Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Home Blog Page 39

Rotary, NSCDC Partner To Boost Security And Healthcare In FCT

0

Over 600 residents of Guzape and Piyakasa communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have benefited from a two-day medical and security outreach organised by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Abuja City, District 9127, and private health organisations.

The programme, valued at over ₦10 million, provided free healthcare services including malaria and hepatitis testing, blood pressure and sugar checks, deworming for children, and eye examinations, with 200 residents receiving free eyeglasses.

Speaking at the event, NSCDC Commandant General, Olusola Odumosu—represented by Commander John Alaba Stephen—said the initiative was designed to strengthen both health and security awareness at the grassroots.

“Security is everyone’s business, and synergy between communities and security agencies is vital to tackle criminality,” he said.

Rotary Club President, Gloria Ikibah, noted that the project aligns with Rotary International’s focus areas such as peacebuilding, disease prevention, and maternal and child health. “Through healthcare and security awareness, we are empowering families to live healthier and safer lives,” she stated.

Medical Director of Silver Cross Hospitals, Dr Patrick Ezie, disclosed that cases treated ranged from hypertension, malaria, typhoid, and diabetes to skin infections. He urged residents to embrace regular health checks instead of waiting until illnesses worsen.

The Eye Care Aid Foundation also conducted screenings and provided free reading glasses, stressing the importance of routine eye examinations to prevent conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.

Chief of Guzape Community, Bitrus Yakubu, praised the initiative but appealed for a stronger security presence in surrounding villages like Badumatiri and Kobe, where kidnappings have been on the rise.

Residents expressed gratitude for the intervention, with beneficiaries like Lami Jiwa and Joseph Daniel describing the free treatment and eyeglasses as life-saving.

The outreach also featured support from Medplus Pharmacy and Dream Awake Empowering Initiative, with organisers pledging continued efforts to build safer and healthier communities across the FCT.

Enugu Police Debunk Rumoured Attack On DIG Frank Mba’s Country Home

0

The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that the country home of Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Frank Mba in Ezimo, Udenu Local Government Area, was attacked, with attempts made to kidnap his parents and relatives.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Command clarified that no such incident occurred. Instead, on September 18, 2025, at about 8 p.m., police operatives on routine patrol in the Ezimo community responded to a distress call and foiled an armed robbery attack.

During the confrontation, a police officer sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by the attending doctor.

One male suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently assisting the police in ongoing investigations, while efforts are underway to track down the fleeing assailants.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, commended the operatives for their swift response and urged them to intensify efforts in the manhunt. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling violent crimes and ensuring the safety of residents in Enugu State.

Integrity Youth Alliance Condemns Attack On Police Tactical Teams In Benue

0

The Integrity Youth Alliance has condemned the deadly attack on Police Tactical Teams by suspected armed herdsmen and local militias at Agu Centre, Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025, resulted in the death of three police officers, while seven others remain missing.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Danjuma Lamido, the group described the attack as “cruel, unwarranted, and an affront on the good people of Benue State who yearn for peace, stability, and security.”

The Alliance commended the Nigeria Police Force for its swift response, which has led to the arrest of six suspects linked to the attack. It also lauded the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Egbetokun for deploying additional tactical assets to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and the missing officers rescued.

According to the group, the IGP’s assurance that no stone will be left unturned in restoring peace and security in Benue and across the country has given citizens renewed confidence in the fight against criminality.

The Integrity Youth Alliance further called on the public to support the police by providing information that could aid in rescuing the missing officers and dismantling criminal networks responsible for such attacks.

The statement also expressed solidarity with the families of the slain officers, the Nigeria Police Force, and the people of Benue State.

Orelope-Adefulire Celebrates First Lady Oluremi Tinubu On Her Birthday

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has joined millions of Nigerians to celebrate the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, on the occasion of her birthday, describing her as a woman of vision, compassion, and exemplary leadership.

In a goodwill message, Orelope-Adefulire extolled Senator Tinubu’s enduring contributions to national development, her steadfast support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and her life of selfless service that continues to touch millions of lives.

She noted that as a three-term Senator, the First Lady championed numerous initiatives in education, health, youth empowerment, and women’s development, leaving behind a legacy of impactful representation. Today, as First Lady, she has continued to demonstrate outstanding leadership through programmes that promote inclusivity, support vulnerable groups, and inspire hope across the nation.

