Nigerian Government Mourns Victims Of Moscow City Hall Mass Shooting

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt condolences to the Russian Federation in the light of a devastating attack in Moscow, which led to significant loss of life and injuries. In an official statement on Saturday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar voiced Nigeria’s deep sympathy over the incident that tragically claimed 60 lives at the Crocus Concert Hall. Tuggar stated, “We convey our deepest condolences to the people and government of the Russian Federation on the tragic attack carried out at the Crocus Concert Hall in Moscow. The attack resulted in the deaths of innocent people and injuries to more than a hundred others.” He further wished those injured during the incident a swift recovery, affirming Nigeria’s support during this difficult period. “We also pray for the quick recovery of those injured. At this challenging time, we stand in brotherhood with the government and the Russian Federation,” he added. The statement concluded with a direct message of condolence to Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the bond of sympathy from the Nigerian government and its people towards Russia amidst this tragedy.

How Two Police Officers Were Killed By Unknown Gunmen On Saturday In Imo

Unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, an armed group of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have killed two police officers along old Gariki Road, Okigwe Council Area of Imo State. This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, on Saturday in Owerri While giving an account of how the incident happened, the police said the gunmen threw dynamites at the officers while on security patrol. Two of the officers were killed and four others survived the attack after an exchange of gunfire with the attackers. “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has condemned the attack and gruesome murder of personnel of Mopol 18, Owerri, by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN). “The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight. In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack. “On receipt of the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma alongside Commander Mopol 18 and 64, immediately led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for on-the-spot assessment and tasked the operatives to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack. “More so, CP Aboki Danjuma has mandated the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge Okigwe, the DPO, and other Tactical units deployed in Okigwe to embark on visibility patrol, intelligence-led raids of criminal hideouts, and place watertight security to forestall any future occurrence,” Okoye said. The CP, therefore, urged the general public, especially the residents of Okigwe who may have any useful information to assist the Police in the investigation to kindly do so by reporting at the nearest police station or via 08034773600, 08103341610. He also appealed to the residents to go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation and not panic at the sight of the massive deployment of security operatives in Okigwe. He urged them to support the Police and other security agencies in the onslaught against violent crimes in the State.

UK-based Nigerian YouTuber Emdee Tiamiyu Arrested Over Alleged Fraud  

A Nigerian YouTuber based in the United Kingdom, Emdee Tiamiyu, has been arrested on allegations of fraud. In a video making the rounds on social media, Tiamiyu, who made headlines few months ago following a controversial interview with the BBC over Nigerian immigrants, is now facing scrutiny over a financial dispute involving the UK government. The incident traces back to a recent BBC interview in which Tiamiyu made remarks about Nigerian students in the UK, suggesting that many use the student visa system not for academic pursuits but to work and bring their families to the country. The interview reportedly influenced the UK government’s decision to impose restrictions on Nigerian students, specifically barring them from bringing family members to the UK unless they are enrolled in PhD programmes. Following the controversial interview, Tiamiyu is alleged to have defrauded the UK government of £160.  Reports suggest that the funds, intended for resettlement purposes, were instead used by Tiamiyu to construct a house in his native Ogun State in Nigeria. The allocation of the resettlement funds by the UK government was presumably to aid Tiamiyu’s integration and financial stability within the country, particularly after his asylum claim post-interview.

Tony Elumelu Speaks On Contesting Presidency 

Nigerian banker, Tony Elumelu has stated that he is not interested in becoming the President of Nigeria. Elumelu who is the founder of the Tony Foundation disclosed this on Friday while answering questions at the unveiling of the beneficiaries of its prestigious Entrepreneurship Programme in Lagos. The Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) said he is not aspiring to become the president because everyone cannot lead the country. “And now do I want to run for president, I will say all of us can not be president. We support and that is why we support those in office and share ideas on how we can make Nigeria a better place. We are strong on advocacy,” he said. Speaking further, the Nigerian businessman said that he is proud of what the foundation has been accomplished in the 10 years since its inception. He said: “These 1,104 young men and women from 54 African countries will each receive a non-refundable $5,000 seed capital. “We believe in spreading luck, we believe in democratizing luck, we believe in prosperity, and we think that the easiest way to spread prosperity in Africa is by identifying our young ones, encouraging them and helping them to start their own businesses. This is why we have done this. “So, I’m happy that today, we continue to spread that prosperity- not just in Nigeria, not just in our family, but in all 54 African countries. I am indeed happy that in our lifetime, we are able to impact the next generation.”

El-Rufai Visits Suspended Senator Ningi At His Residence

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, has paid a solidarity visit to suspended Senator Abdul Ningi at his residence.  Senator Ningi had raised concerns about the budget implementation under the Tinubu-led government, alleging discrepancies between the approved budget and the actual implementation.  He was eventually suspended for three months by the Akpabio-led senate. The details of El-Rufai’s visit to the PDP lawmaker cannot be ascertained as at press time but it might be connected to the 2027 presidential polls. On Thursday, El-Rufai visited the Social Democratic Party headquarters in Abuja with many speculating his impending defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, his spokesperson refuted the rumors.

Governor Sule Reacts As Nasarawa Students Die During Stampede

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has mandated a thorough investigation into the tragic stampede at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), which led to the deaths of two female students. The incident occurred on Friday during the state government’s distribution of palliatives to students across the state, an initiative aimed at alleviating the economic challenges faced by students. Reports from the scene indicated that the tragedy unfolded at the NSUK convocation square, the designated venue for the palliative distribution. The overcrowding and ensuing chaos resulted in suffocation and the unfortunate demise of two students, with several others sustaining injuries of varying severity. Governor Sule, in a statement conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives. “I pray their souls rest in peace. Our thoughts and condolences go to their families and friends at this moment of grief,” he said. Describing the deaths as painful, Governor Sule emphasized the importance of uncovering the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and ensuring such a tragedy does not recur. The governor’s directive has prompted NSUK authorities and security agencies to initiate an immediate inquiry into the incident to identify the factors and individuals responsible for the stampede. In solidarity and concern, the state deputy governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, visited the injured students to offer support and ascertain their recovery progress. The palliative distribution initiative, praised for its intention to support students financially and nutritionally, had been successfully executed without incident in other educational institutions within the state, including the Federal University, Lafia, and the Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, among others.

WAEC Releases Results Of First-ever Computer-based WASSCE For Private Candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Friday, released the results of the first-ever computer-based 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (CB-WASSCE) for Private Candidates. In a statement signed and released by the Acting Head, Public Affairs, WAEC, Moyosola Adesina, 8,006 candidates out of total 8,362 that registered for the 2024 CB-WASSCE, representing 98.37% have their results fully processed and released while 133 candidates, representing 1.63% have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors traceable to them. “The candidates’ performance analysis showed that out of the 8,139 candidates that sat the examination, 3,424 candidates representing 42.07% obtained credit and above in a minimum of 5 subjects with or without English Language and/or Mathematics. 2,519 candidates representing 30.95% obtained credit and above in a minimum of 5 subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.  “Thus, there is a marginal increase of 6.96% in performance in this regard, representing 0.80% of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld for various reported cases of examination malpractice. “There were reported cases of 413 candidates who are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate Committee of the Council for consideration. Thereafter, the Committee’s decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates. Meanwhile, candidates whose results are being held/withheld can apply for redress by visiting https://waecinternational.org/complaints to register their complaints.” According to the management, the examination was conducted between Wednesday, January 31 and Saturday, February 17, 2024. The coordination of examiners and marking of candidates’ scripts were carried out at three marking Venues in Lagos, Enugu and Kaduna from March 1 to 16, 2024 and a total of 459 examiners participated in the coordination and marking exercise. “Twenty-one candidates with varying degrees of special needs were registered for the examination, of which nine were visually challenged, two had impaired hearing and two were albinos. The statement added that all the candidates with special needs were adequately catered for in the administration of the examination,” the statement added.

