Blog

Cultism: Police Commissioner lauds Ogun govt. on creation of special court
Court
By Abiodun Lawal
Abeokuta, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Mr Abiodun Alamutu, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, has lauded the state government for deeming it fit to create a special court to try cult-related cases in the state.
Alamutu spoke on Tuesday in Abeokuta during a security roundtable, organised by the Ogun Chapter of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS).
He noted that the special court’s creation would assist the state in reducing the burden on regular courts.
”But it will also help security agencies in the fight against the menace of cultism,” the Police Commissioner said.
The event, with the theme “Economic/Political Approach In Combating Insecurity”, also witnessed the inauguration of the new Executive Committee members of NANS and NAOSS in the state.
Alamutu, who was represented by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Haruna Adamu, described cultism as one of the major crimes in the state.
“In Ogun, we have our own issue of insecurity like other states. Here in Ogun, the issue we are facing is cultism. Cultism is the root of every crime in this state.
”It is the root of armed robbery and this issue of cultism is disturbing us seriously.
“These cultists graduate from cultism to armed robbery and other crimes.
“We are working to make sure that we reduce this menace in our society.
“Today in Ogun, the government has come up with a court that will deal with cultism issues.
“No case will be taken to that court apart from cultism cases. The creation of this court will help us a lot to reduce issues of cultism in this state,” he said.
In his remarks, Special Assistant to the State Governor on Student Matters, Azeez Adeyemi, urged security agencies to partner with students and other relevant stakeholders in combating insecurity in the state.
“Economic well-being of the people is a significant determinant of the larger security in the society. An economically-engaged and self-sufficient human is less vulnerable to take options in criminal act.
“Qualitatively-educated citizens, particularly agile youths, are usually intelligent enough to interact with their society more productively than dangerously.
“Well-trained young people are in fact very crucial in developing an economy to become more progressive, as well as contributing to combating insecurity with innovative ideas and technology,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LKA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

June 12, 2024
Makinde inaugurates newly-established Mobilisation Agency for Economic Devt
Assent
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday in Ibadan signed into law the bill establishing the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED).
However, Makinde not only signed the executive bill into law, he also announced the appointment of a former Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr Thomas Morohunkola, as the agency’s Director-General.
In his remarks, the governor said the agency’s establishment was in line with his stand that the administration would not only be defined by the massive infrastructure it has built.
”But it will be by the strong institutions it has put in place.
.
“With OYMASED, we have an agency that will clarify abstract ideas in our state economic policies and educate our people about the law and political process.
“This agency we are creating today will serve as a rallying point for several key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the government.
“As a country, we have to prioritise production and we cannot be productive without mobilising our people behind what we want to do.
“When we broaden our productive base, that is when we know we are tackling the issue of taking our people out of poverty into prosperity.
“There is hunger in the land, which does not reflect where we should be as a nation. So, we must create a framework to harness our potential through mobilisation, sensitisation and advocacy. So, this agency is a key part of the framework,” he said.
The governor further said his administration would continue to prioritise economic development in order to solve major challenges in the state.
“Also, when economic development is prioritised, continuous education is needed. You cannot win people’s trust if you do not clearly communicate where you are taking them.
“OYMASED will play a big role in the continuous mobilisation and sensitisation of the various demographics in Oyo State for the pursuit of social, economic, political and environmental development,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also inaugurated the office of the newly-established OYMASED immediately after he assented the bill.
During the inauguration of the office, Makinde reiterated his stance that the state only needs strong institutions to continue to thrive.
He stated that the country would have to borrow a leaf from the pages of Oyo State in creating strong institutions to address its challenges.
In his goodwill message, a former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, who witnessed the inauguration, said OYMASED would bring development and transformation to the state.
He said this would be faster and better through the involvement and mobilisation of the people in governance.
Gana commended Makinde for establishing OYMASED, which he described as a good initiative.
Morohunkola, in his remarks, assured that the objectives of establishing OYMASED would be achieved and that the Makinde administration would leave a lasting legacy for coming administrations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
DAK/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

