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Leave Pantami Alone, Yakasai Tells Nigerians

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Tanko Yakassai, an Elder statesman on Wednesday rose in defence for Isa- Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the embattled Minister of Communication and Digital Economy over his past sermons on Boko Haram and Osama bin Laden.

The Second Republic politician disclosed this to newsmen in Kano that the minister’s public apology and expression of regret over his past religious utterances was a enough atonement.

It would be recalled that in a series of reports, complete with audio-graphic accomplishments, Peoples Gazzette unearthed a number of Islamic sermons delivered years ago by Isa- Ali Ibrahim Pantami, which indicated sympathy for Osama bin laden and defended Boko Haram sect.

Yakassai insisted that those who were pushing for his resignation were not coming out clean to Nigerians adding that, “I think that his public apology should be enough”

According to him; “The people who are bent on pursuing him up to this moment, even after he had apologized for these remarks are certainly engaged in the pursuit of something else …Maybe a witch hunt.

“When someone admits to his mistake and in addition to that, apologies for that mistake, I think that that should be enough… What is expected of him, that is to own up to his mistake and to apologize, has been done publicly.” he stated.

“If he resigns, does it change any thing? Would his resignation change what he said and uttered in the past. Every religion accepts apology and repentance” Yakassai noted while adding that, “Everyone of us must have made a mistake while we were growing up”, he explained.

He, however, argued that if everyone was to be held responsible for his past mistakes, then none is guiltless, saying that as people grow up, they gain new insights about life, refine their life-ways and discard some of their old beliefs and positions.

Yakassai said he was convinced that Pantami had truly repented from his past sympathies while adding that those who were still doubtful of his transfiguration would have to wait to see if he still held those positions or would go back them, before they could charge at him.

While encouraging Nigerians, especially young persons, to be mindful of their public utterances so as not be hunted by these remarks in the future.

George Floyd: Agbakoba Want Nigerian Judiciary To Learn From Derek Chauvin’s Trial

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Nigerian judiciary should take a cue from the trial of ex-policeman Derek Chauvin that the rule of law must always prevail irrespective of who is involved in a trial, Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said.

Chauvin, a former Minneapolis policeman, was convicted on Tuesday of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the deadly arrest of George Floyd.

The 12-member jury found Chauvin, 45, criminally liable in Floyd’s death last year after considering three weeks of testimony from 45 witnesses, including bystanders, police officials and medical experts.

During a confrontation in the video, Chauvin, a white man, pushed his knee into the neck of a 46-year-old black Freud in handcuffs for more than 9 minutes on May 25, 2020, when he and three colleagues arrested Freud. Floyd, Floyd is accused of buying cigarettes at a grocery store using counterfeit 20 dollars.

Speaking to our correspondent on the outcome of the judgment and the lessons learned from the Nigerian judiciary, Agbakoba said that the outcome of the trial also confirmed the old saying that the law does not respect people.

According to him; “The lesson is that it is a cardinal principle of democratic consolidation  that the rule of law always prevails, in spite of all odds or who is affected”. 

“The law is no respecter of persons. Amidst impunity and disrespect and chaos, the law comes down fully to deliver a just verdict and most importantly, without fanfare jurisdictional technicalities. This is what the George Floyd’s case has  established”.

“Here in Nigeria, we grapple with the basic matter of whether the judiciary is free  from executive control. I trust people in authority are listening” Agbakoba said .

Unknown Gunmen kill Two Policemen, Burnt Police Station In Enugu

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Gunmen on Wednesday morning launched an attack on the Divisional Police Headquarters in Adani , Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

It was gathers that two police men on duty were reportedly killed and several others injured while the police station was razed down.

A source who spoke to our correspondent and does not want his name on print said the attack on the police station started at about 2:30am and lasted for about one hour.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said “ I’m still gathering the details, will get back to you later,”

Meanwhile the major road to Government House Enugu has been blocked with heavy security personnel guiding the area, this might be connected to unconfirmed report on planned attack on government establishments in the state by hoodlums.

NNPC Confront Queues With Additional 1,111 Trucks Of Fuel

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Tuesday said its has increased the daily supply of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) across the country from 550 trucks to 1,661 trucks to tackle the build up of fuel queues in some parts of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This was contained in a statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted the Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr. Musa Lawan, as saying that there are about two billion litres of PMS in strategic depots across the country to keep the nation well supplied for two months if no drop of fuel was imported in that period.

