News
Obaseki seeks arms mop-up ahead of gov poll
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, inaugurated and handed over the Forward Operating Base in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state to the military, as part of efforts to beef up security across the state.
Obaseki, at the event, called on the Nigerian Army to help mop up illegal firearms that some armed gangs and groups in the state had stockpiled ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The governor, who thanked the military for its role in strengthening the security architecture of the state and contributions to the peace enjoyed in the state, appealed for an additional Forward Operating Base in Akoko-Edo, Edo North Senatorial District of the state.
“We want to call on the military not to relent in providing security for the state, particularly in the next one month when we will be having an election in Edo State.
“We are very anxious about the accumulation of arms in some communities and fortunately for us, we have intelligence and will like you to assist us in disarming a lot of groups and gangs that pose a threat to the next election.
“The Army has been magnanimous to the state as the moment we experimented with the Forward Operating Base in Ehor, we went back to request support to build another Forward Operating Base in Sobe between Ondo and Edo State where we were being ravaged by kidnappers and bandits.
“Again, the chief was magnanimous enough to approve it and another base is being built as we speak in Sobe. These two incidents have reduced the issue of kidnapping and banditry in the southern and central parts of the state.
“We are using this opportunity of inauguration and handing over to appeal for one more base in Edo North between Ondo and Edo states, precisely at Akoko-Edo as we have a lot of kidnapping and banditry going on along that axis. The base is to serve Edo, Ondo and Kogi states.
“We are making applications to you to help us persuade the Nigerian Army to give us a base there. I thank the community for their generosity and cooperation, ensuring this becomes a reality,” Obaseki said.
In his address, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed, Lagbaja thanked the governor for his continued support and collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen Obinna Onubogu, the COAS stated, “This FOB serves to support other security agencies in the state to ensure safety and peaceful co-existence. We thank the people of the community for their collaboration and support in ensuring the success of the project. The base has drastically reduced the incidences that have been occurring on the Benin-Auchi-Ehor axis. I assure you of the continuous support of the Nigerian Army for the people to continue to enjoy peace, security, and unity in the state.”
Meanwhile, ahead of the Edo election, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), on Thursday, urged security operatives to ensure the protection of the electorate, electoral officers and others before, during and after the exercise.
A statement by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said Argungu disclosed this at the Election Security Management Symposium in Abuja.
He said, “As the nation counts down to the Edo and Ondo states governorship elections, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission has demanded the highest level of professionalism from security operatives who will be providing security services during the off-season governorship elections in the two states of Edo and Ondo states holding in September and November this year.
“DIG Argungu said the operatives, especially the Nigeria Police Force, the lead Agency in election security, must work to protect the lives and properties of citizens before, during and immediately after the elections.
“The PSC Chairman, who delivered a keynote address, said the security agencies must also ensure the safety of electoral officers and other stakeholders.”
He said they should do necessary identification, surveillance and monitoring of all known possible subversive elements, “terrorist groups, political dissidents, pressure groups and other criminal elements”.
Ani said Argungu also noted that the security personnel should, as a matter of national importance, maintain peaceful conditions, and law and order around the polling and collation centres.
“He said the staff of the commission will continue to carry out oversight functions on policemen on election duties to protect the integrity of the elections,” the statement added.
The Federal Government’s attempt to extradite pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa, from Finland to face terrorism charges in Nigeria may hit brickwall.
According to The Africa Report, this is due to Finnish legal restrictions.
The self-declared prime minister of the Biafra Government In Exile (BRIGE) was arrested alongside four others by Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over terrorism related activities.
The Finnish police said they suspect that Mr Ekpa “has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s defence chief, General Christopher Musa while reacting to the arrest, said the country will proceed to push for Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria.
While Finland has confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, the country made it clear that, according to Finnish law, the country will not extradite its nationals outside the European Union or Nordic countries.
This further complicates Nigeria’s request since there is no extradition treaty between the two countries.
Even though Finland and Nigeria are in contact, the legal framework prohibits the transfer of citizens for trial in non-EU countries.
According to reports, everything has to be done according to Finnish legislation, which has very strong protections for freedom of speech
“The issue of an extradition treaty is very fundamental. If there is no extradition treaty between the two countries, there can be no legal basis or justification for extraditing Ekpa,” a Lagos-based lawyer Festus Ogun said.
Vince Onyekwelu, former British Police Officer and National Security Risk Strategist said the chances of Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria are also slim.
Onyekwelu said while appearing on Arise TV:
“Professionally speaking, the Finnish Authorities have done their due diligence and have every right to arrest Simon Ekpa. It is left for the court to look into the request by the Chief of Defence Staff to extradite Ekpa to Nigeria. However, with the absence of an extradition treaty between Nigeria and Finland, Ekpa’s extradition will seem unlikely.”
Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state effective December 2024.
This is contained in a memo signed by the governor, following recommendations by the committee on Minimum wage constituted by the state government.
The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.
The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.
The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.
The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.
According to a statement signed by the spokesman to the governor, Mamman Mohammed, the Government expects civil servants in the state to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to ensure effective and efficient service delivery
A retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army, Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan, aged 85, is among the first set of doctoral degree students produced by the Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, disclosed this at the weekend, while briefing the press on activities to mark the 16th convocation ceremony of the university.
He said the first set of PhD holders to be produced by the institution totalled 67.
“I am happy to inform you that the university will, at this 16th convocation ceremony, graduate its first set of doctoral degree holders.
“They are 67 in number and the list included a retired Army Colonel, Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan, who is 85 years old. And he is getting his PhD in Educational Technology.
“I salute his courage and doggedness to pursue this dream of his. Even younger ones shy away from this kind of task.
27 First Class
“Also, out of the 4,140 graduating students, 27 have first class. We are also graduating 4 M.Phil, 275 Master’s degree and our best graduating student is Adedeji A. Adedamola with CGPA of 4.91.
“We are also giving honorary degrees to four distinguished Nigerians namely: Dr Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, Prince Oluyemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, Otunba Jaiyeola Wasiu and Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi,” he stated.
Prof. Banjo, who is winding down his tenure as the VC of the first university of education in Nigeria, added that some projects would be inaugurated by the Visitor, Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“We are happy to say that within the last one year, we have done some projects to add to what we have on ground. We have expanded the Medical Centre and the fund used was from our internally generated revenue.
“We are also weaning ourselves of epileptic power supply as we have our own Independent Power Project. It is 800 kva which can be scaled up.
“Even as it is, it is enough for our needs. It is less expensive than what we pay monthly as electricity bills to the power firm serving this area,” he said.
The VC also disclosed that the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, would deliver the convocation lecture titled, “From classroom to cloud: Leveraging digital literacy for national development.”
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