Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has dismissed reports that military personnel are planning to undertake a coup and overthrow the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Speaking on Friday at a virtual media chat tagged ‘Open Ears Dialogue’, Irabor said the Defence headquarters will continued to educate its personnel over the evils of coups.
He said: “The armed forces of Nigeria have nothing whatsoever to do with anything that has to do with coup. We have learned our lessons over the years and we have come to our conclusion that coups will do us more harm than good.
“And so this is what the leadership of the armed forces is passing down the chain, and educating everyone under our command that there is no reason whatsoever for anyone to contemplate that.”
He also warned against politicians drawing military personnel into political matters.
Irabor maintained that the Defence leadership has also made their views against coups known.
“And in the same vein, the leadership of the armed forces is also telling politicians to leave us alone, do not mix us up with issues that have to do with politics and do not use political inclinations and persuasions to want to lure anybody from the armed forces into the idea of having to undertake coups and all,” he said.
The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government on Friday summoned the Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to Nigeria, Alexei Shebarshin and Kirdoda Valerii.
The government summoned the duo over the evacuation of Nigerians from both countries.
This was made known by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who met with the envoys behind closed doors.
Speaking on his meeting with the Russian Ambassador, Onyeama said he told Shebarshin that the Government of Nigeria could not condone as a country, the violation of the territorial integrity of a United Nations member state.
According to Nigeria’s Minister, he told the Russian envoy that he country must withdraw from Ukraine and prioritise diplomacy and dialogue.
He said: “This is really the position of the government. And also, that we have 5600 Nigerians in Ukraine and we are very concerned about what we are hearing and what we are seeing regarding missiles and bombs about the safety of our Nigerian citizens there, that we would like to be able to evacuate them.
“This would be communicated to his headquarters and that obviously, they consider Nigeria a friendly country and Nigerians; and that they would do nothing to harm Nigerians and assured me that their action is targeted at military installations and that they are not about to start attacking civilian areas and so forth.”
Onyeama added that the Russian envoy insisted that civilians are not being targeted by Vladimir Putin’s military.
On evacuating Nigerians in Ukraine, Onyeama said the issue can only come up when the airports open.
He added that they discussed road travel to facilitate the evacuation, even though some Nigerians have been able to get into neighouring countries such as Holland.
On his meeting with Valerii, the minister stated that the Nigerian government sympathized with Ukraine regarding Russia’s invasion.
While pointing out that Nigeria has diplomatic relations with Ukraine, Onyeama said the Buhari government condemned the violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“And we certainly want the cooperation of the Government of Ukraine to do whatever is possible to ensure their (Nigerians) safety and security and to also seek advice as to how the evacuation can be facilitated,” Onyeama further said.
On his part, the Ukrainian envoy expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Nigeria for their support.
“Right now, we are in a very difficult situation, but we are fighting against the aggression and we believe that we will all win,” the Ukrainian envoy said.
Valerii stated that the evacuation, by air, of Nigerians in the country was currently impossible because it is not safe to fly on the sky of Ukraine.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja on Friday sentenced Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, and his accomplices – Uche Amadi and Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu to life imprisonment.
The court found Evans guilty of the kidnap of Mr Donatius Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
In a three-hour judgment, Justice Hakeem Oshodi found the three persons guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping.
According to Justice Oshodi, the prosecution succeeded in proving the charge against the three convicts beyond reasonable doubt.
He, however, discharged and acquitted one Ogechi Uchechukw and two former soldiers, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba, saying the evidence against them was not sufficient enough.
Rotary District 9110 consisting of Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotary Club of Ikeja South, Rotary Club of Ikeja Alausa and Rotary Club of Ikeja Alausa Central has held a ‘Day Of Service’ on Wednesday, 23rd Of February 2022 at Olusosun Primary School, Lagos
The joint Project is a special one to commemorate the 117years of existence of Rotary International (23rd February 2022). It is a symbolic outing that witnessed massive turnout and acceptability by the host community.
The project exercise started with Rotn. Gbenga Badejo, Rotn. Prince Adeyemi Aseperi – Shonibare, Rotn (Dr. )Bartholomew Ufoegbunamwho, Rotn. Modupe Sewoniku who are the Presidents of Rotary Club of Ikeja , Rotary Club of Ikeja South , Rotary Club of Ikeja Central and Rotary Club of Ikeja Alausa respectively, addressing the pupils of Olusosun Primary School at the Assembly. They charged them to maintain proper hygiene, keep their vicinity clean always, ensure the existing projects of Rotary within the school vicinity (Water project, Toilet renovation and tree planting) are well kept and maintained.
Next stage was the cleaning exercise where all Rotarians present at the project location joined the LAWMA personnel to clear the school premises and then moved to Olusosun community to clear the drainage , sweep dirts, put them in the waste and dispose them off at the LAWMA Truck stationed at the project venue.
The LAWMA Team was led by the Regional Manager in person of Mr. Okunubi Adewale.
Another high point of the project was the Donation of two giant waste Bins to Olusosun community. PAG Tonnia Taiwo , Chief of Staff to the District Governor presented the gifts on behalf of the Clubs to the School Management ably represented by Mrs. Olaniyan Odunmorayo Lizzy, the head teacher.
Community Partners present at this project are , Olusosun CDA Chairman , Mr. Jamiu , Parent forum chairman Olusosun Primary School, Mr. Ibrahim Adeleke, SBMC Chairman, Mr. Odebiyi Akeem, World health committee Chairman, Olusosun PHC , Hon. Adeoye Hammed
The Clubs also observed all necessary Covid protocols with presentation of nose mask, Hand sanitizer and hand Gloves to all.
All Rotarians Present were in a uniformed branded Rotary T. Shirts and there was a standby Ambulance to take care of any health related emergency.
Partnering Agencies include Lagos State Waste Management Agency LAWMA ,Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA was led by Mr. Adegoke M.A
Also, Rotaract Club of Medilag Golden Sponsored by Rotary Club of Ikeja South and Over 60 Rotarians and Rotaractors participated in the Rotary Day of Service to our Communities.
FUNKE ASHEKUN, I promised to open a file on you through our investigative line to get the facts, and reel out the truth about the fabricated lies and stories you tell on your marriage gone left show.
Just the other day, I saw your show that made me feel so sorry for you as I watched and listen to all the fallacies and fabrications you doled out of your mouth. The worst part was that You looked so BELIEVEABLE, but we aint fooled, because that’s the firsthand trait of the devil and its operations. (Make believe is what it’s called).
FUNKE, first of, it’s obvious that you have no job in that AMERICA, since you absconded with a tourist visa it will be difficult to get a proper job. Hence, you opted for a gossip sit down and talk Facebook nonsense that you are doing now. It’s now clear WHY YOU FEATURED IN MAUREENS SHOW A WHILE AGO. YOU PRACTICALLY USED HER SHOW TO LAUNCH YOURSELF, NICE ONE.
FUNKE, I am very sure that you are aware of Maureen’s travails and what she is presently suffering and will continue to suffer for all her fake and wrong publications and recordings. If I may remind you, since there is an established connection between you and her, all judgement relating to her matter will be binding on you as well.
Let me start with our findings based on the issues you treated in your show. First the matter of your GOs haunted houses, which you claimed are destroying destinies. Through our investigations, we found out that for almost twenty years of going and coming, you lived under the umbrella of this ministry and the huge financial support of this same GO that you are castigating today.
As at 1995 when you came to that ministry, we found out that you actually eloped with your now husband from deeper life, after exploiting a man you were supposed or rather promised to marry. With all sort of lies you told against Deeper Life ministry, the GO had compassion on you and provided shelter, by renting a flat for you and your mother at Fola Agoro.
You have lived in the ministry’s housing units in different part of Lagos, the houses you claimed to be haunted. In these your self-acclaimed haunted houses, you got married and gave birth to four children.
In these same houses where you lived for free for years, your children were given scholarship by the GO that you claimed is occultic. This same person gave you and your husband your first proper jobs in the ministry and in the banking sector.
You alleged that the GO was using your glory, meanwhile you came to the ministry with nothing and built a house, while living in the so-called haunted houses.
You alleged that the GO sent armed robbers to chase you out of your house, meanwhile when you ran away from this house that you built at Ikorodu village, we learnt that he was the one that gave you and your family shelter by renting a flat for you guys again.
This same GO you alleged to be Occultic, we found out sent your mother to the best hospital in Lagos as at when she was seriously ill, we have data to prove this if you want name, date and time we will provide.
You Kept saying that you spent two decades in the ministry, but you always failed to make it clear to your audience and viewers that you were a rolling stone.
FUNKE, we found out that you were practically drifting from church to church looking for greener pastures, a place where you could make exploit without discipline. You were at Christ Miracle Church Mission, Omega Fire Ministry, and many others yet the GO took you back whenever you returned.
You alleged that pastor Suleiman Collided with your GO to manipulate you and get you to return to the ministry, we found out that as at when you met with Pst Suleiman, the GO and Suleiman had no connection whatsoever, they had never met.
So why the lies from the pit of hell
You created some drama scenarios in your show about what happened in one of the houses you lived in, so we decided to launch some investigations and found out that the lady you spoke about that was gasping for breath as if life was seeping out of her. Sister (withheld for security reasons) had always had panic attacks.
Attacks that came because of what happened to her in her previous marriage. And that was the reason she came to God and found Solace and shelter, and as when we got in touch with her God has visited her and she is happily married.
For the other story you told (sis name withheld for security reasons) that had an illness you couldn’t mention. We found out that her case was a case of fibroid. And like very critical cases of fibroid attacks, she always had heavy bleeding during her period which makes her very weak, and this sometimes makes her seek medical attention.
We realized That people came to the church of God for solutions and were given accommodations as their problems are being dealt with, their issues have nothing to do with the house that they lived in or the GO being occultic so where did you get your stories from
We are doing our findings and working hard to do all investigations necessary to show the world how manipulative and dangerous you and your mission is.
You are threading the path that Maureen walked and failed, Funke there is nothing wrong if you want to make money from YouTube and Facebook out of joblessness but its is sad that you want to harm the church of God and his servants with your baseless and unfounded twisted stories.
You should be more careful since you know that your father in-law is a native doctor that oversees your affairs, this path may not go well for you, we have done our finding and we are still investigating.
I will not advise you to desist like I did Maureen, but I will say get ready to face the wrath of God and the law when the time comes.
FYI. We are waiting for the evidence of how you found out that it was the GO that sent robbers to your house. The evidence of the people that burnt the house of the person you spoke about.The evidence and name of the cult he belongs to, and his position in the confraternity. Names of women he has sexually molested. The date,how and when? You have to provide these evidence.
Name somebody that took an oath in the ministry be a pastor or a member, and provide a copy of document signed or a copy of the document that people used or are using to swear secrecy.
You dare say you did not abscond with church money, madam we discovered you took church money and never returned them.
Funke, if you ever were a Christian, and understood how deliverance work in a spiritual ministry, you will never speak about the GO laying hand on you as occultic. I believe time will soon catch up with you
A Liar is a destroyer
Femi for Sahara weekly. WE WILL KEEP STANDING FOR THE TRUTH
The clash between Russia and Ukraine on Thursday recorded at least six casualties.
Reports obtained by Naija News confirmed that a bomb exploded today in the southern Odesa region, injuring no fewer than seven people.
The bombing was confirmed to newsmen in a statement credited to Ukraine’s General Office of the National Police.
This is the first casualties to be announced in the city of Podolsk as Russian forces continue military operations in Ukraine.
Conditions on the seven people injured in the bombing are not yet clear, there are 19 people unaccounted for as at the time this report is given.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
NBC News had reported earlier that a loud explosion was heard in the central capital of Kyiv and the northeast city of Kharkiv.
The development reportedly occurred a few minutes after Putin’s announcement.
The attacks ended hopes for a diplomatic solution that the United States and its allies had been attempting for weeks.
Prior to Putin’s announcement, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy said he tried to call the Russian leader but was rebuffed, Naija News learnt.
Meanwhile, United States of America President Joe Biden has condemned the military attack and invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Naija News earlier reported that Russia on Thursday morning announced that it has destroyed Ukrainian military airbases and its air defence systems.
In a statement issued by Russia’s Defence Ministry, the government added that Kyiv’s air defence systems were also “eliminated” in the attack.
This is coming hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military offensive against Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country.
In a statement released by the White House after the attack on Ukraine, US President said the world will hold President Putin accountable for the loss of lives in the country.
The US leader described the attack on Ukraine as unprovoked and unjustified, adding that more sanctions would be imposed on Russia and its business entities.
Biden said he would address the United States on Thursday to announce the further consequences the United States and our allies and partners will impose on Russia.
The US president said he held a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky after the attack on Ukraine, which is sandwiched between Russia and NATO member Poland.
President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has directed Nigerians in Ukraine to remain calm but very vigilant and be responsible for their own security and safety as the country is being attacked by Russia.
The Federal Government in a statement released by Nigerian Embassy, in Kiev, charged Nigerians who don’t feel safe in the country to temporarily relocate to anywhere considered safe by private arrangement.
This is coming at a time Russian troops launched attacks on its neighbour, Ukraine despite sanctions from world leaders.
The Embassy advised Nigerians resident in Ukraine to ensure that they validate all their resident documents for ease of return to the country when desired.
The statement sighted by Naija News states, “The attention of the Embassy has been drawn to the declaration of state of emergency and Martial law on the entire territory of Ukraine except the Donestsk and Luhansk regions by the government of Ukraine, effective from midnight of February 23, 2022, for a period of 30 days, as well as the latest development on the Ukraine-Russia crises.
“Given development, the embassy urges Nigerian Nationals resident in Ukraine to remain calm but very vigilant and be responsible for their security and safety.
“The embassy wishes to add that should any Nigerian National consider the situation as emotionally disturbing, such National may temporarily relocate to anywhere considered safe by private arrangement. They should, however, ensure that they do all the needful to validate all their resident documents for ease of return to the country when desired.
“Students seeking temporary relocation are enjoined to seek proper clearance and guarantee form from their respective institutions during this period.
“For those who are still considering it appropriate to remain in the country, be rest assured that the embassy remains open for its consular duties and responsibilities at all times.”
Russia on Thursday morning announced that it has destroyed Ukrainian military airbases and its air defence systems.
Naija News reports that this was made known by Russia’s defence ministry.
“Military infrastructure at Ukrainian army air bases has been rendered out of action,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry added that Kyiv’s air defence systems were also “eliminated”.
This is coming hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military offensive against Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country.
Naija News reports that the Russian President made the announcement in a surprised televised statement on Thursday
“I have made the decision of a military operation,” Putin who has seen his country hit by multiple sanctions from the west said.
This newspaper reports that the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had appealed to Vladimir Putin to stop his troops from entering Ukraine.
He made the personal plea at an emergency Security Council meeting Wednesday night.
“President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine, give peace a chance, too many people have already died,” Guterres said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, for her visit to the National Assembly.
It was earlier reported that Mrs Buhari was at the Senate and the House of Representatives to witness the laying of the report of the Constitution Review Committee.
It was learned that the report contains some provisions which had to do with the overall wellbeing and interest of women and the wife of the President came to show support.
Mrs Buhari was accompanied to the National Assembly by the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, and some of her personal aides.
The First Lady and members of her entourage clapped to express their solidarity and support when three of the provisions which covered the interests of women were presented at the chambers.
Welcoming the First Lady to the Green Chamber, the Speaker assured that the report will be passed the report as soon as possible.
“Your Excellency, that is the report of the constitutional review committee. It has three provisions that will affect women positively. I can assure you that every man here is a “he for she”. We are still in the process and there is a lot of lobbying to be done by both Houses. By the grace of God, we will get through all of these,” he said.
Popular aphrodisiac seller, Hauwa Muhammed, also known as Jaruma, has seen her bail revoked by a upper area court sitting in Zuba, Abuja over her absence in court.
Following the absence of Jaruma in court on Wednesday, the judge ordered that she should be rearrested.
Recall that Jaruma on January 28, was granted bail with a surety on Grade Level 12 within the FCT.
The presiding judge, Ismail Abdullahi Jubril in his ruling stated that the charges filed against Jaruma are bailable.
The court called on the parties involved in the case to maintain decorum and avoid making public comments on social media that would be sub judice.
Jaruma, at the resumption of the case on Wednesday, was absent in the court, with her lawyer, Kayode Ajulo was also absent.
The lawyer when contacted by the court on why Jaruma was not present in court, said he had withdrawn from the case
The development saw the judge stand down the matter, giving Jaruma the benefit of doubt that she could still make it to court before the close of work.
The judge after waiting for three hours issued a bench warrant and ordered her arrest and detention until the next adjourned date.
The judge said her absence in court without reason was an affront and a mockery of the court and judicial process and there was a need for the court to take action.
He also ordered her surety to be present in court on the next adjourned date.
The prosecution lawyer, Inegbinoise Edwin had earlier stated that Jaruma violated the term of her bail.
According to Edwin, Jaruma has been making comments about the case on social media, contrary to the order of the court.
The judge adjourned the case to March 17, 2022, for hearing.
Jaruma was earlier arrested after she claimed that popular Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels used her product to charm her husband, Ned Nwoko.
