The Kano State Executive Council has approved ₦99,928,541.63 for the reconstruction and renovation of the “defective fence” and surroundings of the Nassarawa mini Palace where the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, is currently residing. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced this on his official Facebook page after the council’s 15th meeting this weekend. Daily Trust reports that the state government had ordered the eviction of Bayero from the mini palace, on Thursday, saying the property belongs to the state and is slated for renovation. But the State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, refused to enforce the eviction order, saying he was awaiting a court ruling. Gumel said the government filed a case at the State High Court regarding the eviction, with a hearing set for Monday, June 24, 2024. Security was also beefed up around the Nasarawa mini palace after the eviction order. The Executive Council also approved other key projects notable among them include the renovation and upgrade of the D-Ward for the establishment of a Sickle-Cell Care Unit at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano at the sum of 81,621,546.76 and a contract for the construction of Post-Midwifery Institute at Gezawa local government area at the sum of N770,858,450.39. Also, the state executive council approved a contract for the completion of the construction of College of Nursing and Midwifer at Madobi local government area at the sum of N57,066,422.52. It also earmarked the sum of N447,621,640.79 for the payment for the excess workload allowances for lecturers in the two state-owned universities, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil (ADUST) and Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK). Recall in May 2024, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the two institutions embarked on a two-week warning strike to call the attention of the government on issues of non-reinstatement of the Governing Council; non-payment of outstanding entitlements, gross under-funding of the university, among others.

  Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has banned all religious centers in the state from blocking roads. The governor also asked all leadership of the religious centers to provide building approvals of their (Churches and Mosques) issued by Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) or face penalties.   In separate letters dated June 13, 2024, and signed by the general manager of JMDB, Hart Bankat,the government said the decision is part of the implementation of Executive Orders 003 which was signed by governor Mutfwang. Our correspondent gathered that the letters which were issued on Saturday were addressed to the state Chairmen of Christin Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI). The JNI state secretary, Dr Salim Musa Umar, confirmed the receipt of the latter. Part of the letter reads ” Following the Executive Order 003 of the Governor of Plateau state Bar Caleb Mutfwang signed on the 1st of March 2024 for the control of Building / Vehicular traffic ,I convey the ban of blockage of access roads and advise that all worship centers should provide appropriate parking spaces off the main roads during worship for their worshippers. “All Worship centers should provide building approvals issued by the JMDB to avoid penalties .The Government solicits with the spiritual leaders to help advise their members to be law abiding citizens to encourage them to comply with the laid down laws.”

  President Bola Tinubu has directed that all civil servants who are drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad should be made to refund the money. The President also directed that the supervisors and department heads of the culprits must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch. Synthesize Beautiful Scenes of Ha Giang Via Super Quality Travel Video – Flycam Nem TV Tinubu’ gave the directive on Saturday at the award night organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), to commemorate the 2024 Civil Service Week. The event was also to honour some outstanding civil servants in core ministries. Represented by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the President expressed dismay over the attitude of the ghost workers. “During my recent visit to South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities. “I was particularly struck by the revelations shared by the Head of the Civil Service, regarding employees who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning. “It is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address this issue, but we must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.   “The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected. “Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” Tinubu said. He reiterated that government would take appropriate measures to ensure they were punished and the money refunded to government treasury. The President acknowledged the challenges in the civil service sector and reiterated his commitment to address them for optimal performance. “Our administration acknowledges the challenges the civil service is facing. “I want to give you the assurance that we are committed to ensuring the welfare and development of all civil servants to deliver optimal performance for the growth of our nation. “Over the past year, I have provided all the necessary support to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure the continued stability of the civil service. “I also supported the office in implementing far-reaching policies and reforms capable of improving efficiency and service delivery, ” the president said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports other activities to mark the night was the presentation of top three prizes to the winners and additional N500, 000 cash prizes to 40 workers. Making the presentation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, the HOCSF, announced the top three prizes won by three officers at the event. “The Star Prize is a Brand New 2023 JAC JS4 Luxury Model SUV; the second is a 2 Bedroom semi-detached bungalow; and the third top prize is a serviced plot of land measuring 400sqm. “I am also pleased to announce that the Nigeria Customs Service has graciously committed to donating 6 Toyota Camry Cars in support of the 2024 Civil Service Week. ”The office has started receiving the vehicles, and these will be presented as prizes to the next set of runner-up best performing officers,” she said. NAN reports that Dr Mercy Ilori, a staff of Ministry of Transportation, won the star prize. She appreciated Yemi-Esan, the Federal Government on behalf of other awardees for the gesture and the honour done to them. (NAN)

