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Post Date : August 18, 2021

Armed ‘Preachers’ Engage Bandits In Zamfara

There is currently tension in parts of Dansadau Emirate of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State as a result of the activities of an armed group that has been confronting bandits. Members of the group were spotted on motorbikes at Dandalla community last Friday. Dandalla is a community located 15 kilometres south of Dansadau town. Farther south of the community lies a forest straddling Birnin Gwari axis of neighbouring Kaduna State. Members of the group, who wore long beards, performed their Jumat prayer separately and after that, they began preaching to the bandits to stop attacking communities. They said instead of attacking peasant farmers and stopping them from working on their farmlands, they should hold their guns against government officials, credible sources told our correspondent. The Wazirin Dansadau, Alhaji Mustapha Umar, told Daily Trust that a resident of the community confirmed the development to him. “It is true the armed men came to the community. There is a fear in the minds of the residents that they might be motivated by the Boko Haram ideology.” Allah Mustapha, who was once kidnapped by the gunmen but released after ransom was paid, said one of the group members was shot by a bandit after he preached to them. “The killing of the member of the group sparked a deadly fight between them, with many of the bandits killed. Even the bandits themselves are frightened by the activities of this armed group in the forest and this is what I learnt from their conversation when I was under their captivity,” he said. Communities, especially in the south, east and west of Dansadau town have been held under siege by criminals for many years. The bandits are asserting their control on the residents and are the ones adjudicating between people whenever there is any dispute.

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Post Date : August 18, 2021

Full list: UAE approves 70 countries for visa-on-arrival

The United Arab Emirates has approved visa-on-arrival for passport holders from 70 countries. This was contained in an update on the official websites of Etihad and Emirates visited by our correspondent on Wednesday. Among the 70 countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-on-arrival in the UAE are Argentina, Canada, United States, China, Maldives, France, and Russia. Nigeria and many African countries were not included in the list. However, Seychelles – was included. “If you are from any of the countries or regions listed below, you do not need to apply for a visa before you travel to the UAE. When you land in Abu Dhabi, simply make your way to immigration to receive a visa when you arrive,” the update read. FULL LIST Andorra Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Barbados Belgium Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Canada Chile Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic DenmarkEstonia Finland France Germany Greece Honduras Hong Kong (SAR of China) Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Japan Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malaysia Maldives Malta Mexico Monaco Montenegro Nauru Netherlands New Zealand Norway People’s Republic of China Peru Poland Republic of Mauritius Republic of El Salvador Portugal Romania Russian Saint Vincent and the Grenadines San Marino Serbia Seychelles Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland The Vatican Ukraine United Kingdom United States of America Uruguay

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Post Date : August 18, 2021

New judge to sign Igboho aides’ release warrant today

A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to sign a release warrant of the 12 detained aides of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho. The detained aides, it was learnt, have met all their bail conditions. It was gathered that the detainees’ lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, approached the bail office of the court on Tuesday to assign another judge to sign the release warrant of his clients who have been detained in the custody of the Department of State Services for about 50 days. Olajengbesi said the bail office of the court earlier informed him on Tuesday that the presiding judge of the case, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, travelled out of the country on a short notice. The lawyer told The PUNCH on Tuesday that Justice Egwuatu was supposed to sign the release warrant of his clients on Tuesday but for his sudden trip. The court had asked each of the 12 detainees to get two sureties, making it a total of 24 sureties. The detainees had secured the sureties last week, but the bail office of the court said it needed to write letters to the offices of the 24 sureties to get more confirmation. Olajengbesi said the confirmation of the sureties had been completed, adding that he was at the bail office of the court on Tuesday waiting for the judge to sign the release order of his clients, but was told that Justice Egwuatu had travelled. “We have met all the bail conditions and the deputy registrar at the bail office has signed a memo to that effect. However, I was told by the bail office that the judge that will sign their release order has travelled out urgently for a seminar and will not return till next week,” the detainees’ lawyer told our correspondent. “We think that these events are happening coincidentally which is affecting us essentially. Usually, when a particular judge who is supposed to sign a release warrant is not on the ground, another judge can sign a release warrant because it has to do with the liberty of citizens. “We have made efforts to reach out to another judge today and the judge gave us an appointment for tomorrow. We are hopeful that the judge will sign it. We do not think that it is a ploy to frustrate us,” Olajengbesi said. DSS operatives had arrested the 12 persons on July 1, 2021, during a raid on Igboho’s Ibadan residence around 1am. DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, had said the secret police killed two other associates of the activist in a “gun duel”. The 12 detained persons had approached the court through their lawyers led by Olajengbesi to seek their release in line with their fundamental human rights.