June 11, 2024
Kwara Govt. appoints Prof. Shaykh-Lukman KWASU VC
Kwara Govt. appoints Prof. Shaykh-Lukman KWASU VC

Appointment
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Kwara Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has appointed Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Lukman as the Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said on Tuesday in Ilorin that the appointment followed a screening exercise by the university’s governing council where Shaykh-Lukman distinguished himself.
”He comes highly recommended to the job with decades of experience as an administrator and university scholar,” Ajakaye said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shaykh-Lukman is currently the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University following the death of his predecessor, Prof. Mustapha Akanbi in 2022.
He was Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University between 2020 and 2022 and hails from Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Meanwhile, the governor has approved the transmuting of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin to a State University of Education “for ease of take off and other logistic advantage,” he said,

“The government will continue ongoing efforts to transform the two other colleges of education and make them more viable in line with current realities in the sector,” Ajakaye said.

NAN reports that the decision on the location of the university comes a few days after the Governor assented to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (Establishment) and Kwara State University of Education (Establishment) Bills0. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
BAY

June 11, 2024
Oyo Governor’s Cup: Bishop Philips Academy whip Bashorun High School
Cup
Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Bishop Phillips Academy of Ibadan on Tuesday defeated Bashorun High School 4-0 to win the 2024 Oyo State Governor’s Cup male football competition at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the winners, like they did en route the final match, were ruthless and dominating and left their opponents wondering what hit them.
Adeniyi Charles scored with two headers in the first half to give them a comfortable 2-0 lead by half-time.
Babatunde Lasisi rounded off the scoring late in the game with a sumptuous free-kick.
Earlier in the day at the same venue, Olanipekun Memorial College of Kisi had defeated Government College Ibadan 2-0 to clinch the third place.
Ibrahim Fadare, the coach of Bashorun High School, later acknowledged that the better side won their match.
Fadare however said he was impressed by his players’ performance.
“We’re a school without a proper football field. We train on a makeshift narrow open space in the school.
“In this tournament, we played nine matches, and this is the only one we lost,” he said.
Speaking during the competition’s closing ceremony, the state’s Commissioner for Education and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, commended the event’s organisers, Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd.
He said a major domain had been developed for the students as they needed extra-curricular activities to achieve a balance.
“All work and no play is not good. Nigerians are very talented people with many hidden talents.
“The organisers have helped to bring out hidden talents in schools which need to be groomed,” Adelabu said.
Mutiu Adepoju, an ex-international, while addressing the gathering also said many talents abound in the state and the competition has helped to bring them to limelight.
Adepoju said such a competition had been lacking in the state to expose students’ potential.
“With what I’m seeing at this finals, there are so many promising potential,” he said.
The former Super Eagles midfielder however urged schools to prioritise coaches’ education so as to impact the right teachings.
“Coaches need to teach rightly. You can only teach the right thing when you know it.
“When the coaches’ education is given utmost attention, they can harness the full potential of the students.
“There are some things I have seen today that only the right teaching can help in correcting.
“We have many young players that can be infused into the leagues,” he said.
Adepoju then advised the players to pay adequate attention to their studies while playing football.
NAN reports that 220 schools participated in the three-week competition.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
SEY/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)
June 11, 2024
Utomi inaugurates Cohorts of New Tribe to guide healthcare rebirth
Inauguration
By Esenvosa Izah
Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Health Care Cohort of the New Tribe, an initiative of political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has been inaugurated.
The inauguration took place virtually on Tuesday.
The members of the cohort include Nigerian healthcare professionals across locations such as Los Angeles, California, Atlanta Georgia and Florida in the U.S., Sydney, and Saudi Arabia.
Others are healthcare professionals in Kano, Abuja, Owerri, Lagos, Newcastle in the United Kingdom, and South Africa.
Utomi said while inaugurating the initiative that it was aimed to guide a rebirth of healthcare in Nigeria.
He said that the rebirth would be configured to help the citizens to take back and reshape the sector.
“Our goal is to erect a moral tribe of citizens who speak and live personal integrity, hold high the dignity of the human person, and celebrate the work ethics and entrepreneurial creativity,” he said.
Utomi added that such citizens would hold on to merit with inclusion as the essence of the social order in which the people would recognise that “I am because we are”.
The professor, who lauded the members, said that Nigerians had become a global tribe that could aggregate the good of the world in which they had thrived, in spite of constraints in their paths, into a new age for their people.
“I feel very proud this day; it is a time when your collective talents become the platform for showcasing the triumph of the human spirit.
“This is so, as initiatives flowing from your genius and compassion, solve problems of both the affluent and the poor as they work to improve the quality of life within the challenges in our land, “ he said.
According to him, member of the cohort will be the backbone of relevant debates and rational conversations.
“Four co-chairs will steer the cohort.
“Two physicians in Atlanta and California, who are men, and two, who are female in Abuja and Kano.
“It is not by accident that you, the leadership of the healthcare cohort, are the first to be armed with your brief to go out there and confound doubters with a moral compass that will produce outcomes the world will discuss for a long time.
“The social sectors of healthcare and education have long been considered central to man’s escape from the slavery of misery, “ Utomi said. (NAN)
EEI/IGO
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
June 11, 2024
Free zones remit N11.11trn to FG in 2023 -NEPZA
L-R the Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Sen. Sadiq Umar and the the Managing Director, NEPZA, Olufemi Ogunyemi during a visit to NEPZA on Tuesday in Abuja.

