Lekki deep seaport begins operations in 2023, investor assures Lagos govt

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March 19, 2021

Lekki free zone 1 — Sanwo-Olu, Cabinet Members on Two-Day Working Tour of Lagos Free Trade Zones

Commercial operations at the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) will begin in the first quarter of 2023, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, Tolaram Group, the frontline investor handling the project gave the assurance on Friday.

The Governor and members of the State’s cabinet are currently on a two-day working tour of the three free trade zones established in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos.

The port, which is being constructed by China Habour Engineering firm, is occupying 90 hectares in the entire 830 hectares of land carved out for the Lagos Free Zone, created in 2012 to enhance economic position of Lagos as manufacturing and logistics hub in West Africa.

The first phase of the seaport project, which is being financed by $629 million facility from China Development Bank (CDB), is at 48 per cent completion.

After going through the project master plan, Sanwo-Olu said his administration remained committed to delivering project, stressing that the deep seaport and other investments happening in the corridor had the potential to increase the State’s GDP in multiple folds.

He said: “Given the report I got and what I have seen here, I can say that Lagos Free Zone has made tremendous improvement. We have seen the level of partnership Tolaram Group is bringing in terms of international investment and local brands on this corridor.

“I commend all stakeholders that are with us on this journey we have found ourselves. With the level of work we have seen, I’m truly excited. It is more gratifying that, we are taking up this assignment with all energies required and we all can see what we can achieve when we work together.

“Since we signed a loan agreement less than 18 months ago, we have demonstrated strong capability in bringing the project to reality. This is the first quarter of 2021 and we have seen the project in about 48 per cent completion. The investors have given us the commitment on first quarter of 2023 completion date. We will fulfill all our parts to make sure this date becomes reality.”

Sanwo-Olu, who noted that he had been part of the conversation for the development of the free zones as a Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in 2006, said his administration had recorded significant progress in bringing the projects to reality.

The Governor said the priority accorded to the construction of complementary infrastructure projects along the corridor was a demonstration of his Government’s fulfillment of its pledge to Lagos residents. He promised the State would work with the timeline to ensure all projects mapped out in the zones are deliver.

Sanwo-Olu said the size of the deep seaport will allow 18,000 TEU capacity vessels, which are four times bigger than the ones berthing at Apapa seaports, thereby scaling down the cost of container transportation from any part of the world.

He said: “The interesting part is that, our youths and young women will be the beneficiaries of this project. The project managers have engaged large number of our citizens in the construction parts of the work; all personnel are not expatriates. All the technical work and technology deployed have local component to it.

“For us a Government, this is the strongest point we have made with the project. I am fully convinced that the delivery of this project will transform commercial architecture of West Africa and bring about quick turnaround time in maritime sector.”

When it is completed, the deep seaport is expected to generate more than 170,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for Lagos residents, and serve as alternative in an effort to decongest the Federal Government-owned seaports in Apapa.

Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Mr. Dinesh Rathi, said Tolaram Group, a Singaporean coy, initiated a $2 billion investment in the Lagos Free Zone, out of which the investor committed $950 million to developing manufacturing hub in the zone.

When the deep seaport is completed, Rathi said the maritime project was expected to generate more than 170,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for Lagos residents, and would serve as alternative in an effort to decongest the Federal Government-owned seaports in Apapa.

Chairman of Lagos Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Biodun Dabiri, hailed the State Government for its commitment towards changing face of commerce in Africa, stressing that all statutory permits, licenses and endorsement for the Lekki port project were already secured.

“There is strong guarantee that the port will be delivered before time, going by the inflow of capital investment and technical services,” Dabiri said.

The Governor and his entourage also visited Africa’s second largest manufacturing plant of Kellogg Tolaram, manufacturer of cornflakes, which is built in Lagos Free Zone. The Governor toured the processing unit of the firm and inspected the production chain.

Also joining the Government’s team in the tour are the Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Freeport LFZ, Mr Du Ruogang, and Head of Marketing for LFZ, Ms. Chinju Udora, among others.

