IGP says Benue massacre due to communal crisis with Nigerian herdsmen

Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, yesterday linked the New Year gruesome massacre of over 20 persons in Guma and Logo Councils of Benue State to communal crisis between Nigerian herdsmen and farmers in the affected areas. 

Fielding questions from State House Correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, the IGP said he had already deployed a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) to support the efforts of the AIG and Commissioner of Police (CP) in Benue State to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in the communities. 

Idris, while dismissing allegations of Police reactionary disposition, rather than being proactive, said the hierarchy was working hard to forestall a reoccurrence of the crisis. 

He stated that the New Year killings in the two councils were as a result of the perennial communal crisis in the areas, urging the people to live in peace with the herdsmen, who, he said, were Nigerians and part of the community. 

“Obviously, it is communal crisis. Herdsmen are part of the community; they are Nigerians and are part of the community. Are they not?” he asked rhetorically.

Continuing, he said: “I think what we should be praying for is for Nigerians to learn to live in peace with one other.”The IGP, who also dismissed insinuations that the Police was overwhelmed, following the sundry crises in different parts the country, particularly in Rivers, Benue and Kaduna states, disclosed that he had received directive from the President to “go and take care” and ensure that security was tightened in those areas. 

“We are going to deploy more units to support the efforts the Police is making in the state to ensure we have adequate protection of lives and property,” he said.

This is contrary to an earlier position expressed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who, in his Eid-el-Kabir message last year, said armed herdsmen perpetrating violence in Nigeria were foreign terrorists.

At the Eid prayer attended by Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, among other dignitaries, the Sultan said: “All those so-called Fulani herdsmen moving with guns, causing violence and fighting with farmers are not Nigerians.

“These are foreigners coming into Nigeria to cause a breach of the peace of the nation. They are, therefore, terrorists and should be treated as such by the Nigerian security agencies.

“The Nigerian herdsmen are very peace-loving and law abiding.”He stated that some “bad eggs” had infiltrated the Nigerian Fulani herdsmen and challenged the security agencies to be proactive.Abubakar, however, admitted that there were problems between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, which should only be resolved through dialogue.

Idris also denied being behind the recent arrest of an online publisher by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), said to be acting on his directive, for allegedly publishing falsehood against him.“I don’t need to send anybody, but whenever you commit an offence, it is our duty to ensure that we respond,” he said.
 

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Abia shoemaking trainees head for China

Okezie Ikpeazu

Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has described capacity building and human capital development as essential elements of national development, saying that it was these that informed his resolve to send 100 Abia youths to China for training in automated shoe and allied products training.

Revealing this at government house, Umuahia while bidding farewell to the first batch of 30 of the proposed 100 heading to China. The training would cost the government about N65 million.

Ikpeazu urged the trainees to focus on the purpose of their trip and pay attention to the machines and everything that would be taught. Indicating that his government will place orders for the automated shoe equipment by the time they return from China, Ikpeazu said management and the use of science and technology are what they lack.

According to a couple of advisers of the governor, those being sent to China are practical shoemakers whose selection was transparent while the training is scheduled to be in three layers comprising artisan, design and management.

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ASUU blames FG for Fuel Scarcity, hardship

Ambrose Alli University

As fuel scarcity continues across the country, the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday expressed disappointment with manner the federal government was handling issues affecting masses of the country, including the fuel scarcity.

The union also expressed shock at the silence of some persons who were very vocal in condemning anti-masses policies of the previous administration.
  
Chairman of ASUU in the school, Monday Igbafen, stated this at the end of the chapter’s first Congress of 2018 held in Ekpoma. According to him, the already bad living condition of Nigerians was being compound by the biting fuel scarcity and called the government to do a self-appraisal with a view to making amends to salvage the deteriorating condition of Nigerians.

“Why is it that these same Nigerians have become silent when we are fueling our vehicles with N300/400 per liter? We feel this government should be indicted because we do not believe that government is not aware of what is going on. We felt Buhari represented change, but what we see today is abysmal failure”, he said.

