GANUX, Author at SocietyGazette.com

Ekiti boosts security with 404 new Amotekun, grazing marshals

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday charged the 404 newly recruited personnel of Amotekun, Agro Marshal and Grazing Marshal corps on crime reduction, protection of lives and property and as well agricultural projects to ensure food security.

Oyebanji charged them on the need for enhanced intelligence gathering and sharing and collaboration with other security agencies to ensure security across the nooks and crannies of the state.

The governor, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (retd.), spoke at the National Youths Service Corps Orientation Camp, Emure/Ise/Orun during the Passing out Parade of the new recruits.

He described the recruitment of the new security operatives as a sustained investment in the state’s security architecture, which underscores the All Progressives Congress administration’s commitment to safety of lives and property of residents of the state.

He said, “Recruitment of additional 404 personnel into Amotekun, Agro Marshall and Grazing Marshal Corps is part of its efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture especially at the grassroots.

“Recruitment of the new security operatives is a sustained investment in the state’s security architecture, which underscores the administration’s commitment to safety of lives and property of residents of the state.

“The move aims at further strengthening the state’s security framework as government considered it necessary to rejig the security architecture of the state by establishing additional informal security outfits that will have community participation and complement efforts of the formal security agencies in the state.

“The move, which marked a significant milestone in the collective pursuit of a safer Ekiti State came as a result of the marching order issued to the security agencies to reposition and address the emerging security challenges in the state.”

Oyebanji hinged the state’s relative peaceful atmosphere on “deliberate planning, unrelenting investment, and concerted efforts aimed at creating a safe and conducive atmosphere to grow the economy through protection of lives and property, protection of the agricultural clusters to ensure food security and enhance intelligence gathering and sharing.”

He further charged the new recruits to work collaboratively, discharge their responsibilities with dignity and prioritize the safety and security of our citizens at their various beats where they would be strategically deployed across the state to ensure maximum coverage.

Gambian president pays condolence visit to Buhari’s family

The President of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, on Friday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, at his hometown in Daura, Katsina State.

Barrow, who arrived in Katsina for the visit, was received by the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, alongside members of the Buhari family.

While offering his tribute, Barrow described the late Buhari as a pillar of democracy and a steadfast supporter of The Gambia.

“President Buhari stood by us and the Gambian people to ensure that our democratic mandate was fully respected and implemented to its ultimate end,” he said.

Barrow said that Buhari was more than a leader to him personally.

“Every time I saw Buhari, I saw a father, a brother, and an uncle standing before me,” he said.

Barrow highlighted Buhari’s role in promoting peace and democracy across West Africa through ECOWAS, the African Union, and on the global stage.

He stated, “I feel deeply obliged for what President Buhari has done — not just for The Gambia, but for ECOWAS, the African Union, and Nigeria’s image across the world.

“He stood for democracy, freedom, and justice.”

The Gambian leader extended his condolences to the Buhari family and the Nigerian people.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and to all Nigerians for the loss of a great man—one who helped shape who we are today,” he said.

In his remarks, Garba-Faskari described Barrow’s visit as a true reflection of African brotherhood.

He added that Buhari’s contributions to peace and stability in Nigeria and across the continent would never be forgotten.

Responding on behalf of the family, Yusuf Buhari, son of the late president, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visit.

He said the gesture underscored the strong historical and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and The Gambia, as well as the late president’s enduring legacy in Africa.

NAN

Post UTME: UNILAG commences online registration July 28

The University of Lagos has set Monday, July 28, for commencement of its online registration for the Post-UTME screening exercise for admission into all undergraduate programmes for the 2025/2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement by the Registrar One and Secretary to Council, Mrs Abosede Wickliffe, obtained from the institution’s website on Friday in Lagos.

According to the institution, the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration which commences on Monday, will come to a close on August 20.

The statement added, “Eligible candidates who made UNILAG their first choice in the 2025/2026 UTME, and scored 200 and above, are eligible to apply for the Post-UTME online screening.

“In addition, candidates must possess five credit passes at one sitting in relevant Ordinary Level (O/Level) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Only candidates who must have uploaded their O/Level results on or before Sept. 12, will be considered for admission.

“Candidates, who will not be 16 years of age by Sept. 30, are not eligible and need not apply. Candidates who do not participate in the post-UTME online aptitude test, will not be considered for admission.”

It further urged candidates to ensure they used their personal and active emails to register for the screening, as this would be the channel for communication.

The university added that its former students, whose admissions were withdrawn on the basis of poor academic performance or absence status, could reapply.

It, however, noted that this was on the condition that the new admission would be for a new programme/course, different from the former ones.

