MY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ON SECURITY ISSUES – PROPHET TB JOSHUA

During my prophecy for 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6aJLBVG96c)released on 28th December 2019, prophecy number four concerning America was given as follows: “Approach to the security issue will affect the candidates and swing voters in the next election.”

President Trump, this is what is happening now. Another one is coming. President Trump, wake up to checkmate this. It will go beyond this. Another one is coming, starting from the ending of June. Where there is no vision, people perish. During your regime, the name of Jesus has been given more honour. What glory! Let us look beyond our palace for God’s authority. With God, all things are possible! Let us act now. It is not all up to God; we have a role to play. More appeals to the people and security are required – in a language that will douse the tension and stop this situation - so we can then commit the future one into God’s hands.

New Financial Autonomy’s in the best interest of states – Lagos Assembly Speaker, Obasa

The chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has expressed hope that the recently signed executive order for the autonomy of Houses of Assembly will not be a challenge to governors.

Obasa, who is also the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, said this during a recent edition of Journalists Hangout on Television Continental where the executive order signed by President Muhammadu Buhari granting autonomy to the state legislatures and judiciary was discussed.

Speaking through a phone call, Obasa noted that the governors were carried along in the journey leading to the approval by the President. He added that he was optimistic that the autonomy would be beneficial to the states.

Below is the interview session:

Q: We can move the country forward in the spirit and letter of the constitution, right?

Yes

Q: Do we expect all 36 of you to be on the same page?
Exactly, we are already. We got to this stage because we had been in support of this from the beginning. Let me remind you that there was alteration to the constitution and the process to that was after a review of the National Assembly, certain percentage of the Houses of Assembly had to support the review and that was what led to the alteration of the section 121(3) of the constitution as amended which are now talking about.

Thereafter, Mr. President set up an implementation committee, which I happened to be a member. There were representatives of the judiciary, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the SA on Legislative Matters to the President, Senator Ita Enang. We all agreed and came up with a report which was submitted. We all went to the President and submitted the report. Speakers also visited Mr. President recently to appeal to him to speed up the executive order which we finally received as a gift on Sallah day. So we are all in it together.

We also met with the Governors Forum and a committee was set up by the governors which was headed by Governor Waziri Tambuwal. We met once with the committee before the announcement. So I think we are all in it and it is going to be beneficial to the governors, the speakers and the people of this country. So, I don’t think the governors should see this as a kind of challenge because even the constitution has always made provision for the legislature to be independent of the executive. It is just like putting effect to what we have in the constitution already.

Q: Does that mean you don’t expect a fight-back from the governors now?

I don’t think there should be a reason to fight over this. The judiciary, legislature and the executive should just have understanding. The constitution is so clear about all these. The executive, the judiciary and the legislature have their own interests but there is a connection according to the provisions of the constitution in the sense that the chief judge of a state has to be nominated by the executive and sucjh has to be given backing by the legislature and that also has to be proclaimed by the governor. So we must learn to work together with understanding.

Q: There is a child of circumstance in the whole mix and this is the local government chairman. Is he likely going to enjoy this autonomy very soon?

We believe so. But our take on this, since we practice federalism, is that the tiers should remain two – the centre and the states – while the local governments remain under the states. I think we can strengthen our local governments. The observation made earlier that some governors are taking money away from the local governments can be managed through the state laws and supervision at the state level.

So, there are all kinds of elections in this country and we do not want a situation where the centre would influence the local governments when it comes to elections like it happened during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, when he withheld Lagos state’s allocations. We don’t want situations where local governments would be set against states. We can manage it on the state levels.

COAS INSPECTS COMBAT VEHICLES, APCs, MRAPs UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS IN MAIDUGURI

The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai who is in the North East Theatre of Operation since early April this year leading the fight against terrorism has inspected ongoing manufacture and repairs/overhaul of combat vehicles including Armoured Personnel Carriers and mine resistant anti Ambush Protected Vehicles at the 107 Div Equipment Support in Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri on Saturday the 30th of May 2020.

Gen Buratai was accompanied by the Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Chief of Logistics (Army), chief of military intelligence and the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division among others.
This is in continuation of the efforts at ensuring the final defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP's terrorism in Nigeria.

RELIEF IN ETI OSA, AS SANWO-OLU FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF REGIONAL ROAD

Gov: ‘Project Is Manifestation Of Our Promise’
Govt Sanctions Officials, Developers Who Compromised Road Alignments



The journey to the second year of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has taken off on a note of infrastructural drive. On Saturday, the Governor flagged off the construction of the long-awaited Regional Road in Lekki region - a critical infrastructure proposed in the Lekki-Epe master plan aimed at decongesting traffic gridlocks in the entire Eti Osa Local Government Area.



At a groundbreaking ceremony held on the project site, the Governor described the development as “a manifestation” of his administration’s commitment towards improving socio-economic activities on the Lekki-Epe axis by the provision of supporting infrastructure.

The construction of the 8.75 kilometre-long road, being undertaken by Messrs Hi-Tech Construction Company Limited, will link Lekki-Epe Expressway at Victoria Garden City (VGC) Junction to the Freedom Way in Eti Osa. The road is also said to be a precursor to the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge that is expected to take off from the axis.



When completed in the next 24 months, Sanwo-Olu said the Regional Road would not only change the entire landscape of Eti Osa and improve journey time for commuters, he said it would also drive up the efficiency of Government’s traffic management strategy.



He said: “With the flag off of the construction of this critical road infrastructure, we are keeping the promise we made to Lagosians. As a Government, when we give commitments to our people, we do not shy away from it. Our word is our bond. Today’s event is a manifestation of our pledge to address infrastructural challenges on the Eti Osa axis.