He predicted that 2018 would be tougher, because according to him, the “oppressors” would be more hardened. “We foresee a tougher 2018 because the oppressors will get more hardened at all levels. The issue of our liberation should not be tied to any existing political party. It should be tied to our ideological belief”, he said.

 

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Motorists suggest palliative measures as LASG partially closes Pen Cinema railway crossing

Following Lagos State Government’s announced partial restriction of movement for motorists in Agege axis to accelerate the ongoing construction of the Pen Cinema flyover, starting January 4, residents and motorists have suggested that more effort and effective traffic control should be concentrated on the Iyana-Ipaja bus terminus on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
  
According to a motorist, Abayomi Oguntuase, the Iyana-Ipaja bus terminus has always been a problem to motorists using that corridor. “The yellow buses are causing problems and gridlock on the corridor. LASTMA should deploy its officials and resources massively to make that corridor fluid as regards vehicular movements,” he said.
  
Another place causing problems and gridlock is Super bus stop, along the same expressway, as the danfo buses constitute a nuisance there as well. Oguntuase also said that the potholes along the Mangoro corridor and its environs have to be filled.
 
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Olujimi Hotonu, had earlier assured that adequate arrangements have been firmed up to mitigate the impact of the closure on motorists and residents, adding that traffic diversion routes have been created to ensure ease of movement along the corridor.

According to him, the restriction of movement is expected to last for an estimated period of between three and six months, saying that this will enable the contractor take full advantage of the weather and space to deliver seamlessly the critical aspect of the flyover construction that falls within the Pen Cinema roundabout and railway crossing at Old Lagos-Abeokuta Road junction. 

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NSE holds 6th conferment fellowship, lecture series in Abuja

Chairman of Board of Fellows/College of Fellows, Engr. Chris Okoye, wife of NSE President, Mrs. Nkechi Anyaeji, wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, wife of the NSE Deputy President, Mrs. Oluyemisi Mokuolu and NSE Deputy President, Engr. Adekunle Mokuolu, during the fellowship conferment lecture and ceremony in Abuja

The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre in Abuja was agog recently as the Nigeria Society Of Engineers held its 6th Fellowship Conferment Ceremony and Lecture in the nation’s capital.

At the auspicious occasion, about 37 Engineers became Fellows of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) thereby joining the league of the cream of professionals in delivering value services to the development of the country.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Board of Fellows/College of Fellows of the NSE, Engr. Chris Okoye, stressed on the for strict professionalism in the engineering profession.

He also reminded his colleagues about the essence of the lecture series that have been held since the onset of the fellowship conferment.He said the occasion “does not only afford us an important opportunity to functionally consider another salient aspect of our profession in an interactive manner as has been the pattern of the Fellowship Lecture Series of our great society since its inauguration, but it allows us to bring to a closure one of the most engaging, insightful and impactful lectures in the series. Indeed, not a few persons who have followed the progress of the lecture series have described them as veritable change agents towards Nigeria’s drive to a robust socio-economic development.”

He stressed: “It is pertinent to recall that the philosophy that gave birth to the Fellowship Lecture Series is the need to ensure that the outcomes of these lectures are taken to implementable levels as against the culture of generating communiques for the archives – as we have witnessed too often in our clime. Consequently, the board and the college are determined to engage all stakeholders that appreciate the relevance of the Fellowship Conferment Lecture series – be it the legislative, executive, judiciary, private sector, the community, local NGOs or the international agencies.

“Having put the foundation that will drive our future engagement in our quest to re-make the engineering family, the fellowship conferment lecture series then extended its visionary probe and widened its scope to include more telling developmental issues on a national platform.

“The fourth fellowship Conferment Lecture emerged with the theme: Power Sector Reform in Nigeria: The Missing Link. Whilst the fifth lecture dwelth on the implementation agenda arising from the fourth theme. In those well-received and widely acclaimed lectures, we identified where Nigeria’s power sector development missed the energy plot.