“Any student expelled from the university cannot be offered fresh admission.

“The university has zero tolerance for drug abuse, as it will not hesitate to withdraw admission of students who tests positive for drug use, whenever the institution conducts such test, either before or after registration,” the statement read.

It noted that the Mock examination for the Post-UTME online aptitude test would hold from Monday, August 25, to Wednesday, August 27, ahead of the official Post-UTME test, scheduled for September 1, to September 5

NAN

Tinubu receives class of 1999 govs in Aso Villa

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, hosted members of the 1999 class of governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The former governors were led to the State House by a former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

Details of the meeting were not disclosed as of the time of filing this report, but the visit is believed to be part of ongoing consultations by the President with key political stakeholders.

The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun made this known in a post via his X handle on Friday.

The class of 1999 governors, who assumed office at the return of democratic rule, played significant roles in shaping Nigeria’s Fourth Republic politics.

PUNCH Online reports that Tinubu was the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

More to come…

SDP NEC dissolves Gabam-led NWC, secretary faults process

The internal crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party took a dramatic turn on Friday as the party’s National Executive Committee dissolved the National Working Committee led by the suspended National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over the lingering crisis rocking the party.

The decision was announced at an emergency NEC meeting held in Abuja and presided over by the party’s National Financial Secretary, Ibrahim Biu.

“The NWC, by this resolution, stands dissolved. We hereby nominate the following persons to take charge of the affairs of our great party, and to move the party forward,” he declared.

The new interim leaders announced include “Adamu Modibo (National Chairman), Abubakar Dogara (Deputy Chairman), Ekpeyong Ambo (National Secretary), Joseph Abu (National Organising Secretary), and Chief Solsuema Osaro (National Legal Adviser).

“Others are Judith Shuaibu (National Publicity Secretary), Ibrahim Biu (Financial Secretary), and Eluwa Ifeanyi (National Youth Speaker).”

Biu told journalists that it was unfortunate the NEC took such a drastic measure following failed attempts to resolve the internal crisis.

“In the last couple of months, our party, unfortunately, was engulfed in a leadership crisis. You are fully aware, somehow, that the party has been factionalised.

“A group loyal to the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, suspended the National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, on allegations of misappropriation and fraud.

“On the other hand, the national chairman debunked those allegations and equally considered the so-called appointments made by the group of the secretary as illegal. “That resulted in a kind of scuffle to the extent that the two groups clashed at the National Secretary of SDP. That created a crisis that security operatives had to intervene”, Biu stated.

Continuing, he noted that despite efforts by the NEC to reconcile the factions, the crisis has severely damaged the party’s image and progress.

“This has seriously affected our supporters, and we felt all the efforts we put in the last three years, since our last convention in 2022, somehow, because of this crisis, seem to be lost. And we cannot afford it. We have put in so much effort to build this party to this level. It’s for this reason that we decided to say, let’s come together.

“If the leadership of the party are not ready to provide a remedy to this situation, then you, NEC members, especially at the state should come together and see what we can do so that we can restore the confidence and trust of our teaming supporters,” he said.

In a related development, the NEC also announced SDP’s withdrawal from any form of alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s coalition, which includes the African Democratic Congress.

Addressing journalists, the Deputy Chairman, Abubakar Dogara, clarified the party’s position.

He said, “Recently, there was this issue of coming together of major political stakeholders in the country and some political parties to form a coalition, which SDP was part of in the initial stage.

“But later, the person who represented SDP in that coalition meeting explained to the coalition that SDP are still contesting the by-elections across our 12 states and that the party was not ready to lose its identity. So the party decided to remain as SDP for the time being.

“Stakeholders were engaged later, and everybody agreed that the party should remain as an individual political party. Therefore, the SDP is not part of the coalition. So we will be contesting in the 2027 general elections with our presidential candidates and vice presidential candidates.”

Meanwhile, the embattled National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, has rejected the dissolution of the NWC, insisting the action holds no legal weight.

Agunloye disclosed this in a statement released in the wake of the NWC dissolution on Friday.

According to him, the NEC members were loyalists of the other faction carrying out a hatchet job.

He said, ‘This is to let members of the National Executive Committee of our great Party know that the National Working Committee at its meeting passed a resolution, dissociating itself and the national leadership of the Party from the so-called NEC meeting in Abuja.

“The NWC urges all our elected federal and state legislators, Zonal Officers and State Chairmen, to disregard this illegal and irregular NEC meeting. About 13 State Chairmen had already sent sworn affidavits, as of 23/7/25, through various lawyers to the INEC Chairman to dissociate themselves from the Bissallah-Modibbo NEC Call, claiming their signatures were misappropriated and improperly used.

