• 

The Nigerian Army has deployed its men to the South-west to compliment efforts of the Nigerian Police in combating different security challenges in the region.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj. Gen. Anthony Omozeje, said this Thursday in Akure while inaugurating a reconstructed road at the 32 Artillery Brigade.

Omozeje, who pointed out that the Nigerian Police leads on issues of internal security, explained that the deployment would assist in combating security challenges in the South-west.

“The Army has already deployed its men to the South-west. The division covers six states in the region.

“We are conducting various operations across the region. So, whatever the police is doing, we are complimenting their efforts because in internal security, the police takes the lead,” he said.

The GOC lauded the Ondo State Government for constructing the new road in the barracks in recognition of the role of the military in providing security for the people of the state.

“The road we are commissioning today is the contribution of the state government in recognition of the role that the military is playing in providing security for the people and supporting the government to function.

“This will impact on the welfare of the officers and troops of this brigade, and it will also have multiple effects on their ability and capacity to deliver on our statutory mandate. “The welfare is the key aspect, it is the effort of the brigade commander to secure the complex and beautify the brigade environment,” the GOC said.

Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, said men of the Nigerian Army had sacrificed a lot and deserved better working environment.

Ajayi said the state government would continue to support all security agencies in the state to have a peaceful environment.

He noted that the military was doing better in the current civilian dispensation than when the military governed the country.

Thisday

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The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, has said he was never attacked by Fulani bandits.

The Personal Assistant to the CAN President, Rev. Paul Jenfa, said the clarification became necessary following a misrepresentation in a recent media report.

Jenfa clarified that Ayokunle was not the victim in the incident which he reportedly recounted in the media report.

He said Ayokunle only made reference to the case of a Lagos-based Baptist Church pastor, who was attacked by Fulani bandits in Maya, a town between Iseyin and Abeokuta, while returning from Okeho where he attended the burial programme of his father.

Jenfa clarified that in response to a question on whether he believed the explanation by the authorities that foreigners were responsible for the kidnappings in the country, Ayokunle said, “I am not part of the law enforcement agents. (But what I know is what practically happened to me).

“On June 14, 2019, I was at Okeho, Ayetoro to preach at the burial of the father of one of my pastors. On June 15, he returned to his base in Lagos. On the way, between Iseyin and Abeokuta in the Maya area, herdsmen attempted abducting him and others in the vehile.

“It was just God’s grace and anointing that didn’t allow herdsmen to finish them or take them away.

“People gave him gifts, including money, which they (the herdsmen) saw in the vehicle, and that was why he was not abducted. They were satisfied with the money in the vehicle.

“One of them (herdsmen) put a gun to the head of the pastor; the pastor thought the end had come.

“The abductors; does it matter whether they are foreigners or citizens within the country? They are criminals fomenting trouble and making life difficult for others.”

• 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has assured free flow of traffic on the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway during the Eid-el-Kabir.

FRSC Lagos state Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje, who gave the assurance in an interview on Tuesday, said no traveller will be stranded or sleep on the highway. Omeje applauded the federal government’s decision postponing a planned closure of the expressway for repairs during the period.

Federal Controller of Works in Lagos state, Adedamola Kuti, had announced that the closure of the expressway has been moved from August 3 to September 2 because of the heavy traffic anticipated during Sallah.

The FRSC commander said they have mobilised officials from all the commands within the state to camp at Ojodu, from where they will be deployed early for duties at the highways. He said that the corps would extend their services till 10 pm while arrangement has been made for security back up on the road.

To complement efforts of the corps, Omeje advised motorists to maintain lane discipline and shun over-speeding to avoid crashes on the highway during Sallah. He stressed that lane discipline, obedience to traffic rules and signs are crucial while driving on highways, especially during the busy period of festivity and appealed to drivers to obey laid down traffic signs, maintain lane discipline and shun stopping at unauthorised places to pick passengers.

“We have started our enlightenment campaigns at various motor parks to ensure we do not record crashes. We have been talking to motorists on the need to obey the rules and regulations and to drive within the stipulated speed limits. “They should shun overloading and drunk driving. Though it is the time of merriment, people must know that drinking and driving at a time is illegal,’’ he said. (NAN)

• 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has demanded the immediate release of the organiser of Revolution Now, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, and other protesters who were arrested in different states on Monday for taking to the streets.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, the General Secretary NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said the attack and arrests of the protesters was a violation of fundamental human rights as contained in the
Nigerian constitution.

Ozo-Eson who said the constitution does not empower soldiers to attack peaceful protesters as they have no role whatsoever in the management of civil protests, called on the Federal Government to them to order.

According to him, Sowore and the Revolution Now protesters were not in any way threat to the country, but concerned Nigerians who took the bold steps on behalf of other Nigerians to demand for good governance from a democratically elected government.

