Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has nominated caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state. Fubara sent the list to the state House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo, on Tuesday. The nomination came amid a renewed political crisis in the state, as former council chairmen have refused to vacate their offices after their tenure expired. Fubara’s communication to the assembly was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday night by the Clerk of the House, G.M. Gillis-West. According to the statement, the assembly invited the nominees for screening on Wednesday by 8 am. The crisis in the state worsened on Tuesday as protesting youths loyal to Fubara dislodged chairmen who refused to leave their offices. A policeman was killed at the Eberi-Omuma secretariat in Omuma Local Government Area during a clash between supporters of Fubara and those of his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. To prevent further breakdown of law and order, the police announced on Tuesday evening that they had taken over the 23 council secretariats. The three-year tenure of the expired on Monday but they vowed to remain in office, citing the Local Government Amendment Law 2024 enacted by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. See the names of the caretaker chairmen nominated by Fubara below: 1. Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson 2. Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth 3. Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green 4. Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs 5. Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan 6. Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree 7. Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua 8. Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon 9. Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa 10. Emouha LGA – David Omereji 11. Etche LGA – John Otamiri 12. Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden 13. Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji 14. Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana 15. Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo 16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe 17. Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi 18. Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan 19. Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald 20. Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam 21. Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip 22. Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo 23. Tai LGA – Matthew Dike

  At least six persons have been reportedly killed and scores abducted by bandits who attacked Bauda and Chibiya communities of Maro Ward in the Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State. The bandits were said to have stormed the two villages on Monday afternoon and unleashed terror on the residents, killing six persons. The blood-thirsty marauders later took an unspecified number of people away. Several others also sustained varying degrees of injuries. The police authorities in Kaduna State are yet to comment on the incident but the Chairman of Kajuru LGA, Ibrahim Gajere, said the bandits invaded the communities on motorcycles on Monday afternoon, and immediately shot two persons dead at Bauda village. He said the gunmen later killed four others at Chibiya village including a visitor to the community. The council boss, in a statement, explained that four of the victims were killed on their farms while two others were killed in their homes. The chairman also disclosed that the the rampaging bandits set about seven residential buildings ablaze alongside eight motorcycles. He said security operatives have been notified of the incident and have intensified patrols within and arround the communities.

  The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, has disclosed the creation of an economic expansion fund of $100bn towards promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of President Tinubu’s administration. Musa-Musawa who was represented by the Director of Cultural Industry and Heritage, Rev. Ben Ugo, at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival held at the Ojude Oba Pavilion in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday, acknowledged the cultural diversity of Nigerians, noting that the Federal Government is working towards making the country a cultural hub by the year 2030. He also said that the annual Ojude Oba festival, is being considered to be listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s World Cultural Heritage. While speaking, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said that his administration was poised to make the Ojude Oba festival a global event. According to him, the annual event has grown from a mere gathering of Ijebu people to felicitate the Awujale, to an event that attracts both national and global audiences. He explained that the festival, which has become a tourist attraction, symbolises and reflects the collective unity of the people known for hard work, perseverance, and industry. “Ojude Oba festival is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland but has now become a significant event that attracts local and foreign tourists to Ogun State, showcasing our hospitality and enviable tradition of Ijebuland to the national and global audience,” he said. “This festival serves as a symbol of our unity, tourism and a rallying point to all the Ijebu sons and daughters to celebrate the life and times of our tradition, culture, and revered monarch. “It has become a catalyst for the development of Ijebuland, and this undoubtedly underscores the importance of preserving our traditions for future generations. “By standing for unity and harmony, we elevate our community and set an example for others to follow. The essence of unity and harmony in Ijebuland can be seen willingly in cultural events like this festival. “Our administration is deeply committed to supporting the initiative to make it a permanent event in the global tourism industry,” he said. The event, the governor observed, creates opportunities for advancement which has brought about the socio-economic development not only to the axis but the state as a whole. While thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing interest in expanding the festival, especially with plans to include it in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage, the governor said his administration was committed to providing a conducive environment for business to thrive. He said the festival provides an opportunity for the Ijebu people to take stock and project the future. He called for unity and harmony from people across the state, adding that it was time to work together to build a virile state. “The state government will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for community development across the state and I solicit the support of the people, especially all the sons and daughters towards the 20th National Sports Festival, Gateway Games, 2024, part of which will be hosted right here in Ijebu-Ode,” the governor concluded. Chairman of the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, appreciated the governor for his support for the festival and the people for turning up enmass to grace the occasion.

  The Anambra State Police Command said it has raided a camp belonging to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network located in Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state. A statement on Tuesday by the state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, also noted that four suspects were arrested. Ikenga said the police-led Joint Security Force in Aguata carried out the operation following information received over time of planned attacks on security agents and innocent citizens by the dreaded group. He said, “The Police-led Joint Security Force in Aguata on 17/6/2024 intercepted four suspected ESN militia in Ufuma, Orumba North LGA in Anambra State. The arrest is following information received over time of planned attacks on security agents and innocent citizens by the dreaded group.     “Among the four suspects arrested is one Maduabuchi Nwafor a.k.a. Omenkpo ‘M’ aged 32 years, a native of Ufuma. He has been identified as one of the native doctors who prepares criminal charms for the group and uses his shrine for initiation ceremonies and meeting points for the criminals. “Also, one of the suspects’ name withheld who is already assisting the police with information confessed to be one of the gunmen dispatched by the group to enforce the illegal sit-at-home on May 30, 2024.” He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnaghe Itam, has ordered investigations to be widened and deepened to identify hideouts of the insurgents seeking to “destabilise and truncate development in the state”. “The CP assured Ndi Anambra that the police command under his watch will continue to serve the people selflessly and will jealously protect the sources of its information to protect informers from harm,” the statement added.