CAPTION:

PIX 1 L-R: C.E.O, Lagos Free Zone, Mr. Dinesh Rathi; Director, Lekki Port; Alhaji Bode Oyedele; Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Abiodun Dabiri; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Dr. (Mrs) Lola Akande; Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce & Industry, Mr. Oladele Ajayi and Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, during the Governor’s working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

PIX 2 L-R: Chief Technical Officer, Lekki Port, Mr. Steven Heukelom; Managing Director, Lekki Port, Mr. Du Ruogang; Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello; Chairman, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Abiodun Dabiri and Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Dr. (Mrs) Lola Akande, during the Governor’s working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

PIX 3 L-R: Chairman, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Abiodun Dabiri, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Chief Technical Officer, Lekki Port, Mr. Steven Heukelom during the Governor’s working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

PIX 4: Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, pointing to a place of interest on the Lekki Port architectural presentation board during his working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

PIX 5 L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce & Industry, Mr. Oladele Ajayi; Managing Director, Lekki Port, Mr. Du Ruogang, presents a pictorial frame of the Lekki Port to Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Abiodun Dabiri and Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Dr. (Mrs) Lola Akande, during the Governor’s working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

PIX 6 R-L: Managing Director, Lekki Port, Mr. Du Ruogang; Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Dr. (Mrs) Lola Akande; Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce & Industry, Mr. Oladele Ajayi; Commissioners for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako and others during the Governor’s working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

PIX 7 R-L: Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Managing Director, Lekki Port, Mr. Du Ruogang and Chief Technical Officer, Lekki Port, Mr. Steven Heukelom during the Governor’s working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

PIX 8 L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC), Mr. Emmanuel Balogun; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Dr. (Mrs) Lola Akande; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Managing Director of LFZDC, Mr. Huang Xigong; Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Mrs. Yemi Olusunya; Assistant General Manager, Stakeholders’ Management, Mr. Emmanuel Aguda and Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, during the Governor’s working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone at Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

PIX 9: Aerial view of the ongoing Lekki Port project inspected by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during his working visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, on Friday, March 19, 2021.

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Ogun State: New electoral committee promises credible Local Govt polls

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 18, 2021

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Ogun OGSIEC 1 — Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun with the newly sworn-in members of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission at the Governor's office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, Thursday.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday swore-in the Chairman and members of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), with a promise to leave behind a vibrant democratic arrangement that would outlive his administration.

Speaking at the swearing in ceremony held at the Executive Council Chambers, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun underscored the need for the body to exercise restraint and uphold high ethical standard to midwife a local government system based on the principles of fair, credible and democratic electoral process.

The governor said the inauguration was a symbolic demonstration of his administration’s commitment to ensure democratic dividends get to the grassroots through electoral processes at the local government level.

“We on our part, will continue to exert all our inclusiveness approach to fast track socio-economic development and social wellbeing of our people. What we are doing today is a part of that process; rebuilding our electoral system and values as well as strengthening other tiers of government to be at its best.

“We are determined to leave behind a vibrant democratic arrangement in our State that will outlive this administration. This will ensure that we have good Leadership at all levels which in turn ensure all round development for our State”, he said.

The Governor described election as an integral part of the norms and values of the modern world political civilization, pointing out that the absence of transparent, free and fair elections has contributed to the instability witnessed in some societies around the world.

His administration, Governor Abiodun maintained, would continue to provide conducive environment for the conduct of free and fair election at the local government, calling the Commission to put in place an effective machinery to ensure the people at the local government are provided adequate platform to exercise their right in electing their leaders.

While congratulating the members of the Commission for heeding the call to serve, the Governor reminded them that they should see their appointments as a clarion call to serve, urging them to introduce innovative and resourceful approach for the conduct of free and fair election at the local government level.

According to him, “the people of our State await your total commitment in sustaining the positive development of the electoral system in line with global best practices. Shun all acts of nepotism, favouritism, corruption and such negative acts which could impart negativity on our duties”.

Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the Commission, Babatunde Adetona Osibodu stated that the commission under his watch would serve with humility, adding that members of the commission recognises the responsibility placed on them and are ready to succeed as a team.

