I collected N15,000, says vigilante who trafficked schoolgirl to Burkina Faso

Samson Folarin

A member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Ikorodu branch, Rasheed Salau, who allegedly trafficked a schoolgirl to Burkina Faso, says he was paid N15,000.

The Sagamu, Ogun State indigene, claimed that he was not aware that the 14-year-old would be turned into a sex worker.

He explained that he sent her to work with his mother, who owned a beer parlour in the West African country.

PUNCH Metro had reported that the schoolgirl, Risikatu Uthman, was declared missing after she followed a boyfriend on an outing in June 2018.

Although the boyfriend, a motor boy, denied knowledge of her whereabouts, he was arrested and arraigned in court.

After about two months, Risikatu was brought home by a Good Samarithan, who found her in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Risikatu had told our correspondent that as she was returning home, she was abducted by Rasheed, who claimed to be a policeman.

She alleged that together with eight other girls, they were trafficked to Burkina Faso, where they were forced into prostitution.

The 14-year-old said she was rescued by the police and taken to the Nigerian embassy, from where she found her way back to Nigeria.

Policemen attached to the Ikorodu area command subsequently arrested the suspect.

During a chat with PUNCH Metro at the state police command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, Rasheed said he was a member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, and a bricklayer.

He said, “I met her (Risikatu) at my friend’s place. I asked her why she left her parents’ house and she said her parents chased her away from home to look for work.

“I asked her what she wanted to do and she said she was not ready to return home. I showed her my grandmother’s shop and told her to see me later.

Obasanjo can’t tell us who to vote for – Tinubu

Oladimeji Ramon

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, lambasted former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the recent letter of criticism he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the ex-President had no right to dictate who the people should vote for in the 2019 presidential election.

The former Lagos State governor, who said Obasanjo did his terms in office without being disturbed, urged him to face his poultry business in his Ota farm.

Tinubu said if Obasanjo had laid a good foundation for the country when he was President, like he (Tinubu) did in Lagos State, Nigeria would not be in the mess that it was in.

Tinubu spoke at the Lagos APC secretariat in Ogba on Tuesday during the party’s stakeholders’ meeting.

 Present at the meeting were Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa; the Chairman of the Lagos State APC, Tunde Balogun, and other party stalwarts in Lagos.

Tinubu, who switched between Yoruba and English languages, said having brought Buhari in, the party would also ensure his re-election next year, notwithstanding Obasanjo’s opposition.

“Look at us in Lagos, we can get angry with one another, it is only God that has perfection. When you elected me as governor, I laid the foundation. If we didn’t lay the foundation for Lagos, there’s no amount of wisdom that Fashola may have that will make the state as progressive as it has been.

“If we didn’t lay the foundation, there’s no amount of wisdom that Ambode may possess that will make things as smooth as they are…so, Obasanjo that is talking, if he had laid a strong foundation in Abuja, the country would not have scattered; things would not have been going the way they are going. And you (Obasanjo) want to sit in Ota; face your chicken and egg business.

You cannot govern from Ota; you cannot tell us who to vote for; you have used up your time. Let us tell Obasanjo so. Our Buhari is our own; we were the ones who brought him and we will secure the second term for him,” Tinubu said in Yoruba language.

He described those who defected from the APC as political prostitutes who were bound by conspiracy.

Tinubu said in spite of the defections, “We (the APC) remain strong.”

Punch 

Agege Pulse

Generator Fume Kills Family Of 5

Bodies of Charly Chibuogwu, his wife and three children were discovered in their apartment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday morning.

It was gathered that Mr Chibuogwu, said to be from Idumu Ozue, Umuolo Onicha Olona, and his family went to bed on Monday night and never woke up.

Though autopsy is yet to be conducted on the victims but preliminary investigation indicated that they died from suffocation caused by generator fumes.

Copied

2019: LAGOS APC RESOLVE TO ELECT CANDIDATES THROUGH DIRECT PRIMARIES

…To Commence Registration Of New Members, As Tinubu Insist Party Intact

…Ambode Lauds Decision, Says Resolution‘ll Deepen Democracy

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday resolved to elect candidates who will fly the flag of the party at next year’s general elections through direct primaries which will involve all members of the party.



To this end, the party said it would immediately commence the process of registering new members, while the old members who have registered before now as well as the new members would all be issued membership cards.



Addressing members of the party at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said it was gratifying to report that the party had resolved to register additional members, adding that membership register would be opened to facilitate the process, which eventually would be used for direct primaries. 

He said: “We appeal to all our members to update the membership registration and embrace the direct primary that has just been introduced and adopted by our party. We are committed to our party; we are committed to the values of the party; we see direct primary as President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption and internal democracy revolution.



“We are going to embrace that in which the party is going back to the owners of the party and that is you the people. It is not we the few; it is we the people. We have embraced democracy and you have your decisions to be made but you have to be members of our party in the first place,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu also dismissed the insinuation that the party is divided in the State, saying there is nothing of such, and that the party is intact.



“We reiterate the fact that APC in Lagos State is intact. There is no division. I’ve heard some people conspiring to present a situation of division in the party in Lagos but let me assure you that it is just the coming together of adversaries which will have no effect on the party,” Tinubu said.



Besides, he said the party at the State level also passed a resolution commending the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo for taking decisive actions to save the party and the nation from any embarrassment, saying: “We commend his efforts; we stand with him; and we stand with all members of our party,” just as the party commended all the steps taken so far by APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. 



The party equally urged members to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) before the expiration of registration deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).



In his remarks, the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode commended Tinubu for kick-starting the revolution for direct primaries, saying the process would go a long way to deepen democracy in the country.



“There is no better time to appreciate our National Leader (Tinubu) than now. What we have just witnessed is the beginning of a revolution about the deepening of democracy in Nigeria. People might not understand what is going on but we are giving power to the people and it is starting from APC.



“So, we want to collectively say a big thank you to Asiwaju for championing this silent revolution and it is very simple; what we are saying is that if we know that Lagos State is truly controlled by APC, we would champion a revolution that has never been witnessed before in this country and that means each member of our great party will now determine who becomes the President of this country and by so doing, we create the championship that Lagos State has the votes and Lagos State has the numbers to make things happen in this country,” the Governor said



He said the party in the State, with the development, was laying a solid foundation, and that the onus was now on others to build on it and allow Nigeria arrive at its destined destination.



According to the Governor, “So, for us to say that all the people should go and get their membership, is going to now determine how many of us are really APC members. We want to determine what really controls political positions in this country and whoever has gone to defect, we are saying that there are no defectors in Lagos State and defection is a major loss to whoever has defected.



“By the time we count ourselves; by the time we count all the members of APC in Lagos State, other parties will understand where APC is going and that is the assignment for all of us. Each member will get a minimum of 100 new members and by the time we do our count, we should be so sure that that is what should happen in other States and we would deliver the next general presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari by the grace of God,” Governor Ambode said. 



The meeting was well attended by chieftains and members of the party across the State.

BREAKING: INEC Extends Voter Registration By Two Weeks

The registration will be concluded at the end of August.

BY SAHARA REPORTERS, NEW YORKAUG 14, 2018
 

Agegepulse Magazine

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks.

According to information obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, the registration will be concluded at the end of August.

The extension is coming a few days after TakeItBack Movement, OurMumuDonDo Movement, as well as the Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT) initiative, and concerned Civil Society Organisations, met with officials of INEC to call for an extension of the deadline to enable more Nigerians participate.

Osinbajo orders IGP to re-organise SARS

...Aks NHRC to probe rights violation
Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday directed the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to immediately begin the overhaul of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

He has also directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a panel to probe allegations of rights abuse by the Police unit.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists.

Akande said the Acting President’s directive was based on persistent complaints being made by members of the public against the SARS.



He said Osinbajo also directed the Police IG to ensure that any unit that will emerge from the overhaul is intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of crimes.

The statement read, “Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that border on allegations of human rights violations, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS and ensure that any unit that will emerge from the process will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.

“The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects.


“The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.

Punch

Cyber criminals planning to hack ATMs globally, FBI warns

Banks have been warned of an imminent threat that their cash machines could be mass-hacked by cyber criminals.

In a confidential alert on Friday, America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation told international banks that criminals are plotting a concerted global malware attack on cash machines in the next few days.

As reported by The Telegraph, the FBI issued a warning about a highly choreographed fraud scheme known as an ATM “jackpotting”, in which crooks hack a bank or payment card processor and use cloned cards at cash machines around the world to take out millions in just a few minutes.

UK based banks with large international operations, such as HSBC and Barclays, are among those thought to have been made aware of the threat.

“The FBI has obtained unspecified reporting indicating cyber criminals are planning to conduct a global Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cash-out scheme in the coming days, likely associated with an unknown card issuer breach,” the FBI warning said, according to Krebs on Security, which originally reported the alert.


(The Telegraph)

Price of Cooking Gas to Crash as Federal Government Removes VAT

The Federal Government finally bowed to pressure from stakeholders during the weekend as it announced final arrangements for removing VAT on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) popularly called cooking gas.

This new development is expected to crash the price of cooking gas by as much as 20 percent. This implies that a 12.5kg of cooking gas which currently goes for N4, 300 is expected to crash to N3, 440 under the new policy.

Stakeholders in the Oil and Gas Industry have often been at loggerheads with the Federal Government that the imposition of VAT on cooking gas made the essential commodity unnecessarily expensive thereby discouraging potential consumers from embracing the use of cooking gas.

Speaking further on the policy, a source at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) revealed that government has already finalised talks with the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to suspend further collection of VAT on cooking gas.

The source however declined to confirm when the policy would most likely be implemented but assured that an official pronouncement would be made any time from now.

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has been at the forefront of applying pressure on the government to lift VAT on locally produced cooking gas.

NALPGAM had always implied that it was imperative to develop effective policies in order to encourage investors to come into the LPG sector to deepen market penetration, boost the country’s economy and protect the environment.

The association further reiterated that the removal of VAT on the gas supplied to marketers by NLNG would most assuredly attract more investors as well as reduce the importation of gas into the country, which is VAT-free.

The association also advocated for the Federal government to take a step further and reduce import duty on LPG equipment in order to encourage more investors to come in and deepen LPG consumption in the country.

“Our position is that the government has to provide the enabling environment for more people to come in. We have to remove VAT on LPG and reduce import duties on the equipment.” It said.

In further reaction to the VAT removal by the Federal Government, NALPGAM also announced plans to deepen the use of LPG by helping to boost local consumption of the essential commodity from 700,000 metric tonnes to 1,000,000 metric tonnes yearly.

NALPGAM President, Mr. Nosa Ogieva-Okunbor, reiterated that the target would increase to five million metric tonnes by 2025 if every stakeholder within the value chain played their part to the letter

LReporter

Why I have over 1,000 aides –Ebonyi’s Gov Umahi

Clement Nnachi, Abakaliki

Ebonyi Governor, David Umahi, has declared that he appointed over 1,000 aides on assumption of office in 2015 in order to tackle the menace of poverty among the teeming youths of the state.

