President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of retired Inspector-General of Police, Barrister Suleiman Abba, CFR, Mni, as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
Salaries of political appointees in Ekiti State have been slashed by 50 percent as directed by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
The Governor’s directive was Confirmed this Tuesday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Muyiwa Olumilua, who disclosed that the 50 per cent slash on salaries is binding on the Governor, the Deputy Governor, commissioners and all political appointees.
Olumilua clarified that while all political appointees from the bottom up are affected, civil servants are not included in the pay cut.
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“Salaries of civil servants will not be affected by this directive and shall maintain the status quo,” Olumilua stated.
The Commissioner disclosed further that Governor Fayemi’s decision was as a result of the financial strain caused by the ravaging coronavirus pandemic and to enable the state save from the pay cut purposely to channel the funds into the implementation of planned developmental projects.
He noted that “this sacrifice is for the welfare of the Ekiti people, which should take pre-eminence over and above all other considerations”.
According to the Commissioner, global economies have been severely affected, a situation that has also put a strain on Nigeria’s finances, including Ekiti and other states.
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Olumilua added that as a responsive and responsible government, the Fayemi-led administration has taken stock of its financial situation and thus taking proactive steps.
He further noted that the current reality in the nation is a constantly decreasing receipts from the Federation Account, as well as the state’s dwindling Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). These, he said has caused the government to wake up to tackle its fiscal realities.
“With promises made to the Ekiti people while seeking their mandate, coupled with the moral duty of improving their welfare, a time for making difficult decisions is at hand, and make them we must,” Olumilua said.
Olumilua went ahead to appreciate the patriotism, patience, and cooperation exhibited by affected political office holders in the state.
Robbers have been reported to have stormed Ogun Radio, Rounder and Adeun areas along Aiyetoro road in Abeokuta.
The incident was reported by a resident, Bola Hussein, who lives in the E2 area of Olomore Housing Estate in Abeokuta this Thursday afternoon.
In a telephone chat with Echotitbits, Hussein confirmed the robbery incident, saying she had been in touch with friends who live in the affected areas.
Hussein expressed fear that the robbers will not spare her area as her home is only about a 10minute drive from the affected areas.
She said “There is a robbery going on, we don’t know what is happening, The chairman of our landlord association informed everybody now. We have been calling people living in Adeun, Ogun Radio, rounder, they said the robbery is going on right now. They are really attacking people entering houses.”
It was gathered from Hussein, that the robbers were forcing their way into houses one after the other and attacking occupants. she also stated that the Assistant chairman of the Landlord Association in her area identified as Deluola, called to warn resident of the impending attack.
“The Assistant Chairman of our landlord association in E2 Olomore, gave us the information when he called about 30 minutes ago,”
While It is however not clear if the police in Abeokuta have responded to the incident as at 3pm, Hussein said “she has been hearing the whistle of security men, vigilantes alerting themselves”.
Meanwhile, another resident of Sabo, Terry Asibor, who spoke to Echotitbits confirmed that he has seen videos on Whatsapp statuses of neighbors around Sowunmi, a neighborhood close to his home.
He stated that, in the videos, security officials were seen ushering some boys in their vehicles.
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Authorities in Lebanon have arrested a man, identified as Wael Jerro for advertising the sale of a Nigerian lady on social media.
The arrest was confirmed by the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in a tweet it posted on Thursday, April 23, a day after Lebanese authorities condemned Jerro’s dehumanizing Facebook advertisement of a Nigerian citizen.
https://twitter.com/abikedabiri/status/1252641878744367104/photo/1
The commission revealed that the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon had immediately initiated necessary cause of action to ensure the arrest of the suspect and release of the victim. The Nigerian Mission in Lebanon was said to have reported the matter to the host government requesting immediate manhunt for the suspect.
NIDCOM noted that the Lebanese Ministry of Labour issued a statement condemning the act and described it as unethical and in contravention of the country’s laws. It also stated that Labanon’s Ministry of Labour will also commence legal action against the suspect on the grounds of human trafficking.