In his words; “It is with deep consternation that we view the attacks and arrests of peaceful protesters in some parts of the country by security agencies and military personnel on Monday during a protest by some Nigerians in Lagos, Osogbo, Ibadan, Abuja and other cities.

“There is nowhere in our constitution or laws that the security agencies are empowered to so brazenly attack peaceful protests and hound its organisers into detention as the right to peaceful protests, assembly and association is fully guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under sections 39 and 40.

“We view the violent attack on the peaceful protesters by security forces as a total violation of the fundamental rights of not just the protesters but all Nigerian citizens as guaranteed by the constitution as well as various reported judgements of our Courts.
”
Besides, peaceful protests against bad governance or perceived anti-people government policies is one of the critical fundamental rights that expands the entrenchment and growth of democracy and our security agencies must not be allowed to continue to portray themselves as anti-democracy forces as the Monday attacks so clearly demonstrated.

“We also view the midnight arrest of one of the organisers of the protests, Mr. Omoyele Sowore as an afront on his fundamental rights as well as our collective rights to freedom of expression and association as enshrined in all the international and national instruments that strengthens democracy.

“His continued detention by the State Security Service lacks any justification as his actions were not in any way threats to the sovereignty of Nigeria nor the democratically constituted government of Nigeria. He was just one out of several Nigerians demanding for good governance being the minimum demand citizens can make from a government they democratically elected. Mr. Sowore and other protesters were not carrying arms against the state and we therefore demand their immediate release unconditionally

• 

A nine-year-old Nigerian boy has become a reference point after spending 12 days at a boot camp.

As reported by the CNN, Basil Okpara Jr. is currently building a hide-and-seek game, using a free programming application called Scratch 2.

The programming application allows users to create games, animations, and stories whether they are online or offline.

“So far, Basil has used it to generate more than 30 mobile games,” the medium stated.

The young boy told the CNN, “I learned how to build games at a boot camp. Now, I build to keep me busy when I am bored.”

Basil learnt his skills in March, when his father signed him up for a five-day boot camp for children aged 5 to 15.

The camp was organised by Codefest International.

According to the organisers, 30 children aged 5-15 attended the event at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Festac, a suburb of Lagos, from April 15 to April 26, with the grand finale on April 27

• 

The Federal Government has warned that the incessant and unjustifiable killing of Nigerians in South Africa will no longer be tolerated “as Nigerians are already running out of patience with the increasing scourge.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who handed down the warning in Abuja on Wednesday, stated that the xenophobic attacks had reached the tipping point.

Addressing journalists on the increasing attacks against Nigerians in the former apartheid enclave, Dabiri-Erewa stated, “We are reaching a tipping point where one more death of a Nigerian in South Africa will be unbearable to Nigerians. Nigerians are all angry that any more killing of any Nigerian in South Africa will not be tolerated.”

She disclosed that 118 Nigerians had been killed as of 2016 in South Africa, adding that between 2016 till date, an additional 88 Nigerians had been killed in the country.

She called for a thorough investigation into the killings to bring the perpetrators to book.

The NIDCOM boss, however, lamented that some Nigerians have contributed to the attacks as some of the recent killings had been attributed to Nigerians killing their compatriots.

She also called for more investigation into the killing of the deputy Director General of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Mrs. Elizabeth Ndubuisi-Chukwu.

“I want to assure you that high-level diplomatic efforts between the Nigerian government and the government of South Africa are ongoing to resolve the matter; we can still make diplomacy work,” the NIDCOM Chairman stated.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of South African police officers, a former Big Brother Nija reality show housemate, Tayo Faniran, decried his bitter experience in the country.

He attributed xenophobic attacks in the country to lack of information, noting that “many of the South Africans feel they are entitled to hate Nigerians, but with adequate support and cooperation, xenophobia can be eradicated.”

Commenting on the situation, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Danielson Akpan, said Nigerian students would not sit idly by and watch the dastardly acts of violence continue.

He said, “We have seen the helplessness of the South African government in reining in their citizens and wish to condemn in unambiguous terms the continued pampering of those involved.

“Every nation has her own internal crisis hence no citizen of other nation should be sacrificed for criminal activities of South Africans or any other.

“Since the economic prosperity of Nigerians can no longer be tolerated and their lives secured in South Africa, there’s no need also to condone the continued flourishing of South African businesses and her citizens in Nigeria.

“We, therefore, wish to officially ask all South African-owned businesses in Nigeria to relocate in the next seven days.”

But Abike-Dabiri prevailed on the student leader to shelve the idea, arguing that diplomacy could still provide the solution to the problem, adding that there was no point in taking actions that could escalate the problem.

Punch

• 

Juventus have accepted Tottenham’s €70 million (£65m/$78m) bid for striker Paulo Dybala, sources tell Goal.

