Its has been a long time gab now ...

Aisha Buhari, Oshiomole, others for COWLSO

Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole are among dignitaries expected to grace this year’s national women conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), with the theme ‘Strong Family, Strong Nation.’ Addressing a briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on Monday, COWLSO Chairman and wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode said the wife of the President would serve as the mother of the day and also declare the conference open, while Governor Oshiomhole would be the Special Guest of honour at the closing ceremony.

The conference, according to Mrs Ambode, is slated to hold between October 24 and 26, 2016 at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suits, Victoria Island, while other seasoned academics and facilitators drawn from Nigeria and outside would discuss various issues such as causes of domestic violence and consequences, building blocks of the family unit, child abuse, family finance, caring for family members with disabilities and health challenges, among others. Mrs Ambode said the theme of the conference was carefully selected and it was meant to stress the importance of the family unit as the core of society, because according to her, any country that would be strong must have strong family units. “The conference is designed to enrich the knowledge of women on good family values, good upbringing of children and lots more,” Mrs Ambode said. Besides, the wife of the Governor said there would be presentation of certificates of appreciation to notable individuals and organisations for their long-standing partnership and support for COWLSO, while an award of inspirational women of the year would also be presented to a distinguished Nigerian woman acheiver, who has excelled in her chosen career, mentored other women and has supported the vision of the group. She said: “There will be dinner/gala on day two of the conference and the gala will feature a raffle draw with opportunity for participants to win different mouth-watering prizes.” While recalling the prizes that were won last year which included two brand new cars, first class return tickets, deep freezers and other gift items, Mrs Ambode said adequate provision has also been made to convey participants from various parts of Lagos to the venue. She said the annual conference was part of the strategic intervention of COWLSO to support the activities of Lagos State Government, especially with regard to women and family matters

President condemns beheading of Igbo woman in Kano

The President commended the law enforcement agents for apprehending the prime suspect in the killing.
President Muhammadu Buhari has described the killing of Mrs Bridget Agbahime, an Igbo market woman in Kano, as sad and regrettable.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, June 4, by the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

It said Buhari condoled with the husband of the deceased, Pastor Mike Agbaheme, the family and relations, praying that God would give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

The statement commended the law enforcement agents for apprehending the prime suspect in the killing.

It also commended the Kano State Government for summoning a meeting of Christian and Islamic leaders, widower of the deceased, and security agencies, as soon as the sad event occurred.

"The president assured that justice would be done in the matter, and urged the people not to take the law into their hands.

"He charged those who might want to use the development to fan the embers of religious or ethnic hatred to remember that two wrongs never make a right.When law and order breaks down, those who become victims are never distinguished on the basis of religion or ethnicity.’’It stated that the incident at Kofar Wambai market, Kano city, was utterly condemnable, and the state government has been quite proactive.

"Let us ensure that we keep the peace, as justice will be done. Let us learn to respect each other's faith, so that we can know each other and live together in peace’’, the President said in the statement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the late Bridget Agbaheme, a mother of one, was murdered for alleged blasphemy against Islam.

Lawmaker demands release of detained legislative aides

A member of Kogi State House of Assembly, Idris Ndako, has expressed concern over the continued detention of some legislative aides and called for their immediate and unconditional release from police detention.

Ndako condemned what he said was the illegal arrest and detention of four legislative aides on account of disrupting the sitting of the House members last week, adding that they were their legislative aides and were arrested at Crusher Village while waiting for their principals who resumed on Thursday.

The lawmaker told journalists in Lokoja that the workers were standing beside the cars of their principals when the police swooped on them and took them away.
He said, “That is why we keep telling the police to work with their own intelligence, and not rely on the one given to them by some people. They have been giving the police wrong information with the intention to destroy the G15.

“The security forces do not have credible information, that is why they arrested wrong people.

“Imagine, the police claimed that the four men our suspected to have come to disrupt our sitting. How can my Personal Assistant who drove me to the assembly complex turn to be a thug?

“After all, our sitting that day was peaceful. Except that the police wanted to lock us out. The police must have acted on a script.”

The Kogi State Police Command had on Thursday disclosed that it has arrested four suspected thugs at Kogi Assembly complex.