  Troops of 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have apprehended an individual posing as army recruitment official in Taraba State who was attempting to scam aspiring military candidates. This operation followed a visit by the Commander 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, to the recruitment center at 114 Battalion Jimilari to assess the ongoing process and ensure its transparency. The imposter was arrested on Saturday as he tried to collect money from hopeful recruits, promising them guaranteed entry into the Nigerian Army. The swift action of the troops thwarted his plans, protecting the candidates from falling victims of fraud. During his visit, Brigadier General Uwa addressed the candidates, assuring them of a fair and transparent recruitment process. ”We are committed to maintaining a level playing field for all candidates, our recruitment will be based solely on merit, and we will not tolerate any fraudulent activities,” he declared. He emphasized that recruitment is voluntary and free, thereby warning candidates not to give money to anyone promising to help them succeed in the recruitment screening. Speaking on the arrest of the imposter, General Uwa commended the vigilance of the troops, emphasizing that the integrity of the recruitment process is a top priority for the Army. He added that the arrested suspect would be handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution. The 6 Brigade is urging all candidates and the public to report any suspicious activities related to the recruitment exercise to the authorities, as this will help ensure that only the most qualified candidates are inducted into the Nigerian Army.

  An inferno has engulfed the headquarters of Christ Embassy Church located in Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos State. An eye witness confirmed this to Channels Television. Multiple videos on X have also shown the massive edifice being destroyed by fire. The fire which broke out early hours of Sunday caused a significant damage to the church property, sending shock waves throughout the immediate community and beyond. Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service are also said to have arrived at the scene to try and put out the fire. The area has been cordoned-off by the police to prevent a breakdown of law and order. The church is headed by influential pastor, Chris Oyakhilome. ‘It’s under control’ Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire Rescue Service has called for calm, assuring Lagosians that the fire is under control. In a voice note sent to our reporter, the Director of the Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, said firefighting is ongoing, adding that no life is involved. She also said that they will give an update after the firefighting. “This is to tell Lagosians to be calm, the fire outbreak at Christ Embassy headquarters in Ikeja is under control right now. As at the time of the voice note, no life involved. “The fire is under control, at the end of the firefighting, we will update report. Let us be calm, firefighting is ongoing and it is under control,” she said.

  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said its operatives, during an operation in Edo State, uncovered a shrine, guarded by a snake, being used for storing illicit drugs. The NDLEA added that its operatives discovered a specially constructed large hole in a wall, hidden behind wallpapers and fetish objects used for drug storage. A statement on Sunday by the NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, noted that methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg among others, were recovered from the shrine. The statement read, “A snake-guarded shrine used to store illicit drugs in Igor community, Benin city, Edo state, has been raided by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who detected a specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects. “Different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine building.” Babafemi said two ladies were arrested and the snake was demobilised. He said, “At least, two ladies: Sonia Chinonso Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilised.” In a separate operation in the state, Babafemi said another two suspects were arrested with 209kg of cannabis.   Babafemi stated, “In the same vein, two suspects: Obi Ferguson,45, and Ernest Abanum, 46, were arrested on Saturday, June 22 when NDLEA operatives raided the Usen forest in Ovia South West LGA, Edo state where 209kg cannabis and a motorcycle were recovered.” In Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers intercepted a carefully packaged consignment of 8.2kg of methamphetamine at a motor park in Mazamaza, Ojo area of the state. “The highly addictive illicit substance, also called ice or crystal meth, was packed in imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and then concealed in the casing of three loudspeakers. “A 39-year-old suspect, Michael Odiomume who was sending the consignment to Owerri, Imo state was promptly arrested on Wednesday 19th June at the park,” the statement added. Babafemi stated that a 76-year-old grandfather, identified as Francis Omofa, was arrested in Abuja in connection with 340.8 kg of cannabis sativa. He said, “In Abuja, operatives on Tuesday, June 18th intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pickup vehicle with amber lights and fake registration number of a security agency at Kiyi village in Kuje area of the FCT. “The vehicle was loaded with 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8kg procured at Uzeba, Edo state. “A 76-year-old grandfather, Mr Francis Omofa, linked to the consignment, was arrested. He claimed to have been in the illicit drug business for 10 years.”