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The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has approved the appointments of Dr. Otive Igbuzor as his Chief of Staff and Yomi Odunuga as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity.

He also announced the appointment of Lara Owoeye-Wise as Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and New Media.

Omo-Agege, in a statement personally signed by him and released by his office on Thursday in Abuja, explained that the appointments which take immediate effect are based on merit.

Igbuzor is Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD). He was once the International Head of campaigns of ActionAid International and Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria. He was also an honourable Commissioner in the Police Service Commission (PSC).

He was a Programme Co-ordinator of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), an independent research, information and training institution dedicated to policy oriented scholarship on questions of democratic development and peace building in the West African sub-region.

Previously, he was a lecturer at the Delta State University, Lagos Centre and has published many scholarly articles on democracy, gender, politics and development. He is a versatile writer, researcher and author of several publications.

His specialties include but not limited to Strategy Formulation, Programme design, implementation and evaluation, Policy Analysis, Leadership Training and Research.

Odunuga is the Abuja Bureau Chief and Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) of THE NATION Newspapers.

Born on June 2, 1966, Odunuga a poet, lyricist, reporter and columnist, started his journalism career with THE PUNCH Newspaper over two decades ago.

He was, for several years, the State House Correspondent of the paper where he maintained two columns–Life in Abuja and the popular weekend treat called Inside Aso Rock.

His insightful and critical analysis of the intriguing politics of that period earned him accolades and recognition which later saw him being promoted to the position of Abuja Bureau Chief at PUNCH newspaper.

In 2006, he was elevated to the position of Group Political Editor of The PUNCH where he later joined THE NATION Newspaper as an Assistant Editor and Bureau Chief in Abuja.

At THE NATION, his rested PUNCH Newspaper column, Knuckles transformed into Knucklehead which offers him the opportunity to continue his weekly interrogation and critique of the socio-political developments in the polity.

The 1990 best graduating student of the then Olabisi Onabanjo State University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has attended several journalism courses in Nigeria and outside the country.

The widely-traveled journalist is married to Toyosi Odunuga and the couple is blessed with children.

A graduate of Religion and Philosophy from the University of Jos (UNIJOS) Plateau State, Owoeye-Wise is a multiple award winning journalist whose experience has spanned over two decades and has spread between the print and the electronic media.

She has worked at THE PUNCH Newspapers, The News Magazine, AM News and TEMPO tabloids.

She crossed over to the electronic media as a pioneer staff for Silverbird TV, a pioneer staff of the resuscitated Minaj Broadcast International (MBI), and was Deputy Head of Presentation, Senior News Editor, news anchor and chief correspondent at Africa Independent Television (AIT) before her appointment as Senior Assistant, Media to the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Lara has had a working stint with the Voice of America (VOA), Washington DC and KSTP Channel 5, Minnesota.

A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced on Thursday, the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations, in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football.

The CAF executive committee took a stunning decision on Wednesday to cede control of the running of the organisation and have FIFA general secretary, Fatma Samoura parachuted in as “FIFA High Commissioner for Africa”, according to sources.

No announcement has been made by African football’s governing body but CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad is scheduled to hold a press conference in Cairo on Thursday at 0900 GMT.

Ahmad, who is the subject of an ethics investigation by FIFA after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, proposed the idea in a document shared with colleagues on the executive committee, the sources said.

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Samoura is to lead a FIFA team that will conduct “a root-and-branch review of governance of the confederation, oversee operational management of the organisation, and recommend where needed a series of reform efforts,” the document read.

“This will be done in order to put CAF itself on a modern and sound footing, improve its image and reputation and thus ensure that CAF is better equipped to face future challenges and to grasp future opportunities.”

FIFA are to also undertake a forensic audit of the monies they have been giving CAF.

The idea of sending Samoura to Africa is said to have been put together by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF vice president Amaju Pinnick in the wake of Ahmad’s brief detention by French police last week for questioning on corruption allegations.

Ahmad, who is seeking to hold onto some semblance of power or even walk away from his post without sanction, had been forced to accept the deal and then propose it to his own colleagues, CAF sources told Reuters on Thursday.

With FIFA seeking to improve football’s image, the Ahmad controversy has come as major embarrassment to Infantino, who has been claiming a new-look, clean and corruption-free FIFA.

