Shehu Sani, a former legislator from Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, recounted how he almost averted death when the train he boarded travelling the Kaduna-Abuja line was attacked on Thursday.
Sani claims that the train hit an explosion, which “broke the Kaduna-Abuja rail track” and that “it required a miracle for us to escape.”
Sani made the claim on his verified Twitter account, stating that a similar incidence occurred the day before.
“Terrorists detonated an explosion on the Kaduna-Abuja railway yesterday and opened fire on the train, killing the Engine Driver and the Tank. I was on board this morning when our train collided with another explosively wrecked rail track. Sani wrote, “It took a miracle for us to get out.”
The Nigeria Railway Corporation’s administration has yet to publish an official statement regarding the claimed occurrence.
The Chancellor of Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State, declared that the institution’s management has never borrowed money to carry out university projects or infrastructure development.
The Chancellor made the remarks in the University chapel in honor of the institution’s 19th Founder’s Day and 16th convocation, which will take place on Friday.
He credited God as the doer of the university’s grandeur, arguing that all the human forces operating there were only fronting for God, who was working behind the scenes as the finisher.
According to him; “19 years of no stress, no lack. This University can never go down as long as we appreciate the glory of the Lord.
“Awesome God, we have never recorded lack, no stress, never has staff salaries been delayed since inception and we have never borrowed in the execution of this project for 29 solid years,” he added.
Bishop Oyedepo attributed the constant infrastructural development and upgrade, local and international rankings, affiliations, research grants, research work patenting and the numerous achievement recorded by the University to the glory of God since 19 years of its establishment.
“What you are seeing at Covenant University is that we knew ourselves while God has continued to work behind the scene.
“We are what we are, we are where we are and all gratitude goes to God. Every breakthrough is the product of the work God has been doing behind the scene. ” Behind every standing building, it is God working in the background,” he added.
Dr. Oyedepo said trusting in God that the university would never go down, saying, in several years of University education in Nigeria, Covenant University that commenced operations on 21st October 2002 has taken the front row through the grace of God and rub shoulders as a world-class institution within and outside the country.
He expressed appreciation to God for bringing the university to where it is today, saying the wherewithal and gratitude goes to the creator.
“Covenant University is just beginning to rise. We are not there yet. I have zero fear about tomorrow because we did not bring ourselves to where we are but by the grace of God.”
He charged the graduating students to shun and never walk in pride but refrain from denying God the glory that belongs to Him, saying ” As you give more glories, he supplies more.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo disclosed that the university had witnessed amazing transformations and made contributions to the restoration of the dignity of the black man. He expressed gratitude to Almighty God and lauded the visionary leadership of the Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo.
Besides, the VC disclosed that this year alone the university had attracted several research grants running into several millions of naira, thousands of dollars, pounds and euros, adding that the institution remains the compass in which university education is measured and assessed in Nigeria.
Speaking, Bishop David Abioye, the Pro-Chancellor acknowledged and attributed the high profile of the university to divine efficiency, saying things have worked out positively for the institution due to God’s favour.
Conferment of first and higher degrees on deserving students holds on Friday October 2021.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, fiercely rejected a motion by the arrested leader of Indigenous People of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to be placed under the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The court stated it refused the application in the interest of Kanu’s security and due to the sensitive nature of the case Since June 27, 2021 when the IPOB leader was “intercepted” through the coordinated efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security forces, he has been held under the custody of the DSS.
At Thursday’s court, Kanu pled not guilty to the 7-count count amended charge lodged against him by the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, the court has deferred to November 10, to hear Kanu’s application contesting the competence of the charge.
On the death of his father, Rt. Rev. Tanimu Samari Aduda, who died on Wednesday, October 21, 2021, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has expressed his condolences to Distinguished Senator Philip Aduda, Senator representing the FCT in the National Assembly.
On a condolence visit to the Aduda family compound in Karu, Abuja, Malam Bello, accompanied by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, said the Senator’s late parents’ efforts had established the Aduda family name an institution in the FCT.
“Your family is currently an institution in the FCT thanks to the sacrifices of your illustrious parents,” the Minister stated.
Your mother and father, of course, were well-known. Many people know the name, but they’ve never seen the person.”
Senator Aduda, whom he has referred to as a brother since his appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was also congratulated by the Minister.
He prayed for the soul of the deceased clergyman’s rest and pledged that the Administration will attend his funeral.
Senator Philip Aduda expressed gratitude to the Minister, who was one of the first visitors to the family compound, after the visit, saying that the visit meant a lot to his family.
He said “The FCT Minister is the father of the FCT, the Governor of the FCT and the one in charge of the FCT. So, his visit means a lot to all of us and for him to have visited us has made us to be excited because we, as a family in the FCT, we take each other as one. So, we are indeed very grateful and very happy to have received him.
Senator Aduda described his father as a wonderful disciplinarian who put his children on the path of righteousness and was responsible largely for their successes in life
The late Rev. Aduda was the Anglican Bishop of the Gwagwalada Dioceses.
Comrade Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to dismiss and prosecute Hakeem Odumosu, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command, for illegally ordering teargas and arrest of youths who peacefully protested to mark the one-year anniversary of #EndSARS.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, praised Nigerian youths, celebrities, artistes, and activists who, despite the police’s draconian orders, marked the first anniversary of #EndSARS with protests across several states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, with the slogan “We Will Not Forget 2010 20 Lekki Massacre.”
Following the illegal, cruel, and anti-people order by the Lagos CP, security officers used brutal force, pepper spray, and teargas against protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.
He also denounced the harassment, intimidation, manhandling, assault, and arrest of journalists during the protest, including Legit.ng Online reporter Abisola Alawode, PM News correspondent Taiwo Okanlawon, and the Arise TV team of Adefemi Akinsanya and Ope Adenihun.
He demanded the immediate release of all #EndSARS inmates who had been imprisoned for more than a year, as well as those who had been arrested during Wednesday’s mourning walk in Lagos.
He claimed that the police had failed to learn from the #EndSARS campaign, which was sparked by their crimes against law-abiding and innocent civilians, and have instead continued to treat Nigerians as slaves.
He insisted that the police are only willing to challenge and arrest bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements who make life unbearable for Nigerians across the country when it comes to arresting, teargassing, and pepper spraying peaceful protesters, but are hesitant when it comes to challenging and arresting bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements who make life unbearable for Nigerians across the country.
He also slammed President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaction in the face of police brutality against unarmed Nigerians exercising their democratic rights to demonstrate against social problems.
He reminded Buhari that throughout his time as an opposition leader, police were never employed to prevent him and members of his party from protesting.
Despite the country’s democratic dispensation, he lamented that the Buhari administration has grown increasingly autocratic and intolerant of lawful opposition, which is a key component of participatory democracy.
He urged members of the international community to prosecute the Inspector General of Police for overseeing a police force that has grown known in the country for grave human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, and corruption.
He asked the police to carry out their jobs in accordance with the law and to learn from their counterparts in other nations’ diligence, courage, demeanor, and decency.
He also urged on the National Assembly to look into cases of the Nigeria Police and other security services assaulting peaceful protestors and the media in Lagos, and to bring any erring operatives to justice.
The Federal Government has deployed massive security to prevent any breakdown of law and order ahead of today’s continuation of the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the indigenous People of Biafra.
A combination of gun-wielding DSS operatives and Nigerian Police personnel surrounded all entrances leading to the court building.
A heavily fortified security convoy appeared and sped into the court premises at exactly 8:02 a.m., which many mistook for Kanu’s entrance.
Journalists and lawyers were not allowed to enter the courtroom at the time of filing this report.
Attorneys for Nnamdi Kanu, the arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), are demanding that the prosecution present their client in court today.
At a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the attorneys, led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, requested that their client be shown in court.
“That tomorrow, being October 21, should be sacrosanct. Our client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, must and shall be produced in court to face his trial,” Ejiofor , who spoke for the others, said.
Ejiofor added that the regular Monday sit-at-order in the Southeast was being observed “because people are yet to see and believe that Nnamdi Kanu is still alive.”
The lawyer claimed that over 20 indigenes of Ebonyi State, who travelled to the Federal High Court in Abuja to witness Kanu’s trial on July 26 had been arrested.
He urged security agents to allow lawyers and journalists to attend today’s proceedings.
“The show of shame openly demonstrated by the overzealous security agents on July 26 should never repeat itself,” he said, and advised IPOB members to “remain civil and be of good conduct as you have always been, because it is not everyone that will be able to access the court room.”
Mrs. Beatrice Omotayo Tugbobo, who was elected chairperson of a parallel congress held in Lagos by a group loyal to former governor Akinwunmi Ambode, asserted that her party has genuine APC members.
It would be recalled that members of the group stormed the Baptist Academy, Obakoro, venue to execute the exercise under the umbrella of Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organisation (AMCO).
In the state, no fewer than four parallel congresses were held.
Tugbobo, on the other hand, stated yesterday that there are factions inside the Lagos APC and that the election was held in accordance with the party’s constitution.
She said, “According to the constitution of APC, you can conduct your congresses whether by consensus or by voting and the agreement from the national headquarters of APC constitutionally is that we hold our congresses in a consensus manner.