Orelope-Adefulire commended Senator Tinubu’s humanitarian spirit, reflected in her motherly care for widows, orphans, and the less privileged, as well as her consistent advocacy for gender equality and social justice. She highlighted that the First Lady’s initiatives resonate strongly with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in advancing quality education, healthcare delivery, poverty eradication, and social inclusion.

“Your Excellency, you are an inspiration to women, youth, and indeed all Nigerians. Your visionary leadership, rooted in compassion and service, has remained a beacon of light and a source of hope for our nation. You continue to demonstrate that leadership is not only about position, but about touching lives and building a better future for all,” Orelope-Adefulire stated.

She further prayed for Senator Tinubu’s continued strength, good health, wisdom, and divine grace to sustain her commitment to nation-building. “As you celebrate this milestone, may your days be filled with joy and fulfilment, and may God grant you many more years of fruitful service to humanity and our dear country,” she said.

The SSAP-SDGs concluded by wishing the First Lady a happy birthday, reaffirming that her legacy of service and compassion will continue to inspire generations to come.

Ondo 2024; Inside Agboola Ajayi’s Last-Minute Withdrawal At The Supreme Court

0

A Report by an Ondo based Group by Sunshine Centre for Justice and Development has faulted recent claims that the PDP Candidate in the last Ondo State Governorship election, Honorable Agboola Ajayi, withdrew his Petition against the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa from the Supreme Court, on the ground of Patriotism.

In a dramatic twist less than 24 hours before the Supreme Court was billed to deliver judgment on the keenly followed governorship dispute in Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Alfred Ajayi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 2024 gubernatorial election, suddenly announced the withdrawal of his appeal against the victory of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

The decision, though dressed in the robes of patriotism, has sent shockwaves across political and legal circles, with fresh revelations now emerging about the controversial legal journey Ajayi embarked upon since his defeat at the polls, and the desperate behind-the-scenes efforts to manipulate the judicial process in his favour.

From Tribunal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, it was A Desperate Odyssey. The November 2024 election in Ondo State produced a clear and overwhelming victory for Governor Aiyedatiwa, who coasted to power with a margin that observers described as “undisputable.” But Agboola Ajayi, former Deputy Governor of the state and PDP flagbearer, refused to concede.

Within weeks, he approached the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, citing alleged irregularities and demanding the nullification of Aiyedatiwa’s victory. When the tribunal dismissed his petition for lack of merit, Ajayi swiftly proceeded to the Court of Appeal. Recall, that it wasn’t the first time that Ajayi desperately approached the court, to sabotage the electoral victory of Aiyedatiwa, having earlier dragged the then candidate Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Dr Olaide Adelami before the high court through to the Supreme Court, over their qualifications, to stand as candidates in the election, another futile journey which ended in a letdown.

In May 2025, the appellate court upheld the tribunal’s ruling, reiterating that the PDP candidate had failed to substantiate his allegations. Still undeterred, Ajayi escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, the last bus stop in Nigeria’s judicial hierarchy. The apex court fixed September 17, 2025, as the date for judgment. But, to the shock of many, Ajayi abruptly filed a notice of withdrawal on September 16, a day before the ruling.

Exclusive findings reveal that Ajayi’s withdrawal was not driven by patriotic concern, but rather by the exhaustion of his options after multiple failed attempts to manipulate the judicial process.

Sources with knowledge of the matter disclosed that the former deputy governor liquidated at least two prime properties in Abuja, one located in the upscale Asokoro District and another twin properties in the Mabushi area, to bankroll what insiders described as “backdoor engagements” with judicial middlemen. He also received funds from a northern ex-service chief and a PDP governor all in vendetta to unseat Governor Aiyedatiwa at all costs.

Their desperation, according to those familiar with the case, was driven by the conviction that only through heavy financial inducement could he secure a favourable ruling overturning Governor Aiyedatiwa’s landslide victory and paint him, unpopular and inexperienced.

While Ajayi’s withdrawal has been widely hailed in some quarters as an act of statesmanship, observers argue that such praise is misplaced. Shockingly, even senior members of the Aiyedatiwa administration, including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who had initially called on Ajayi and other petitioners to withdraw their petitions, were quick to innocently commend the move, describing it as a patriotic sacrifice to end litigation and allow governance to thrive.

But investigations suggest otherwise. Ajayi did not bow out of magnanimity, he was forced into retreat after repeatedly hitting brick walls in his bid to compromise the judiciary. In fact, his legal team were to be sanctioned for bringing a frivolous appeal but for the withdrawal, yet the Supreme Court despite the withdrawal tongue tongue-lashed his lawyer for disturbing the peace of the justices. The much-celebrated withdrawal, therefore, is nothing more than a tactical retreat dressed in patriotic colours.

This episode once again shows a disturbing political culture in which public office is seen as a business enterprise rather than a call to serve. For Agboola Ajayi, the governorship contest was less about the people of Ondo State and more about personal ambition, fueled by the willingness to gamble millions of naira, even at the risk of selling prized assets, and dine with the devils just to secure power.

Ondo State citizens, particularly those in positions of public trust, must resist the urge to romanticise Ajayi’s decision. Instead, the focus should shift to exposing the ignoble roles played by desperate politicians who attempt to hold the democratic process hostage.

With the withdrawal and eventual dismissal of the appeal, by the Supreme Court, the 2024 Ondo governorship election litigation chapter has been conclusively closed. Governor Aiyedatiwa can now fully focus on governance without the distraction of legal fireworks.

Yet, as history records this episode, it must also note the dangerous lengths some politicians are willing to go in pursuit of power. The people of Ondo deserve leaders who see politics as service, not an investment to be recouped through manipulation and compromise.

In the final analysis, Ajayi’s withdrawal should not be mistaken for patriotism, it is a forced and shameful surrender, the inevitable consequence of desperation meeting immovable and incorruptible justice.

Two Brazil Returnees Excrete 116 Wraps Of Heroin, Cocaine In NDLEA Custody

0

…… Businesswoman conceals 1.40kg meth in butt pad underwear as Agency intercepts illicit drug shipments in phone chargers, food items going to Europe, Hong Kong at Lagos airport; large consignments of skunk, opioid in Zamfara, Adamawa

Two Brazil returnees: Ofoma Sunday and Ukachukwu Frank Ikechukwu have excreted a total of 116 wraps of heroin and cocaine they ingested after days in observatory custody following their arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

According to a press release on Sunday 21st September 2025, NDLEA Director, Media & Publicity, Femi Babafemi, One of the suspects, 46-year-old Ofoma was arrested on Tuesday 16th September 2025 at terminal 2 of the Lagos airport upon his arrival from Laos, Brazil on an Ethiopian airlines flight. He was taken for body scan which confirmed ingestion of illicit drugs. Ofoma had left Nigeria for Brazil on 3rd September to courier the consignment to Lagos for a reward of $2,500 upon successful delivery.

A swift follow-up operation was conducted at Eliata Hotel in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos where Ofoma was instructed to meet Nweke Jude Chuckwudi who was designated to oversee the excretion of the drugs at the hotel and recover them. The 55-year-old Nweke was arrested in the process. A total of 111 wraps of heroin weighing 1.452 kilograms were egested in eight excretions by Ofoma.

Similarly, another Brazil returnee Ukachukwu Frank Ikechukwu, was arrested at the Lagos airport during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines passengers from Brazil via Addis Ababa on Friday 19th September. He was taken for body scan which confirmed illicit drug insertion. Under excretion observation, Ukachukwu expelled five big wraps of cocaine weighing 145 grams.

In his statement, he confessed to have bought nine wraps of the class A drug in Brazil and inserted all into his anus, a process he claimed took him nearly two hours. During his transit through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, he said he began to experience severe anal pain and decided to remove the wraps from his body. He stated that in an attempt to meet up with his connecting flight to Nigeria, he could only manage to reinsert seven wraps, after which he flushed the remaining two wraps in a toilet.
The suspect revealed that while on board his flight to Nigeria, he felt pressed and uncomfortable, which compelled him to use the lavatory. During the process, he expelled an additional two wraps, leaving him with only five wraps in his anus. He claimed to have been into clothing business before traveling to Brazil in 2017. In 2020, he moved to the United States, where he was arrested for immigration offence and was detained for over a year before being deported to Nigeria in 2022.

In March 2025, he returned to Brazil, where he currently works, having already obtained a Brazilian residence permit.

Meanwhile, a businesswoman Okolonkwo Ebere Theresa was on Sunday 14th September taken into custody after Aviation Security Officers of FAAN in collaboration with NDLEA operatives attached to the screening point of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport arrested her for concealing illicit drug in her underwear while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Doha, Qatar.