A 28-year-old woman, Toriola Suliat, on Wednesday told her husband, Toriola Lateef, that she would only consent to his request for the dissolution of their marriage if he returns her virginity and good health, as she was two years ago before the union.

Suliat stated her conditions before an Iseyin Grade C Customary Court, where the husband had gone seeking for the dissolution of the marriage over “frequent public embarrassment.”

He told the court that Suliat was in the habit of harassing him at his work place and social functions attended by his friends and relatives.

The husband said he had to move out of their matrimonial home due to the unbearable development.

Responding, Suliat said she was charmed by Toriola before she agreed to marry him.

“Ideally, I will not marry this type of human being, if not for the charm he used on me.

“I was looking for charm to help my business grow and he told me that he will need to get some hairs from my private part and also make love to me, that was how I found myself married to him.

“When I got to his house, my business boomed and he also made a lot of money too and we got it renewed twice but now my health is deteriorating and he now moved out of the house.

“He must look for a way to return my virginity and my health, before he can say he wants to leave me.”

Ruling on the matter, the President of the Court, Chief Raheem Adelodun, said the case would be put on hold until the health condition of Suliat improves.

He ordered the families of the estranged couple to seek urgent medical help for Suliat and update the court every 15 days

Dayo, abducted son of Isaac Adewole, former minister of health, has regained freedom.

He was abducted at his farm in Iroko, Akinyele local government area of Oyo state around 6pm on Tuesday.

Shina Olukolu, commissioner of police in Oyo, confirmed the release of the minister’s son on in an interview with NAN.

Olukolu said the information he got was that the victim had regained freedom and had been reunited with his family.

The commissioner said the only suspects arrested so far in connection with the incident were three of the victim’s farm workers.

He, however, gave an assurance that more updates on the incident would be made public soon.

In his reaction, the former minister expressed gratitude to God for the safe release of his son .

In a statement he personally signed, Adewole also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo, security agencies, traditional rulers and all those who stood by the family during the ordeal.

Earlier on Wednesday, Leye Oyebade, assistant inspector general of police in charge of Zone 11, Oyo state, had said the state police command had arrested three suspects in connection with the abduction.

Oyebade said the suspects arrested were Gbenga Ogunleye, the victim’s driver employed a few days ago; Sodiq Adebayo, the farm manager, and another worker on the farm.

He had assured the public that said the police had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers, adding that the victim would be rescued soon and the perpetrators unmasked.

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mele Kolo Kyari as the new group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

A release today in Abuja by Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC group general manager, Group Public Affairs, stated that President Buhari also appointed alongside Kyari, seven new chief operating officers.

Until his new appointment, Kyari, a geologist, was group general manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of NNPC and also doubled, since 13^th May, 2018, as Nigeria’s national representative to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.

President Buhari has directed that the New GMD and the newly appointed chief operating officers work with the current occupiers of the various offices till July 7, towards a smooth transition on July 8, when their appointments would take effect to ensure a smooth transition.

However, the appointment of Farouk Garba Said (North West), who is replacing a retiring chief operating officer, is effective from June 28.

The newly appointed officers are Roland Onoriode Ewubare (South-South), chief operating officer, Upstream; Mustapha Yinusa Yakubu (North Central) – Chief Operating Officer, Refining and Petrochemicals; Yusuf Usman (North East) – chief operating officer, Gas and Power and Lawrencia Nwadiabuwa Ndupu (South East), chief operating officer, Ventures.

Others are Umar Isa Ajiya (North West), chief financial office, Adeyemi Adetunji (South West), Chief Operating Officer, Downstream and Garba Said (North West), chief operating officer, Corporate Services.

Ughamadu stated in the release that NNPC group managing director, Maikanti Baru, had congratulated the new appointees.

Kyari is a quintessential crude oil marketer with prerequisite certification and outfield pedigree in Petroleum Economics and crude oil and gas trading.

In the last 27 years he had traversed the entire value chain of the petroleum industry, with exceptional records of performance.

Under his watch, the Crude Oil Marketing Division has recorded noticeable transformation in the management and sales of the various Nigeria’s crude oil grades via an infusion of transparency and automation of the processes, the release by the NNPC spokesperson, stated.

Kyari would be the 19^th group managing director of the national oil company

Men of the Nigerian Police, Zone 2 , Onikan, Lagos, on Wednesday, arraigned a 40-year-old Lagos businessman, Mr Ibrahim Arowolo, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly committing an offence under the Cybercrimes Act.