“Other factions can be holding their congresses elsewhere, yet we are holding our own here, which is AMCO, the group belonging to former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode,” she said.
In Abeokuta, Ogun State, there was outrage on Wednesday following the arrest of six loyalists of a former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, over the violent Saturday’s parallel congresses of the party.
Our correspondent reports that hoodlums had disrupted a parallel congress organised by Amosun’s faction at Ake palace, leading to shootings.
The two major factions battling for the soul of the state’s APC are led by Amosun and Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Mai Mala Buni, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national caretaker committee and the governor of Yobe State, is under heavy pressure to discipline top party officials who encouraged parallel congresses during Saturday’s election of members of the State Working Committees (SWC).
According to party sources, governors of states hosting parallel congresses have been contacting the national caretaker committee to use the big stick against individuals who organized the events.
In 12 states, including Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Osun, Plateau, Niger, Akwa Ibom, and Enugu, parallel congresses were held.
Parallel congresses were held in the states of Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed (Kwara), and Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom).
The ruling party has become even more polarized as a result of this event, which comes before of the national convention.
In addition, despite the party’s and President Muhammadu Buhari’s warnings, Aregbesola’s camp has taken the party to court over the congresses.
According to a party insider, the committee is being pressured to censure them in order to act as a deterrence to others and avoid a repeat of the situation at the upcoming national convention.
“Governors are pushing that they should be punished but the committee is in a tight corner because the promoters of the parallel congresses are bigwigs that cannot be easily reprimanded,” the source said.
Another source at the party’s secretariat said members of the congress committee who sided with the promoters of the parallel congresses would be sanctioned.
“Yes, pressure is being mounted on the national secretariat on this matter but the first thing that will be done is the sanctioning of members of the congress committee who attended the parallel congresses. They aided it.
“Our constitution is very clear. The leaders of the party in states are governors. Congress committees are supposed to be with the governors, not parallel committees. The members of the Kano committee that went to parallel congress are going to be punished,” a party leader at the national secretariat said.
It was also gathered that the issue would first be presented to the appeal committee of the congress and the Senator Abdullahi Adamu reconciliation committee before it would go to the national caretaker committee for a final decision on the matter.
A chieftain of the party and former presidential candidate, Chief Chekwas Okorie, said the party should match its words with action by applying some disciplinary measures against those who conducted parallel congresses.
Secretary of the APC caretaker committee Sen John James Akpan Udo-Edehe had described the ‘parallel’ congresses as futile activities, saying the party will not hesitate to wield the big stick on perpetrators.
When contacted, the media aide to Governor Buni, Mamman Mohammed, said the governor is not under pressure.
“We are not aware of any pressure. The party under his leadership will meticulously follow due process in the administration of the party,” he said.
Ganduje hints reconciliation with Shekarau, others
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said moves are on to reconcile with members of the party led by a former governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, who parted ways with his (Ganduje) leadership of the APC in the state.
This is even as the governor insisted that the national secretariat of the party recognised and accepted the emergence of Abdullahi Abbas, endorsed by him, as the only state chairman of the party.
The governor, according to a statement by Abba Anwar, his chief press secretary, said this on Wednesday before the commencement of the State Executive Council meeting.
The statement said Ganduje noted that “Politics is all about this kind (reconciliation) of development, anyway.”
Recall that former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau, had led a group now called the G-7, comprising of Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North), four House of Representatives members and a party stalwart, to challenge Ganduje’s leadership of the party.
The abduction of 13 passengers by gunmen at Konar Barau village in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state was verified by the Niger Police Command on Wednesday.
In an interview with newsmen in Niger State, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Kuryas, verified the occurrence.
Kuryas said the matter was reported to the police by Mubarak Idris of Kwanawa village, Sokoto State, the driver of an 18-seater bus with registration number LGT 12 XWX loaded with 18 passengers from Yauwuri, Kebbi state, predominantly fisherman traveling to Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, on fishing activities.
He said Idris stated that suspected bandits in military uniform kidnapped 13 of his passengers and his motor boy as they approached Konar Barau sharp bend under Rafi local government area along Tegina Minna route.
He added that the gunmen also took the driver’s N131,500.
The commissioner stated that an active quest for the hoodlums had already begun, and he asked locals, particularly those in rural regions, to help the police by providing accurate information that could lead to the miscreants’ arrest.
“We appeal to residents to volunteer reliable information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in the state. “We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure the protection of lives and property in our area of supervision.
“All we require from residents is vital intelligence information that could aid the security personnel deployed across the state on movement of dubious characters in their midst for necessary security action,” he said.
