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Tanzanian Singer, Juma Jux, wins award at 17thHeadies

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Tanzanian Singer, Juma Jux, wins award at 17thHeadies

Tanzanian Singer, Juma Mkambala, popularly known as Juma Jux, has clinched the award of the Best East African Artiste of the Year at the 17th Headies Award on Sunday.

The artiste who recently tied the knot with Priscilla, daughter of Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, in a glamoriousceremony has captured the hearts of many Nigerians with his songs.

Jux who also performed his hit songs ‘God’s Design’ and ‘Ololufe Mi’ serenaded the audience and viewers of event.

The Headies Awards, known for celebrating excellence in the Nigerian music industry, returned to Nigeria this year after two consecutive editions in Atlanta, Georgia.

PDP has described mass defection involving Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, other elected and party leaders in Delta to the APC as painful and disappointing

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PDP has described mass defection involving Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, other elected and party leaders in Delta to the APC as painful and disappointing

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described mass defection involving Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, other elected and party leaders in Delta to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as painful and disappointing.

Acting National Chairman of PDP, Umar Damagum, made this known in Abuja at a ceremony for the issuance of Certificate of Return to Jude Ezenwafor, the party governorship candidate for Anambra Governorship election.
Mr Damagum described the mass defection as disappointing given the kind of support the party gave to the state.

“It is very sad and unfortunate because to me, if there’s any state that should think that way, not Delta, because the party is very magnanimous.
“I thank God that in their message, they didn’t say that the party did anything wrong to them other than good.

“It’s a decision taken by them, but the pains will be in us not because of anything, but because we gave Delta all our support, from the emergence of the governor to his predecessor, who also doubled as our vice presidential candidate.

“We least expected this action from them. All the same, this is a party that have seen more than that, but it’s still standing,” he said.
Mr Damagum noted that the party leadership was taking stock to set up a caretaker committee for the party in the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to say, we’ll take over our structures immediately,” he said.

He said that the election in 2027, would not be about how many governors a party has but it will be about Nigerians.
Mr Damagum urged all party members to close ranks and rescue Nigeria, saying no challenge is insurmountable.

He congratulated Mr Ezenwafor for emerging as the party’s candidate in Anambra, express confidence of victory in the election.

“I want to encourage you. You have started well. From the evolution of the state executive to your emergence as our candidate.

“I think what you need to do is to go back and consolidate. I’m going to make sure that everyone is back on board. I assure you of our total support and commitment,’’ Mr Damagum said.

In his remarks, Mr Ezenwafor expressed optimism that he would win the state election, describing Anambra as a PDP state.

“All of us contesting the governorship election in Anambra State today, including the serving governor were once governorship aspirants within the PDP but as a bridge-builder, I will consolidate and move forward,” Ezenwafor said.

He pledged to tackle insecurity in Anambra.
“As a former senior special assistant to the governor on security, I will not take things for granted.

Mr Ezenwafor was accompanied by his wife, members of in PDP State Working Committee Anambra and campaign officials, among others.


NAN

I never had chance to advise Tinubu – Baba-Ahmed

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I never had chance to advise Tinubu – Baba-Ahmed

Immediate past special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on political affairs, office of the Vice President, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has shared his experience serving under the current administration.

In a video circulating online, Mr Baba-Ahmed said he was rendered idle and never had the opportunity to advise the president as his role specified.

He said he couldn’t in good conscience continue to serve in a government that does not recognise his values and experience.

“It was President Bola Tinubu who appointed me as his special adviser in the [office of the vice president]. 

“My job description demands that I advise the president through the vice president,” he said.

The former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum added that, “Unfortunately, I was in the government for over a year and some months but never had the opportunity to meet or advise the president.
“Everything I had seen or foresaw to advise and offer suggestions was just between me and Kashim Shettima [Vice President].
“I understand how the politics of the Nigerian presidency is structured.
“Vice President offices are mostly like observers who only watch and see how things are done.
“They are not mostly involved in decision-making.
“And if you made attempts to directly engage, you might be accused of having ulterior motives. 
“That is the tradition, and it doesn’t start under the current administration.

