Hundreds of youths in the sleeping town of Omi-Adio, Ibadan in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo state on Monday took to the streets to protest against killing of a 12-year-old boy by the state mass transit, Ajumose bus.

It was learnt that the driver of the bus who was coming from Apata lost control and rammed into the ditch crushing the little boy to death.

Angered with the death of the boy, youths seized the driver and the bus.

According to DAILY POST NG, the lifeless body of the boy was said to have been deposited at the Adeoyo state Hospital.

The bus with registration number OY 148860 Y was damaged beyond recognition.

It was gathered that the driver of the ill-fated bus, who escaped death by the whiskers was rescued by policemen from the Omi-Adio Police station, located few meters to the scene of the accident.

The aggrieved youths stormed major streets and the ever busy Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway on Monday with clubs and iron, preventing motorists from plying the road for many hours.

Several traders and shop owners were said to have abandoned their wares and hurriedly locked their shops in fear of attacks and looting.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday disclosed that his administration has spent $9bn (N2 .745trn at the official exchange rate of N 305 to $1) on power, roads and railways in the country in the last two years.

He said the expenditure was part of the ongoing plans by his government to diversify the economy through the development of tourism, agriculture and solid minerals, noting that the Federal Government was investing heavily in infrastructure.

The President made this known at the 61st meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and Commission for Africa in Abuja.

Buhai also said that as part of his administration’s social investment programmes, the government was giving N 5, 000 monthly to some 297, 973 poor homes in the country.

The theme of the weeklong conference, attended by delegates from over 53 countries, was, ‘Tourism Statistics – A Catalyst for Development.’

Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, read Buhari’s speech.

The President said Nigeria was expected to benefit from tourism through increase in foreign exchange earnings, revenue generation , employment creation and cultural integration.

Buhari stated, “We are making steady efforts to diversify the economy through agriculture , solid minerals development and tourism . We are also
investing heavily in infrastructure to promote tourism . This administration has injected about $ 9 bn to strengthen its investment in power , roads and railway in the past two years.

“The government is also investing in the social investment programme to promote human capital development , which has benefitted over nine million people. These programmes include our home – grown school feeding programme that is providing one meal a day to 7 . 4 million pupils in 22 states of the federation.

“There is also the Conditional Cash Transfer under which some 297, 973 poor homes are receiving N 5 , 000 monthly . The government is also providing public safety and security to all Nigerians , investors and tourists . Government is also investing a lot of resources in building the inventory of equipment and capacity of security agencies to keep the country safe .

“Nigeria is a country with a population of over 180 million people and over 250 ethnic groups , each with a unique story , and these stories are finding expression in our movies , music and many other creative ideas. The importance of tourism and its potential to national economies cannot be over emphasized.”

Source: Daily Post NG

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo says it is yet to take any position on 2019 presidential election.

NEWS2019: Why we’re yet to endorse any presidential aspirant – OhanaezePublished on June 5, 2018 By Ameh Comrade Godwin

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo says it is yet to take any position on 2019 presidential election.

A statement issued yesterday by Chuks Ibegbu, a spokesman for Ohanaeze, said the group “will consult widely among Igbo stakeholders before taking a decision on 2019″.

It reads, “Anybody who is parading himself, claiming that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is supporting him is wasting his time.

“However, Ohanaeze Ndigbo will support candidates that believe in restructuring Nigeria and ready to carry all sections of the country along.”

Ohanaeze lamented that having the least number of states and local governments has consistently made the South-East to have the least quota in recruitments, jobs in civil service, representation in the National Assembly, allocations among others.

It continued, “This is adversely affecting our people and is largely responsible for the agitations in the South-East and major parts of South-South. This shortfall in states and local governments in the South-East is no longer tolerable and must be addressed.”

Ohanaeze also commiserated with the middle-belt over the death of the president of the Middle-Belt Forum, Dr. Bala Takaya, saying his death is a big minus to the struggle for a better Nigeria.

“Ohanaeze leadership will also attend the middle belt summit on restructuring, which holds at Makurdi on June 21,” the statement added.

Source: Daily Post NG

The Singapore Mint on Tuesday unveiled three types of commemorative coins ahead of the June 12 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and the top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un.