While parading the suspects at Command headquarters in Lokoja, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Yakubu Usman, said he had a distress call that thugs have invaded the House Assembly.

Usman stated that it is responsibility of the police to protect lives and property of the people of the state.

One of those arrested, Abdullahi Bako, said he is the Personal Assistant to Ndako, who is representing Lokoja II constituency.

Bako confirmed that they were arrested at Crusher Village where his principal parked his car.

Others arrested along with him are Alhaji Abdullah Yakubu, Adams Danladi, Maukudi Musa and Ibrahim Abdullah.

Soldiers invade Tompolo’s town Kurutie

SOLDIERS swooped on Kurutie (Little London), another community in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, ‎in six gunboats at about 4.30 am, today (Monday) , hunting for members of the Niger Delta Avengers. The residents were asleep when they came, but many scampered into the bush when heard the sound of the gunboats. The soldiers, who quickly cordoned the community, embarked on a house to house search. “I am looking at the soldiers from a hideout in the bush, they are going from house to house. We know their tactics, so we ran away when they landed this morning at the jetty in the town, belonging to Tompolo’s father,” an informant told Vanguard on phone at abot 5.30am. File: Soldiers in the creeks Tompolo has repeatedly denied having any link with the Niger Delta Avengers, but the military seemed to disbelieve him , and were chasing him. It was gathered that Tompolo’s father was not in Kurutie when soldiers stormed the town this morning, but an over 70-year-old man, simply identified as Do Good Ikekama, is among the citizens allegedly molested and forced to take the soldiers around some homes. Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who spoke to Vanguard at about 6.00 am, confirmed the siege to Kurutie. He said that despite‎ the appeal by the Gbaramatu monarch, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, to the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (retd) that the soldiers should be professional in their duties, they were still harassing people. However, the soldiers, according to reports, left the community at about 6.30am ‎.

Civil Defence uncovers 2 bomb-making factories in Maiduguri

The Borno State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday discovered two bomb-making factories in Dikwa. The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the disclosure in an interview in Maiduguri. Abdullahi said that the factories were discovered during a patrol by men of the command in collaboration with the troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army. “In an effort to comply with the directives of the Ministerial Committee on Resettlement of Liberated Towns by the military, NSCDC had deployed its personnel to Dikwa and are working hand in hand with the military. “This collective effort has therefore, led to the discovery of two major bomb making factories in two abandoned houses. “Our Detection and Bomb Disposal Unit, Intelligence and Detective Operation Unit in collaboration with the troops of 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army have since neutralised some of the live IEDs. “Some IEDs making equipment, gas cylinders and a jet bomb propeller were discovered and handed over to the brigade command. “Men of the command also discovered 114 live machine gun ammunition along Dikwa-Mafa road just after Shehuri Village that was abandoned by the insurgents,’’ Abdullahi said. NAN recalls that the command had deployed about 200 men to Boko Haram liberated communities, including Dikwa, Munguno, Nganzai, Chibok and Askira Uba Local Government Areas of the state.

Ambode launches N500m

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has launched a N500million Disability Trust Fund for physically challenged persons.

He said the fund was in line with provisions of Section 12 of the Special People’s Law and called on individuals, corporate organisations, Non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to support the fund to maximise the disabilities of challenged persons.

Ambode, who spoke at an event held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, tagged ‘Ability in Disability’, said he chose to celebrate Democracy Day with persons living with disabilities.

He said that the decision to host them was not only in line with the commitment to run an all-inclusive government but to emphasise his pledge to give every individual a voice in his administration.


He said the event afforded them the opportunity to showcase their talents just as he enjoined Nigerians to encourage and show love rather than pity them.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to appeal to all Lagosians to embrace people living with disabilities. Do not discriminate against them. All they require is care, support and opportunity to live a fulfilled and productive life just like any of us,” he said.

The Buhari anniversary, We’ve never suffered like this before says baba tope.

