News

Candidates sat for WASSCE despite IPOB’s Sit-at-home directive

Published

8 months ago

May 31, 2024

The sit at home order by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) was partially observed in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states as some residents went about their normal businesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IPOB had designated every May 30, as “Biafra Hero Day Remembrance”, ordering people of the South-East to respect and observe the day by staying at home.

They called for total lockdown in the region including students sitting for the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

NAN correspondents, who monitored the level of compliance in some parts of the zone reports that their were partial compliance as some residents obeyed the order while others went about their normal businesses

In spite of few vehicular movements, students were able to sit for their mathematics examinations.

NAN also reports that state civil servants and public schools went about their normal activities while some streets, markets and shops were deserted amidst heavy presence of security agencies.

An SS3 student in Enugu, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that they went to school and those writing their Senior Secondary School Examination also sat for their exams.

The student however, regretted that most of them slept in the examination hall a day before the exam to enable them write for it.

“We wrote general mathematics both theory and objectives today. Many of us that are day students slept in the classrooms to avoid missing the examination due to the sit at home order.

“As you can see, we are done with the examination and we are going back home to meet with our families,” she said.

Another student in Awka, Anambra said that they walked to school in groups to meet up with the examination and nothing happened.

She stressed the need for parents to enrol their children in schools close to their homes in case of such eventuality.

Some civil servants in Enugu said that they went to work in line with government directives but met empty offices.

Another civil servant who work outskirts of the Enugu capital told NAN that she came out early in the morning but could not see a vehicle to convey her to the community where he was working.

She said, “I came out early this morning but there was no vehicle. I am worried because government said every civil servant must come to work today.

“I am going home, I cannot kill myself over what is not my fault,” she said sadly.

Meanwhile, some traders in Ogbete Market said the market opened but they decided to respect the Biafran fallen heroes.

They recalled the huge sacrifices these men and women from the region went through for entire people of the zone.

Mr Chukwuemeka Ifeanyi, said Biafra fallen soldiers and others killed in course of ensuring Igbo freedom deserved the respect and honour.

“I don’t want to risk my life, so I am at home celebrating the day with my friends,” he said.

It was a similar situation in Ebonyi as the streets and markets were deserted with very few shops opened for businesses.

NAN reports that the WASSCE also held in most schools without any recorded incidents in the state.

A government official who preferred anonymity, said that they had not received any outbreak of law and order in any part of the state.

NAN equally reports the state government had on May 29, urged the student to disregard the order, assuring them of their safety.

(NAN)

News

Security operatives destroy Bello Turji’s food storage facility

Published

5 minutes ago

January 19, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A school building in Fakai village, reportedly used as a food storage facility by the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, has been destroyed.

The facility, which had been stocked with large quantities of food supplies, was completely razed, leaving the structure in ruins.

According to local sources, the school was repurposed by the bandits to support their operations in the region.

It served as a key logistical hub for storing essential supplies, ensuring the group’s ability to sustain its activities over time.

The destruction of the stockpile is seen as a major setback for Bello Turji’s network. By eliminating a critical resource hub, the operation is expected to disrupt the group’s supply chain and hinder their ability to operate effectively in the area.

Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama reported that the incident underscores ongoing efforts to counter the influence and operations of bandit groups in the region.

Residents of Fakai village and surrounding areas hope this effort signals further strides toward restoring peace and security.

News

Trump launches his own meme coin, value soars

Published

10 minutes ago

January 19, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President-elect Donald Trump launched his own cryptocurrency on Friday, sparking a feverish buying that apparently sent its market capitalization soaring to several billion dollars.

In a message posted on his Truth Social platform and X, Trump unveiled the so-called meme coin, which is designed to capitalize on the popularity of a certain personality, movement or viral internet trend.

“My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! It’s time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING!” he wrote.

Meme coins have no economic or transactional value and are often seen as a means of speculative trading.

“This Trump Meme celebrates a leader who doesn’t back down, no matter the odds,” the coin’s official site says.

In the hours following the overnight launch, the crypto community posed questions about the legitimacy of the $TRUMP coin, and its actual link to the president-elect, with some fearing a scam.

But the fact that the announcements came on Trump’s official social media channels seemed to reassure the market, as did the fact that Trump has used one of the companies behind the project, CIC Digital LLC, in the past to sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

By mid-morning on Saturday, the market capitalization for $TRUMP stood at nearly $6 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.com.

Neither Trump nor the company managing the launch, Fight Fight Fight LLC, offered details about how much he made from the initial batch of meme coins released.

The coin’s official site said 200 million meme coins were issued, with Fight Fight Fight saying an additional 800 million would be added over the next three years.

Formerly a cryptocurrency skeptic, the president-elect is now a convert and has become a champion of the concept.

Before this new announcement, Trump and his sons Donald Jr. and Eric started their own crypto venture – World Liberty Financial – and other members of the incoming administration have previously disclosed investments in and backing for cryptocurrencies.

Last summer, Trump spoke at a Bitcoin conference in Nashville, where he pledged to make America “the crypto capital of the planet” once back in the White House.

The meme coin is Trump’s latest merchandise push, which recently included a line of perfumes, colognes, watches and “President Donald J. Trump First Edition” silver coins selling for $100 each celebrating his election win.

He famously used a photo of him sitting next to first lady Dr. Jill Biden at the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral to promote the cologne line.

News

IGP approves massive distribution of kits, uniforms to police officers nationwide

Published

22 minutes ago

January 19, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has again approved the distribution of new kits and uniforms to NPF personnel in the rank-and-file cadre, reaffirming his commitment to improving officers’ welfare and boosting their morale.

This initiative underscores his vision of enhancing improved working conditions and professionalism within the force.

Spokesman of the police, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, who made the disclosure, noted that the IGP expressed optimism that, with the approval of the 2025 budget, more welfare-focused projects will be implemented to further support officers in carrying out their duties effectively.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to maintaining a well-equipped and motivated workforce for the safety and security of all Nigerians,” he said.