News
Jonathan, 20 Other African Leaders Attend Zenawi’s Funeral
President Goodluck Jonathan was among 20 other African leaders
who attended the funeral service of Mr Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of
Ethiopia, who died on August 20.
The funeral, which took place at the popular Meskel Square
in Addis Ababa yesterday, was attended by former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo
and Abdussalam Abubakar, Aliko Dangote and Foreign Minister, Amb. Olugbenga
Ashiru, among other members of the Nigerian delegation.
In his tribute, President Jonathan described Zenawi’s death
as a great loss not only to Ethiopia but to the entire African continent.
He urged the government of Ethiopia to honour Zenawi through
continued implementation of his programmes and follow the path of harmony and
sustainable development which he had established in that country.
Jonathan, who assured the people and the government of
Ethiopia of Nigeria’s readiness to continue to support its development agenda,
said the relationship between the two countries would continue to be
strengthened.
“Nigeria and Ethiopia will continue to strengthen the
existing relations through our Bi-Commission, and will also pursue Africa ’s
development agenda together.”
President Boni Yayi of Benin and the President of the AU,
said that Zenawi was a Pan-Africanist whose dedication and vision lifted the AU
to greater heights.
He said that “Zenawi supported peace and legality where they
were affected especially in the Horn of Africa. He assisted in the success of
various negotiations such as the African Climate Change negotiation where he
defended the interest of Africa.”
Yayi said as chairman of African Heads of State on NEPAD,
Zenawi contributed immensely in putting Africa in the right place and ensured
rapid economic development in Ethiopia .
President Yoweri Musaveni of Uganda said the problem of
Africa has not been the lack of resources, but the lack of visionary leaders
like Zenawi.
Musaveni said the power generation in Ethiopia when Zenawi
took over power 20 years ago was 300 megawatts “but he raised it to 2,100
megawatts.
“His vision was to generate 10,000 megawatts for Ethiopia by
2015 after the completion of the Renaissance Dam currently under construction.”
The ugandan leader said he believed that Zenawi’s death at
57 must have been as a result of too much stress from his very tight schedule.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda said the late prime minister
had a life of imminence, courage and enterprise which he used to advance the
life of his fellow Ethiopians, Africans and beyond.
“He was a man of rear talent and selflessness that we all
feel the magnitude he has left behind. Zenawi was an unassuming, promising and
a formidable man who finds solutions to complex situations’’, Kagame said.
President Jacob Zuma of South Africa said Zenawi’s success
could be defined by the sprawling city of Addis Ababa and Ethiopia ’s economic,
democratic and social transformations recorded within a short time.
“It was painful for the Ethiopians to lose such a young
leader who dedicated his life to the economic, democratic and social
development of his people, his country, his region and the entire continent of
Africa.”
In her condolence, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the
UN, Susan Rice described Zenawi as
“talented leader who had many things to offer.
“He was selfless, fearless and dedicated to his work and
family. He was a world class mind who taught himself and many others so much.
He was not only a good negotiator, but a wise leader who disagree based on the
vision for his people and his country.”
“Whenever we disagree with Zenawi on Economy, democracy,
human rights, regional security or any other issue, you will find that his
disagreement was not based on ideology, but for his vision for the country he
so much loved.’’
Rice said that Zenawi was ambitious, but not for himself, he
was a son of Ethiopia and a father of its re-birth who conquered poverty,
hunger and fought against tyranny.
“He transformed from gorilla to a statesman. His untimely
death will remain a big loss to Africa and the world.”
The Acting Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr Hailemariam
Desseleng said the country had witnessed massive transformation in all sectors
of development, including security, agriculture, health, economy, rural
development, education, transportation among others.
He said during Zenawi’s leadership, the country also
improved its diplomatic ties with many African and non-African countries,
regional and international organisations.
Desselegn said the country had contributed immensely in
finding lasting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, and also in solving
many security problems between Sudan and South Sudan, in Liberia and in Uganda.
Our correspondent in Addis Ababa reports that other leaders
who paid tribute to Zenawi include presidents Omar Aashir of Sudan and Salva
Kirr of South Sudan, Mr Thabo Mbeki, former president of South Africa, UN and
EU representatives.
Meanwhile, the remains of Zenawi were buried within the
compound of Trinity Church located behind the Grand Palace, Addis Ababa, after
a church service restricted only to the immediate family members led by his
wife, Azef Mesfin, his three children, and senior Ethiopian government and
church officials.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor