I’m Enjoying Prison In Nigeria Better Than Indian Hospital – El-Zakzaky

August 17, 2019

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has said that he enjoys more freedom in Nigeria prison than in India hospital.

El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah, returned from a butched medical trip to India yesterday, August 16.

In a video that was made public today, August 17, the seemingly healthy-looking El-Zakzaky, during his trip to India, is seen talking with an unidentified Indian official.

“I have been about four years in prison now; a house fully furnished. In fact, our next neighbour was the senate president; a large house. I was free to move about. Similarly, when they moved me to Kaduna I was in the best area – government reserved area. It is a house fully furnished with large bedrooms and I was free,” he said.

“I have never been in detention with police there; in fact, the soldiers used to stay outside at the gate. That is what they have been doing. When we came here we were put in prison.

“I will definitely prefer another hospital. I was told that some Shi’ite Ulama came and said I should be allowed to be treated in India.”

The Federal Government once said it was spending N3.5 million monthly to feed El-Zakzaky and his family.

The IMN leader said he made the trip at his own expense, but that the Nigerian government told Indian authorities that they were “the ones bringing us.”

The Federal Government had said on Friday that El-Zakzaky’s repatriation became necessary after he attempted to seek asylum.

Buhari To Soldiers: Pursue Bandits Anywhere You Find Them And Eliminate Them

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has commanded soldiers not to spare bandits’ that have been killing, maiming and extorting innocent citizens in many parts of the country, especially in the Northern parts of the country.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I believe you are capable of doing it. I don’t think you should spare any bandit. “Identify and eliminate them. Pursue them anywhere you can find them and eliminate them.”

The President, who addressed 15 officers and 160 soldiers of the 17^th Army Brigade and Nigerian Air Force 213 Operational Base in Katsina, under the “Operation Hadarin Daji’’, at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport, said: “this group was formed by the military to secure the geo-political zone from the activities of bandits. Fundamentally, it is your responsibility to secure the country.

“Nigeria deserves peace. The rainy season is good and we are already achieving food security, but we need peace. The money saved from food importation will be used to purchase arms for operations.”

President Buhari, along with Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, assured the troops that the Federal Government will provide all the necessary support for restoration of peace in the country.

“We will give you all the right equipment so that you can deal with them with despatch. I appreciate all your efforts but you can do more. I don’t want any bandit spared.”

Buhari reminded the soldiers and officials of the government that they are being sustained in office by the ordinary people, and that they owe such people a duty to protect their lives and property.

“Please give my regards to your families. The earlier you finish with the bandits, the earlier you will return and stay with your families.”

Biafran Republic Agitators Stone Ike Ekweremadu In Germany

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

Suspected Igbo people agitating for the creation of Biafran Republic out of Nigeria, on the auspices of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were said to have stoned the former Nigeria’s deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, himself an Igbo man, in far away Germany..

The incident was said to have taken place in Nuremberg, Germany where the former Senate Deputy President had gone to address the audience that turned out to be antagonistic towards him.

Eye witnesses said that Senator Ekweremadu was dragged around and pelted with different objects, around the venue of the event. He was later whisked away in a car, after several attempts to stop him from escaping.

One of the attackers was overheard saying that Senator Ekweranmadu of enjoying while many people are dying on a daily basis.

IBB Warns: No One Should Tamper With Oneness Of Nigeria

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd)

Former military President, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has warned against allowing any one tampering with oneness of the country.

Babangida, who entertained guests today, August 17 to mark his 78^th birthday at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State capital, stressed the need for peaceful co-existance among Nigerians irrespective of age and ethno-religious inclination.

“My prayer is that Nigeria should remain as one indivisible nation. Therefore, I call on all Nigerians to work for the unity and development of the country as there is no other home like Nigeria.”

IBB, born August 17, 1941 was the military President of Nigeria between August 27, 1985 and August 26, 1993.

He previously served as Chief of Army Staff from January 1984 to August 1985.

Asari Dokubo Inaugurates Biafra National Council, Police Arrest Members

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

Ex Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo is back again in active service, inaugurating today, August 17, a group called Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL).

Information reaching us said that Dokubo inaugurated the group in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, not without a brush with security operatives.