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Post Date : August 18, 2021

BBNaija S6: Don’t restrict yourself to Jackie B, Angel advises Michael

Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye housemate, Angel, has advised Michael not to restrict himself to his love interest, Jackie B. Angel said this in a conversation with Michael after the late night games on Tuesday as the duo discussed Michael’s relationship with Jackie B. Michael told Angel that he does not really understand his relationship with Jackie B as he accuses her of snubbing him. He further asked Angel for her thoughts on his relationship with Jackie B. In response, Angel said, “From my point of view, it looks like you guys are figuring things out. There’s a lot to consider in figuring it out. If you guys want to be serious, you’ll have to take it slow. “You can put it into consideration that you’ve only known her for a week. So you can’t exactly restrict yourself to her. There could be someone in the house that you probably ‘feel’ more.” She added, “Everybody keeps pushing you and there’s this pressure to keep up to that expectation. It doesn’t have to be so.” Since Michael got into the house two weeks ago, Jackie B has been so clingy to him and fans gave them the name ‘Michael Jackson’. Though Michael is a year younger than she is, the mother-of-one had earlier said that she was attracted to him because he’s cute. However, during a Diary Session on Tuesday, day 24 of the show, Jackie revealed that she was not in a ‘ship’ with Michael or anybody in the house.

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Post Date : August 18, 2021

Freeze Order: Nigerians’ money safe with us, say Bamboo, RiseVest

Bamboo est have assured Nigerian investors that their money is safe with them following the freezing of their bank accounts by the Central Bank of Nigeria. In a Twitter message, Bamboo told its customers that customers’ savings would not be tampered with. “Hi everyone, we’re aware of the recent reports about us. Our legal and government relations teams are looking into it,” said Bamboo. “But we thought it was important to let you know that your money remains safe with Bamboo and will always be readily accessible.” RiseVest sent out a similar message to its investors. It stated, “We will work with regulators, as we always have to ensure that all issues raised are properly addressed. However, this does not affect our users or their investments, which are managed by regulated third parties in all jurisdictions in which we operate. Thank you for choosing Rise.“ On Tuesday, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court granted the request of the CBN to freeze accounts of forex traders using platforms like Bamboo and RiseVest.

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Post Date : August 18, 2021

How Anambra, Ogun, Imo, Edo, Ebonyi abandoned N10 billion UBE fund with UBEC

DESPITE the decay, shortage and dilapidation of infrastructure as witnessed in most public schools across the country, Nigerian Tribune checks has revealed that state governments have abandoned over N29 billion with Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). The affected states were said to have refused to pay the requisite 50 per cent counterpart fund in order to access the fund. Leading the pack of states with high un-accessed fund are Anambra, Ogun, Imo, Edo and Ebonyi, with each having over N2 billion lying fallow at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). A document obtained from the headquarters of UBEC on Tuesday, detailing the un-accessed matching grant from 2005 to 2020 as of August 17, 2021, indicated that the five states had refused to pay the requisite counterpart fund to access the over 10 billion cumulatively disbursed to them for implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in their states. The document, however, contradicted a statement credited to the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, a few days ago that over N130 billion has not been accessed from UBEC by the state governments. Adamu, who was quoted to have spoken through the Minister of State for Education, Honourable Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, described as unfortunate, the inability of some states of the federation to access over N130 billion made available by UBEC for development of primary education in their states. He spoke at the 65th National Council on Education meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State, saying over N130 million in UBEC custody is still unutilised as a result of inability of states to provide their 50 per cent counterpart funds. It could not be established immediately if the minister included the 2021 allocation in the figure he announced, which Nigerian Tribune gathered statutorily could not be accessed until January, in line with the laws establishing the commission. The document obtained from UBEC further revealed that other states with high amount of un-accessed fund are Niger, with N1.7 billion and Enugu, N1.56 billion. Other states have over N7 million each, apart from Bayelsa, Delta, Jigawa, Kaduna, Rivers, Kebbi and Zamfara, which have fully accessed their matching grants. The document also showed that over N500 billion was disbursed as matching grant to states from 2005 to 2020.

