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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State says none of its members has joined any other political party in the last two years.
The party said on Sunday that, on the contrary, it had become the new bride in the state as some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some others defected to its fold.
The state Chairman of the party, Dr Ben Nwoye, made the claim in Aguobu-Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state, when a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the state, Chief Joe Mmamel, defected to the APC from the PDP.
According to Nwoye, the clarification had become necessary following a recent claim by the PDP that some APC members defected to its fold.
Newsmen report that the state PDP, at a recent zonal meeting in Awgu, announced the defection of 5,000 members of the APC into its fold.
At the meeting, the defectors wielded brooms which they finally dropped and pledged allegiance to the PDP.
Nwoye, however, claimed that the action was a panic measure adopted by the state PDP.
"They have two factions; so, what happened there was phony – PDP members defecting between their factions.
"There were no faces known to us as our members but we have real PDP members defecting to our party," Nwoye said.
Also reacting, a former governor of the state under the PDP, Mr Sullivan Chime, who now belongs to APC, said: "We need to tell our people the truth because the game of politics has changed.
"When PDP was on ground, there was no other viable party in the state.
"Other political parties always joined our campaign train but what we hear today is that some people were given brooms to declare for PDP.
"Not a single person was identified as an APC member."
The former governor said that he declared for the APC in his ward, urging that whoever desired to change political party should not hide his identity.
"I declared for APC publicly in my ward. Former Senate President, Dr Ken Nnamani, and some others did the same thing.''
Chime said that the APC had come to stay in the state.
"This is order by Nnamdi Kanu: No shop must be opened in Nnewi on 30th May," "Everybody must sit at home" and "We are here to tell the world that we are ready to go" were among the comments by over a hundred Biafra supporters in Anambra who, as shown in the video clip, converged at the Central Church, Nnewi "on evangelization for the up-coming 30th May, 2017 Biafra Day Remembrance celebration."
It’s happening May 21st 2017 in Biafra land,IPOB nnewi at central church on evangelism for 30th of May sit at home evangelism, #Biafraexitpic.twitter.com/AyfaNu625c
Alhaji Sani Shehu, President, Miners Association of Nigeria, has advised the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to release part of the N30 billion mining intervention fund for the purchase of mining equipment.
Shehu told newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, that part of the fund should be utilised for the purpose as soon as the Federal Government released it.
He said that miners did not have the equipment for mining because of the high cost of the machine.
"Miners could not afford to purchase even one of the equipment needed for mining.
" We need modern mining equipment; the ministry must take into consideration the need to support miners with necessary equipment to meet up with the mining global best practices," he said,
He urged the ministry to translate and sustain the fund and the 150 million dollars World Bank loan recently approved for the sector, when released.
He said for Nigeria to breakthrough and compete with other mining countries, adequate funds and equipment were required, urging the government to release more funds for the sector."
"The N30 billion and the 150 million dollars World Bank loan are like drop in the ocean, compared to serious mining development."
He said as pary of efforts to increase mining activities in the country, the association had approached the Nigeria Export- Import Bank (NEXIM) and Bank of Industry to access loans for its members.
The minister of mines and steel development said that the N30 billion Fund would soon be released by the ministry of finance.
The fund would be drawn from the 1.6 per cent natural resource fund domiciled in the Federation Account for the development of agriculture, mining and water resources sectors.
The fund was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari during the Federal Executive Council meeting (FEC) in October 2016.
The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) has said that it is not part of, and will not participate in a planned celebration of the Biafra Remembrance Day on another date, May 22, by a group called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) led by Chief Ralph Uwuazrurike, saying the date is not the original remembrance day for Biafra.
A statement by MASSOB's factional leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, distanced MASSOB from the Uwazuruike's group while urging its supporters to rather troop out en mass on May 30 which is the real Biafra Remembrance Day and shun that of May 22.
