Nollywood veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu who was arrested by the Department of State Service, DSS, for donning a Biafran outfit has unveiled his new rising sun outfit.
Naija News recalls that the 65-year-old actor was arrested in Upper Iweka Bridge by soldiers in October while carrying out a charity activity, for wearing a Biafra-themed outfit, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
He was, however, released but rearrested by the Department of State Services.
The actor who promised to make a new outfit of the rising sun was seen with a new attire with the inscription ‘Rising sun’.
It would be recalled that the comic actor revealed that the soldiers and DSS operatives treated him with respect while in detention.
He said: “It didn’t start well but God took control. I was only buying bread for the poor. Soldiers came in and started scattering things. They said they are calling me in the office but they did not tell me my offence. Because they did not tell me my offence, I refused to follow them.
“That drama that took place was important so that they will know that Igbo are here. That moment of Upper Iweka till the time we got to the army barracks close to Zik Mausoleum, to 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and to DSS office in Abuja, nobody touched me. They treated me with respect.
“Every officer wanted to be involved in the case so that they can have the opportunity to interact with Chinwetalu Agu.”
DSS released him following the intervention of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN.
It’s no longer news that Queen Naomi who has a one-year-old child with Ooni Of Ife, King Ogunwusi took to her social media account on Instagram to announce that she shouldn’t longer be considered as a Queen in the palace of Ooni.
She added that she is no longer a slave to perfection and she has endured a lot until this moment but it seems that this will not be the end of it as Ooni Of Ife Media Director, Moses Olafare debunks the rumors.
As reported by Punch Newspaper News Outlet a few minutes ago, Moses Olafare revealed that Queen Naomi and the Ooni Of Ife slept together as couples on Wednesday night and they are currently investigating a possible hacking of Queen Naomi Instagram account.
They were born just like any other person. They have fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, wives, children, just like the next man or woman. They pound their beats, in thunder, lightning or rain. The sun beats them till their eyes almost pop out of the sockets. But we accord them no respect, we esteem them as men of sorrow, acquainted with grief. They are policemen, and must be treated like something the cat dragged in, article of no commercial value.
During the EndSARS protests of October 2020, see what happened to our cops: 39 were killed, with one roasted and eaten, 210 injured, their stations and barracks worth N11.6 billion were burnt, along with 198 police vehicles, 9 Armoured Personnel Cars. Also razed were Police Communication Equipment worth N5.8 billion, and 422 exhibit vehicles valued at N5.5 billion.
The police were the main reason the protests took place in the first instance, but then, do you first annihilate an institution that needs reforms? They had their excesses, but is decapitation the cure for headache?
President Muhammadu Buhari in the wake of the EndSARS protests promised to reform the police, including looking into their welfare and enhancing their status. It is now promise made, and promise kept, as the Federal Executive Council unfolded a new deal for the police. It is like a Christmas bonus, which came at the end of the year.
Following the promise of the President in 2020, probe panels were instituted by states to look into the excesses of the police, and recommend sanctions and compensations where necessary, while a stakeholders committee was also set up to look into the welfare of the police.
See the parlous conditions of members of an institution we gave arms and ammunition to, and we asked to protect us.
*At least 1,898 personnel were not paid outstanding insurance benefits for the period of 2013 to 2020.
*Death benefits were not paid to families of 5,472 personnel, who died on active duty between 2013 and 2021.
*Financial claims amounted to N1,128, 174, 150.00 in respect of the 1,898 uninsured personnel.
Read Also: We’re not all gloom and doom, are we?, by Femi Adesina
*Death benefits amounted to N13,127,197,269.48, while burial expenses amounted to N1,234,520.000.00, for personnel who died between 2012 and 2021.
A working group set up at the instance of President Buhari, came up with recommendations, which have now been approved by the Federal Executive Council. They include:
*The release of over one billion, one hundred and twenty-eight million for the payment of outstanding benefits to 1,898 personnel for the period 2013 to 2020.
*The release of over 13 billion for the payment of outstanding death benefits.
*Tax waiver in the sum of over N18 billion per annum for all junior personnel in order to increase their take-home emoluments.
*Increase of rent subsidy from 15-20% to 40% of the Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS).
*Payment of additional 6% shift duty allowance.
*Payment of 20% of COMPOSS as peculiar allowance to boost morale and take-home pay of the police.
All these, and more, are to take effect from the 2022 appropriation act, thus improving the welfare of our police personnel.