It was gathered that police ambushed some members of the group on their way from different parts of the state to witness the inauguration.

A BNYL Officer, Geoffrey Nwosoriba, who doubles as Secretary to the BNC Coalition, told newsmen: “I escaped from the arrest along Bayelsa junction. Right now about 100 of our members have been taken to State CID in Yenagoa.

“The Police have not explained what our offences are.”

Those Who Attacked Me In Germany Knew Not What They Were Doing – Ekwrenmadu

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

Former Deputy President of the Nigeria Senate, Ike Ekweremadu has reacted to the attack on him by some suspected members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), in Nuremberg, Germany, saying that they knew not what they were doing.

The Senator, who gave the account of the event on his social media handle, @iamekweremdu, assured Ndigbo and his supporters across the nation that he is safe.

Narrating the incident, Ekweremadu said: “I attended the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nurnberg today where I was billed to give a keynote address along with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who, however could not make it eventually.

“I was given a resounding welcome by Ndigbo in Germany and everything went smoothly until some men, who identified themselves as IPOB members stormed the venue and began to complain about the killings in the South East, stressing that there would be no Igbo event at the venue.

“I tried to engage them, but when they became unruly, I had to leave the venue. The organisers also invited the police and I was accompanied out of the venue.

“Much as I am disappointed in their conduct, especially as I am one of the persons, who have spoken up on justice for Ndigbo, the Python Dance, judicial killings in Igbo land and elsewhere both on the floor of the Senate and in my written and personal engagements with the Presidency and the media as well as rallied the South East Senate Caucus to secure Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe taking him on bail to douse tension in the South East, I nevertheless do not hold this to heart against them, for they know not what they do.

“I have received thousands of solidarity calls and messages from well meaning Ndigbo. I want to assure them that I am hail and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.”

Yoruba War Lord, Gani Adams, Vows To Crush Bandits, Kidnappers In 4 Months

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

The Yoruba war lord, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams, has vowed to crush, within four months, bandits and armed robbers as well as kidnappers that have been disturbing the Southwestern part of Nigeria.

Aare Adams said that he would use resources available within to tackle the menace to a standstill.

Addressing members of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Osun adherents and other traditionalists who were celebrating this year’s Osun Osogbo festival, Gani Adams said: “I am a warrior and I’m ordained to ensure that Yoruba people are protected. I am assuring you that I would use everything within my reach to make sure problem of insecurity becomes the issue of the past. I will make sure I crush insecurity in the Southwest.”

He emphasized that he is committed to ending banditry, kidnapping and all sorts of criminality within the south west region within the next four months.

The Yoruba generalissimo reminded the people that among his duties are to defend and protect the Yoruba people against any criminality, saying: “as the generalissimo of Yoruba land, my duty among others is to ensure that Yoruba people are protected against any forces.”

Flood Kills 3, Sacks 500 People In Niger State

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

An early morning flood today, August 17, left three people dead and about 500 others rendered homeless in Bosso and Chanchaga local government councils of Niger state after a heavy downpour that lasted for hours.

The rain which began at about 4 am today, destroyed and submerged buildings and farms in the affected areas leaving 500 people displaced. The people were caught unawares by the flood as most of them claimed they were not aware the area was flooding when the rain was falling.

The flood was said to have been caused by the overflowing of the drainage systems in the affected areas which caused the collapse of the MYPA bridge in Bosso and washed away the Mola bridge in Dusten Kura Hausa.

When the flood-affected areas were visited, some women could be seen trying to rescue what they could from their already flooded houses while those whose houses were destroyed were seen with folded hands and confusion on their faces as to what next to do.

In Shanu village, Hadiza Rabiu said all her personal belongings got lost in the flood adding that all the foodstuff which she brought hoping it would take her and her family till the end of the month were all washed away by the flood.

The mother of three lamented over the fact that she and her family no longer have a home as the flood destroyed the House saying it was God and well meaning neighbours who helped her to save her children.

Narrating the incident, she said, “We were fast asleep when I started feeling and hearing noise of water flowing into the house, my spirit was not at ease. So I stood up and tried to look out the window and I saw water everywhere and heard people shouting that water is coming.