Chief Ebenezer Babatope came to national renown as one of the closest disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the Second Republic when he served as Director of Organisation of defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN. He eventually served as Minister of Transport in the Sanni Abacha administration and is currently a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT. In this interview, he assesses the first anniversary of the Muhammadu Buhari regime, saying that even while it is making it progress in some fronts, that the administration should dispense the milk of human kindness in some of its seemingly harsh policies. Babatope also assesses the leadership issues in his party at the national and at the South-West regional levels, affirming that it is to everyone’s relief that Senator Modu Sheriff has been shown the exit as national chairman. He also scoffs at the assumptions that Senator Buruji Kashamu is the leader of the party in the South-West. One year into the Buhari-led administration, what do you think has changed for Nigerians? Well, Buhari has done well in his anti-corruption crusade, even though I am one of those who believe that he has been pursuing selective justice. We all know that he is one who has not stolen any money, but I want him to correct himself that there can no be selective justice in Nigeria. Second, we found that those who have been having the sledge hammer, are those who should have suffered such. Femi-Fani Kayode is one of them. I am not clear in my mind why they should pick Femi-Fani Kayode, he did his job as a spokesperson of the PDP during the campaign elections, he would not use stones to work. So, I want Buhari to change his style. Buhari has shown himself to be a man of probity and a man of integrity, but he should change his style so that Nigerians will stop suffering the way they are suffering now. You are requesting him to change his style, how? He should address his mind to the plight of the common man; the common man in Nigeria is suffering. I am telling you authoritatively, there is hunger in town and it is difficult for those at the top to know what is happening. He should be told and I am sure they must have told him that Nigerians are suffering. He should direct his energy and integrity towards solving the plight of Nigerians because that suffering is too much. But some people would disagree with you arguing that the present harsh conditions were caused by your party, the PDP. Well, he should go ahead and establish his probe. I want to be honest with you, even though we are suffering; we have never encountered this kind of suffering before. This kind of suffering is a different one because every Nigerian is affected. They are asking us to pay N145 to buy a litre of petroleum, how many Nigerians can afford that? I agree with him on the removal of the oil subsidy; it is good and courageous for him to have done that. But to buy petrol for N145 is a crime against humanity and nobody will support that. What will lead to peace in your party? Senator Ali Modu Sheriff came in as a stranger to our party, and I told him that many of us never supported him. But given the separate court orders who do you think is the authentic national chairman of the PDP? The authentic chairman of the party is the man the convention in Port Harcourt, picked, that is Senator Ahmed Markafi, who is to be supported by the other committee members so chosen. Makarfi is chairman because the convention is the highest organ in the land as regards to PDP. What it says is final. The convention met in Port Harcourt and appointed Markafi as chairman. Like I said, Sheriff has no business in our party, and we thank God that he has gone, and he is gone for good. How will the issue of factions in some chapters of the party be resolved? The caretaker committee of the party will deal with that because in 90 days’ time, we shall be meeting as a party at a convention that has the support of everybody. The caretaker will deal with that, and we are going to deal with all the anomalies. Having said so, who do you think is the best person to reposition the party when the convention is held? We have been fighting for the chairmanship of the party to be returned to the Southwest. The chairman of the party should come from the Southwest because the Southwest has not produced the chairman of the party since the party came into existence. I am championing the case of Bode George because he has experience as a deputy national chairman of the party. That is why I believe that Bode George can lead the PDP. When Obasanjo was leaving office, they all proposed that Bode George should be made the chairman of the party, but Obasanjo used hanky-panky to stop that, but now, the coast is clear. He has the experience, and he will be able to counter the APC chairman. Don’t forget that Bode George and Buhari were in the military before; they will know how to handle themselves. Do you think this is possible considering the fact that Senator Kashamu Buruji is making efforts at emerging the leader of the party in the Southwest? (Laughs) I have nothing against Senator Buruji Kashamu, he is a young man, he has money, he has dollars, but if he wants to get to the top, he can do so, by ensuring that he recognises the elders. Nobody fights with the elders and wins. He is a young man, what is he looking for? If he plays the game very well, why not? He has never said that to me, I wish him the best of luck, but he cannot be the leader of the elders, he cannot be a leader.ruba land, he has to learn how to respect age, maturity and experience.