Unveiling the three commemorative gold, silver and base-metal pieces, the company said it is excited to document the history through minted coins and medallions.

The medallions will commemorate the meeting as a “momentous step to world peace” and mark Singapore as “an economic and security gateway between the East and the West,” according to a statement published on the company’s website.

One side of the coin features a handshake between the two leaders with the respective flags of both countries as the background, while the reverse side shows a dove with the slogan “World Peace” emblazoned above it.

Only a few thousand pieces of Singapore’s commemorative coins have been made and were open for pre-order from the mint on Tuesday.

Trump and Kim are scheduled to meet at 9:00 a.m. Singapore time on June 12, the White House said on Monday.

Source: NAN

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is troubled over threat by Lagos chapter to sue the National Working Committee (NWC) for overruling the states congress conducted in the 57 council areas instead of 20.

Mr Abiodun Salami, the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party, issued the threat during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Lagos.

He was reacting to the National Working Committees overruling of the main congress of APC held at ACME on May 19.

Another congress was convened at the same day by a chieftain, Mr Fouad Oki on the grounds that the ACME congress lacked legal basis as it was conducted based on wards in 57 council areas instead of 20 approved by INEC.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullah, had said that the party had begun work on Friday on the reports from the various appeal panels on the conduct of state congresses.

He said a meeting to resolve the issues had been held and that the Lagos APC faction loyal to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which conducted its wards and local government congresses in 57 local council development areas had been overruled by the national leadership.

He said the state structure was, however, not handed over to Oki, who he said conducted his congress in accordance with the party laws.

He added that a five-man panel had been set up to dissect the constitutionality of the two congresses and that the panel, headed by the partys Deputy National Chairman, would begin sitting on Sunday.

Yes, we set up a panel to look at the issues in the Lagos chapter. Of course, we overruled those who conducted their congresses in 57councils because the Constitution only recognises 20 councils.

We could not have discountenanced those who conducted in 20 councils because that is constitutional .The issue in Lagos is about legality and constitutionality, he said.

Reacting, Salami described the NWCs decision on the main congress as mischievous, saying it was meant to scuttle things at the states chapter.

The spokesman said the chapter would challenge the decision in the court of law.

We will challenge their decision at the court because there is a Supreme Court judgement in favour of Lagos State on 57 councils.

We have been operating with 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs in Lagos before the formation of APC.

The decision is not only mischievous but a deliberate way to scuttle the party in Lagos State, he said.

Salami said the real congress was the one held at ACME in the presence of INEC and party officials.

He said the other congress lacked legal basis as no monitoring officer was present.

Salami accused Oki of double standards, saying the same person who was partys Vice Chairman (Central) when the party conducted council elections in 57 , councils was now complaining of illegality

Speaking to NAN, Oki said the decision of the partys NWC to overrule the ACME congress vindicated him and his group.

I have always said you cannot build something on nothing. What is wrong us wrong.

I will continue to say that the constitutionally known local governments in Lagos is 20.

And INEC recognises 245 wards. Therefore you cannot put up any illegality and expect it to hold.

And if you look at their own congresses, you will see that they were full of contradictions and illegalities.

The reaction of the NWC cannot be clearer. That is what we are seeing.

We have a NWC that is committed to the Constitution, to the rule of law and the electoral act and that is why they are trying to put things right, he said.

Oki said he had been briefed that a committee was in the state to resolve the issues once and for all.

He, however, said he had not been invited, but hoped to be invited on Monday to defend his own congress. (NAN,)

Source: NAN

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has re-constituted its Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) Committee ahead of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

The committee, according to a statement issued on the commission online newspapers, was inaugurated by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday in Abuja, to also plan for a successful 2019 general elections.

Yakubu, while inaugurating the committee said for the 2019 general elections to be successful, the Commission also needed to constantly track all levels of its preparations to ensure that things go according to plan.

He implored the committee not to forget the two governorship elections holding in Ekiti State on July 14 and in Osun State on Sept. 22.

The INEC boss also reminded the committee members that the Commission still has about five bye-elections to conduct in five states, including Katsina, Taraba, Bauchi and Cross River.

