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El-Rufai Visits Former Chief of Staff at Kaduna Correctional Facility

Published

2 months ago

January 3, 2025

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday visited the Kaduna State Correctional Service Facility to see his former Chief of Staff, Bashir Saidu, who is currently in custody over allegations of money laundering and other charges.

El-Rufai arrived at the facility around 10:19 am, accompanied by three of his former commissioners: Jafaru Sani (Education), Hafsat Baba (Human Services and Social Development), and Ibrahim Hussaini (Environment). The visit lasted less than 30 minutes, with the former governor departing at 10:47 am.

Bashir Saidu, who held various key positions during El-Rufai’s administration, including Commissioner of Local Government Affairs and Commissioner of Finance, faces serious allegations of financial misconduct.

He is accused of laundering ₦3.9 billion and misappropriating ₦244 million. The charges also include a claim that he sold $45 million belonging to the Kaduna State Government in 2021 at an exchange rate of ₦410 per dollar, significantly below the market rate of ₦498 per dollar, resulting in a shortfall of ₦3.9 billion.

Saidu was arrested on Monday and arraigned before a magistrates’ court in Rigasa, which ordered his remand in custody pending further investigations.

Dressed in a green cap and light green agbada, El-Rufai declined to address journalists who approached him after the visit. He quickly entered a vehicle in his convoy and left the facility without making any public statement.

This visit underscores the close association between the former governor and his embattled ally, raising questions about potential political implications as investigations continue.

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Diphtheria: Reps Direct Education Ministry Education To Strengthen Health, Safety Protocols In Unity Schools

Published

1 hour ago

March 12, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Education to take immediate and decisive measures to

strengthen health and safety protocols in all federal unity colleges, with particular

attention to addressing the situation at King’s College.

Th House also applauded the Lagos State Government, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and other health authorities for their swift and commendable response, and encourage continued collaboration

between federal and state agencies to safeguard the health and well-being of

students.

This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent Public Importance by Rep. Akin Rotimi on “THE OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA IN KING’S COLLEGE, LAGOS”, on Tuesday at plenary.

The House also called upon the Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the NCDC to intensify diphtheria vaccination and awareness campaigns in schools across the country to prevent future outbreaks.

The House also direct the Federal Ministry of Education to undertake an urgent and comprehensive review of health infrastructure in unity colleges and establish a clear and effective

framework for responding to infectious disease outbreaks in educational institutions.

In his lead debate, Rep. Rotimi expressed deep concern over the incident, citing significant lapses in infection prevention and control measures in federal unity colleges.

The lawmaker called for urgent action to address the recent diphtheria outbreak at King’s College in Lagos, which resulted in the death of a 12-year-old student and hospitalized several others.

He noted that the outbreak exposes the Federal Ministry of Education’s responsibility to ensure the health and safety of students in its institutions.

According to him, the data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), shows 24,804 confirmed cases of diphtheria across 25 states in Nigeria between week 19 of 2022 and week 04 of 2025, resulting in 1,269 fatalities across 18 states.

The House further directed the NCDC to establish and implement a structured disease surveillance system within all federal unity colleges to ensure early detection and rapid response

to infectious disease outbreaks.

Members also recommended that the Federal Government provide appropriate compensation to the family of the deceased student, in recognition of the tragic loss suffered and the duty of care owed to students in federal institutions.

The House observe a moment of silence in honour of the deceased student and extend

heartfelt condolences to his family and the King’s College community.

The lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its committees on Health and Basic Education to engage with

relevant agencies, including the NCDC, to assess and enhance infection prevention andemergency response measures in federal schools.

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SAD! Angry fan k!lls female influencer during live stream

Published

3 hours ago

March 12, 2025

Naijablitznews

Tokyo police are investigating the tragic killing of a 22-year-old female influencer who was fatally stabbed during a live stream on a public street.

The horrifying incident, which unfolded in real time, left viewers in shock as they witnessed the attack before the screen went dark.

According to local media reports on Wednesday, the suspect, a 42-year-old man believed to be a longtime follower of the influencer, was arrested at the scene. Investigators found multiple stab wounds on the victim’s body, including injuries to her head and neck.

Eyewitnesses reported that the influencer was engaging with her audience when she suddenly screamed for help. Moments later, sirens could be heard in the background as emergency responders arrived.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect had been following the influencer’s content for years and may have deliberately tracked her movements based on details she shared about the live-stream. Authorities believe the attack was premeditated.

The suspect reportedly claimed that he had lent the influencer two million yen (approximately $13,450) but had not been repaid. Police are currently verifying his claims as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities are urging social media users to exercise caution regarding their online interactions and personal security.

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Security operatives chase away thugs from PDP HQ amid leadership crisis

Published

4 hours ago

March 12, 2025

Naijablitznews

Operatives of the Police, Department of State Service, and Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, on Wednesday, cleared thugs from the Peoples Democratic Party’s headquarters in Abuja.

A party source, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to fear of victimisation, revealed to The PUNCH on Wednesday that the thugs were reportedly recruited to block members of the National Working Committee from entering the party headquarters for their meetings.

The crisis within the PDP has deeply affected all party organs, with recent developments seeing Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye both claiming the position of PDP National Secretary.

While the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary, Anyanwu took the matter to the Supreme Court.

As a result, the Supreme Court reserved its judgment on Monday, with the date to be communicated to the parties involved.

“The party staff, with the support of security personnel, confronted the thugs and dispersed them,” the source said.

At the party’s national headquarters, a reporter from The PUNCH noticed a heavy presence of security personnel.

Around six Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC vans were stationed near Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

The Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, is currently leading the NWC meeting, with Ude-Okoye attending as the National Secretary.

Details shortly…