Armed bandits have demanded gallons of petrol and viju milk, amongst other items, to free kidnapped persons barely 12 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari directed the military to embark on a robust military operation to tackle the worsening security in Niger State.
The bandits had invaded another set of communities across Kontagora and Mashegu Local Government Areas on Sunday which left three persons dead and 28 others abducted, according to eyewitnesses.
“The gunmen came on about 18 motorcycles, there were three of them on each of the motorcycles, they were shooting anyhow making the villagers to scamper into the forest
“The unlucky ones were kidnapped but one person was killed,” the eyewitness said.
The Vice-Chairman of Kontagora local government Council Alhaji Aliyu Makiga confirmed the attack to newsmen saying “the gunmen came through the Tegina route in their large number”.
He said security agents attempted to foil the attack but met “stiff resistance from the well equipped gunmen”.
“They kidnapped a lot of people but some were set free when their motorcycles could not carry all of them and others are still with them.
“They (gunmen) are demanding for a ransom of seven 50 litres jerrican of petrol, Viju Milk and other drinks,” he said.
It was earlier reported how President Buhari on Sunday directed the military to respond robustly to the cases of killings and kidnappings in the state through use of force.
Wema Bank Affirms Its Adherence, Best-in-Class Governance Processes
Nigeria’s leading digital bank, Wema Bank Plc, has reassured its stakeholders that it continues to operate with best-in-class governance processes.
The bank also faulted the premise on which a non-governmental organisation, Transparency Nigeria Group, asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to remove its Managing Director/CEO, describing the call as baseless.
The bank reassured its customers and stakeholders that it has and would continue to operate with the highest level of corporate governance, following all rules, policies, and procedures.
“We have no links to any political party and neither are we agents, allies or proxies of any politicians in the country. We are a financial institution solely committed to financial intermediation to enable and fast track the socio-economic development of the country,” the bank said.
The statement further explains that Wema Bank’s observance and strict adherence to due diligence and extant rules and regulations is why it is the oldest surviving indigenous bank in Nigeria.
Aura by Transcorp Hotels, the online platform for booking accommodation, food and experiences has said a couple stand a chance of winning a free night staycation to celebrate Valentine’s Day when any of them spend up to N100,000 on the platform. The Company, a subsidiary of NGX-listed Transcorp Hotels Plc., stated this at an event on Thursday where it hosted some of its stakeholders.
The promo requires users to book accommodation, order food, or book experiences worth at least N100,000 during the promo period, to qualify for a draw where two winners would emerge. Throughout the promo period which ends on January 30, 2022, users of Aura can also enjoy discounts of up to 25% on selected accommodation, food and experiences.
“Aura is committed to providing people with unique homes and hotels when they are away from home. The platform is also set up to help users order great food at restaurants close to them and find things to do to make every moment memorable. This promo is our way of encouraging more people to experience Aura as we continue to spread happiness by creating memorable experiences through all our touch points,” said Ifeoma Okafor-Obi, Business Development Director (Aura) at the event which held at Metro Apartments in Lagos, one of the apartments listed on Aura by Transcorp Hotels.
Aura provides a great selection of exquisite properties at the best prices, carrying out verification on all listings on the platform to ensure that guests are choosing from the right pool of options, and in keeping with the known high standards of the parent company Transcorp Hotels Plc. The hospitality company, which also owns Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Transcorp Hotels Calabar, has continued to expand its excellent hospitality services, with a world-class event center that can seat close to 4,000 guests expected to be completed in 2022. The company’s property in Calabar is also being upgraded to sustain the quality of services the hospitality brand is known for.
Aura by Transcorp Hotels supports official travel, relocation, or staycation, ensuring that employees of corporate bodies are well rested and focused on delivering business results. Companies that have Sales Representatives who are always on the move have found Aura by Transcorp Hotels to be a key partner, with guaranteed access to verified apartments that ensures the comfort and safety of their staff.
“There are carefully selected restaurants as well as personalized chef experiences on demand for corporate meetings and events. We also have an array of refreshing day experiences as well as packages for corporate retreats and strategy sessions,” Okafor-Obi added.
In addition to the impressive features offered by Aura, guests can rest assured that they are fully covered if they ever get involved in an accident whilst in an Aura apartment. This insurance feature is provided in partnership with digital insurance companies, Heirs Insurance and Heirs Life, and it guarantees the protection of the lives and properties of guests, ensuring that they have a truly memorable Aura experience without fears or worries.
Commenting on the significance of Aura by Transcorp Hotels, Mrs. Dupe Olusola MD/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc. explained that the recently launched business is the piece that completes the puzzle for the company, as it seeks to offer wholesome luxurious experiences to guests beyond its well-known properties in Abuja or Calabar.
“Our brands are individually distinctive and collectively powerful. We have consistently delivered world-class guest experience and excellent services across all our touch points, and impressive value to stakeholders. This is what users of Aura by Transcorp Hotels will also continue to enjoy. I encourage people to exploit the ongoing promo by Aura by Transcorp Hotels to have a great experience at a discount, and also stand to win a free staycation on Aura,” Mrs Olusola said.
“2022 will be a very exciting year for us at Transcorp Hotels Plc., as some of the projects we have been working on will come to life this year. One such is our Lifestyle Center which will be located in Ikoyi and will combine the traditional functions of a shopping mall with some of the best leisure amenities you can find anywhere,” Mrs. Olusola added.
To get access to unique accommodation, food and localised experiences listed on Aura, users have to register at aura.transcorphotels.com. They can also download Aura by Transcorp Hotels on Google Play and Apple App Store.
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has described his meeting with the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “family meeting of minds”.
Naija News reports that Fayemi had met with Tinubu after the former Lagos State governor declared his intention to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Reports had claimed that the meeting was convened to discuss the presidential ambition of Tinubu and the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election.
Reacting in a statement on Saturday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayemi, Yinka Oyebode, said the meeting of his principal with Tinubu had nothing to do with the presidential ambition or otherwise of either of the two political leaders.
In the statement titled, ‘Re: Tinubu-Fayemi meeting: The spin doctors got it wrong’, Oyebode stated that Tinubu and Fayemi’s relationship dates back to the dark years of military despotism.
According to the governor’s aide, Fayemi did not surrender his undeclared presidential ambition to Tinubu.
The statement partly read, “Meeting between the two leaders, dates as far back as their days in exile, when they were both involved in the struggle to wrest the country away from military jackboots, and has since been a regular occurrence both within and outside the country’s political space. So there should not be any big deal in seeing them meet, except someone has opted to create a mischief out of it.
“While the details of their recent meeting remain undisclosed, seeing the two of them who are being rumoured as potential presidential aspirants from the southwest together may naturally give way to speculations that the 2023 presidential election could form part of their discussions.
“This may have been further fuelled by the fact that Asiwaju Tinubu said he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari that he would be coveting the presidential seat in 2023. Dr Fayemi on the other hand; has yet to give any visible sign in that direction.
“However, both Asiwaju Tinubu’s declared ambition and Fayemi’s undeclared ambition have now been taken up and given verve by some spin doctors, particularly those who believe such could rev up their relevance in the eyes of either of the political leaders.
“What makes the matter worse is that such spin doctors, surreptitiously scrambling for relevance have been weaving, not half truths, but blatant lies into the Tinubu-Fayemi meeting, saying it signposted Dr Fayemi surrendering his undeclared ambition to Asiwaju Tinubu’s declared one.
“Specifically, they have been dishing out barefaced and unsubstantiated lies that Dr Fayemi at the closed door meeting “debunked the raging rumour of his 2023 presidential ambition and pledged support for the national leader of the All Progressives Congress Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This, no doubt, is a reckless and untruthful spin. First, since the perpetrators were not present at the meeting and none of the leaders could have divulged what transpired, one wonders from where they got their narrative.
“Secondly, the spin doctors, were so consumed by their fictional hogwash that they could not consider it an impossibility for Fayemi to drop a rumoured, yet undeclared ambition, even when Asiwaju Tinubu said he was still consulting as to whether to run or not.
“The story by the spin doctors thus stands logic in the head and stands not only disclaimed but condemned. It must have been sourced from the rumour mill, or as a beer parlour gist. At its best, it is a mere conjecture.
“If and when Dr Fayemi chooses to declare his interest in running for the 2023 presidential ticket, he would not be embarking on an ego trip that would warrant going into unhealthy contest with Asiwaju Tinubu or anyone else. Fayemi sees Tinubu as his leader in politics and reserves respect for him as a national leader of his party. Neither will he run the race with the intention of using it to negotiate with anyone. Rather he will run because he is convinced it is desirable for him to do so.