Osibodu pledged that the Electoral Commission would conduct a free and fair election that would not only be a benchmark for the state, but the country as a whole, stressing that the Commission would carry along all relevant stakeholders towards ensuring a successful local government election.

Other members of the Commission are; Olatunji Isaac Akoni, Omolaja Tajueeen Soyeolu, Ayodele Bankole, Olugbemisola Onasanya and Remilekun Olaopa.

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PDP set to regain political leadership in Ogun State – ex-Senate President declares

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 18, 2021

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Bukola and Kola Adebutu — Ex-Senate President of Nigeria, Bukola Saraki and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, Ladi Adebutu at the reconciliation meeting, Thursday.

The reconciliation and strategy committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has successfully resolved the decade-long crisis in the Ogun State Chapter of the once vibrant Party.

According to former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is the chair of the committee, said Thursday evening that: “Now, PDP is set to re-establish itself as the party that will take control of Ogun State from 2023”.

The crisis that has lingered on for the past ten years between the groups led by late Buruji Kashamu and Hon. Ladi Adebutu has had each of them instituting different court cases, obtaining injunctions and dissolving executive committees.

The former Senate leader lamented the toll of the crisis on the party’s fortune in the State.

“These actions have combined to weaken the party in the state and made many people to believe that the differences would never be resolved. As a matter of fact, the crisis is responsible for the loss of the PDP in the state during the past three general elections.

“Today, both parties have resolved to work together and withdraw all pending court cases. They agree that PDP remains the best umbrella under which the unity and development of Nigeria can be achieved, sustained and guaranteed. They have all signed an agreement to that effect.

“We appreciate the magnanimity, maturity, patriotism and the give-and-take spirit displayed by both parties — as well as other leaders in the resolution of this issue.

“We are inspired that if, with the support of Almighty God, we have achieved success in Ogun PDP — which was one of the most difficult and complex — then, as we move from state to state, we will continue to make tangible progress”, Bukola Saraki said.

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Monopoly gets association as Lagos inaugurates sports board

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 18, 2021

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Lagos sports association 2 — A cross section of the board members taking oaths of office at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere on Wednesday

LASG has inaugurated the newly reconstituted Boards of Sports Associations in a brief ceremony on Wednesday, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu urged the newly reconstituted Boards to elevate the status of sports in Lagos State by taking it to the next level.

He also revealed that three new Associations were added to the existing 40 Sports Associations in the State, bringing the total number to 43 with 277 individuals, as part of the Government’s plans to reposition Lagos as the hub of Sports in Nigeria.

According to him, the new Sports Associations are Monopoly, (joined with Scrabble to form the Lagos State Scrabble and Monopoly Association), Lagos State Netball Association, Lagos State E-Sports Association and the Cheerleading Association.

Dawodu implored members of the Sports Association Boards to work assiduously and collectively in order to come up with series of sustainable programmes.

The Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Sola Aiyepeku, disclosed that the new Board members were painstakingly selected to refocus and change the face of Sports in Lagos State.

He stated that perception about Government being the sole financier of sporting events had to change, urging the new Sports Associations to work independently to source private sector financing and sponsorships for organising at least two sporting events per quarter.

The Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Oluwatoyin Gafaar, charged the newly inaugurated Board members to develop, drive and sustain sports in Lagos State.

He gave an assurance that the Lagos State Sports Commission would give all the necessary support to make sports development at the grassroots in Lagos State a success, expressing optimism for tremendous improvement from all Associations.

Responding, Mrs. Abimbola Lawal, Chairperson, Lagos State Traditional Sports Association, also a member of the Board of Sports Commission, assured that all members would do their best to achieve the mandate given by the State Sports Commission.

The Chairmen of Sports Associations such as Athletics, Handball, Basketball, Taekwondo, Hockey, Gymnastics, Golf, Deaf Sports and Cricket retained their positions, while the Lagos State Football Association will adhere to FIFA Election Statutes to decide fresh members.

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Telcos suspend withdrawal of bank transfer service as CBN, NCC okays N6 per transaction

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 17, 2021

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Planned withdrawal of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) short code service that enables bank transfer from mobile device, has been suspended by telecommunications operators in the country.