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Post Date : August 18, 2021

Afghan girls return to school in Herat after Taliban takeover

Girls wearing white hijabs and black tunics crammed into classrooms in the western Afghan city of Herat just days after the Taliban’s takeover. As the school opened its doors, the students scurried down corridors and chatted in courtyards, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil that has engulfed the country in the past two weeks. The scenes — which many feared would be banned under the Taliban — were filmed by an AFP cameraman this week, just days after fighters from the hardline Islamist group took the city following the collapse of government forces and local militia. “We want to progress like other countries,” said student Roqia. “And we hope the Taliban will maintain security. We don’t want war, we want peace in our country.” With its close proximity to the Iranian border, the ancient Silk Road city of Herat has long been a cosmopolitan exception to more conservative centres. Women and girls walked more freely in the streets, attending schools and colleges in huge numbers in a city famed for its poetry and arts. Its long-term future remains uncertain, however. Under the hardline version of sharia law that the Taliban imposed when they controlled Afghanistan in the 1990s, women and girls were mostly denied education and employment. Full face coverings became mandatory in public, and women could not leave home without a male companion. – What lies ahead? – Public floggings and executions, including stoning for adultery, were carried out in city squares and stadiums. What lies ahead for women with the Taliban back in power remains unclear. Publicly, the Taliban are attempting to push the narrative that they have watered down some of their more extreme positions, with their spokesman late Tuesday announcing an official pardon for “everyone” involved in the war. During the group’s first official press conference in Kabul since retaking power, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the erstwhile insurgents were “committed to letting women work in accordance with the principles of Islam”. Asked what the difference was between the movement ousted 20 years ago and the Taliban of today, he said: “If the question is based on ideology, and beliefs, there is no difference… but if we calculate it based on experience, maturity, and insight, no doubt there are many differences. “The steps today will be positively different from the past steps,” he added. Still, people have been entering public life cautiously, with women largely absent from the streets of Kabul and men trading their Western clothes for more traditional Afghan garb. There remains massive concern globally about the Taliban’s brutal human rights record — and tens of thousands of Afghans are still trying to flee the country as the group settles into power. After just days at the helm, it remains unclear if there is any official education policy or whether talks with schools have been held by the Taliban. However, during an interview with Britain’s Sky News this week, another Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen offered assurances on the topic. Women “can get education from primary to higher education — that means university”, he said. Thousands of schools in areas captured by the Taliban were still operational, he added. In Herat, school principal Basira Basiratkha expressed cautious optimism, saying she was “grateful to God” that they have been able to reopen. “Our dear students are attending their classes in large numbers while adhering to the Islamic hijab,” she said. “Exams are continuing.” (AFP)

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Post Date : August 18, 2021

Certificate: Man fights YABATECH for 41 years, dies after victory

OYO State-born pioneer President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Sunday Oladele, who secured victory after 41 years battled with Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, was planning big for his convocation before he died, his son, Olalekan said on Tuesday. According to him, the 72-year-old activist was celebrating his victory against YABATECH after the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges in June 2021, ordered that his certificate be given to him after 41 years seizure. Olalekan stated these in an interview with The PUNCH in Abuja on Tuesday on the sidelines of a press conference addressed by the Chairman of Pa Oladele’s Burial Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, and NANS President, Sunday Asefon. Oladele, alongside a few others, had in 1980 led the rebirth of the students’ movement from the proscribed National Union of Nigerian Students after the military government of Olusegun Obasanjo had, during the ‘Ali Must Go struggle’ led by Olusegun Okeowo, banned student unionism, which was firmly organised under NUNS He was said to have led others, regrouped them, wrote a new constitution and in 1980, founded NANS. Melaye said, “This effrontery later earned him and most of his colleagues varying consequences such as expulsion, rustication and withholding of their certificates. “Seeing how long the injustice had persisted, the Senate mandated the management of YABATECH to release forthwith his certificate withheld for 41 years. With the intervention of the Senate Committee, the management of YABATECH agreed to present the departed leader with his certificate at their next convocation but unfortunately, he died two weeks after.” According to him, a letter would be sent to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Ministers of Education and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, “to ask that this great Nigerian, who sacrificed all for the betterment of this country and who was denied justice for 41 years, be immortalised.” Melaye said, “He came to Abuja to fight for justice where he met his untimely death. I want to believe that by the time we put our heads together, the Federal Government must immortalise him became there are people of less national value that have been immortalised by the Federal Government. “So, the Nigerian students’ body is requesting unequivocally that this great Nigerian be immortalised and one famous national institution in this country named after him. “We, as also students, former students and leaders, still have Students’ Union Buildings that have not been named after individuals. We will encourage through the President of NANS that some of these institutions name their Students’ Union Buildings after this great Nigerian.” Olalekan told The PUNCH, “I’m his first child and only son; I’ve two sisters. I’m glad that I spoke with him and our last conversation was a good one. He was in high spirits, suffered for 41 years, but died doing what he loves best. “My father has always talked about his struggles to get his certificate from YABATECH. He was in high spirits, having got that Senate victory and was really looking towards that convocation ceremony in YABATECH in a big way. “My father fought with love for the masses; it was never a burden to him. He never had any regret. His only regret was that his struggle to see better Nigeria was not actualised in his lifetime. But other than that, he never had any regret.” Asked if he felt neglected and abandoned by the people he fought for, Olalekan said he never felt neglected, adding, “If he felt neglected, he would not have continued that struggle even when they denied him his right.” He said, “Even at his old age (72), he had always continued the fight whenever NANS leadership called him. I won’t like to say he died poor but he didn’t achieve many of the things he really wanted. Because of the certificate issue, he couldn’t get to where he was supposed to be. But then, he wasn’t rich and didn’t die a rich man. But he wasn’t begging before he died.”