Umahi made the declaration in Egunkwo community, Onicha Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday on the occasion of a special thanksgiving service organised by Caring Heart Vanguards, an umbrella body of graduates that secured appointments in federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, courtesy of the lawmaker representing Ohaozara Onicha and Ivo federal constituency in the National Assembly, Linus Okorie.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Hyginus Nwokwu, said that more than 1,000 political appointees have been engaged by the administration, comprising commissioners, Special Advisers, Special Assistants, Technical Assistants, and Senior Special Advisers.

“Since my assumption of office on May 29th 2015, more than 500 Technical Assistants, 400 Senior Technical Assistants, 100 Special Advisers, 50 Senior Special Advisers and 21 commissioners have been appointed”
“These appointments were designed to make sure we fight poverty in the land, and also to enable the youths to contribute meaningfully to the development of the State.


Umahi commended the lawmaker for the initiative, in addition to replicating the laudable policies and programmes of the state government to members of the constituency.

Breaking: Osinbajo Confirmed As Buhari's Running Mate For 2019

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, on Monday confirmed that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will remain as President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate at the 2019 presidential election.

Shehu said this while speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the victories recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in legislative elections held in three states over the weekend are a sign that victory is sure for the Buhari/Osinbajo presidential ticket in 2019.

Details later…

Sahara Reporters

BREAKING: National Assembly calls off Tuesday reconvening

John Ameh

The National Assembly will not reconvene on Tuesday (tomorrow), The PUNCH has just learnt, contrary to public expectation.

At the House of Representatives, its spokesman, Mr Abdulrazak Namdas, told The PUNCH that the House in truth, had yet to decide on a reconvening date.

Ironically, it was the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr Yussuff Lasun, who, last week, announced that the National Assembly would reconvene on Tuesday (tomorrow) to consider the budget for the 2019 polls and other pending issues forwarded to lawmakers by President Muhammadu Buhari in July.

Punch

Breaking: Oshungboye Koruju Steps Down from House of Reps Race, Claims Party Supremacy For His Decision

AgegePulse Magazine

Popular Agege politician, Otunba Akin  Oshungboye Koruju Steps Down from Agege Federal House of Representatives  Race, Claims Party Supremacy For His Decision.

The new development came after the experienced, popular politician and retired banker sent a message on a his social media handle confirming his decision sighting it was at the best interest of the party.

 His message reads:

" I Otunba Richard Akin Oshungboye hereby wish to notify all my political mentors, supporters, friends and associates that due to considerations for our Party's continued cohesion, peace and unity, I am withdrawing my aspiration to vie for Agege Federal House of Representatives seat.

This decision is in deference to the Party's leadership supremacy and goal of creating a political playing field that is free of rancour, strive, bitterness or stiff-neck competition.

I therefore wish to appeal to all handlers of my campaign on these social media platforms to pull them down in conformity with this notice.

I thank you all for your love; for your support and passionate celebration and defence of my aspiration.

May God bless us all, keep us and sustain us as we forge ahead in pursuit of our individual and collective goals.

Signed:
Otunba Richard Akin Oshungboye.

On this development, the race will be amongst the current House Member, Hon. Taofeek Adaranijo, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dr. Samuel Adejare and Former Sole Administrator, Hon. Habib Aileru.

Technology: Google Empowers Education District One With Digital Skills

…Train Teachers, Students, Principals, Management Staff On Digital Economy

…We’re Ready For The Dynamic Changes of The world - Dr Ayandele

AgegePulse Magazine

When the full benefit of digital literacy and empowerment begin to germinate in Nigeria, the entire community of Lagos Education District One (EDDI) comprising Agege, Alimosho and Ifako Ijaye will not be left behind in the quest to reap the fruit.

This is because the district has taken another first with the move to turn digital passion into capacity building for students, teachers, principals and management staff of the district.

EDDI on Thursday, played host to popular education NGO, MindTheGap in collaboration with leading digital platform, Google for the launching of the initiative aimed train 10 million youth across Africa in 5years by Google. At the event, the EDDI community were trained on how to maximize technology and digital skills to improve teaching and learning outcomes in school. Also, they were empowered to dig for opportunity on the web.


Speaking at the epoch making event, the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of the EDDI, Dr (Mrs) Yinka Ayandele said it is obvious that the world is dynamic in nature, hence the need to be equipped with relevant digital skills to enhance the teachers’ tasks and to compete favourably in the global village.

Dr Ayandele stated that the district is ready to acquire new knowledge that will aid positive outcomes while assuring that the participants will put the skills acquired at the training into judicious use. She thanked Google and their resource persons for piloting the digital skills and acquisition programme in EDDI.

In a chat with Agegepulse Magazine, the Co-founder of MindTheGap and facilitator, Mr Tayo Olosunde revealed that after the training, participants are expected to be inspired towards thinking globally.

“As you can see, there is a completely new perspective to the way the participants are seeing the digital world. Our hope is that these teachers and principals will tap into the huge opportunities online and spend productive time on the internet. Secondly, this initiative will endear people to know how to search for opportunities; and create opportunities on the internet.”

“Lagos is fast becoming a Mega City driven by technology, hence Lagosians especially the civil servants must be ready to key into the digital world that the Mega City Project will come with.  I celebrate what the state government is doing, proving to the world that Nigeria and Africa can really do it. So, I want to encourage people to jump into the Lagos City Reality by equipping themselves with relevant skills and be ready  for the opportunities ahead.” Mr Olosunde concluded.