“Apart from all the other recommendations that emerged from those lectures, the fundamental outcome of the previous two power sector lectures is that there is a nexus between power demand and power supply, and between power demand and a vibrant manufacturing sector. The poor investment inflows reflected in weak infrastructure and low entrepreneurial activism in the power sector as an ecosystem.

“Indeed, there is no way you can create power without a necessary demand pull for it. And to have a demand pull, you need a manufacturing sector that is vibrant. And to have a manufacturing sector that is vibrant, you need a serious input of local content; which now brings us to theme of this evening’s lecture, aptly titled: Nigerian Content Oil and Gas Act: Extending the Act to Cover Other Sectors of the Economy.”

Also addressing the new fellows, NSE President, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, said: “Upon your conferment as a Fellow, you will become a member of the College of Fellows. This marks the commencement of a journey of responsibility. This is not a light responsibility. It will now become your duty to first and foremost carry the banner of our society high anywhere you go. We expect you to carry yourself always with the dignity and comportment this fellowship bestows on you.

“I expect all of you to uphold and defend the standards and ethics of our Society. Importantly, from this day on, it has become your responsibility to be a role model for our Young Engineers Future Leaders (YEFL), and those who need inspiration to join the Engineering profession. May I rekindle here that, NSE reserves the right to revoke, de-robe and withdraw the Fellowship certificate of any member enmeshed in breaches brought to the notice of the society.”

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Ekhomu urges government to curb violent activities

A Security Consultant, Dr. Ona Ekhomu

Taking at the security situation in the country, security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration performed above average in the sector last year. He said the military was able to curb the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and reduced terrorism deaths in the country, thereby boosting Nigeria’s rating in the recently released Global Terrorism Index.

He, however, stated that kidnappings, farmers/herdsmen clashes, ritual murders, cult violence and ethno-religious violence ticked up in the year.This year, he said the government has to change the security architecture to meet the extant threats, saying reducing the threat of terrorism in the northeast requires new thinking and innovative approaches.

According to him, “Rather than playing the role of law enforcement officers, Nigeria’s intelligence community should focus on the less-glamorous and less visible role of sniffing out bomb plots and nipping them in the bud. The intelligence agencies need to be refocused to keep Nigerians safe.

“The use of military patrols and overhead platforms has proven partially effective. These security assets are better suited to deal with insurgency, rebellion and cattle rustling.

“The current security challenges in the northeast require human intelligence and technical means, which cannot happen by accident, but must be strategically arranged in a teleological manner.

“The threat-scape for this year will be quite challenging. Last year, the Niger Delta militancy was tame, but is projected to resurface this year. Boko Haram might intensify guerilla attacks, as current protective measures have not been effective against their tactics, with their continued attack on vehicular convoys, killing and maiming people, abducting women and stealing foodstuffs.”

On the recurring farmer/herdsmen clashes, he said the federal government needs a strategy to deal with the threat to public peace, as silence is not golden.

“Cultism has reared its ugly head early this year in Rivers State, the Police needs to up its game in preventing further cult attacks.
“Incessant ethno-religious violence in Kaduna, Taraba and Plateau states need to be addressed with diplomacy and aggressive peace-building efforts, especially as the onset of politicking would result in the resumption of political violence, including assassination of political actors.”

Ekhomu added: “The Special Anti-Election Violence Investigation (SAEVI) Unit, which I called for in 2015, should be prepped now ahead of this threat, so that the politics of Nigeria should not be blood politics.”

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‘Governments should provide means of cattle rearing for herdsmen’

Fulani Herdsmen

The Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) has proffered solution to the lingering clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the country.

In an interview with The Guardian, National Secretary and member, Board of Trustees of GAFDAN, Alhaji Sale Bayari, yesterday said the way the state governments are going about the issue is discouraging.

Bayari stated that the state governments have gone about the issue without diligence and consideration of the Nigerian constitution and not going about it in a way that can stand the test of time.

While acknowledging the power of the states to make laws, he said such laws should not contradict the constitution, adding: “Such laws should be tempered with mercy in the overall interest of mutual co-existence of Nigerians.”

