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Buhari Deploys NSA, IGP, DSS DG, Others To Sokoto, Katsina

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent heads of the nation’s intelligence and security services to Sokoto and Katsina states in response to the recent attacks by bandit terrorists.

Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘President Buhari Sends Security, Intelligence Heads To Sokoto, Katsina.’

“The President is expecting an immediate situation report and recommendations on actions to follow to effectively deal with the worrying situation,” the statement revealed.

The presidential delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (Rtd) includes the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi; the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Samuel Adebayo.

This online newspaper reports that this is coming after Mondays barbaric attack on travellers in Sokoto state, where they were burnt in their vehicle while heading to Kaduna.

Recall that bandits had also attacked and gruesomely murdered the Katsina State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Dr Rabe Nasir.

The commissioner was killed on Wednesday in his house located at Fatima Shema Quarters, Katsina.

BREAKING: Sunday Igboho supporters protest at Beninese Consulate General’s office in Lagos

Supporters of Yoruba Nation separatist, Sunday Adeyemo ‘Igboho’ are currently protesting at the office of the Consulate general of Benin Republic in Victoria Island, Lagos, to demand his release.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, while calling on the federal government to ensure the release of Igboho from custody.

Biodun Sarumi, one of the protesters, called on Yoruba leaders and other Nigerians to prevail on the federal government to secure Igboho’s release.
Sarumi said that Igboho should not be allowed to die in detention.

He added that Igboho was innocent of the charges preferred against him and that he should not be treated like a criminal.

According to him, Igboho’s fundamental human rights had been grossly abused.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Igboho is currently in detention in Benin Republic over charges bordering on illegal entry, criminal association, among other alleged offences.

On July 20, Igboho and Ropo, his wife, were arrested at an airport in Cotonou by Benin Republic’s security forces while he was trying to flee to Germany.

The Nigerian government had declared him “wanted” after the country’s secret police raided his home in Ibadan, Oyo state.

A week later, a Benin court blocked his extradition to Nigeria while ruling that he should be remanded in prison pending further hearing.

BREAKING: Gunmen Kill Imo Monarch, Dump Body In Market Square

In what appears to be coordinated attacks on monarchs in Imo State, the traditional ruler of Atta Ancient Kingdom in Njaba local government area of, Edwin Ezike, has been killed by yet-to-be identified assailants.

Ezike’s murder was confirmed to THE WHISTLER by the Imo State police spokesperson, Michael Abattam, on Friday.

Abattam said the police were currently on the trail of the monarch’s killers.

This website gathered that Ezike’s body was dumped at the community’s market square on Friday after he was abducted on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the report of Ezike’s murder came about 24 hours after the traditional ruler of Mbutu Ancient Kingdom in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, Damian Nwaigwe, was reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen.

The assailants numbering about ten were said to have stormed Nwaigwe’s palace at about 2:30 am on Thursday and whisked him away.

Abattam had also confirmed Nwaigwe’s abduction but assured that the police were doing everything possible to rescue him.

THE WHISTLER recalls that two traditional rulers were shot dead in Njaba LGA of the state in October.

The police had identified the monarchs as the Obi 1 of Okwudor autonomous community, Eze E. Anayochukwu Durueburuo and Eze Sampson Osunwa of Ihebineowerre autonomous community.

Omicron: FG Recommends Use Of Pfizer Vaccine As Booster Shot

The Federal Government has directed the use of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as the only recommended booster shot.
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) spokesman, Yanda Muhammad, made this known in an interview on Friday.

Muhammad stated that the government had approved the Pfizer vaccine as a booster shot for Nigerians that have completed the doses of other brands of the COVID-19 vaccine.

He admonished Nigerians that have not been vaccinated to visit health centres and mass vaccination sites from December 10 to get their booster dose.

The NPHCDA spokesman asserted that the booster shots were introduced following the detection of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

“Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine recommended for booster vaccination regardless of previous brands of vaccines taken,” he told TheCable.

In a related development, the United States Government has donated 2.5 million Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses to Nigeria.

In a statement by the U.S Embassy on Thursday, the vaccine doses arrived in Abuja this week and were received by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on behalf of the Nigerian government.

The statement said the vaccines will be distributed to over 3,000 health facilities across all 36 states and FCT-Abuja and will be available across major locations for vaccination in the country.

It added that the United States has provided more than $119 million in COVID-19 related health assistance.

The COVID-19 related health assistance includes a 40-bed mobile field hospital, ventilators, and related training for 88 hospitals, personal protective equipment, technical assistance for vaccine readiness, risk communication, and demand generation for vaccines.

Others include “conducting an epidemiological COVID-19 detection and vaccine hesitancy survey, setting up electronic record systems, rapid response teams, training for over 200,000 military and civilian personnel on COVID-19 control measures, and technology for virtual training.”

Helicopter crash: Buhari sends message to Indian Prime Minister

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined other world leaders in mourning India’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 others killed in a helicopter crash.

President Buhari, in a message to the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Thursday, described the deaths as irreparable losses to the Indian military and the nation.

A statement by the president’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja quoted the Nigerian leader as saying that the late Chief of Defence Staff was widely credited with the reform of the Indian armed forces and the security apparatuses.

“On behalf of myself, the government and people of Nigeria, I convey to you our deepest condolences, to the Rawat family, the families of the deceased as well as the Indian Military and nation as you mourn the Chief of Defence Staff, his wife and 11 other fine crop of officers,” the president said.

Rawat was India’s first chief of defence staff, a position that the government established in 2019, and was seen as close to prime minister Modi.

The 63-year-old was travelling with his wife and other senior officers in the Russian-made Mi-17 helicopter, which crashed near its destination in southern Tamil Nadu state.

Modi said Rawat was an outstanding soldier and “true patriot” who had helped modernise the country’s armed forces.

How Akande Helped Chase PDP Out Of Aso Rock In 2015 – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has appreciated the former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bisi Akande, for his contribution in unseating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.
The Nigerian leader submitted that Akande was steadfast in his quest in ensuring that APC takes over power from the then ruling party, PDP in 2015.

He stated that Akande helped fuse together different parties that became APC in 2013 and dislodge PDP from governance.

Buhari made this known on Thursday in Lagos at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos during the public presentation of the autobiography of Akande titled, “My Participations.”

He asserted that Akande’s vision for APC and his leadership qualities made him the unanimous choice as the first Chairman of the ruling party, describing Akande as a reliable and trustworthy politician.

Buhari in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said: “My first personal contact with Chief Akande was, if I recall correctly, in 2006 when preliminary consultations were coming to fruition for a grand coalition to unseat the PDP Government.

”Those efforts eventually came to nothing. Neither he, nor I, nor many of our friends and associates gave up as, in Chief Akande’s words: “the country was going down and down under PDP” (p.396 of My Participations).

”Chief Akande was in the thick of further attempts in 2011 and 2014 to fuse together different groups and dislodge PDP from governance.

”The key to his thinking which coincides with mine is that Nigeria can only be successfully managed by alliances between major groups.

”Although we failed in 2011, by persistence and knowledge that PDP was driving the country towards disaster, several major parties were able to finally coalesce into APC in 2014.

”Chief Akande was unanimously chosen as the first Chairman of this great coalition.

”Throughout the difficult negotiations, I found Akande truthful, steady and always with an eye to the ultimate goal.

”In or out of office, he has retained his inflexible integrity. On p.400 of his book, he wrote: ‘I never gave to or demanded bribe from anyone all my life.’ A perfect gentleman. A perfect public officer.”

‘You Don’t Deserve My Sympathy Mr President’- Bisi Akande Tells Buhari At Book Launch

The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Bisi Akande, seemed to attack President Muhamnadu Buhari who attended his book launch in Lagos on Thursday by saying he deserved no sympathy because he wanted to be President of Nigeria.

Akande, who took the hard-line stance against Buhari said the president deserved no sympathy because he got what he wanted and should rather concentrate on doing the job.

This is coming after continuos condemnation of the president especially in the area of insecurity.

Several dozens of travellers were set ablaze in Sokoto in a latest incident on Monday, a few weeks after bandits killed over 60 persons in the state.

The pervasive insecurity has enveloped the country and the president is being bashed for inability to stem the tide.

At the Public Presentation of his autobiography, ‘My Participations,’ attended by Buhari, APC National Leader, and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and top party members including Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Akande attacked Buhari to the surprise of all in his brief address.

The event, which happened at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, was also attended by the Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola and Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

Former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, represented by his son, Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, represented by his deputy, Gawuna, Governor of Kwara State Abdulraham Abdulrasak, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

Others include Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator, Senator Solomon Adeola, representing Lagos Senatorial West, Opeyemi Bamidemi, Governor of Yobe State, Maila Buni, Governor of Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun, Senator Musuliu Obanikoro, Senator Ganiyu Olarewanju Solomon, GOS, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, members of the Lagos State Executive Council, Executives of Bola Ahmed Tinubu supporters Group, Women for SWAGA, Lagos State, a delegation from Osun State, the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I, represented by White Cap Chiefs, among others.

Akande said: “We (Nigerians) know you love the country, but we want Nigeria to be peaceful, to prosper. We abuse you for everything that is wrong in the country.

“We know we are fraudulent, cheaters and for all the wrongs we still blame you for it. I don’t sympathise with you because you applied for the job.”

He added, “So Mr President, do the job, okay, do the job and do not complain because it won’t solve the problems.”

Mixed Reactions As Senator Ndume Controls Traffic In Abuja (Video)

The Senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, was seen controlling traffic in Abuja on Wednesday.
A video that has now gone viral captured the lawmaker taking up the job of a traffic warden for a few minutes before heading to the National Assembly for plenary.

Reacting to the lawmaker’s action on social media, some Nigerians commended Ndume for his selfless act while others accused him of using the opportunity to further his political career.

Video Player

https://www.societygazetteng.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Senator-Ali-Ndume-takes-up-the-job-of-a-traffic-warden-for-a-few-minutes-in-Abuja.mp4?_=1

Some of the reactions are below:
@ladyque_1 wrote: “Mr senator this format don cast.”

@ceemplybecca said: “Abuja still get normal people, come and control in Mushin sir.”

@krisfun_ wrote: “Election strategy 😂😂😂”

@symplychi_oma said: “Election 2023 Na your mate ?? 😂”

@aymid_official wrote: “Show off, election around the corner… Eyin Werey”

@offordike said: “His CONVOY was probably in hot traffic and he wanted to pass ASAP.”

Meanwhile, a woman identified as Lisa has taken to the video-making app to show off her huge 2021 savings stirring reactions.

According to Lisa, who shared the video on Tiktok, she started saving in her piggy bank from January through December and only opened it a few days ago.

The excited lady who had saved enough cash urged people to save their money come 2022.

She also said that she wants people to get inspired by her achievement, and do the same next year.

BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu cancels Lagos #EndSARS ‘Peace Walk’ over Omicron variant

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday cancelled the Lagos peace walk planned for this month.

POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that Sanwo-Olu, in an address on November 30, 2021, had invited some EndSARS frontline protesters in the state to a peace walk for “the healing of Lagos”.

Specifically, the governor had invited Folarin Falana (Falz), Debo Adebayo (Mr. Marcaroni), Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun), Seun Kuti and others to join him in the “historic march for our dear Lagos.”

But Falz, Mr Macaroni, Seun Kuti, amongst some arrowheads of the protest had declined the invitation, saying there must be justice for EndSARS victims before peace.

Subsequently, in a press statement today, Sanwo-Olu said he is “constrained to stand down all preparations for the Walk for Peace” so as not to “endanger the life of any Lagosian” amid the outbreak of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

His words, “Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic.

“Given this development, I am constrained to stand down all preparations for the Walk for Peace. I will not endanger the life of any Lagosian in my sincere search for peace. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the initiative received from far and near. The deluge of support is, however, indicative of one thing: our people know the strategic place of peace to our quest for development.”

Ecobank Group Announces N143.7bn Profit Before Tax in 9 Months

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has announced N143.7 billion profit before tax in its audited nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of about 316 per cent from N34.5billion reported in nine months ended September 30, 2020. By the results filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the bank triple-digit growth has resulted in earnings per share of over N3.01 kobo during the period under review.

Profit after tax also grew by 916 per cent to N104.51billiion from N10.28billion reported in prior nine months of 2020. Growth in gross earnings, net investment income, Other operating income and decline in operating expenses were major financial parameters that contributed to the Group’s significant increase in profits amid macro economy challenges where it has branches.

Gross Earnings for the period grew by 12 per cent to N686.8billion from N614.5billlion reported in 2020. As net investment income rose by 523 per cent to N5.56billion from loss of N1.3billion in 2020; Other operating income closed at N11.59billion from N3.3billion reported in 2020. The group’s total assets grew by five per cent to N10.9trillion as at September 30, 2021 from N10.38trillion in full year ended December 31, 2020.

In his comment, Group CEO, Ecobank, Ade Ayeyemi said: “We reported strong results, reflecting the continued diligence of Ecobankers in putting our customers first and ensuring that we meet their respective needs.

“For the nine months period up to September 2021, we earned $352 million in pre-tax profit, a 41per cent increase compared to the prior year and revenues of $1.3 billion, a four per cent growth. Hence return on tangible equity increased to 17.9per cent, and we grew the per-share value of our shareholders’ equity by 11per cent to 5.52 US dollar cents.

“These results also demonstrate the hard work invested in driving efficiency in all our businesses in line with our deliberate focus on driving down our cost-to serve, sustain improvement in the quality of our credit portfolio, and strengthen liquidity and capital buffers.”

“As a result, our cost-to-income ratio has been declining consistently quarter on quarter, currently 58.3 per cent. In addition, the stock of nonperforming loans as a percentage of loans outstanding is now at 6.9 per cent compared to 9.9per cent a year ago. We have boosted the firm’s liquidity profile, thanks to growing customer deposits fueled by an acceleration in digital channel adoption, partnerships with Fintechs, Telcos, and businesses in the Payments Ecosystem,” Ayeyemi added.

“Finally, we continue to invest in new digital and mobile capabilities to enhance customer experience, alongside the investments we are making in our people, processes, and controls, to ensure the continued resilience of our business and service delivery to our clients. I am deeply grateful to all our customers and the Ecobank team for the remarkable job,” Ayeyemi added.