“Immediately, I started calling for help to save my children because the water level was already increasing in my house. We were helped by neighbours.”

Wiping the tears that started dropping down her eyes, she continued, “The flood took everything, our house collapsed and everything we have, including my money which is N40, 000 and foodstuffs were washed away.”

One of the affected residents, Sanusi Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the Dusten Kura victims confirmed that three people were carried away by the flood, adding that a lot of them have lost their valuables to the flood.

The Ward Head Of Dusten Kura, Inuwa Bawa Tokora said the flood is a yearly occurrence and accused the government of adopting a nonchalant attitude towards addressing the yearly disaster.

“I have witnessed four floods since I became the Ward Head but government is not doing anything to address our problem. My suggestion for the solution to this annual flooding would be the construction of drainage system from the FUT Minna down to Minna-Bida road.”

The Niger state Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso paid a sympathy visit to the victims and said that government would try its best to bring succour to the affected people.

He directed the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to take inventory of the losses and provide food and non-food relief materials to cushion the victims hardship.

The Director General of the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ibrahim Inga said that there are three unconfirmed deaths as the bodies of the victims have not been found or recovered.

He lamented that despite sensitization on the dangers of building on waterways, a lot of people still go-ahead to build on waterways which he attributed to have been the cause of the huge number of losses experienced.

According to Inga, 75 per cent of those affected built on waterways and lived along the river banks.

He however assured that government wi make necessary provision for their temporary accommodation.

Source: NAN.

Kogi NLC Boss Accuses Gov Yahaya Bello Of Sitting On 2.8 Billion Workers’ Salary

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

Chairman of the Kogi chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Onuh Edoka, has accused the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of sitting on the N2.8 billion, representing 10 percent of the fund kept aside to offset arrears of state workers’ salary.

Onuh Edoka, who doubles as National Vice President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), said today, August 17 in Lokoja, the state capital, during the 14th edition of the North Central zonal conference of the union, that despite the use of the N30.8 billion bailout for the settlement of salaries by the state government, the union “stands aside” until government fulfils agreements it entered into with labour.

“We must appreciate the state government over the bailout. The bailout was effectively used by government. Anyone who harbours contrary opinion should engage the government personally.

“However, we have declined to make a categorical statement on the usage of the fund, as we should do, because government has not fulfilled all aspects of negotiations it entered with labour before the release of the fund by the CBN.

“Ten percent of the money was reserved to tackle arrears of months when percentage salary were paid to the state workers.

“The government promised to pay in installment from the 10 percent reserved, but they have not commenced. When that is done, we shall come out to make a definite statement.

“We have computed those months when percentage salaries were paid. What is needed now to offset all arrears of state workers who are on the clear list is N2.8 billion.”

The NLC Boss lamented that local government were paid 85 percent for three months, contrary to the governor’s directive for complete payment, even as he frowned at some aides of the governor who according to him are sabotaging 100 percent payment of salary to council workers.

“The percentage payment to council workers was carried out by some of his appointees who are working internally to bring down the government. They have turned local government areas to their handbag, which they carry about, and pick what they want.”

The Secretary to State Government (SSG), Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike, assured civil servants of the government’s readiness to implement the minimum wage across the board, as soon as the resources of the state improve.

2023 Presidency: Northern Youths Mobilize Support For Asiwaju Tinubu

Editorial staff

August 17, 2019

A northern youth group, known as United Northern Youth and Students (UNYS) has started to mobilize support for the National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2023 Presidential contest.

Speaking to new men in Kaduna yesterday, August 16, Coordinator of the UNYS, Jabir Maiturare, said that the group had already thrown weight behind Tinubu should he seeks to contest for the presidency in four years time.

“Let it be known that Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu has not declared to contest for any position yet. Instead, he is solidly behind President Muhammadu Buhari and giving him the required support. “In any case, whenever he seeks to contest for any position, including the presidency in 2023, we are ready to give him overwhelming support, and we therefore dissociate ourselves from such irresponsible act of some minority youth from the North.

“In the same vein, we wish to state categorically that Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai’s statement against the zoning arrangement in place is uncalled for, and should not be given any serious thought because he speaks only for himself and not for the North.”

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