Facts have emerged on the reason why the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is yet to gain freedom from detention.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, at a press briefing held on Friday said he does not know Nnamdi Kanu.
ROYAL NEWS reports that the press conference was part of the Ministerial Sectoral briefing organised to mark the first year of President Bola Tinubu in office.
Fagbemi also said the case of Kanu and that of Sowore are not the same adding that “Kanu was being held under the rule of law.”
Asked why the likes of Omoyele Sowore and Sunday Igboho were released while Kanu remains in the custody of the Department of State Services, the Minister said, “Nnamdi Kanu and Sowore’s case are not the same. If I see Sowore, I don’t know him, if I see Nnamdi Kanu, I don’t know him.
“So, Nnamdi Kanu is being held under the rule of law and the court. Let’s wait for the decision of the court. No one will be held outside the laws of the country.”
The Oke-Ode Traditional Council has commended the Chairman of the Ifelodun Local Government Transition Implementation Committee (TIC), Hon. Jide Ashonibare for the role played by the Local Council Security Squad in the rescue and rehabilitation of the 12 persons who were recently abducted along the Ajasse – Ipo — Oke Ode road last Wednesday.
The abducted persons were rescued by a combined team of the Council Security Squad, the Military, VGN, and Local Hunters.
In a statement issued by its Acting Chairman, High Chief Oladosu Ekunnrin, the Oke Ode Traditional Council said that Hon. Ashonibare demonstrated true statesmanship and patriotic commitment to the welfare of the people of the Local Government by the promptness with which he took care of the rescued abductees by taking them straight to the General Hospital, Share, immediately after regaining their freedom and promptly settling their hospital bills.
High Chief Ekunnrin said that the TIC Chairman’s action has portrayed him as a true lover of his people, a conscientious leader and an exemplary politician.
He prayed for God’s continuous guidance and protection for him and other members of the TIC in all their endeavours.
AUTHORITY of National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 13 new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to be run by Kwara State University, Malete.
ROYAL NEWS reports that the approval, which was contained in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, was signed by the Acting Director of Academic Planning of the NUC, Abubakar Girei, on behalf of the Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission.
A statement signed by Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, the Ag. Director, University Relations noted that two of the programmes are at the undergraduate level while the other eleven are postgraduate programmes.
The approved undergraduate programmes are B.HIM Health Information Management and B.Sc. Development Studies while the postgraduate programmes include LL.M and Ph.D. in Common Law, LL.M. and Ph.D. in Islamic Law, and M.LIS and Ph.D. Library and Information Science.
The others are Ph.D. Human Kinetics, Ph.D. Special Education, M.Sc. Medical Laboratory Science, Masters in Public Sector Accounting, and Masters in Development Finance.
The letter stated that the programmes are to be run in full-time mode and are to commence from 2024/2025 academic session.
In his reaction to the NUC approval, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, expressed excitement at the new programmes commencing in University.
He commended the state government for the support in achieving the feat while appreciating the steadfastness of staff of the institution for the readiness to take on the new programmes and contribute more to human capital development.
The Kwara State Drug Control Committee has commenced mass mobilization and campaign to sensitize students on the dangers of drugs abuse in the society.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-lmam who disclosed this today at the sensitization programme for the students and staff of the Government Secondary School, Ilorin on the effects of drugs abuse in the Society, called on them to shun all forms of drugs abuse.
The Kwara State Director of pharmaceutical services, Pharmacist Barakat Olarewaju who represented the Commissioner for health highlighted the effects of drugs abuse which include untimely deaths and mental disorders and urged the students to desist from taking any hard drug which could destroy their lives.
Similarly, the State Drug Control Committee took the sensitization programme to Ojagboro Community in Ilorin.
Speaking at the Community, the Director of Pharmaceutical services, Pharmacist Olarewaju charged the Community Leaders to also take up the Campaign and the sensitization of youths in order to build great future leaders which is the aspiration of the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Also speaking, a member of the Committee, Alhaji Wahab Ajibola advised the youths of Ojagboro Community never to encourage the use of hard substance due to the severe consequences of such indulgence.
The Magaji of Ojagboro, khalifa Yahaya Oloro thanked the State Government for waging the war against all acts capable of destroying the lives of youths in the State and pledged the support and collaboration of the Community leaders.
The Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency ( KWASAA) has received the new General Manager of the Agency, Alhaji Al-Imam Ismaila Asukuti.