Remittance
By Lucy Ogalue
Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), said the country’s Free Zones as of October 2023, remitted N11.11 trillion to the Federation Account.
The Managing Director, NEPZA, Olufemi Ogunyemi, said this during an oversight visit of the members of the Senate Committee on Industry, Trade and Investment on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Ogunyemi, this achievement underscores the importance of special economic zones (SEZs) in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian SEZ scheme, governed by the NEPZA Act, allows for public, private, or public-private operations in these zones.
The managing director said the zones had facilitated wealth and revenue generation for various states and agencies.
“In 2023 alone, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N59.38 billion, Immigration Services received N828.7 million, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) garnered N8.738 billion, and states collected N998 million in PAYEE.
“Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and Local Direct Investments (LDIs) from 2019 to 2023 have reached 491.8 million dollars and N1.15 trillion respectively.
“The Free Zones have also significantly contributed to import substitution, with more than N1.62 trillion worth of cargo imported from these zones between 2019 and 2023, saving scarce foreign exchange,” he said.
According to Ogunyemi, the direct employment generated by the zones stands at 38,429 jobs, with an additional 172,930 indirect jobs created by the end of 2023.
He said the scheme had also fostered skills development, with many semi-trained artisans gaining the expertise to start their ventures.
The NEPZA boss said that in spite of these successes, the authority was being faced with challenges such as an obsolete legal framework.
He said they faced regulatory incursions, numerous invitations from the National Assembly, and conflicting legislation, such as the Finance Act and Customs Act.
Ogunyemi, therefore, urged the support of the Senate Committee on Industries, Trade and Investment to address these challenges and enhance the SEZ scheme’s effectiveness.
While reiterating the transformative potential of SEZs, he highlighted the economic successes of nations like China and the UAE, advocating continued and strengthened implementation in Nigeria.
The NEPZA boss also restated the authority’s commitment to boosting the country’s economy.
Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Sen. Sadiq Umar, reiterated the NASS’s commitment to driving the mandate of NEPZA.
On the legal framework, he said,” if it is brought as an executive bill, I will be happy to sponsor it as my bill, but it has to conform with what I believe a bill should be.”
On the numerous invitations, Umar said the national assembly was empowered to invite whomever it desired but urged the authority to ensure it operated according to its set goals.
“What I can help you with is ensuring you are doing the right thing and that your books are clean.
” And if they invite you, you can confidently go there and answer questions,” he said.
The chairman decried some zones’ inability to meet their set goals and urged NEPZA to ensure this was addressed.
The chairman said much more still needed to be done in the agency.
” The committee is going to take it up to ensure that the agency is well positioned to achieve the real reasons why they are established,” Umar said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
LCN/CHOM/EEE
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ese E. Eniola Williams

