Buhari’s ally, Isa Funtua is dead, Ben Bruce reveals last conversation

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July 20, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari’s close ally, Mallam Isa Funtua has died as a result of cardiac arrest Monday evening.

According to Daily Trust, a brother of the business mogul said: “Mallam told his family members that he wanted to see his doctor but decided to visit his barber first. He drove himself to the hospital,” the brother, who doesn’t want his name in print.

Report has it that the remains of Mallam Funtua is being prepared at Area 1 mosque before his funeral on Tuesday morning.

The late Funtua was a renowned business executive and public officer with over thirty years of management experience. He was Personnel Manager in United Textiles Limited (UNTL), responsible for over ten thousand staff and a one-time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Funtua, touted to be a member of the ‘cabal’, a group of influential persons believed to be around Nigeria’s President and help him take key decisions, was the founder of Bulet International Nigeria Limited (the largest wholly owned indigenous construction company) which built most of the iconic public buildings in Abuja. He is the founding Managing Director of Democrat Newspaper and served as President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) for 8 years.

In an official statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu; President Buhari believes the demise of the publisher and businessman has created a huge gap as Malam Funtua consistently stood by him in his political journey.

“President Muhammadu Buhari received with deep sadness on Monday evening information on passing of his longtime friend and associate, Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, who was Life Patron of International Press Institute and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

“The President condoles with family members, government and people of Katsina State, and all associates of the former President of NPAN, especially the media industry, on the loss, describing him as “greatly admired and respected’’.

A former Senator representing Bayelsa East constituency, in Bayelsa State, revealed that Mallam Funtua had promised to call just three hours before his death.

“I am saddened by the death of my brother and senior colleague, Mallam Isa Funtua. I spoke to him just three hours before his reported death, and he promised to further call me tomorrow. I pray that God comforts his family and loved ones, and may his soul rest in peace”, Bruce stated.

Similarly, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogra, expressed his condolence to the Funtua family.

Extolling the late Funtua, the ex-Speaker stated that: “Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua was a distinguished elder statesman, media icon, construction magnate, industrialist & a patriot whose legacies are too numerous to list”.

The remains of the late business mogul, Mallam Isa Funtua, will be laid to rest on Tuesday morning according to Islamic dictate.

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Photos: IGP decorates newly promoted senior officers in Abuja

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 20, 2020

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Police 4 — Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF- Nigeria), Boss Mustapha, (L); Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, (R), July 20, 2020.

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Monday decorated ten newly promoted senior police officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The decoration ceremony was coming on the heels of the recent promotion of 6,601 personnel of the Nigeria Police Force including one Deputy Inspector General, for Assistant Inspector Generals, three Commissioners of Police, three Deputy Commissioners of Police, eight Chief Superintendents Police, 607 Superintendents of Police, 206 Deputy Superintendents of Police and 5,769 Assistant Superintendents of Police.

The ceremony was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, who congratulated the newly promoted officers and charged them to see the promotion as a call for improved services to the nation.

He assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to the ongoing reforms of the Nigeria Police Force by the Inspector General of Police.

On his part, Adamu noted that since his assumption of office in January 2019, a total of 41,863 officers and men of the Force across different ranks have been promoted to their next ranks.

He added that the promotion exercises – a strategic management approach directed at motivating the workforce in addressing current and emerging internal security threats – have been guided by the principles of seniority and merit and reflective of records of discipline and invaluable experience.

Adamu, while congratulating the officers for their well-deserved elevation, charged them to deploy their intellect and demonstrate sound professional judgement in all their decisions at all times.

The officers decorated include: DIG Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, who until his promotion to the enviable rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police, was a directing staff at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS).

He has been deployed as the DIG in charge of the Department of Research and Planning. Also, in line with geo-political balancing considerations, he doubles as the DIG in-charge of the South-west geo-political zone of the country, a void created by the recent retirement of DIG Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo.

Others decorated are: AIG Amba A.A Asuquo; AIG Nkereuwem A. Akpan; AIG Olafimihan Adeniran Adeoye; AIG Aishatu Abubakar, PhD; CP Jonathan Towuru; CP Sylverster A. Alabi; CP Sikiru Kayode Akande; DCP Johnson Oluwole Adenola; and DCP Grema Jibir Isa.

Idowu Sowunmi

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[Photos] Third Mainland Bridge: FG, Lagos rehabilitate alternative roads

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 20, 2020

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Third-Mainland-Bridge-1280x720-e1556006299563 — A view of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, Nigeria.