The accused, Ibrahim, was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice (Professor) Chuka Austin Obizor, on a three count-charge bordering on the offence.

The police alleged that the accused had on September 1, 2018 at about 09.32 am at Lagos, knowingly and intentionally posted on his internet Facebook wall page medium to the general public that have access to his Facebook, messages and pictures of one Felicia Ayeni, wherein he portrayed her as a suspect, prisoner, criminal, fraudulent person, thief, 419 among others.

The police claimed that the accused knew the information he posted to be false as he did this for the purpose of causing the said Felicia annoyance, inconveniences, insult , injury, intimidation, hatred, ridicule among others.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Justine Enang, is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (a) and (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act , 2015.

The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the defendant’s not-guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Ennang asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending his trial.

But counsel to the defendant, Mr K.S Lawal told the court that he had filed a motion for the defendant’s bail and that the prosecutor has been served.

The prosecutor, while admitting being served with the motion, told the court that he was not opposing the motion for bail.

After moving the bail application, justice Chuka Obiozor granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety.

The judge also ruled that the surety must be a landed property owner in Lagos State with evidence of same, produce evidence of payment of three years tax to the Lagos State government while all documents submitted must be verified by the court’s Deputy Registrar.

Justice Obiozor further ruled that the surety must submit two recent passport photographs of himself to the court registrar while the defendant should remain in Ikoyi prison pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

According to the three count charge, Ibrahim Arowolo was alleged to have on September 1, 2018 at about 0932 hours , at Lagos knowingly and intentionally posted on his internet Facebook wall page medium to the general public that have access to his Facebook, messages and pictures of one Felicia Ayeni wherein he portrays her as a suspect, prisoner, criminal, fraudulent person, thief 419 among others an information he Arowolo knew to be false, and did this for the purpose of causing her annoyance, inconveniences, insult , injury , intimidation, hatred, ridicule among others.

The offence committed according to the charge filed by Me J I Ennang, is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (a) and (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act , 2015.

The defendant was also alleged to have on the same date and place did conduct himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by posting the pictures of Felicia Ayeni on his Facebook internet medium, wherein he portrays her as a suspect, prisoner , criminal, fraudulent,419, thief among others, an information he knew to be false and which is capable of causing her anger and annoyance and breach of peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d)of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.,2006.

The Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers has said its members would comply with the Lagos State Government traffic laws.

NURTW chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede, said this on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

Agbede, however, pleaded for time to educate his members on the traffic laws operational in the state.

NAN reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed his first Executive Order on indiscriminate refuse dumping, traffic management and public works a day after his inauguration.

He reiterated the need for residents to obey rules contained in the executive order.

The governor also charged the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority to arrest motorists who flout traffic laws and ensure they are punished accordingly, irrespective of their statuses.

Agbede said, “We are law-abiding citizens but we want to plead with the government to give us time to call our members to order.

“We are in support of the government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, but we plead that the government should always carry the unions along while making traffic laws.

“We also believe that any law the government makes is in the interest of its citizens.”

He also implored all NURTW members to always obey all the traffic laws put in place by the state government.

He also advised them to always ensure that their vehicle particulars are valid and they should have genuine driving licences.

He said that these were the certificates they needed to be on the road.

Agbede added, “Commuters intending to board commercial motorcycles must always demand crash helmets before boarding.

“They must also refuse the riders from carrying more than one passenger during a trip.”
(NAN)

President Muhammadu Buhari has re-appointed Ahmed Idris as the accountant-general of the federation.

Wunmi Ogunmosunle, director of communications at the office of head of the civil service of the federation, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

She said the president approved the appointment in via letter signed by Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation.

This is the first official appointment the president is making since the commencement of his second term on May 29.

US President Donald Trump said in a tweet that US immigration agents are planning to make mass arrests starting “next week,” an apparent reference to a plan in preparation for months that aims to round up thousands of migrant parents and children in a blitz operation across major US cities.

“Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States,” Trump wrote, referring to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “They will be removed as fast as they come in.”

Large-scale ICE enforcement operations are typically kept secret to avoid tipping off targets. In 2018, Trump and other senior officials threatened the mayor of Oakland, California, with criminal prosecution for alerting city residents that immigration raids were in the works.