The withdrawal of the said suspension of service, which was to take effect from Monday, March 15, came as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced that bank customers would begin to pay N6.98 kobo per USSD transaction as against N4.

The telco’s decision to suspend the USSD bank transfer service was justified by the failure of banks and other financial service providers to remit the sum of N42 billion debts incurred by banks in the last eight months through the use of the service.

But at a meeting of stakeholders on Monday evening in Abuja by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, the telcos agreed to suspend service withdrawal.

All parties at the meeting on Monday agreed that effective March 16, USSD services for financial transactions conducted at DMBs and all Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed institutions would be charged at a flat rate of N6.98 per transaction. The agreed new price regime now replaces the current N4 per session billing.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Osita Nwanisobi, and the Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said in a joint statement that the new approach will ensure transparency and same cost, regardless of number of sessions per transaction.

With the new USSD price structure, there is now a flat fee per USSD session however long or whatever the number of messages making up the session.

Before this new rate, a session usually last 20 seconds, meaning that for each session N4 is charged, even if the transaction is not completed or failed along the line. But in this new rate, 20 seconds session has been abolished, and no cost implication until a transaction is completed.

According to CBN’s Nwanisobi and NCC’s Adinde, the new USSD charges will be collected on behalf of MNOs directly from customers’ bank accounts. It pointed out that banks would not impose additional charges on customers for the use of USSD Channel.

On the N42 billion USSD service debt owed by banks, stakeholders came to terms on settlement plan for outstanding.

The statement restated DMBs and MNOs’ commitment to strategies that lower cost and enhance access to financial services.

“With the above resolutions, the impending suspension of DMBs from the USSD channel is hereby vacated. Therefore, DMBs shall no longer be disconnected from the USSD channel.

“The general public is hereby reminded that the USSD channel is optional, as several alternative channels such as mobile apps, Internet banking and ATMs may be used for financial transactions.

“The CBN and NCC shall continue to engage relevant operators and all stakeholders to promote cheaper, seamless access to mobile and financial services for all Nigerians,” the statement read.

A source at the meeting told The Guardian that the two sectors agreed on N1.63k price and N4.50 price cap while a flat fee of N6.98k will be for the transaction.

According to the source, banks will now charge customers for the USSD transaction done on their accounts and settle the telecom operators.

He said the two parties also agreed to work together to deepen and expand digital financial inclusion of the Federal Government and come out with modalities and strategies on USSD.

Stakeholders who attended the meeting included the Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability Central Bank Of Nigeria, Aisha Ahmad, who represented the CBN Governor, Godwin Emfiele; Access Bank Group MD, Herbert Wigwe, Chairman of the Committee of Bank CEOs; MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola; Airtel Nigeria CEO, Segun Ogunanya; 9mobile Executive Director, Abdulrahman Ado; the EVC of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; and Executive Commission, Technical Services, NCC, Ubala Maska and among several banking and telecom stakeholders.

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Joshua and Fury to fight for undisputed world heavyweight in new deal

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 15, 2021

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Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will clash for the title of undisputed world heavyweight champion after signing a two-fight deal, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said on Monday.

The locations and dates for the much-anticipated all-British showdowns are yet to be announced.

Confirming the agreement, Hearn told ESPN: “The hard part is always getting everybody to put pen to paper.

“But this was a major effort from all parties to get this over the line. You had rival promoters, rival networks and rival fighters.”

Hearn said a venue for the fights, in which Joshua’s WBA, IBF, and WBO titles and Fury’s WBC belt will be on the line, is set to be confirmed: “within the next month”.

According to reports, Saudi Arabia, where Joshua won a rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, is the frontrunner.

But Hearn told ESPN he “already had approaches from eight or nine sites” across the Middle East, Asia, eastern Europe, and America.

“We’d like to get a site deal confirmed in the next month,” he said.

Both Joshua, 31, and Fury, 32, are expected to earn £100 million ($139 million) each, with the purse split 50-50 for the first fight and 60-40 for the rematch in favour of the defending champion.