After a thorough search, two big parcels of white crystalline substance that later tested positive to methamphetamine with a gross weight of 1.40 kilograms were recovered from her butt pad underwear. During preliminary interview with Ebere, she claimed she trades in used clothing and also operates a POS business in Enugu where she was recruited into the illicit drug business.
At the NAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives on Monday 15th September intercepted a consignment of food items used to conceal 40 wraps of methamphetamine with a total weight of 2.30 kilograms heading to Hong Kong via Turkish Airlines. A 59-year-old suspect, Umelo Ifeanyi Venatus, who presented the consignment as part of a consolidated cargo, has been taken into custody.

Another consignment of illicit drug packaged for Europe was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos on Thursday 18th September. During a thorough examination of the shipment, seven pieces of phone charger going to New Zealand were found to contain 257 grams of cocaine.

In Adamawa, no fewer than 233,800 pills of tramadol were recovered by NDLEA operatives in three raids with two suspects arrested in parts of the state. A total of 195,600 pills of the opioid were recovered from an abandoned Toyota Sienna vehicle in Mayo Belwa area of Yola South on Wednesday 17th September, while a suspect Rita Zira was nabbed in Jambutu area of Jimeta Yola with 27,900 pills of tramadol discovered in her bedroom. Another suspect, Halilu Abubakar, 22, was arrested with 10,300 pills of same substance by NDLEA officers at Namtari checkpoint, Yola on Saturday 20th September.

No less than 109 bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 1,099.4 kilograms were seized from a suspect Hammed Danladi Aliyu, 40, by NDLEA operatives supported by members of the Community Protection Guards (CPG) along Gummi-Daki Takwas road, Zamfara state while conveying the consignment in a Mitsubishi Canter truck marked LRN 568XB to a village called Company in Gummi LGA on Saturday 20th September.

While two suspects: Babangida Usman and Ismail Ibrahim were arrested with 14, 000 capsules of tramadol along Damaturu-Potiskum road, Yobe state, NDLEA operatives in Taraba on Wednesday 17th September 17 nabbed Anas Hamisu, 28, with three sacks of skunk that weighed 25.525kg, at Garba-Chede, Bali LGA.

In Edo state, two cannabis farms on 4.532025 hectares located at Atororo forest in Owan West LGA with an estimated yield of 11,330.0625kg were on Wednesday 17th September destroyed by NDLEA officers who also recovered eleven bags of processed skunk and seeds weighing 148kg. Suspects arrested at the plantations include: Mathew Onoja, 56; Moses Thomas Male, 18; and Friday Uchenjin, 38.

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Sultan Abdulrahman College of Health Technology, Gwadabawa, Sokoto; Sarki Abdul Primary School, Dankama border town, Katsina; Government Secondary School, Gwaram, Jigawa; St. Mary Junior Secondary School, North Bank Makurdi, Benue; and Ummulkhair Islamiyya, Tudun Wada, Kano, while Zone 11 Command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to Enugu State First Lady Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, among others.

“These arrests and seizures represent a significant milestone in our determined effort to dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in Nigeria and around the world, prioritizing those bent on targeting our productive youth population with illicit substances until they’re no longer able to inflict harm on our communities or misrepresent our country’s image in the global space”, said the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Adamawa, Zamfara, Edo, Taraba, and Yobe Commands for the various successful operations. He enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

NDA 47 Regular Combatant Course Holds 30th Reunion Anniversary In Abuja

0

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 47 Regular Combatant Course has marked its 30th reunion anniversary, three decades after its members joined the military.

The celebrations opened with a fitness walk in Abuja, from Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment and back, with senior officers and their families participating.

Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, Commodore Ahmad Abubakar Madawaki, described the gathering as historic, noting that it was the first time members were meeting since leaving the Academy.

The three-day programme includes a Juma’at service, family hangouts, sporting events, a health talk, and an annual general meeting, culminating in a reunion dinner. The first Commandant of the course, Air Marshal Alamin Dagash, is expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour.

Commodore Madawaki also conveyed his best wishes to course members for continued career success, promotions, good health, and lasting friendship.

The reunion will conclude on Sunday with a thanksgiving church service.

Northern Governors Celebrate First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu At 65

0

The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has joined the first family, friends and well-wishers across Nigeria and beyond in celebrating the graceful and impactful life of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, CON, on the occasion of her 65th birthday, today.

In a goodwill message, on behalf of his fellow Governors from the Northern region, Governor Inuwa Yahaya paid glowing tribute to the First Lady, describing her as a symbol of dignity and a true matriarch of the nation whose quiet strength and compassion continue to inspire hope and touch lives across the length and breadth of the country.