"We have reiterated our solemn oath taking for actualization and restoration of an independent Republic of Biafra, we reassure the people of Biafra that actualization and restoration of Biafra is sacrosanct and sacred.
Members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during their rally to mark the 17th anniversary of the movement.
"Every aspect of Biafra struggle must abhor deceit, self glorification, tribal/religious sentiments and love for mundane things.
"MASSOB also reiterates our earlier position that we are not attached to any group called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM). MASSOB is not BIM. Also the so called BIM can never be MASSOB. MASSOB collaborates and works with other genuine pro "Biafra groups like IPOB, Lower Niger Congress, Eastern Peoples Congress, Biafra Peoples National Council, Joint Revolutionary Council and AFRA Descendants. The people of Biafra should disregard the false information that MASSOB will observe Biafra day on May 22, 2017.
"MASSOB declares full and total support for sit at home exercise for all Biafrans on 30th May, 2017 as a mark of respect and honour to our gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians that sacrificed their precious lives for establishment of Biafra during the bloody genocidal war against the people of Biafra in 1967–1970.
"We must continue to remember, honour and celebrate the gallantry and braveness of Biafra soldiers whom the whole world was astonished for their military exploits during Nigeria Biafra war. Their bravery, military excellence, consistency, technological exploits and intelligence can never be forgotten or silenced.
"MASSOB wishes to inform the people of Biafra that we don't have any Biafra anniversary program on 22 May, 2017. Our Biafra anniversary program is on 30th May, 2017 which is Biafra day.
"The sit-at-home exercise calls for sober reflection on the way forward, it calls for individual and family prayers for speedy actualization and restoration of Biafra. It will also reflect on building synergy and cohesion among the Pro Biafra groups for the preparation for the coming referendum.
"The golden jubilee celebration of Biafra declaration anniversary will be golden and superlative. It will be a moment of sober reflection among the Biafra agitators.
"The commemoration of the anniversary celebration will bring more unifying forces of non violence for speedy actualization and restoration of Biafra. Different activities of all pro Biafra groups that will recharge the consciousness of Biafra must be channelled towards popular civil disobedience program that will immensely attract the attention of the international communities towards Biafra actualization and restoration.
"We are aware that Nigeria security agents are not comfortable about the coming anniversary. MASSOB is also aware that security agents will exhibit their jittery and fears mostly the overzealous ones that love operating the trigger in a cowardly manner against non violent Biafra agitators. The threat and presence of Nigeria security agents will not deter us from exercising our fundamental indigenous right.
"We the people of Biafra will never relent in promoting, projecting and upholding all the legacies of General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the supreme leader and Commander of Biafra Nation. Whatever measure or approach of security agents against the celebration of Biafra declaration anniversary day can never subdue or subject us from observing the independence declaration of Biafra by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
"We're not seeing the Federal government stopping or challenging the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Biafra declaration. The Federal government cannot stop what they didn't established or institute. Their duty is to watch and observe the sympathetic reactions of the international communities towards Biafra restoration.
"Sit at home exercise has been a recycling program of civil disobedience that ultimately promotes and re echoed the consciousness of Biafra reality. No military or spiritual powers can stop the collective will of the people," the statement concluded.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-Presidency on Sunday called for patience from Nigerians on the report of the Presidential Investigative Panel which invested the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ayo Oke.
Munguno, Osinbajo and Malami
In a statement Sunday night, the Spokesman to the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr. Laolu Akande explained that the outcome of the panel headed by the Acting President and had the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubukar Malami and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno would be made manifestly public “and Nigerians would be satisfied.”
He however reiterated that the two suspended officials remain suspended.
Akande also stated that Osinbajo would on Wednesday hold an interactive session with some select members of public and senior civil servants to discuss the recently signed executive orders on business environment and promoting “Made in Nigeria” products.
He said that the session with the people was necessary because they are directly involved in the implantation of the orders.