“We know what people go through on the Lekki-Epe Expressway as a result of traffic. We are moved by the pains to hasten the process of putting the Regional Road in place to bring the long sought relief to our citizens working and living on this axis. Today, we are here for the groundbreaking ceremony to start work on this critical infrastructures.”



Sanwo-Olu said the Government and the contractor had made plans for exigencies that may arise in the course of the construction work, assuring that the project would not be stalled by unforeseen challenges.



He said Hi-Tech had assured the Government that the project would be delivered on agreed period, even in the event of being faced by unforeseeable challenges.



He said: “By the time of our third anniversary in office, we should have been getting ready to commission this road. That is the commitment we have given and we are going to hold the contractor on this timeline. As a Government, we will keep our own part.”



In tough tones, the Governor said sanctions awaited property developers and state officials who undermined the State’s planning approvals and encroached the alignments of the Regional Road. Sanwo-Olu directed the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to sanction any State official found culpable in compromising the the planning approval and right-of-way of the road.



The Governor said: “The Regional Road alignment has been gazetted long time ago, but we realise people deliberately flouted our approved plan for the road. I have instructed the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development to discipline and sanction officials that have been found culpable to compromise any form of approval for the right-of-way. They will be punished with people who raise properties on the approved alignment.”



Sanwo-Olu appealed to residents to cooperate with the Government and the contractor towards making the project a reality, pointing out that the construction work may bring about temporary period of hardship. He said the relief that would follow the completion of the project would assuage any feeling of pain experienced by residents on the axis.



The Governor briefly spoke about the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge, assuring that the multi-million dollar project would take off before the end of the current dispensation. He said the bridge was not part of his campaign promise, but added that the completion of the Regional Road necessitate the need for the bridge.



“Within the first quarter of next year, we would have identified the best bidder for the construction of Fourth Mainland Bridge, which will extend from Eti Osa to Ikorodu and burst out of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. This project will have great impact on our traffic management and transportation blueprint,” he said.



The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, said the Regional Road remains strategic address the infrastructural need of the Lekki sub-region as the new economic centre in the State.



The completion of the road, she said, will bring about competitive business environment and ease traffic off Third Mainland Bridge and serve as alternative to Lekki-Epe Expressway.

OUR CITY PROSPERED AFTER WE GAVE THE KEY TO PROPHET TB JOSHUA – COLOMBIAN MAYOR

Dr Juan Garcia, the former Mayor of Barranquilla, the fourth largest city in Colombia, South America, has testified that the city has seen remarkable progress and advancement ever since the key of the city was symbolically given to Prophet TB Joshua in Lagos, Nigeria.

In a video uploaded to YouTube by Emmanuel TV, the former Mayor testified alongside Pastor Jorge Freyle of ‘Iglesia Vida Abundante’ about the impact of Joshua’s prayers on his city.

“We can see the development of this beautiful city since 2007 when the Mayor Dr Juan Garcia gave us the key of the city and we immediately gave it to Jesus Christ. I went to Lagos, Nigeria and gave the key of the city to Prophet TB Joshua. Since then, the city has changed because of the prayer of the prophet,” Freyle explained.

The pastor revealed enormous development including refurbished sports centres, the construction of new highways and a 12,000-seater conference centre, alongside a palpable sense of calm in the city amidst the security challenges faced by Colombia as a nation.

“We want to thank God for the life of TB Joshua because since we gave the key of this city to him, the city has experienced a supernatural change,” he affirmed.

Dr Garcia added that he personally met the Nigerian cleric during his ‘crusade’ in Cali, Colombia in 2014.

“I had the blessing to personally meet Prophet TB Joshua. As a mayor, I presented the key of the city to the church. Today, we can see the impact of this… Only God made this possible. This city is changing,” he acknowledged.

“I recognise that there are different levels in ministry and acknowledge the superior spiritual authorities that God is using… We are so grateful to the ministry for Prophet TB Joshua, The SCOAN and Emmanuel TV,” Pastor Freyle concluded, asking Joshua to continue in his prayer for the city.

Dr Garcia concluded by echoing Freyle’s call and extending an invitation to the Nigerian cleric to visit Barranquilla. “We wait for you with open arms so you can see the city you prayed for,” he stated.

Joshua’s 2014 crusade in Cali, Colombia was attended by over 50,000 people, filling the Pascal Guererro Olympic Stadium.

He also held large crusades in Peru, Mexico, Paraguay and Dominican Republic. His Spanish YouTube channel has nearly 600,000 subscribers, highlighting the popularity of the cleric in Latin America.

VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a1u5EgmYQw

Police ASP and Inspector arrested over the shooting of Tina Ezekwe

CP condoles with family and friends of the deceased person and calls for calm.
The Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc has ordered an in depth  investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Tina Ezekwe ‘f' 17 years old. Two Police Officers suspected to have carried out the shooting were arrested and subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings. If found culpable, they will be arraigned in Court. They are ASP Theophilus Otobo and Inspector Oguntoba Olamigoke attached to Bariga Police Station. 

2. The incident happened on 26th May, 2020 at about 2245 hours. The said Police Officers fired shots from their pin down point along Berger by third mainland bridge, in a circumstances yet to be determined one Musa Yakubu ‘m' 35 years was injured at the point and a stray bullet hit Tina at Berger Yanaworu Bus stop. The bullet pierced through the left upper side of her lap. She was rushed to hospital by a team of Policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer. The battle to safe her life lasted for two days, she died on 28th May, 2020 at about 2129 hours while on admission. The second person is in stable condition.
2. The Police is in contact with the families of the victims from the day of the incident. The Command deeply sympathised with the family and friends of the deceased person. The Commissioner of Police calls for calm and assures the family that the perpetrators of this dastardly act will face the full weight of the law. He reiterated his stance on zero tolerance for impunity. Members of the public will be updated on the outcome of the investigation. 
DSP Bala Elkana
Police Public Relations Officer,
Lagos State.

Obasa Congratulates Buhari, Sanwo-Olu On Their Fifth And First Year In Office

The Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, Rt. Hon. ( Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has congratulated both President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on their fifth-year and first-year in office respectively.

Obasa in his congratulatory message to mark May 29, 2020, the day President Buhari and Governor Sanwo-Olu were inaugurated to their respective offices for their fifth and first terms, said both have kept faith with the people.

"The President has been able to pull  the country back from precipice that it was almost falling  in 2015.

"Today, in the areas of insecurity, economy and war against corruption, the country may not be where it should be, but it  has certainly left where it was five years ago.

"Your purposeful leadership in the last five years has steered the country in the right direction," the Speaker said.

Obasa also used the occasion of the fifth year anniversary of the president to thank him once again for signing  the Executive Order 10, which grants financial autonomy to state legislatures and state  judiciaries.

"Let me also use this occasion to congratulate our governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on his first year anniversary in government.

"You have proved to the doubting Thomases that you are actually the man for the job," he said.

Obasa said Governor Sanwo-Olu came prepared for the job with his six-point agenda referred to as THEMES, which is an acronym for, Transportation and Traffic Management; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st century economy and Entertainment and Tourism.

"Mr. Governor's handling of COVID-19 pandemic which has been applauded both nationally and internationally is also a true  testimony your leadership qualities.

"On behalf of members and staff of Lagos House of Assembly, I wish both President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu a resounding success in their remaining years in office," Obasa said.

One year Anniversary: As Governor Inuwa Yahaya walks the talk

By Ismaila Uba Misilli

“We are not unmindful of our promises to the good people of Gombe State. This administration is determined to confront head-on all the issues bedevilling our state. We shall take advantage of all available opportunities in order to achieve the goals as outlined in our manifesto.”

 These were the candid words of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State at inauguration, with avowed commitment to renewal and hope for a new era of possibilities. Thus as he marks his first year in office, it is fit and proper to take a stock of some of the giant strides of the administration. Without question, it is gratifying that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has walked his talk as evident in his record of achievements. To discerning observers, his leadership is looking consequential because government is truly addressing key issues of development in all sectors and the people are better for it.

Leading the pack of achievements is education. It is recognized that for any society to be developed, it must accord education a priority, moreso, considering the parlous state of the critical sector inherited by the administration. This is why Governor Yahaya upon assuming office immediately declared a state of emergency in the sector and the outcome has been revealing.
Key achievements so far include the construction of 234 new classrooms across 80 schools in the state to enhance enrolment, renovated 190 classrooms across 47 schools to have good learning environment, complete renovation of various infrastructure across 15 schools – hostels, dining halls, staff quarters, laboratories, examination halls and provided classroom furniture to over 120 schools across the state. Others are the establishment of a Teacher Resource Centre in Kwami for continuous capacity of teachers, mopping up of about 350,000 out-of-school children and enrolling them into various learning centres established by the highly successful BESDA programme, procured and distributed various instructional materials to about 119 schools across the state and attracted the donation of N150m  worth of books and a Science Laboratory complex for GSSS Kaltungo.

Infrastructure, with an impressive focus on road construction, has helped to open up the state, thereby adding value to economic development. The starting point was the launch of the Network 11-100 project, which targets construction of 100 kilomtres of roads in each of the 11 LGAs of the state. And then followed the widespread construction, signifying that Governor Inuwa Yahaya is in a hurry to develop the state.
 Road projects executed/ being executed by the administration include the construction of 16km Malala - Zaune - Dukkuyel road in Dukku LGA, 15km Mararraba – Jabba – Sambo Daji – Pandi Kola – Gwarar – Garin Wada road in Akko LGA, 21km Degri - Bembelem - Reme - Dong - Talasse road in Balanga LGA, upgrading of 19km Gona - Garko - Gujuba - Kalshingi road with spur to Maidugu in Akko LGA and upgrading of 26km Billiri - Gujuba - Kamu - Awak road in Billiri LGA,
It is indeed forward looking that road projects inherited from the immediate past administration have also been continued and financed. Such road projects are those of the 11.25KM network in Jekadafari North in Gombe LGA, construction of  11.50km Malam Inna - Kurba - Titi road with spur to Kundulum in Gombe, Y/Deba, Akko and Kwami LGA, 23.53km Gombe Township roads phase VI in Gombe LGA including Dawaki, Madaki, Bolari-East etc,30km Ladongor - Kwiba - Amtawalam - Pobawure - Sabon Layi - Ayaba road in Billiri LGA,15km Bambam - Tula – Yiri in Kaltungo LGA and the 9.50km Boltongo - Nono road with spur to Garin Malami in Y/Deba.
Others are 11.50km road taking off from Gombe/Potiskum Federal Highway - Gerkwami - Daniya road in Kwami LGA, 27km Dukku  - Kalam - Dokoro – road in Dukku LGA, 36km Dukku - Dokoro - Jamari road in Dukku, 9km Bajoga Township road in Funakaye LGA, 9.10km Bambam - Nwona - Kutare - Yola road in Balanga LGA, 1.59km road network in Rice/Vegetable oil Industrial Cluster at Nasarawo in Gombe LGA, 13km Kumo - Kalshingi road in Akko LGA, rehabilitation of 42km Ngaji Buahci - Baure - Zambuk - Lubo - Daban Fulnai road in Kwami and Y/Deba, 9.9km dualization of the section of Bauchi Gombe Federal Highway Phase II (Tumfure International Conference Centre - New City Gate in Gombe and Akko to ease means of transportation and economic activities. To complement the essence of the huge investment on roads, the government also procured 50 brand new 18-seater buses for the Gombe State Transport Service ( Gombe Line).