He extolled her decades of public service; first as a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic and now as Nigeria’s First Lady, noting that her life has been marked by uncommon devotion to uplifting the vulnerable, amplifying the voices of the unheard and building bridges of unity and compassion.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya particularly praised Remi Tinubu’s humanitarian projects under the “Renewed Hope Initiative”, which he noted, have brought succour to thousands of women, children and families in need.

He also commended the first lady’s unflinching support for her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, describing her role as a quiet force behind the presidency, offering counsel, and grace as the nation navigates the path toward progress and renewal.

The Northern Governors Forum, he stressed, remains committed to working closely with the Presidency and the Office of the First Lady in championing programmes that promote national unity and social welfare.

On this special occasion, Governor Inuwa Yahaya offered prayers for the first lady, saying: “As you mark your 65th year of a life well lived in the service of God and humanity, may the Almighty, in His infinite mercy, continue to bless you with good health, renewed strength and many more years of purposeful service to our dear nation.”

South West Youth Alliance Counters Wike’s Allegations Against CP Akin Fakorede

0

The South West Youth Alliance has dismissed recent allegations made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against CP Akin Fakorede, Head of the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Adenike Ajanlekoko, the group described Wike’s claims as “false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of a dedicated police officer.”

According to the Alliance, CP Fakorede, during his service as Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State, never brutalized law-abiding residents but focused his operations strictly on criminals and violent gangs. His efforts, the group noted, contributed significantly to restoring peace and security in the state.

The statement further alleged that Wike’s hostility toward CP Fakorede stemmed from the officer’s refusal to accept financial inducements to compromise electoral integrity in Rivers State. “CP Fakorede’s rejection of billions of naira in inducement remains the true genesis of Wike’s ceaseless attacks,” the Alliance said. 

It added that contrary to Wike’s claims, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) never indicted CP Fakorede for misconduct. The group challenged the minister to produce any INEC report to back his allegations, stressing that Fakorede was neither an electoral officer nor the Rivers State Commissioner of Police during elections.

Highlighting his professional record, the Alliance described CP Fakorede as a lawyer and a disciplined officer whose appointment as head of the IGP Monitoring Unit was a clear endorsement of his competence and integrity.

The group also clarified that Fakorede has not taken sides in the River Park Estate dispute or any other matter, insisting that his record remains unblemished.

The South West Youth Alliance urged Nigerians to disregard Wike’s allegations, which it said were rooted in “bitterness against Fakorede’s principled stand against corruption and electoral malpractice.”

NITDA Trains 3,600 Teachers, Launches Master Trainer Programme To Deepen Digital Literacy Nationwide

0

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has taken a major step in advancing digital education across Nigeria by training 3,600 teachers under its flagship initiative, Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL).

The programme, which began with over two weeks of intensive virtual training, entered its physical phase on September 18, 2025, in Abuja. Teachers drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are undergoing a two-day hands-on session designed to strengthen their digital teaching capacity.

Organised in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), the initiative aims to equip educators at both basic and secondary school levels with the skills required to deliver education relevant to the digital age.

A key highlight of the Abuja training is the introduction of a train-the-trainer model, which empowers selected participants as Master Trainers. These Master Trainers will cascade the knowledge acquired to thousands of teachers in their respective states and communities, amplifying the programme’s reach and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Participants have lauded the initiative for its transformative impact. Tanko Abdulkareem, a teacher from Kuje Area Council, described the training as “a transformative experience” that would enhance his classroom delivery and help him support colleagues. Similarly, Muhammad Ademu from the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) praised it as “a timely and life-changing intervention” for repositioning Nigeria’s education sector in line with the realities of the 21st-century digital economy.

Other beneficiaries, including Bamidele Gbenga Samuel of Government Secondary School, Gwagwalada, and Miss Veronica Miapie of the FCT Secondary Education Board, stressed that digital literacy is now a necessity rather than a luxury for teachers and students alike. They commended NITDA and its partners for prioritising educators’ capacity-building, noting its long-term benefits for Nigeria’s education system.

Through its Digital Literacy and Capacity Building (DLCB) department, NITDA has continued to drive initiatives that expand access to digital knowledge nationwide. The DL4ALL initiative is a central component of the Agency’s broader mandate to align Nigeria with global technology trends and prepare citizens for participation in a knowledge-driven economy.