Author: GANUX

 

Governors of the 19 Northern States under the aegis of the Northern Governors’ Forum on Saturday met over the troubling security challenges in the region.

 

Members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, comprising the Emirs and Chiefs from the region, were part of the meeting which witnessed an impressive out of almost all the governors in the North.

 

14 of the 19 Northern governors were in attendance. They are governor of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, Kaduna Governor, Senator Uba Sani, Gombe governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, Jigawa governor, Umar Namadi, Kebbi’s governor, Nasir Idris, Adamawa ‘s governor, Ahmed Fintiri, Taraba ‘s Governor, Kefas Agbu, Nasarawa ‘s Governor, Abdullahi Sule, Yobe Governor, Mai Malam Buni, Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago, Sokoto Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, Katsina Governor, Dikko Radda and Kogi Governor, Ahmed Ododo.

 

Governors of Borno, Kwara, Kano, Benue and Bauchi were represented.

Speaking at the joint meeting of the Northern States Governors Forum and Northern Traditional Rulers Council at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, emphasised the need for collective action to drive regional development and tackle the troubling security challenges.

 

Yahaya, while expressing his condolences to the people of Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, and Yobe states over recent tragic killings, urged the federal government to review security strategies, emphasising the importance of synergy between federal, state, and local security architectures.

 

The governor noted that the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in the North-east and violent killings in the North-central regions were major concerns that require immediate attention.

 

“We must work together to address the security challenges facing our region. It’s imperative that we enhance our security measures to protect our citizens and ensure their safety,” he said.

 

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s security while noting the need for more effective strategies.

 

The governor highlighted the success of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the National Economic Council, and the National Assembly in resolving tax reform issues and hailed President Tinubu’s willingness to listen and work towards inclusive governance.

 

On infrastructure, Governor Yahaya expressed concern over the state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria, citing neglected projects such as the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line and the Kano-Maiduguri expressway.

 

He advocated for innovative financing options like public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds to bridge the infrastructure gap.

 

The Governor emphasised the potential of the New Nigeria Development Company in driving regional economic growth while stressing the need for proper restructuring, competent management, and effective oversight to restore NNDC to its former glory.

 

The governor also highlighted the importance of human capital development, particularly in addressing the Almajiri phenomenon and providing job opportunities for youth.

He emphasised the need for quality education and vocational skills to empower the next generation.

Yahaya noted the importance of proactive measures to mitigate farmer-herder clashes and climate-related challenges.

 

He stressed a need for collective action to address environmental sustainability and promote regional development.

 

The governor acknowledged the invaluable role of traditional institutions in maintaining social harmony and urged continued partnership with them in governance and conflict resolution.

 

In conclusion, Governor Yahaya urged governors to rise above individual interests and work collectively for the region’s progress.

 

“Tangibles’ impact on people’s lives is what will be remembered, not the number of meetings held,” he emphasised.

 

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor and Chief Host, Uba Sani, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to addressing infrastructural deficits in the north.

 

Specifically, Sani praised the President’s initiative to revive the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway project.

 

“Mr. President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the Northern people and took decisive action,” he said.

 

He noted that the road connected the Federal Capital Territory to 12 states in the North Central, North West, and North East zones, serving as a vital link between the South and North.

 

The Governor emphasised the need for a roadmap to address security, peace, governance, and development issues in Northern Nigeria. “We don’t have the luxury of time. Our people want results,” he stressed, urging the development of an implementation and funding strategy to drive progress.

 

Governor Sani while welcoming attendees, commended the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, for their leadership.

 

“We have made progress on many fronts. But challenges remain. I urge us to hasten the development of a Roadmap for addressing issues of security, peace, governance and development in Northern Nigeria. Additionally, we must follow up the Roadmap with an implementation and funding strategy. We don’t have the luxury of time. Our people want results.

 

“I must not conclude this welcome address without commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering commitment to addressing the infrastructural deficits in Northern Nigeria. One of Mr. President’s key interventions in our region is the long-abandoned Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Dual Carriageway. The road connects the Federal Capital Territory to about 12 States in the North Central, North West and North East Zones.

“It serves as a vital link for travellers moving between the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria.

Mr. President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the Northern people and took decisive action. We owe Mr. President a debt of gratitude,” he said.

 

Chelsea ended the Women’s Super League season unbeaten after Aggie Beever-Jones’s stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

 

The Blues had wrapped up the title — their sixth in a row — with two games to spare as French manager Sonia Bompastor ensured the London club remained at the summit of the English game in her first season since succeeding Emma Hayes.

 

But they were kept waiting for a goal by Liverpool before academy product Beever-Jones fired in a late winner as Chelsea became the first side to remain unbeaten in a 22-match WSL campaign.

 

Bompastor’s team lifted the trophy after the match.

Chelsea, who also won the League Cup, will aim to complete a domestic treble when they face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on May 18.

 

Their hopes of a quadruple were scuppered when they lost 8-2 on aggregate to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League.

 

Arsenal finished as runners-up with a 4-3 win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium despite a late fightback by the visitors.

 

AFP

 

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Saturday, thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, traditional rulers, organising committee, and others who graced his coronation ceremony, making it a colourful and memorable.

 

He made this known in a statement from the palace’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the state capital.

 

He expressed his deepest appreciation to “President Tinubu, members of the Federal Executive Council, the government and good people of the state under the leadership of Governor Makinde, for their support and goodwill; traditional rulers, dignitaries, and guests for honouring the epoch occasion with their presence.

 

“I also appreciate the Yoruba community in the diaspora for their love and support; my subjects, esteemed guests, members of the Local Organising Committee, volunteers, and all those who worked tirelessly to make the ceremony a success.

“Your presence, support, and goodwill messages have not only touched my heart and filled me with joy, but they have also projected the richness of our cultural heritage and commitment to the legacy of our ancestors.

 

“The coronation ceremony was a grand success because of your contributions – as our fathers would say, a tree does not make a forest. It is a celebration of our rich Yoruba culture and heritage, and a testament to the enduring bond between our kingdom and the global community.

 

“As I begin my reign, I am committed to promoting the welfare and prosperity of our kingdom and the entire Yoruba race. I look forward to your continued support and partnership,” he added.

 

Authorities in northern Afghanistan have arrested 14 individuals for playing musical instruments and singing during a private gathering, provincial police said on Saturday.

This was a practice banned under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law.

The police said in a statement that on Thursday night in the capital of northern Takhar province, “fourteen individuals… took advantage of the nighttime to gather in a residential house where they were playing musical instruments and singing songs, which caused disturbance to the public”.

Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have reimposed severe limitations on music and public entertainment, similar to those enforced during their previous rule from 1996 to 2001.

Music schools have been closed, instruments destroyed, and public performances outlawed. Music is now banned from public places, including weddings, restaurants, cars, and media broadcasts.

Authorities have described music as a source of “moral corruption” and urged former musicians to redirect their talents toward religious chanting and Islamic poetry.

 

Despite these restrictions, music continues to be performed discreetly in some women-only spaces.

 

Many musicians fled the country following the Taliban’s return, seeking refuge and employment abroad after losing their livelihoods in a nation already facing deep economic hardship.

 

The 14 detainees remain under investigation, officials said.

 

A former presidential aspirant, Joseph Faduri, on Saturday, mocked the leadership of the Labour Party over the current internal crisis threatening to tear the party apart, describing it as ‘karma.’

 

In a statement released in Abuja, Faduri lamented that it was painful watching the party rob him of the presidential ticket in favour of the LP candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, in the manner they did.

 

His reaction comes in the wake of the power tussle that has seen three party chieftains laying claim to the leadership of the LP following the recent judgment of the Supreme Court.

 

Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti have rejected the leadership of Julius Abure, whom they insisted has ended in favour of a National Caretaker Committee headed by a former lawmaker, Senator Nenadi Usman.

 

Lately, the one-time Deputy Chairman of LP, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, has made a bold return and also made a claim to be the rightful heir to the throne.

 

But Faduri, who is now the head of the Rescue Movement for a New Nigeria, blamed all the aforementioned leaders for his plight.

He said, “What is happening in the Labour Party today is nothing short of poetic justice, a karma unfolding before the very eyes of the nation.

 

“It is the consequence of the injustice, betrayal and deceit done to me and my team in 2022 when some leaders of the party connived to rob me of the presidential ticket, a ticket we laboured tirelessly to build, and handed it over to Mr Peter Obi.

 

“In 2022, LP was a dead structure — no plan, no preparation, no hope. I reached out to its national leaders. I rallied my team, invested resources and reawakened the sleeping giant.”

 

Continuing, the former presidential aspirant noted that his refusal to challenge the illegal process in court was an act of patriotism and his resolve not to throw the party into crisis.

 

Recalling his political travail, Faduri further explained that he initially started with the New Nigerian Peoples Party, an initiative he claimed was hijacked by the leader of the Kwankwasiyyan Movement, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso.

 

“We then began scouting for a new platform, and that was how we came to the Labour Party,” he added.

 

Pope Leo XIV told cardinals on Saturday he intends to follow his predecessor’s path, praising Francis’s “complete dedication to service and sober simplicity of life”.

 

“Beginning with Saint Peter and up to myself, his unworthy Successor, the Pope has been a humble servant of God and his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this,” he told cardinals, according to a transcript of his speech published by the Vatican.

 

He also said his choice of name reflects a commitment to social causes embraced by Leo XIII, who defended workers’ rights, according to the Vatican.

“I chose to take the name Leo XIV,” he said in a transcript of a speech published by the Vatican, because the 19th-century pontiff “addressed the social question in the context of the first great Industrial Revolution”.

 

He added that today, social teaching is needed “in response to another Industrial Revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour”.

 

AFP

 

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the arrest and continued detention of a former member of the House of Representatives, Muhammad Kazaure.

 

In a statement posted via his official X page on Saturday, Atiku described Kazaure’s continued detention as a brazen disregard for due process.

 

He also accused the EFCC of abusing its powers and operating outside the bounds of the Nigerian Constitution, likening Kazaure’s arrest to a pattern of lawlessness and political repression.

 

Atiku drew parallels between Kazaure’s arrest and the earlier case of social commentator, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, who was recently detained and released only after public backlash.

 

“We witnessed this same abuse in the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, whose release was only secured after massive public outrage and pressure.

“Now, the EFCC has targeted Hon. Muhammad Kazaure, a former member of the House of Representatives and an unapologetic critic of the gross misgovernance and failings of the Tinubu administration. Abducted in Kano and whisked away to Abuja, Kazaure is presently being held incommunicado, with no formal charge or explanation offered to his family, legal team, or the Nigerian people.

 

“Let it be stated without equivocation: even if there were legitimate grounds for arresting any citizen, such action must adhere strictly to the rule of law. The EFCC is duty-bound to publicly disclose the reasons for any arrest and must not detain individuals indefinitely under the guise of investigation,” he wrote.

 

Describing the EFCC’s silence as deafening, Atiku noted that Kazaure was being targeted for his outspoken criticism of the Tinubu government.

 

“We are left with no choice but to conclude that Kazaure’s ordeal is a direct consequence of his fearless and unrelenting criticism of this administration,” he added.

 

The Lagos State Government has strongly criticised landlords and property agents who are exploiting residents by imposing unjustifiable increases in house rents.

 

The government has pledged to take action to protect tenants from these exploitative practices.

 

The Special Adviser (Housing) to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Barakat Bakare, on Saturday, expressed the government’s stance during a live interview on TVC’s program, “YOUR VIEW.”

 

Bakare stated that the Lagos State Government “would no longer fold its arms and watch its residents being exploited by landlords and agents.”

Bakare also clarified the distinct roles of house agents and lawyers in rental matters, emphasising the limitations of legal practitioners in real estate and house rental transactions.

 

According to Bakare, the Lagos State tenancy law is currently under review.

 

“The review aims to incorporate crucial provisions, such as those related to caution fees, which are presently lacking in the existing legislation.”

 

She urged residents who encounter violations of these regulations to report such incidents to the Lagos State Regulatory Authority, either through physical visits or online channels.

 

The Special Adviser reiterated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to addressing the housing challenges faced by Lagos residents.

 

She affirmed that the “Government is constantly engaging landlords, property associations, and developers to promote collaboration and also to control excessive housing costs.”

 

Furthermore, Bakare emphasised the government’s commitment to fairness and justice in the allocation of state-owned housing. She stated that the distribution process adheres to “fair, transparent, and well–laid–out criteria.”

 

In her concluding remarks, Bakare advised Lagosians to exercise caution and diligence by verifying the registration status of agents and developers with LASRERA before finalising any transactions.

 

She also issued a call to all real estate practitioners, urging them to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Registration Agency.

 

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has denied reports that the Federal Government has commenced extradition proceedings against Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

 

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, on Friday, the AGF said the reports misrepresented comments he made at a stakeholders’ engagement held on Thursday in Abuja.

 

The statement read, “The attention of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has been drawn to media reports where he was erroneously reported to have said that the federal government had commenced an extradition process against Simon Ekpa.

 

“The report is untrue and a complete departure from what the AGF said at the Stakeholders/Citizen Engagement Forum held on Thursday in Abuja.

“Ekpa, a leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is currently standing trial in Finland for charges filed against him by the Finnish government.”

According to the statement, Fagbemi had only explained that the Nigerian government was in talks with Finnish authorities to ensure that Ekpa, who is currently facing trial in Finland, is held accountable for his actions.

 

“To set the record straight, what the AGF said during the question and answer session was that the Nigerian government had been engaging with Finnish authorities to ensure that Simon Ekpa is held accountable for his actions.

 

“He explained that since the crimes committed by Simon Ekpa were cross-border in nature, the Nigerian government eagerly awaits the outcome of the proposed trial in Finland to have an informed decision on the next step to take,” the statement added.

 

Fagbemi urged the media to exercise caution in reporting on the matter and to refrain from publishing speculative claims.

 

The Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, has arrested an apprentice and his accomplice for allegedly stealing cement and other building materials worth over N250m from his employer to finance gambling activities.

 

This was disclosed in a statement by the PSFU spokesman, Ovie Ewhubare, on Saturday.

 

According to Ewhubare, the suspects, Ezekiel Taiwo and Rahman Airat, have been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, fraudulent conversion, embezzlement, and money laundering.

 

“In a significant development to an ongoing case of conspiracy, stealing, fraudulent conversion of funds, embezzlement, and money laundering to the tune of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N250,000,000), the PSFU has arraigned two suspects; Taiwo ‘M’ and Airat before the Federal High Court, Lagos,” Ewhubare stated.

 

The case followed a petition by Jimoh Atofolaki, who alleged that Taiwo, an apprentice under him and stationed at the Osogbo branch of his company, diverted company property, including bags of cement and other building materials, amounting to N250m.

“Investigations revealed that Taiwo conspired with Airat to convert the goods and used the proceeds for gambling,” Ewhubare added.

 

The Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Okunade Nurat, had advised business owners to be vigilant when hiring staff.

 

“We urge members of the public to be wary and always ensure that they carry out thorough background checks before employing individuals to take charge of their businesses,” the statement read.

 

In 2019, a 20-year-old apprentice, Kosi Nnamani, was also arrested for a similar offence.

 

He was later arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing goods valued at N1.94 million from his master.