“These are the people who will be directly responsible for the attainment of the objectives of the executive orders, so the Ag. President wants an opportunity to talk with them directly and also hear from them in person.”
Akande also stated that a presidential level Report Card event on the Social Investment Programmes of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency would be held at Aso Rock on May 29 as part of activities commemorating the Second year of the current administration.
“Here at this national event, we shall be updating Nigerians on the progress so far attained, how we are addressing some challenges and how President Buhari’s Social Investment Programmes would be significantly expanded going forward,” Akande said.
He added that “The SIPs are the N-Power, which selected and engaged 200,000 unemployed Nigerians graduates for a volunteer job programmers, the Conditional Cash Transfer being implemented now in 9 states, General Economic & Empowerment Programme, GEEP-a micro credit scheme that has given out almost 60,000 loans out already, and the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, where 25 million meals have been served and over 1 million primary school pupils in at least seven states are being fed and over 11,000 cooks hired.”
The Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide on Sunday commended the Federal Government for renaming the Federal University, Oye Ekiti after the late Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo.
Aremo Oladotun Hassan, the founder and President of the council, who gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said the late Adebayo deserved the recognition and more.
Newsmen report that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had announced the government's decision to rename the university on Saturday at the burial service of the late general in Ekiti.
The acting President said the honour was done to immortalise Adebayo for his immense contributions to the unity and development of the Nigerian nation.
Hassan said that the late general was a nationalist par excellence.
He said: "As a council, we first of all commend the Federal Government for the recognition of Adebayo who stood, until his death, for the unity of this country.
"As a nationalist, however, we would have appreciated if a national monument such as the National Arts Theatre, Lagos or the International Conference Centre, Abuja was named after Adebayo.
"The glory of Adebayo should not be reduced to Ekiti where he hailed from. As much as we commend the Federal Government, however, we urge the Federal government to do more."
According to him, the late military governor of the old western region, comprising Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos states, should also be immortalised by considering what he stood for.
Hassan, a legal practitioner, urged the federal government to re-engineer the Nigerian Constitution to reflect fiscal federalism and constitutional democracy, which Adebayo stood for.
"We want this unfinished vision of Adebayo implemented by the Federal Government, all efforts should be concentrated on restructuring for national unity and development," he said.
The youth leader said enshrining Adebayo's ideals and philosophies in the constitution would go a long way to reposition the country.
According to him, Adebayo fought relentlessly for the unity of the country during the civil war that ravaged the country between 1967 and 1970, and remained a symbol of peace and unity.
Adebayo, who died on March 8 in Lagos on the eve of his 89th birthday, was buried in his home town in Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Saturday.
A foreign journalist reportedly travelled to Afara Ukwu,Umuahia to have a chat with Nnamdi Kanu.
Deutsche writer Katrin Gaensles all the way from Germany with IPOB leader Nnamdi KanuDeutsche writer Katrin Gaensles all the way from Germany with IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu
ABUJA-MINISTER of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has said that Nigerians have the right of complaining for hunger in view of the economic situation in the country but that the worst situation was over.
Senator Ngige said that the Federal Government has recorded remarkable impact with just one completed budget cycle, stressing that with the passage of the 2017 budget, it was expected that Nigerians will witness tremendous economic improvement.
The Minister who was speaking with newsmen in Abuja while revealing the two years score card of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the government.
According to him, “"We have fought recession and I can tell you that by next quarter, Nigeria will be out of recession completely and we take onto full growth. Right now, the growth we are witnessing is growth out of contraction.
Dr Chris Ngige
“The APC government has done only one budget cycle and that budget cycle ended May 5 in terms of capital. That same budget cycle has seen us spending a lot of money on infrastructural development. You go all over the federation, you see road construction going on.
“Companies are back to sites. I can measure the level of success and tell you. This is because the construction workers' union has come to tell me that those on stood-off, those on half pay, those who were laid off completely; that they have been called back.