“I have worked with the federal government for 22 years, and most of my years of service were in the Villa.

Some I’m conversant with in the power play there.”

He added that, “when I noticed the situation and began to complain to the Vice President about my plight, I told him I came with clear intention after he had invited me to come join the administration; they said they needed people like us to advise them, caution and offer guidance.
“But I have realised that this is not what’s going on.

“We came in and sat idly. But I endured for a while so that I won’t be accused of impatience.

“And I thought that a lot of things were not going on right , and if I continue staying, I don’t have the means to correct anything.
“Because they don’t even recognise our existence to even seek our advice on the way forward. It was as though we were not there to help.
“To some people it might mean nothing, but for me it’s a big deal. I came to be a part of the process that would repair the damages done to the country by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. 
“Buhari caused severe damage to this country and the northern region.

“And my job is not to sit and be lamenting all the time. That’s why when I was criticising the Buhari administration, people who didn’t know me much thought that was my forte… I have served in the government and held several positions, so I can be redundant.”

He said there was a lot of advice he would have to offer to the president that would uplift the Northern region.

He also said the administration has not done anything meaningful to address the challenges facing the Northern region.
“We haven’t seen evidence that they are repairing the North and there is no proof that they have plans to mitigate the issues plaguing the region”, he added.

A magistrate’s court at Rijiyar Zaki, Kano, has convicted and sentenced Inuwa Ayuba to two months imprisonment with an option of fine for illegally felling seven neem trees

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A magistrate’s court at Rijiyar Zaki, Kano, has convicted and sentenced Inuwa Ayuba to two months imprisonment with an option of fine for illegally felling seven neem trees

A magistrate’s court at Rijiyar Zaki, Kano, has convicted and sentenced Inuwa Ayuba to two months imprisonment with an option of fine for illegally felling seven neem trees in Sarauniya village, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area.

According to the prosecution counsel, Bahijja H. Aliyu, a monitoring team from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change acted swiftly on a tip-off about the illegal activity. The team apprehended the culprit, gathered evidence, and presented the case before the court.
The convict’s action violated Kano State’s Environmental, Forestry, and Pollution Control Laws, which prohibit tree felling without prior authorization, alongside regulations against pollution and open defecation.

After reviewing the evidence, the court found the defendant guilty, sentencing him to either two months in prison or payment of a fine. Additionally, he was ordered to plant 14 neem trees as part of his penalty.

Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dahir Hashim, commended the ministry’s enforcement team and the judiciary for their commitment to protecting the environment.

“The conviction serves as a strong deterrent to those harming our environment,” Dr. Hashim stated.

“We will continue to safeguard our natural resources for the well-being of current and future generations,” the commissioner said.

The ministry, in a statement by its spokesman, Ismail Gwammaja, urges all residents to comply with environmental regulations and report any acts of environmental degradation to the appropriate authorities.

Police Command in Oyo State on Saturday said it has uncovered a human trafficking syndicate in Ibadan, rescuing its 83 victims

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Police Command in Oyo State on Saturday said it has uncovered a human trafficking syndicate in Ibadan, rescuing its 83 victims

The Police Command in Oyo State on Saturday said it has uncovered a human trafficking syndicate in Ibadan, rescuing its 83 victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan.
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Mr Osifeso said that the rescued victims were made up of 57 males and 26 females, including an infant.

He, however, said further investigation into the incident was ongoing, promising to update the public accordingly.

NAN gathered that the victims were rescued from a residential building in Orogun area of Ibadan, where they had allegedly been held for an undisclosed period.

According to an anonymous source, the victims, believed to be nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo, were allegedly brought to Nigeria under the false pretence of securing employment opportunities.

The source alleged that the traffickers extorted large sums of money in United States Dollars from the victims’ parents and relatives as part of an elaborate and deceitful scheme.

Buhari’s men can no longer deal with Tinubu, they want Jonathan back in 2027

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Buhari’s men can no longer deal with Tinubu, they want Jonathan back in 2027

Jibril Mustapha, President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and former President of Buhari Youth Organisation, BYO, on Sunday urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest 2027 presidential election.