The new General Manager who thanked the Governor of kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for giving him the opportunity to serve the state as the General Manager of the Agency, sought for mutual understanding and cooperation between members of staff and the management to foster the growth and development of the Agency.
Asukuti assured the staff of his willingness to work with everyone but warned against laziness and indiscipline capable of tarnishing the image of the Agency as a revenue generating organisation.
He appealed to the field officers of the Agency to see themselves as ambassadors of the Agency while on duty, charging them to be committed to their jobs and stand firm by the rules and regulations of the Agency in its efforts at controlling and regulating billboards and signage in the State.
Receiving the new General Manager in his office, the Secretary of the Agency, Mallam Kuranga Yero pledged the support of the staff and management to the new General Manager and prayed for his success.
Officers in attendance to receive the New General Manager included the Staff Officer, Mrs Comfort Adeniyi, the CFA, Alhaja Bilqees Koroagba, the head of billing, Alhaji Abubakar Gunu and the head of procurement, Mr Mumini Baba, among others.
The Kwara State Government has again reiterated its commitment to the reclamation of all government setbacks in line with the directives of the Federal Government to enhance the aesthetics and serenity of the State.
The Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographic Information Service, ESV Abdulkareem Babatunde Sulyman made the disclosure during the ongoing reclamation of government road setbacks at Sulu Gambari Road in Ilorin, the State Capital.
The Executive Chairman who spoke through the Acting Director of Physical Planning and Development Control of the Agency, TPL. Abdulhakeem Abdulsalam maintained that the ongoing reclamation exercise was done in good fate without bias or favour.
ESV Sulyman added that, the exercise was even belated due to the magnanimity of the Kwara State Government whose counterparts in other States of the federation have embarked upon a long time ago in line with the federal government directives on “safe schools initiative”.
He further stated that, all government setbacks would be reclaimed for public benefit, stressing that, the importance of maintaining the iconic status of Ahmadu Bello Way as the seat of power could not be over emphasised.
The Executive Chairman stated that all those affected negatively by the policy, should bear it in good faith as it was in the best interest of all to enhance the aesthetics of the area and engender the security of lives and property in the State.
He therefore, appealed to the public to desist from encroaching on government set backs for commercial ventures, urging residents to comply with the removal notices given within the seven-days notice granted before demolition according to the extant laws, insisting that no illegal building will be spared no matter how highly placed the owners are.
In his own observation with the reclamation exercise, Mr. Mac Akor, a shop owner at Challenge frowned at the exercise on the grounds of poor sensitization, saying a letter was served a day before which was not enough to evacuate his property. He added that enough notice should be given before the commencement of the exercise.
Another shop owner at Ahmadu Bello Way, Mr. Bayo Olusi, expressed displeasure with the situation but said he could not blame the government for demolishing his shop.
Areas affected were Ahmadu Bello Way, Tanke Junction, Sulu Gambari Road, State library and Mount Camel School, all in Ilorin, the State Capital.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, has prayed for a successful Hajj operations for the 2024 pilgrims from the state.
He also appealed to them to offer special prayers for the nation’s peace, unity and prosperity.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari stated this in a goodwill message issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, on Sunday.
He enjoined them to see the opportunity of their visit to the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at this auspicious time as a great honour to move closer to Almighty Allah.
The Emir thanked Almighty Allah for his numerous blessings and providence on the people of Ilorin Emirate, the people of Kwara and Nigerians at large to be privileged among millions of adherents globally that will visit and worship in the Holy Land this year.
He said: “As you all depart your respectives homes with joy, please remember to pray for global peace and harmony while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“I also enjoin pilgrims from Ilorin Emirate and beyond to be good ambassadors of our dear d state and nation at large, by conducting themselves in the most peaceful manner throughout their stay.”
The emir thanked sons and daughters of Ilorin Emirate, government and people of the state for their continuous prayers and support.
He prayed Almighty Allah to grant all the pilgrims sound health and wisdom to engage in successful Hajj rites even as he wished them journey mercies throughout the period and beyond.
Prof. Aminu Salihu MikailuThe Federal Government has approved the constitution of new Governing Council for Nigerian Tertiary institutions and has appointed Professor Aminu Salihu Mikailu as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman for the University of Ilorin.
Checks by ROYAL NEWS revealed that A.S. Mikailu is a Professor of Management Accounting and Finance at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Sokoto state.
It will be recalled that ROYAL NEWS reported on Wednesday that the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, hinted that the Federal Government is working assiduously to reconstitute the governing councils of the 61 federal universities as soon as possible.
Maiyaki spoke while reacting to the two-week ultimatum issued by members of Academic Staff Union Universities (ASUU) for the government to reconstitute the governing councils earlier dissolved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu several months ago.
He further said government was working thoroughly on the list of nominees to ensure that only the best are engaged to complement the efforts of government in repositioning university education in the country.
The Management of ROYAL NEWS Online newspapers has rejoiced with Hon. Zainab Damilola Abbas and Hajia Fatimah Asabe Jiyah on their appointments as the Development Officer for Offa and Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
Recalled that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday night announced the appointment of Development Officers (DOs) for the 16 local government areas.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Administration and Technical Services, Mr. Olakunle Adeniyi, ROYAL NEWS Online described the appointees as versatile philanthropists and grassroot politicians who have contributed immensely to grassroot mobilization and human capital development.
The medium however expressed confidence in the ability of the duo of Hon. Zainab Abbas and Hajia Fatimah Asabe Jiyah to deliver on their mandates towards ensuring that the dividends of democracy are channelled to appropriate quarters within tbe localities and beyond.
“We thank His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON for appointing them and many others into their respective offices. We pray that Almighty Allah will guide them and grant them successful tenure in office”, the statement added.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja will on June 27 deliver judgment in a suit by the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha challenging the revocation of the property of the former Military Head of State in the Maitama District of Abuja.
Justice Lifu on Wednesday fixed the judgment date for the suit instituted by wife of the late General Abacha, Hajia Maryam Abacha and her eldest surviving son, Mohammed Sani Abacha.
Defendants in the suit are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Salamed Ventures Limited as 1st to 4th respectively.
The Judge fixed the date after fierce legal fireworks by Abacha family’s lawyer led by Dr Reuben Okpanachi Atabo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN and those of the defendants led by Dr James Ogwu Onoja, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Among others, the Abacha family represented by Maryam Abacha and Mohammed Sani Abacha prayed the Court to nullify and set aside the purported revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of the property of the late General Sani Abacha located in the Maitama District.
The Certificate of Occupancy marked FCT/ABUKN 2478 covering plot 3119 issued on June 25, 1993 was said by the family to have been illegally and unlawfully revoked by the defendants.
In their statement of claims, the Abacha family said that the FCT under Nasir El-Rufai had instructed them to submit the Certificate of Occupancy in their possession for re-certification.
They claimed that the 2nd plaintiff, Mohammed Sani Abacha promptly complied with the directive by delivering the Certificate of Occupancy to the FCDA and acknowledgement copy issued to him.
While waiting for a new Certificate of Occupancy to be issued to them, plaintiffs asserted that Mohammed Abacha received a letter on February 3, 2006 notifying them that the Certificate of Occupancy had been revoked without any reason adduced in the letter.
Besides the failure to give any reason for the revocation, the Abacha family alleged that adequate compensation was not paid as required by law.
The family therefore asked the Judge to declare as unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null and void and of no effect, the purported revocation of the property.
They sought order of the Court setting aside the purported revocation and holding that their Certificate of Occupancy is valid and subsisting having been revoked without payment of adequate compensation.
According to them, the Certificate of Occupancy issued to the late Head of State was maliciously revoked without legal basis or justification
The plaintiffs asked for an order of injunction prohibiting the defendants from taking any further step on the disputed revocation.
Similarly, the prayed Justice Lifu to award N500M as damages to be paid to them by the four defendants.
However, the defendants in their separate counter affidavits and preliminary objections asked for outright dismissal of the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/463/2016.
Among other reasons, the defendants claimed that the suit at the time it was instituted had become statute barred having not been filed within time allowed by law.
Although, some of the defendants were not in court at Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Lifu invoked the rule of the Court in adopting their processes already filed.
The Oke-Ode Traditional Council has commended the Chairman of the Ifelodun Local Government Transition Implementation Committee (TIC), Hon. Jide Ashonibare for the role played by the Local Council Security Squad in the rescue and rehabilitation of the 12 persons who were recently abducted along the Ajasse – Ipo — Oke Ode road last Wednesday.
The Management of ROYAL NEWS Online newspapers has rejoiced with Hon. Zainab Damilola Abbas and Hajia Fatimah Asabe Jiyah on their appointments as the Development Officer for Offa and Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State. 