Barely four days to the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for rehabilitation, the Federal Government assures residents of Lagos that massive rehabilitation of alternative routes is progressing as scheduled.

This assurance was made by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Olukayode Popoola, during an assessment tour of work progress on alternative routes on Monday.

Popoola noted that the Federal Ministry of Works and Lagos State Government embarked on the rehabilitation works together but on different access paths.

He said that the projects were embarked on after a stakeholders’ meeting, where the participants reached an agreement on the need for urgent interventions across major access roads that would serve as alternative routes for motorists during the Third Mainland Bridge closure.

Ongoing Rehabilitation of Herbert Macaulay Way, Oyingbo to Adekunle section by Oando fuel station

The Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde explained that the Lagos State Government agreed to fix bad portions around the Iganmu Bridge and some other roads through its Public Works agency.

Oladeinde assured that adequate arrangement has been made for effective traffic control throughout the six months partial lockdown of the Third Mainland Bridge, stressing that about 600 LASTMA personnel would be deployed to direct traffic to ensure free vehicular movement.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, expressed the importance of the State Government’s intervention on alternative routes so as to alleviate the inconvenience imposed by the partial closure.

While appealing to commuters to obey traffic rules during the period of the closure, she maintained that the State Government would ensure that all the alternative routes are in good condition before the commencement of repair works on the bridge.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government says the Oyingbo Bus Terminal will begin operations soon.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Lagos State, Gboyega Akosile, disclosed this in a statement posted on his Twitter page on Monday.

According to him, “some new 27-seater buses which fall under the Bus Reforms Initiative of the Lagos State Government, will make transportation across the State easier”.

Photos:

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NDDC Probe: Akpabio implicates National Assembly members as Acting MD ‘slumps’

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 20, 2020

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Akpabio and Pondei 11 — File Photo of Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Daniel Pondei, (L) and Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, (R).

Most contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are awarded to members of the National Assembly, says the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

The Minister made the revelation on Monday when he appeared before the House of Representatives committee on NDDC, who are probing trillions of Naira allocated to the commission for the development of the oil rich region over the years.

Akpabio’s comment, which apparently opened another cankerworm in the ongoing probe, erupted as he was being grilled about NDDC expenditure amid a forensic audit during the public hearing by members of the House of Representatives committee on NDDC.

The Minister had been invited by the lawmakers on Friday to defend his actions as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and shed more light on financial misappropriation within the NDDC.

“We cannot close down the Niger Delta Development Commission because of the fact that we are doing (a) forensic audit,” he said.

“The NDDC plays a vital role in ensuring the peace and security of the region and 90 percent or more of the resources of the country come from there.

“If you close it down in totality all you will have is chaos. You will have a lot of, not just militancy; you will have a lot of insurrection.

“So it is important that people who have gone to court, people who genuinely did jobs should be paid for their jobs. For me, I am not against it because, of course, who are even the greatest beneficiaries? It is you people.”

A member of the committee took him up on his “you people” allegation and asked him to clarify.

“I just told you that we have records to show that most of the contracts in the NDDC are given out to members of the National Assembly,” the ex-Senator said.

Meanwhile, the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Daniel Pondei, who also appeared before the House of Representatives committee seems to faint during the grilling session on Monday.

The committee is in its fourth day of public hearing as it investigates alleged financial misappropriation at the agency.

The controversy had seen strong allegations of corruption traded between the Minister and the former MD of the NDDC, Joi Nunei, who appeared before the lawmakers via Zoom on Friday.

Pondei had been grilled for over an hour when he slowly slumped over his desk, appearing to faint.

Several people present at the hearing rushed to his aid, propping him up and attempting to stabilise him, with the proceedings halted.

He then appeared to be in a seizure with a man holding open his mouth as others held him upright.

After he appeared to regain and lose composure intermittently, he was moved out of the session.

The development led to a brief discussion about the next step to take. A move to have the session adjourned was shouted before the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Thomas Ereyi-Tobi, called for a 30-minute recess.

Lawmakers investigating corruption allegations in the NDDC had on Friday summoned Pondei and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to appear before them today (Monday) as the country sought to understand how budgetary allocations to the agency had been spent.

This is not the first time an appearance by the NDDC MD before the lawmakers will come to a halt under dramatic circumstances.

The NDDC boss had walked out on the lawmakers on Thursday, last week, after accusing the Chairman of the Committee, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of being an interested party in the investigation.

He said as long as Tunji-Ojo presided over the investigation, the Commission would not get a fair hearing. He then refused to make presentations before the committee and walked out.

Angered by the move, the lawmakers resolved to issue a warrant of arrest compelling Professor Pondei to appear before the lawmakers and make a proper submission.

The lawmakers, however, decided to summon him again, and at the start of his appearance, he apologised for his action.

Although he said he “regretted” the incident which happened last week, before he was questioned by the lawmakers, the Chairman of the Committee recused himself from the session, leaving Hon. Thomas Ereyi-Tobi, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee to preside.

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LASEMA warns of waterways safety ahead 3rd Mainland Bridge partial closure

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 20, 2020

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images (1) — Aerial view of 3rd Mainland Bridge, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Ahead of partial closure of 3rd Mainland bridge on Friday, 24th July, 2020, a joint inspection of strategic jetties and terminal has been conducted Sunday, by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) to monitor safety procedures.

The exercise, which is coming 5 days to the closure of the bridge was announced in a statement by the Head, Public Affairs, LASEMA, Nosa Okunbor.

Okunbor, stated that the inspection was a result of series of meetings between LASEMA and other safety agencies, where the DG/CEO LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, declared LASEMA’s state of readiness alongside its first responders who have all been placed on high alert with appropriate equipment, for the period of closure.

According to Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu, the collaboration between LASEMA and other Lagos State safety agencies involved in the Inspection of jetties was a necessary move to ensure implementation of safety protocols ahead of this week’s partial closure of the 3rd Mainland Bridge from Friday 24th July, 2020 to 24th January, 2021.

This action, he revealed was in line with other strategies mapped out by LASEMA for deployment of its highly trained and efficient staff which will be backed by the maximal application of its equipment and supported with appropriate technology to ensure all-round safety of Lagosians on land and water during the period of partial closure of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.

The joint inspection team visited the CMS terminal; Ebute-Ero Marina; both on Lagos Island and the Bariga Waterfront Jetty in Ilaje area of Bariga.

While speaking at the Bariga Waterfront Jetty in Ilaje-Bariga, the LASEMA Director-General said that the joint inspection was aimed at ensuring that all operators abide by the stipulated safety regulations for safety of all.

Dr Oke-Osanyintolu who said roads leading to the jetties have been repaired while reeling out government’s stringent measures, reiterated that night journeys would not be permitted, just as he advised residents to cooperate with government to ensure smooth operations and at the same time reduce the anticipated stress the partial closure of the 3rd Mainland Bridge would cause commuters.

“We are going to deploy Safety Marshals and Water Guards to ensure that operators keep to the rules and regulations and also enforce the use of Life Jackets and ensure that they do not use our waterways after 7pm”, Oke-Osanyintolu said.

The LASEMA DG, who stated that boat operators would maintain stipulated capacity and ensure they have the mandatory life buoys as part of necessary safety measures; revealed that the agency would position its ambulances and rescue boats at strategic locations in conjunction with the Lagos State Waterways Authority and maintain a 24-hour watch by its Marine Unit, especially between the peak periods of 6:30am and 7:00pm daily as a lot more passengers would travel the alternate routes and waterways, during the partial closure of Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.

In the course of the joint inspection, a boat carrying four passengers without life jackets was seized and sanctioned, while the passengers were educated on the need to use life jackets during every journey on the waterways, no matter how short.

The LASEMA DG, however reminded Lagosians to reach the agency in case of emergencies through the 767 or 112 toll free emergency numbers, or call 08060907333, his personal line.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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Ondo Primary: Akeredolu, Ajayi ‘throw fireworks’ at each other, tension rises

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 20, 2020

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images — File Photo: L-R: Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Ondo State, Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

As political gladiators prepare ahead of primary election in Ondo state, there is heighened anxiety among the two major parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC, despite internal wranglings over the decision to adopt indirect primary will today, Monday elect it’s governorship candidate with 3,127 delegates, while PDP will on Wednesday elect its governorship flag bearer.

However, the media war between the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his enstranged Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi intensified on Sunday.

The Deputy Governor, who defected to the opposition party PDP alleged that Akeredolu had run the state aground. In his reaction, the Governor vowed not to be distracted from clinching his party’s ticket to run for second term in office at the primary election today.

