Ekiti Police Command Apprehends Kidnapping Syndicate Behind Emure School Girls Abduction.

Ekiti Police Command Apprehends Kidnapping Syndicate Behind Emure School Girls Abduction.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Ekiti State Police Command recently achieved a significant breakthrough by arresting eight members of a kidnapping syndicate and neutralizing one. The operation, led by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), targeted criminals responsible for the killing of two traditional rulers in Ikole-Ekiti and the kidnapping of school children and teachers in Emure-Ekiti.

The investigation began on February 8, 2024, with the arrest of Abubakar Aliyu (a.k.a Smallie), who was spying on Expatriates in Dairy Farmland, Ikun-Ekiti. Further arrests followed, including two vigilante members sent by the gang leader, Sumo Karami, to secure Smallie's release. Mohammed Bashiru, leader of Miyetti Allah vigilante in Oro-Ago, Kwara State, was also apprehended, revealing connections to the kidnapping gang.

The gang, led by Sumo Karami, was linked to the January 29, 2024, kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Emure-Ekiti. Subsequent arrests in Owo forest, Ondo State, and Ibadan, Oyo State, uncovered more members, including Kenneth Ugwu, who confessed to his involvement. A gun duel during a raid in Agric Reserved Forest resulted in the neutralization of one gang member (Ayuba) and the capture of Smallie, with other members escaping.

During the Press Briefing on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, the Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, said one of the suspects was killed during a gun battle with policemen.

Recalled that Hon Paul Omotosho was kidnapped in 2023 before he was released through the intervention of security outfits and the state Government. The CP said the command will not rest until the state is rid of criminal activities in order to maintain peace and order.

The syndicate's criminal activities included the kidnapping of the APC Chairman, Ekiti State, Paul Omotosho, on July 8, 2023, and the abduction of Mr. and Mrs. Awoniyi along Ikere/Itaogbolu road in January. Additionally, they were responsible for the kidnapping of teachers and pupils at Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Emure-Ekiti, on January 29, 2024.

Lagos pays N3.149bn to 1,013 retirees.

Lagos pays N3.149bn to 1,013 retirees.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, paid another N3.149 billion to 1,013 retirees in its 103rd retirement bond certificate presentation.

He said the payment was in line with his administration’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce, both active and post-service.

The governor spoke at the 103rd retirement bond certificate presentation to retirees of Lagos State ceremony held at Anchor Events Centre, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

“As of today, my administration would have covered nearly half of the total payments made by previous administrations since the inception of the CPS in Lagos State. While we acknowledge the backlog in the payment of Accrued Rights, our attention is focused on systematically eliminating this backlog. I am pleased to announce that we have made substantial progress in this regard and I am confident that before the end of my tenure, our aspiration for a “Pay As You Go” model will be realised.

“My administration will continue to run an open government that acknowledges our diversity and promotes inclusion. I want to reaffirm that no matter your age, gender, sex, tribe, or special needs, as long as you are an employee of the Lagos State Public Service, whether in active service or retired, your welfare and well-being are top priority.

“Lagos State government, through LASPEC, is assiduously working to ensure that public service retirees not only get what is due to them statutorily but also continue to receive, through other agencies and programmes, additional support and assistance that will add value to their lives in retirement,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The government, since the inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme, has paid N138 billion to 34,178 retirees. The government has also paid N56,551 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts of 16,026 retirees in the Mainstream, Local Government, State Universal Basic Board, Teaching Service Commission, and other government Parastatals since the inception of the Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

The governor promised that another N4 billion outstanding will be paid in March while the government will try to clear all backlogs by April.

He also announced a one-year free Ilera Eko health scheme for the 1,013 beneficiaries of this batch.

On his part, the Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission, Babalola Obilana, admonished the retirees on the importance of proper financial planning and management.

“Let me also emphasise the importance of proper financial planning and management during retirement. Retirees need to make informed decisions regarding their finances to ensure long-term sustainability and security. As you decide between programmed withdrawal and annuity, please pick an option that aligns with your financial goals and aspirations,” he said.

AU appoints Tinubu as Champion for health.

AU appoints Tinubu as Champion for health.

President Bola Tinubu has been named the African Union Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.

Consequently, he will address participants at the ministerial executive leadership programme this Saturday, February 17, 2024.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu appointed as AU Champion for health’ on Friday.

This came in “recognition of President Tinubu’s commitment to train 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide within 16 months and to double the number of primary health facilities in communities across all local government areas of the federation from 8,800 to over 17,000 over the next three years,” said the presidency

The Commission of the African Union (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention- Africa CDC) conveyed the announcement in a letter to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying the President was appointed on the recommendation of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of Africa CDC, under the leadership of Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union.