“That shows me we are making a lot of progress. You go to some parts of Nigeria, you see old roads being rehabilitated and new roads being done. New railway lines are also being marked and laid. Railway workers going back to work.
“So for me, I do know that with only one budget cycle done, and we have achieved this level of success, by the time we do the second year budget cycle, which is going start immediately this new budget is signed and end next year, I can tell you Nigerians will feel greater impact. I don't have doubt whatsoever.
“Yes, Nigerians tell us they are hungry, we know and they have the right to say so. But I tell you, the worst is over. The good days shall be ours again. The area of leakages in the system where people get easy money is blocked.
“The single treasury account system has blocked a lot of money from sinking down as corruption money. The current method of payment has also removed the ghost workers too. These ghost workers are workers who pretend to be one in three.
“They collect three persons' payment but with the IPS system, it is now one man, one payment, one woman, one payment. Equal job, for equal pay.”
The Minister further said, “So, we are asking Nigerians to give us the benefit of the doubt, to be a little more patient with us. We are doing what they sent us here to do.
“They sent us with their votes and told us to come and salvage a government that was drowning and we are doing just that. So, we are on a rescue mission and every rescue operation is no easy thing."
Efforts by the Boko Haram terrorist sect to rebuild one of its logistics base has been thwarted by Nigerian Airforce fighter aircraft that destroyed the new base.
Director of Airforce Public Relations, Air Commodore Adetokumbo Adesanya noted that the logistics base was discovered by Air surveillance aircraft one of several reconnaissance its mission to the Sambisa Forest and environs.
Adesanya said in the statement, "On 16th May 2017, the Nigerian Air Force Component of Operation Lafiya Dole conducted an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission in the Sambisa general area, as part of ongoing efforts to clear the area of remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists group.
"During the ISR mission, a black vehicle and some Boko Haram Terrorists were seen on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest.
"A confirmatory ISR mission on 17 May 2017 revealed that the Boko Haram Terrorists are attempting to build a logistics base in the location.
"Accordingly, Nigerian Air Force fighter aircraft were immediately called in to carry out strikes on the location.
"Subsequent battle damage assessment revealed that some of the structures and vehicles in the location were engulfed in an inferno and destroyed.
"In addition, several Boko Haram Terrorists within the structures under the tree were possibly killed by the strikes.
"It will be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force, in a recent attack, frustrated attempts by the Boko Haram Terrorists to regroup in the Sambisa general area
Jose Mourinho refused to talk to the media, including his club’s own in-house television station, after Manchester United ended the Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Mourinho
United manager Mourinho had become increasingly angered with sections of the media in recent weeks at coverage of his team’s campaign.
With Wednesday’s Europa League Final to come, against Ajax in Stockholm, Mourinho could still end his first season at Old Trafford with two major pieces of silverware after collecting the League Cup.
But United’s struggles in the league, and some tedious games particularly at Old Trafford, have seen a growing mood of disquiet, certainly among sections of the written and broadcast press.
Following the Palace win, United players performed a lap of appreciation for supporters with club captain Wayne Rooney having played what could prove to be his last game for the club, picked out for a special ovation by Old Trafford fans.
But while the celebrations were on-going, Mourinho made his way to a variety of press conferences for television, print and radio media, staying a matter of seconds in each case before leaving due to the absence of journalists.
Even MUTV, the most friendly of broadcasters in dealing with the club, was not immune from Mourinho’s policy as he snapped: “I’m in a final, let me go home, I’m in a final.”
Mourinho was reported to have left Old Trafford by 1610GMT, within 20 minutes of the final whistle.
An insight into Mourinho’s mindset could be gleaned from his programme notes before the game when he responded to former Liverpool manager and current critic Graeme Souness who had questioned why the United manager has frequently used the excuse of fatigue for their late season problems.
“I have seen in the football media that certain pundits cannot understand why our players are tired,” wrote Mourinho.