The player is now set for talks with Spurs over contract terms as a move to the Premier League grows closer.

Dybala has seen his future called into question after he took on a diminished role with Juventus last season following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Argentina international scored 10 goals in all competitions for Juve in 2018-19, down from 26 the previous season.

Dybala has been linked with a move to Manchester United, but talks over a swap deal involving Dybala and Romelu Lukaku have now ended, with Inter back in position to land the Belgian.

Mario Mandzukic was also involved in those discussions, but the Croatian is now unlikely to move to Old Trafford following the breakdown of talks between United and Juventus.

For Spurs, Dybala’s arrival would be a major statement following the cash infusion they gained from reaching last season’s Champions League final.

Tottenham have already made two signings this summer: Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon and Jack Clarke from Leeds, though Clarke has been loaned back to the Championship side for 2019-20.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are angling to make more additions ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline, and Dybala isn’t the only big name who could potentially arrive in north London.

Tottenham have emerged as one of the only options for Philippe Coutinho, whom Barcelona are looking to offload ahead of the new season.

Spurs are keen on the Brazilian, with Christian Eriksen about to enter the final year of his contract and a renewal appearing unlikely

• 

The police have arrested one Abdulrazaku Muazu, 30, for allegedly kidnapping a woman and cattle rustling in the Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Muazu, who hails from Dangaru village, was arrested following reports linking him to the crimes.

The police said investigation led to the recovery of a locally-made gun from the suspect’s hideout.

It was gathered that other members of his gang were still at large.

Trouble started when a 60-year-old cattle herder in the Bare-Barin Tambarmi Fulani settlement, Mallam Dikko Musa, reported to the police that his wife was kidnapped and 19 cows and nine sheep were rustled from his herd in two separate incidents.

Musa told the police that around 2.30pm on June 25, 2019, members of the gang invaded his house within the settlement to perpetrate the act.

The victim identified the suspect as one of those who carried out the attack.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Lawal Bello, told a Katsina Senior Magistrates’ Court that the suspect, along with others still at large, committed the offences, which contravene sections 97, 6(B), 1(2) (a)(b) of the Robbery and Fire Arms Special Provisions Act, Cap R11, LFN, 2004; and 274 of Penal Code Law as well as 27(1) (c) (i) of the Fire Arms Act, Cap F28, LFN, 2004.

The suspect was charged with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.

Muazu reportedly told the police that he used the weapon to hunt although he admitted that he did not have a licence for it.

He will remain in prison custody till September 12, 2019, when his case will come up for mention before Senior Magistrate Fadile Dikko.

• 

The Managing Director of Polaris Bank Mr Tokunbo Abiru, has charged the bank’s newly hired employees on the need to be professional in the discharge of their responsibilities as a key ingredient for a successful banking career.

Abiru gave the charge at the weekend in Lagos while speaking at the graduation ceremony of Polaris Graduate Intensive Training (PGIT). Addressing the new staff who were enrolled through the bank’s graduate trainee program, Abiru counselled that upholding professionalism in their respective assignments is the route to contributing to national development through their banking career.

“You have been trained to be professionals and leaders who will make the difference in whatever area of the bank you are deployed to. You are undergoing today’s graduation not because we sought to do you a favour, but because you emerged successful from among thousands of Nigerians that sat for the same examination. The bank places a high premium on staff training and manpower development as a way of building an informed and competent workforce to enable the employees excel in their assigned tasks.

The Polaris Bank boss advised the new management trainees to be innovative, saying “given the knowledge and experience of the resource persons that you interacted with during this last few weeks, I’m assured that you have acquired positive learnings and memories that would create the foundation of the career that you are about to start.”

Abiru added that the future of work is changing because “we live in a fast-paced era, the bank of the future is, therefore, one that harmonises the strength of its traditional background and combines it with the customer-centric model of the new players; it is one that shifts its focus from trading and wholesale banking to retail banking as this has proven to reduce costs.”

• 

An Abuja Federal High Court will, on Thursday, rule in the application filed by the Department of State Service (DSS), seeking an order to detain Mr. Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC)’s presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, for 90 days pending the conclusion of its investigation.

In an exparte order with number: FHC/ABJ/CS/915/19, Counsel to the DSS, G. O. Agbadua, told Justice Taiwo Taiwo that a video clip evidence was also attached to the application.

He urged the judge to grant the application seeking to detain the publisher of Sahara Reports beyond 48 hours as required by the law.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Sowore, the Convener of #RevolutionNow protests, was on Aug. 3 arrested by the security outfit and moved to Abuja on Aug. 4 for the protests he intended to hold across the country.

Justice Taiwo, who adjourned the matter until Aug. 8, said the development was to enable him watch the video clip before delivering his ruling.

NAN