“The NWC enjoins all our esteemed State Chairmen to be properly guided and not be lured into a trap to avoid sanctions for breach of the SDP Constitution.”

TCN, Kano resolve land dispute stalling 330kV power line project

The Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Kano State Government have reached an agreement to resolve a protracted legal dispute that had stalled the completion of the Kumbotso–Rimin Zakara 330kV transmission line.

The resolution followed a high-level meeting convened on July 21, 2025, by the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to address issues relating to land ownership and compensation, which had led to litigation and delayed the project.

A statement issued on Friday by the General Manager, Public Affairs at TCN, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed that under the new agreement, the state government would compensate affected individuals whose cases remain in court and provide alternative land for others.

The statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria, Kano Region, and the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning have reached a pivotal agreement to resolve legal disputes that had stalled the Kumbotso–Rimin Zakara 330kV transmission line project.

“The meeting, held on July 21, 2025, was convened by the Ministry to address litigation surrounding land ownership and compensation, which had significantly delayed progress.

“Under the terms of the agreement, the Kano State Government will compensate individuals whose cases remain under legal consideration and provide alternative land to affected parties.

“The resolution removes the final obstacles to the completion of the project,” Mbah stated, adding that the development marks a significant milestone in efforts to boost power supply and industrial development in the North.

She expressed optimism that with the legal issues out of the way, work on the transmission line would progress swiftly.

The Kumbotso–Rimin Zakara 330kV line is expected to enhance the electricity transmission capacity of the national grid and support economic growth in the region.

The commission also reported that a vandal was electrocuted on July 19, 2025, while attempting to sabotage a high-voltage facility in Ebonyi State.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on Tower 34 along the Nkalagu–Abakaliki 132kV transmission line.

“The body of the vandal, who was electrocuted while trying to vandalise the tower, has been recovered,” the company said.

TCN reiterated its warning to the public on the dangers of tampering with power infrastructure, noting that such facilities carry high voltage and pose severe safety hazards.

“The public is urged to safeguard power installations in their communities and promptly report suspicious activity to security agencies or the nearest TCN office,” the statement added.

PUNCH Online reports that in recent times, vandalism of the transmission infrastructures and distribution equipment has been a common occurrence in the country.

In January 2025, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said over N9bn was spent to restore vandalised power infrastructure in the northern part of Nigeria in 2024.

Okogie returns to D’Tigers as Nigeria unveils Afrobasket provisional squad

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has officially released a 17-man provisional roster for the senior men’s national team, D’Tigers, ahead of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket tournament which will be held in Angola from August 12 to 24 PUNCH Online reports.

Headlining the squad list for the former AfroBasket champions, which was posted on the official X account of the Nigerian Men’s Nat’l Basketball Team on Wednesday, is Houston Rockets’ latest acquisition Josh Okogie, who is making a return to the national team set-up after a few years away.

The ex-Phoenix Suns guard represented Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup in China and at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Japan.

Meanwhile, 2025 Basketball Africa League winner Caleb Agada, who plies his trade with Libyan franchise Al Ahli Tripoli, is among the elite players who have been called up.

There is also room for experienced hands including Ike Nwamu, Mike Nuga and Talib Zanna, while Peter Olisemeka and Devine Eke who both featured in this year’s BAL tournament for Rivers Hoopers of Nigeria and ASCVD of Senegal respectively, have earned call-ups to the national team.

Completing the preliminary roster are Kareem Joseph, Wesley Iwundu, Ugochukwu Simon, Stanley Okoye, Folabomi Fayemi, Emmanuel Omogbo, Christian Mekowulu, Martins Igbanu, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, and Jekiri Tonye, while a notable absentee is experienced veteran Chimezie Metu, who is currently recovering from a long-term injury.

The 2015 continental champions last assembled in August 2023, during the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Lagos for the Paris 2024 summer Games which Nigeria ultimately failed to qualify for.

The team is expected to begin camping next week as preparations intensify, before the list is pruned to the final 12 players who will don the nation’s colours at the tournament.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Tunisia, Cameroon and Madagascar. D’Tigers will begin their campaign with an opening game against Madagascar on August 13, before taking on Tunisia two days later.

They will wrap up the round-robin stage with a fixture against Cameroon on August 17. The knockout rounds will tip off on August 18 and conclude with the final which will be played at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda on August 24.

France defends move to recognise Palestinian state

France defended its decision to recognise Palestinian statehood amid domestic and international criticism on Friday, including against the charge that the move plays into the hands of militant group Hamas.

