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  • Israeli forces rescue 4 hostages from  Gaza after 246 days

    Israeli forces rescue 4 hostages from  Gaza after 246 days
    Rescue
    Jerusalem, June 8, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN)  Israeli forces on Saturday rescued four Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas into the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 2023 while 94 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in the same area.
    The hostages, 25-year-old Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, 40, Almog Meir Jan, 21, and Andrey Kozlov, 27, were abducted while attending the Nova festival, an outdoor music event in a rural area near the Gaza-Israel fence.
    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari, stated that the four were located in proper medical condition in two buildings at the heart of Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp.
    The IDF said the operation, which has been planned for weeks, was jointly carried out with the police’s elite National Counter Terror Unit and the Israel Security Agency.
    One fighter was seriously injured during the operation.
    In videos released by the government, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Argamani on the phone.
    Following the rescue of the four, 120 Israeli hostages remain in the Gaza Strip, with 43 of them considered by Israel as dead.
    “We will do everything to get them back as well,” Hagari said.
    Meanwhile, local medical sources said that 94 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on the Nuseirat camp and some other areas in the central Gaza Strip.
    Palestinian security sources said deadly clashes broke out on the ground between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops raiding the Nuseirat camp under the cover of artillery and aerial bombardment. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/AMM
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    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

  • Wike names two Abuja roads after Achebe, Clark

    By Philip Yatai

    Infrastructure

    Abuja, June 8, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to name two roads in Guzape Districts after Chinua Achebe and J. P. Clark.

    Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and a central figure of modern African literature, while J. P. Clark. was a Nigerian poet and playwright.

    Wike made the request in Abuja on Saturday, during the inauguration of Guzape Lot II Engineering Infrastructure by Tinubu, to celebrate his one year in office.

    “I want to appeal to you, just like what you did last time when you approved the naming of Arterial N-20 Road after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

    “There are a lot of Nigerians who also have in one way, or the other, made their own contributions, particularly in literary works.

    “So many of them have made Nigeria proud. People like Chinua Achebe; people like J. P. Clark.

    “Your excellency, I want to appeal to you to name this road after Chinua Achebe and another road within the same district after J. P. Clark,” he said.

    The minister described Guzape as one of the biggest districts in FCT and fast developing.

    He explained that the contract was awarded in 2003 at N14 billion, during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and divided into two lots.

    He said that Lot I was awarded to Dantata and Sawoe while Lot II was awarded to Gilmor Engineering, adding that the contract was revised to over N18 billion in the third week of May 2023.

    Wike said that Dantata and Sawoe had left the site for a very long time, until the Tinubu administration came on board, mobilised them back to site and work currently ongoing.  

    For the completed Lot II, the minister said he had inspected the execution of the project over 15 times to ensure timely delivery of the project.

    He disclosed that the project was delivered in spite of litigations by some residents to stop the contractor from blasting rocks to give way for road construction in the district.

    He also said that the ongoing work at Guzape Diplomatic Zone would soon be completed.

    Dr Mariya Mahoud, FCT Minister of State, commended President Tinubu for supporting the provision of infrastructure to Guzape and other districts of the FCT.

    The infrastructure, according to Mahmoud, would enhance the quality of life of Abuja residents and benefit generations to come.

    “The sustainable growth and development of any city relied heavily on the infrastructure,” she said.

    Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the entire Guzape District covered an area of about 1,070 hectares.

    Ahmad explained that Lot I, being executed by Dantata and Sawoe covered an area of 450 hectares, while Lot II being successfully executed by Gilmor Engineering covered 620 hectares.

    He explained that out of the 1,074 hectares total area, about 129 hectares have been encumbered by village settlement, of which about 66 fall within the area executed by Gilmor Engineering.

    He said that the scope of work involved the provision of electrical power supply, including a 33/11 mini-injection substation to power the district one each for Lot I and Lot II.

    He added that other engineering infrastructure included a mini sewage treatment plant, transformers, and street lighting poles that were erected and powered.

    “The district is meant to provide services to about 1,017 plots of various usage and sizes – residential, commercial, as well as parks and recreation.

    “The lot II we are inaugurating today covers 561 plots out of the 1,017 plots

    “The Lot II has 31.3 kilometers network of roads, out of the 73 kilometres of roads in the entire district, while the one being executed by Dantata and Sawoe is about 30 kilomtres.