Bayari advised the federal government to enforce the letter and supremacy of the constitution in the interest of every citizen of Nigeria by ensuring that no state unconstitutionally decrees or abolishes the lawful means of livelihood of any Nigerian, arguing that for farmers and herdsmen to live in peace, none of them should breach the peace of each other and nobody should take laws into his/her hands.

He called on both the federal and state governments to provide means of cattle rearing for herdsmen, as it is done in other African countries, noting that there should be traditional open grazing, while ranching is for those who can afford it. “This is the practice all over African countries. Nowhere is there a total ban on cattle grazing,” he insisted.

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Firm boosts graduate employability, launches platform for skills-based linkage

A Nigerian start-up, The Perfect PA, has launched a platform to recruit and train a pool of graduates on employability skills and link them to high-end business executives, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) through a Personal Assistant Management Platform.

Executive Director, Strategy, The Perfect PA, Gbolahan Ore, in an interaction with journalists in Lagos, said that the platform is envisaged to boost skills set of graduates and prime them for job employment that require deployment of efficient task tracking and management systems to boost productivity.

The Perfect PA provides busy business executives with virtual, real-time, flexible and physical administrative services and deploys a platform for handling tasks and other essential functions with a well-trained team. The firm screens, trains and provides personal assistants to busy professionals and small businesses.    

Ore stressed that the platform will revolutionize the business space for upward mobile professionals and help them keep track of tasks without having to worry about sorting the administrative hurdles of solely hiring a PA.

He said The Perfect PA helps clients to sort and engage Personal Assistants that do not just provide top-of-the-line administrative services but are well trained to meet the client’s needs, drawing from a pool of expertise provided by the agency.

“The Perfect PA,” according to him, “comprises of exceptionally well-qualified, trained and skilled personal assistants who aim to make your day- to- day activities a lot smoother.”

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Former IGP calls for stronger ties among couples

Retired Inspector-General of Police, Musiliu Smith has called for stronger ties trust and genuine endurance among couples to promote enduring marital success especially now that marriages are witnessing high rates of divorce. In addition, he pleaded with married couples to serve as worthy examples for others to emulate.

He made these remarks as the chairman of the 70th Birthday celebration of Modinat Abiola Sanusi and the Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversary reception of the Celebrant and her husband, Teslim Sanusi, the Executive Chairman, Cosmic Insurance Brokers Ltd, Alausa, Ikeja, held in Lagos.

Extolling the celebrants, Smith lamented the unfortunate rampant broken marriages and homes which resultantly affect the children and in turn, the society.

Several tributes were paid to the celebrants, starting from their worthy contributions to the service of God and mankind, especially in the areas of improving the lots of others through philanthropy. Sanusi was formerly the Multi-District governor, the Lions International while Alhaja Modinat Sanusi is the proprietress of Benchmark Montessori School.

Highlights of the event included a cultural dance display by the Tiny Tots of the school, tributes, cutting of the 70th Birthday and the golden jubilee wedding cake.

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NMA threatens strike over Kidnap of colleague

Doctors

The Cross River Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to embark on strike from Monday Jan. 8, 2018 over the kidnap of a member, Dr. Usang Ekanem. Unknown gunmen in Calabar abducted Ekanem on Dec. 26, 2017.

At an emergency meeting held in Calabar yesterday, state Chairman of NMA, Effiong Mkpanam said that members have suffered series of abduction from kidnappers recently and nothing has been done.

He said, “As we address you today, it is with grief that we make public the fact that a senior medical practitioner and one time chairman of NMA has been in the kidnappers den for ten days and counting. The NMA in Cross River hereby instructs all its members, both in public and private medical facilities, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Institutional Hospitals, General Hospitals, Mission Hospitals and others that they are to observe a total and indefinite withdrawal of services to members of the public until such a time that our colleague is safely released by his captors and measures taken to forestall future occurrences.”