Since avenging a shock defeat to Ruiz, Joshua has defended his titles against Kubrat Pulev in London in December.

Fury has not fought for more than a year since defeating Deontay Wilder in February 2020 to claim the WBC title.

Joshua previously stated he hoped the fight could take place as early as June.

“(The coronavirus pandemic) is getting close to things being normal. We’re working on a date for around June,” the former Olympic champion told Sky News.

“I’m ready. I’m really looking forward to competition — all I want to do is fight, fight, fight.”

Fury has consistently made jibes at Joshua’s expense, claiming in January that he would knock out his fellow Brit within two rounds.

However, last week the self-styled “Gypsy King” said he had stopped training after becoming tired of waiting for the fight to be agreed upon.

“I’m not training anymore,” Fury told ESPN. “I’m taking some time away from the game at the moment, because, like I said, I’ve been ready to fight since I beat Deontay Wilder last year. I’ve had no success in getting another fight.”

– Four belts –
All four belts will be contested in a heavyweight bout for the first time.

The last undisputed heavyweight champion was Britain’s Lennox Lewis, from 1999 to 2000. A boxer is now required to hold the WBO belt to be recognised as an undisputed champion.

Joshua has 24 wins and one defeat from 25 professional bouts. He lost his three world titles in a stunning defeat to Ruiz Jr in June 2019.

Fury is unbeaten in his 31 professional fights. He was controversially denied victory in a draw with Wilder in 2018 before winning their rematch in February 2020.

He beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the WBA, IBF, and WBO belts before nearly three years out of the sport, during which he battled depression, drink, and drug problems.

Fury was cleared to fight again in December 2017 by UK Anti-Doping after accepting a backdated two-year ban for testing positive for steroid nandrolone.

The Guardian

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Department of Petroleum Resources inspects Lagos stations to monitor pump price

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 15, 2021

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Petrol stations in Lagos State are now under surveillance to ensure compliance with the approved pump price band for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says on Monday.

This is coming after News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Federal Government had on March 12 denied the increment of petrol to N212 per litre and had directed marketers to revert to the old price regime.

During an inspection exercise in some petrol stations located in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki areas of the lagos State, DPR’s Zonal Operations Controller, Ayorinde Cardoso said seven petrol stations inspected are complying to selling fuel to customers between N162 to N165 per litre which was the approved price band.

“This surveillance visit is part of our regular function and we are coming out today to check product availability and product quality because we heard some information about water ingress in some of the tanks.

“We going out to check that. Also, we are looking at consumer protection so that they are not short-changed by under- dispensing.

“We have gone round to about seven stations and they are all selling within the approved pump price band,” he said.

Cardoso said the DPR sealed three fuel pumps that were under dispensing in one of the petrol stations, pending when they were rectified and re-evaluated by the regulatory agency.

According to him, though the agency has not discovered any incident of hoarding of petroleum products in the zone, its officials will continue to intensify surveillance on petrol stations.

He said: “I want to assure the public that the sufficiency level in Lagos State is okay and for now we have not seen any hoarding of products.

” Surveillance is a regular assignment for us and our officials are going around every day for that purpose.”

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Another bandit attack in Kaduna as troops rescue 307 students from abduction

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 14, 2021

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About 307 students have escaped being abducted by bandits who attacked Government Science Secondary School, Ikara in Kara Local Government Area in Kaduna in the early hours of Sunday.

The attack was confirmed by state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who noted that: “307 students were rescued unhurt” by troops who foiled the attempted kidnap.

Aruwan said: “Between the late hours of Saturday night and the early hours of today, suspected bandits stormed the Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, Ikara local government area, in an attempt to kidnap students.

“Fortunately, the students utilized the security warning system in place and were thus able to alert security forces in the area.

“The security forces comprising the troops of the Nigerian Army, Police and some security volunteers moved swiftly to the school and engaged the bandits, forcing them to flee.”

The Commissioner told reporters on Sunday all the 307 students were verified safe and present after the botched kidnap attack.

