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Ododo Visits Kogi Varsity, Vows to Rescue Kidnapped Students Unhurt

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Gov. Usman Ododo on Saturday expressed determination to rescue the nine abducted students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Kogi safe and sound from their abductors.

The governor made the pledge when he visited the university campus on an assessment of the security situation in the wake of the security breach on the campus that led to the abduction of the students.

Bandits had invaded the institution on Thursday night and abducted nine students, whose whereabouts still remained unknown as the assailants yet to make contact with the management of the institution.

Ododo, who was taking round the surrounding by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdulraman Asipita, vowed to secure the safe return of the students from their abductors.

“This visit is part of my concern for what happened on Thursday and to assure parents and management that every necessary step including non-kinetic measures have been activated to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.

“I hereby wish to assure members of the university community of efforts of my administration to improve the existing security architecture on the campus.

“We will do whatever it takes to return all the abducted students to the university and to reunite them with their families and friends.

“It is our duty as a government to protect lives and property in all parts of the state. We are prepared to protect the students and that is why we allowed the students to stay on the campus.

“It’s unfortunate that in spite of installed CCTV cameras in all the classrooms and the entire perimeter of the university campus the abductors still struck.

“Our investigation so far revealed that all the cameras were switched off and this can only be attributed to sabotage by internal collaborators,” he lamented.

According to him, security agencies are on their heels and that investigation is ongoing to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

He disclosed that there would be regular review of the operation as more facts emerge from the investigation.

“I am here to see things myself; to assess the situation and also to review the ongoing operation that will ensure the safe return of the students to the school. What is most important now is how to rescue our students unhurt.

“We have the right information at our disposal but we can’t put all that out in the media. I want the parents and students to be calm as we are making concerted effort to secure the return of the students,” he said.

Ododo commended the security agencies for their gallantry in minimizing the impact of the attack by preventing the attackers from gaining access to the university hostels.

“Nothing will be spared to bring back the students and to prevent a repeat of such unfortunate attack on the university campus and elsewhere in the state, ” Ododo assured. (NAN)

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EFCC Arrests 24 Suspected Internet Fraudsters

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Directorate, have arrested 24 suspected internet fraudsters.

Its Spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the suspects were arrested on Friday in Lokoja following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.

He said Items recovered from them include 30 phones, six laptops and three cars.

”The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” Oyewale said. (NAN)

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Minimum Wage: PDP Berates Kebbi Govt. for Shortchanging Workers

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kebbi, has berated the State Government for allegedly shortchanging Local Government workers after payment of Nov. salary with new minimum wage.

The Spokesperson of the PDP in the state, Alhaji Sani Dododo, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

“PDP has been keenly following trends of minimum wage payments since its formal announcement in Oct.

this year.

“It will be recalled that Gov. Nasir Idris, made a formal declaration to pay the sum of N75,000 as the new minimum wage effective Oct. 2024, for both State and Local Government Workers,” he said.

He added that unfortunately, due to some administrative limitations, local government managers and trade unions solicited for two weeks grace to harmonise their documentation.

“To our greatest dismay and after persistent delays, the local governments and teachers’ minimum wage was finally released this month but was grossly far from the approved amount of N75,000.

“This development was testified by several teachers and LG workers from across the 21 LGAs of the state,” Dododo alleged.

He also wondered why the state and local government employees would have a new minimum wage contrary to the one announced by the governor.

“We challenge the state government to dispute the fact that despite agreed minimum wage figure, the state Is still paying less than N40,000 to almost all categories of staff on Grade Level 3, 4 and 5,” he said.

The PDP imagemaker urged the state government to fulfill its promises to teachers as they played crucial role in reshaping the future of the society.

Reacting to the development in a chat with newsmen, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Alhaji Faruk Abubakar-Sadiq, called on any staff with issues relating to payments to formally ledge complaints withe Ministry for Local Government.

“Any staff with complaints regarding omission or underpayment should lodge his/her complaints to the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through their respective Directors of Finance and Supply.

“These complaints will be forwarded to the ministry for necessary action,” the chairman assured.

The NULGE boss expressed deep gratitude to Gov. Nasir Idris for his timely approval and implementation of the new minimum wage for all staff in the State Local Government Service.

Abubakar-Sadiq described the gesture as a testament to Gov. Idris’ unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of workers across the state.

He assured the members of the unions that the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was committed to addressing any reasonable complaints arising from the payments.

The NULGE chairman spoke on behalf of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Medical Health Workers of Nigeria. (NAN)

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Lagos Govt. Gives Island Residents 2-week Ultimatum over Environmental Issues 

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The Lagos State Government, through its relevant agencies, on Friday, issued a two-week ultimatum to residents of Lagos Island to clean up their environment.

The move aims at addressing growing environmental concerns, including blocked drainage systems, indiscriminate waste disposal, and illegal constructions.

The agencies are Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), office of drainage services and water resources and office of environment services, both from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

Speaking at a sensitisation forum with the residents, the General Manager,  LASBCA, Mr Gbolahan Oki, said there would be strict enforcement on illegal and unauthorised building activities, particularly those encroaching on drainage channels.

Oki said, “the nonchalant attitude of some Lagos Island residents towards environmental issues is unacceptable. We are issuing a two-week ultimatum for immediate improvement.

“We have observed numerous instances of illegal constructions, such as shops built on top of drainage systems and shops spilling onto roads.

“Additionally, many residents use their cars as makeshift shops, causing traffic congestion and obstructing pedestrian walkways.

“The Lagos State Government will no longer tolerate such disregard for environmental regulations. We have issued a stern warning to all offenders and will take necessary enforcement actions.’’

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mr Mahmood Adegbite, urged residents of Lagos Island to have a change of attitude toward infrastructure, particularly regarding waste disposal.

He urged them to clear their drains and avoid dumping waste into them, adding that the government planned to expand roads and drainage channels.

Adegbite called on the community to work together with the government to improve the local environment and maintain the new infrastructure.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environment Services, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, also urged the residents to cooperate and change their behaviours, particularly regarding waste disposal.

He told the people that the government would be implementing projects to mitigate flooding risks and enhance the overall environment.

He encouraged the residents to work with the government and ensure responsible waste disposal, using authorised disposal services, and avoid littering drainage systems.

Tajudeen emphasised the importance of these measures for public health and safety, saying that improper waste disposal could contribute to waterborne diseases and other health issues.

The Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr Folawiyo Muibi, appealed to residents to refrain from dumping refuse into the drainages and maintain a clean environment.

He urged them to also seek assistance from the council if they needed help with waste disposal or other related issues.

Muibi expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for the planned road infrastructure improvements on Lagos Island East LCDA.

He highlighted the significance of these projects for the community and emphasised the importance of community cooperation to ensure their successful implementation.

The Community Development Committee Chairman, Lagos Island, Chief Elemoro Martins, expressed support for the government’s initiative to improve the environment on Lagos Island.

 He also recognised the importance of community engagement in achieving this goal and pledged to convey the message to residents. (NAN)

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