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NAOSRE President, Members, Buratai Grieve Over Adewole Qudus’ Death

The President, National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, Comrade Femi Oyewale, executives, members as well as the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Rtd, have expressed shock over the death of one of its esteemed members, Mr. Adewole Qudus which occurred on April 1 after a brief illness.

Until his death, Adewole Qudus was the publisher of ebonymedisgist, an online medium which ranked amongst the most reliable news platforms in the country.

Oyewale described Qudus as ‘irreplaceable,” adding that NAOSRE has lost one of its best hands.
“It is a personal loss to me and NAOSRE because Kudus was not just a colleague but a personal friend and a brother.”

He stated that the lively spirit with which Kudus spoke with him about 48 hours back was so assuring that he was convinced that the hardworking journalist was getting better and would vacate the hospital bed in a matter of days.

“Regrettably, he died even when I thought he was getting well,” Oyewale disclosed.

Expression his shock, the association’s Grand Patron and former Chief of Army Staff, Buratai said it was the least news he expected to receive at this time saying he recalls reading his stories as Army Chief as well as an Ambassador on ebonymediagist blog “And I was particularly looking forward to seeing him and other members soon.

“My condolences to his family, NAOSRE executives and members including the Nigerian media for this sudden death of such a promising journalist.

While the executives and members are making plans for the burial, a condolence register has been opened at the association’s Abule Egba office in Lagos.

Adewole Qudus left behind a father, mother and young family

Hotel Manager Allegedly Rapes Corp Member In Osun

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a manager of one of the hotels in Osogbo, Joseph Adeleye, for allegedly raping a member of the National Youth Service Corps.

The victim (name withheld) was deployed to the hotel which is located at GRA area of Osogbo for primary assignment.and she is working as the administrative officer of the hotel.

The corps member, who narrated how the incident happened to some journalists on Friday said she was raped in the hotel while on duty at around 8:30pm.

The corps member said she did not initially tell her colleagues what happened to her but she eventually told them when they asked her what was wrong with her because are contenance changed.

She said, “The manager, Mr Adeleye requested that I should bring a bottle of beer to his room, after he collected it, he started asking me what my plans were after the NYSC programme.

” I was not too fine with it because we were alone in a room. Few minutes later, he started touching me and I resisted by pulling his hands off my body

“But suddenly, he pulled me closer and turned my face on the bed and put his hand in my trousers. I struggled with him but he overpowered me and inserted his fingers in my private parts.

“He then pulled off my trousers from behind, turned my face up and wanted to penetrate into my private parts. I resisted but he was too heavy on me.

” I even bit him, yet, he carried on. I shouted on top of my voice but no one could hear me because the room was a bit far from where other members of staff were.

“He penetrated me and he poured his semen in my body and pant. When he discovered that I couldn’t breath very well, he stood and I ran out of the room.

“The following day, two of my female colleagues who are corps members discovered I was not playing or relating with them very well.

” They asked what happened. I couldn’t tell them at first, but when I couldn’t hold the tears anymore, I told them what happened to me and they encouraged me to report the matter to the police and I did. The manager was later arrested and detained.”

The NYSC Coordinator in Osun State , Winifred Sopeka, who spoke on the telephone said she was busy at the orientation camp.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the arrest.

She said, “The corps member said she was raped on March 25, 2022 around 8:30pm at the hotel which is her Primary Place of Assignment.

“She reported the case to us and we arrested the suspect who is the manager of the hotel named Joseph Adeleye. He is still with us and will be charged to court soon.”

BREAKING: Umahi wins as Appeal Court dismisses Case, to remain Governor

An Appeal Court in Enugu has dismissed a suit against Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and his Deputy Dr. Kelechi Igwe, seeking their removal from office for defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The suit was filed by Senator Soni Ogbuoji and his Deputy, Justin Mbam, candidates of the APC in the 2019 Guber Elections.

It was earlier reported that an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo had sacked Umahi, Igwe and 17 lawmakers in the state for defecting from PDP to the APC.

However, on Tuesday, February 28, 2022, a High Court sitting in Abakaliki struck out the same suit

On Friday, Justice A.O Belgore dismissed the suit for being inconsistent with the constitution and extant laws of the country.

More to come…

WASSCE: Stakeholders kick against WAEC over increase in fees, penalties

Stakeholders have continued to oppose what they describe as arbitrary increment in the fees for this year’s West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) by candidates being organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

It was gathered from some private school owners and parents that WAEC’s decision to increase the examination fees was not communicated to schools and parents in good time.

And while many schools and parents were still struggling to pay the new fees, the examination body announced the closure of registration and subsequently imposed N5, 000 as penalty for late registration.

Against school proprietor’s claim that WAEC had set March 28 deadline for the 2022 WASCCE, a letter signed by Dr Adunola Osoba, the Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, WAEC, dated March 23, school proprietors were told that the registration, which closed midnight March 20, would be reopened on March 21 and closed April 3, with N5000 as penalty for late registration for each candidate.

“However, late registration with a penalty of five thousand naira (N5000) only per candidate commenced on Monday, 21st March, 2022, and will run till midnight of Sunday, 3rd April, 2022″, the letter read.

“Those who have purchased pins but failed to upload will also be required to pay the penalty fee”, the letter added.

It was gathered the Lagos State Chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), had formally appeal to WAEC to drop the penalty charges, stating that the registrations exercise was slowed down because most parents and schools were not prepared for the increment in fees.

Many of the parents said that their children and wards may end up not writing the examinations this year because they found it difficult raising the examination fees and the N5,000 penalty slammed on each student whose school for late registration.

2023 Presidency: Obasanjo Reveals The Type Of Candidates Nigerians Must Not Vote For

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that some 2023 presidential aspirants have already started lying to Nigerians and should be ignored at the polls.
According to Chief Obasanjo, the claims by many aspirants that their nomination forms were purchased for them by some youths or a particular group is false, adding that many youths are not able to afford the heavy price tags political parties have slammed on their forms.

He added that such aspirants even if they eventually become candidates of their parties should not get the votes of Nigerians, querying why they need to lie to the people.

Naija News understands the former Nigerian leader made the submission in Lagos State during a colloquium to mark the 61st birthday of Pastor Itua Ighodalo.

He said, “Today, they are paying N40m. Some of them (aspirants) even said it is some youths who bought it for them.

“In fact, anybody who would come out to tell you such a lie, you shouldn’t vote for him. Which youths gathered N40m? If you want to buy it, buy it and tell us. You don’t need to lie to us.”

Though Obasanjo didn’t mention any particular name, the likes of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi have all claimed some groups contributed money and purchased the presidential nomination forms for them.

Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has declared interest in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

In a statement released on Thursday, the former governor stated that he would be contesting to be the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer in next year’s election.

Dangote, Al-Makura, Okocha, Others Get Nasarawa University’s Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Six prominent Nigerians including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, have been conferred a Doctorate degree by the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Naija News understands that the individuals received the award at the varsity’s 6th combined convocation ceremony held on Thursday, March 31, 2022.

The school management had notified the personalities in letters ahead of the event.

Other prominent citizens awarded with honorary doctorate degrees at the academic excellent event were a former Governor of Nasarawa State, currently serving senator representing Nasarawa South at the National Assembly, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and Malami Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director, NNPC.

Other recipients of the awards were Chief Peter Eloka Okocha, the Chief Executive Officer of Okocha Motors; Alhaji Aliyu Balarabe, businessman and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN.

Naija News reports that the ceremony which received the presence of dignitaries was held at the Convocation Centre of the institution.

Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions have announced that they will be embarking on a strike.

Naija News reports that the two-week warning strike action according to the association, will commence on March 27.

This was made known in a letter titled “Commencement of Two-Week Warning Strike”, released last week Friday by the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU and signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi.

The national bodies of SSANU and NASU asked its members in universities and inter-university centres to begin the warning strike.

World Bank Suspends Nigeria’s SoftTech IT Solutions, MD For Bribery

The World Bank has suspended SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd, and its Managing Director, Mr Isah Kantigi, for allegedly bribing officials to renew consultancy deals.

SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd is a Nigerian information technology solutions company based in Abuja.

The company has been suspended for 50 months, while the MD is facing a 60-month sanction.

The Bank made the disclosure in a notice titled ‘World Bank Group debars SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd. and its managing director’, which was published on its website.

The corrupt practice is in connection with the National Social Safety Nets Project, according to the World Bank.

According to the bank, the project is designed to provide access to targeted cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households under an expanded national social safety nets system.

The World Bank said, “The World Bank Group today announced the 50-month debarment of SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd., an information technology solutions company based in Nigeria, and the 60-month debarment of its managing director, in connection with corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.

“The debarments make SoftTech and Mr Isah Kantigi, a Nigerian national, ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by the World Bank Group.

“They are the result of settlement agreements under which the company and Mr. Kantigi acknowledge their responsibility for the underlying sanctionable practices and agree to meet specified corporate compliance conditions as a condition for release from debarment.

“According to the facts of the case, as an individual consultant, Mr. Kantigi made ‘appreciation’ payments to project officials as a reward for his receiving of a Bank-funded consultancy services contract.

“Mr. Kantigi also entered into an arrangement with other individual consultants and facilitated similar payments by them to project officials. This constitutes a corrupt practice under the World Bank’s Consultant Guidelines.

“SoftTech, acting under the direction of Mr. Kantigi, who is also the company’s Managing Director, served as the conduit through which he and the other individual consultants made the payments to project officials.

“Under the arrangement, SoftTech received into its bank accounts multiple payments from the individual consultants and then transferred the funds into the personal accounts of the project officials, effectively serving as a financial intermediary for these consultants. This constitutes a corrupt practice under the World Bank’s Anti-Corruption Guidelines. “

The World Bank said the offence committed by both Kantigi and of SoftTech qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks (MDBs) under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.

Tinubu cancels 70th birthday colloquium to honour Kaduna train victims

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, cancelled his 13th Birthday Colloquium to honour the victims of Kaduna train attack.

He made the announcement at Eko Hotels in Lagos, the venue of the 13th Bola Ahmed Tinubu Colloquium with the theme, ‘Pivoting Nigeria Into The New Order’.

According to him, the attack was a “national tragedy” and over 60 persons lost their lives to the terror.

He said, “Today is supposed to be a very joyful 70th birthday of mine living on earth. I give thanks to God Almighty for being able to survive to this age…

“I have just been informed of a very sad incident in our country, very sad indeed, that over 60 people and many more were killed and bombed on a train between Kaduna and Abuja just last night. That is a very serious incident about the security of lives in this country and it calls for a very serious sober reflection.

“For me to be here celebrating, dancing and enjoying myself doesn’t show enough concern of a statesman and a senior citizen of this country.

“This event should not be holding. I have consulted with the people you see around me here and they’ve agreed with me and being a very highly committed democrat, I have given myself to their suggestion that they agreed that this event be cancelled.”

The APC leader, alongside hundreds of others at the event, observed one-minute silence for the lives lost in the spirit of “national tragedy and concern”.

Tinubu urged the two clergies at the event to pray for the soul of the departed and for relief for their bereaved family members.

Terrorists had attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday night with hundreds of passengers on board.

Nigeria VS Ghana: Massive Turn Out At MKO Abiola Stadium As Ticket Price Rises By 25%

The price for a regular ticket at the MKO Abiola Stadium has risen to N2,500 few hours to the FIFA ’22 World Cup Qualifiers.

The Super Eagles are playing the Black Stars of Ghana in the second leg of their play-off in Abuja.

The regular ticket was pegged at N2,000. The Ministry of Sports and the Nigerian Football Federation said 20,000 tickets will be distributed for free.

But the amount of the ticket is different at the Stadium where unlicensed vendors have hiked the price by N500.

A vendor, Musa who spoke to THE WHISTLER said “We bought the ticket for N2,000 and we have to make profit.”

Another ticket seller who gave his name as Bayo said, ” I have sold over 20 tickets at 2,500. Very soon, it will increase to N3,000.”

Meanwhile , many fans are stranded at the various gates of the stadium.

Kaduna Govt Gives Update On Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack

The Kaduna State Government has said that passengers trapped in the Abuja-Kaduna train have been completely evacuated by Nigerian security agents.

The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Naija News earlier reported that bandit terrorists had planted explosives on the rail track which saw the Kaduna-bound train which has 970 passengers on board derail.

It was gathered that the train which took off around 6 pm from the Idu train station at the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Monday hit an explosive device about 30 minutes to Rigasa train station in Kaduna.

According to the commissioner, security operatives have rescued and evacuated the stranded passengers from forests and rocky locations close to the scene of the attack.

Aruwan disclosed that passengers who sustained injuries have been moved to hospitals and their medical bills would be footed by the state government.

The commissioner added that the state government is still liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers’ manifest for efficient tracking

He, however, disclosed that search-and-rescue operations were still ongoing in the general area as of Tuesday morning.

The statement reads: “Evacuation of passengers on the trapped Kaduna-bound train from Abuja has been concluded this morning by security forces, officials of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Nigerian Red Cross.

“Passengers who sustained injuries, and other fatalities, have been moved to hospitals.

“The passengers were evacuated from different hard-to-reach areas in forests and rocky locations in Audujongom, off the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

“As stated yesterday, the Kaduna State Government is still liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers manifest for efficient tracking.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai who commended all those who participated in the evacuation appealed to the hospitals to attend to the victims diligently.

“The Governor also directed the Ministry of Health to be in contact with the hospitals as the government will bear the cost of their treatment.

“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue operations are in progress.”