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COVID -19: Umahi Suspends Commissioner, Perm Sec, Over Boundary Security
Abakaliki, April 10, 2020 (NAN) Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered a one-month working suspension of the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Samuel Okoronkwo, over alleged boundary security compromise and negligence.
Umahi who gave the order on Sunday in a statement he personally posted on the social media and confirmed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Uchenna Orji.
He said the suspension meant forfeiture of one month salary.
The governor also ordered a one month working suspension of the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Augustine Nwuzor.
The governor expressed dismay over an alleged high level of compromise and negligence of duty he witnessed on May 9, while inspecting the state’s boundaries at Afipo North and Ivo LGA.
He threatened to sack them if there were no improvements.
“All development centre coordinators of Afikpo North and Ivo LGA’s are hereby suspended from office and should handover to the ‘Member One’ in their various development centres including their official vehicles.
“All political appointees from these councils are to remain on half salary until normalcy returns including all traditional rulers from both councils.
“The chairmen and leadership of town unions in Ebonyi are hereby suspended and I will dissolve all town unions this May if situations do not improve,” he also threatened.
He further threatened that all health workers in the state, absent from their duty posts from Sunday will be sacked, pledging to do more in the coming days to secure the peoples’ lives.
“What I saw on Saturday at Ivo LGA left me worried about our people’s honesty in doing this job.
“I was disappointed with what I saw there and also at Afikpo North LGA between 6.30 pm and 12.am.
“I ‘arrested’ over 10 passenger- buses with over 50 passengers coming from Abia, Rivers and Lagos.
“People manning the road blocks ‘took’ bribes and allowed them to pass and I had no option than to arrest those said to be doing the work but were only taking bribes.
“They are presently at the Abakaliki quarantine centre and there were no presence of town unions in those locations,” he said.
The governor stated that there was no form of monitoring by the LGA and internal security commissioner, council chairmen, development centre coordinators, describing the situation as a ‘shame’.
“The LGA commissioner is hereby directed to account to me before Wednesday, May 13, the expenditure of 15million released to each LGA chairman for this pandemic.
“I must see if I can raise boys in each of the 140 communities to do this job and then review all appointments in line with those who can help in this fight to save our people.
“I, however, observed that good work took place in the day, but at night only the army in one location and local boys stayed.
“I am still depressed with the commitment of our security agencies despite my efforts in paying allowances,” he said. (NAN)
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Hamann: Wirtz Made Wrong Choice Joining Liverpool
Liverpool hero Didi Hamann believes Florian Wirtz made the wrong decision joining the Reds this summer.
Wirtz, a £100m summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and is yet to register a single goal after 16 games in the competition.
Speaking with Sky Deutschland, Hamann stated that the Germany international would have adapted easily to the Bundesliga if he had joined Bayern Munich instead of Liverpool this summer.
“Christmas is approaching and he still hasn’t scored a goal or decided a match. Football is played differently in the Premier League, and he’s had little to no impact there so far.
“Liverpool signed a player for €140 million hoping he could turn around a struggling team with one or two plays.
He still hasn’t done that, and why would he now in January?“When I watch him play, I sometimes get the feeling that he himself no longer believes in his potential. Wirtz made the wrong choice in the summer when he was faced with the choice between Liverpool and Bayern Munich.”
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COAS Charges 3,439 New Army Recruits on Loyalty, Discipline
By David Torough, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu (NAM), has charged 3,439 newly trained recruits of the Nigerian Army to uphold the highest standards of loyalty, discipline and professionalism as they formally joined the service.
The recruits, drawn from the 89 Regular Intake of the Nigerian Army, passed out on Saturday after completing six months of intensive military training at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Their formal induction was marked by a colourful Passing Out Parade, which showcased the skills, discipline and esprit de corps instilled during the training period.Addressing the recruits as the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the parade as a testament to their dedication, perseverance and commitment to duty.
He said their successful completion of training reflected hard work, discipline and readiness to serve the nation.The COAS said the injection of additional manpower would further strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity at a time it continues to confront evolving domestic and transnational security threats. He noted that the new soldiers would play a critical role in sustaining the Army’s combat readiness across the country.
He reminded the recruits that they had been entrusted with the sacred responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, urging them to serve with honour, courage and professionalism. According to him, their induction underscored the Army’s resolve to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended Depot Nigerian Army for its historic role in producing professional soldiers since its establishment in 1924, describing the institution as the backbone of the Army’s training system. He assured that the depot would continue to receive strong support in logistics, training infrastructure and personnel welfare to maintain its high standards.
The COAS further urged the new soldiers to uphold discipline, integrity and respect for human rights in all their operations, stressing that these values form the foundation of professional soldiering. He reminded them of the Oath of Allegiance they took, warning against any conduct that could tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army or the nation.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, and other security agencies for their support to the Nigerian Army. He also praised the Commandant, instructors and staff of Depot Nigerian Army for their dedication in training the recruits.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly inducted soldiers, their parents and guardians, and wished them safe, exemplary and fulfilling careers as they are deployed to various Army formations across the country.
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FRSC Deploys New Sector Commander to Benue
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Thursday, announced the deployment of Corps Commander (CC) Kehinde Dahunsi as new commander for the Benue Sector Command.
The announcement is contained in a statement by the Corps’ Public Relations Officer (PRO) SRC Ngozi Ahula, in Makurdi.
According to the statement, Dahunsi takes over from CC Steve Ayodele, who recently retired in line with the Corps’ administrative posting procedures.
She said that the formal handover ceremony took place on Dec. 10, at the sector’s command headquarters in Makurdi.
According to her, shortly after assuming duty, Dahunsi expressed gratitude to the Corps Marshal, for what he described as a significant vote of confidence.
She said that the new commander has pledged to prioritise enhanced operational efficiency, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and intensify public enlightenment.
He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to continuous sensitisation on safe road use, strict enforcement of traffic regulations, and sustained efforts to curb road traffic crashes within the state.
According to the PRO, the outgoing sector commander also thanked officers, Special Marshals, stakeholders, and the public for their cooperation throughout his tenure.
She said that Ayodele urged them to extend the same level of support given to him, to his successor to ensure continuity and improved service delivery.
She called on transport unions, sister security agencies, the media, and the general public to work closely with the new commander to promote safer road practices in the state.