Mr Mustapha, who made this call in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, said Jonathan should heed the call to run for the office of the president again.
“As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation believes that now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and support a candidate who can genuinely represent the interests of all Nigerians.

“We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider this call and to step forward as a candidate who can unite our country and lead us towards a brighter future.

“This appeal comes in light of the numerous challenges currently facing Nigeria, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and rampant banditry,” Mr Mustapha said.

According to him, there is the urgent need for a leader who embodies integrity, inclusivity, and a commitment to national unity.

Mr Mustapha added: “Nigeria is at a crossroads. We are grappling with significant issues that threaten our stability and progress.
“We need a leader who can bring all Nigerians together, regardless of their background.”

He said that the former Nigerian leader, during his tenure, demonstrated a commitment to democratic values and governance that prioritised the welfare of all citizens.

According to him, the group believes Jonathan has the vision and experience necessary lead Nigeria.
“His leadership style is one that fosters inclusivity and economic advancement, which is exactly what our nation needs at this critical juncture.
“Under Jonathan’s leadership, we can work towards restoring Nigeria’s lost glory on the international stage and within our own borders.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that BYO is a youth-based supporters of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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Mr Jonathan lost his second term ambition to Buhari in 2015 presidential election.

NAN recalls amidst the debate on whether Mr Jonathan was eligible to run again or not, having taken  oath of office twice as President,the Federal High Court in Bayelsa had in 2022 ruled that Jonathan could still contest the presidential election.

The presiding judge, Justice Dashen, who gave the judgement, held that Jonathan’s right could not be stopped by any retroactive law.

According to him, the 2007 general election produced the late Umaru Yar’Adua as president and not Jonathan, stressing that Section 137 could not have a retroactive effect to stop him from contesting for presidency.
The judge ruled that there was no presidential election conducted in the country in 2010 and Jonathan could not be deemed to have been sworn into the office of the president that year.

Farooq Kperogi: Nigeria’s Insecurity has hit Painfully close to home

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Farooq Kperogi: Nigeria’s Insecurity has hit Painfully close to home

By Farooq Kperogi

On April 21, as the clock struck 9 p.m., terror descended upon Desa, a tranquil town known officially as Ilesha Baruba, nestled in Kwara State’s Baruten Local Government. It’s just a few minutes away from my hometown. 

Masked in military fatigues, armed bandits shot sporadically at the town’s night market that was bustling with young men of different ethnicities having a good time and cold-bloodedly murdered eight innocent souls.

The terrorists began their rampage by brutally executing a Fulani man who was a member of the local vigilante. Multiple gunshots splattered his brains across the ground in a shockingly repellent spectacle of blood and tissue.

Five other Fulani people were gunned down. Tragically caught in the crossfire were also a Fon man from southern Benin Republic and a Baatonu native of the town.

What deepens the anguish is the apparent senselessness and inscrutability of it all. Eyewitness accounts said the assailants themselves were Fulani (based on the language they spoke). And they neither kidnapped nor stole.

Why did they kill fellow Fulani men? The Fon man and the Baatonu man appeared to be unintended targets. Was this just bloodthirsty nihilism? Did the Fulani men, who were integrated into the local community, betray the terrorists? Everyone is mystified.

Before April 21, though, the whole of Borgu had been gripped by paralyzing fears of the new terrorist group called Mahmuda. They had operated in Kebbi and Niger states and recently began to be seen in my part of Kwara State. In other words, they are now in all of what used to be collectively Borgu.

Borgu is a historic, multi-ethnic space, which comprises Baruten and Kaiama local governments in Kwara State, Borgu and Agwara local governments in Niger State, Bagudo and Dandi local governments in Kebbi State, and Borgou and Alibori departments (i.e., states) in Benin Republic.

It existed as a loose but powerful, storied, invincible, confederation of disparate kingdoms from the 1300s until the 1890s when Britain and France conquered and dismembered it.

