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BREAKING: Jonathan finally speaks on Accident, death of his two aides

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan escaped unharmed in a ghastly auto accident that claimed the lives of two of his security aides.

The former leader expressed sadness at the development and commiserated with the families of the deceased. Speaking on the incident via a statement signed by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan wished the departed eternal rest.

The statement read; “Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed deep sadness over the unfortunate tragic death of two police officers attached to him, in a road crash today at the vicinity of the Abuja airport, while on his way out of the airport.”

“The former President who described the incident as painful and heart-rending stated that the sudden death of the two security details has thrown him into deep mourning.”

“Dr. Jonathan noted with sadness that the deceased, Inspectors Ibrahim Abazi and Yakubu Toma, were fine officers who were dedicated to their duties and service to the nation.”

“Two other officers sustained injuries in the accident which involved a car conveying the security men. They were rushed to a hospital in Abuja where they are responding to treatment.”

“The office of the former President has offered condolences to the families of the bereaved and the Police High Command. Dr. Jonathan prayed God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and bless their families and the nation with the fortitude to bear the loss.”

FULL LIST: Soludo appoints Charly Boy, Bianca Ojukwu, others to mediate with IPOB

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, on Wednesday announced some individuals to address insecurity and the agitations by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state and other southeast territories.

Top among those named are former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu who is the Chairman of 15-member committee and Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Biafra warlord, Odumegwu (Secretary).

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, the committee would be inaugurated soon. They were also given six months to conclude their activities.
Others members on the list are Dr Joe Nwaorgu, Dr Udenta Udenta and Dr Uju Agomoh.

Also listed are Dr. Joe Abah, Rev. Fr (Msgnr) Jerome Madueke, Canon Dr. Okechukwu C. Obi-Okoye, Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), Dr. John Otu, Mr. Ngozi Odumuko, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Sam Egwuatu and Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu.

“Given the cross-border nature of the conflict, the focus goes beyond Anambra, and possibly covers the entire Southeast. Specifically, the Terms of Reference for the Committee are to identify the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, restiveness, violence, and armed struggle in the South East since 1999; and document victims/circumstances of death, brutality and incarceration.
“To identify stakeholders and groups who have played critical roles in the agitations and conflicts, their roles, capabilities and demands; address any other issue(s) that may be germane to unravelling the extent of the crisis and charting the roadmap for the future; and make recommendations for sustainable peace and security in Anambra state/Southeast. The Committee shall be free to draw up the methodology to accomplish its assignment,” the statement reads in part.

JUST IN: MC Oluomo’s reign in Lagos ends as NURTW dissolves Council

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Wednesday removed Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, from his position as Chairman of the Union in Lagos State.

MC Oluomo was recently suspended over misconducts and insubordination by the union at the national. The Lagos transport boss though dared the national body and announced the separation of Lagos NURTW from the national body.

The national union has now directed the State Secretary, Seyi Bankole, to take over the administration of affairs in Lagos, in order to avoid leadership vacuum.

The statement signed by Tajudeen Baruwa, the National President, obtained by this newspaper reads in part: “In view of the fact that nature abhors vacuum, the state secretary of the union, Comrade Seyi Bankole, is hereby directed to take over the running of the affairs of Lagos State council pending the constitution of a caretaker committee after consultation with relevant authorities.”

BREAKING: Asari Dokubo captures Notorious ESN Commander

A former leader of the the Movement for the Emnacipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Asari Dokubo has captured a notorious commander of the Eastern Security Network, ESN.

Dokubo, in a statement on his facebook profile(Cibi Dabo) on Wednesday, mocked the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its ESN arm, announcing that he had captured on of their commanders and he was ‘talking like a parrot.’

It will be recalled that Dokubo has been in a running battle with IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu over their activities in the South-East.

He has constantly derided the group stating that it was one of the ‘worst’ things to happen to the region.

He has threatened to kill any ESN/IPOB member that dares him and also once threatened to kill Kanu with his bare hands anytime he appears in court.

VIDEO: ECWA church Deacon dies during sermon against ritualists in Ogun

A deacon at the Evangelical Church Winning All, Onikoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Francis Ogunnusi, has died while preaching in the church on Sunday.

The late deacon was the Baale of Onikoko community, near the Panseke area of Abeokuta.

Our correspondent gathered that Ogunnusi was on the pulpit on Sunday preaching against the get-rich-quick syndrome that had become the order of the day in different parts of the country.

Our correspondent saw a video where the deceased was heard warning those killing others to get rich, saying when they died, the money would be taken by other people.

Ogunnusi, while preaching in Yoruba, said, “The money you make through unlawful means, killing people, sucking human blood, when death comes, it will belong to another person.”

However, as his interpreter was about presenting the words in English language, Ogunnusi fell with the microphone in his hand.

This led to commotion in the church hall, as people rushed him to a hospital.

A member of the church, who did not want to be identified, said the victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, where he was pronounced dead.

Greedy youths in search of quick fortune resort to money rituals, send victims to early grave
The source said, “The man was not the pastor of that church; he was just an elder. He was the Baale of Onikoko. He was the one that delivered the sermon on Sunday.

“He was talking about death and people who made money by killing other people. All of a sudden, he collapsed. He was rushed to the FMC, where he died. We don’t know what happened. I was very scared. Everything was disrupted. We just said the grace and went home.”

The source could not tell if Ogunnusi had any health challenge before the incident, adding that the deceased was between 60 and 70 years old.

It was gathered that the church at Onikoko is the headquarters of ECWA in Ogun State.

The corpse was said to have been deposited in a mortuary.

JUST IN: Tinubu visits Nasir El-rufai in Kaduna

National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-rufai on Tuesday.

Tinubu, who is 2023 Presidential aspirant, met with El-rufai to comisserate with him over the recent Train attack by Bandits that led to the loss of several lives.

Tinubu, who was accompanied by former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, announced the donation of N50 million to victims of the attack. He was received by Governor El-Rufai and Senators Uba Sani and Suleiman Abdu-Kwri at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Kaduna State seat of power.

Others on Tinubu’s entourage include the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Senator Abu Ibrahim. The Lagos Politician described the train attack as a national disaster.

According to him everybody should be concerned about the attacks going on in Kaduna state which have claimed hundreds of lives and properties in recent times. He added that killings by bandits is no longer acceptable and must stop. He also appealed to well-to-do Nigerians to support the Kaduna state government in addressing the humanitarian crises created by bandits attacks.

JUST IN: AGF Abubakar Malami Declares Ambition To Run For Kebbi Governorship Race In 2023

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has declared his intention to contest the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.

Malami, who declared before his supporters in Kebbi State, promised not to betray them.

“If God in His mercies permits, and all goes well, I will as a politician contest the governorship of Kebbi state. I am seeking your support.

“I want to announce that I will contest indeed and as such I am counting on your prayers and support so that we can all work and survive the race together. I have no history of betrayal and I won’t betray you people. I will work for you,” he told his supporters in Hausa, in a video that was seen yesterday.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, pointed out that leaders need followers and followers in turn need their leaders in order to ensure that the citizens benefit, even as he promised to work day and night to turn the life of citizens around.

Malami had previously told close friends of his intention to contest the Kebbi state election.

He certainly would be contesting under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and would be seeking to succeed the current Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who is completing his second term.

In 2014, Malami picked nomination form to run for Kebbi State Governor under the platform of the APC, but lost to Bagudu in the party’s primary election.

The Attorney General of the Federation was appointed into his current position by President Buhari in 2015. He was born on 17 April 1967 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Malami obtained her First School Leaving Certificate(FSLC) from Nassarawa Primary School, Birnin Kebbi. He proceeded to College of Arts and Arabic Studies for his secondary education.

He obtained a degree in law from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in 1991 and was called to Bar in 1992.

In 1994, Malami obtained a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri.

In 2011, Malami served as the National Legal Adviser of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Chairman, Legal Team, CPC Presidential Campaign Organisation and Chairman Legal Team, CPC Presidential Campaign Organization.

Malami was among those that drafted the manifesto of the APC and a member of the inter-party Merger Committees of the CPC, ACN, ANPP, a faction APGA, DPP towards the formation of the APC·

Just In: 11 soldiers killed’ as gunmen attack military base in Kaduna

About 11 soldiers have been killed in an attack by suspected gunmen on a military base in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna state.

The gunmen who came in large numbers were said to have invaded the base at Polwire village on Monday and engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle.

Military sources told TheCable that the bandits came on motorcycles and carrying heavy weapons including rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).

The fight was said to have lasted for about two hours before the soldiers were dislodged.

“We lost 11 men while 19 soldiers were wounded in action, after they overwhelmed the troops. They also burnt down three armoured personel carriers (APC) after they overwhelmed the troops,” one of the military sources said.

The gunmen were also said to have carted away with several weapons from the troops.

TheCable understands that the wounded soldiers were evacuated to Birnin Gwari General Hospital and 271 Nigerian Airforce Medical Center while those who were killed have been evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna (44 NARHK) in Kaduna.

Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, was not immediately available to comment on the attack.

In past recent months, there has been a series of attacks on Kaduna communities, including military bases.

In August 2021, gunmen attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), killing two officers.

The attack on the military base comes days after gunmen attacked a train in Kaduna, which left several people dead and scores injured.

Why I keep my Children’s Faces Hidden – Funke Akindele finally opens up

Nollywood star, Funke Akindele-Bello has opened up on the reason she keeps her sons’ faces hidden.
Speaking in a recent interview on TVC, the actress stated that she wants her children to live their own lives without the public judging them by the standard of their parents.

She maintained that when they become adults they can decide to show their faces to the world but as children, she would rather keep their faces hidden and protected.

She said: “Don’t you see my home? Don’t you see my husband? Don’t you see the back of my children?

“How is that one private? The children’s face is that what you are trying to say? No.

“When they are old enough, they should show their faces if they want to. But for now, I don’t want them to show their faces. I want them to have their lives and enjoy it.

“Their dad and I are already in the public eye. They are children, don’t forget. They are children They are vulnerable so you have to just keep them away, keep them safe.

“Let them go to school, let them enjoy their lives without “Ah!” that’s Jenifa’s son. That’s JJC’s son. Ah see his leg, see his face” Leave them private!”

Wike Meets With IBB, Abdulsalami On Presidential Ambition

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike on Monday visited a former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and former head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The presidential aspirant was accompanied by some Peoples Democratic Party Governors; Seyi Makinde,
Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and former Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State.

Recall that Wike declared his intention to contest the presidential election in 2023 during his visit to Benue State.

The Deputy Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Ikpeazu while addressing newsmen after the meeting said the delegation was in Minna to consult with the former Head of State ahead of the 2023 election.

He said, “I have come with my colleagues, the Governor of Rivers, Governor of Enugu, Governor of Oyo, some members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders

“First, to consult with the former Head of State and discuss national issues: economic development, security, and unity of our country.

“And also, to commend him for his support for the unity of this country. And the discussions went very well and we will advance it from there.”

Ikpeazu while speaking on the response IBB gave them, said the former military president expressed strong concerns about the need for younger Nigerians to be courageous in taking up the challenge of providing leadership to the country.

He called on the youths to take up the baton and rescue Nigeria.