Police parade suspected killer of Ekiti monarchs.

Police parade suspected killer of Ekiti monarchs.

The Ekiti State Police Command, yesterday, paraded one Baboga Alhaji suspected for his alleged involvement in the killing of the two traditional rulers in Ikole area of the state last Monday.

Briefing journalists, the AIG in charge of Ekiti, Dare Ogundare, said the suspect was arrested in the forest between Ayedun and Ayebode by the combined efforts of police and other security agencies.

The AIG, who said no arrest was made during the rescue operation of the abducted school pupils and their teachers, added that some suspects had been arrested at Oke Osun, in Ikere Ekiti, Igbo Okah and Iju-Ikere boundary forest.

Ogundare denied payment of ransom to secure the release of the abducted victims, noting that that the Nigeria Police would never encourage ransom payment.

According to Ogundare, “In our bid to flush out criminal elements in the county following the killing of the two traditional rulers and abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, a combined team of the police, Amotekun and OPC embarked on a secret operation into the thick forest in Ikere.

“During the operation, five suspects were arrested and several dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

“The team further extended their operation through Emure-ekiti Forrest where eight other suspects were apprehended.

“During interrogation, a suspect named Babooga Alhaji admitted that he took part in the assassination of the two traditional rulers. He is currently giving credible information that will lead to the arrest of other gang leaders.”

LASG rewards teachers, homes catering for PWDs.

LASG rewards teachers, homes catering for PWDs.

The Lagos State Government has recognised and rewarded teachers and homes catering for persons living with disabilities in the state.

The General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, stated on Saturday during the International Disability Day celebration in Ikeja, that the recognised homes had catered for the needs of PWDs in the state thereby making them excel against all societal barriers.

Oyetunde-Lawal said the agency would be “recognising and appreciating homes, teachers, coaches, sign language interpreters, parents, and caregivers that have set exceptional standards in catering for the needs of persons with disabilities as well as individuals excelling against all barriers in the society.”

“It is pertinent to note that these groups of people that would be recognised today are groups that are passion-driven towards ensuring the promotion and improvement of PWDs. They provide adequate education, healthcare and assistance to them, thereby improving their self-worth in the society.

“To all the 70 homes, seven inclusive secondary schools, and 31 inclusive primary schools registered with the agency, I thank you for your contributions to the cause of persons with disability,” she added.

She further stated that the state government will create an enabling environment that will engender equal opportunities for persons living with disabilities in the state.

“As a government, we will not rest on our laurels until the mandate of the agency to create an equal platform for persons with disabilities is achieved,” Oyetunde-Lawal said.

While calling on “critical stakeholders” to join hands to create equal opportunities for the PWDs in the state, the LASODA GM said, “Today, we will be distributing guide canes/ slates and stylus to students with visual impairment.”

First Lady Advocates Enhanced Care on World Cancer Day.

First Lady Advocates Enhanced Care on World Cancer Day.

By Olamide Akinwumi.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, has passionately called for improved care and support for individuals affected by cancer, emphasizing that no one should navigate the challenges of cancer alone. Her plea came on the occasion of World Cancer Day, marked globally to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Addressing the significance of this year's World Cancer Day theme, "Closing the Care Gap," Senator Tinubu stressed the need to intensify efforts in establishing essential infrastructure to address health challenges associated with cancer. She urged a collective commitment to providing better care for cancer patients and survivors.

In her personal message delivered in Abuja, Senator Tinubu stated, "No one should have to face the challenges of cancer alone." She encouraged empathy, care, love, and support for those affected by cancer while emphasizing the importance of raising awareness and advocating for improved service delivery.

The First Lady also called for the celebration of individuals who have overcome cancer, expressing her wishes for their continued well-being. She concluded her message with a blessing for all, saying, "God bless you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria." The call for enhanced care on World Cancer Day aligns with a global initiative to bridge the care gap and foster a supportive environment for cancer patients and survivors.

Internal security: IG orders reactivation of Police Smart Force database system.

Internal security: IG orders reactivation of Police Smart Force database system.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun yesterday ordered the reactivation of Police Smart Force Database System as part of his digitisation drive for the Police Force to ensure that all officers have their details captured and stored for record purposes.