Terrorists had been camped in the Kainji Lake National Park and in the part of Beninese portion Borgou that shares a boundary with Burkina Faso for more than a year. This year, they moved to Kaiama and parts of Yasikiru in Baruten LGA.

Efforts by residents to alert authorities initially brought hope when security forces raided terrorist hideouts and confiscated some of their weapons and equipment.

But rather than bringing relief, these actions incited vicious reprisals and transformed our communities into targets for heartrendingly sanguinary retaliation that spares no children, women, or the elderly. 

This week’s visit by Kwara State’s governor to Kaiama, intended as an assurance of protection, tragically became a catalyst for further bloodshed. Mere hours after his departure, terrorists punished the community with intensified violence and mercilessly murdered more innocent and helpless people.

Two days before the horrific events in Desa, ominous messages from the terrorists had spread across Baruten and Kaiama, imposing a curfew slated to begin at 10 p.m.

Yet even before it could be enforced, the terrorists struck unannounced, extinguished precious lives and spread dread. 

This escalation leaves the people of Borgu in a state of disabling siege and fear. They have been robbed of the peace they once cherished. 

My heart is broken beyond description. Borgu’s famed, time-honored tranquility now trembles beneath the weight of terror and grief. 

The urgency for decisive, meaningful action to restore safety and peace has never been more critical.

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Terrorists are bent on grabbing land from the victims in Benue State – Governor Cries out

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Terrorists are bent on grabbing land from the victims in Benue State – Governor Cries out

The Benue State Government has blamed the recent attacks on communities in the state on criminals bent on grabbing land from the victims.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Tersoo Kula, disclosed this while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.

He said the perpetrators, whom he described as terrorists, invade communities with motorcycles and AK-47, and carry out their gruesome acts with the aim of sending the residents out of their ancestral homes.

“What is happening in Benue State is rather unfortunate,” Kula said. 

“Some people have decided to organise themselves and plan criminal attacks on the state. From what we are seeing, they come with the intent to grab land,” Kula said.

The governor aide, who confirmed that the death toll from the attacks on communities in the Ukum and Logo local government areas had risen to 72, said the organised nature of the violence indicated an agenda beyond what was often reported as farmer-herder clashes.

He said, “They kill, maim, and chase people away from their ancestral homes, and then seek to occupy the lands left behind by the natives.

“This is not what you would call a farmer-herder clash. This is outright terrorism.”

Detailing the most recent wave of violence in the two local government areas, he said the attackers arrived from a neighbouring state in large numbers.

“They came on motorbikes, armed with AK-47 rifles, and attacked people in farms, markets, and even worship centers. That is why the death toll has risen to 72,” Kula added.

Jigawa Governor tells Nigerians not to defend themselves against terrorists, as massacre go unchallenged

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Jigawa Governor tells Nigerians not to defend themselves against terrorists, as massacre go unchallenged

Amid rising insecurity in parts of Nigeria, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has cautioned against calls for self-defence, warning that such a move could plunge the country into anarchy.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Governor Namadi responded to recent comments by retired General Theophilus Danjuma, who urged Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits and armed attackers, particularly in Benue and Plateau States.

General Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence, had argued that reliance on the government for protection was no longer tenable given the spate of violence and killings in the country.

“It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country,” Danjuma said during a public event in Takum, Taraba State, on Saturday.

But Governor Namadi rejected that approach, describing it as a dangerous path.

“He (T.Y. Danjuma) is a very senior security person, and his words deserve respect and analysis,” Namadi said. “But I think if you say citizens should be allowed to defend themselves, you’re causing anarchy. I don’t think we’ve reached that level yet.”

He argued that rather than encourage armed self-defence, the government at all levels must continue to strengthenNigeria’s security architecture.

“The government is doing its best in terms of security arrangements. If you allow the people to defend themselves, that means you are encouraging a crisis between farmers and herders,” the governor warned.

Namadi cited his administration’s approach to resolving the long-standing farmer-herder clashes in Jigawa State as a better alternative. According to him, when he assumed office, he prioritised non-violent conflict resolution strategies.