Will it automatically translate to better behavior, and elimination of bribery and corruption? Not by the waving of a wand. But it would signpost the beginning of caring for the police. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
History will record President Buhari as the man who began to take practical steps in repositioning the welfare of the police. They would no longer be regarded as scum, and would earn respect from a society that loves to look down on them. I tell you, this President cares.
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has endorsed the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo to take over power in 2023.
Babangida endorsed the Vice President when he was visited by the Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger capital, on Thursday.
The elder statesman while speaking during the visit charged Osinbajo to be resilient and contest in the 2023 general elections.
He said, “I know the Vice-president very well. He is a good man. A man who has conviction about Nigeria; a man who can communicate with the country and inspire people. Such a man is a worthy person to work with. We need a good man to lead Nigeria.
“A man who has a passion for this country. Nigeria is a good country; the people of Nigeria are good. You must learn to understand people and constant discussion is key.
“I want to convey my best wishes to the Vice-president through you. And I want you to tell him to stay on the cause. I know it’s not easy but he has the conviction. I wish him the best.”
According to Babangida, he accepted to speak with the group because he knows the Vice President has the quality of a good leader.
The National Convener of the Organisation, Ojo Foluso, in his response to the statement of the former military president said they are happy with IBB’s endorsement.
He said, “We came to consult the Oracle and the Oracle has spoken. General IBB is an oracle because he understands Nigeria.”
He said they would continue to mount pressure on Osibanjo to pick interest in the 2023 race.
For the umpteenth time, the Nigerian Government has uncovered alleged plans by terrorists to launch coordinated attacks on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The latest makes it the fourth time in the last one year that Nigerian security forces and paramilitary agencies would be alerted about alleged plans by terrorists to wreak havoc in the federal capital.
The Nigeria Immigration Service, in a memo addressed to its sector commanders across 23 borders posts, said it received an urgent security report from the Presidency about the planned attacks.
The terrorists are planning to launch the attacks during the Christmas holidays “between 17th and 31st December, 2021,” said the memo dated December 23, 2021 and signed by Edirin Okoto, the NIS Land Border Patrol Commander.
According to the memo, an Algerian, Drahmane Ould Ali, otherwise known as Mohammed Ould Sidat, is leading the planned attack.
His accomplices were identified as one Zahid Aminon from Niger Republic and four Nigerians.
“The report indicates the duo are enroute Nigeria from Mali through Gan and Niger Republic, riding a white Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No- AG157EKY. That these two had four Nigerian accomplices who are already embedded in the country.
“It is further reported that Ali holds Algerian Diplomatic Passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim.
“Consequently, I am directed to request you to intensify alert levels, emplace necessary countermeasures at all our entry/exit points- Air, Land, Sea/Marine, including, but not limited to, surveillance, rigorous search on persons and vehicles, transhumance, to effectuate the immediate arrest of these terrorists/countervail this and any terrorist attacks in Abuja.”
THE WHISTLER recalls that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had similarly raised the alarm about plans by Boko Haram insurgents to carry out massive attacks in the FCT in 2020.
The NCS, in a memo dated September 4, 2020 with reference number NCS/ENF/ABJ/180/SI/VOL11, said that the terrorists had set up camps at fringes of the FCT to “attack some select targets within the territory.”
The Defence Headquarters had confirmed the alleged plan but assured “residents of FCT and other adjoining states that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have been on red alert to combat crime and ensure effective surveillance of the Federal Capital Territory and other states of the country.”
In May 2021, the Nigerian Police Force also alerted its officers about plans by Boko Haram to attack the FCT and Plateau State, amongst others.
An internal memo with reference number TB: O900/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOLT1/47 and signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, CP Idowu Owohunwa, had said: “Intelligence report at the disposal of the Inspector-General of Police has uncovered plans by Boko Haram Terrorists to attack major cities in the country, particularly in Jos, Plateau State and the FCT, Abuja.
“The proposed attacks would be coordinated by the duo of Muhammad Sani, a Boko Haram Commander, domiciled in Sambisa Forest and his Deputy, Suleman (fnu), hibernating around Lawan Musa Zango, Gashua, Yobe State.
“In light of the above, it is the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you review your security architecture across all critical Government infrastructures and Police facilities in your jurisdiction with 4 view to checkmating the dastardly plans of this marauding terrorists”.
The (NOUN) on Thursday matriculated 72 inmates of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja to study various courses.
The Vice-Chancellor, NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, urged the students to make use of their study materials judiciously.
The VC who was represented by the National Coordinator, Special Studies, NOUN, Mrs Modupe Adesina, described the collaboration between NOUN and NCoS as very smooth.