“The military and police are still on the trail of the armed bandits.
“Following a head count by the school management, the Kaduna State Government can confirm to you that all 307 students have been verified safe and present.

“The attempted kidnap was foiled completely and no student was taken from the school.
“The images provided by the Nigerian Army can attest to this, and will be shared with you,” he said.

I another statement over the attack, Aruwan, at another wing of the Kaduna International Airport said: “Similarly, around Ifira village in Igabi local government area, bandits attempted to attack a senior staff quarters around the Kaduna Airport general area.

“This attempt was also foiled as troops of the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army engaged and repelled them, with several escaping with gunshot wounds.

“The Kaduna State Government acknowledges the efforts of the security agencies in the recent rescue of 180 students in the vicinity of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka. These efforts have been mentioned in interviews given by some of the rescued students.

“By virtue of access to the facts of the event, the Kaduna State Government extends its unequivocal solidarity to the Military, Police, Department of State Services and other security agencies, whose swift intervention prevented the bandits from abducting more persons.

“The Kaduna State Government maintains a clear focus at this time, and that is to ensure the safe return of the missing students, and to consolidate intelligence gathering and security vigilance towards forestalling possible attempts on other facilities or institutions.”

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Suspect in killing of ex-Police DIG’s wife arrested in Benue

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 14, 2021

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Officers of the Nigerian Police Force in Benue has arrested a suspect connected with the murder of Mrs Eunice Aganya, wife of retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, (DIG) Ibezimako Aganya and one-time Commissioner of Police in Benue.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported the arrest in statement credited to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, in Makurdi on Sunday.

According to Anene, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Benue, Mr Audu Madaki, had ordered a full-scale investigation by the command’s Criminal Investigation Department and pledged that serious efforts would be made to apprehend the culprits.

On Saturday, Police in Benue confirmed the gruesome killing of the retired DIG’s wife in her Makurdi residence by unknown gunmen.

The police received information on Saturday that late Eunice who resided on Austin Iwar Street, off David Mark Bye-pass, Makurdi, could not be seen by her co-chiefs who had planned to pay a courtesy call on a royal father in Makurdi.

“Police detectives who received this report swiftly moved to her house where she resides alone behind her bakery.

“Her car was seen parked in front of her gate and her fence broken into but her doors were locked.

“The team noticed blood stains on the window and curiously broke into the house where they found the lifeless body lying in a pool of blood with a deep cut on the head,” Commissioner of Police stated.

The police chief disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at Bishop Murray Hospital Morgue.

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One person has died in South Africa student protest

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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March 10, 2021

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South Africa students clash with police — One person was killed after police fired rubber bullets to disperse a group of protesters at Wits University in Johannesburg

One person has been killed on Wednesday after South African police fired rubber bullets to disperse a group of student protesters, at Wits University in Johannesburg.

Spokeswoman for the Wits University, Shirona Patel told AFP that: “My understanding so far is that the protestors blocked a public road, the police tried to disperse them, and the passerby was shot in the crossfire,”

It was reported that the killing of the “passerby” further enraged the protesting students who gathered near the lifeless body of the victim and demanding, at the top of their voices, that police personnel leave the area. A student was reported screaming “Kill all of us”.

However, Spokeswoman Patel confirmed that the victim of the shootout was not a student of the university.

In early January, Wits University students began series of protests against government’s action that allegedly excluded some students by a government-sponsored tuition aid scheme.

The students, who vowed to continue their protest against the financial exclusion of students in the university are demands that Wits University allows all students with outstanding debt to register for the 2021 academic year.

The university authority however argued that the institution of learning will however become financially unsustainable if it continues to accept students who have historical debt.

According to the university, outstanding fees owed has accumulated to R1 billion over the past seven years.

Wits University added that it has made available R20 million for indigent students who are facing financial hardship and R100 million has been allocated to financial aid through bursaries and scholarships.

Student’s representative put the number of students that are still not registered at about 80, 000 as a result of the “financial exclusion problem”.

They are demanding that those who owe the university up to 150,000 rand ($9,850) in fees still be allowed to register for the new academic year.

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