“When we came in, we decided to employ a lot of strategies and tactics, including dialogue,” he said. “We engaged traditional rulers, as well as representatives of both farmers and herders. We sat down, reached a consensus, and established standing committees to reconcile all parties.”

He added that these efforts helped halt a decades-long conflict:

“The people now understand that the 25 years spent fighting and killing each other were not worth it. Today, they are able to work, interact, and live together in peace.”

Tunde Bakare says Bola Tinubu should “stop playing God”

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Tunde Bakare says Bola Tinubu should “stop playing God”

Tunde Bakare, a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has decried the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government under President Bola Tinubu, asking the Nigerian leader to “stop playing God.”

Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), issued the warning in his state of the nation address delivered in the Lagos auditorium of his church on Sunday.

He raised the alarm over the state of affairs in the country, saying Nigeria is steering in the wrong direction.

“To the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under whose brand of politics the institution of legislative oversight is collapsing and our democracy is faced with an existential threat, I say: Mr. President, Nigeria is too delicate for this kind of politics,” the preacher said.

“If this state capture was what you meant by emi lo kan, it is an anti-climax that can only be counterproductive in the end. I urge you, Mr. President, to think deeply and reflect on these words: ‘No man is wise enough nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power.’ Please, stop playing God!”

“Mr. President, it is through your influence that the Nigerian National Assembly has become a haven for legislative rascality,” Bakare argued.

Recalling the recent activities of the National Assembly, including the approval of a state of emergency in Rivers, the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Bakare said the country’s legislative arm of government is now “an extension of the executive, grossly violating the principles of separation of powers, and rubber-stamping the whims and caprices of” President Tinubu’s office.

2600 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in attacks on 50 communities in two months in Benue

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2600 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in attacks on 50 communities in two months in Benue

Recent investigation by global human rights body, the Amnesty International Nigeria, has revealed a disturbing trend of violence in Benue State, where 2600 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in attacks on 50 communities between January 2023 and February 2024.

The attacks, carried out by armed bandits, have not only resulted in significant loss of life but have also displaced thousands of families, leaving them without access to basic necessities. 

According to the global human rights organisation, the insecurity has had a devastating impact on education, with at least 55 schools destroyed or closed down, leaving hundreds of children out of school. 

The findings highlight the urgent need for improved security measures and protection for vulnerable communities in Benue State. 

In a post shared on its X handle, the group said, “Our investigation shows that, a total of 2,600 persons, mostly women and children, were killed following attacks on 50 Benue communities between January 2023 and February 2024. 

“Apart from displacing thousands of families, at least 55 schools had been destroyed by armed bandits or closed down due to insecurity, leaving hundreds of children out of school.”

The organisation tasked Nigerian government and relevant authorities to take immediate action to address the root causes of the violence and ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.

Amnesty International Nigeria’s report serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of insecurity in the region and the need for sustained efforts to promote peace, stability, and human rights. 

Niger State, Umar Mohammed Bago, has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found wearing dreadlocks

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Niger State, Umar Mohammed Bago, has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found wearing dreadlocks

The Governor of Niger State, Umar Mohammed Bago, has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found wearing dreadlocks across the state, as part of a “broader crackdown on insecurity.”
This directive comes shortly after the governor announced a 12?hour ban on commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Kekenapep) in Minna, which will be in effect daily from 6pm to 6am.

The ban, effective immediately, is intended to address rising violence and gang activities within the state capital.
Governor Bago’s recent orders form part of a comprehensive strategy to curb criminality, with an emphasis on public safety and security. The ban on motorcycles and tricycles follows reports of killings and unrest linked to violent groups using these vehicles for their operations. 

He said, “Rascality in Minna anybody that you find with a dreadlock arrest him and barb his hair. I have given you much order the security agencies anybody anybody you find with a weapon deal with him as an armed robber so for parents warn your children warn your words from this moment is fire for fire any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger state we are going to come with the full force of power of the government and descend on you. 

“And any house found harboring criminals should be demolished over development National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other agencies clamp down on drug dealers zero percent tolerance in Niger states as the state is not for useless people.”

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