    “The remaining ones were encumbered by village obstruction areas and attention is currently being given by Wike to hasten the compensation and resettlement of the village obstruction areas,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    FDY/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Macron receives Biden as state guest in Paris

    Macron receives Biden as state guest in Paris
    Biden
    Paris, June 8, 2024 (dpa/NAN) French President Emmanuel Macron to receive his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden as a state guest in Paris on Saturday.
    Following an official welcoming ceremony, the two are scheduled to hold bilateral talks in Macron’s official residence, after which Biden and Macron are expected to appear before the press.
    A state banquet is scheduled for the evening.
    Unlike regular working visits, official state visits are accompanied by special pomp and protocol.
    The U.S. president is currently on a visit to France lasting several days.
    He arrived on Wednesday and took part in commemorations in Normandy on Thursday to mark the D-Day landing of Allied troops 80 years ago.
    The White House said in advance that the state visit reflected the close ties between the two countries.
    Biden and Macron plan to discuss a wide range of global challenges and bilateral issues.
    The French government said that they would discuss further support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia.
    This would also serve to prepare for next week’s G7 summit in the Italian city of Bari and the NATO summit in the U.S. capital Washington in July.
    Biden received Macron as a state guest in Washington in 2022.
    At the time, the French leader was the first foreign guest to be honoured in this way during Biden’s term of office.  (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/AMM
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    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

  • Ex-NSCDC boss calls for more operational vehicles for security agencies

     

    Security

    By Bukola Adetoye

    Abeokuta, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Mr Paul Ayeni, a retired commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has urged governments to procure more operational vehicles for security agencies to strengthen their fight against criminal activities.

    Ayeni gave this advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abeokuta.

    According to Ayeni, many remote areas currently beyond the reach of security patrols have become havens for criminal hideouts.

    He emphasised that functional operational vehicles, along with other security gadgets, would enhance patrol capabilities and enable operatives to obtain crucial first-hand information for necessary action.

    Ayeni, who is the founder of Eco-Safe Guards Ltd., decried the high incidence of defilement, kidnapping, cultism, and robbery in rural communities.

    “The rate of atrocities in rural areas is high due to the absence of security operatives,” he said.

    He noted that some criminal elements had relocated from cities to rural communities to continue their activities, taking advantage of the lack of security presence.

    “They move to rural communities because of the absence of security agencies.

    “More patrol vehicles would enable these agencies to expand their reach and address civil and criminal matters in the villages,” Ayeni stated.

    However, Ayeni commended the efforts of security agencies, particularly in Ogun, for their diligent work in combating insecurity.

    “It is the best moment to applaud the efforts and sacrifices of security agencies and local vigilantes.

    “They strive to ensure peace and tranquility, which instills confidence in the people,” he said.

    He also commended the recent approval of about 10,000 successful applicants by the Police Service Commission for recruitment, noting that this would enhance the strength and capacity of the Nigerian Police Force. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OBA/KOO/AWA
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    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

     

  • Secondary school endures 30-kick penalty shootout to reach Cup final

    Qualifiers

    Ibadan, June 8, 2024 (NAN) It took 30 penalty kicks on Saturday in Ibadan to separate Government College Apata and Bashorun High School in the semi-finals of the 2024 Oyo State Governor’s Cup football competition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second qualifiers for Tuesday’s final match could not emerge until each side had played 15 kicks.

    Both sides had played out the game’s full time with no goal scored, and the extra-time also ended on an even note, leading to the penalty shootout.

    However, three kicks were saved or missed in the process, with Bashorun High School prevailing 14-13 to advance to the final match.

    They will in Tuesday’s final match meet Bishop Phillips Academy, who earlier in the day at the same Urban Day Grammar School pitch beat Olanipekun Memorial School of Kisi 2-0.

    The match, the competition’s first semi-final fixture, saw Adeniyi Charles and Babatunde Lasisi scoring in the fifth and 69th minutes respectively.

    NAN reports that the competition, which is for male football teams of public schools in Oyo State, will end on Tuesday at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    OLAL
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    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

     

  • World Cup: What Super Eagles need to qualify —- Omokaro

    World Cup: What Super Eagles need to qualify —- Omokaro

    Eagles

    By Kazeem Akande

    Lagos, June 8, 2024 (NAN) Bright Omokaro, Ex-Super Eagles International says player in the  national team need to have more rigorous training together, to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against  Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo, on Friday.