Yet, a major development issue which had subsisted till Governor Inuwa Yahaya came on board is water scarcity. Water was hardly available but which the governor promised the people during his campaign and has now delivered. I think we need to qualify this achievement because water is critical for socioeconomic development, healthy ecosystems and for human survival itself. Indeed, “water sustains life”. Governor Inuwa Yahaya was pragmatic upon assuming office by setting up a Task Force to immediately restore regular and constant water supply from the Dadin Kowa water treatment plant to the metropolis and the communities.

Notable achievements in the provision of water are the extension of water reticulation to Wuro Juli, Tabra, Nayinawa, GGS Doma, Bogo, Kanoyel, bye-pass and some parts of Federal Low Cost communities around Gombe metropolis,
rehabilitation of 120 handpump boreholes and 30 solar powered boreholes in rural communities in Akko, Balanga and Dukku LGAs, strengthened the activities of RUWASA and the Ministry for Rural Development to undertake aggressive rural water provision and rehabilitation of handpumps and boreholes.
Payment of outstanding liabilities and remobilization of Pindiga water augmentation project was important just as the collaboration with Discos to improve electricity supply in the state. The state government, leveraging on the 40MW hydro power plant at Dadin Kowa, has also concluded arrangements to set up a 1,000-hectare Industrial Park. The industrial park will utilize the available power supply by the Hydropower plant in order to attract a cluster of multiple industries that are agriculturally tied to propagate production, processing and marketing.

Now, health is wealth. Health is a crucial indicator of development. Since assumption of office, Governor Yahaya has invested hugely in the health sector which suffered years of neglect from the previous administration Key achievements: Upgrading of the Specialist Hospital Gombe to a modern tertiary health facility with state-of-the-art equipment, built and equipped a 12-bed capacity Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the State Specialist Hospital, revitalized one (1) PHC facility in all the 114 wards to provide 24-hour service to the people, completion of internship quarters at the specialist hospital which was abandoned for over 20 years and completed, renovation of Cottage hospitals at Mallam Sidi and Bojude and General Hospital, Nafada. The administration, partnering with a US based organization, Project Cure, is supplying several containers full of medical equipment and supplies, established the Hospitals Management Board for a more effective and efficient management of hospitals around the state.
The governor also established the State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency in a bid to improve access to health care for the people. He facilitated the state’s readiness for participation in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund programme, strengthened the activities of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency through the full implementation of the PHCUOR policy and mounted one of the best state response strategies in the country against the covid-19 pandemic.
Likewise, agriculture as the mainstay of the state economy enjoyed generous attention and funding by the Yahaya administration in the last one year. To watchers of the state, this is understandable because of the revelation about how the sector was treated by the previous administration to the effect that not a single bag of fertilizer was available in the state for the 2019 farming season. This was how fertilizer was immediately procured and distributed to all the 114 wards across the state for sale to farmers at a record subsidized rate of N5,000 per bag. 19,500 bags of improved seedlings were also distributed for the 2019 dry farming season,
Built 2 agricultural research centers in 2 LGAs with support from Global Environmental Facility, UNDP and FGN, established Farm Demonstration and Technology Adoption Plots to train farmers on modern farming techniques and allocated about 3,000 hectares of land for Irrigation farming near Dadin Kowa.
Closely related to the above is that for the first time in over 10 years, a state wide livestock vaccination campaign was conducted to improve the health of livestock and increase the yield of its products.
Among other achievements, government allocated the Wawa – Zange grazing reserve for the piloting of the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP), increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector in the 2020 budget to allow for the introduction of an all-encompassing agricultural revolution programme in the state. Similarly, the irrigation component of the project would now be awarded by the end of December 2020. The pilot scheme of the irrigation project covers three thousand hectares which will be used for animal production and fisheries. The establishment of fisheries will also provide ample employment opportunities for the youth. Really, it is instructive that government is set to launch a comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Programme aimed at harnessing the agricultural and manufacturing potentials of the state across all segments of the agricultural value chain through the adoption of innovative and modern solutions and practices.
Rural Development and the environment have also had a fair share in the state government’s revolution in good governance. On rural development, there have been a lot of activities including the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) which will construct 700km of rural roads that will open up rural agricultural communities and provide easy access to market for people and their products, drilling of 89 Hand pump boreholes in various rural communities, construction of 27 2-3 classroom blocks in various communities, 44 VIP toilets in various communities, 6 solar powered boreholes and 6 motorized boreholes as well as construction and equipping of 23 health centers.
The environment which is a challenging issue in Gombe is getting the right attention from Governor Inuwa Yahaya. This is critical because in the words of  Franklin D. Roosevelt “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself, forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to people”.  This pivotal quotation stresses the importance of protecting our environment.

It is for this reason that Governor Inuwa Yahaya initiated the Gombe Goes Green (3G) project that targets the planting of four million trees within his four-year tenure to protect the environment and to foster the socio-economic development of Gombe State.
Government also engaged and deployed 27,000 youths under the YESSO programme to nurture the trees being planted under the 3G programme and established nurseries in 5 LGAs and raised about 1.2m assorted seedlings ready for planting in the 2020 raining season. Government further established 100 hectares of woodlot plantations across 5 desert-prone LGAs to combat desertification and land degradation, paid counterpart fund of N500million to a World Bank assisted project, the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) for the control of 3 major gully erosions in the state.

With such remarkable achievements in just one year, expectations are high that the future of Gombe is quite bright and in safe hands as Governor Inuwa Yahaya continues to lead the way and inspire.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Is the Senior Special Assistant ( Media and Publicity) to Gombe state Governor

Olufolake AbdulRazaq: 365Days Of Hope, Empathy, Succour, Warmth In Kwara State.