International Youth Day: Kayfactor Advocates Education As Panacea

 International Youth Day and have been reading a lot of post concerning creating safe spaces for the Youth.

Then, as I was moving accross Lagos, I saw some Youth playing virtual bet. I saw some smoking. I saw some playing football in the street.

I thought of how do we create spaces for this Youth. It is through Education. But its quite unfortunate that our Educational System has made lot of us unconscious. It has made us not to be able to question the status quo and perform our civic right. So, how do we create a safe civic space for our Youth? Through Education! The ability for people to say no to political thuggery without being scared. The ability to run for office without being scared. The ability to hold the government accountable for delivery. The ability to start a business and thrive.

How do we create a safe space in our educational sector. Where children really go to school and learn. According to World Bank (2018), Many children goes to school but do not learn. Children who do not learn will become Youth and they will also become adults. How would a child spend two or three years in school without learning to read a single word or reach the end of primary school without learning to do two digit substraction. How would such child achieve the higher goals of education?

How do we create safe space in our educational sector? When students cannot learn skills that will enable them to launch new companies or analyze great work of literature or research. When students cannot focus because of deprivation. When teachers lack pedagogical skills and motivation to engage students. When materials meant for the classroom never reach it because of poor management and the system cannot meet the needs of the society.

Educate the children, because the same children will become Youth, Fathers, Mothers, Civil Servants, Business Owners Etc.

Reference: World Bank (2018). Restoring the Education Promise.

#YouthDay #SafeSpaces4Youth

*Hammed Kayode Alabi ©2018*

I hawk Chewing -Stick, Sleep at Motor Park, Trafficked 14year Old Schoolgirl Reveals

Risikatu Uthman, a 14-year-old pupil of a public secondary school in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State who got missing about two months ago, has been found.

She reportedly returned home on Thursday, saying she was abducted by human traffickers, who allegedly sold her to Burkina Faso for prostitution.

PUNCH Metro had reported that Risikatu had gone out with a boyfriend in June 2018 and did not return home.

The police had arrested the boyfriend, a motor boy, who insisted that he was innocent.

Our correspondent gathered that the lover was arraigned in court as Risikatu’s family intensified prayers for her return.

The teenager, however, was brought home by a Good Samaritan, who reportedly found her roaming in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Risikatu alleged that a policeman, identified as Rasheed, abducted her while she was heading home from her boyfriend’s place.

She said, “I was returning home on a motorcycle when the man stopped me on the road.

“He said I should follow him, that he had something important to discuss with me. I told him that I was running late and my parents would be worried. He insisted that I followed him and I did.

“When we got to his house at Odo Kekere, Ikorodu, I saw eight other young girls in a room. Immediately I entered, somebody locked the door from behind and nobody could go out.

"Rasheed told me that he was a policeman and he showed me his ID card. I also saw his uniform in the room. He told me that he was taking me out of the country and I would be involved in selling goods for someone. He did not tell me the country.”

The victim said she spent two weeks in the house with the other girls, adding that Rasheed’s mother, who was a madam in Burkina Faso, took her information to procure a passport for her.

Risikatu said, “After two weeks, we were taken to Shaki, Oyo State. We were taken to the house of a man called Taofeek. We were paired; each group was put in a room.

“While there, I feel ill and almost died. I was taken to a hospital for treatment. A doctor also visited me in the room.”

After one month in Shaki, Risikatu said they were put in a bus en route to Burkina Faso.

The victim said they spent four days on the road before they arrived at their destination.

“We moved on Monday and got to Galasi, Burkina Faso, on Thursday. The woman came to meet us at the park and took us to her house.

“We saw other girls, including the ones who had given birth to children, in the house. There were three underage girls in the room as well. We called the woman Mummy.

“On Friday, we cooked and ate. By evening, they said we should take our bath. We were then dressed up in skimpy clothes with a lot of make-up. By then, they had loosened my hair and given me wigs to put on. We went to work and I came back with 6,000 CFA.

“On Saturday, we went to work as well. I made 7,000 CFA. We were given 20 condoms per day and mandated to use them all. We were told that if a man’s condom bursts, we should collect 3,000 CFA from him.

“On Sunday, the woman said we would swear to an oath that we would not betray her. We went to an alfa’s house and were called in one by one. I was the first.

“I was made to carry a calabash with some fetish materials in it. The man said I should recite incantation with him, after which he gave me a kolanut and alcohol to drink. But I did not swallow them. I spewed them out when we finished.

“During the oath taking, I was made to swear that I would not betray the woman and I would pay her 1.3m CFA (N815,000). He said I must pay back her money and if I betrayed her, I would be miserable and die,” she added.

She said after they left the cleric’s house, they were asked to dress up as usual and take to the street to look for customers.

Risikatu said, “I had worked for some time and made up to 7,000 CFA when a woman dragged me to a corner and asked if I wanted to stop the work I was doing and I said yes. The lady left me to continue the work.

“Later, I was told that a customer was waiting for me outside. I went outside and the same lady took me to an Igbo man, who was connected to some Nigerian community officials in the country.”

It was said that the police were later informed and the victim rescued.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Mummy, upon discovering that Risikatu had been rescued, fled her house with some property.

Risikatu said the police took her to the Nigerian embassy along with four other rescued girls, consisting two sisters and twin sisters.

At the embassy, the officials were said to have identified the 14-year-old, saying they had seen a report by The PUNCH on her.

