Govt Declares Tuesday, November 16 As a Public Holiday

 

The government of Anambra State led by Governor Willie Obiano has declared Tuesday, November 16 as a public holiday.

A statement on Monday by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba said the public holiday is in honour of the birthdate of Nigeria’s first president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe.

Azikwe was born on Novermber 16, 1904.

The statement also called on the federal government of Nigeria to declare every November 16 as a national public holiday.

It added that countries such as Ghana and Tanzania observe the birthdays of their national leaders who made huge contributions in freeing them from colonial rule and making them what they are today as national holidays.

The Anambra government statement reads in part: ”It was the Great Zik of Africa who inspired such outstanding Pan-African leaders as Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana who led his country to freedom from colonial rule on March 6, 1957.”

“After all, the Ghanaians observe the birthday of Dr Nkrumah as a national holiday, just the way Tanzanians observe President Julius Nyerere’s birthday as a national holiday.

“It is a huge national embarrassment that Nigeria has yet to declare November 16 a national holiday,” it added.

How Gunmen Invaded Imo Market, Killed Three, Others Injured

No fewer than three persons have been killed after gunmen attacked Anara market in Isiala Mbano local government area of Imo state.

Many other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attack which happened around 10pm on Tuesday, Cable reports.

Witnesses in the area said the gunmen invaded the market in a white Sienna vehicle and opened fire on the people.

“The gunmen were in a white Sienna vehicle. As they arrived at the market, they just opened fire and shot dead three people and several others were wounded from the gunshots, the three people died immediately,” a witness said.

Also narrating the incident, another witness said: “Nobody knows why they attacked the market, they arrived and started shooting at the people sporadically, people scampered for safety, some people fell on top of each other.”

The South-East region has been plagued with insecurity over the past few months as gunmen with unknown identities have been clashing with security agencies, leading to several deaths.

Many lives have been lost to these attacks while properties, owned by the government and private individuals, have also been destroyed by the assailants.

BREAKING: Court Adjourns IPOB Leader, Kanu's Trial To January 19, 2021

The trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has been adjourned to the 19th and 20th of January 2022.

Kanu had informed the judge, Justice Binta Nyako that the Department of State Services operative refused to grant his lawyer access to the court room, BBC Pidgin reports. 

He had earlier protested the refusal of the DSS to allow some of his lawyers access into the Court.

SaharaReporters learnt that the DSS brought Kanu into the courtroom at 9:52am.

The IPOB leader made his third court appearance since June when the security agents repatriated him to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, some groups were seen outside the court protesting the death of Ahmed Gulak.

Recall that in May, Gulak who was a former Special Adviser on Politics to the then President, Goodluck Jonathan, was killed by gunmen in Owerri, Imo State.

Kanu, who was re-arraigned before trial Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, is facing a seven-count amended treasonable felony charge the Federal Government preferred against him.

The Nigerian government had in the amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, which was signed by a team of government lawyers led by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr. M. B. Abubakar, alleged that Kanu had in furtherance of an act of terrorism, issued a deadly threat that anyone that flouted his sit-at-home order should write his or her will.

The Nigerian government alleged that as a result of Kanu’s directive, banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, fuel stations were not opened for businesses, with vehicular movements grounded in the South East region of the country.

It said the action amounted to an offence contrary to and punishable under 1(2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

The Nigerian government equally lined up five witnesses to testify in the matter, among whom are officials of the DSS and one Ronald S. who was identified as the manager of a hotel in Lagos State.

BREAKING: Many Feared Killed As Bandits Launch House-To-House Raid In Buhari’s Home State

Many people are feared killed and properties burnt down in fresh attacks on communities in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, Daily Trust reports.

The attack, which reportedly began Tuesday evening and lasted into the early hours of Wednesday, saw dozens of houses including government structures and vehicles set ablaze.

Witnesses said no fewer than five communities were struck by the armed men, where a yet to be ascertained number of people were either killed or injured.

“In each of the communities invaded, the gunmen fired sporadically into the air to register their presence before going from house to house, looting victims of valuables and harassing residents,” a source was quoted as saying.

There were speculations that one of the victims killed in the attack was lawyer, one Barr. Nura Hassan Wagine.