June 11, 2024
European Investment Bank to build world class fruit market in Benue
European Investment Bank to build world class fruit market in Benue
Roads
By Nicholas Dechi
Makurdi, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The European Investment Bank will soon construct a World Class Fruits Market in Benue.
The Benue State Coordinator, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in Benue, Mr Stephen Numbeve, disclosed this when members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Benue Chapter, paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Makurdi.
Numbeve said that the bank chose to build a world class market to be dealing basically with fruits in the state so as to tackle post harvest losses.
He further stated that the market would either be built in Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA), Ihugh to be precise, or at Wurukum Market in Makurdi.
He disclosed that feasibility studies had already been carried out on the project.
He also disclosed that the agency would construct 53 roads across the 23 LGAs of the state.
The RAAMP helmsman pointed out that the aim was to open up rural roads to enable farmers access markets easily, stressing that it would also assist in tackling insecurity.
“If the roads are opened up, it will enable security personnel to move to security flash points with ease,” Numbeve said.
He also said that RAAMP would construct six warehouses across the state, emphasising that as soon as disbursement was done, work would commence in earnest.
According to him, the agency’s workers were not paid for many months by his predecessor, but on assumption of office, he paid and cleared all the arrears.
Earlier , Chairman of the chapel, Mr Emmanuel Antswen congratulated Numbeve on his appointment .
Antswen sought partnership of RAAMP with the chapel in projecting activities of the agency. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
DND/DOR
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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore
June 11, 2024
Guard nation’s fledgling democracy jealously, Sanwo-Olu tells Nigerians
Guard nation’s fledgling democracy jealously, Sanwo-Olu tells Nigerians
Late Chief MKO Abiola
Democracy
By Aderonke Ojediran
Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has enjoined Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, to remain steadfast and guard the country’s fledgling democracy jealously.
He said this in a statement signed by Mr Gboyega Akosile, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.
The statement was issued ahead of the celebration of Democracy Day, marked on June 12 in the country.

“As we celebrate another Democracy Day, I want to implore all Nigerians, especially Lagos residents, to remain steadfast, guard our fledgling democracy jealously, remain united as one great people with a common destiny,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He said all hands must be on deck to sustain democracy in Nigeria so that the struggle of the nation’s founding fathers and heroes of democracy would not be in vain.

Sanwo-Olu said that this year’s June 12 commemoration marks 25 years anniversary of unbroken democratic governance in Nigeria.

He said it must come with a deep reflection on the progress recorded so far in the nation’s democracy.

The governor implored Nigerians to join hands together to build “our dream country and the future we want”.

“I wish all Nigerians and Lagosians in particular a Happy Democracy Day, even as this year’s June 12 also marks the 31st anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election and 25 years of democratic governance.

“As we celebrate another Democracy Day, it is proper and necessary to pay glowing tribute to the memories of the symbol of that struggle, the late Chief MKO Abiola (GCFR).

“MKO Abiola and several other democrats, civil society activists and Nigerians that took part in the struggle for the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria, on May 29, 1999, are the true heroes of this country,” he said

The governor said June 12 remained a symbol of Nigerians’ aspirations for unity, hope, better standard of living and true democratic practices, which the country was working towards.

He urged Nigerians to continue to have faith in the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The president is committed to the Renewed Hope agenda, and he is doing everything within his power to ensure that Nigerians in all the nooks and crannies of the country enjoy the dividends of democracy in days to come,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He reiterated his commitment towards the actualisation of the T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda in order to ensure residents of Lagos live a life of prosperity.