She was reportedly profiled with the four others as the officials issued them tickets and passports for their travels back to Nigeria.

After a driver conveyed her to Jonte park at Cotonou, Benin Republic, she said she met a trader of Ago Iwoye, Ogun State descent, who promised to assist her because her (Risikatu’s) mother hailed from the same town.

After hawking chewing-stick with the woman and sleeping at the motor park for two days, she returned home to her parents.

“The way Nigerian girls are treated in Burkina Faso is terrible and it is because we don’t have a good government. I have learnt that if anybody asked me to travel out, I should never follow the person,” she added

Punch

Nigerian pilgrim dies in Saudi Arabia

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has confirmed the death of a female Nigerian pilgrim in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Head of the Medical Team of NAHCON, Ibrahim Kana, confirmed the development while speaking with journalists in Makkah, yesterday.



He said: “On the Makkah mortality, she was our patient; a known diabetic and we referred her to King Abdulaziz Hospital in Makkah before she died yesterday.

 “We have already captured her on our Electronic Health Medical Records System.” It was gathered that the dead pilgrim hailed from Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State.

The identity of the pilgrim is being withheld because the incident is yet to be communicated to her family, in line with NAHCON’s practice of awaiting formal directive on such incidents from the concerned state before telling relations of about such incidents

Vanguard

AgegePulse

ITTF CHALLENGE: AMBODE PLEDGES BIGGER TOURNAMENT IN 2019

…As Quadri Emerges First Nigerian To Win Championship


AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday expressed excitement over the emergence of first Nigerian to win the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Seamaster Challenge, assuring that the State Government would support the tournament in a bigger edition in 2019.

Speaking to journalists after watching the finals of the tournament tagged ITTF Nigeria Open 2018 held at Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere where Nigerian table tennis star, Aruna Quadri emerged victorious, Governor Ambode said it was gratifying to note the remarkable improvement in this year’s edition of the championship, saying that next year’s edition would be more exciting. 

He said: “This is a major improvement from last year’s competition and again for the very first time in the last six years, we found a Nigerian winning the men’s singles and this brings a lot of excitement for me because I have been supporting table tennis and I know that next year’s tournament will be more exciting than this.



“As a government, we are going to put more support; we put more financial support so that we can attract more people and also encourage more Nigerians to participate. You know we actually gave bonus to Nigerians that have qualified and that is also to encourage more of our own local players to compete internationally,” Governor Ambode said.



He particularly assured that the State Government would put efforts in place to host the tournament in a bigger hall to encourage more participation, just as he assured that the programmes of his administration for sports development in the State were on course.



“We have a master programme to encourage sports in Lagos State and people would see it as it is unfolding. You can see that we are reconstructing Onikan Stadium; we are going to Ajegunle to do another Sports Complex there and I don’t want to overpromise but I can assure that next year, we are going to do this tennis tournament in a bigger hall that can take 16 sets at the same time and also take maybe about 5,000 fans at the same time,” Governor Ambode said.



Quadri emerged victorious after defeating his opponent from France, Harchard Antoine to win $5,000. The Nigerian also won another $200 courtesy of the fair play award which was also awarded to him.



Also, the best Nigerian home-grown player of the tournament, Jamiu Anyawale was rewarded with cash gift of $200.



Responding, Quadri thanked the fans who supported him all the way to win the tournament, saying the victory could not have been possible without their support.



“If not for my fans that supported me all the way, this victory would not have been possible and so I want to thank the people for standing by me,” Quadri said. 



Antonie, who is from France, was rewarded with $2,500 for emerging as the first runner up of the men’s singles, while Guo Yan from China went home with $5,000 for winning the women’s singles. Her fellow compatriot, Sun Chen was awarded with $2,500 for emerging as the first runner up of the women’s singles.





SIGNED

HABIB ARUNA

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

AUGUST 12, 2018

Exclusive: Destiny Meets Reality As Olu Itori, Oba Abdul Fatai Akamo Sets To Celebrate 15th years Coronation

Agege Pulse Magazine

History will be made on the 19th February, 2019 when a highly  reverred Yoruba Monarch, HRM Oba Dr. Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo celebrates 15th graceful years anniversary of ascending the throne of his forefathers as the Olu Itori of Itoriland, Ogun State.

According to a reliable source, Agege Pulse learnt that the celebration will be a week-long event with several cultural activities lined up for it. The activities include; display of cultural heritage, dancing, drama, charity, symposium and others.

According to those who should know, the enthronement of Oba Abdul Fatai Akorede as the Olu Itori of Itoriland 15years ago is the best thing that has happened to the people of Itoriland.

His ingenuity, creativity and leadership-know-how have attracted tremendous development to Itoriland and the entire Ewekoro Local Government of the state.

It may interest you to know that the cheerful Royal Father was born and bred in Agege. It was leant that his enthronement as the King of Itoriland was enormously attended by sons and daughters of Agege 15years ago. Indeed, nothing gladdens the heart more than when you know one of your golden sons is a custodian of tradition in the diaspora.

Congratulations Olu Itori HRM Oba Dr. Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo Ekun, Agbodere Kinni.

APC chief shot dead at viewing centre, APC, Fayemi seek probe

KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE

The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has challenged security agencies to fish out the killers of a commissioner in the Federal Character Commission, Bunmi Ojo, and prosecute them.

Ojo, a former Personal Assistant to ex-governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, was shot dead by unknown assailants at a football viewing centre around Ajitadidun area in Ado Ekiti on Friday night.