Africa CDC said it recognised Tinubu’s doubling of health personnel enrollment capacity from accredited nursing and midwifery institutions to accommodate the new demand created by new facilities across Nigeria, and his resolve to establish a paid volunteer youth force of social accountability officers to monitor the operational functioning and financial integrity of primary health centres.

“The African Union has identified the Nigerian leader as the right champion for this noble and actionable continental effort,” read the statement.

In his new role, the Commission has invited Tinubu to address the Ministerial Executive Leadership Programme under the theme, ‘Impactful leadership in health: a whole government approach’, slated for Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Africa CDC Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government.

LP may sink over corruption allegation — Chieftain

LP may sink over corruption allegation — Chieftain.

A Chieftain of the Labour Party, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, on Friday, warned that the party stands to sink beyond rescue over the current corruption allegations rocking the party.

This was amid allegations of corruption against the LP National Chairman, Julius Abure.

The National Treasurer of the party, Oluchi Opara, had at a press conference on Monday, challenged Abure to account for an alleged N3.5bn raised from the sale of nomination forms and fundraising activities in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

But on Wednesday, the party leadership slammed a six-month suspension on Opara for shunning an invitation to a probe meeting and dragging the party’s name in the mud.

This was as Abure challenged the suspended National Treasurer of the party, to provide evidence to back her N3.5bn fraud allegation against him.

However, Joseph who’s also a presidential aspirant of the LP in the 2023 general election, described the allegations of corruption as unfortunate.

Joseph, also the national leader of the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, noted that the allegations of misappropriation of the presidential campaign funds were not good for the party.

This was contained in a statement by the National Director, Media and Publicity of Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, released to newsmen in Kaduna State on Friday.

The LP chieftain expressed concern that the party Nigerians were looking up to had been enmeshed in monumental corruption allegations to the chagrin of all.

He added that the LP must be rescued, warning that the corruption allegations against Abure, must not be swept under the carpet.

He also queried the financial report released to Nigerians describing it as “shameful” which depicted the mismanagement of donations from Nigerians.

He said, “The Labour Party that Nigerians were looking out for to rescue the country is now languishing in monumental corruption allegations as well as financial misappropriation obvious in the record on the presidential campaign funds released by Peter Obi. Thus, the Labour Party now needs to be rescued

“The issue of repeated financial mismanagement, embezzlement, forgery, and other allegations of corruption allegedly against Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, is so terrible and should not be swept under the carpet.

“However, that will be a discussion for another day. But I will call on the appropriate government authority to carry out a proper investigation into the monumental allegations and ensure justice is done.

“There are pertinent questions begging for answers such as how sensible is it that N744.5 million was claimed to have been spent for legal fees for the election petition tribunal when the amount said to have been spent on running the whole election is less than half of that?

“We are aware of some lawyers that offered services for Labour Party pro bono, then how did what was spent on the presidential election petition amount to that?.”

Reps ask IG to adopt community policing.

Reps ask IG to adopt community policing.

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, asked the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to adopt community policing as outlined in Section 15 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020.

The call followed the adoption of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance by Asama Ago, a member of the Labour Party from Plateau State.

Ago noted that the House had passed several resolutions in the past with little or no improvement in the security situation in Plateau State.

He said, “The House is aware that the Police Act, 2020 provides for the establishment of community policing as stipulated explicitly in Section 113, 114, 116 and 117 of the Act.

“Section 113 (1) says for the effective and efficient policing of communities in a state or Federal Capital Territory, the Commissioner of Police of a state shall establish a Community Policing Committee which shall consist of representatives of the Police Force and the local community in the state.

“It says the Commissioner of Police of a state shall establish a Community Sub-policing Committee at all Divisional Police Headquarters in the state or Federal Capital Territory.

“Subject to section 116 (1) (b) of this Act, the Commissioner of Police and members designated by him from time to time for the purpose, shall be members of the Policing Committees and Sub-Policing Committees established at various police formations.

“Section 114 (1)  says a Commissioner of Police of a state or the Federal Capital Territory shall, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders in the community, establish a Divisional Community Policing Committee in all police divisions within the state.”

Ruling on the motion, Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, mandated the House Committees on Police Affairs and Legislative Compliance to engage with the IG to ensure compliance and report back to the House within four weeks.

Meanwhile, the House also on Thursday asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja,  and the IG to deploy additional personnel to the Fika/Fune Federal Constituency of Yobe State to address the security challenges in the area.

The position of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion of matter of urgent public importance sponsored by the lawmaker representing Fika/Fune Federal Constituency, Mohammed Jajere during the House plenary session.

Leading the debate on the motion, Jajere said the state of insecurity in the Fika Local Government Area and its environs had assumed a troubling dimension.

He told his colleagues that the Gurjaje settlement in the Fika Local Government was razed down on  February 12, 2024, by suspected bandits, leading to the death of one person and injuries to scores of others. He added that properties worth millions of Nigerians were destroyed.