Trump and his senior immigration adviser, Stephen Miller, have been prodding Homeland Security officials to arrest and remove thousands of family members whose deportation orders were expedited by the Justice Department this year as part of a plan known as the “rocket docket.”

The battle against insurgency suffered yet another setback after Boko Haram invaded a military base in Borno state on Monday.

At least 28 soldiers were reportedly killed while the insurgents ransacked the military base in Gajiram, Nganzai local government area of the state.

A military source, who confirmed the attack, described it as one of the deadliest in 2019.

He said it is believed to have been coordinated by the faction of Boko Haram being controlled by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

He said the insurgents carted away ammunition, seized military trucks and abducted some of his colleagues.

“It looks as if ISIS has taken a new interest in our country. The way these people have been taking us on is surprising,” the source said.

“This Monday attack was very serious. We fought for more than three hours before we ran out of ammunition. They used that opening to kill our many and seize many weapons.

“Many of our soldiers were taken hostage by the terrorists who did not touch anybody in the community because we were their target. They only looted foodstuf.”

Another source said the corpses of 15 soldiers were recovered on the spot while the rest were found after the insurgents had left.

He said some of the deceased officers died while fleeing the attack.

The source added that at 9pm on Monday, a reinforcement team from Monguno, still in Borno, to evacuate the remains of the soldiers.

Musa Sagir, army spokesman, is yet to respond to inquiries on the attack which could have prompted Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, to blame soldiers for Boko Haram attacks.

Speaking at a programme in Abuja on the morning after the tragic incident, Buratai warned those who were not committed to the army to leave or be shown the way out.

Femi Otedola, billionaire businessman, says the sale of Forte Oil Plc, has been completed.

Last year, Otedola, who was chairman of the oil firm, had announced the plan to sell off his 75 percent stake in the company to “maximise the opportunities in refining”.

In a message he posted on Wednesday, the businessman said the process had been completed and he is now prepared to focus on his investment in the power sector.

“A few years ago, my team and I embarked on an arduous task of transforming a moribund petroleum marketing business, African Petroleum Plc (formerly British Petroleum) into Forte Oil Plc; a leading integrated solutions provider with solid footprints in downstream petroleum marketing, Upstream Services and Power Generation and one in which we built intrinsic value to the benefits of our shareholders,” he wrote.

“In line with my principle of business focus, we have divested from our marketing and upstream businesses and shall from now on focus and consolidate on the gains of our power generation business, Geregu Power Plc. We wish our successors the very best and urge them to build on our legacies which have been established since 1964.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps has once again intimated the general public especially applicants flooding FRSC Drivers’ Licence Centres for the renewal of their drivers licence to desist from doing so. Instead, they should use the Bypass capture scheme of the process.

In a release by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer FRSC, he said FRSC introduced the Bypass Capture functionality on the National Drivers License (NDL) to improve the ease of obtaining the license and save applicants time on waiting for capture.

According to Kazeem, an applicant for Bypass capture will simply make payment online and visit the collection centre to pick up the permanent license when it is ready.

There is no need to visit any Drivers License Centre (DLC) to recapture his/her biometric information again, he said. An applicant who is either renewing or applying for a re-issue can use the Bypass Capture feature.

The Bypass capture is only available to applicants who have existing biometric information on the NDL system i.e. such an applicant must have gone through the FRSC Driver’s License process and have their biometric capture at any of the FRSC DLC.

He added that an applicant can only apply for Bypass capture for the first license renewal which is after three (3) or five (5) years. The second renewal (which will be after a minimum of six (6) years, will require an applicant to recapture his biometrics.

Kazeem further explained that the first license which is regarded as a fresh application will require an applicant to capture his/her biometric at any of the DLC.

For the second license which is a renewal or reissue, the applicant can choose to Bypass capture since his record is already existing on the NDL database and the third license renewal will require applicant to recapture his biometric information as it is expected that there should be some changes to the applicant’s physical appearance at this period. Subsequent renewal will follow the same cycle.

Also, Kazeem explained that the first step to begin the Bypass Capture process is for the applicant to visit the NDL portalhttps://www.nigeriadriverslicence.org, select the type of application (Renewal or Reissue) then provide the licence number and Date of Birth.

The applicant thereafter reviews his existing demographic information to be sure all is correct, scroll to the bottom of the page and select which DLC to pick up the permanent licence when it is ready for collection.