A major crisis, however, has erupted within the PDP after some youths alleged that one of the aspirants was wooing each delegate with $1,000, raising the alarm that the party’s primary election might not be free and fare but go to the highest bidder.

As tension rises in both camps, the Ondo State Police Command has cautioned against thuggery and violence, urging parents to warn their children and wards.

Similarly, the Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, advised APC and PDP chieftains to embrace peace before, during and after the election.

In his response to a statement credited to Governor Akeredolu saying the selection of his Deputy Governor as running mate in 2016 was an error of judgement, Ajayi, said Akeredolu was only frustrated over his failure to employ the state House of Assembly to impeach him from office.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Babatope Okeowo, Ajayi understood the self-inflicted pain of running the state aground through inflated contracts, clannishness, nepotism and malfeasance.

“These and many injuries Governor Akeredolu caused himself and cannot be blamed on his deputy Agboola Ajayi, whom he sidelined, shortly after the administration was sworn in.

“It must be put on record that Akeredolu contested the 2012 governorship election and came a distant third in the election won by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Labour Party.

“It was the experience, weight and political capital, which Agboola Ajayi brought into the 2016 gubernatorial election that produced the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the state.

“If there was any wrong choice, it’s the choice of Arakunrin Akeredolu, who has refused to take all-wise counsel not only from his deputy but from other cabinet members.”

But the Ondo State Government said it would not take up issues with Ajayi, adding that its focus was on how Akeredolu would win today’s APC primary election.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Ojo Oyewamide, said: “We would rather concentrate on our primary election than decipate energy on a vicious distraction and one cancerous being. We wish him all the best.”

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Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile died of trauma, civilians involved in custody – NAF

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 19, 2020

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Tolulope Arotile NAF — Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, salutes a portrait of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile during a condolence visit by representatives of the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly. Abuja, July 17, 2020.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has on Sunday confirmed that the death of Flying Officer Tolupe Arotile was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and significant bleeding resulting from being struck by a vehicle.

This confirmation was contained in a preliminary investigation report signed by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore, Ibikunle Daramola.

He stated that: “Traffic Officers from the Kawo Police Station and the Kaduna State Police Command as well as Road Traffic experts from the Federal Road Safety Corp were also called in to provide support during the investigation.

“Having carefully considered the foregoing, the preliminary investigation concluded that:

“The death of Flying Officer Arotile was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and significant bleeding resulting from being struck by the vehicle”, the report read in part.

The report, which followed public sentiments and allegations of foul play in the death of Arotile established that no serving officer of the NAF was involved in the accident that led to the unfortunate incident.

Air Commodore Daramola stated that the three civilians, who were former classmates of the deceased at the Air Force Secondary School (now Air Force Comprehensive School) Kaduna are now in custody.

“Being a civil case, the matter will be handed over to the Nigeria Police with a view to further investigating and charging the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws.

“The Nigerian Air Force, being a highly professional and disciplined organization, will not join issues with any individuals or groups regarding the spurious allegations of ‘foul play’ espoused in some quarters. Suffice it to say that Flying Officer Arotile was a pride of the NAF in whom the Service had invested massively in terms of resources, time and energy. Consequently, it is ludicrous for anyone to even remotely insinuate malevolent intent on the part of the Service against one of its most prized assets’, he stated.

Read full report below:

On 14 July 2020, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and indeed the entire Nation, was thrown into mourning as a result of the death of one of our shining young stars in the person of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the NAF’s first female combat helicopter pilot. Her unfortunate demise has elicited an overwhelming outpouring of condolences, prayers and support to the NAF as well as the Arotile Family. This has no doubt been so, not just for Tolulope’s outstanding accomplishments at the tender age of 24, but also because of her sterling personal qualities of excellence, hard work, dedication to duty, confidence and courage, which endeared her to her superiors, subordinates and peers in the Service. Unfortunately, because of the peculiar circumstances of the incident that led to her death, a rash of falsehoods, innuendos, conspiracy theories and the likes have been propagated in the public space, especially on Social Media. The NAF sincerely hopes that the findings of the just-concluded preliminary investigation into this unfortunate and painful incident will address the misinformed issues raised in the Social Media on the tragedy.
Moreover, while it would have been ideal for the entire investigation to be concluded before details on the incident are released, the NAF, in sensitivity to public concerns occasioned by the spread of false information, appreciates the imperative to provide more clarity at this very difficult moment. Please note that the details being revealed today have already been communicated to the Arotile Family, who ideally should be allowed to mourn their daughter and sister in peace, but for the unfortunate nature of the sad occurrence.
In line with the normal procedure in the Nigerian Air Force during such occurrences, an investigation was immediately instituted to formally determine the circumstances of the incident. Accordingly, the preliminary investigation has revealed the following details:
The Late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, a Squadron Pilot at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu, attached to the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, having recently completed her Promotion Examinations, was in Kaduna awaiting deployment for her next assignment. During this period, she stayed with her sister, Mrs Damilola Adegboye, at Sabo Area in Kaduna, visiting the NAF Base whenever necessary.
On 14 July 2020 at about 10.55am, Late Flying Officer Arotile received a phone call from her colleague, Flying Officer Perry Karimo, a fellow helicopter pilot from the 405 HCTG, who wanted to discuss arrangements for their return to Enugu, requesting that she comes to the Base so that they could work out the modalities. Subsequently, at about 10.58am, the Late Arotile placed a call through to Squadron Leader Diepiriye Batubo, the Group Operations Officer (GOO) of 405 HCTG, who was in Minna at the time, to clarify issues regarding her deployment. It must be highlighted that the call FROM Flying Officer Karimo as well as the one TO the Squadron Leader Batubo both took place before 11.00am, over 5 hours before the incident which led to her death.
Flying Officer Arotile was later conveyed from Sabo to the NAF Base Kaduna by her sister, Mrs Adegboye, where the Deceased dropped her phone for charging at a house in the Instructor Pilots’ Quarters belonging to Squadron Leader Alfa Ekele. Her elder sister later dropped her off at the Base Mammy Market at about 4.00pm, where she proceeded to photocopy and laminate some documents. It was while she was returning from the Mammy Market at about 4.30pm that 3 of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School (now Air Force Comprehensive School) Kaduna; Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun, drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA. It is noteworthy that Messrs Adejoh, Folorunsho and Gbayegun are all civilians who live outside NAF Base Kaduna, but were on their way to visit one Mrs Chioma Ugwu, wife of Squadron Leader Chukwuemeka Ugwu, who lives at Ekagbo Quarters on the Base.
Upon recognising their schoolmate, Arotile, after passing her, Mr Adejoh, who was driving, reversed the vehicle, ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the Deceased, who was walking in the opposite direction. In the process, the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement. The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement, causing her further injuries.
Flying Officer Arotile was subsequently rushed to the 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for treatment, while Mr Folorunsho (one of the occupants of the vehicle) who is also an Accident & Emergency Nurse at the St Gerard Catholic Hospital Kaduna, administered First Aid.
Flying Officer Arotile was confirmed dead by the On-Call Doctor at the 461 NAF Hospital at about 4.45pm on 14 July 2020, as a result of the head injuries.
The trio of Messrs Nehemiah Adejoh, Igbekele Folorunsho and Festus Gbayegun were immediately detained at the Air Provost Wing, 453 Base Services Group Kaduna as investigations began. They were subjected to Toxicology Tests at the 461 NAF Hospital but no traces of alcohol or psychotropic substances were found in their systems. It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Mr Nehemiah Adejo, did not have a valid driver’s license.
Traffic Officers from the Kawo Police Station and the Kaduna State Police Command as well as Road Traffic experts from the Federal Road Safety Corp were also called in to provide support during the investigation.
Having carefully considered the foregoing, the preliminary investigation concluded that:

a.. The death of Flying Officer Arotile was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and significant bleeding resulting from being struck by the vehicle

Being a civil case, the matter will be handed over to the Nigeria Police with a view to further investigating and charging the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws.
The Nigerian Air Force, being a highly professional and disciplined organization, will not join issues with any individuals or groups regarding the spurious allegations of ‘foul play’ espoused in some quarters. Suffice it to say that Flying Officer Arotile was a pride of the NAF in whom the Service had invested massively in terms of resources, time and energy. Consequently, it is ludicrous for anyone to even remotely insinuate malevolent intent on the part of the Service against one of its most prized assets.
Furthermore, it is extremely sad and disheartening that, rather than allow the Arotile Family and the Nigerian Air Force to grieve for our dearly departed Tolulope in peace, many have chosen to politicize her death, while others are using the incident to push meritless, misguided ethnic and religious agendas. The Nigerian Air Force wishes to implore everyone to respect the sensibilities of all those who have suffered most by this loss, those who really knew Tolulope – her family, her friends and her Nigerian Air Force colleagues. It is of absolute importance that the memory of this Fallen Hero and our precious child is not tainted by the propagation of misplaced sentiments and wild shenanigans. Before I end this august address, may I respectfully, on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, the entire personnel of the NAF as well as members of the Arotile Family, express my profound appreciation to all those who in one way or the other have shown concern, support and sympathy over this unfortunate incident. Thank you for your attention.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA

Air Commodore

Director of Public Relations and Information

Nigerian Air Force

19 July 2020

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Photos: President Buhari names Agbor Train Station after ex-President Jonathan

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 18, 2020

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buhari-jonathan — File Photo: L-R: Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari; Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government Saturday disclosed that it has named the operational hub of Itakpe-Warri Standard Gauge Rail Line located in Agbor, Delta State after former president Goodluck Jonathan.

The 320-kilometre rail line connecting three states – Kogi, Edo, Delta including the station buildings would soon be commissioned.

Though the rail line has since April 2019 been used for commercial operations, the construction of the 13 station buildings along the corridor is yet to be completed.

Inspecting the project at the weekend, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, said the rail was ready for commissioning and may be commissioned by the President virtually.

Amaechi revealed that contractor handling the project, Julius Berger, has moved from the site, while China Civil Engineering Construction Company, (CCECC) is maintaining just a little presence, explaining what is left is for the contractors to handover to his ministry and the Nigeria Railway Cooperation (NRC).

The minister noted that NRC’s Director of Rail, Baba Kobi, would double as the Managing Director for now until there’s an arrangement to do the final inspection and take over from CCECC and Julius Berger.

“Today, we continued test-run of our new coaches on the completed Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail line.

“We have named the largest station on this route – the Agbor railway facility and station – after former President Goodluck Jonathan,” Amaechi said.

On the quality of work done by the contractors and the general maintenance of the facilities, the minister said: “When you see a good job, don’t ask questions. The camera will show that this is a good job; this is the Goodluck Jonathan Agbor Station which incorporates the railway facilities.

“Julius Berger and CCECC teams have all done a good job. We expect NRC to take over from here and ensure proper maintenance.

“I don’t want to come here in the next four, five years and it looks worn out. I have seen the toilet facilities they look good but typical of us, I hope in the next five years it will be intact because in Kubwa now, those things look worn out, if you break anything, replace it or repair it. I think we should learn to maintain the infrastructure that we inherit.”

Photos:

Idowu Sowunmi

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LASEMA averts explosion, recovers burning 46,000-litre full fuel tanker Intact

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 18, 2020

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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) says it has successfully extinguished fire which gutted an oil tanker at the Secretariat Bus Stop, Ikeja in the early hours of today.

In a statement by the agency’s Director General, Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyitolu, on Saturday LASEMA’s Response Team responded to the distress call at 1:17am and recovered the tanker, which was fully loaded to capacity of 46,000 litres of fuel intact.

Osanyitolu noted that the incident recorded no loss of lives, nor injuries, while the over two-hour operation lasted in the battle against the burning truckhead in order to curtail the fire and stop a highly probable explosion.

“While the LASEMA Response Team successfully recovered the gutted Petrol Oil Tanker without any human loss, the feat was achieved without further loss of properties nor damages, with the full content of 46, 000 litres of fuel salvaged intact, at the Secretariat Bus Stop through deployment of its heavy duty equipment, the Super Metro and support of men of the Lagos State Fire Services and other stakeholders”, he said.

The LASEMA DG added that the remains of the gutted oil tanker was safely recovered off the road to avoid any secondary incident, while also restoring the road to normalcy for vehicular activities.

Photos:

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NDDC: Women group demands fair treatment of Ex-MD in N22.6b probe

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 18, 2020

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The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has urged the Federal Government to protect Ms. Joi Nunieh from all forms of physical and emotional harassment while she faces probe.

The group through its National president, Laraba Shoda, in a statement on Saturday demanded that Nunieh should be allowed to face the Senate Committee handling the probe to defend herself without intimidation.

She stated that: ”All forms of harassment and intimidations should stop. We are not against her being probed but what we don’t want is for her to be harassed in any way.”

The NCWS president however commended River State Governor, Nyesom Wike for rescuing Nunieh and freeing her from the supposed “house arrest” by policemen.

Nunieh is a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), being investigated for alleged financial recklessness of N22.6 billion said to have been perpetrated under her stewardship.

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