Front Pix
Army Frees 42 Boko Haram Suspects; …As Group Takes Another LG In Adamawa …Ex-Army Chief Flays Police
Forty- two Boko Haram suspects were yesterday freed by authorities of 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri and handed over to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.
The army also gave each of the freed suspects N100, 000 to resettle themselves.
Three of the released suspects are from Chad, Burkina Faso and Cameroon and would be repatriated immediately by the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) to their countries.
Presenting the freed suspects at Government House, Maiduguri, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the suspects were “released because we found out that they have nothing to do with Boko Haram activities. Out of the 42 suspects cleared by the military this month, three are from the neighboring countries of Burkina Faso, Chad and Cameroon.”
Most of the released suspects were students, traders, carpenters, drivers and panel beaters. There were three elderly persons among them, while the remaining were between the ages of 18 and 30.
Governor Shettima while receiving the suspects announced that some of them will be immediately engaged in their various areas of trade.
“An idle mind they say is the devils’ workshop, therefore we cannot allow you people to be idle. From your introduction, some of you are drivers, others are tailors and some are students. All the drivers would be immediately engaged by the state government and the tailors too will be useful for our free uniform for school children.
For the students, I am going to assist you to go back and complete your studies. Others will also be taken care of appropriately,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, Adamawa State Governor, Bala Ngilari saidBoko Haram, is overwhelming the government of Adamawa State.
According to him, the insurgents may have captured another local government area in the state going by reports that people were moving out of the location.
Ngilari spoke to journalists in Abuja on the sidelines of a power sector event which he attended at the presidential villa.
He said, “The matter will improve but it is really, really something to worry about.”
When asked to give the number of local governments that have fallen to the insurgents, he said, “I can talk of my senatorial district, Mubi senatorial district, five local governments, Gong, Gombi and I’m just getting a report that perhaps outskirts of Shirni; there’s a semblance of movement in that area. So really we need a lot of intervention. There is need to move in more troops to secure the environs, for really it is a big challenge.”
On whether the situation was hopeless considering the taking over of the home of the country’s Chief of Defence Staff by the insurgents, Ngilari said the matter was way beyond the capturing of the CDS’ home.
“We don’t reduce the issue of insurgency to simply the taking over of the house of the CDS. There are other tough things that make up challenges of insecurity. What about the problem of lack of employment. You know it is a whole long story. So we don’t just reduce it simply to the taking over of the house of the CDS. I think is much more than that,”he said.
Was it an overwhelming challenge for his government, he responded, “absolutely it is a challenge. God is there and we look up to Him for there is nothing impossible with Him. We will do our best but it is not something that should be left only for government.Every citizen has a role to play in this matter in terms of giving information timely, convincing people who are involved in this thing because they live with us and are not from planet Mars. They are part and parcel of the society.”
Asked if Nigeria can overcome this scourge soon, the governor said, “Why not? Nothing is impossible. I don’t know when and I can’t put a time frame on that but anything that affects any part of Nigeria affects the rest of us. So we must all be proactive and see how we can tame this monster because the sooner the better for all of us.”
Meanwhile, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), said the Nigeria Police Force has failed in the discharge of its statutory duties adding that it pave way for the army to take over in the Northeast where Boko Haram insurgency has crippled socio-economic activities.
Dambazau stated this shortly after delivering a lecture entitled:”Education, Security and National Development: The Case of Nigeria” Wednesday at the 61st Interdisciplinary Research Discourse organised by the Post Graduate School, University of Ibadan.
He noted that the police failure was responsible for the deployment of soldiers to some sensitive parts of the country.
“The activities of Boko Haram have affected the education of the Northeast and it’s spreading across the whole of northern region. Security is a contemporary challenge we are facing as a nation. The world can never have peace except people have peace in their daily lives. It will impossible for nations to achieve any of its major goals without adequate security. We don’t have a functional law enforcement institution in this country and it’s a major problem for the nation, “he said
The former army chief noted that there was no need for soldiers to mount road blocks and stay in check points if the police had discharged its duty effectively.
Front Pix
Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
Front Pix
We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
Front Pix
Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
-
Education4 days ago
Rector Gifts Best Students N400,000 As Edo Poly Matriculates 9,150
-
News4 days ago
Rivers CJ Pardons 24 Inmates Of PH Correctional Centre
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Shaibu Impeachment: Edo Chief’s Judge Drops Two Professors From Seven-Man Panel
-
News2 days ago
RSG Approves N80.8bn For Elele-Omoku Road Project
-
Politics8 hours ago
Alleged Anti-Party Activities: Lagos PDP Group Sues Bode George, Others
-
News3 hours ago
DHQ Declares Eight Wanted For Killing Soldiers In Delta
-
Politics4 days ago
Jonathan Very Patriotic, Never Clueless As President – Ex-Minister
-
For The Record4 days ago
Can Rivers Assembly Remove Governor’s Powers To Appoint Executive Officers?