  A soldier serving under the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barrack, Ohafia, Ohafia local government area of Abia State, attached to the 144 Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOB) located at Ngwa High School, Abayi, Osisioma local government area has committed suicide. The soldier, a senior non-commissioned soldier Command Sergeant Major (CSM) whose name was given as Vitalis, an indigene of Okpuala in Ngor-Okpuala in Imo State, shot himself in front of the FOB gate. The reason for the decision to take his life in front of the army camp has not been known at the time of filing the report as there was no suicide note. Sources within security agents in the State said that only a discreet investigation would unravel what could have prompted him to take his life, adding that any attempt to suggest what could have led to his decision to kill himself could be prejudice to the outcome of the investigation of the leadership of army in the state. According to sources, until the death of the soldier, there was no reported case of domestic violence or work related disciplinary action to be against him by army authorities at the Battalion or 14 Brigade Headquarters respectively. It was gathered that the CSM suddenly disappeared without any trace to his whereabouts for the past two weeks he has remained incommunicado as several attempts to reach him by colleagues and military authorities failed. He was said to have returned to the army camp and shot himself to the surprise of colleagues. It was gathered that the deceased would have retired from service in October, leaving his colleagues shocked as to why he chose to take his life. The Army Public Relations Officer (APRO) Lt. Prince Innocent Omale didn’t pick calls or respond to text message sent to his WhatsApp line as of time of filing the report.

  A policeman and a member of Omuma Security Planning and Advisory Committee, OSPAC, have been feared killed in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State. This was coming as tension and protest spread across the 23 local government areas of the state following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the elected Chairmen of LGAs and ward councillors. There have been reports of shooting by alleged security personnel at the Port Harcourt City LGA Council Secretariat. It was also learned that there were shootings at Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Eleme and Khana LGAs by unidentified persons. However, at noon it was reported that two people have been reportedly gunned down in Omuma LGA following shootings that erupted in the area. A source in the area said policemen attached to a politician in the area had first shot the vigilante members who were in one of the groups that clashed at Omuma council secretariat, and that the victim’s men had in reprisal taken up the security personnel. Meantime, the police authorities in the state could not confirm this at press time, but a police source in Omuma said two people were shot.

  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged Nigerians to refrain from storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days. According to the agency, cooked food stored in the refrigerator for days is susceptible to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, key agents of foodborne diseases that can lead to death. Food safety incidents are situations where there is a potential or confirmed health risk associated with food consumption. A food incident can happen, for example, due to accidents, inadequate controls, food fraud, or natural events. NAFDAC Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye tasked all stakeholders in the food supply chain to take deliberate actions to institute a food safety culture in their operations to mitigate the food hazards and risks that could compromise food safety. The DG spoke at the 2024 World Food Safety Day with the theme: ‘Food Safety: Prepare for the unexpected,’ where she emphasised that food safety is a collective responsibility, and the need for everyone, from producers to consumers, to play their part to ensure that the food we eat is safe. According to the DG in a statement by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola on Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, one in 10 people fall ill, and 420,000 die each year due to consuming contaminated food. This results in the loss of 33 million healthy life years, with children under five and other vulnerable groups in poorer regions being disproportionately affected. In developing countries, about $110 billion is lost every year on medical expenses due to unsafe food. Adeyeye, who noted that food safety is not only important for public health but a sine qua non for economic development and food security, emphasised that everybody has a role to play from the farm to the table to ensure that the food we consume is safe and will not cause damage to our health. She added that for World Food Safety Day 2024, WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are asking all stakeholders along the food supply chain if they are prepared to address unexpected threats to food safety in an increasingly interconnected and interlinked global food supply. According to her, while being ready to manage food safety incidents requires dedicated efforts from policymakers, food safety authorities, farmers, and food business operators, consumers can also play a very active role. She, however, restated that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has developed programmes for the elimination, eradication, prevention, and control of diseases, which include the National Integrated Guidelines for Foodborne Disease Surveillance and Response, useful for preparedness and rapid response to emerging and re-emerging foodborne diseases. She challenged all the stakeholders, from regulatory officers, experts, producers, processors, distributors, retailers, restaurant outlets, and consumers, to consider if they are indeed prepared for the unexpected. “Let us all stay true to the statements ‘food safety is everyone’s business and food safety is a shared responsibility’ as we celebrate this year’s World Food Safety Day. “Working together, we will continue to strengthen our food safety system, ensuring its resilience, robustness, and preparedness for the unexpected,” she added.