The deceased had gone to watch an English Premier league match between Manchester United and Leicester on Friday night with some of his friends.

Shortly after settling down to watch the  match, eyewitnesses told our correspondent that six gun-wielding men invaded the centre and shot him in the head and stomach at close range.

His remains have been deposited at the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

The Publicity Secretary of the APC, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement rued the untimely death of the APC chieftain, describing it as “a brutish end to a blossoming life and career.”

Describing Ojo as a personal friend and an amiable personality who would not hurt anyone, Olatunbosun said his death was a personal loss to him and everyone who was close to the deceased.

“Those who knew Bunmi (Ojo) cannot but like him, he was an easy-going and upright politician who cultivated friendship in both high and low places, which endeared him to many people.

According to him, his death could not be far from the political machinations of “a devilish politician” in the state.

"We will not rest until the assailants are fished out. This is a test of efficiency for the police and other security operatives,” Olatunbosun added.

Another member of the APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Ojo’s death might not be unconnected with his ambition to contest the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives.

The Federal Constituency is comprised of  Ido/Osi, Ilejemeje and Moba Local Governments.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, could not be reached for comments.

Several calls to his phone by our correspondent were not picked.

However, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has condemned Ojo’s murder, calling on security agencies to arrest and prosecute the killers.

Punch 

AgegePulse

Osinbajo knocks pastors for not preaching against corruption

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has berated gospel preachers for failing to support the Federal Government’s anti-corruption war by not preaching against the scourge.

Speaking at the 30th National Biennial Conference of the Students Christian Movement of Nigeria holding in Enugu, Osinbajo noted that preachers were preoccupied with preaching prosperity rather than righteousness.

He said “Very rarely do you hear our preachers talk about corruption from their pulpits. If a nation is not righteous nothing will help it.”

Osinbajo, according to the News Agency of Nigeria said that the problem with Nigeria was neither ethnicity nor religion but systemic corruption.

He said that corruption had been so entrenched in the country that if you dare challenge it, you will be in the minority.

He, however, challenged the youths to change the narrative and make the difference by checking the impunity of those that had stolen the resources of the country.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State commended the organisers of the event for a successful convention.

Ugwuanyi said that Christians needed such events in order to seek spiritual reformation and renaissance, considering the situation in the world.

He said that Christians also needed to contribute their quota towards promoting good living among Nigerians.

Saraki May Declare Akpabio, Other PDP Defectors’ Seats Vacant

A senator from the North-Central geopolitical zone and an ally of Saraki said trouble could start on resumption when the APC caucus would definitely demand a roll call so that senators who defected to its fold could sit with their party members for easy identification.

“For now, I am not aware of any division or faction in the PDP at the moment that could warrant the action of Akpabio and others.

“The Senate President is expected to exercise his constitutional powers now to declare the seats of Akpabio and others’ vacant until they are able to justify the reasons for their defection.

“We know that the development would provoke an uproar, but the Senate President would remain resolute. So, the only option that would be left for Akpabio and his co-travellers would be to approach the court to determine whether there is actually a division in the PDP or not.

“Until the procurement of the legal interpretation of their status, those who defected from the PDP would be barred from entering the premises of the National Assembly.

“They will probably remain in court till the end of the current 8th Assembly.”

However, members of the APC caucus at the Senate alleged that Saraki withheld their defection letters from the PDP sent to the upper chamber.

The APC senators further alleged that Saraki, who read out the letter in which 13 lawmakers defected from the APC to the PDP and another one to the African Democratic Congress on July 24, refused to read the letters from those who dumped the opposition party for the ruling party.

The Senate President has however denied the allegation, challenging those who claimed to have written to him to declare their defections to publish their letters.

Speaking to SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday, an APC senator accused Saraki of ignoring the defection letters.

“Saraki has been proving smart by not reading letters of defections from the PDP. Until that was done, those affected have technically not defected. He is not reading the letters and it is deliberately so. As a result, in the records of the National Assembly, PDP is 57 while we are 48.

Reacting to the allegation, Saraki, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, denied keeping defection letters.

He said, “There is no senator whose letter is still pending. It is a lie, we don’t have such letters. When did they write and send the letters? Did they show you the copies? They need to make available the acknowledgement copies.”

Punch ng

Native Reporters

AgegePulse

Kogi bye-election: House of Representatives aspirant’s son beaten to death for alleged ballot box snatching

Gbenga Odogun, Lokoja

Another suspected ballot box snatcher has been beaten to death in another polling unit in the traditional area of Lokoja metropolis.
It was gathered that the suspect was the son of a House of Representatives aspirant who declared interest just last month.

An Eyewitness told our correspondent that the suspect invaded the ‘Ward C’ Voting Center and attempted to snatch the ballot box when party supporters mobbed him to death.

The polling unit is right in front of the palace of Maigarin of Lokoja in the traditional area of the ancient town.

The Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, could not be reached for comments when our correspondent put a call across to him.

The corpse of the suspect was being prepared for burial as of the time of filing this report.

Punch

FIDELITY BANK DEBUNKS OBSCENE VIRAL VIDEO POST

In the wake of a very stinking and rather distasteful development in the social media, foremost e-rated commercial financial house, Fidelity Bank, has released a statement addressing the viral obscene video which is said to have been seen on a tablet in one of their banking halls in Lagos state.

The financial institution noted that the tablets are only provided to enhance the experience of their users. In the statement, the bank also added that it was “dishonourable” for customers to visit inappropriate sites, using their platform. Apparently, a customer visited an inappropriate site on one of the tablets provided for customers use to perpetrate this unwholesome act. They however assured that there would be no repeat of the incident, if at all it ever happened. For the avoidance of doubt and clarity of purpose on the side of Fidelity Bank, their reaction, signed by Charles Aigbe, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, is presented to you unedited: 

‘Re: False claims stemming from video post – Our attention has been drawn to a social media video featuring an assault on two people at a Fidelity Bank branch in Lagos. The two individuals featured in the video were suspected of ‘shoulder surfing’ to steal customer card details at the ATM. The security personnel on duty interceded and they attacked and injured him before the intervention of the Mobile policemen who are seen in the video. No Fidelity Bank official ordered any violence against customers as alleged and there was no incidence of the Branch ATM not dispensing cash. The matter has been reported to the Police and the suspects have been handed over for prosecution. Fidelity Bank is customer-centric and we remain committed to providing easy and convenient banking and financial services in a safe environment for our customers and the banking public

Airwaves reports

AgegePulse Magazine

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Fidelity Bank debunks obscene viral video post

 

In the wake of a very stinking and rather distasteful development in the social media, foremost e-rated commercial financial house, Fidelity Bank, has released a statement addressing the viral obscene video which is said to have been seen on a tablet in one of their banking halls in Lagos state.

The financial institution noted that the tablets are only provided to enhance the experience of their users. In the statement, the bank also added that it was “dishonourable” for customers to visit inappropriate sites, using their platform. Apparently, a customer visited an inappropriate site on one of the tablets provided for customers use to perpetrate this unwholesome act. They however assured that there would be no repeat of the incident, if at all it ever happened. For the avoidance of doubt and clarity of purpose on the side of Fidelity Bank, their reaction, signed by Charles Aigbe, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, is presented to you unedited: 

‘Re: False claims stemming from video post – Our attention has been drawn to a social media video featuring an assault on two people at a Fidelity Bank branch in Lagos. The two individuals featured in the video were suspected of ‘shoulder surfing’ to steal customer card details at the ATM. The security personnel on duty interceded and they attacked and injured him before the intervention of the Mobile policemen who are seen in the video. No Fidelity Bank official ordered any violence against customers as alleged and there was no incidence of the Branch ATM not dispensing cash. The matter has been reported to the Police and the suspects have been handed over for prosecution. Fidelity Bank is customer-centric and we remain committed to providing easy and convenient banking and financial services in a safe environment for our customers and the banking public

Airwaves reports

AgegePulse Magazine

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Why I Ordered Invasion Of National Assembly” — Lawal Daura Opens Up

The sacked Director General of the Department of State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura, has confessed that he deployed hooded operatives of the secret service to the National Assembly on Tuesday.

based on intelligence report that unauthorized persons were planning to smuggle dangerous weapons and incriminating items into the complex.

His confession was disclosed in the interim investigation report submitted by the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim to the acting president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

In the report seen by Daily Trust, IGP Idris argued that Daura carried out the siege on the National Assembly without the approval of the acting president.

“The former Director-General, Department of State Security Service, Mr Lawal Musa Daura acted unilaterally without informing the presidency. He did not share or intimate other security agencies on the unlawful operations,” Idris said in the report.

The IGP said the purported intelligence report by Daura cannot be substantiated as the personnel deployed were not EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) experts or specialist in this regard.

Masked and unmasked DSS operatives laid siege to the National Assembly on Tuesday halting lawmakers and staff from gaining entry into the complex.

A female member of the House of Representatives, Boma Goodhead from Rivers State (PDP) confronted the DSS men laying siege at the National Assembly, daring them to shoot her.

The Acting President, who sacked Daura over the invasion described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex as a gross violation of the constitutional order, rule of law and all accepted notions of law and order.

The leaders of both the Senate and House of Representatives also condemned the siege as a “coup against democracy”.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) hailed the invasion in what it called ‘timely intervention’ of the Department of State Services (DSS) in scuttling plot by Senate President Bukola Saraki to cause chaos at the National Assembly on Tuesday.





2019: Obasa Urges Electorate To Obtain PVCs; Says It's Their Only Access To Vote For Credible Leaders

The Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudshiru Obasa has appealed to the people of Agege  to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card(PVC) as it is their only access towards voting credible leaders in the 2019 general elections.

Rt. Hon. Obasa, at a stakeholders’ meeting where he gave account of his stewardship to his constituency, said PVC confers power on the electorate as a key stakeholder in the development of democracy.

“The only way to make impactful contribution to the development of democracy is for us all to obtain our PVC.  If you have not registered, you still have a few weeks to do so. We have held series of meeting with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Agege to give them support on how to ensure a seamless registration process," the Lagos Assembly Speaker who is also the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, noted.

He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders to mobilize as many people as possible to collect their PVCs for them to participate in the electoral process.

Speaking on the theme: “Towards a Peaceful and Credible Election,’’  Rt. Hon. Obasa enjoined political leaders and  party supporters to conduct themselves in ways that would promote peace and unity during and after the elections.

“We also urge religious leaders and parents to contribute to the success of the elections by preaching against violence of any form.

“The electoral process is one of the most important features of democracy with voters as the major stakeholders. The electorate must have confidence in the electoral  process for them to participate ,’’ he said.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker also called for a community-based security trust fund for people to donate voluntarily to support the government in ensuring security of lives and properties.

According to him, security should be a collective responsibility of everyone in Lagos State.