The victim was said to have hailed from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital after retrieving her international passport that was obtained from her in May 2018.
While a legal action against the suspect before a court of competent jurisdiction is expected to commence soon, the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon has demanded an unconditional release of the Nigerian lady.
Last Tuesday, an Instagram user with the handle @thereneebisaad had reported the incident when she posted on her page details of the suspect and the victim.
She wrote: “Dear People, come and see what this human is doing. Selling this Nigerian housekeeping lady for $1000. This is NOT OKAY‼”.
The Instagram user claimed that Jerro had advertised the Nigerian lady whose name as stated on the passport posted online is Busari Peace Ufuoma on a Facebook buying and Selling closed group. She added a translation of the suspect’s caption as:
“Domestic worker from Nigeria for sale with new legal documents. She’s 30 years old, she’s very active and very clean. Price: 1000$‼”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_NbRDaHh4H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
A former Minister of justice in the second republic, Richard Akinjide has died at 88 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
News of the death of Akinjide, who first served as Federal Minister of Education in the government of former Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa was received on Tuesday.
While confirming the death of the renowned legal luminary, Spokesperson of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Tonye Akinrionola notes that Richard Akinjide was brought dead to the hospital.
Late Richard Akinjide was until his death the oldest member of the exclusive “Former NBA Presidents Group” that the NBA President often consults on important issues concerning the legal profession.
Akinjide was born in 1930 in Ibadan and attended St. Peter’s Primary School, Aremo in Ibadan from where he proceeded to Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife. Upon completion of his secondary school studies, passing out in Distinction, Aggregate 6, he relocated to the United Kingdom in 1951 to study LLB degree in Law at the University of London and in addition earned a certificate in Journalism. In 1955, he was called to the English Bar.
Late Akinjide was a member of the Nigerian Bar, as well as the Gambian Bar.. In 1978, he rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Before setting up his law firm, Akinjide & Co, he had practiced briefly with S.L Durosaro.
Mr Akinjide was a contributor to West African Pilot and Daily Times. He also taught International Commercial Arbitration at post-graduate level at the University of Ibadan.
He was a member of the Judicial Systems Sub-Committee of the Constitutional Drafting Committee of 1975-1977 and later joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1978. He became the Legal Adviser for the party before hwas later appointed the justice minister when President Shehu Shagari assumed office.
In a statement released on behalf of the office of the President, Nigerian Bar Association and signed by the National Assistant Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb Lawal expresses sadness at the passing of one of Nigeria’s finest professional.
Lawal states that “Chief Akinjide, was steeped in the ethics of the Bar, a brilliant advocate – one of the finest in the legal profession.
He described the deceased as a renowned leader of politics and thought.
“His contributions to the Bar as President between 1970 to 1973 were immense. And until his demise, he was always on hand as the oldest member of the exclusive “Former NBA Presidents Group” that the NBA President often consults on important issues concerning the legal profession”, Lawal states.
The NBA says it is committed to supporting the family of Chief Richard Akinjide as the family plans a befitting burial for the late Attorney General.
The Nigerian Military have repelled an attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) terrorists. At about 11:30 pm on Monday, April 20, the terrorists launched an attack on Geidam town, the Headquarters of Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State but met a strong resistance from the Nigerian troops.
In a statement by the Coordinator, Defence Headquarters (DHq) Media Operations, Major General John Enenche stated that troops belonging to 159 Battalion in Sector 2 and the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole “swiftly intercepted and engaged the criminals in a fierce exchange of fire.”
Enenche described that the heavy response of fire by officers of the Nigerian Military successfully aborted the attempted attack by the criminal elements.
“The terrorists were forced to retreat, scampered in disarray into different locations and within surrounding bushes. At the moment, troops are on pursuit of the fleeing terrorists.”