 Egbetokun said the move would also ease administrative bottlenecks, create ease in tracking postings/transfers, and issue Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards for personnel identification.

The main objective of the database, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), “is to tremendously enhance the competence and effective service delivery in all areas of policing, most especially in the smooth administrative management of the Nigeria Police Force as a whole”.

The statement added: “The system, which is integrated with modern technology and state of the art appliances, will reduce reliance on manual and burdensome traditional administrative methods, thereby ensuring an effective management of the workforce of force.”

Reiterating his vision for a police force driven by the integration of cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence (AI), Egbetokun ordered immediate commencement of the digitisation process across all commands and formations of the force for timeous upgrade and operation of the system and charges all officers to enrol for the process at their various commands formations across the country.

Also, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Adaora Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, has retired.

She took a bow from the public service at a colourful ceremony held at the corporate headquarters of the commission in Jabi, Abuja.

The former permanent secretary clocked 60 years on January 3.

At the valedictory ceremony, where Dr. Anyanwutaku handed over to PSC’s Director in the Department of Police Investigation, Aminu Malumfashi, the former secretary expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity given her to serve her fatherland.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by the commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said she also thanked the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for finding her worthy for recommendation to serve in the nation’s highest bureaucracy as a Permanent Secretary.

She extended her sincere gratitude to the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police (IGP), for the support and direction he gave her while in the commission.

Dr. Anyanwutaku said she was leaving the service fulfilled and thanked God for the good health and grace she enjoyed throughout her public service career.

The former secretary commended the workers of the commission for their love and support, pleading that they extend it to the next Permanent Secretary that will be posted to the commission.

“I am grateful for the great support from the honourable chairman, commissioners of the commission, directors, and the workers.

“Their support tremendously helped me to navigate and deliver on our mandate. I also appreciate the support of the critical stakeholders of the commission, especially the Nigeria Police Force, which provided me with the wings to fly,” Dr. Anyanwutaku said.

After receiving the instrument of office, Malumfashi thanked God for a glorious end of career for the outgoing permanent secretary.

He prayed God will continue to be with her and open other doors for her in future.

Dr. Arase wished Dr. Anyanwutaku a rewarding retirement from the public service.

Lagos State Govt empowers 250 indigent residents.

Lagos State Govt empowers 250 indigent residents.

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has taken 250 residents through a four-week short-term skills acquisition programme to empower them economically.

The ministry, in a statement on Sunday, said the empowerment programme was a strategic initiative to alleviate poverty and improve the standard of living of women, girls and youths.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for participants, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia Dada, stated that the programme, which was held at Ojo Square in the Somolu Local Government Area of the state, was a collaborative effort with the Lagos State Health Management Authority.

She said, “The focus of the programme is to uplift the lives of indigents, vulnerable and internally displaced persons, as well as people with disabilities, across various communities of Lagos State with ready to go skills in meeting their various economic demands and challenges.”

Dada explained that the first phase of the 2024 training ran simultaneously across five centres in the state.

“The state government is ready to address factors militating against women and youths from attaining their full potential, like illiteracy, joblessness, teenage pregnancies and cultural issues, among others and give the necessary support to residents, irrespective of their positions in the state, through skills such as events decoration and flower arrangement.

Others are fabric stoning, tie and dye, catering, soap, pomade and insecticide production, hair braiding and wig making, throw pillows, and duvet making, among others.”

In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Authority, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, who was represented by Mr Olatunji Rotimi, the Head, Business unit, LASHMA, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support for the programme in line with his T.H.E M.E.S Plus Agenda.

Shaibu, others boycott Edo PDP congress, Makinde dumps committee.

Shaibu, others boycott Edo PDP congress, Makinde dumps committee.

The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, on Sunday, conducted an election (congress) to pick delegates that will participate in the party’s February 22 governorship primary.

The exercise was, however, trailed by an uproar as nine out of the 11 PDP governorship aspirants boycotted the exercise.