He warned against complacency, saying he would be prepared to wield the big stick against any “sleeping member” of the committee.

“I will personally be tracking your activities.

“The Committee’s Terms of Reference include establishing an operational framework for EMSC Secretariat at both headquarters and state offices to be fully functional for implementation, monitoring and support mechanisms for the 2019 general elections.

“Developing an operational framework for EMSC Secretariat platform including, securing fully operational platform resources, dashboard analytics, mobile apps support as well as data collection, reporting and communication tool.

“Developing operational manuals, facilitators’ guides and other relevant training materials for the effective functioning of the EMSC.

“Organising and conducting various levels of training at headquarters and in state offices for the effective implementation of the EMSC Work Plan.

“As well as implementing the EMSC Work Plan as approved by the Commission and carry out any other activities related to 2019 General Elections as may be assigned by the Commission from time to time,” he said.

According to Yakubu, the work of the committee is vital because of the need to constantly track planning mechanisms, and activities put in place for the smooth conduct of the next general elections.

He said that good planning was key for a good election, while proper monitoring of the plans put in place “will limit the areas of difficulty” during elections.

Yakubu attributed the successes recorded by the Commission in the Ibarapa East State Constituency bye-election held in Oyo State on June 2 to proper planning and tracking.

“Oyo bye-election was good. The processes were great and things went on smoothly.”

The 16-member Committee includes: Special Adviser to the Chairman, Prof Mohammad Kuna as Chairman; Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman, Prof. Bolade Eyinla; Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi; Director, Planning and Monitoring, Mr Okechukwu Ndeche and Director, Electoral Operations, Mr Abdulrazak Yusuf.

Others include Director of ICT, Mr Chidi Nwafor; Director, Voter Registry, Engineer Iro Gambo; Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osase-Uzzi; Director, Estate, Works and Transport, Ruth Endeley; Deputy Director (Election Management) and Mr Chima Duruaku.

Source: NAN

Following the conclusion of ward, local and state congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo, Mr Osita Okechukwu, Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON) and a chieftain of the party has advised Gov. Rochas Okorocha to leave the party if he so desires.

Okechukwu spoke on the heels of Gov. Okorocha’s disagreement with the outcome of the congresses held in Imo last month.

He told newsmen at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Monday that the APC would win the 2019 elections without Okorocha.

According to him, the actions and inactions of Okorocha have caused the APC more setbacks in the last four years in Imo and the South-East in general.

He said recent development that made the governor to lose at the party´s just concluded congresses was a grand plan to reposition APC toward winning elections in the South-East.

“At least there are more than 60 political parties now. Okorocha is free to join any one of his choice, though, we are not forcing him to leave.

“What we are saying is that we have taken the leadership out of his hands because he is playing God; so, what I am saying is that he is at liberty to leave APC.

“But let nobody anywhere think that the APC will lose because we have retrieved the party from him. Mr president is going to get more votes, we are going to win more parliamentary seats, more governorship seats without him,” he said.

He noted that over 90 per cent of the leadership and membership of the APC in the South-East were against Okorocha and his style of governance.

However, Dr Toe Ekechi, Convener of APC Restoration Coalition in Imo, said they would rather prefer that Okorocha remain in the party than leave.

“Rochas Okorocha is the governor of Imo, I think there is joy in heaven when one’ s lost sheep is found.

“We will be most joyous to see our governor Rochas Owelle Okorocha come back to the fold and work with us as a family to ensure the success of APC in 2019.

“That is not taking away the fact that he has the right to make political decisions that suits him, but in terms of what we want, we wish that we work with him.

“I will not want it to degenerate to that extent, not necessarily in the interest of the party but in his own interest and I think he is a smart governor and won’t want to contemplate leaving APC,” he said.

He expressed confidence that even if the governor decided to leave the party, the coalition was prepared to sustain the APC in Imo.

Source: NAN

The Wife and children of Alhaji Abdullahi Gurbin-bore, the Zamfara state Commissioner of Youths, Sport and Skills Acquisition, who were kidnapped by some unidentified gunmen on 2 May, have regained their freedom.

The state Commissioner of Police Mr Kenneth Ebrimson disclosed this in Gusau on Monday while displaying at the police headquarters the bodies of four bandits killed by the police on Monday.