The source added that several of the victims were trying to escape from the onslaught of the marauding gunmen when they sustained injuries.

When contacted, the Member representing Batsari in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Jabir Yauyau, said he heard about the unfortunate incidents, but still gathering information about what actually happened.

He added that details of what happened would be difficult to get for now, because of the lack of telecommunication network in the area.

“It is confirmed that the attack took place, but the casualties and the extent of damage caused is not yet known, especially because of the lack of mobile network in the area.”

“I am told about the majority of those killed. They are people I know personally, but I still need to confirm. I am trying to ascertain what actually happen because I am going to move a motion on matters of public importance in the house, but I have to get the actual thing,” he said.

Katsina, despite being the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari has witnessed sporadic attacks by bandits and kidnappers that have claimed the lives of many.

Over 700 people have been reportedly killed by the gunmen in Jibia, Kankara, Dutsinma, Musawa, Danmusa and Safana local government areas of the state in the last five months.

Woman dies after husband set their Lagos home ablaze during fight

Punch reported that the woman succumbed to the injuries she sustained after their house at Ifesowapo Street, Asolo-Agbede, in Ikorodu area of Lagos State was set on fire by her husband, after their argument degenerated into a physical fight.

The woman identified simply as Ebere was locked inside the apartment by her husband, before setting it ablaze. She was said to be shouting and writhing in pain when her husband, who could no longer bear his wife’s cry, attempted to open the door.

The intensity of the fire caught up with the man when he opened the house, and it was learnt that Ebere who suffered severe burns on her chest, hand and other parts of her body died at a hospital she was rushed to.

A neighbour who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was sitting at his passage when Ebere suddenly ran downstairs, sat on the floor and wriggled in pain on October 9, 2021.

The neighbor said “We only saw that her hands were burnt; she was telling us to rush her to a hospital. So, we rushed her to the Aduraking Hospital and Maternity. It was when we got there that I discovered that her chest was also burnt. From there, she was referred to the Ikorodu General Hospital.

“The hospital used an ambulance to convey her to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment. After struggling for survival, she died a week after being hospitalised at LASUTH.

“Since then, we have not seen her husband. We learnt that he was also burnt and was receiving treatment in another hospital. No one knew anything was happening until his wife rushed downstairs with burnt hands. I don’t know the cause of the fight, but I have been reading different stories online."

A Toyota Camry car reportedly belonging to Ebere’s husband was parked in front of the couple’s residence after the fight, and a resident of the area told the publication that the fight between the couple bordered on allegations of infidelity.

Nigerian Government Regulates Social Media To Prevent World War 3 – Lai Mohammed

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says the next World War will be caused by fake news, noting that his agitation for social media regulation in Nigeria is to prevent another global war.

Mohammed, who stressed that the platforms spread fake information, made this known on Monday, while defending his ministry’s 2022 budget before the House of Representatives’ committee on information and national orientation.

Lai Mohammed

The minister explained that Nigerians had deserted the old means of disseminating information by embracing the "unseen enemy,” the social media.

He said the Buhari regime would always be criticized if it refused to take adequate measures to regulate the social media content.

“With fake news today and misinformation, I have always said here that the next world war will be caused by fake news.

“Information is not what it used to be, 20 to 30 years ago if the state or federal government had a television or radio and probably a newspaper; that was what we needed.

“The people today, they don’t read newspapers, they don’t watch television, it’s social media. And it is most expensive; the most unseen enemy, they are there every moment, and until we go to the same battlefield with them, there is nothing the government will do that will seem right," he added.

2023: I Can Fix Nigeria’s Problems In Less Than 365 Days If Elected President – Yahaya Bello

 

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has boasted that he needs not more than 365 days to resolve Nigeria’s problems and challenges if he is elected president in 2023.

Bello, who has not hidden his aspiration to take over from Buhari in 2023 said Nigeria’s problems are surmountable if the leader has the willpower to take action.

He went ahead to identify the major problems facing the country which he listed as insecurity, corruption, mismanagement, and others.

The Kogi Governor however assured that there are solutions which are not far-fetched for all of these problems.

Governor Bello expressed his views while speaking at the 17th Nigeria Guild of Editor’s Conference in Abuja on Friday with the theme “Media in Times of Crises: Resolving Conflict and Achieving Consensus”.