The statement read in bits; “We have embarked on massive load out. Today, we trucked out 1,661 trucks from all depots across the country. Reports reaching us show that they have already started arriving at the filling stations. We believe that this would ease out the queues.

” A 24-hour situation monitoring committee has been set up to track the movements of trucks from the depots to the various filling stations across the country, assuring that the queues will thin out in the next few days.

“The PPMC boss explained that the disruption in the distribution chain was caused by the strike embarked upon by Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) over compensation.

” The suspension of the strike upon the intervention of the Group Managing Director of NNPC, and the resumption of loading, coupled with the extension of loading time, normalcy would soon return to the filling stations.”

Recall that the GMD’s intervention yesterday led to the suspension of the strike by the PTD for one week.

Speaking in similar vein at the State House after a meeting with the President, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, assured that with the resumption of loading, normalcy would soon return to the fuel situation across the country.

He said the ex-depot price of petrol would remain the same for the month of May, urging marketers not to engage in arbitrary price increase.

He urged motorists to avoid panic buying in order not to compound the situation.

He , however, called on all relevant stakeholders in the downstream sector to collaborate with the NNPC to ensure a quick return to the zero-fuel queues situation that Nigerians had been enjoying before the unfortunate disruption of the distribution chain.

Tackle Youth Unemployment, Underemployment, NESG Urges Government

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The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has called on the government at all levels to tackle the rising unemployment and underemployment plaguing Nigerian youth.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NESG, Mr. Asue Ighodalo made this known in Abuja while presenting the outcomes of the NES#26 to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed.

He hinted that the two-day Summit is to called on the government to make Nigerian youth employable and develop their entrepreneurial skills.

According to him, “Government needs to reskill and upskill youth in labour market, transit them from informal to formal economy and boost their participation in the gig economy.

“Government also needs to conduct an impact assessment of previous youth empowerment programmes as well as partner with the private sector to co-create investment funds that will be managed by private sector and designated for empowering young people.

“Nigeria’s education curriculum should be reviewed and include entrepreneurship as a key part of learning in schools. Encourage mentorship to aid skills transfer.

“We need to implement deliberate policies to transform the productive potential of Nigerian youth in technology, talent, creativity, and innovation to open new markets for them.

Igohdalo continued; “There is the need to scale up formal apprenticeship programmes and encourage informal apprenticeship schemes through accreditations and certifications.

“Government needs to facilitate development of critical industries to absorb more youths. Youth should deliberately engage and be embedded in policy and governance across governments.”

The group also called on the government to establish a platform in collaboration with NESG for Nigerian youth to collaborate with the government in proffering solutions to challenges in different sectors.

The NESG through its recommendations advised the government to lead the way in proactively navigating the country towards recovery and resilience by expanding economic opportunity for all Nigerians through sound policies, strong institutions, and responsible public investments, especially pro-poor investments.

“Governments at all levels to unlock more private sector participation by removing sectoral rigidities that inhibit the potential of businesses to drive economic growth.

“Private sector to accelerate economic progress through innovation and investment strategies to unleash the dynamism of enterprise and industry for global competitiveness.

“The civil society should mobilise Nigerian to take civic responsibility and hold leaders accountable.

“The fierce urgency of the moment was palpable in discussions at the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit,” the group said.

NDLEA Arrests Syndicate Selling Cookies Laced With Drugs For School Children In Abuja 

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For allegedly selling cookies laced with drug to secondary school students and unsuspecting members of the public in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , a 300-level university student,  Rhoda Agboje, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

Agboje was arrested alongside  her boyfriend, Ifeayin Nwankwo, while the anti-narcotic are still on the trail of other members of the syndicate.

The syndicate as gathered produced the cookies with a highly psychoactive variant of cannabis known as Arizona, in addition to alcohol and Rohypnol, among other ingredients.

The NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, was blown open following the arrest of Rhoda Agboje with four pieces of the drug cookies on April 18, 2021.

According to him, “She was arrested at the NNPC Cooperative estate, opposite Gaduwa estate in Abuja, based on a complaint that she gave an unsuspecting young girl the cookies to eat. After eating the drug cookies, the girl lost her mind and could not sleep, making incoherent utterances due to the effects of the cookies.

” Under interrogation, the prime suspect, Rhoda confessed she prepares the cookies with a friend and sells each pack of three pieces at N1, 500. A follow-up operation in her boyfriend’s house led to the recovery of over 200 pieces of the drug cookies”

Meanwhile , the Commander, FCT Command of the NDLEA, Mohammed Malami Sokoto, explained that ” her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Nwankwo and all the equipment used for the production of the cookies were brought to the office for further investigation.