Also, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who was the chairman of the three-man committee in charge of the Edo delegates election, withdrew from the exercise.

But the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, who is said to be the deputy chairman of the committee, commended the large turnout of party members for the delegates election.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, described Makinde’s withdrawal from the process as unfortunate but said it would not undermine the credibility of the exercise, which, he said, witnessed a large turnout of party members.

The nine governorship aspirants, who boycotted the delegates election, were Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Anselm Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, Hafia Hadizat Umoru, Omosede Igbinedion, Dr Earl Osaro Onaiwu and Arthur Esene.

They wrote a protest letter to the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and sent a copy to the National Vice Chairman South-South, Chief Dan Orbih.

The nine aspirants complained about the composition of the committee conducting the delegates election.

Speaking to party members at the George Idah Primary School, GRA, Benin, the collation centre for Ward 2, the Enugu State Governor said, “This is democracy where our people come to exercise their franchise. We appreciate this turnout. Our party is known for the principles of fairness, equity and justice. I wish you to all conduct yourselves properly as we hold this election.”

In Ward 7 at Ugbekun Primary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local government, Dr. Major Itemowe led others to conduct the exercise while in Oluku Ward, Kunle Koya from Lagos State conducted the exercise.

Speaking to journalists in his Ward 4 collation centre, Idia College, Governor Obaseki said the crisis in the party was being blown out of proportions and that it would not affect the outcome of the governorship election.

He said, “You can see from the crowd here that it is a lot of success due to the huge turnout. We had over 600 people coming out to participate here; our people are very politically aware and we are happy with this turnout to elect delegates for a our governorship primary. We are also expecting this huge turnout in the main election.”

On the resignation of Makinde, Obaseki said, “It is unfortunate that Makinde withdrew. There are three governors and he is only one of the three that withdrew, which does not remove the credibility of the process. What makes a process credible is the quality of the participation. You can see the turnout; so it is unfortunate that Governor Makinde had to take such a decision. I hope that all our efforts to continue to unify the party and pacify all stakeholders will continue. We are not deterred at all, we are going to make sure that the PDP plays its role in the politics of this country.”

Speaking on the non-participation of members of the Legacy Coalition of the PDP, he said, “You cannot have a 100 per cent participation. You can see the crowd here. When we were in the APC before we joined the PDP, we didn’t have these numbers. So, it is clear that the people we met in the party are still in the party.

“The crisis is hyped; it is not as fundamental as it is made to look. There is very little crisis, the crisis is fanned from outside and our people are smarter than that. You will see during the main election, we are not going to allow ourselves to be sold.”

When contacted to react to the Edo situation, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said,”It is publicly known that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, for personal reasons known only to him, resigned as Chairman of the PDP Edo State Ad Hoc Delegate Congress Electoral Committee. We are not aware of any other person who boycotted.”

Also, when contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrenwaju, said he was not aware that his principal resigned.

“I’m not aware that he resigned. I’m not aware,” he said.

Tinubu mourns Namibian president’s death.

Tinubu mourns Namibian president’s death.

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of the Namibian President, Hage Geingob who he described as a veteran in the struggle for democracy.

The 82-year-old leader who revealed he was receiving treatment for cancer last month, died on Sunday, a statement from acting president, Nangolo Mbumba revealed.

The Nigerian leader in a condolence statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, noted Geingob’s passing came at a time when the continent of Africa needed his visionary qualities.

“President Tinubu mourns the painful loss of this veteran in the struggle for democracy; proponent of good governance, and advocate of economic, social, and political solidarity among African peoples.

“The President notes that this tragedy comes at a time when Africa needs more visionary leaders who believe in the common destiny of the continent, and who can strengthen bonds across borders and spread the tendrils of cooperation across all fields of human endeavour.

“As Namibia mourns, President Tinubu assures the Republic that his thoughts and prayers, and indeed those of Nigerians, are with them,” the statement read in part.

First elected president in 2014, Geingob was Namibia’s longest-serving prime minister and third president.

In 2013, Geingob underwent brain surgery, and last year he underwent an aortic operation in neighbouring South Africa.

Up until his death, he had been receiving treatment at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek.