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By Aviashima Toom, Abuja  Governor of Kogi state and leading presidential aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), His excellency Yahaya Bello has  promised to restore hope to Nigerians across the country if elected. Bello, purchased his nomination and expression of interest forms worth 100 million naira today at the national Secretariat. Speaking to journalists after obtaining the forms, Bello said Nigerians are happy knowing that he is in the race to restore hope. “Today I have with me my nomination and expression of interest forms to contest as the presidential flagbearer of this great party the All Progressives Congress. Today we are happy, Nigerians are happy and the party is happy. Right now what we have ahead of us is the task of canvassing and consulting all party faithfuls, leaders, stalwarts, members and even all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora” he said. He urged all delegates to give him there support to emerge as the flagbearer of t...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Minister of Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Wednesday in Abuja, was the first amongst many aspirants to obtain copies of the Nomination and Expression of Interest forms at N100 million to vie for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite the ongoing nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)   Nwajiuba is not the only minister on the list as Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and other Presidential aides are currently vying for various offices at federal and state levels. Speaking with newsmen after picking the nomination forms for the Minister, a House of Representatives member, Hon. Chidi Wogu, described the presidential aspirant as one of the oldest and most reliable politicians.   “Not oldest in terms of age, he’s actually a young person. And you can see a young group who are supporting him. This is actually a young group because of the not-too-young-to-run act. “The presiden...

By Emmanuel Iorbee A top contender for the 2023 Benue Governorship election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr Terhemen Tilley-Gyado, is nearing the end of his state-wide consultation tour. Many who earlier entertained fears that Engr Tilley-Gyado may have joined the race late, are singing a new song now that the UK-trained Engineer appears to be overshadowing earlier arrivals in the contest, likening his surge to the eschatological saying, "The first shall be last and the last first."  'Truly the dark horse of the Guber race has emerged' It is no longer news that consultations are ongoing for who becomes the Number One citizen of Benue state. Jechira, and even more specifically Vandeikya, where Engr TT-Gyado hails from, is expected to produce the Governor of the state in 2023. Engr. TT-Gyado, has so far engaged the cultural and political power blocks of JECHIRA (Vandeikya and Konshisha LGAs), KWANDE (Kwande and Ushongo LGAs), MINDA (...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered a ploy by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance among themselves with a view to launching further attacks on critical infrastructure and other frequented public places like worship and relaxation centres, especially during and after the holidays and festive celebrations. A statement signed by the spokesperson of the Service, Dr. Peter Afunanya said the public attention is drawn to plans by criminal elements to return the country to the pre-2015 era reminiscent of IED attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country. He said the objective of these criminal elements is to achieve some self-serving interests as well as cause fear among the citizenry. The spokesperson noted that the Service, however, recalls its earlier warning that some groups and individuals were plotting to stoke violence in the country. Dr Peter Afunanya in the statement maintained that these patrons, owners, and m...

  .....As Global vaccination rates drops. By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Save the Children International has called on federal, state and local governments, all stakeholders to end childhood death from vaccine-preventable diseases. The international NGO believed that immunization saves millions of lives, also recognized as one of the world's most successful health interventions. Meanwhile available records have showed that only 3.5 million children received vaccines in 2020 compared to 2019. This is contained in a statement signed on Monday by the Media and Communications Manager, Save the Children International, Kunle Olawoyin in Abuja to commorates World Immunization Week said, COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the disruption of immunization services, leaving millions of children at greater risk of missing out on critical vaccinations against diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough, pneumonia, and poliomyelitis. Shannon Ward, Interim Country Director, Save the Children ...