“The suspect confirmed that she sells at parties and to unsuspecting members of the public, including school children that are the most vulnerable. The suspect also supplies some supermarkets and clubs in the FCT.”

Commending officers and men of the FCT Command for unravelling the syndicate, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) described the syndicate’s act as criminal, while adding that it was “equally unconscionable by deliberately luring schoolchildren into drug under the cover of selling to them biscuits or cookies.

“I wish to draw the attention of parents to this new devious strategy to get children addicted to drug cookies and to urge them to remain vigilant while monitoring what their wards bring home from school or consume as snack”, Marwa stated.

Senate Confirms Usman As Commissioner, NpopC

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The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Muhammad Dattijo Usman as a Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NpopC) .

The Chairman of Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population, Senator Saidu Alkali, on Tuesday while presenting the report, said the nominee possesses the requisite qualifications, integrity, leadership qualities and comportment to discharge his responsibilities.

Usman’s confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Committee of the Upper Chamber on National Identity and National Population.

The Committee Chairman, the appointment of the nominee satisfies the requirements of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the a Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Dattijo Usman, who was the Registrar of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, between 2007 and 2012, is a member of the African Council on Communication Education; Member, Association of Nigeria University Professional Administrators (ANUPA); Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM); Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration; and Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Woman Stabs Boy 14 To Death In Bayelsa

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A 14-year-old JSS1 student on Tuesday was stabbed to death in the Okaka area of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital by a women identified as Arugu Benedicta.

Our correspondent gathered that the tragic incident happened after the woman reportedly went berserk and stabbed the Government Science and Technical College student in the morning.

The deceased identified by neighbours as Joseph Thomas was fondly called ‘Daddy’s Boy’, was said to be preparing to go to school when he was attacked by the woman.

The brutal incident, we gathered caused pandemonium and anger as some residents descended on the woman and were mobbing her before a team of policemen arrived at the scene and rescued her.

Benedicta was said to have stabbed Thomas on the upper part of his shoulder and chest, which led to his untimely death.

According to sources, the victim’s grandmother and his assailant had been allegedly embroiled in a lingering feud before Tuesday’s incident.

“She held a knife in her hand and went to the residence of the boy shouting and this made the boy to come out, and she stabbed him several times on his shoulder and chest”, a neighbour was quoted to have said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa Command, Mr Asinim Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The suspect, one Arugu Chidinma Benedicta, stabbed one Joseph Thomas, 14 years, with a knife, the victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre where he eventually died.

“The suspect was mobbed before the arrival of Police. She was, however, rescued by the Police and she is receiving treatment at FMC.”

Vice Chancellor Identify Animal Protein As Major Cause Of Cancer

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…Warns Against Consumption Of ‘Ponmo’, Red Meat

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Prof. Kola Oloke has identify consumption of animal protein as the major cause of cancer.

While assuring that the disease which has led to death of many was not only preventable but also curable.

Oloke, added that the consumption cow skin popularly known as ‘porno’ is not only of no nutritional value, it also poses as threat to human body.

The renowned Microbiologist gave this hint while speaking at a seminar titled; ‘Life Style, Diseases and Management’, held at the PCU campus on Tuesday in Ibadan, he also called for caution in the consumption of red meat and other animal protein.

According to him; “Consumption of animal protein can lead to diseases in the body. More importantly, it causes cancer. Run away from meat, especially the red meat. If you want to eat chicken, eat the local one. Animal skin known as ponmo is harmful to the body; it has no nutritional value” .

“60 percent of chronic diseases attacking individuals could be prevented through healthy diet. “Other lifestyle measures, must include managing stress, avoiding toxins (like alcohol and tobacco), regular exercise and ensuring adequate sleep.”

Beans he recommended as the best meal for cancer patients. Even as he maintained that diseases such as cancer could be cured through nutrition as lifestyle could determine the level of sicknesses individual could be nursing in the body.

He said; “One of the things that cancer cells thrive on,is sugar. So if you can take off the consumption of sugar from any cancer patient, you would have helped the patient. Some foods and fruits are high in sugar content such as banana, apple, pineapple and carbohydrates. Also, cancer patients should avoid animal-based milk but can be consuming plant-based milk.

“The best meal for cancer patients is beans prepared with olive oil and not red oil. Snail, croaker fish,carbage and leafy vegetables, among others, are good and nutritious for cancer patients.”