“It won’t take more than 365 days to fix issues of insecurity, corruption, mismanagement among others in the country,” he boasted.

Adding that “From what I have come to realize and know, it takes a decisive, courageous, safe-minded and balanced leader to be able to fix this country once and for all. And to get this done, require the collaboration, understanding and restaking agenda-setting of the media to educate, sensitize and teach our people on the choice of the next leader,”

In a related development, ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State said he has all the qualities needed to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

During an appearance on Arise TV programme on Monday, Bello stated that he is ready to take over from President Buhari considering his good track record in his state.

According to the governor, his followers are calling him to run for the highest office in the country due to his achievements in Kogi in the past six years.

Bello added that becoming the President will serve the interest of the people of Kogi state, Nigerians, Africa and even the black race.

The Kogi governor, however, rejected calls for zoning and rotational presidency, adding that Nigeria needs a competent leader who can unite Nigerians and solve the problems facing the country.

BREAKING: NRC suspends train services on Abuja-Kaduna route [PHOTOS]

 

The Nigeria Railway Corporation has suspended indefinitely train services along the Abuja –Kaduna route.

The NRC in a statement on its website on Thursday said the services were suspended for the safety of passengers and crew members.

According to the corporation efforts were being put in place to ensure absolute safety along the route.

It added that further information concerning the suspension will be conveyed to the public shortly.

Eid-ul-Maulud: Nigerian govt declares Tuesday as public holiday

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, October 19,  as Public Holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Maulud Celebration in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made this declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Muslim faithful both at home and in the Diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.

He admonished all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience and perseverance which are the virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), adding that doing so would guarantee peace and security in the country.

Mr Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to refrain from violence, lawlessness and other acts of criminality. As the indisputable leader of our race, we must show responsible leadership in Africa.

“While calling for a stop to all divisive tendencies across the country, the Minister urges all Nigerians and the youth in particular, to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class and ethnicity and cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari’s led-Administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable nation that all citizens would be proud of,” Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, disclosed in a statement on Friday.

Police to deploy over 34,000 officers for Anambra election

THE Nigerian Police Force said it would deploy more than 34,000 of its officers to provide security during the November 6 Anambra governorship election.

This was stated by the Inspector-General of Police Usman Baba during a meeting with officers on Thursday.

The IGP said the deployment would consist of conventional Police officers, Police Mobile Force, the Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Forces, Explosive Ordnance Unit, Force Intelligence Bureau, Interpol, Special Protection Unit, and a medical team.

He said three helicopters would be deployed for aerial surveillance while detachments of marine Police operatives would also be handy to ensure a safe, secure, and credible electoral process.

“Based on the outcome of the analysis, we have developed a strategic election security operation plan which will involve the mobilisation of 34,587 police personnel,” he said.

He assured all citizens and stakeholders, including the international community, of the Police’s determination to work with other security agencies to stabilise the prevailing situation in Anambra.

He said the idea was to create a conducive and enabling environment that would guarantee the peaceful conduct of the election.

Baba said the Police were committed to partnering with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within the dictates of the Electoral Act to deliver a credible election in Anambra.

He warned disruptors and political actors who would want to adopt undemocratic and illegal means to achieve their aspirations to do away with such plans.

Baba also called on the commissioners of Police to strengthen security architecture in their commands.

INEC had expressed concern over what it described as escalating security threats in Anambra ahead of the election.

INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, who expressed the concern at an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) last week Tuesday in Abuja, had said that during the last ICCES quarterly meeting on September 9, a major concern was raised by the committee on the security situation in the state and the adjoining states.

He said the concern was raised on how the situation might affect preparations and possibly the conduct of the election.

He said that the situation had deteriorated since the last meeting, as many innocent lives had been lost and properties destroyed in the state.

Yakubu said that INEC was particularly concerned about the safety of voters and election duty staff, including security officials who had also become targets of the attacks.

He said that INEC was also concerned about the safety of thousands of young Nigerians from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and university students who were to be engaged in the conduct of the election.

Yakubu, while assuring that the process of the election would proceed as scheduled, said that INEC would continue to work with security agencies and respected opinion leaders in the state to ensure the success of the election.