President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September, the most powerful European nation to announce such a move.

Macron’s announcement drew condemnation from Israel, which said it “rewards terror”, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it “reckless” and said it “only serves Hamas propaganda”.

Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel, quipped that Macron did not say where a future Palestinian state would be located.

“I can now exclusively disclose that France will offer the French Riviera & the new nation will be called “Franc-en-Stine”, he said on X.

Hamas itself — which is designated a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union — praised the French initiative, saying it was “a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people”.

But French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Friday argued that Macron’s initiative went against what the militant group wanted.

“Hamas has always ruled out a two-state solution. By recognising Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organisation,” Barrot said on X.

With its decision, France was “backing the side of peace against the side of war”, Barrot added.

Domestic reactions ranged from praise on the left, condemnation on the right and awkward silence in the ranks of the government itself.

– ‘Counter-productive’, ‘pointless’ –

The leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, said the announcement was “rushed” and afforded Hamas “unexpected institutional and international legitimacy”.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Jean-Luc Melenchon, boss of the far-left France Unbowed party, called Macron’s announcement “a moral victory”, although he deplored that it did not take effect immediately.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a right winger whose relationship with Macron is tense, declined on Friday to give his opinion, saying he was currently busy with an unrelated “serious topic” linked to the “security of French people on holiday”.

But the vice president of his party, Les Republicains, Xavier Bellamy, blasted the decision as possibly “counter-productive” or, at best, “pointless”.

The move risked “endangering Israeli civilians” as well as “Palestinian civilians who are victims of Hamas’s barbarism”, he said.

Bellamy said that Macron’s move was a departure from the president’s previously set conditions for recognition of Palestine, which included a Hamas de-militarisation, the movement’s exclusion from any future government, the liberation of all Israeli hostages in Gaza and the recognition of Israel by several Arab states.

“None of them have been met,” he said.

While France would be the most significant European country to recognise a Palestinian state, others have hinted they could do the same.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he would hold a call on Friday with counterparts in Germany and France on efforts to stop the fighting, adding that a ceasefire would “put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state”.

Norway, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all announced recognition following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, along with several other non-European countries.

Once France follows through on its announcement, a total of at least 142 countries will have recognised Palestinian statehood.

AFP

There is pressure on Osun gov to defect to APC – Oyinlola

A former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party and ex-Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has revealed that there is mounting pressure on the Osun Sate Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Oyinlola, in an interview on Arise News’ Prime News on Thursday, described the situation as a common trend where the ruling party exerts influence on elected officials, leading to defections.

“It feels horrible, I would say, but the fact is that there is always enormous pressure from the ruling party on all the elected officers, and that’s what is producing this defection on them,” Oyinlola said.

According to him, the Osun governor has resisted the move because it would amount to political suicide, given the APC’s dwindling popularity in the state.

“Why my governor has not gone was just because it would be a dilemma. APC has not fared well with the people of Osun State, and I can say that. Telling him to roll over to APC will mean ruining his political career because the people will not go along with that. He knows it,” he added.

While confirming that the pressure on the governor persists, Oyinlola dismissed any notion that he might be considering defection, describing himself as “a battle-tested general.”

“No amount of pressure will shake me off my post,” he said, boasting of his experience as a former military administrator, a civilian governor, and a PDP national secretary.

Embrace mediation for peaceful co-existence, institute urges Nigerians

The Mediation Training Institute has called on Nigerians to make mediation a daily practice to resolve disputes peacefully and build stronger relationships at all levels of society.

In a statement to mark the International Day of Mediation on Thursday, the MTI President, Segun Ogunyannwo, said mediation should be viewed as an essential life skill rather than an occasional option.

“Mediation should not be like a garment that you put on whenever it suits you and put off when it does not serve your interest or purpose.

“In our thoughts, words, and deeds, we should reflect the high standards and ideals of the very fulfilling ministry of reconciliation—mediation,” he said.

He noted that the institute chose July 24 as symbolic, underscoring the message that mediation should be practised “24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Ogunyannwo urged Nigerians to use mediation to address disputes in families, workplaces, communities, and business relationships, stressing its role in sustaining harmony in a conflict-prone society.

He also encouraged individuals to take practical steps by mediating real disputes on the day and sharing their experiences with the institute via email for recognition of their peacebuilding efforts.

“Mediation skills are life skills”, Ogunyannwo noted, adding that these skills are vital for managing differences, preserving relationships, and fostering peaceful co-existence.

He reminded mediators to uphold confidentiality and respect privacy in all interventions, stating that the International Day of Mediation continues to serve as a platform to promote dialogue, tolerance, and reconciliation across Nigeria.