    The Nigerian team came from behind to struggle to get the draw at home, in the group stage of world cup qualifiers.

    Omokaro said that the super eagles needed more time to play and train together, for better performance.
    .

    According to him, the last match was not too bad, but the team could display more skills and adopt an effective pattern to defeat their opponents.

    “Though the players played very well individually, they need more collective responsibility to get the expected goals.

    “The boys never had time to play together, that’s what happened to them during the match, but they need more togetherness and rigorous training to qualify for the world cup,” he said.

    The ex-international also advised the super eagles coach, Finidi George, to look inward for local players that are zealous and thirsty for goals.

    “There shouldn’t be automatic shirt for any player for now.

    “Their performance should be the determinant to feature in a match, as there must be competition in the camp to allow the best players perform,” Omokaro said.

    He, however, appealed to the national team to defeat Benin Republic in the next match, to have meaningful points on the qualifiers table, to make it to the 2026 world cup.

    NAN reports that pressure has mounted on the Super Eagles after the draw against Bafana Bafana.

    Nigeria, with its third draw, has three points in Group C, while Rwanda, Benin, and South Africa all have four points.

    Lesotho leads the group with five points, while Zimbabwe is at the bottom with two points.

    This puts Nigeria presently in the fifth position on the table, of the six teams.

    The Super Eagles will travel to Abidjan to face Benin Republic in their next 2026 World Cup qualifier.

    They will be hoping to get their first win in the match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.

    The game is scheduled for Monday, with the kick-off fixed at 5.00 p.m. Nigerian time. (NAN)

    AKA/SOA

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    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • Police kill 3 bandits in Katsina, rescue kidnap victims

    Police kill 3 bandits in Katsina, rescue kidnap victims

    Police
    By Abbas Bamalli
    Katsina, June 8, 2024(NAN) The Police Command in Katsina says it has suceeded in thwarting a kidnap attempt, killed three suspected bandits, and rescued all the kidnapped victims.

    ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the command’s spokesman, who disclosed this said the incident occurred at Duya village, Maibakko ward, in Sabuwa Local Government Area (LGA).

    “On June 7, 2024, information was received at the Sabuwa Divisional Police Headquarters that armed bandits in their numbers, wielding dangerous weapons, attacked Duya village and kidnapped a number of women

    “Upon receipt of the report, promptly, the DPO of the Divisional headquarters, CSP Aliyu Mustapha, in collaboration with members of the vigilante, mobilised a team of operatives to the scene.

    “On noticing the presence of the team, the bandits opened fire on the them, which the team responded gallantly and successfully thwarted the kidnapping attempt and rescued all the kidnapped victims.

    “In the course of scanning the scene, the bodies of three neutralised suspected bandits were recovered from the scene,” Sadiq-Aliyu said.

    He said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, commended the operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and gallantry.

    He said that Abubakar-Musa also reiterated the command’s commitment towards ensuring the safety and security of the good people of the state.(NAN)
    AABS/IS
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    Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

  • Projects: Lagos to link Sangotedo with Ito-Omu creek

     

    Projects

    By Aderonke Ojediran

    Lagos, June 8, 2024 (NAN)  Lagos State Government has embarked on  a road and bridge project which will link Sangotedo in Eti Osa with Ito-Omu creek in Ibeju Lekki and Epe.

    The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Daramola, gave the assurance on Saturday, during an inspection of some projects across the state.

    ” Today, we are at the Omu Creek Road which is one of the strategic projects that is ongoing.

    “It is a road of about five kilometres and about 600 metres bridge.

    ”  It is about 1.1 kilometres from the Lekki-Epe Express Road. What we have witnessed today is really a big progress, there has been a lot of soil reclamation, a lot of soil replacement has gone on.

    ” We will be able to get to the point where the bridge work will start, a lot of soil investigation is going on, the progress is very commendable,” he said.

    The special adviser also inspected the Ketu Alapere Pedestrian Bridge reconstruction.

    Daramola said that the project would be completed in few months.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bridge, which was constructed 11 years ago, was damaged  by impact of a container-laden truck which attempted  to manoeuvre under the bridge.

    “Reconstruction of the damaged Alapere Pedestrian Bridge is ongoing.