By Oki Samson

Despite the ever-evolving human desires for development and fulfillment, the traditional role of women remains ever constant; providing succour for humanity.
No matter her status in the society; Wife, mother, manager or leader, a woman has that staying power and caring heart to cater for others despite her own needs.

 For this they were created and only in this do they feel fulfilled. 
This best explains why the First Lady of Kwara state, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, is able to juggle her duties as a wife, mother, diplomat, philanthropist, and most importantly, a first lady of a cultural and religiously diverse state as Kwara, leaving everyone with smiles and hope for better days ahead. 

Asked how she has been able to juggled her duties Dr. AbdulRazaq disclosed that, “my job compliments my duties as the first lady of Kwara State as it presents the avenue to promote Kwara and draw investments to the state and scholarships to our youths.

And rightly so, leveraging on her job as a diplomat, the first lady has been able to fulfill her vision and mission for the state, especially the youths and women, at different fora like the Conference in Atlanta, meeting with the Qatari Ambassador, Qatar Charities, India Nigeria Business Forum among a host of others. No wonder multitasking is traditionally believed to be a woman's domain.
The last 365 days of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration in Kwara state has given Kwarans a glimpse into what leadership in a sane society should be; accountability and empathy. But nobody has better given voice to this than the first lady as she has, within the last 365 days, touched the lives of Kwarans in ways they never thought possible. 

In her role of complimenting government’s efforts, Dr. AbdulRazaq who is also the founder of Ajike People’s Support Center has impacted positively in the lives of Kwarans in ways only a woman of vision and temerity can.
In the last one year, the first lady has been engaged in so many impactful programmes that not only benefits women, children and the youths but the generality of Kwarans. 

Given her passion for empowerment of youths and women of the state and realizing that the major challenge of women and youths is unemployment, the first lady has through her office trained over 2000 women in different vocational skills through the Ajike people’s support center.

These women and youths cut across political, religious and cultural divides in the state.

At these events women were taught vocations such as kampala and Adire, snacks confectionaries, soap, detergent, air freshener making, tailoring, beads and wire works, beauty and makeup etc.

But more importantly, the office of the first lady ensured much exposure of the potentials of Kwarans and Kwara to the world.
For an example the Kwara actively participated in the Nigeria-France Business and Investment Forum held in Abuja which was attended by the Executive Governor of kwara State Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the first lady to foster good relationship to ensure the needed advancement in infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, solid minerals, education, guttering and explore other sectors of importance like finished products such as textiles, artifacts (pottery) and several others in the two states.

In sports, Dr. AbdulRazaq’s passionate support for baseball and softball in the state is well attested to by stakeholders and lovers of the game alike.

In the words of the Secretary General of Nigeria Baseball and Softball Federation, Kehinde Laniyan, the first lady’s support for the game has ensured, "increased enthusiasm of the children in the game and also resulted in much growth of the game and the interest of the children in the program.”

Also, rather than just paying lip service to the call for youths and women empowerment in the state, the first lady has practically walked the talk by creating huge platforms for young talents in the state to grow and flourish. 

The African Fashion Week Nigeria, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos is one of such examples out of many.

The fashion week which had His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II as the Ambassador and Grand Patron,  kicked off on Friday, December 20, 2019 with exhibitions of beautiful Africa designs featured eight Kwara designers with two exhibitors.

And in the words of the first lady, “This will enable them to expand their horizon, network and also make new contacts. Fashion is so important; it is part of our culture. We have very creative people in the fashion industry who continues to wow us with their creativity.”
Kwara paraded our indigenous Aso Ofi and Adire  collections from Fak Fashion, Hajjewel House Of Style, Oluwatoyin, ZF Couture, The Giovani Place, Zoe Asher, Iris Mauve Fashion and The Tailor’s Room.

In education, the first lady in conjunction with her Ajike People’s Support Center has embarked on advocacies, cutting across the 16 local government areas of the state, to ensure that all school age children remain in school.

The first lady is also in talks with the United Nations Educational, scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on how to further promote Kwara children’s education and wellbeing.

These past months has seen the first lady’s passion for the wellbeing of Kwarans come to play through her involvement in high impact programs even as she is creating plausible alliances with credible partners who prioritize the welfare of Kwarans which is her set goal.

The value and relevance of education to our world is one that cannot be overemphasized, hence Dr. AbdulRazaq’s resolve to always support all government and non-governmental organization’s educational initiatives.
With the spate of gender-based abuses and the need to let the young ones know how to protect and conduct themselves, the first lady and WARIF organized a programme for public secondary school students.

The programme is designed to train students on protection from abuse and speaking out in the event of an abuse.
In a related development, students of Government High School, Ilorin and Government secondary School Share at the instance of the first lady of Kwara State was part of the Ayo Michealson Foundation’s back to school initiative held in Abuja on the 18th of February 2020. The event presented an avenue for the students to be inspired, creative and focused.

Away from encouraging talents, the first lady has not failed in her advocacy for the rights of the girlchild. From healthcare to empowerment, Dr. AbdulRazaq has been passionate about the youths, women and girlchild.

The saying, ‘health is wealth’ rings ever true and it is for this reason and in a bid to join other countries of the world who are free from polio and other childhood diseases, the first lady of Kwara State orally vaccinated infants during the kickoff of the 2019 Maternal and child health week held in July at primary health care center, Tanke, Ilorin, where the first lady enjoined nursing mothers to come out and avail themselves the opportunity the exercise presents.

The appointment of Dr. (Mrs) Olufolake Abdulrazaq as the TB champion in Kwara State by the first lady of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Buhari has given a boost to the fight and advocacy against the disease.

Also, being honoured as the Champion for malaria elimination is an acknowledgement of her sincere commitment to engendering a healthy citizenry in the state.

Another cheering news is that, the mayor of Brent, Ernest Ezeajughi has shared his intentions to partner with the office of the first lady to create awareness about sickle cell as it is believed that with broad enlightenment and advocacy the scourge of the disease would be stemmed.

Also, during this period of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the first lady reached out to hospitals, healthcare providers and other stakeholders in the society.

As a way of complimenting government’s efforts at curbing the spread of the novel Corona virus, the First Lady donated disinfectants to the two Isolation Centers in the state.

As if that was not enough, she had at different times given stipends and also distributed palliatives to families and homes in the state.

On what are her plans for the new Kwara, the first lady, explained that, “We will continue to ensure that our youths are encouraged and supported in their productive endeavours and women empowered to be economically viable through the Ajike peoples support center’s vocational skills acquisition programmes and continued advocacies on maternal and child health, gender based violence, drug abuse, human trafficking and other sundry issues that affects our society.”
No doubt, with this and many other achievements of the first lady, a greater future awaits youths and women of Kwara nay Kwarans in general.

TROOPS OF OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE NEUTRALIZE BOKO HARAM/ISWAP TERRORISTS, CAPTURE ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIER AND RESCUE 241 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS

1.   Troops of Army Super Camp 11 Gambouru under Sector 1 of Operation Lafiya Dole, while  on clearance operation on 24 May 2020 at Mudu Town in Borno State neutralised 12 Boko Haram Terrorists ( BHTs). Troops also rescued 241 persons in captivity of the terrorists comprising 105 Women and 136 Children. Items recovered include: 4 BHT flags, 1 motorcycle, 2 bicycles, 1 amplifier and 2 sewing machines. The rescued persons have been safely evacuated from the village and are currently under medical observation, while the village has been cleared. There was no loss of life or equipment from own troops.

2.    In the same vein, troops of 151 Battalion on 26 May 2020 successfully killed several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) including several suicide bombers, while numerous others fled with gun shot wounds. The gallant troops succesfully engaged the criminal Boko Haram elements who were mounted on 10 Gun Trucks and attempted to simultaneously attack the troops’ locations at Banki Junction and Firgi in Bama LGA of Borno State under the cover of darkness. The courageous troops however overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower and captured 1 Cobra Armoured Personnel Carrier, one Dushka Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 AK 47 Rifle and 1 FN Rifle. Other items captured by the gallant troops include 3 Hand Grenades, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines, one FN Rifle magazine, 78 rounds of 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and  25 rounds of fabricated 7.62mm ammunition from the criminals.

3.   Relatedly, on 24 May 2020, a prominent Boko Haram fighter, Malam Adamu Yahaya AKA Saad Karami, who led the last attack on troops in Baga town and equally participated in attacks on Metele, Mairari, Bindiram, Kangarwa and Shetimari (Niger Republic) voluntarily surrendered to troops of 242 Battalion in Monguno. This was as a result of the aggressive posture of the troops and artillery bombardments of terrorists’ suspected locations around the general area.

4.   The Chief of Army Staff congratulates the gallant troops for their professionalism and good conduct. Equally the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria commends the troops and encourages them to sustain the momentum of their operations towards eradicating the terrorists from the North East.

You are please requested to disseminate this information through your medium with the photos attached for the awareness of the general public. Thank you for your usual support and cooperation.

JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
28 May 2020.

Buhari Decentralizes Force CID, Approves Police Reorganisation with Additional Commands.

The Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) will soon be detached from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) so that it can become a full-fledged Department.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, disclosed this in a memo he personally signed. He said after the FIB is excised from FCID, a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) will be appointed as Head of the new Department. “This is expected to fully integrate intelligence-led policing strategy to the community policing initiative in addressing the threats that the dynamics of crime poses to the country,” said IGP.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Chairman of the Nigeria Police Council has approved the re-organisation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with immediate effect. Adamu, in the memo titled, “Force Re-organisation”, said with the approval, the NPF now has eight Departments. In order to bring Police service closer to the citizens, the Police boss, said Buhari has also approved the creation of additional five Zonal Commands.

They include Ondo/Ekiti Commands with the Headquarters in Akure; Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Commands with the Headquarters in Awka; Bayelsa/Rivers Commands with the Headquarters in Yenagoa; Yobe/Borno Commands with the Headquarters in Maiduguri; and Katsina/Kaduna Commands in Katsina. Said Adamu: “In order to enhance the capacity of the four premiere Police Colleges in Kaduna, Ikeja, Maiduguri and Orji – Rivers towards meeting the training and capacity development projection of the Force in relation to junior cadre officers, Mr. President approved that the status of the Commandants of the Colleges be upgraded to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG). “This will strengthen administration, enhance the commitment of staff, and engender higher level of discipline and the quality of training at the Colleges. These approvals were granted by the President in furtherance to the need to expand and strengthen the Intelligence Department towards driving the intelligence-led policing strategy of the Force leadership and to aid in the entrenchment of the community policing practice as approved by the Federal Government.”

POLICE PRESS RELEASE NO.34/2020 KATSINA POLICE COMMAND DIARY

CZ: 5250/KTS/PPRO/VOL.4/34

ARREST OF SIX (6) NOTORIOUS BANDITS AND RECOVERY ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY COWS (130) AND TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE SHEEP (225):   On 27/05/2020 at about 22:00hrs, based on intelligence report that a notorious syndicate of bandits have escaped from the Rugu forest to avoid the present Military/Police onslaught. Consequently, Area Commander, Dutsinma, led Operation Puff Adder and other police patrol teams and raided their hideout, near Fasada village, Dutsinma LGA of Katsina state. The team succeeded and arrested six (6) notorious bandits/kidnappers, recovered one hundred and thirty cows (130), and two hundred and twenty five (225) sheep.  Those arrested are:

A. Lawali Hali, m, aged 19yrs of Shamushalle Zamfara state
B. Abdullahi Alh. Juli, m, aged 13yrs of Shamushalle Zamfara state
C. Rabe Bello, m, aged 12yrs of Nahuta village, Batsari LGA
D. Auwalu Halilu, aged 16yrs of Nahuta village of Batsari LGA
E. Lawal Hassan, aged 23yrs of Katakam, wurma, kurfi LGA of Katsina state
F. Ibrahim Sani, alias Nabuhari, aged 30yrs of Gamji, Zakka district of Safana LGA of Katsina state.
Investigation is ongoing.



2. DEATH OF TWO KIDNAPPERS, RESCUE OF THREE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS AND RECOVERY OF ONE AK 47 RIFLE:  On 27/05/2020 at about 11:00hrs, a combine operation of police and repentant bandits led by Sani Muheddinge killed two notorious kidnappers, rescued three victims and recovered one AK 47 rifle. Investigation is ongoing.


SP Gambo Isah
Police Public Relations Officer,
FOR: Commissioner of Police,
Katsina State Command

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESUMES WITH MAN CITY VS ARSENAL

English Premier League will resume on June 17 With Man City vs Arsenal as first match to be played, mockinbird Online Media news.

Aston Villa’s home clash with Sheffield United will also be played the same day to mark the return of the English top flight.

A full fixture list will then be played on the weekend of June 19 to 21, with the agreement coming after Premier League clubs met on Thursday to continue discussions over ‘Project Restart.

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Hope For Africa Concert: 2Baba, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Falz, Flavor, Tekno, Others Join Line Up

 

2Baba, Davido, Falz, Flavor, Tekno and Tiwa Savage, alongside Other African stars have joined the lineup for the already star-studded Hope For Africa Concert.

MultiChoice and the One Africa Global Foundation are collaborating to bring you the Hope for Africa Concert, which will be broadcasted across over 49 countries around Africa. The concert aims to bring Africans together in solidarity, and also raise funds to help medical practitioners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.

The Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe explained why Multichoice is partnering with One Global Africa Foundation to broadcast this Hope For Africa concert. He said, ‘As Africa's biggest storyteller, we are committed to giving back to the communities where we operate. We are passionate about the development of the African continent as we continue to use the power of entertainment to give hope, enrich lives, and bring people together especially during these uniquely difficult times.’ 

The 3-hour televised special will be hosted by ace presenters: Dakore Egbuson-Akande (Nigeria), Mawuli Gavor (Ghana), Osas Ighodaro (Nigeria), and Wanjira Longauer (Kenya), and will feature electrifying performances from African celebrities like 2Baba (Nigeria), Adina (Ghana), Bombshell (Zambia), Bovi (Nigeria), Davido (Nigeria), DJ Spinall (Nigeria), DJ Vivian (Uganda), Efya (Ghana), Falz (Nigeria), Flavor (Nigeria), Jose Chameleone (Uganda), Keche (Ghana), Ladipoe (Nigeria), Lij Micheal (Ethiopia), Mr 2Kay (Nigeria), Nandy (Tanzania), Sarkodie (Ghana), Scientific (Liberia), Tekno (Nigeria), The Ben (Rwanda), Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), Waje (Nigeria) and Yasirah Bhelz (South Africa) 

All of these celebrities will also be giving goodwill messages of hope and encouragement to every African, from the comfort and safety of their homes during the concert on Sunday, May 31 from 7:00 pm on Africa Magic Family (DStv CH. 154 and GOtv CH. 2)

All proceeds from the Hope For Africa concert will be used as special interventions for accessible, functional medical equipment, COVID testing stations and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure to the virus.

Freelanews partners Richlife Africa, Ileoge on #ProjectSaveTheHungry

Freelart Limited, the publisher of the budding and professional online news platform, Freelanews, has joined forces with a food power house, Richlife Africa Project and a non governmental organisation, Ileoge Women's Initiative, in ensuring that Nigerians are properly fed.

Recall that as a result of the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many challenges have been faced by Nigerians, with hunger being the primary concern.

In response to this, Richlife Africa, in partnership with Ileoge, has devised means of combating hunger through a noble cause.

Project Save The Hungry is launched to raise, through sponsorship, 20million portions of food for immediate distribution to the hungry and starving Nigerians within the next six months.

This is meant to be achieved through a transparent and sustainable approach to solving hunger related issues in Nigeria and beyond.

The founder of Ileoge Women's Initiative, Olori Ololade Oshin, known for her love for women and their families, in forming alliance with Richlife Africa Limited, a food company, which has the credibility of serving decent and highly nutritious food in Lagos State over the years, has concluded plans to help feed 20million Nigerians.

According to her, the NGO’s target is to ensure that vulnerable women are well fed and able to also prevent their families going to bed on empty stomach.

“The Ileoge Women's Initiative NGO is making efforts ensuring that our country is safe by first dealing with hunger. We all know that once the stomach is taken care of, vices reduce in the society.

"Besides, it is when the family is hungry, the wife becomes vulnerable and would do anything to ensure that they feed. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many breadwinners have become incapacitated due to lockdown. Several able men and women can no longer access their sources of income, which is resulting in desperation. So we are taking it upon ourselves to ensure these people are well fed despite not working," Olori Oshin stated.

In his view, the founder of Richlife Africa, Modestus Bernard, stated that beyond feeding the hungry, the project is also targeted at job creation.

"Aside from feeding the hungry, there are other benefits for Nigerians economically. It has been estimated that over fifteen thousand (15,000) people will be employed in execution of the project, revives the economy and produce over 100 millionaires," he stated.

The media agency, Freelart, has successfully handled and still handling several accounts for reputable companies in Nigeria. Among them are Awesome Communications and Best of Nollywood Awards (BON).

Others include Drugfield Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Heritage Home School, Obasanjo Holdings, Fortune&Class magazine, Marketing Edge magazine, MetronewsNG, BlueCheek Pictures, Olashore International School and Golibe Festival-Onitsha.

The agency is well positioned to use its media platform, Freelanews, to promote and propagate the cause to length and breadth of the nation.

School Resumption Date: FG Finally Speaks

The Federal Government, FG’s attention has Been drawn to the rumours going around the country that schools will be resuming on 1st, 8th, or 20th June. We would like to inform you that the Federal Government(FG) is yet to officially announce any resumption date.

Minister Of State For Education in the person of Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has repeatedly said that schools will resume but not in two weeks’ time.
“The case around school resumption has nothing to do with the availability of the schools, neither does the idea of shutting down schools has anything to do with the school intrinsically. It has to do with national governance. When they determine we will gladly do that”, he said.
He further revealed that the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid19, had said that it is a national response and then every other thing we do flows from that.
“I can’t confirm what your children are saying that schools will be reopened in two weeks. We are all interested to reopen schools and I hope we will resume soon but not in two weeks.
“The West African Examination Council (WAEC), Ministers Of Education and The African Union(AU) is concerned as you are. We hope to reopen soon”, he added.
Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba went further to disclose that The Ministry Of Science And Technology are working together to put a system that can disinfect every child in their going out and coming in.
Nwajiuba further assured that schools are working hard to ensure that the children will go safe and come out safe.
Rumors On School Resumption Date:
1. The first rumor was that schools will reopen May ending/June.
2. The second rumor was that schools will reopen on June 8th or 20th.
3. While the third rumor was that school will reopen on 1st June.
All this news are rumours because the FG has not officially announced the resumption date, but assured that they are working hard to ensure that children are safe from this Coronavirus global pandemic.
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ZENITH BANK IN MESSY LOAN SCANDAL AS EKITI COMMISSIONER CRIES OUT

By NGIJ team of Oluwasegun Abifarin and Olawale Abideen
After gleefully announcing a gross earnings of 166.8 billion naira and a Profit Before Tax of 58.8 billion for the first quarter of 2020, Zenith Bank Plc has slipped into a scandal splashed on it by its branch in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state.
Mrs Olajumoke Owoola, a Commissioner in the Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM is crying for help over a loan snare laid for her by EKSU branch of Zenith Bank in Ekiti State. Her ordeal actually began on December 22nd, 2019 when one Mr. Olusegun Aribisala, a relationship manager with bank approached the Commissioner to move her salary account from Union Bank to his Zenith Bank with a promise of a N3 million loan to the deal.
An excited Owoola informed her Chairman at TESCOM, Honourable Babatunde Abegunde and her other colleagues, such as Yetunde Adamu and Hon. Bayo Akerele of the Board of Technical Education; Hon. Idowu Ayegbe and Mr. Osuolale Olorunnisola, a fellow Commissioner in TESCOM.
Banking on Aribisala’s assurance that the loan processes will be through in three days after moving their accounts to Zenith Bank, Owoola and her friends swallowed the bait.
No sooner had they move the accounts, that Aribisala started a discordant tune: First, he told Owoola that the three days was not realistic again, since her January salary was yet to enter the account. The second story was that she should go and collect a letter of authorization from her office. Owoola and her friends complied and dropped the letters and all other documents. Yet, Owoola maintained that “the story keeps on changing.”
Almost two months later, Aribisala brought another excuse that there was a machine error in his office and thereafter brought another set of forms for Owoola and her friends to fill.
This was followed by another request that they should all pay N55, 000 for processing, and gave a personal account (Omolara Aribisala) for them to pay to. “All of us paid into the account,” Owoola told our correspondent.
After this, Aribisala’s assurance that the loan will be ready in another one month did not materialized, a development which forced Owoola’s colleague, Ayegbe to pull out of the arrangement and went back to his Union Bank.
Frustrated, Owoola later went to the Ekiti State University, EKSU branch of the bank to report Aribisala to the Branch manager, Mrs. Olaore Okunola. Coincidentally, her Boss, the TESCOM Chairman met her there, but Okunola continued to beg and plead with them. “The woman begged and pleaded without making any commitment, after which she gave me a pack of fruit juice and gave a bottle of wine to my boss,” Owoola said.
The Commissioner later called the Zenith Bank’s Lagos office to narrate her ordeal. “But Ayoola Kusimo, the man who spoke to me from the bank’s corporate communications department merely begged me not to go the press and promised to call Ekiti branch..and till today, nothing has happened,” she maintained.
Owoola later decided to go to the bank’s online platform to complain as well, but she merely got an email reply that only her account manager can talk to her…and nobody has talked to her since then. “My effort on the bank’s Facebook account merely raised my fraud antenna, when the person chatting with me was asking for my PIN..and I backed off,” Owoola said.
Now the commissioner is crying for justice to get her loan and if not, a refund of her N55, 000 “processing fee” paid to Aribisala.
When our correspondent called Kusimo on May 6, 2020, the excuse was that bank was just resuming after the Coronavirus lock down and that he had contacted the Ekiti branch which had promised to sort out the problem in ten days.
Twenty days after, it was angry Owoola that sent wattsapp message on May 27, to inform us that nothing had been done about it. According to her, “I was about to call you at dawn when I saw your message. You can go ahead please. I care less again.”
Before the recent controversy, Zenith bank has run into a wild storm of controversy brewed from its IGR collection activities in far-away Niger State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the nation’s anti-graft body has been alerted that Bank is in a mud of a N359.2 million IGR controversy in Niger state.
Before the misadventure in Niger State, the same bank has been dressed in similar robe in Nasarawa State where forensic investigation assessed that it withheld about N176.2 million due to the state.