NEWS
Emefiele: Alumni Urges Speedy Administration of Justice
The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Alumni (MAPAMA) has called on the appropriate law enforcement agencies to handle the investigations of the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, comprehensively and professionally.
The association made the call on Wednesday in a statement signed by its Head, Media and Publicity Committee, Mr Tajudeen Balogun.
Balogun said that it was not disputable that Emefiele’s tenure as the CBN boss was fraught with many controversial and alleged illegal monetary policies.
“This is the reason why his case and others, still to come, be handled with all sense of seriousness and the alleged criminal acts under Emefiele’s watch should be the focus.
“Rather than the public to be given the impression of witch-hunt or political vendetta,” he said.
Balogun, therefore, called on the agencies not to fail in their expected constitutional responsibility in dealing with Emefiele’s alleged criminal, financial and professional misconducts.
He said that failure to do so would take the country miles backward, hence, corruption thrives and the campaign against it remains a mere mockery and jamboree.
“MAPAMA unequivocally detests this, especially at this critical time and with this new administration which seems adequately ready to confront all our national challenges,” Balogun said.
The MAPAMA boss urged President Bola Tinubu to walk his talk in providing adequate and appropriate social and economic measures to ease the hardship in the removal of fuel subsidy.
“While MAPAMA joins other well-meaning Nigerians in the long overdue subsidy removal, still, it desires that Tinubu should sustain efforts and audacity as promised in his nationwide broadcast.
“This is by ensuring that the halted supportive oil funds are invested in country’s education, health and power sectors.
“This will provide infrastructures that will boost the economy and subsequently deliver a prosperous future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Balogun, also called on Tinubu to ensure that his administration was committed to the Rule of Law.
“The President’s declaration that unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated is on point.
“No doubt, this is one of the veritable instruments to build and advance the Nigeria’s democracy. Therefore, the president must also ensure that he stands by his promise in this regard,” he said.
The MAPAMA’s spokesman urged Tinubu to ensure that the Nigerian law enforcement agencies upscale their conducts, especially when dealing with the cases of national interest.
C
“The era of lack-lustre approach to serious corrupt cases, such that critical and criminal cases are bungled in the end should be over,” he said. (NAN)
NEWS
FG Declares Public Holidays for Christmas, New Year
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Jan.1, 2025 as public holidays.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that the public holidays were to enable citizens to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year respectively.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and to strengthen bonds across families and communities.
He assured citizens of the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
He further expressed confidence in the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration for a better and prosperous economy in 2025.
The Minister, on behalf of the federal government sent warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.(NAN)
NEWS
Hoodlums Attack Etsu Lokoja’s Palace, Raze Properties
Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.
The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.
The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.
21, 2024, before the incident occurred.The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.
Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.
“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.
“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.
“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my life.
“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”
The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.
“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.
“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.
He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.
The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.
Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.
He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)
NEWS
Eight Dead, Three Injured in Ohafia Road Crash
The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.
A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.
“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.
“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.
Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)