According to him, NOUN remains the largest in Africa, and the only accredited single-mode Open and Distance Learning Institution in Nigeria.
“We have 12 study centres that are for inmates. We have 970 students from Correctional centres nationwide and we have graduated 42 inmates across the nation since 2012.
“We have five people enrolled for PhD programmes and still counting. We produced the best graduating students in 2014 in Enugu.
“And when you look at their results, they have been very studious, very eager to graduate with the best result,” he said.
Peters urged the public to encourage the federal government by employing the graduated inmates in the society to help them keep up with their lives outside the Correctional Centres.
He said the efforts of the government should be embraced as the inmates were fully sponsored to acquire the certificates from the University.
“The efforts of the government and the university should be encouraged. This is not a joke.
“The environment and society at large should embrace students coming from NOUN, particularly inmates from correctional centres.
“If they are out, that means they have most likely been reformed. Education goes a lot to open their mind and make them what the society requires.
“A lot of them are gifted, they have gone beyond going to school, they have acquired several skills and not in any way lesser than anyone out there,” he said.
The VC expressed the determination of the university toward ensuring that the newly admitted students were provided with an excellent learning environment with a view to making their study rewarding and satisfactory.
He urged them to desist from all forms of anomalies such as cultism, sexual harassment among others that exist in the conventional university, saying that NOUN was not a regular University.
The FCT Controller, NCoS, Ahmed Musa, said the NCoS had continued to deliver on this mandate through a plethora of academic and vocational skills acquisition, as well as psycho-social support programmes for inmates.
Musa said the significance of the occasion could not be overemphasised as it underscored the very core of the mandate of the NCoS.
This he said were to reform and rehabilitate those in its care and subsequently reintegrate them into the society.
According to him, it is worthy of note that changing the behaviour and orientation of persons in conflict with the law and putting them on the right path is no mean task.
“The Kuje Custodial Centre has always been outstanding in academic exploits.
“Since the command embraced education as a foremost means of reformation in 2010, the centre has recorded over 850 students who have sat for their WAEC and NECO exams.
“Over 750 inmates passing outstandingly with over five credits, which include maths and English.
“With the advent of the National Open University, the centre has registered over a hundred students and also graduated about 10 BSc and one Master’s degree student,” he said.
Musa urged the matriculating students as well as the returning students not to let the service down and to be outstanding in their chosen academic fields.
He noted that the command had also extended this opportunity to the Suleja Custodial Centre, adding that the centre had about 32 inmates who were presently sitting for their WAEC and NECO exams.
“I, therefore, implore all those matriculating today and, indeed, other inmates, to take advantage of this golden opportunity to add value to their lives.
“Like I always say, incarceration is not the end of one’s life you can gain the time while you serve the term,” he advised.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Mr Francis Enobore, urged the matriculating students to focus on their studies to enable them go farther in life.
“I also want to assure you all that the necessary support you need will be duly provided by the service,” he said.
Boko Haram insurgents have fired rockets at Ngomari Airport area in Maiduguri, Borno State, as President Muhammadu Buhari visits the state capital today.
POLITICS NIGERIA learnt that that one of the missiles landed at Ajilari Cross area. Another landed near Maiduguri airport where there is a military base.
Per a source, one person died at Ngomari, while several others sustained injuries at Ajilari area.
Recall that earlier this month, Boko Haram attacked the same area with mortar bombs. The explosives landed on several houses around the vicinity causing extensive damage.
The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum visited the scene at the time, calling on the military to wake up to its duties just as he said he was setting up a committee to assess the damages.
Olori Silekunola Naomi, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday announced that “I shall no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife”.
Olori Naomi took to her Facebook page to make the announcement.
She explained that she tried to make her marriage work and smiled through the struggle, but realised that she had just one assignment which is her son.
This is coming as Ooni was widely reported in July to have secretly welcomed a new baby with another woman.
Read Olori Naomi’s full post below: “I bless the Lord almighty for His faithfulness in the last 3years of my marriage. In life’s journey, it isn’t how far. Still, how well, indeed though satan should buffet if trials should come, I have this blessed assurance controlling all situations and saying to me it is well with my soul. Certainly, it is well. I made my journey into the ancient throne of Ife with faith in my heart and love for the keeper of it.
Few impressions I would love to correct. If anyone knows otherwise, they are free to come up with facts. Let it be known that this decision to move on did not come because his majesty is married to another queen. As many would love to assume, throughout our life as a couple, I was the only married wife to him. There were side attractions, but it was never an issue.
I never approached him with any revelation of any sort, as many believed he contacted me first and made his proposal known several months later.