“It is noteworthy that in 2017, within Calabar alone, five doctors and three of their dependents/family members were kidnapped at various locations’’, he lamented.

The NMA Chairman called on Ayade and all the relevant security agencies to urgently intervene in the matter.He further said that the kidnappers had earlier established contact with the family of the victim and demanded for a ransom of N100million before reducing it to N20million.

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NDE to commence recruitment of 2000 in Taraba

…Trains 2,000 On Skills Acquisition In Edo

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has admonished the 2000 candidates selected from Taraba state to participate in the 76,400 jobs creation Programme of the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, assemble in their designated centers across the state for the commencement of screening. 

The exercise, which is scheduled to commence on Monday, according to the state coordinator of the directorate, Aderemi A. Adebisi, would take place at the administrative headquarters of the entire sixteen local government councils of the state.

Drumming the readiness of the directorate to go extra miles to create job opportunities for Nigerians, the selected candidates as made known by him, should endeavor to make available four passports size photographs, Bank details and one office file each. Relevant security measures, according to him, have been put in place to halt unselected candidates from disrupting the exercise.

Some of the politicians and stakeholders, who have been allotted percentages, said the exercise has noting to do with politics, religion or ethnicity.

Meanwhile, the Edo NDE yesterday said it has also commenced training of at least 2,000 persons on skills acquisition in the state.State coordinator, Ayo Edegbai disclosed this to newsmen during the body’s Orientation/Induction course of the 74,400 jobs creation programme (B-NOAS) in the state. Edegbai said the training is designed to consolidate NDE's effort to sustain employment generation interventions and poverty reduction. She noted that skills acquisition is a major instrument for empowering citizens to access decent and productive employment.

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Firm donates generating set to Abia MOPOL

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities, leading EPC Company, Oilserv Limited has donated a 66KVA generating set to the MOPOL 25, Azumini in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

The generator, which was commissioned yesterday, would boost the operations of the Mobile Policemen by providing electricity to the barrack, which was hitherto challenged by inadequate power supply.

While receiving the generator, the Admin Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Giwa Abiodun, expressed delight and pleasure at the gesture and thanked the company for what he described as a laudable effort at supporting the operations of the Police.

The Chairman of Oilserv Limited, Emeka Okwuosa explained that the donation was part of the company’s CSR activities aimed at giving back to the society, underscoring the need to support security agents in their quest to fight crime and maintain peace and order.

He reiterated that Oilserv Limited is poised and positioned to be not only the leading and foremost EPC Company in Nigeria, but also the top-choice company in the Pipelines and Facility business.

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DHI, Lagoon School walk for IDPs

Students of Lagoon school, environmental committee pose with Prof. Pat Utomi after the walk

In the spirit of Christmas, the Doctors Health Initiative (DHI) with the Lagoon School environmental committee organised a walk to create awareness and raise funds for a health outreach for the women and children among the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The initiative which has been working with the IDP camps in Yola, Benin City and Lagos for the past three years, held the walk that started out from the Lagoon School in Lekki Phase 1 to the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge and back to the school.

According to the president of DHI, Dr. Nkechi Asogwa, the walk is aimed at giving a voice to victims especially women and children of the Boko Haram insurgency, giving them access to healthcare services that has become necessity for their survival. “The Boko Haram insurgents have decimated whole families and communities in North-East Nigeria. As in all conflicts, it is the women and children of these communities that are most affected, suffering unimaginable physical and psychological degradation.

“In addition to the trauma of being violently torn from their homes and loved ones, these women and children have suffered the loss of their lands and thus their livelihoods from agriculture. It is not within your power or mine to stop the violence done to these women and children by Boko Haram insurgency. However, we can heal our land by showing love to those so unjustly treated,” she added.

Founder, Center for Values in Leadership (CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi at the opening ceremony congratulated the students and their parents for coming out in spite of the rains that morning to show solidarity with the IDPs. He said they are future leaders who are sensitive to the needs of their environments. Utomi commended their commitment, courage, cooperation and hard work.

This is the first of its kind as the idea came from teenagers of the Lagoon School Environmental Committee made up of 13 to 17 year-old-teenagers who feel called to make a change in the lives of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

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America’s Carnegie Mellon motivated me, Says Onwugbenu

• As Foundation Celebrates First Class Graduate

The Nnewi, Anambra State-based Louis Carter Onwugbenu Scholarship Foundation recently celebrated its first ever First Class graduate, Luke Chukwuemeka Ike, in Linguistics (French/German) from the University of Nigeria.While celebrating the latest graduates produced by the Foundation, especially Ike, the benefactor and businessman, Chief Louis Carter Izuchukwu Onwugbenu, said he has been “immensely encouraged and motivated by the spectacular and outstanding academic performance of the beneficiaries....”

According to him: “What started like a mustard seed five years ago has today blossomed into a major family of future leaders.“The Foundation was meant to encourage and assist bright indigent students achieve their academic dreams that was hitherto threatened by lack of funds. I thank God, my family, particularly my loving and supportive wife, Lady Patricia, children and the Board for their unflinching support, prayers and assistance that has sustained the dreams of the Foundation.”

Onwugbenu, a community leader and Papal Knight, the Okpata Ozu’Ora of Nnewi (one whose wealth spreads to all), recalled how the Foundation’s dream and vision began at his 60th birthday anniversary celebrations five years ago and took off with 105 students, but now has over 500 benefitting students, and still growing.

“I had discussions with my wife and children when I was preparing for my 60th birthday anniversary about the launch and future of this Foundation, which took root from one of the best universities in the United States, Carnegie Mellon University, founded by Andrew Carnegie, a renowned business magnate, who built his wealth of steel.

“At the height of his success and business prowess, he decided to focus more on philanthropy and spend the remaining part of his life and wealth on funding education and its advancement.

“Today, the university, which had started like a mustard seed about 200 years ago, has blossomed to become one of the best universities in the world, producing world-class graduates in many fields and discipline.“I appreciate the beneficiaries for their well-packaged choral and drama presentations and for living up to expectations of being professionals in their various fields in no distant time.”He continued: “I am highly excited that the promises made by the benefitting students at the ceremony, that they would strive to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Foundation, has started to produce profound results and in years to come, I visualise the beneficiaries turning out beneficiaries to keep this humble torch of love and brotherliness lit forever.

“I appreciate all of them, those in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, who promised to contribute their quota on graduation towards the sustainability of the Foundation in order to let this my dream remain true and constantly alive.“I will stop at nothing in my continued support to the Foundation to ensure that virtually all bright and dedicated indigent students are able to realise their academic goals unhindered.

“It has become obvious that education is the bedrock of development and future in any society. I, therefore, urge the students to continue to work hard in order to excel in their studies.”

Onwugbenu, who started basically with nothing, has today grown into a business conglomerate, now known worldwide, with business interest in automobile, household products, power tools, pipe fittings and auto spare parts.He noted that having read and learnt so much from the life and philosophy of Mellon, he urge everyone, particularly the beneficiaries, to work assiduously always to excel and come out tops in their endeavours.

Ike, who read the address on behalf of the benefitting students, commended Onwugbenu for “...igniting our minds to see that nobody lives for himself…” and seeing life from the eye of one of the great thinkers, who observed that “the mind is not a vessel that needs to be filled, but rather a wood that needs to be ignited.”

He said they had been challenged by Onwugbenu’s benevolence to be a blessing, not just to themselves and families, but also to the entire society, to which the owe a lot of gratitude for bringing Onwugbenu to their lives’ path.

A member of the Board of the Foundation and Chairman of the beneficiaries’ screening committee, Lady J.N. Nwangwu, noted that seriousness, dedication and excellence remain paramount in the selection and choice of beneficiaries. She stated that the project is aimed at making the best of the resources Onwugbenu commits to it and remains open to all indigenes of Uruagu-Nnewi.

The anniversary, which kicked off with a church service, included the cutting of the anniversary cake by the benefactor, beneficiaries and Board members, as well as other side attractions put together by the students, including dances, songs, mock news and musical presentations.