    “There was a lot of work on the alignment.  The Federal Government was working on the Third Mainland Bridge, and we had to synchronise the work.

    ” There is good progress, the foundation is done, the cast elements are all being set, the headroom will be improved, and in another couple of months – two, three months  – I am sure that the project will be completed,” he said.

    Daramola also said that the state government had  embarked on rehabilitation of some link roads in the Ikoyi axis.

     

    “The state government is also working on a network of roads in Ikoyi, Abayomi, MacPherson, Ilabere. Site visit shows that there is improvement.

    “Contractors are on site, and we are having good milage.

    ” Some sets of roads were done in Ikoyi previously, and this set will add more connectivity.  The progress of work  is very commendable,” he said.

    The special adviser said that the Ilabere Link Road, Ikoyi, project was 70 per cent completed.

     

    ” None of the roads has been completed because it is a network.

     

    ” In Lagos as a whole, there is quite a number of projects going on, we visit these sites from time to time.

     

    ” I can assure you in Alimosho we have ongoing projects such as Babafemi Daada, Abaranje Road.  In Badagry, we have Hospital Road, Samuel Ekundayo Road. In Kosofe, we have St. Finbars Road, and all the contractors are on site.

    ” The governor has given us support maximally, you will see more progress,” Daramola said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OAF/IGO

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    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

     

    08029451595

  • 2024 Hajj: Kwara transports 3,102 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

    2024 Hajj: Kwara transports 3,102 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

    Pilgrimage

    By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

    Ilorin, June 8, 2024 (NAN) Kwara State has successfully transported 3,102 pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, with the final batch departing the Gen. Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin on Saturday, at 3.06 a.m.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the transportation of the final batch was initially scheduled for June 6, but was delayed due to technical issues developed by the aircraft designated for the journey.

    NAN also reports that the inaugural flight of the state was on May 21, when 313 pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia to participate in the ongoing Hajj exercise.

    Subsequent flights, including pilgrims from Ondo and Ekiti States followed, with the penultimate and the last flights being the only night and dawn departure recorded in the 12 air transportations.

    Prof. Mashood Jimba, the Chairman of the Pilgrim Board, expressed gratitude to the state government, for its unwavering support throughout the entire operation.

    Jimba also commended the selection of former Kwara Central Senator, Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, as the Contingent Leader for this year.

    He highlighted Oloriegbe’s significant role and influence in their achievements.

    Jimba also extended appreciation to the aviation regulatory agencies for their partnership and collaboration, which contributed to the smooth execution of the exercise.

    On his part, the State Contingents Leader, Oloriegbe, expressed gratitude to Allah for the successful transportation process, in spite of encountering some inevitable challenges that were promptly resolved as they arose.

    He assured the relatives of the pilgrims that the Board officials and NAHCON executives have taken comprehensive measures, to ensure their well-being during their stay in Saudi Arabia without any difficulties.

    Oloriegbe called for prayers from the people of Kwara for continued success in fulfilling their duties during the spiritual journey.

    He extended heartfelt wishes for a blissful Eid-el-Adha festival to the Muslim Ummah, and a successful outing in the Grand Durbar celebration to the people of Ilorin Emirate. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    BAY/FON/AMM

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    Edited by Florence Onuegbu and Abiemwense Moru

     

  • I’m not opposed to LG autonomy- Gov. Buni

    I’m not opposed to LG autonomy- Gov. Buni

    Autonomy
    By Ahmed Abba
    Buni Gari (Yobe), June 8, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has said that his stance has showned he was not opposed to the idea on local government autonomy across the country.

    Buni disclosed this after casting his vote in the local government election at his polling unit in Buni Gari on Saturday.

    He said that his administration’s collaborative approach to local government councils was aimed at complementing their efforts.

    “In 2019, I envisioned granting autonomy to local government councils but unfortunately six out of 17 LGs struggled to pay salaries.

    “Our joint local government account initiative aims to support the LGs and work together with the state government,” he explained.

    The governor also expressed optimism about the future of local government autonomy in Nigeria.

    “Our democracy is growing and this issue will be addressed seamlessly and democratically without hitches,” Buni said.

    The governor commended the impressive turnout of voters at the local government election.

    “That is the beauty of democracy; giving people the right to cast their votes and that is what we have just witnessed,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AIA/OJI/IS
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    Edited by Maureen Ojinaka