“It is work for us all; paying attention to happenings around us, reporting strange activities and not shielding criminals helps to ensure everyone  is safe. Let’s not keep quiet," he said.

He called on various Community Development Associations to monitor the works of  the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps in order to measure their performance.

“LNSC was created to work in collaboration with the  police by gathering intelligence on criminals within neighbourhoods and reporting them for arrest and prosecution. The thieves stealing parts of parked vehicles live in our communities,’’ Obasa said.

World Bank supports Nigeria with $611m to get children back to school

The World Bank will support Nigeria with $611m to get children back to school under the Better Education Service Delivery for All programme, the Coordinator, Prof. Gidado Tahir, has said.

Tahir made this known in Kaduna on Friday at a meeting with officials of Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, on modalities for the implementation of the programme.

The BESDA national coordinator explained that the project is being supported by the World Bank to tackle the problem of out-of-school children in the country.

According to him, the alarming rate of out-of-school children has remained a worrisome phenomenon in the country that must be addressed.

“Whenever you attend international conferences and conventions, Nigeria is being described as one of the top nations with huge number of out-of-school children.
“The Federal Ministry of Education therefore decided to make the issue one of its top priority areas to find a way of tackling the issue.

“This attracted the World Bank who accepted to provide the Nigerian Government with $611 million dollars to implement BESDA in line with Universal Basic Education Commission programme.

“UBEC is focusing on increasing access, quality and ensuring equity; BESDA is also tailoring its attention towards doing that, but specifically focusing more on out-of-school children,” Tahir said.

He explained that BESDA would essentially focus on increasing access for out-of-school children and ensuring that children who attend school could read, write and manipulate figures.

The coordinator added that another basic objective of the programme was to strengthen accountability in the school system which has been very week over the years.
He said that 17 states with the highest number of out-of-school children in the country would participate in the programme.

The states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Oyo.
According to Tahir, the states have more than 30 per cent of their school-age children out of school.

Also speaking, Malam Iro Umar of UBEC Coordination Support Team, explained that the meeting was organised for Kaduna SUBEB as implementing partner to understand the processes involved in the implementation of the programme.

“We are here to share with you the processes involved so that we will all understand what needs to be done before implementation of the programme begins.
“At the end of the meeting, every participating agency and individual would know what BESDA is and what their responsibilities are in the course of the implementation of the programme, “he added.
Umar said that out of the $611 million dollars, $578 million would be expended on Programme for Result (P for R) and $33 million on Technical Assistance (TA).

He explained that under the P for R, states would be rewarded for result achieved within a given period based on the number of out-of-school children they were able to return or enrol in school by gender.
On the technical assistance component, Umar said that $33 million dollars would be spent on various activities to strengthen the capacity of Federal and State government officials to improve monitoring and evaluation as well as data evaluation.

“The component will also increase effectiveness and transparency in UBE programme management and strengthen intergovernmental coordination in areas of policy formulation, strategic planning and monitoring of UBE programme implementation.

“Design and implementation of national learning assessment and a research agenda to inform UBE programme implementation and provide the analytical underpinning for future initiatives focused on out-of-school children.
“This would greatly improve the quality of basic education, “he added.


Earlier, Nasiru Umar, Executive Chairman, Kaduna SUBEB, thanked the Federal Government and UBEC for including Kaduna State as a participating state in the programme.

AMBODE, AMOSUN, GOWON, AKIOLU, OTHERS CELEBRATE WILLIAMS AT 99

…He’s A True Nigerian We Should All Be Proud Of, Says Lagos Gov

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday led other eminent Nigerians to celebrate the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant, Chief Akintola Williams who clocked 99, describing him as a true Nigerian who worked assiduously to lift up the country.



Speaking to reporters at a special birthday reception held in honour of Williams at his Lagos residence, Governor Ambode described the celebrant as the doyen of accountancy profession and elder statesman who deserved to be celebrated for his contribution to the growth and development of the country.

According to the Governor, “The main reason why we are here is to celebrate a true Nigerian and for somebody who has actually contributed to the development of Nigeria and he is still alive at 99, is worth celebrating and this is like a prelude to the centenary that we are waiting to celebrate next year, and that is why you can see that Ogun State Governor is here too.



“Apart from the fact that Chief Akintola Williams is the Doyen of the Accountancy Profession, we see him as a founding father of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); he is also the founding father of the Musical Society of Nigeria. So, he has too many parts and this is one Nigerian that we are proud of and we are willing to celebrate him every day,” Governor Ambode said.



He particularly commended Williams for his role in the development of Lagos, saying the State Government would continue to celebrate true Nigerians like him.



“That I am here today is more or less to say a big thank you to him for lifting up Lagos; for lifting up Nigeria and we also wish him well on behalf of all Lagosians. We will continue to celebrate true Nigerians and he (Chief Williams) is just one true Nigerian, an elder statesman that we should all be proud of,” Governor Ambode said.



Responding, Williams appreciated all those who found time to be with him on his special day, and wished them long life as well.


Aside Governors Ambode and Amosun, other eminent Nigerians at the event include former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); first Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd); Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; foremost banker and founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun; legal luminary and philanthropist, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo; former ICAN Presidents, among other captains of industries and members of the diplomatic corps.

RRS Officer Gives First Aid To Hit and Run Victim in Lagos

RRS Officer name withheld administering first aid to a hit and run victim on Ojota bridge before the arrival of an ambulance.

The RRS officer said, "I did this because of the value we place on human lives".

Lagosians who has been reacting positively on this gesture, described it as service to humanity.

 @TunjiDisu1