Labour Party petitions FG, ministers, others over vandalisation of party offices by NLC

The Labour Party has formally petitioned relevant government institutions over the invasion of its premises by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). In the petition, the party requested urgent intervention to protect its interests and called for disciplinary measures against the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and other union leaders. In letters addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Labour and Employment, and the Registrar of Trade Unions, the party leadership, represented by Chairman Barrister Julius Abure and National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, outlined their concerns. According to the Labour Party, Comrade Ajaero has misused workers’ funds to orchestrate picketing and insurrection at the Labour Party headquarters, which constitutes an abuse of office. The party asserted that such actions should be met with appropriate sanctions. Part of the letter read, “It has become unavoidably necessary to request for your urgent intervention, being the Regulatory Agency for trade unions including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has over the years engaged in a war of attrition with our party. It came to a head and unbearable when the NLC under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajeoro directed the picketing of our party’s National Headquarters and our chapter offices across the country. The unwarranted attack in our office resulted in the destruction of several properties. “The NLC claims to be owners of the party and therefore wants to impose the leadership of the party, exerts overwhelming control to achieve a political end. It must be pointed out that once a Political Party is registered by INEC it becomes a body corporate with a perpetual succession and a common seal (see the letter of INEC to NLC dated 3rd September 2015) where INEC stated clearly that the NLC has no superior status. “Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that, a Political Party once registered has a life of its own and it is only regulated by its constitution. It is imperative to note that by the import of the above provisions, whosoever plays any role whatsoever in the registration of the party becomes immaterial. The party will thereafter be regulated by its constitution. “It should be noted that Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) prohibits any association from contributing to the funds of any Political Party. It is a criminal offence under section 15 of the Trade Union Act to use Trade Unions Funds whether directly or indirectly to fund a Political Party. “It is our arguments that using workers funds to picket and sponsor insurrection in the Labour Party headquarters and its legitimate leadership is an abuse of office by the Presidents of the NLC Comrade Joe Ajaero and should therefore be called to order and properly sanctioned. “Similarly, the NLC has no right to picket an organization where there is no trade dispute. The Labour Party has no staff who are members of the NLC. The actions of the NLC is a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Trade Union Act and other relevant laws.

Three University Students Die In Stampede As Nasarawa Govt Distributes Rice

The excruciating pang of hunger rampaging through Africa’s most populous nation exerted itself again today in Keffi, Nasarawa state, North Central Nigeria as three students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), reportedly died on Friday in a stampede during the distribution of rice palliative by the state government. The incident happened at the university’s convocation square in Keffi, where the bags of rice were kept awaiting the arrival of the state Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for the commencement of distribution. However, the surging crowd of students waiting to enter the square overpowered the security personnel and broke in through the gate, causing a stampede. An eyewitness, Moses Ajah, who spoke with journalists, described the incident as unfortunate. He said some students picked up bags of rice and ran to their hostels and other places of residence even as the governor was yet to arrive to inaugurate the distribution. He said, “Some of the students were struggling with the police over the rice, and as more students got information, the situation degenerated. “As we speak some students are injured and receiving treatment at the school.” Police officers have begun retrieving the palliatives from students. Meanwhile, the University’s Protocol Officer, Abraham Ekpo, confirmed the incident and promised to give details later.

Tinubu Makes New Appointment 

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Olugbile Holloway as director-general of the national commission for Museums and monuments. This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.  “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Olugbile Holloway as the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. “Mr. Holloway is the Managing Director of Evoke Communications Limited, a creative brand/consultancy agency.  “He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. “The President expects that the new Director-General will bring life into this important agency and ensure the preservation, promotion, and development of Nigeria’s diverse tangible and intangible cultural heritage”, the statement said.