Earlier in his homily during the church service, the officiating minister, Rev Fr. Afam Ike, while commending Onwugbenu, urged other rich and affluent in society to emulate his example, so as to lift some boys and girls from the clutches of destitution to greatness and usefulness.

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Boko Haram factional leader wounded by troops

Onyema Nwachukwu

The Nigerian Army on Friday said one of the Boko Haram factional leaders, Mamman Nur, was wounded in an ongoing clearance operation by troops in Lake Chad region.

Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

Nwachukwu said that Nur sustained fatal injuries following artillery and aerial bombardments of Boko Haram insurgents enclaves in Lake Chad basin.

He said evaluation report indicated that Nur was wounded while trying to flee the area, adding that a great number of his commanders were also injured or killed during the operation.

The army spokesman disclosed that several insurgents who fled the onslaught had surrendered to security forces in Niger Republic.

“The ongoing artillery and aerial bombardments of Boko Haram enclaves in the Lake Chad region by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole has continued to yield positive results.

“Currently an evaluation report of the ongoing operation indicates that a major factional leader of the terrorists group, Mamman Nur has been fatally injured in the bombardment, as he and his sub commanders fled from the onslaught.

“Also, several of his foot soldiers have been killed by troops, while many of the insurgents who escaped are now surrendering to Niger Defence Forces, following the Amnesty granted the insurgents by the Government of Niger Republic,” Nwachukwu said.

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Kwara Government promotes over 13,000 teachers

Abdulfatah Ahmed

The Kwara Government has promoted to 13,931 teachers across the 16 local governments area of the state.

Alhaji Jimoh Lambe, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), disclosed this on Friday in Ilorin during the presentation of the promotion letters.

While presenting the promotion letters to the Education Secretaries from each local government, Lambe expressed gratitude to the state governor for the approval of the 2015 and 2016 promotion letters.

According to him, the promotion is long overdue, adding that the release of the letters will bring joy and succour to the beneficiaries and boost their morale to work.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration towards the development of education, especially at the grass-root despite the current financial constraint.

He also urged staff of the board to be more dedicated and hard working in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.

According to him, the present administration under the leadership of Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed will continue to recognise and reward hard-work for improved productivity.

Responding on behalf of other educational secretaries, the Education Secretary, Ekiti Local Government Council of the state,

Mr Felix Olusola, thanked the state government for the gesture.
He described the presentation of promotion letters as New Year gifts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had earlier directed the SUBEB to release all outstanding promotion letters to primary and junior secondary school teachers in the state.

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Prices of rice drops by 25% in Maiduguri

As farmers began crop harvest, prices of local rice have dropped by about 25 per cent in Maiduguri, Borno, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A check by NAN at Gamboru and Customs Area Markets in Maiduguri indicated that prices of the commodity had dropped in the past two months since the beginning of crop harvest by farmers.

NAN reports that rice farmers had recorded bumper harvests this cropping season, forcing the prices of the staple food crushing.

A 50kg bag of local rice goes for between N6,500 and N7,200 as against the old price of N9,000, while a measure of the produce is sold at N380.

The development has affected the price of refined rice which also declined.

A 50kg bag is being sold at between N15,000 and N16,500 from the old price of N17,500.

A measure of the commodity now go for N900 as against N1,050, depending on its quality.

Prices of other produce had also dropped significantly in the past months as a measure of maize is sold at N280, beans N450 and millet N350, as against the previous prices of N420, N600 and N500, respectively.

Similarly, a measure of groundnut oil i sold at N280 as against N500.

Traders at the markets attributed the drop in prices to improvement in the supply of food commodities to the markets.

Malam Ali Muhammad, a rice dealer, said that prices of rice were falling on daily basis in view of the fresh supplies from the farms.

Muhammad also attributed the situation to improvement in the supply of local produce to the market, adding that the development is encouraging.

“There is a significant increase in the number of farmers who cultivated rice and other produce this cropping season.
“Prices will further go down as supply improves,’’ he said.