The applicant also selects “NO” where the page requests if an applicant wants to recapture his biometric information, submits the application, makes payment either online or at the bank and prints out the payment acknowledgement slip together with the application form (these will be required to collect the permanent licence.

Finally, FRSC notifies the applicant when the permanent licence is printed and ready for collection who submits the application form and payment slip at the point of collection to collect the permanent licence.

Dayo Adewale, son of Prof Isaac Adewole, former minister of health has been kidnapped.

Some unknown gunmen abducted the victim on Tuesday evening.

The military, the police, security agents and local hunters are already on the trail of the kidnappers as at press time, The Nation reports.

Reports revealed that the former minister had been forced to cut short his trip abroad.

The abductors were yet to contact the family on their motive and the condition of their victim.

According to a source, Dayo Adewole was waylaid at gunpoint on his farm in Iroko, near Fiditi in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State at about 6pm.

At the time of abduction there were some staff with Dayo, but the abductors went for him as a prime target.

It was gathered that the kidnappers later took Dayo away to an unknown destination.

A source said, ”The villagers were alerted by the staff who survived the ordeal. Local hunters were mobilised by the Oniroko of Iroko.

“The hunters were said to have located the car of the abductors along the road to Iware village near Iroko.

“But they are yet to locate Dayo’s whereabouts. It is suspected that the kidnappers changed their vehicle following persistent announcement on radio after Oniroko had raised the alarm on air.”

Findings confirmed that the military, the police and security agencies have joined forces with the villagers to search for Dayo.

A top official of the Federal Ministry of Health said: ”We are in sad mood over the abduction. Dayo was a graduate of agriculture and he opted for farming.

”He has been managing his farm peacefully in Iroko until he was abducted by some gunmen on Tuesday.”

Responding to a question, the official said: “The ex-minister left for abroad last Thursday for recess but he is on his way back. He has cut short his trip.

”The military, the police and other security agencies are on top of the situation.”

The All Progressive Congress of Ekiti State has described a press statement issued by the state branch of the People’s Democratic Party in which it alleged that The State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has budgeted the sum of 1.2bn for his travelling expenses as the height of imbecility, adding that it has finally dragged itself into a level of shameless that will finally consume it and drive a wedge between it and the few members who still maintain any form of association with it.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the The Director of Media and Publicity to the party, Mr. Sam Oluwana, the party wondered why a party will descend so low to attack an individual who is trying so hard to clean up the gargantuan mess it (PDP) has left behind after four years of looting and mis-rule.

On the allegation of the N1.2 billion Naira travelling expenses. The APC spokesman said the statement did not come as a surprise.

“This is a party that was in the saddle for years in the state during which the people were pauperized to the extent of celebrating each time a “kongo of rice” was served to them”.

In its four years of misrule in the state, the PDP, through its prodigal governor, Ayo Fayose, turned the state and the people to beggars that picked crumbs from the table of self-styled master, whose profligate and corrupt practices were of constant embarrassment to the people of the state and Nigerians who are familiar with his moral defficiency.

The present administration is just settling down to find a way of settling seven month unpaid salaries of civil servants, while contracts awarded in dubious circumstances are being corrected.

According to reports in the debt management office, made available on its websites. Fayose took the debt profiles of the State from N30 billion in December 31, 2014 to N117.6 billion in December 31, 2017.

This is a party that found it impossible to pay salaries of workers for 8 months even when it was N18,000, now accusing a state governor of not paying N30,000 minimum wage, which implementation has not commenced in any state in the country.

Pretending that they are lovers of people, the party in the statement lamented that Dr. Fayemi should be shopping for funds to pay N30,000 minimum wage.

Mr. Oluwalana who doubled as the SSA (Party Matters) to the Ekiti State Governor, in the statement wondered while PDP is crying more than the bereaved.

He said “were they involved in the decision by Dr. Fayemi to pay outstanding salaries/allowances left behind by the PDP government?, were they involved in the decision that led Dr. Fayemi to pay the outstanding pension left behind by the PDP government? Did they force him to increase the pension paid from N10 Million to 100 million Naira monthly.

During their four year of mis-rule, their master who was inept and ignorant of the workings of a government treated Ekiti people and its workers with scorn and indignity in a brazen manner.

PDP lacks the moral justification and decency to now turn itself to an advocate of the masses, which they once abandoned and neglected.