“Perhaps the spin doctors are unmindful of the fact that Fayemi currently remains focused on finishing strong and well the assignment in his hand as two-term governor of Ekiti State. They also fail to realise that there is still a sitting President equally focused on finishing well his second term in office. Neither Fayemi nor Buhari would like to be distracted by such inanity at this juncture.
“Should Dr Fayemi eventually choose to run in the 2023 Presidential race at all, he would not hide his intention to do so, neither will he involve himself in any clandestine meeting to discuss his chances, since he would have been x-rayed and classified among the preferred aspirants based on his credentials, even before he makes such declaration.
“The masterminds of such fable are therefore advised to desist from doing so any further as it will not give them any political or social mileage. Rather it will wreak serious havoc on their personality, without reducing the worth of either Asiwaju Tinubu or Governor Fayemi who are respectable and respected leaders in their own rights.”
OPERATION HADIN KAI: DECISIVE BLOW, AS TROOPS NEUTRALIZE BHT/ISWAP TERRORISTS IN BIU ATTEMPTED INFILTRATION
Troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force(JTF) North East(NE) Operation HADIN KAI(OPHK) have dealt decisively with Boko Haram(BH) and Islamic State West Africa Province(ISWAP) terrorists, who made frantic attempt to infiltrate the ancient town of Biu, Borno State.
The criminal elements met their Waterloo, when the gallant troops of 231 Battalion and 331 Artillery Regiment swiftly routed them in a failed incursion at Maina Hari village in Biu on Saturday15 January 2022.
In the intense battle, troops unleashed superior fire power on the terrorists, neutralizing five BH/ISWAP terrorists, compelling others to withdraw in disarray..
The gallant troops also captured from the terrorists, one gun truck, one Deshka M Anti Aircraft Gun, one HK 21 Machine Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade Bomb, 137 rounds of 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft Rounds amongst others. Troops are currently in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
Nollywood actor Saheed Balogun, Mr Ibu, Shina Peters and others have come under heavy criticisms after presenting an award to Buhari’s media spokesman Femi Adeshina.
Nigerians drag Saheed Balogun, Mr Ibu, others over an award to Femi Adeshina
Nigerians drag Saheed Balogun, Mr Ibu, others over an award to Femi Adeshina
A photo making the rounds online captured some notable Nigerian actors presenting an award to Femi Adeshina at the Aso Rock.
This did not sit well with many Nigerians as they questioned the award’s purpose and blasted the Nollywood stars for being concerned about their pockets instead of the masses.
It’s the build-up to the 2023 elections, and many Nigerians who seem tired of the current challenging situation in the country are not smiling with anyone supporting old politicians.
Mr. Ibu, Shina Peter and other Nollywood actors presented an award to Femi Adeshina
oy_mabel wrote: Presenting award for what exactly? SMH
lagosketobabe wrote: These people cannot be serious
cobz_mrcruise wrote: Mr Ibu is just unrepentant Baba no even care about the critics.
ghaffarmogaji wrote: This is why the nigerian system is always mono singular, my pocket alone, grow alone F everyone else
News recalls Nollywood actor Uche Maduagwu has tackled his senior colleague in the industry, Mr Ibu, over his show of support for the former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the presidential election.
This comes after Mr Ibu and many other actors came under heavy criticism after a video of them drumming support for the 2023 presidential ambition of National Leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu surfaced online.
This angered Nigerians as they dragged the Nollywood stars for betraying the masses with such an act stating they are all after their pocket to the detriment of what happens to others.
However, in a video, Mr Ibu made a Uturn after disclosing that Atiku Abubakar is his presidential candidate since he has done so much for him and given him a house to stay.
In reaction to the statement, Uche rained insults at Mr Ibu for proclaiming his support for a northern candidate as an Igbo man. He added that the 2023 presidency belongs to the south.
Popular businessman Obi Cubana has offered Ekuma Jeremiah, the Lagos hawker seen in a viral video giving money to inmates in Nigerian Correctional Service bus in Ajah, Lagos State, university scholarship and employment in any of his companies.
The socialite disclosed this in an Instagram live with media personality Daddy Freeze.
He said: “I am offering him a lifetime opportunity, he has to go to school I think that is his ambition.
“I will see him through the university and if he wants to do Masters abroad , I will make sure he is comfortable while going to school because like I said earlier, that is the best we can do for him.”
Cubana added: “He will do University, anything he wants and then by God’s grace I know I will still be standing by the time he is done with school, he has a place in any of my organisations at the top level and if by God’s grace he finds a higher calling, you see there is nothing tied to this, I do not expect anything in return.
” I am not giving any conditions for this but if he chooses not to go back to school we can now hear what he wants to do and then we see him through.
“The most important thing is to know that he has in me a mentor, he has in me a life guide in me. I will make it easy for him through God so I believe that God will give me health and strength.
“The guy will go to any University of his choice in good condition not just to pay school fees. He has a heart of gold. This is the kind of people we need.
“I pray that people will do eye service to get my attention, let them do this kind of thing, in doing that you don’t know when you get used to it the world becomes a better place”.
Daddy Freeze, in another live Instagram broadcast, announced the gesture to Jeremiah.
Jeremiah said: “I want to thank God for everything, he is God and he is God alone. It is only God who can do it. Just like I have always done to myself and it is my routine, if I wake up every morning I always pray to God and I shall continue to thank him. It is only God that has brought me this far. May his name be highly uplifted I praise his name.”
Former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital said the outcome of consultations regarding his 2023 presidential ambition has been very successful.
He maintained that he has the confidence and capacity to overcome any form of challenge that may manifest in his bid to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari before and after the presidential election.
Speaking with journalists shortly after paying a visit to the former governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, Senator Rasheed Ladoja in his Bodija residence, Tinubu declared that “the outcome of my consultation over my presidential ambition is successful.”
He stated: “Life is a challenge and you must be ready to confront challenges and overcome. I have the confidence that I will overcome any form of challenge. I am sure I would face challenges and I have the confidence that I will overcome them.”
According to Tinubu, “the reactions of critical stakeholders to my presidential ambition have been very positive, encouraging and overwhelming and these have spurred me on with the strong conviction that we would succeed and emerge victorious after the election.
“Life itself is a challenge and I have the confidence and capacity to wade through challenges and overcome. We are forging ahead and with the strong support of the masses of Nigerians, we are going to achieve a resounding victory, “he posited.
Though journalists were barred from Tinubu’s meeting with Ladoja, which lasted for more than 30 minutes, insiders informed Sunday Tribune that Tinubu was in the state to commiserate with Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of the state over the demise of Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji and former governor of Oyo State, Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala.
Award-winning Nigerian artist, Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2Baba, has announced that he has resigned from impregnating women.
Tuface said this while performing one of his hit songs, True Love, during the Idoma carnival in Benue state, asking his audience repeatedly “where is my true love?”
Low response from them, prompted him to make the statement.
He said in pidgin, “I see say some babe dey fear to shout for that side. Abeg, make una no fear to shout, I no dey give belle like that again, I don stop. Ask anybody, they will tell you I am Innocent Idibia. I no dey do that kind thing again. No be small thing, I don resign for that kind matter.”(sic)
Currently, Tuface has seven children, his previous relationship with his baby mama Pero had produced three kids, with Sumbo Adeoye the singer has two kids.
He is married to a Nigerian Actress, Annie and their union have been blessed with two kids.
A man, Stanley Ejekwu has accused his daughter’s teacher of impregnating and eloping with her.
Ejekwu told The PUNCH that his daughter who is an SS3 student in Life Abundant Primary/Secondary, Diobu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, ran away with her teacher because of the pregnancy.
He alleged that he saw a WhatsApp message from a man on his daughters phone asking when they would have s3x. He called the number and asked him to stay away from his daughter.
The father went on to state that his daughter left home on December 2021 because she was pregnant.
He decided to visit the girl’s school to ask the proprietress to compel the teacher to inform him of his daughters whereabouts
Stanley said: “I am suspecting the teacher impregnated my daughter and I suspect him over my daughter’s disappearance. Why is it that my daughter cannot contact any person in my house but the teacher? He forwarded my daughter’s number to me. I believe he is holding my 16-year-old daughter,”
“The other pupils in the school told me that the food my daughter took to school, that she and this teacher ate them together every day in school
“So, I went to the Mile 3 Police Station because I discovered that my daughter was pregnant and she ran away from the house. I saw a love message this man sent her and I called to warn him against what he was doing.”
The teacher in question has however denied the allegations brought against him.