Muhammad said that rice dealers were now enjoying appreciable patronage.

Also commenting, Ya-Ana Yusuf, a peanut grower, said that the massive mobilisation of farmers in liberated communities had encouraged production and forced grain prices down in the state.

Malam Muhammad Dungus, a resident, expressed joy over the development, and urged traders to further reduce their prices.
NAN reports that the Federal Government in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had distributed fertilisers, seeds and inputs to over 1.1 million farmers in the Northeast this cropping season.

More than 5,000 rice farmers were also supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the Anchor Borrowers Scheme in Borno.

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Obaseki meets Ijaw leaders, preaches peace

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki. AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Friday, said without the rule of law, peace and order, there would be no progress and the realisation of individual and collective ambition in any society.

Obaseki made this disclosure at the Government House when he met with the elders and leaders of thought and the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress, Edo chapter in Benin.

The governor said that the meeting, which held at his instance, was to interact with the Ijaw leaders on their basic needs in their communities.

Obaseki said that the State Government had not marginalised any group in the state.

He said the government was ready to provide the needed amenities but he would not embark on a project that would be hindered by any crisis.

Obaseki tasked the leaders to shun unnecessary sentiments, which was capable of hindering the development of the marine area of the state.

He enjoined the leaders to sheath their swords and assured them that his administration would attend to their needs.

Mr Edmond Doyah-Tiemo, who read an address on behalf of the Ijaw leaders, complained of alleged marginalisation, oppression and balkanisation of the Ijaw people, which he said, had hampered their existence as a people.

He lauded Obaseki for his efforts to open up the area, especially through the proposed Gelegele Seaport and assured him of their support.

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Fire razes 30 hectares of sugarcane in Kebbi

A sugarcane field of about 30 hectares was destroyed by fire in Mai-Ramu village, Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi.

Alhaji Shu’aibu Ibrahim, Chairman of the council, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Koko on Friday that the crop worth millions of Naira was razed.

“The incident occurred on Thursday night; the village is one of the largest producers of sugarcane in the state,” Ibrahim said.

The chairman said there was no death as the farmers were in their houses when they fire started.

Speaking at the scene of the incident, the Executive Director, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Rabiu Kamba, expressed concern on the level of damage on the field.

“We sympathy with the you, we assure you that the state government will assist you to cushion the effect of the disaster,” he said.

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Benue Killings: Buhari summons I-G, charges him to tighten security

Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris over reported killings in Benue and other communal conflicts in the country and enjoined him to tighten security across the nation.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the closed door meeting with the President, Idris said he updated the president on the efforts of the police towards ensuring law and order in various communities in the country.

According to him, it is duty bound on him to regularly brief the president on security developments in the country, saying “currently Nigeria is well secured.’’

On the recent killings in Benue, the IGP revealed that the police would make additional deployments to the troubled areas to forestall further attacks and restore confidence of the people.

“You know I deployed my (Deputy Inspector-General) DIG there yesterday and you know we have different stages of police, you have the AIG in Benue, Commissioner of Police in Benue and all of them are putting their heads together to see how we can address this issue of communal problems in Benue,’’ he said.

He dismissed the assertion that the Nigeria Police was overwhelmed by the current security challenges in the country.

The police chief said that new measures had been put in place to safeguard lives and property of law abiding citizens.

Idris, however, stated that Nigerians must learn how to co-habit peacefully to make the work of the police much easier.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that armed gunmen had on Jan. 2, unleashed violence and mayhem on some rural communities in Benue where about 20 persons were killed.

President Buhari had on Wednesday condemned the killings, and wanton destruction of property in the affected communities in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.

He commiserated with the government and people of Benue over the reported killings.

The president had also expressed outrage at reports of killings of innocent persons in Omoku, Rivers, and the traditional ruler of Numana, Kaduna State, the Etum Numana, Dr Gambo Makama, and his wife.

The traditional ruler and his wife were killed in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the New Year.

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