Governor Aminu Masari, on Tuesday, directed security operatives in Katsina State to ensure the rescue of the Christian worshippers who terrorists abducted on Sunday. The directive was given during a special meeting the governor held with heads of various security agencies in the state.   The governor also directed that security be reinforced in all worship centres in the state with a view to ensuring the protection of worshippers in those places.   A statement by Governor Masari’s Director-General in charge of the New media, Al- Amin Isah, made public on Tuesday evening after the meeting contained the directives.   The government put the number of the abducted worshippers at eight whose names were given as Rabi Isiyaku, Rabi Saidu, Saratu Hadi, Nusaibu Shuaibu, Gaje Adamu, Bilikisu Tijjani, Iliya Tijjani and Aisha Tijjani.   The statement added that Governor Masari “urged the security agencies to do everything possible to rescue the victims and ensure that they are reunited with their families.”   Governor Masari was also reported to have directed traditional rulers and community leaders in the state to furnish security operatives with genuine information on criminals in their various communities.     The statement assured residents of the state to go about their activities without any fears, adding that the state government, in collaboration with security agencies had adopted new measures to ensure their safety.

  Wednesday 18 January 2023 Atiku, Dogara, Peter Obi attack APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket afresh Fayose, others shun Atiku’s rally in Ekiti Subsidy: FG borrowing to import fuel, says minister Slain lawyer buried, cleric consoles family Masari directs security operatives to rescue Katsina abductees ‘Emi lokan’: Paperweight too heavy to carry’ — Pastor Bakare hits back at FFK, Dele Alake Uzodimma to South East women: Time to take decision’s now Northern Christian Elders raise alarm over worsening insecurity Court sentences Lagos vulcaniser to death by hanging for robbing nurse of N57,000 CHATHAM HOUSE: INEC ‘ll hold polls despite attacks on facilities, 791 law suits — Yakubu No cause for alarm over Akeredolu’s health — Ondo govt Tinubu now rejected in S-West — PDP Debt: DMO set to raise N1.2trn via FGN bonds in Q1’23 3 vessels laden with 98.8m litres of petrol arrive Lagos ports Defamation: Kanu files N20bn suit against Malami Gates Foundation to spend $8.3bn to fight poverty Some Nigerians Use Religion To Advance Political Agenda – Buhari FG Presents Certificates Of Registration To CONUA, NAMDA PDP G5 Concluding Talks On Preferred Presidential Candidate, Says Wike Niger Youths Protest Priest’s Killing, Raze Police Station NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over ‘Toxic’ Cough Syrups Governors’ Forum Invites Emefiele Over Redesigned Naira Notes Agbakoba writes INEC, seeks clarification on criteria for winning presidential election NNPC makes zero FAAC remittance again as subsidy payments hit N3.3trn in 11 months CBN, FAAC at loggerheads over probe of federation revenue accounts UN, ECOWAS Warn Nigeria Against Election Violence Buhari: $1bn Spent To Regain Territories From Terrorists Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  A Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to appear on Wednesday over a $53 million judgement debt arising from the Pars Club refunds. Justice Inyang Ekwo in an application for garnishee made on October 20, 2022, ordered Emefiele to appear on January 18 as the hearing date for the matter. The order followed the application by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe Agi, against Linas International Ltd, the Minister of Finance and the CBN through his lawyers, Isaac Ekpa and Chinonso Obasi, seeking an order directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest Emefiele and bring him to court alongside his lawyers: Damian Dodo, Audu Anuga, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and Ginika Ezeoke, Jessica Iyoke, Abdullahi Afolayan and Olayemi Afolayan. The suit arose over an alleged $70 million judgment against Linas over the lawyer’s services in the Paris Club refund, which Emefiele was said to have released only $17 million, leaving an outstanding $53 million. The court had on January 23, 2020, ruled that Emefiele must appear “to be examined on oath touching the means you have or have had, since the date of the said garnishee order absolute, to pay the balance of $53 million now due and payable under the said garnishee order absolute and also show cause why you should not be committed to prison for default in payment of the said sum.”

  Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday said his administration will tackle the menace of money laundering and other forms of corruption if elected. The APC candidate said this during the party’s presidential campaign rally held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. He said, “Let me congratulate you for your freedom four years ago which we are reasserting today. If you’re ready to cement that freedom to democracy, go and get your PVC to return the party and all its candidates. “The broom is the symbol of freedom and with that, we have swept and will continue to sweep corruption, money laundering, and all other vices away including insecurity if elected. “You heard that this will not happen yesterday but you are seeing it now live”, he noted. Tinubu who told the crowd at the Metropolitan Square, venue of the programme, not to “vote for anybody else, but me and all other candidates of the party across board in all the elections.” He said the party believes in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has been in a heated battle with Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information. Mohammed was among the APC chieftains who attended the rally. “Don’t vote for anybody but me. We believe in AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The Governor has done some good jobs and he wants another four years to continue. With your vote and support, that is guaranteed,” he said. Speaking, the national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu said with the crowd, “Kwara is saying it loud and clear that we are better together. “You have given us the confidence to carry on and we hope that what we have seen here today will translate to votes come February 23. Return all the three senators and all other candidates of the APC to ease the work of Asiwaju to serve you if elected.” A mammoth crowd welcomed the APC presidential candidate, his running mate, Kashim Shettima and other dignitaries to the state for the campaign. Although her supporters came in their numbers and also displaced her banner, Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Gbemisola Saraki, was absent at the event.

  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that Nigeria can produce the highest quality individuals to run the most efficient governments and private institutions if the right values of hard work, honesty, integrity, among others are taught and imbibed.   He stated this on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while delivering the Centenary Lecture of Baptist Boys’ High School (BBHS).   The VP, who spoke on the topic, ‘Values: the difference between success and failure’, Osinbajo urged that an ethical revolution is necessary to fast-track the country’s development towards becoming a great nation indeed.   According to the VP, there is a need for a national consensus, especially among the political, religious and business elite in accepting and implementing minimum ethical standards, “where we establish a national work ethic, of honesty, hardwork, thrift and the deferment of gratification”.   “It is what is taught and learned that shapes the character of individuals and nations. But it is not just teaching, governments must lead this ethical revolution, by rewarding ethical behaviour and ensuring speedy punishment for misconduct,” the VP said according to a statement by his spokesman, Laolu Akande.   “The religious elite must reinforce the ethical direction agreed by showing that wealth, and influence are built by hardwork, diligence and the deferment of gratification and not just by miracles. “The religious elite must also reject and ostracize public officers and persons whose wealth cannot be explained or is clearly from shady or suspicious sources. Every modern society has had to deal with corruption, and enthrone minimum ethical standards to succeed, we must do the same.”   The Vice President, referencing the earlier section of the ceremony where the Commemorative Centennial Obelisk with the names of the distinguished centennials inscribed upon it was unveiled, observed that the same values of integrity, hard work and trustworthiness are what makes individuals, institutions and nations great.   He said, “The difference between men and women who attain significance and those who do not is values. So, it is also the case that the difference between successful societies or countries and failed or failing countries is values.”   Defining values as ethical principles by which individuals and communities live, work and interact, including honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, perseverance, hard work, diligence, discipline, respect, etc., the Vice President emphasised that “it is values that determine the success or failure of individuals or societies.”   ADVERTISEMENT He stated that “every one of the great and successful economies of the world share the same characteristics, they emphasise hardwork, integrity”.

  A bill seeking to amend the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Act and make provision for the issuance of the exemption certificate to foreign Nigerian students while reviewing the remuneration upwards was stepped down at the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Tilted “Bill for an Act to Amend the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Review Upward the Accommodation and Transport Allowances of Corps Members in line with Current realities; and for Related Matters (HBs.716, 1305, 1657, 1922, 1945 &1674), it was however a consolidated bill jointly sponsored by Hon. Ben Igbakpa, Hon. Eta Mbora, Hon. Abbas Adigun, and three other lawmakers. In his lead debate, Igbakpa who was the only one present at the plenary to speak on the bill said that with the changing times, the principal act should be amended to make it optional for Nigerians who schooled abroad. Igbakpa who referenced the case of former finance minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun said it was not necessary to have subjected her to the rigours of obtaining the exemption certificate. He also said that the monetary allowance of the serving corps members should be elevated to reflect that of graduates. He said: “This amendment seeks to cure three different things because the law as it is today; because of the changing realities of time, anybody that had passed the university and is serving as a corps member automatically has acquired a degree and it is the belief that this amendment should reflect in their remuneration because the N30,000 given to them as it is today is a minimum wage threshold and in line with the present reality, it would not be fair if they are given something that befits a graduate, a level 8 Officer in the public service. “The third, as at the time the law was made, it was in such a way that we did not consider our children schooling abroad. Not long ago, a former Minister of Finance schooled abroad, was above thirty and came to Nigeria to help with the knowledge. But because of the stringent condition placed on the acquisition of the certificate of exception, there was something wrong at the end of the day. We lost that intelligence and expertise. When the NYSC law was created, Nigerians studying abroad were not considered. Nigerians schooling abroad should be issued a certificate of exemption.” The bill however elicited several reactions from lawmakers with many opposing the exemption while favouring the upward review of the allowance. In his contribution, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase called for strict adherence to the provisions of the principal act. “Those who schooled abroad should comply with the by-laws we have set in the country. In several countries, we have programs like this. In USA, you have to serve compulsorily in the army for a year. The purpose is integration and discipline”, he said. Also speaking, Hon. Ahmed Jaha agreed on the call to review the renumeration aspect of the Bill however disagreed with the exemption. H”Substantial part of graduates recognize the importance of NYSC because, by the time they go out, they will discover a lot of things. They have not been conversant with in their area. So, if you say it is optional, people may think it is not serious. They would make it optional and they would be reluctant to go but if you make it compulsory, definitely, everybody would go and at least, discover something outside his domain”, he said. Amid the debate, the lead sponsor, Igbakpa opted to step it down for further consultation. Ruling on the Bill, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila advised the Rules and Business Committee to take a holistic look at the bill and expunged the offensive parts to enable the sponsors to represent it before the House adjourned this Thursday for a two-week break to participate in the national elections.

  An Ikeja Special Offences Court presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada sentenced a 32-year-old vulcaniser, Chidozie Onyinchiz, to death by hanging on Tuesday for robbing a nurse of N57,000.   Justice Dada held that the prosecution had proved the charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and membership of an unlawful society against Onyinchiz.   Dada said the convict’s attempt to wriggle out of the charges was futile.   This, she said was because he had earlier confirmed to the police at Igando, Lagos, that his victim, Veronica Uwayzor sighted him and they both recognised each other at the time of the offence.   Dada said, “The defendant had stated that the complainant pointed at him as one of the boys armed with a pair of scissors and forcefully snatched her bag containing N57,000 at Akesan Bus Stop.   “The complainant had stated that neither the defendant nor his accomplice, Ediri Endurance, (still at large) wore masks which made it possible for her to easily recognise Onyinchiz few hours after the robbery.   “The first statement of the defendant which he made at Igando Police Station confirmed that he and Ediri went to Akesan Bus Stop on the day of the robbery.   “Onyinchiz admitted to belonging to an unlawful society as he stated that,’this is my first time of coming to Akesan to steal. I was initiated into Eiye Confraternity in 2009 but I have not killed before.’   “The same information of him being a vulcaniser was also contained in the statement he made at Igando police station and the one he made at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad office at Ikeja.   “In his confessional statement, Onyinchiz stated that he met Ediri Endurance in a public bus and Endurance took him to his father’s house after the bus developed fault.   He also stated that they ended up sleeping in an uncompleted building because Endurance’s father did not open the door for them to spend the night in his house.   “The statement corroborated the submission of the victim that she was accosted at about 4.30 a.m. by two boys holding an iron rod and a pair of scissors on the day of the incident.   “She said the two boys were the ones who robbed her.   “The totality of the evidence before the court is compelling and I find the defendant guilty of the charges preferred against him.     “He is hereby sentenced to death by hanging and may God have mercy on his soul.”   The state prosecutor, Mrs Afolake Onayinka had earlier told the court the convict committed the offences with an accomplice still at large on Aug.12, 2018.   Onayinka submitted that the complainant ran into a white garment church after the defendant robbed her.   The shepherd of the church alerted landlords in the area which led to the arrest of Onyinchiz while Endurance escaped, she said.   Onayinka submitted that the offences contravened the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)