.....As Police Concludes Exams, Await Results From WAEC By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has applauded recent concluded Computer Based Test for 2021 Recruitment Exercise for Police Constables, organized by the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, in conjunction with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) between 20th and 21st April, 2022. The IGP, in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday in abuja noted that the CBT Examinations which took place across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 63,323 qualified applicants, had about 95% of the applicants present for the Examination.  According to the statement, the Police are currently awaiting the final results from the WAEC which will be published to determine those qualified for the next phase of the screening process. The IGP however urged all applicants who hav...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio has expressed confidence in the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by its chairman Sen. Abdullahi Adamu. The Minister, recently at a Ramadan Iftar with the APC National chairman in Abuja noted that, with the new leadership onboard indicated that alot has been stabilized in the party. He said he is very proud of the APC. "We now have a leadership that address all injustice, all misgivings that will unite the party and ensure that we get ready for the task ahead, tackling insecurity in the country ochestrated by enemies of this country; ensuring that we continue beyond 2023 in a way that we will maintain the good legacies of Mr President and the good works that he has started for the benefit of all Nigerians. "What you see here (iftar) is more of a national prayer session organised by stakeholders of the party in honour of the national wor...

......Celebrates 2022 World Health Day  By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has charged all personnel of the Force to take full advantage of the police health facilities in their respective commands and formations especially in light of the recent acquisition and distribution on the basis of need, of hospital equipment necessary for both basic and advanced health services to police hospitals, clinics, and cottage health centres around the country. This is contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Sunday in abuja said as part of events to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day, the IGP has ensured the distribution of the some medical facilities. These includes amongst others 50 Oxygen Cylinders, 50 Oxygen Regulators, 52 Chemical Sprayers, 4 Electrocardiogram (ECG) machines, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), Anesthetic Machines and accessori...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigeria Police Force has declared twelve (12) persons wanted in connection with a case of conspiracy, murder, armed robbery, act of terrorism, kidnapping, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms, house breaking, burglary, malicious damage, and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace in Isu-Aniocha, Awka North LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria. They include; Edward Okoye aka Stone, Donatus Okeke, Onyemazi Ngini, Onyebuchi Nwekeizu Okoye and  Nonso Eboh.  Others are; Chukwuka Onyibor, Chukwujekwu Anaekeokwu, Chuka Ilodigwe, Chinedu Nwoye Okoye, Nonso Awusionwu Obinna, Cosmos Okonkwo, Chukwujekwu Okoye. In a statement signed on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in noted that, the Police had earlier secured a court order to declare wanted the suspects, all male of Igbo extraction with ages ranging from 25 years to 55 years old, natives of Isu-Aniocha, Awka North LGA of Anambra State with heights bet...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja   National youth leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) Dayo Israel has express his gratitude to the national chairman of party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, for giving 50 percent discount to Youths below 40 years of age.   Israel while speaking to newsmen at the party national Secretariat on Thursday, said For the first time in the history of the APC, the Youths have been considered to pay less to the actual amount on nomination forms.   “We are here because we want to say a big thank you to the national chairman of the all progressives Congress, the super energetic Chairman, the visionary chairman, distinguished senator, Alhaji abdullahi Adamu Who With the support of the National Working Committee of the party. our deputy national chairman, vice chairmen and all the various colleagues on the national working committee for working with us to ensure that we are able to achieve this “My thanks also extend to the Speaker of th...

...... Strengthens Operation Restore Peace, Additional Operational Assets. By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has strongly condemned the recent spate of attacks on Police officers, facilities, and other police operational assets around the nation, particularly in the South East where there have been attacks on police stations, ruthless murder of police officers in their line of duty to protect the citizenry, as well as the destruction of critical national infrastructures.  Consequently, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets to complement officers and men attached to Operation Restore Peace in the South East, and other launched operations, with the aim of flushing out criminal elements who hide under the guise of aggrieved citizens to perpetrate criminal acts.  In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in abuja noted that, the IGP warned that...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on Wednesday received the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Kedem Tallen, who paid a courtesy visit on the IGP in his office at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja. The Minister discussed amongst other things, the plight of women in Nigeria, particularly in relation to gender and domestic-based violence. In statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in abuja, the Minister pointed out the recent case of the famous gospel musician, Osinachi Nwachukwu, whose untimely death at the hands of her husband on 8th April, 2022 has caused public outcry.  The Minister who was accompanied by some members of the late singer’s family, was equally interested to know what efforts the police have put in place to ensure swift justice is dispensed. The Inspector-General of Police, while reacting, noted that the untimely death is heart-breaking particularly as ...

By Our Reporter The wellbeing of Army personnel and those of their families remain the topmost priority of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya. The assertion was made in Makurdi on Wednesday by the Army Chief of Logistics, Maj.-Gen. Omotomilola Akintade, who represented Yahaya at a project management workshop of the Nigerian Army. He said Yahaya’s commitment to personnel welfare saw to the construction of Nigerian Army Reference Hospitals in Maiduguri and Abakaliki and the rehabilitation of the Military Hospital, Lagos. It also resulted in the construction and furnishing of the Command Guest House, Sokoto and the renovation of soldiers and officers accommodation across various formations, Akintade said. He assured that the COAS would sustain the strides of intervention projects in the areas of barracks renovation and construction. He added that Yahaya’s vision is to build a professional army that would be ready to accomplish assigned missions w...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has confirmed the appointment of CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, as the 25th indigenous Force Public Relations Officer. CSP Adejobi was appointed in acting capacity on 16th February, 2022 after taking over from CP Frank Mba who was nominated by the Inspector-General of Police for the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos. In a statement signed on Tuesday by the Admin Officer, Force Public Relations Officer, SP Jesse Manzah in abuja noted that, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi studied Archeology and Geography (Combined Honours) from the Premier University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan. According to the statement, CSP Adejobi, holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the same University. He had a long stint as Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State Police Command from 2008 -2016 . It Added that he also served as PPRO Zo...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Auditor General, Abuja Municipal Council (AMAC) Hajia Kudirat Abdulhamid, has admonished Nigerian women to take their position as ordained by God to be a home managers. Hajia Kudirat, stated this during the second edition of Habibiyyah Islamic Society Ramadan Weekly Lectures, also urged women to always speak out in order to tackle it head-on in abuja. Reacting to the death of the gospel singer, Osinachi, Kudirat said: “it is unfortunate, but there are so many of such instances happening around our homes, most women you see outside are going through all manner of both physically and emotional abuses, and most of the time mentally, it unfortunate that we have gotten to this level, but the environment is what is most  responsible for this, and if you go through what the stories of the late singer is, you will feel sorry for womanhood, because the man definitely out of his senses, he is not a normal person, because for a man who will get up to start...

..... Kickstarts State Action Plan Process By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) with support from MacArthur Foundation, on Friday, concluded the training of State and non-state actors in Delta State as part of effort to kickstart the development of the State Action Plan (SAP) and the operationalization of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in the State. The 3-day event which started on Wednesday April 13, had in attendance key ministries, agencies and departments including Ministry of Justice, Finance, Auditor Generals Office, Bureau of Public Procurement, Accountant Generals Office, Budget and Economic planning etc.  The government side was led at the training by the Commissioner, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Barry Gbe, who double as Government Co-Chair.  Non-state actors present included representatives of non-governmental organizations, Nigeria Bar Association, Religious bodies, Delta State C...

By Our Reporter  A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, has unveiled his policy document with a promise to focus more on re-engineering the State. Gemade gave the promise during the public presentation of his policy document for governership elections entitled "Re-engineering a Modern Benue for Posterity" on Thursday in Makurdi. He said that the document was  comprehensive with broad narratives on identified challenges, strategic solutions and implementation timelines in the life of a mandate tenure. "This document is a response to the paradigm shift in political administration with projections for systematic successive governance and integrated development. "I have decided to focus more on re-engineering a failed system with appropriate repairs  in order to guarantee sustainable succession in the interest of future emerging generations. "I seek your consent as a perfectly sharp...

..... Orders Strategic Commanders to Ensure Round-the-Clock Security of the Public Space By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba,  In his resolve to ensure crime-free Easter celebrations, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered intensive security patrols of all public spaces and critical national assets.  in a statement signed on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in abuja, states specifically all State Commissioners of Police (CPs) and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs)  to ensure adequate deployment of police personnel, and operational assets to areas of security interest within their respective areas of responsibility (AoRs).  According to the  statement, the IGP equally ordered that supervising officers should ensure confidence-boosting, proactive, and high visibility patrols are carried out along the highways, motor...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja A developmental teacher and family counselor,  Aishat Adaviruku has called on Nigerian women especially during this Ramadhan period to take practical steps towards building peace in their heart and homes. Aisha made the call while delivering Ramadhan weekly  lectures on "making our homes a heaven of peace'  organised by Al - Habibiyyah islamic society in Abuja,  building peace at homes and the human heart required regular emotions.  According to him that can be done through enhancing mental capital. "We should be mindful of what we deposit in our brain, because it is how you respond rather than reactions that determine the kind of action to take". "Look at what Jega did at the 2015 election collection center. He was calmed, and not provoke when he was confronted by Elubebe. This really saved our democracy". In her response, the chairperson of the occasion and former INEC national commissioner, Hajia Amina Zakari, advise ...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba on Wednesday disclosed that all Rank and File Policemen across the country who have remained in the same rank since 2017, would be promoted in the next 24 hours, which is Thursday 14 April 2022. This is just as the IGP warned that Police officers and other security agencies including the Military for now, have become an endangered specie hence security operatives should be mindful of who they associate with and where they go Addressing officers and Policemen of Zone 7 headquarters during a visit and commissioning of projects to mark his one year in office, Alkali said, “issues of welfare of police personnel is paramount to me. All members of Rank and File wearing the same rank since 2017 will be promoted by Thursday.   “Commissioned officers from the rank of ASP to CSP will also be promoted but we are starting with the rank and file who are our dedicated foot soldiers. “As for what is happening ...

...... Says he is better equipped to deliver good governance and development to benue people By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Engr. Terhemen Tilley-Gyado of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has informed his kinsmen of his intention to contest the 2023 Benue Governorship election. Engr. Tilley-Gyado, who made this known to his kinsmen at his country home, Mbaakune, Vandeikya Local Government Area, called on them to bless and support his aspiration for the good of the State. Engr. Terhemen Tilley-Gyado, a UK trained Engineer and native of Vandeikya Local Government, noted that he is in a prime position to wrest power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue state. He further stated that beyond the capacity to win the election, he is equipped to deliver good governance and development to the State in the key areas of job creation, poverty reduction, security, roads, education, health, power, and agriculture. Engr Tilley-Gyado noted that a goo...

By Our Reporter Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF) has organised a football tournament for both male and female children across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGA), Benue. Ex-Football International, Emmanuel Babayaro who is an Ambassor of ESLF disclosed this on Saturday during a press conference in Makurdi. He said that football tournament would feature 30 males and 30 females in each of the LGAs. "Even the children at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the state will be participating in the tournament too. "Experts will be brought to mentor both the upcoming footballers as well as upcoming coaches," Babayaro said. He commended ESLF for doing extraordinary things for the betterment of the society, stressing that it was ranked among the top three nongovernmental organisations in the country. Earlier, the Founder of ESLF, Dr Eunice Ortom, said that the interest of the young ones in the society was very central to the organisation. "I...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Before this waiver, women aspirants in the ruling party had hitherto enjoyed a 50% discount for expression of interest and nomination forms. In a bid to boost women  participation in politics, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it would be giving out its nomination forms free for women contesting any elective position in the 2023 general elections. APC Women Leader, Dr. Betta Edu, who stated this at a press conference held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, on Thursday, also promised to mobilise Nigerian women for the ruling party so it retains power beyond 2023. “Today I have the permission of the great, very experienced, gender sensitive chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu to announce to the Nigerian women that APC as a party has provided a platform for them to run…To further buttress that point that we belong to the ruling party, the largest party in Africa and we want to make strong statement that we stand by inclusion, ma...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the posting of CP Abutu Yaro to the Edo State Police Command as the new Commissioner of Police in charge of the State.  The IGP also ordered the posting of CP Sikiru Akande Kayode, CP Yekini Adio Ayoku, and CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde to head the  Adamawa, Kaduna, and Imo State Police Commands respectively. In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in abuja says CP Abutu Yaro, the new Commissioner of Police, Edo State Police Command, holds a B.A Hons from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He was appointed to the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1988. He has served in various supervisory capacities within the Nigeria Police Force, including as Commissioner of Police in charge of Zamfara and Imo State Police Commands respectively. Until his recent appointment, he was CP Force Provost Marshal, Force Hea...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja A group, the APC National Coalition For Mass Mobilization (NATCOMM), has described the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, as a bridge builder who has the capacity and wherewithal of taking the ruling party to victory come 2023. National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Musa Ali Otigba, stated this on Friday during a press conference in Abuja, noted that through the recent APC convention, President Muhammadu Buhari and other progressive Governors have demonstrated excellence and ethical conduct, and has proven that it has the capacity to manage people of different interest as against the fears expressed by many Nigerians in the build up to the national convention. The group, while congratulating the  new Chairman of the party and other members of the NWC, called on them to do their best to unite the party, accord party members all sense of belonging especially those who played roles...

By Iorwuese Jester Shija Various groups from Ushongo local government area have appealed to PDP leaders in Benue State to re-examine the 2023 governorship zoning in favour of the Kwande Intermediate Area. These included the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Benue Motorcycle Association, BEMOA, Frog Dealers Association as well as Porters and Butchers Associations. Others were Mata and Mbagwa PDP politicians, Orbunde Youth Volunteers and Shabu Youths. They spoke at the Lessel Market Square, when PDP governorship aspirant, Terwase Orbunde, briefed them about the decision on governorship zoning. Leaders of the groups argued that Jechira and Jemgbagh are twin brothers known in political parlance as Double-J who have already collectively enjoyed the governorship position for 10 years while Kwande had it for four years and three months. They said ceding the 2023 slot to Jechira would imply that Double-J would  occupy the seat for 18 ...

.........As he Mark Year in Office By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force has a policy for identifying, recruiting, and training gifted sportsmen to achieve excellence in the world of sports both nationally and internationally.  He said this while receiving the police team who emerged champions and gold medallists in the just concluded One Service One Medal (OSOM) Games on Wednesday 6th April, 2022, which coincides with the commemoration of the IGP’s one year in office. In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday in abuja noted that, the IGP, while receiving members of the Police contingent to the 5th OSOM Games held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, from 30th March – 4th April, 2022, applauded the champions and the entire police workforce for their resilience, commitment, and patriotism to policing Nigeria, a...

Prominent indigenes of Kwande local government area, yesterday called on Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leaders in Benue State to reverse the zoning of the 2023 governorship. They spoke at Adikpo Comprehensive College on 5th April, 2022 after governorship aspirant, Terwase Orbunde, formally briefed them about the Benue PDP leaders decision on the zoning of the position. The political, community, youth and women leaders stated that the zoning that has sidelined Kwande at this moment was a mistake that must be rectified. They insisted that just as the PDP Presidential Zoning Committee headed by Governor Samuel Ortom had thrown the contest open the same should apply to the 2023 governorship race in Benue State. Those who spoke included former Kwande council chairmen, Boniface Ukende and Terhile Iorchir, who also represented the youth, former State Assembly member and governorship aspirant, Christopher Afaor, and Susan Tersoo, Kwande PDP woman leader. Ot...