Ambode, Ajomale seek bilateral relations with Russia

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and the State Chairman All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Henry Ajomale, yesterday, said the country need to strengthen its ties with Russia to revamp the country’s economy especially in power supply. Gov Ambode They spoke at the 2016 Alumni Congress of SOYUZNIC Alumni Association of Nigeria, a body of Nigerian Graduates trained in the former Soviet Union and Commonwealth of Independence States (CIS) in Lagos. They noted that the nation would need to rely heavily on Russia’s expertise in its quest to diversify the economy. Ambode said ” Bilateral cooperation between Russia and Nigeria is blessed with huge potential in every avenue. However of special interest and attention is the economy. Specific opportunities abound for cooperation in energy, infrastructure projects, metallurgy and mining. “The fate of Ajaokuta metallurgy plant built with the assistance of Soviet Union has been widely spoken about . Over a thousand Soviet and three thousand Nigerian specialists worked on the construction of that plant. “ I would like to state clearly that the Russian company, ‘Tyazhpromexport’, which built the Ajaokuta plant has already declared readiness to join in the process of the plant restoration , to carry out a technical audit and work out plans for resuscitating the steel plant,” he added. The governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, noted that aluminium production which has remained a burning issue of the day, especially in Akwa Ibom where legal tussle had stopped Alscon plant from functioning, noting that since ownership right is shared by Russian company resolving the issues involved to start operation will help to create more jobs for teeming Nigerians. “Nuclear energy is another area with good prospects for cooperation. Several years ago, an agreement on the construction power plants in Nigeria was signed. This is a long and complex process, which must be preceded by the creation of the requisite legal and economic frameworks and training of specialists in the sphere of atomic power,” he said. Also, Ajomale said the theme of the congress which is “Harnessing the potential of Nigeria Graduates of Higher institutions of former USSR States,” is unique , saying it will bring all Soyuznic in Nigeria and Diaspora to the forefront of the country’s for national development. He added that, “There are a lot of expertise that the Russians had gotten over many years and they have perfected it .They have expertise in virtually everything in the old Soviet Union and in Russia and if we can tap into it, it will be better for Nigeria.”

Army arrests suspected members of Niger Delta Avengers

The suspects

As part of efforts by the Federal Government to check the spate of renewed attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Army has arrested 10 suspected members of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers.

The suspects were said to have been arrested at about 1:40am on Saturday in Oporaza community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, following a search conducted in the community.

Some oil installations in the region have been vandalised by militants suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers, threatening the production and supply of oil and gas in the country.

The Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier-General Farouk Yahaya, who paraded the suspects on Sunday in Benin, the Edo State capital, said there had been cases of sabotage by suspected militants and vandals in Delta State since January 1, 2016 and threats “to shut down all operations” in the sector.

He noted that several items were recovered from the arrested suspects.

They include 28 detonator cords (also known Detonator 33), one pistol, two pistols, 196 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, one round of nine-millimetre ammunition, a live cartridge and five daggers.

Also recovered were 15 handheld radio sets, 18 phones, 203 SIM cards belonging to three major network providers, five swimsuits, two headlamps, a laptop, two ipads and a camera.

Others are seven wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, five speedboat throttle cables, six pairs of hand gloves, the sum of N23,000 cash and a cheque book.

He said that although investigation would reveal the true identity of the suspects, recent explosions carried out by the Niger Delta Avengers suggested that the arrested suspects might not be unconnected to the group.

He added, “Within the period under review, you can see that the Niger Delta Avengers have claimed virtually all acts of criminal activities against oil and gas and they continue threatening a shutdown of the whole sector. So, most likely, they (suspects) will be the people, who else would they be?

On the speculation that the militants might have adopted the use of charms to evade arrest, Yahaya said, “Whatever a person wants to use, he can use it. But I know that God is always on the side of the truth.

“We are not worried by voodoo. It did not stop the suspects from being arrested and others that have been arrested before now.”

“Operations that led to these arrests and recoveries were conducted professionally, guided by our mandate, operation orders, code of conduct and rules of engagement. Our operations are strictly targeted against perpetrators of all criminal acts in our area of responsibility and not innocent citizens,” he added.

The brigade commander, who noted that the suspects would be handed over to prosecuting security agencies at the end of preliminary investigation called on the general public to provide the Army with relevant information on militant groups to assist it to combat criminal elements in the interest of the country.