The Ekiti State 2019 budget, which is a total of N129.8billion does not in anywhere show travelling expenses of all workers as anywhere near hN1.2billion. Like their stock in trade, they are bandying around fictitious figures. They have only succeeded in confusing themselves.

The people of Ekiti State have come to appreciate Dr. Fayemi as a trust worthy, prudent and dignified personality who sees himself as servant of people unlike the former PDP governor, who lord it over the people and strust them like the master of manor for the four least years.
It is as a result of his dignified and sensitive nature that endears him to his peers (fellow Governors) in the country that made them elect him as their Chairman.
On the issue of SUBEB, the state lost over 2billion Naira during the regime of Fayose due to his refusal to pay the counterpart funds for the project but laundered 500milion Naira paid by Dr. Fayemi during his first term in office.
Few days after his resumption as the State Governor, the same PDP claimed that Dr. Fayemi collected 31 Billion Naira as Paris Fund, now the figure has been lowered to 11 Billion Naira, just like they have lowered their political value in the estimation of the people of state with their latest ranting.

Another claim that Dr. Fayemi increased his security votes to N250 Billion Naira can only be the thinking of deranged set of people with blocked brain that lack capacity to think rightly.

Signed
Sam Oluwalana
Director, Media and Publicity
APC, Ekiti State.

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has charged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on the need to be proactive in tackling the various security issues in the country.

Speaking during a meeting with the representatives of the IG, Adams restated his beliefs in boosting local security, saying the best measure is to get people at the grassroots involved.

He told the top police hierarchy that as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, there are pressures on him to act on the issues.

Adams said the Oodua Peoples Congress is ready to partner with the police in solving the security challenges in the country, adding that the group had a history of winning the war against Kidnapping, banditry and other social vices.

He said: “I commend the Inspector General of Police on this move.
“The visit, as far as I am concerned, is a welcome development and it goes a long way in solving the menace.

“The security situation in the country is becoming too worrisome with cases of killings, kidnapping, raping and banditry prevalent across the South West states and there is an urgent need to curb the menace.”

Responding, Adamu’s Chief of Staff, Jude Nwankor, who led the team of the police top hierarchy on the visit, said the reason for the visit was to seek Adams’ support in solving the security challenges in the country.

Nwankor said the police will be willing to to partner with the Yoruba leader given his deep knowledge and experiences in the grassroots.

He said: “We are happy to relate with you as a prominent voice in Yorubaland.
“We know there is no way we can secure the grassroots without local intelligence.
“The IG has indicated interest in seeking your assistance and support and that is why we are here to tell you that the police as an institution is ready to partner with you.”

Reflecting on the visit, a prominent Yoruba voice, Akin Osuntokun, described the emissary as a long-awaited realistic disposition towards apprehending and containing the security crisis bedevelling the country.

The synergy will go a long in stemming the trend of rural Fulani banditry and associated crimes in the South West, Osuntokun said.

Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo charged the police authority to engage indigenous police personnels in information gathering.

Adejumo said the people that understand the local terrain in information gathering are in the best position to gather information, adding that the role of OPC in security intelligence and gathering cannot be overemphasized.

Others present at the meeting included Asoju Aare Ona Okakanfo of Yorubaland, Yinka Oguntimehin; Assistant General Secretary of OPC, Lasun Ogunfowokan; Chief Superintendent of Police Peter Gana; and Stella Gowon.

At the end of the meeting, Adams presented a letter to the IG, indicating his support and proffering solutions to the insecurity across the country.

The president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Supo Ayokunle, has been re-elected president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The result was announced on Tuesday by Matthew Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

Mr Ayokunle got 59 votes to defeat the runner up, Caleb Solomon-Ahima, president, Fellowship of Christian Churches in Nigeria (TEKAN), who got 44 votes.

Mr Ahima, according to the CAN constitution, becomes the vice president of the organisation.

Mr Ayokunle was born on January 25, 1957 and hails from Isheke, Oyo in Oyo State.

He has his first degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan in 1983.

He had a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and a Master of Education (M.Ed) in Guidance and Counselling from the same university.

Mr Ayokunle equally bagged a Master of Divinity in Theology (M.Div Th) from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso in 1995 before proceeding to the United Kingdom to obtain a Master of Arts (MA) in Theology and Religious Studies from Liverpool Hope University.

He also obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology with emphasis on liturgical studies.