He, added that with proper nutrition, cancer cells could be killed. “Consumption of walnuts can kill cancer.Soya products are equally good but avoid soya oil. Soya milk is good for breast cancer”

The numerous home and international awards recipient further stressed that with good diet, man could live beyond 100 years, “Eating vegetables is one of the surest ways of staying healthy. Sugar or sweet things are greatest enemies of man.”

While noting that plant-based foods lower diabetes and liver risk, he averred that the consumption of vegetables help a great deal, in controlling sugar levels, listing some other foods that could decrease heart attack, stroke and cancer, among others, to include, Avacado, Green Tea, and natural Orange Juice, warning people to be mindful of their intakes.

“In Europe during World War II, the death rate caused by heart disease, fell, as people were forced to eat less cholesterol-ridden foods. In other words, it is better for your heart for you to eat a low fat, vegetarian diet while bombs drop around you than to enjoy your steak in peace,” advised the VC.

According to the VC, with meat associated infectious diseases, millions of cases of food poisoning are recorded every year which could be traceable to the consumption of meat, especially those “with mad cow disease and helminthic infestations”

He enjoined people to work out their lifestyle by living a healthy life. He thereby further stated : “Rhythmic activities of our mind and body, include hormones; circulation, digestion, brain waves and state of consciousness.Realise that your next day begins when you go to sleep. Maintain a healthy BMI, good nutrition, regular exercise and a spiritual practice.”

Delta Police Nabbed Two Notorious Kidnappers, Seven Cultist, Drug Barons

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Police operatives in Delta State on Tuesday arrested two notorious kidnappers terrorizing Oghara, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

This was contained in a statement issued by Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright and made available to newsmen stating that information was received by the DPO Oghara Division CSP Jimoh Hassan that one Solomon Otomi erewo and his girlfriend, Rukewe Urhiephroune were kidnapped by four unknown gunmen with an unregistered Merc Des GLK along Ibori road Oghara were kidnapped while returning to their house.

The statement read in bits; “On receipt of the information the DPO swiftly mobilized patrol teams, vigilantes and anti cults to the bush where information has it that the kidnappers took the victims to.

“On sighting the headlights of the police patrol vehicles, the kidnappers all ran to different direction abandoning the victims, the police were able to rescue the victims unhurt. Meanwhile the victims’ Mercedes benz GLK through technical intelligence was later traced to oviore near isiokolo in Ethiope East LGA where with the assistance of the army”.

He,however, revealed that two of the suspected kidnappers who were identified as Oghenetewhe and gift were arrested while the Mercedes Benz has been recovered from them.

He said there is an ongoing manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang.

In another development, some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers were operating along Ogor-Ivwreni road.

The Divisional police officer ‘A’ Division Ughelli mobilized and led patrol teams to the scene, rescued one Ovwenu Augustine ‘m’ and Victor Orogunu ‘m’ who sustained gunshot injuries on his right leg, the police rushed them rushed to the Hospital for treatment.

The exhibits recovered from the scene are one (1) corolla ash in colour with Reg. No. GBJ 73 FD Delta, one (1) Hyundai black in colour Reg. No. WWR 180 PR Delta and one (1) Benz 200E white in colour with Reg. No. CL 193 ABJ Abuja.

Edafe revealed that based on intelligence two drugs barons in Warri axis of the state where nabbed.

He said that, “DPO ‘A’ division Warri, CSP T.Y. Mahmud Mobilized Quick Response Team stormed the black spot opposite Army check point Adisa, where one Samaila Abubakar ‘m’ 20yrs and Haashimu Aiki, 16yrs were arrested”.

He revealed that the Eighty (80) wraps of skunk, twenty-eight (28) pieces of Tramadol, six (6) tablet of Cwion, fifteen (15) packs of Tygra 200mg, twelve (12) packs of blue Vega, forty-one packs (41) of red Vega, one (1) packs of Rislar were found in the possession of the suspect

He also mentioned that the second suspected drug dealer Onyeka Henry allegedly confessed to the crime during interrogation claimed to have started a new leaf.

He also confirmed the arrest of seven cult members of two rival groups in Pessu Community, Warri South Local Government Area of the state.

Edafe mentioned that five of the suspects were identified as members belonging to Pessu community, saying that the suspects were apprehended with the assistance of the youth chairman and security head.

” One Locally Made Double Barrel Pistol with a live Cartridge was recovered. Two of the rival cult leaders Godswill Oghmienor , 25yrs and Okonedo Moses aged 22yrs both of Aye cult group were later arrested” he asserted.