his watchword and have helped him to get to where he is today.

Speaking after being inducted into the Evergreen music hall of fame, at the Ariya Eko Music Festival by the Evergreen musical company yesterday, December 15, Ebenezer Obey advised artists to be disciplined, humble and dedicated while doing music as a career.

The Ariya Eko festival, which had a lot of Yoruba musicians and government officials in attendance, is an annual festival organized by the Evergreen musical company with the support of the Lagos state government.

The Ariya Eko lived up to its promise of organizing a wonderful festival, as, Obesere, Ara, Chief commander Ebenezer Obey and all the other artists, added spice to the show with their superlative performances, keeping the crowd on their feet, when they performed.

Source: Vanguard.

Justice Minister To Lawyer Falana: I Can’t Release Sowore On My Own

Greenbarge Reporters

December 16, 2019

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has told Lagos based lawyer, Femi Falana, that decision to release convener of the #RevolutionNow protests, Omoyele Sowore, will not be taken by his office alone.

“Federal Government is guided by extant laws and tradition of the law in handling legal matters and related ligitations.”

Abubakar Malami, in a statement today, December 16, titled: “FG guided by extant laws, court tradition,” said: “when parties submit their issues for determination to a court of law, they lack exclusivity of decision over such issues without recourse to the court.

“We remain guided by the established tradition and will not take a unilateral decision without recourse to the rule of law.”

Falana had, had, following a decision by the Justice Minister to take over Sowore’s case from State Security Services (SSS), written the minister, asking for the release of his client.

Falana is the lead defence counsel to Sowore who is currently being detained by the DSS.

Inspector General Challenges Image Makers To Re-Invent Police Image

Editorial staff

December 16, 2019

The Inspector General of Nigeria police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has challenged image makers to reinvent the image of the police in the country.

The IGP spoke today, December 16, at the opening ceremony of a 4-day intensive capacity building Workshop for Police Public Relations Officers in Nigeria, in Awka, capital of Anambra State. The workshop attracts Police Public Relations Officers from the 36 States of the Federation, the FCT, 12 Zonal Police Public Relations Officers as well as Staff Officers of the Force Public Relations Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Mohammed Adamu acknowledged the efforts of the police image makers across the country in the area of repositioning the image of the Force which must not go unnoticed by the public.

Commending such efforts that had positively impacted on the public perception of the Force, the police boss said that there is still much work to be done towards correcting the age-long stereotypes about the Force.

“I challenge you not to rest on your oars but maintain optimal professionalism at all times. You must re-invent the image of the Force. I encourage you to take advantage of the new media and modern technology to do this and also ensure timely dissemination and response to issues.

“You must master your turfs and strengthen your relationship with your internal and external publics.”

Man Who Allegedly Scammed Works Minister, Fashola, Of N3 Million Remanded In Prison

Editorial staff

December 16, 2019

One Malik Wakili has been remanded in prison for allegedly impersonating the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, and defrauding him of N3,106, 216.

Wakili, who was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was said to have allegedly committed the offence in March this year.

The EFCC told Justice C.J. Aneke that Wakili conspired with one Abdullahi Umar, said to be at large, “to fraudulently impersonate Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), with intent to gain a monetary advantage for themselves.”

According to the EFCC, the defendant converted the total sum of N3,106,216, being the value of the Air-miles Skywards Account Number EK248739282 of Babatunde with the Emirate Airlines and which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of their unlawful activity, “to wit: fraud.”

The prosecution said Wakili acted contrary to sections 15(2)(a) and 27(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and was liable to be punished under sections 15(3) and 22(3)(a) of the same Act.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the three counts pressed against him.

Justice Aneke adjourned till December 17 to rule on the bail application filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Eubena Anedu.

The counsel for the EFCC, Uduak Kufre, did not oppose the bail application; he only urged the judge to impose conditions that would ensure that the defendant attended his trial.

The judge ordered that Wakili should be remanded in the prison custody, pending the ruling on his bail application.

Source: Punch

Amnesty International Describes Killing Of 4 Aid Workers By Insurgents As War Crime

Editorial staff

December 14, 2019

The Amnesty International has described the killing of four aid workers by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents in Borno State as a war crime.

Reacting to the incidence, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said: “With yet another horrific killing of humanitarian workers, Islamic State’s West Africa Province has again demonstrated its brazen disregard for life.
“The four slain aid workers were providing desperately-needed humanitarian services to people affected by the conflict in the North-East of Nigeria.
“The killing is a war crime. Under international humanitarian law, all aid workers must be protected from attack.
“ISWAP must immediately and unconditionally release the remaining aid workers.”
Also, the Action Against Hunger, in a statement asked for the release of other aid workers still in captivity, said, sayin: “Action Against Hunger extends its deepest sympathies to their loved ones and our colleagues in Nigeria.
“Action Against Hunger condemns these latest killings in the strongest terms and calls for the release of its staff member, Grace, who remains in captivity.
“Action Against Hunger states categorically that every attack against humanitarian workers ultimately impacts vulnerable civilians.”
The United Nations also condemned the execution of the four abducted humanitarian workers by Boko Haram.
In a statement, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, sympathised with the families of the slain workers.
“I am deeply saddened and outraged by the news of the tragic killing of four aid workers who were held captive by armed groups for almost five months.
“My thoughts go to their families, friends and colleagues who are enduring unspeakable pain and hardship.”
Kallon, however, called for the immediate release of Grace Taku, the member of the team still held by the insurgents.
The killed four aid workers, who were members of the Action Against Hunger team working in the region, had been in captivity since abducted in July by the terror group.

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