The marriage was not an arranged one, as many have misconstrued. I never knew the prophetess said to have introduced me to him. Instead, he introduced her to me after I agreed to marry him. I was only being polite out of respect for him.
I have never been pregnant all my life before Tadenikawo; my son is my first ever pregnancy with medical reports to back it up
The girl who is said to be my daughter is my niece
I did my best to endure and make it work; many times, I smiled through the struggle, but I have finally realised I had just one assignment, my son, and when God is done, He is done. He chose Saul to be king, and when He was done, He told the prophet Samuel I have moved on. Religion was never an issue between us; please refer to my interview on News Central TV. Instead, His Majesty has a picture he would love the world to see and perceive him as and another one which is his true self.
Today I announce the beginning of a new dawn and the close of a chapter. Today, I am a mother to God’s unique gift. I am no longer a slave to my thoughts of perfection. I, at this moment, announce that I shall no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife but as the Queen of the people and mother of my adorable Prince.to be cont.”
Four suspected Yahoo Boys have told the Ogun State police that one of their friends, Uzoma Alexander, who came to learn about Internet fraud from them died after taking ‘Colorado’.
Colorado is a cocktail of psychotropic drug currently trending among Nigeria’s young drug users especially teenagers.
The Police Public Relations Officers in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a.dtatement on Wednesday said the
suspects: Babatunde Owoseni; Azeez Oyebanji aka Biggy; Ayobami Adesina and Sulaiman Balogun, confessed that they all took the substance.
He said they also.told the police that the body of Alexander was later dumped on the overhead bridge
The PPRO stated that the suspects were arrested following a report lodged at Adigbe Divisional Police Headquarters by the mother of the victim, Mrs Ogechi Alexander, who reported that her 20-year-old son left home on November 20, and did not returned.
She further said her son told her that he was going to visit some of his friends whom she did not know.
The police stated that a case of missing person was subsequently incidented at the police station.
Oyeyemi said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, directed that the case be transferred to State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation when the boy could still not be found after some days.
He said intelligence officers swung into action after this and eventually arrested the four persons.
The police said further, “At the SCIID, the DSP Nurudeen AbdulGafar-led Modus Operandi Section, embarked on intelligence and technical investigation which led to the identification of one Babatunde Owoseni as the person who was last seen with the victim, and he was promptly arrested.
“The said Babatunde later led policemen to arrest his co accomplices namely, Azeez Oyebanji aka Biggy, Ayobami Adesina and Balogun Sulaiman.
“On interrogation, they confessed that the victim came to their house to learn about Internet fraud, and after eating food, they all took a substance known as ‘Colorado’ which made them to fall asleep.
“They confessed further that when they woke up at about 8pm, they met the victim on the ground and had already vomited all over his body. When they tried to carry him, they discovered that he was no longer breathing.
“At that point, Azeez Oyebanji aka Biggy from whom they bought the drug was invited, and he advised that they should throw the corpse away.
“It was then that Ayomide and Gafar arranged for an Uber driver to come and when the driver came, Ayomide collected the vehicle from him and used it to carry the corpse to the top of Kuto Overhead Bridge where it was dumped.
“The corpse was later removed by the state health workers and buried as unknown corpse.”
The PPRO added that preliminary investigation revealed that there was a mark of violence on the head of the deceased as shown in the picture taken by the health workers before it was buried.
He also stated that the commissioner of police had ordered the investigating team to expedite action on the investigation and charge the case to court as soon as possible.
Barely 24 hours after Governor Nasir El-Rufai sought aggressive presidential intervention against bandits operating in Kaduna State, the terrorists have reportedly kidnapped about 70 traders who were travelling along the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road in the state.
Following the killing of about 40 people after bandits invaded three communities in Giwa Local Government Area of the state on Sunday, Governor El-Rufai met with President Buhari on Tuesday to brief him about the situation and seek the Federal Government’s help to stop the terrorists.
He had told State House correspondents after the meeting: “…there is nothing like repentant terrorists (bandits). The only repentant bandit is the one that is dead. Our intention in the state is to kill them (bandits/terrorists), let them go and see God.”
But in a daring attack, the bandits reportedly kidnapped seventy traders said to be heading to Kano on Wednesday.
The Punch reports that the traders were travelling in a convoy of about 20 vehicles and with police escorts.
The police escorts were nowhere to be found when the bandits struck, said the report which also quoted eyewitnesses as saying the victims were whisked away into the forests.
Bandits have continued to terrorize travellers along the Kaduna road by abducting and some times killing travellers along the popular highway.