It was gathered that during the fierce exchange of fire 13 terrorists were killed, 2 gun trucks and 6 AK 47 rifles were recovered from the insurgents.
The DHq Media Operations Coordinator stated that while the terrorists have been subdued and troops have embarked on what it called exploitation operation to hunt down fleeing insurgents, Geidam town and environs is now normalized.
The late night operation however left no casualty or loss of equipment for the Nigerian Military.
Following the death of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, condolence messages now trail Mallam Abba Kyari’s passing.
Among prominent persons who have reacted to the demise of the late administrator is Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
In a message posted on his verified twitter page, the presidential candidate in the 2019 general election wrote: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. I am saddened by the death of Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. May Allah SWT comfort his family, forgive his sins and grant him AlJannah Firdaus. Ameen”.
Former Presidnet Goodluck Jonathan has also condoled with Prsident Buhari and the Kyari family. He wrote in a tweet “May Allah grant him Al Jannah Firdaus & strengthen his family & friends during this moment of grief.”
A one-time Senator who represented Kaduna Central, Shehu Sanni also noted that the President has lost a trusted & loyal friend. Sanni described Abba Kyari as “a man who took the bullets of his master with smiles, calmness & silence. We knew his cap and his colors but never his mind or his own side of his story. He will be missed.”
A staunch critic of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has commiserated with the Federal Government over the loss of its Chief of Staff.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity confirmed that the former Aviation Minister called to condole with President Buhari.
“Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, phones in to condole with Presidency on passage of Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. A great lesson for those who rejoice in evil. Fani-Kayode is morbidly anti-Buhari, but human enough to express his condolence.”
The late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, will be buried on Saturday (today).
This was made known by the Personal Assistant on New Media to the President, Bashir Ahmad.
However, Ahmad did not state in his tweet where prayer service would be held for the late CoS or where in Abuja he would be buried.
His tweet read: “Mallam Abba Kyari will be buried later today in Abuja according to Islamic rites.
In his last statement to Nigerians, which incidentally was rare through his time in office, Abba Kyari had urged Nigerians to be calm in the face of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
Kyari appreciated the efforts of frontline workers: “I want to thank all our fantastic, talented and brave healthcare professionals, working across the country in such a difficult time; all the good Samaritans looking out for the most vulnerable in our communities.”
He also stated that he hoped to be back at his desk soon, alas he would never be back.
Abba Kyari’s last words to Nigerians: The full statement.
I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation. This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week, I tested positive for coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all the protocols government has announced to self-isolate and quarantine.
I have made my own care arrangements to avoid further burdening the public health system, which faces so many pressures. Like many others that will test also positive, I have not experienced high fever or other symptoms associated with this new virus and have been working from home. I hope to be back at my desk very soon. I have a team of young, professional, knowledgeable and patriotic colleagues, whose dedication has been beyond the call of duty, who continue to work seven days a week, with no time of the day spared. We will continue to serve the President and people of Nigeria, as we have for the past five years.
I want to thank all our fantastic, talented and brave healthcare professionals, working across the country in such a difficult time; all the good Samaritans looking out for the most vulnerable in our communities; the key workers that will keep our country going through this; friends and family and often strangers, who have sent me such warm wishes and displayed such a generosity of spirit.
We should be calm, measured and diligent – be meticulous in your hygiene, especially with cleaning hands, if possible stay at home or keep your distance. Listen to good advice from the proper authorities: pay no heed to quack cures or fake news from social media. President Buhari will do whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of our people and get the country back on its feet as soon as possible.
Like the whole world, we are dealing with a new disease. Our experts are learning more all the time about coronavirus, what it does and how we can combat it. What we do know is that while some may become very sick, many others who contract the virus will not, and may have no symptoms at all. This is a disease that recognises no difference between north and south, men or women, rich or poor. We are all in this together.
Sincerely
Abba Kyari
Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari
The controversy surrounding the arrest of suspected killers of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Fasoranti might not be over yet.