“The House is concerned that many rural dwellers have been displaced on account of this onslaught while agricultural activities have been greatly paralysed leading to economic loss to the Fika LGA in Yobe and the nation at large.

“I am worried that several villages in the local government area now live in fear and the majority of them have been displaced and disposed of their valuable source of income,” he said.

Ruling on the motion, Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, mandated the Committees on Army and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

Tinubu Approves Immediate Upgrade Of Key Health Infrastructure Across Nigeria's Six Geo-political Zones.

Tinubu Approves Immediate Upgrade Of Key Health Infrastructure Across Nigeria's Six Geo-political Zones. 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate upgrade of key health infrastructure and equipment across all six geo-political zones in line with his administration’s vision of overhauling the health and social welfare sector for enhanced service delivery to all Nigerians.

Upgrading health infrastructure and equipment is a top priority of President Tinubu's Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. To advance this landmark effort, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will carry out the comprehensive upgradation of cancer-treatment infrastructure and other critical developments in six tertiary hospitals across several geopolitical zones, in addition to the full renovation and expansion of prior investments to improve broad-based access to high-quality healthcare in all six geo-political zones of the federation.

The following teaching hospitals across geo-political zones have been marked for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres per facility as part of President Tinubu's bid to ensure that world class cancer diagnosis and care is accessible across the country:

(1) University of Benin Teaching Hospital

(2) Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital

(3) University of Nigeria (Nsukka) Teaching Hospital

(4) Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina

(5) University of Jos Teaching Hospital

(6) Lagos University Teaching Hospital

The following ten critical health care service expansion projects across the fields of radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac catheterization will be carried out in ten hospitals across all geo-political zones:

(1) North-West: Reference Hospital, Kaduna — (Radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology)

(2) South-East: Medical Diagnostic Centre Complex, Enugu — (Radiology, clinical pathology, medical & radiation oncology)

(3) North-West: Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto — (Diagnostic and intervention radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterization)

(4) South-West: University College Hospital, Ibadan — (Diagnostic and intervention radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterization)

(5) South-South: University of Uyo Teaching Hospital — (Radiology and clinical pathology)

(6) North-East: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi — (Radiology and clinical pathology)

(7) South-South: Federal Medical Centre, Asaba — (Radiology and clinical pathology)

(8) North-Central: Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre Complex, Ilorin — (Radiology and clinical pathology)

(9) North-Central: Jos University Teaching Hospital — (Radiology and clinical pathology)

(10) North-East: Federal Medical Centre, Nguru — (Radiology and clinical pathology)

These critical projects, set to be delivered within 12-18 months, will improve screening and diagnostics for communicable and non-communicable diseases; reduce mortality rates and improve outcomes for non-communicable diseases; create considerable employment opportunities for clinical, administrative, and managerial personnel across Nigeria's six geo-political zones, all while building the capacity of clinical personnel in advanced procedures, diagnostics and treatment modalities, in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Gov Oyebanji Extends Free Bus Service to Ikere Ekiti, Easing Economic Burdens on Residents.

Gov Oyebanji Extends Free Bus Service to Ikere Ekiti, Easing Economic Burdens on Residents.

By Olamide Akinwumi.

Beginning on Monday 19th February 2024, residents of Ikere Ekiti will benefit from a new initiative as directed by Ekiti State Governor, H.E. Biodun Oyebanji. The directive entails the extension of the free bus service, initially designed for students and workers, to include the community of Ikere Ekiti. This move comes as part of the governor's proactive measures aimed at alleviating the impact of the prevailing economic challenges on the populace.

The decision to extend the free bus service to Ikere Ekiti reflects Governor Oyebanji's commitment to addressing the welfare needs of the people across various regions within the state. By providing this service, the government seeks to ease the transportation burden on students and workers, thereby enhancing their access to educational institutions and places of employment.

Furthermore, the free bus service extension underscores Governor Oyebanji's responsiveness to the evolving needs of the populace, particularly amidst the ongoing economic challenges. By implementing targeted palliative measures such as this, the government aims to mitigate the adverse effects of economic hardship and improve the overall well-being of the people.

The initiative is poised to offer significant relief to residents of Ikere Ekiti, who will now have access to convenient and cost-effective transportation options. This extension aligns with the governor's overarching goal of fostering inclusive growth and development while ensuring that no community is left behind in the state's progress trajectory.

The inclusion of Ikere Ekiti in the free bus service initiative signifies a proactive step towards promoting social equity and enhancing accessibility to essential services for all residents. It also reflects the administration's dedication to prioritizing the welfare of the citizens and fostering a conducive environment for sustainable development.

As the free bus service commences in Ikere Ekiti, residents can look forward to enjoying the benefits of reliable and accessible transportation, thanks to Governor Oyebanji's directive. This initiative serves as a testament to the government's unwavering commitment to uplifting communities and enhancing the quality of life for all Ekiti State residents.