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Post Date : August 17, 2021

REPORT: American serial killer sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering over 90 sex workers

An American serial killer, Gary Leon Ridgway (The Green River Killer) has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering over 90 women According to Investigation Discovery, after preying on women in Washington’s King County from the 1980s through the ’90s, Gary Leon Ridgway was caught and convicted for the deaths of 49 victims. Nicknamed “The Green River Killer,” Ridgway confessed to 71 murders. But investigators believe he may have slayed over 90 women. He is now considered one of America’s most prolific serial killers. Ridgway often preyed upon sex workers, runaways, addicts and other women he considered vulnerable targets since they likely wouldn’t be reported missing right away, if ever. “I do not have a good memory of their faces. I killed so many women, I have a hard time keeping them straight,” Ridgway said in a statement that prosecutors read at the killer’s 2003 plea deal hearing. On Nov. 30, 2001, Ridgway was leaving his job at Kenworth Truck Co. in Renton, Washington, when police arrested him. Ridgway was finally linked to several murders thanks to advances in DNA testing technology. Investigators were able to use a saliva swab the serial killer submitted in the 1980s to match his DNA with semen found in four of his victims’ bodies. Ridgway avoided the death penalty by striking a plea deal with prosecutors that required him to reveal the locations of the women he killed. On Dec. 18, 2003, he was sentenced to 48 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. A 49th body was found in 2011, and Ridgway received an additional life sentence. Source: Investigation Discovery

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Post Date : August 17, 2021

Gov Asks Nigerians To Take Up Arms Against Bandits

Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, has called on residents in the areas prone to banditry to acquire weapons and defend themselves against the outlaws. While noting that prayers are important, the governor said it was morally wrong for people to submit meekly to the bandits without any attempt to defend themselves. “We must intensify prayers with clean minds to seek God’s forgiveness and intervention. “We must all rise up to counter the insecurity challenge, we must not seat and watch some people buying guns attacking our Houses, we too should buy the guns and protect ourselves,” he said. The governor said this on Tuesday when he paid a condolence and sympathy visit to families of 10 persons who were killed after being hit by a Nigeria Customs vehicle. He also believes that it is the people’s meek submission that emboldens the bandits to continue with their heinous activities, stressing that people must divorce their minds from the mistaken notion that security is the sole responsibility of the government. Addressing the issue of the incident, Governor Masari assured the people that the government was perusing all the necessary legal steps to seek redress for the families of the deceased, as well as those who sustained various degrees of injuries. He added that legal experts had already been consulted to advise on the way forward to ensure speedy (legal) resolution of the matter. The governor, however, cautioned the families of the victims not to succumb to any covert enticement from the Nigerian Customs Service, saying that doing so will compromise the government’s efforts to secure justice for the bereaved and injured. “What Customs operatives are doing is wrong, and therefore, unacceptable,” Governor Masari said. “Do not succumb to any covert enticement from the customs service, no matter what they offer or promise to do for you. “Whatever they want to do for you, let it be in the open, not in secret. “If you accept any secret offer, then you will be truncating the government’s efforts to seek justice for you, but if you resist any untoward move, the organisation will then have to rethink its attitude towards its host community”.

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