The bandits were not connected with the kidnapping of the wife and children of Gurbin-bore.

According to Ebrimson, the four suspected bandits were killed during the exchange of fire with the police, while attempting to attack Kekawa village in Tsafe local government.

He said the Divisional Police Officer of Tsafe Division early on Monday received a distress call that bandits in large number invaded the village.

The Police and vigilante groups led by the DPO of Tsafe division engaged the bandits in a gun duel where four bandits were killed and others escaped with possible wounds.

We recovered exhibits from them including two locally made guns, one pump action, five live cartridges and assorted charms, he said.

The wife, three children and three relatives of Gurbin-bore were abducted by gunmen on Tuesday, 2nd May, 2018 at his home town Gurbin-bore in Zurmi local government area of the state.

The CP said: I am happy to announce to you this evening that the kidnapped wife, children and relatives of the state commissioner for Youths Sport and Skills Acquisition, Abdullahi Gurbin-bore who were kidnapped 31 days ago have regained freedom.

No kobo was paid to bandits before they released the victims, saying that, they were released due to the pressure given to them by the police and other security agencies,

Alhaji Abdullahi Gurbin-bore also confirmed to NAN that all the kidnapped victims have been returned home.

The Police Commissioner decried the increase in informant activities in the state especially int rural communities.

He claimed the informants were the people giving the criminals information, thus increasing crimes in the state.

He said the command has succeeded in arresting three suspected kidnappers in Talata-Mafara and Zurmi local government areas.

He urged the public to continue to support the police and other security agencies with useful information to enable them take preemptive measures against kidnappers and bandits.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday evening broke the Ramadan fast with state governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his official residence at Aso Rock, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Iftar with the governors, unlike the previous ones, held with leadership of the National Assembly, Judiciary and others, was not open for full media coverage.

However, the official photographer to the President and cameraman from Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) were allowed to the venue of the event.

Traditional rulers across the country are billed to be hosted by the President for the breaking of fast this week.

Source: NAN

The gunmen attacked and set free 210 inmates of Mina Maximum Prisons on Sunday night and killed a warder and a commercial motorcycle operator.

Interior minister Abdulrahman Dambazau confirmed the escape of the inmates, but that 32 of them have been re-arrested.

During the jailbreak, he said that gunmen shot sporadically, paving way for the escape of the inmates.

The Minister, alongside Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello, visited the prison facility on Monday morning to ascertain the situation.

Dambazau lamented the inadequate manpower in the Nigerian Prisons and added that plans were on to recruit more workers to enable adequate security.

The spokesperson of the prison service in Niger State, Mr. Rabiu Shuaibu, had earlier confirmed the Sunday night attack on the prison which is located in Tunga area of Minna.

He said the incident was perpetrated after the armed criminals attacked the prison and gained access after an exchange of fire with prison officials.

In 2014, a similar jailbreak occurred at the Minna maximum prisons where hundreds of inmates were freed.

Bello on Monday refuted allegations that the attack was as a result of activities of some condemned criminals.

Bello also refuted claims that the attackers were suspected members of the Boko Haram or armed robbers who came to free some of their members in the prison.

He explained that since assumption of office in 2015, he has yet to see any paper on condemned criminals.

I have not seen anything so far on condemn criminals or anybody that was condemned. Only when I see anything on condemned criminals that is when I will do something on it.

Sometimes, people get desperate and do crazy things. Nobody is sure why the attack was carried out, saying the attackers were members of the Boko Haram is mere rumour, he said.

Bello, who described the incident as unfortunate, said that the state would work with the Federal government to address the challenges of infrastructures and shortage of manpower in the prison.

The governor appealed to the prison officers to discharge their duties diligently as investigation was ongoing to know the reason behind the attack.

At the state level here, we will look at the issue of infrastructure, operations and shortage of manpower. But, again, people should take their jobs seriously.

Even though investigation is ongoing, we need to do more in terms of taking care of our facilities especially prison.

Also, Mr Ahmed Jaafaru, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Prison Service, said that there was no suspected Boko Haram members in the prison.

He said that investigation would reveal the reason behind the attack and how the attackers gained access to the prison.

Source: NAN