NEWS
Bill to Formalise Neighbourhood Watch Operations in Enugu Scales Second Reading

In a bid to strengthen security in Enugu State, a bill to formalise the operations of the Neighbourhood Watch Association in the state has scaled through second reading.
The bill would ensure that personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch were converted to civil service, which makes them eligible to earn pension after retirement.
The leader of the House, Mr Iloabuchi Aniagu, stated this during the plenary on Thursay in Enugu.
He said that the role of the Neighbourhood Watch in the maintenance of security in Enugu State was crucial.
Aniagu stressed that there was urgent need to strengthen the local security outfit by ensuring that they bore sophisticated weapons to enable them confront criminals, as well as improve their welfare packages.
The leader explained that the bill would empower the state governor to appoint a commander, who would oversee and coordinate the activities of the security outfit in the state.
According to Aniagu, there will be commanders at the 17 local government areas, as the bill would encourage the Neighbourhood Watch to do more in securing the lives and properties of Enugu citizens.
Also contributing, Mr William Amuka representing Igbo Etiti West constituency said that the bill which intended to boost security in the rural communities was timely, noting that security was paramount to development.
Amuka revealed that the current bill captures things not included in the bill previously, which was to ensure that the Neighbourhood Watch had a well-structured payment.
Mr Chima Obieze representing Ezeagu constituency lauded the state government for coming up with the bill that would make it possible for the indigenes of a community to be in charge of their security.
Obieze was of the opinion that criminal activities in the rural communities would be drastically reduced, if not eliminated, if the indigenes are in control of their security.
The lawmaker expressed happiness that there would be a board to monitor and regulate the activities of the Neighbourhood Watch from abuse.
Obieze maintained that the bill would ensure that the operatives of the Neighbourhood Watch did not live like paupers or depended on stipend from public spirited individuals.
In the same vein, Mr Lebechi Eze asked the board to ensure that those recruit in to the local security outfit are qualified, and psychologically stable considering the fact that they would bear arms.
In his remark, the Speaker, Chief Uche Ugwu, said the House would be meticulous in the passage of the bill to ensure that the security of the state was enhanced.
Ugwu directed that the House Committees on Security and Judiciary should look into the bill and report back to the House in one week time.(NAN)
Foreign News
NiDO-Worldwide Appoints New Coordinating Chairman

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NiDO)-Worldwide has appointed Mr Chibuzo Ubochi, as its new Coordinating Chairman of NIDO-Europe.
Ubochi succeeds Dr Victor Ubani, the Chairman of NIDO Americas and outgoing coordinating chairman of NiDO-Worldwide.
Ubani disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, against backdrop of the end of his tenure as coordinating chairman and inauguration of Ubochi’s tenure as the new chairman of the organisation.
He congratulated Ubochi over his recent electoral victory where he emerged chairman of the organisation, saying it was a closely contested NIDO-Europe election against Dr Johnson Odibo.
According to him, the process which was conducted with robust participation, ushered in a new era for NIDO-Europe.
Ubani said: “It is one marked by renewed strength, unity and purpose. I write in my capacity as the outgoing Coordinating Chairman of NIDO-Worldwide, having had the honour of serving in this rotational role on behalf of the Americas.
“I am deeply grateful for the cooperation and commitment demonstrated by our continental bodies throughout my tenure.
“Together, we pursued the vision of a more effective, united and relevant NIDO across all regions. I believe we made notable progress in advancing our collective mandates.
“As is the custom within our global structure, which comprises five continental bodies, I will now be handing over the rotational leadership of the Coordinating Chairmanship to the current Chairman of NIDO Europe, Sir Chibuzo Ubochi”.
Ubani explained that he had observed Ubochi’s leadership as Chairman of NIDO UK South and his previous tenure as Legal Adviser to the NIDO-Worldwide Coordinating Platform, to express confidence in the latter’s ability to lead the organisation.
“I am confident in his capacity to fulfill this responsibility with vision, integrity and diplomatic skill.
“He is well acquainted with the complexities of our global structure and is well-positioned to continue strengthening and advancing a more focused and impactful NIDO Worldwide.
“As he assumes this role, I urge all continental chairs, executives and members to extend the same cooperation and collegiality accorded me to him.
“The task ahead requires a united front, focused energy and shared commitment free from unnecessary distractions and geared solely toward the progress of our global diaspora, and the development of our homeland,” he said. (NAN)
NEWS
Man Docked over Alleged Stealing of Excavator Worth N25 Million

A 33-year old man, Alaba Oladepo, was on Tuesday, arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, over alleged stealing of a Caterpillar excavator valued N25 million.Oladepo, whose address was not given, is being charged with conspiracy and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in Nov. 2024, at the Moniya area of Ibadan. Opaleye said that Oladepo stole a D8 Caterpillar excavator valued N25 million, belonging to Olumide Bamidele.The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 383 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties in like sum.Ogunkanmi said that one of the sureties must be a landed property owner, and that the other must be a blood relation of the defendant.She adjourned the matter to Sept. 2, for hearing.(NAN)NEWS
Zelensky Wants Pressure on Russia after New Wave of Air Attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for more international pressure to be placed on Moscow following another night of heavy Russian air attacks on the Ukrainian capital.“Today is one of the largest attacks on Kiev. Odesa, Dnipro region, and Chernihiv region were also targeted,’’ he wrote on the X platform.
These airstrikes had drowned out all efforts by the U. S. and other countries to achieve peace, he said.Zelensky called on the U.S., Europe “and others around the world who called for an end to the war’’ to take action.The response to such Russian attacks must not be silence, he said.There were fires in the capital with a number of buildings destroyed, and there were several injuries, he said.The port city of Odessa was also hit hard, with two people killed and at least 10 others were injured after a drone strike, Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov wrote on Telegram.The Ukrainian Air Force says Russia attacked its neighbour with 315 drones and drone dummies, two North Korean ballistic missiles and five cruise missiles.It said that 284 targets were destroyed, including all missiles and cruise missiles.In the Russian border region of Belgorod, a woman was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.There were also reports of injuries.The Russian Defence Ministry reported that 102 Ukrainian drones were shot down over several Russian territories and the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.The information provided by the warring parties cannot be independently verified.According to Russian media reports, one of the targets was a drone factory near the city of Yelabuga in the republic of Tatarstan.Russia’s aviation authority placed temporary restrictions on take-offs and landings at 13 airports during Monday night and Tuesday morning, including the airports of Moscow and St. Petersburg. (dpa/NAN)