Yinka Odumakin, who is Afenifere’s spokesperson on Wednesday, confirmed to echotitbits that the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS) indeed arrested suspects connected to the July 2019 murder of Funke Olakunrin.
On how he (Odumakin) knew about the said arrest, the Afenifere spokesman noted that “We were worried for the husband until last Saturday when the Commander of Federal SARS in Ondo came to him to break the news that they have arrested four suspected killers.
“It was Federal SARS that arrested the killers. They were taken to Police Command at Ondo town before they were moved out of Ondo state but I will not want to mention where they are now.
“They also arrested the driver to Funke Olakunrin just two days ago (Monday).The regular Police Command as I said have been totally irresponsible. The way they are behaving over this matter is enough to make us lose confidence in the police forever”, Odumakin said.
He berated the Police saying “if the Police Command in Ondo is yet to know that the Federal SARS arrested these people then it is a shame”
Odumakin confirmed that it is true that the Police in Ondo did not arrest the alleged killers of Olakunrin but accused the command of negligence.
In his response to echotitbits, Odumakin accused the regular police command and its state SARS formation in Ondo of doing nothing on the case. He made it clear that “It was the Federal SARS that I was talking about, and as I am talking to you now, they are interrogating the suspects.”
In a case like this it is expected that as a matter of procedure that certain steps be made in the process of unraveling the identities of the killers. But according to Odumakin the Ondo State Police Commissioner is incompetent and showed no seriousness in investigating the case.
“The car in which Funke Olakunrin was killed, that is the most glaring evidence at the scene of crime, that car was released to the family in few hours. We asked, have you done forensic on this car, they said no. I called Frank Mba Police Headquarters PRO that was when they returned to pick the car for forensics”
He narrated further that the Police was not ready to conduct an autopsy but retuned for the corpse two days before burial only when he (Odumakin) called Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer the second time.
“They have not even once in 9 months visited Pa Fasoranti to even say we are investigating. They didn’t come to papa to give him briefing. The man is in agony, he was so sad, he couldn’t sleep at night, to eat was a problem”, Odumakin noted.
On whether there might be connivance between some officers of the Ondo State Police Command and the driver to the late Olakunrin, Odumakin said, “I will not want to prejudice FSARS investigation. They are doing their job I just want them to do it professionally and come out with their report.
While Odumakin commended the effort of the FSARS for a job the regular police in Ondo State failed to do according to him, he had an advice for the Police Public Relations Officer in the state.“ That PRO called me yesterday (Tuesday) and I told him he should not open his mouth on this matter again and stop embarrassing themselves.”
However, the Police Command in Ondo State has maintained that no arrest in connection to the killing of Funke Olakunrin was made.
In a short whatsapp response sent to echotitbits, the Public Relations Officer for the Police command in Ondo State, Tee-leo Ikoro reiterated that “first, there was no arrest. It was a misinterpretation of the favour FSARS needed from Pa Fashonranti. And to say the Command is not doing anything to ensure arrest of culprits is not true”.
The deceased Funke Olakunrin was murdered in July 2019 when heavily armed men ambushed her and fired at her vehicle between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore road. Olakunrin, who was with a family member, her maid and two other men at the time of the incidence was badly hit by bullets and later died at the hospital.
The Treasury House building which has the Accountant General of the Federation’s (AGF) office was on fire this morning, Wednesday 8, 2020.
The source of the fire remains unknown for now but workers in the complex as at the time the fire broke out said it started at about 10:25am from the fourth floor where the office of the Assistant Director, Capital is located.
In a video circulating online, an unidentified man was heard lamenting that “the Treasury House is on fire and the Nigerian government can’t do anything about it.
The man added that “oh my goodness our national resources is going”.
By the time men of the Federal Fire Service arrived, the fire had spread to the building which houses the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
In a tweet posted at exactly 11:56am, the Federal Fire Service stated that “the fire at the Accountant General’s Office has been extinguished.