“We in Lagos State are also committed to the THEMES+ development agenda, which focuses on key sectors to make life easy and affordable to all residents of the State.

“As a government elected by the majority, we will not take the responsibility of good governance lightly.

“We will continue to work hard to meet the yearnings of the people.

“Democracy Day must be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build the future we want.
“As responsible citizens, let us do everything possible to support the government at the federal, state and local government levels to sustain our democracy.
“Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria,” the governor said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OAF/EBI/SOA
Edited by Benson Iziama/Oluwole Sogunle

June 11, 2024
CVR: INEC registers 269,992 new voters in Edo, Ondo

Registration
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says a total of 269,992 new voters were registered in the just concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo.
The commission disclosed this in a statement by Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, after its regular meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
Olumekun said that of the 269,992 newly registered voters, 129,246 representing 47.87 per cent were male, while 140,756 representing 52.13 per cent were female.
“Still, the majority of the registered voters (182,541 or 67.61 per cent) are youths between 18 years and 34 years.
“In terms of occupation, 95,463 or 35.36 per cent are students while 1,588 representing 0.59 per cent are Persons with Disability (PWDs).
“In addition, 24,454 requests for replacement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), 74,493 applications for voter transfer and 8,314 for information update were received,” he said
Olumekun, however, said the statistics were preliminary figures, adding that the final figures would be published on state by state basis after the period for claims/objections and Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) .
He added that the date for the commencement of collection of new PVCs would be announced thereafter.
Olumekun also disclosed that in line with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, the commission would display preliminary register of voters in the two states from Wednesday for claims and objections by citizens.
He said the register would be displayed for a period of seven days in all the 395 wards across the two states as well INEC website: https://cvr.inecnigeria.org/register.
Olumekun said the purpose of the display was for the public to identify any ineligible persons on the register and to draw the commission’s attention to it.
He said it was also for the public to file an objection to appearance of the name on the register by completing Forms EC2 and EC3 available from our officials in all the centres.
He said the forms could also be downloaded from INEC website – https://inecnigeria.org/?page_id=13655 – and handed over to the commission’s officials as provided in Section 9(4) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“Furthermore, fresh registrants and applicants for transfer, correction of personal details and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs can draw the commission’s attention to errors or wrong entries for further action.
“At the end of the period for claims and objections, the commission will further clean up the register using the ABIS before the list of new voters is added to the existing register for the two states,” he said.
Olumekun appealed to the public to seize opportunity of the display of the register to help INEC clean it up as provided by law.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OBE/CHOM/MNA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Maureen Atuonwu

June 11, 2024
Indebtedness: EEDC decries disruption of its operations by Enugu Govt agency
Disruption
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has decried disruption of its operations by an Enugu State Government agency after it announced a massive disconnection of heavily indebted state governments offices in the South-East.
This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the EEDC Head of Corporate Communication, Mr Emeka Ezeh, in Enugu.
Ezeh noted that on arriving for work this morning, the entire staff were surprised to meet the EEDC Corporate Head Office sealed by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).
According to him, this development is strange because there was no notice of any sort by the agency to our organisation.
“We were informed by the security men on duty that in the early hours of Tuesday at about 1:53a.m., a group of men came and locked up the gates, claiming that the state government directed the action.
“Our Abakpa, Awkunanaw, and Ogui District offices were not spared as their gates were equally sealed and locked.
“As at now, there has not been any clear information/communication from ECTDA explaining their action.
“We, however, suspect that this action might not be unconnected to the notice of disconnection published by EEDC informing indebted customers of intention to commence disconnection today, Tuesday, June 11, 2024,” he said.
The EEDC spokesman said that the Enugu State Government happened to be one of the indebted customers with over N1 Billion owed to EEDC.
“It is important to state that majority of the state government’s facilities are metered, so, it is not a case of estimated billing.
“EEDC has about N180 Billion as debt owed the company in the entire South-East and has concluded plans to commence disconnection of indebted customers,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
KSN/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
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June 11, 2024