31/03/23

Shina J.O

Over 19 persons have been arrested by Police operatives in the Federal Capital Territory in connection with the renewed protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria otherwise called Shiites over the travel ban on their leader Ibrahim El-zakzaky.

In a statement signed by the FCT Police Command Public Relations officer Josephine Adeh said over 400 members of the group take to the streets of Abuja to protest the Federal High Court ruling over the release of the International Passport of Sheikh Ibraheem El-zakzaky.

The statement said the members of the proscribed group staged a protest from Federal High Court to Eagle Square blocking roads, deliberately inconveniencing members of the public, especially commuters, and demanding the immediate release of their leader’s International Passport.

The statement said Upon receiving distress calls from residents apprehensive of their safety, Police operatives were deployed to the scene to support officers already on the ground monitoring the procession.

It also said that On sighting the reinforcement team, members of the IMN started throwing stones, Molotov cocktails, and other dangerous objects at the officers.

The unlawful procession was dispersed using minimal force while nineteen (19) suspects were arrested and will be charged to court following due process of the law.

The FCT Command has assured residents of its commitment to security, safety, and peace within the capital territory as observation and monitoring continued

Shina J.O

30/03/23

Tributes have continued to go out to Nollywood actor Yul Edochie and wife May Edochie who lost their 16 year old first son Kambilichukwu Leo Edochie to the cold hands of death on Wednesday March 29th 2023.

Kambilichukwu was said to have read all night on Tuesday in preparation for his exam on Wednesday.

After his exam, Kambilichukwu alongside his friends while playing football slumped and was unconscious before he was taken to a nearby hospital for quick medical attention.

Unfortunately effort to revive him proved abortive as young Kambilichukwu was confirmed dead by the medical doctors on duty at the facility he was taken to.

Recall earlier in January the Nollywood actor Yul Edochie and his first wife May, celebrated Kamibilichukwu’s 16th birthday; showering him with encomiums and blessings.

Nigerian celebrities such as Eedris Abdulkareem, Destiny Etiko, Lanre Makun have among others have taken to their Instagram pages to commiserate with the Edochie family.

Viewers Discrection Advised Please

30/03/23

Shina J.O

CHILD ABUSE

A Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court, Wednesday, remanded a 57- year-old woman, Ahemen Jam in prison for alleged criminal conspiracy, assault and causing grievous hurt on her help.

Ahemen Jam and her son Ornguga are accused of beating the minor and inflicting burns from a hot pressing iron to his buttocks.

The matter was adjourned to May 17th for futher mention.

Gruesome pictures of Aondonenge Jam a minor from Konshisha local government area of Benue State physical abused with burn like wounds on his buttocks believed to be inflicted by a hot pressing iron has continued to create quite a stir on social media.

Aondonenge was living with his uncle and family around international Market within Makurdi metropolis when the worrisome assault occurred by his uncle’s wife and her grown son that’s Aondonenge’s cousin.

However when apprehended Aondonenge’s aunt denies any involvement but rather pins it on her son who is now at large.

A disturbing incident chairman medical advisory committee if the Benue State University teaching hospital worries could cause emotional physical and psychological damage to the victim.

While Aondonenge baby brother and mother keep him company as he recuperates,his aunt of course remanded but his older cousin who reportedly carried out most of the assault is still freely going about his normal business which is most unsettling.

28/03/23

Shina J.O

PRESS RELEASE

The United States government has announced an increment for its non-migrant visa application fee effective from May 30, 2023

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the U.S. government, the changes are in line with the Department of State’s commitment to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States for both immigrant and non-immigrant travellers.

“The Department of State published a Final Rule regarding increases to certain non-immigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees and the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for Mexican citizens age 15 and over.

“These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023, and will be effective on May 30, 2023.

“The fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from 160 dollars to 185 dollars,” it stated.

The mission said that the fee for certain petition-based non-immigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) would increase from 190 dollars to 205 dollars.

“The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a speciality occupation (E category) will increase from 205 dollars to 315 dollars.

“NIV fees are set based on the actual cost of providing NIV services and are determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services

“The Department uses an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) methodology to calculate, annually, the cost of providing consular services, including visa services.

“The fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014,” it stated.

According to the mission, other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors.

“The U.S. government also noted that visas for work and tourism are essential to President Biden’s foreign policy, recognising the critical role international travel plays in the U.S. economy” it stated.

30/03/ 23

Shina J. O

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 35 lives were lost in two road crashes in Kebbi between March 26 and 27 in the state.

The State Sector Commander of the Corps, Yusuf Haruna-Aliyu, made the disclosure to journalists in Binrin Kebbi

He said that 40 lives rescued sustained varying degree of injuries in the accidents which involved 75 persons and three vehicles.

” Twelve persons lost their lives in fatally motor accident involving two vehicles along Kalgo- Bunza road on March 26 while 23 persons lost their lives in a truck from Illela heading to Ibadan along Jega- Koko road on March 27, and the truck was carrying assorted grains and people on top.

“The rescued survivors have been taken to general hospital in Kalgo and Jega local government areas, respectively,” he said.

“All of these accidents are caused by overloading, over- speeding and used of expired tyres,” he said.

He than cautioned motorists, especially commercial vehicle operators to shunned over- speeding and using of expired tyres to enhance safety on the road.

The sector commander also warned against use of illicit substances by drivers, saying passengers should not fold their arms and watch drivers recklessly driving them.

29/03/23

Shina J.O

The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed a plot “by some key players” to install an interim government and stop Bola Ahmed Tinubu from being inaugurated as president.

According to the DSS, the plot includes embarking on violent protests nationwide to engineer the declaration of a state of emergency as well as security frivolous court injunctions to stall the inauguration, the DSS said.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, by Peter Afunanya, the public relations officer of the secret Police.

The read in part that, “The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria.
The Service considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.

The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace loving Nigerians.
This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country.” End of quote.

There have been agitations for Tinubu, the president-elect, not to be inaugurated on May 29, 2023 based on complaints by his opponents of the presidential election.

Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), specifically called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Olukayode Ariwoola, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), not to inaugurate Tinubu, tagging it an “illegality”.

Some demonstrators also went to the defence headquarters building in Abuja on Tuesday to protest the outcome of the presidential election in what might be understood as an invitation for military intervention.

Afunanya alleged that some protests are being sponsored.
The planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency.
Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.

Afunanya added that the DSS supports the President and Commander-in-Chief in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction.
It also supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the States. It will collaborate with them and sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inaugurations come 29th May, 2023.

Consequently, the Service strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations.

Stakeholders, notably judicial authorities, media and the Civil Society, are enjoined to be watchful and cautious to avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation.

While its monitoring continues, the DSS will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements to frustrate their obnoxious intentions.

28/03/23

Shina J.O

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and President-Elect, Bola Tinubu as he clocks 71 on March 29, 2023, with history beckoning to lead the country from May 29th.

The President joins members of the President-Elect’s family, especially his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, business partners and political associates in celebrating the remarkable age, heralded with many years of experience and achievements in the private and public sectors, which prepared him for the historic win on February 25, 2023.

President Buhari in a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity Femi Adesina on Tuesday says he believes Tinubu’s warmth, friendliness and generosity has set the pace for a network of friends, home and abroad, that will shape his presidency with requisite expertise to guide the economy, and consolidate on the investments of past leaders, particularly in people-first development and infrastructure.

As the President-Elect prepares to take over mantle of leadership at 71, the President affirmed that his political pedigree from the 90’s, active role in party politics, being elected Senator and later Governor of Lagos State, and diligent involvement in structure of leadership at the Executive and Legislative levels for many years, will serve as asset for good and effective governance.