(NAN)

The five-member Disciplinary Committee set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received a report and evidence of alleged anti party activities against its Deputy National Chairman (North) Lawal Shuaibu.

The Zamfara State Executive Committee of the APC submitted the report to the committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

The committee also received report against the former Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, on his alleged role in the 2019 electoral misfortune of the APC in the state.

The Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Bakyasuwa, who led other officials of the party to the APC National Secretariat to submit the reports, made it available to journalists.

According to the report, the duo allegedly breached Article 21(a) 2014 of the APC Constitution as amended.

“We are going to prove that we are not just bragging, and we mean it, we have drawn the battle line with Yari’s group.

“We have realised that the two men were behind the misfortunes of the party, and we need to expel them to prepare for the challenges ahead,” he said.

The APC Zamfara Chairman, Surajo Garba, blamed the party’s misfortune on the action of the two men.

“By this letter and for the above reason, we the executive council of the APC in Zamfara have firmly resolved to expel Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Yari and the Deputy National Chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu, from the party.

“The attitude and conduct of the personalities have brought APC in Zamfara to a state of disrepute and a clear flagrant disobedience to party,”he said.

NAN further reports that the five-member panel of the Supreme Court justices, in a unanimous judgement on May 25, declared that APC in Zamfara had no candidates in the 2019 general elections.

This, it explained, was because the party failed to conduct recognised primaries in accordance with party rules.

In the lead judgment by Justice Paul Galinji, the court held that all votes cast for the APC during the general elections in Zamfara were “wasted votes”.

He, therefore, declared that all political parties with the second highest votes in the elections and with the required spread, were elected to various elective positions in the state.

The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, however, stressed that the Supreme Court declaration amounted to imposing total strangers on the people of Zamfara.

He said the right thing the court should have done was to call for a repeat of the elections if the party fell short of electoral laws.

(NAN)

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has appointed a Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

Senator Lawan approved the appointments of Babagana Muhammad Aji and Festus Adedayo as his Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity respectively.

The appointments were announced in a statement signed by Special Adviser to the Senate President on Administration, Betty Okoroh.

The appointments take immediate effect, the statement notes.

“The appointments were made based on merit, experience, track record and competency of Aji and Adedayo needed by the Senate President in executing his planned legislative agenda,” the statement added.

According to the statement, Mr Aji, who is currently an Administrative Coordinator of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Outreach Services, holds a Master Degree in Educational Planning and Administration, and another one in Public Administration both from University of Maiduguri.

He started his working career with the University of Maiduguri in 1987 as Administrative Assistant and rose to become the Registrar of the University in 1997.

He later joined the services of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) where he was appointed as Director in 2016.

He is a member of several professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and Registered Administrative Managers of Nigeria, and attended several workshops, trainings and conferences both locally and abroad

Mr Adedayo holds a Ph.D. in Political Communication from the University of Ibadan, and a member of Editorial Board of Tribune newspapers.

He was Special Adviser on Media to Oyo state governor between 2011 to 2015, Special Adviser on Media to Enugu state governor between 2004 to 2007 and Special Assistant to Enugu state governor on Public Policy Analysis between 2003 and 2004.

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has suspended the 16 Local Government Council Executive and Legislative Committees in line with the earlier recommendation of the State House of Assembly.

“Pursuant to the resolution of the Kwara State House of Assembly dated this 18th day of June, 2019, and Section 29 of the Kwara State Local Government Law Cap. K33, 2006, I, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the executive governor of Kwara State, hereby suspend the executive and legislative committees of all the Sixteen (16) Local Government Areas in the state for a period of six months or pending the outcome of the investigations into allegations of misappropriation of public funds by the Kwara State House or Assembly, whichever is earlier in time,” said a statement signed by the Governor on Tuesday.

The suspension came hours after the House of Assembly recommended the suspension of the local council executive and legislative committees.

The House had, in the resolution earlier in the day, urged the governor “to immediately suspend all the 16 Local Government Executive and Legislative Committees in the state pending the outcome of the investigation into the allegations of misappropriation of public funds levelled against them so as not to jeopardise the process of investigation”.
Section 29 of the Kwara State Local Government Law Cap. K33, 2006 empowers the governor to suspend the chief executive of the local council for six months.

The Constitution, on the other hand, empowers the House of Assembly to investigate the local councils for alleged infraction and corruption.