“A pundit is not honest if they cannot forget their colours or if they try to hide the truth from their audience.
“It’s not my fault if their managerial career was very poor.”
– Pressure –
Those critics will doubtless interpret Mourinho’s behaviour as a sign that the experienced manager is feeling the pressure ahead of the Wednesday final where victory will guarantee United’s Champions League football next season.
But it also had the effect of detracting from the outstanding performances of a number of his youngsters, with four home players handed their full league debuts and Mourinho fielding the youngest United line-up in Premier League history, at an average of under 23 years of age.
One of those debutants, Josh Harrop, opened the scoring before Paul Pogba added a second and was replaced, along with Jesse Lingard, just before the interval to rest ahead of the final.
Later, with Rooney substituted to receive a standing ovation, Angel Gomes, was brought on in the 87th minute and, at 16 years, 262 days, became the club’s youngster player for 61 years, since David Gaskell in 1956.
It was a game that Harrop, in particular, will never forget thanks to his debut goal which followed a hat-trick he scored for United’s under-23s in a victory against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Monday.
“He scored a hat-trick last Monday, he had two similar goals in that, and you could see his confidence from that game,” said young team mate Demitri Mitchell.
“Even the game before he scored, against Arsenal, and I think that’s how he came up with that finish.
“Beforehand, Paul Pogba, Carrick, Phil Jones next to me, were helping a lot. They give you confidence and helped me a lot in the game.
“Especially after the game, I was thinking ‘this is what it’s all about, it’s what dreams are made of.”
Crystal Palace’s difficult season ended in defeat but at least safety had already been guaranteed for next season.
“Beating Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool was a great thrill and without those victories we’d be relegated, down and out,” said manager Sam Allardyce.
Arsenal failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years in spite of winning on the final day of the 2016/2017 English Premier League.
The Gunners began the day on Sunday a point behind fourth-place Liverpool and were on course to displace the Reds when they took an eighth-minute lead against Everton before winning 3-1.
But Liverpool, needing a win to ensure fourth, broke Middlesbrough's resistance just before the break, and won 3-0 at Anfield.
Newsmen report that Manchester City claimed third with a very easy 5-0 win at Watford to maintain third place.
Arsenal's remarkable run of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in 19 consecutive seasons came to its widely anticipated end on Sunday.
Hope had grown among the home support when Hector Bellerin gave them an early lead and news was that Liverpool were struggling against the relegated Middlesbrough.
But in first-half stoppage time, Georginio Wijnaldum enlivened Anfield with a stunning strike, and Jurgen Klopp's men eventually ran out comfortable winners.
"It is annoying but we had a spell during the season that was difficult and it was difficult for me in my personal situation.
"We were playing in a hostile environment. The players came back stronger in the last two months and I'm very proud of them for doing that,'' Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger said in the end.
Liverpool will be playing in the Champions League for the first time since the 2014-15 season, and truly deserved this on the basis of the effort.
Liverpool suffered from early nerves at Anfield before Wijnaldum's opener on the stroke of half-time eased the tension.
Philippe Coutinho added a second after the break with a free-kick, and Adam Lallana slotted in to make it 3-0.
"We've had bigger games, but this was the game of the season though.
"We had this pressure but we are Liverpool and have to deliver.
"Everyone knows where we missed out on points, but we will improve. A club like Liverpool needs to be in the Champions League.
"However, I'm proud of the players. We work a lot. We are closer together. We have to build together,'' Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's manager, said in reaction.
Manchester City on their part sealed third spot and automatic qualification for the Champions League group stage with an emphatic 5-0 win at Watford.
Pep Guardiola's side required only a point to secure a top-four place, but instead of sitting back went about dismantling their opponents.
Sergio Aguero scored twice, after Vincent Kompany's opener, with Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus also getting on the scoresheet.
"We were under a lot of pressure. Congratulations to Chelsea and to Tottenham, but we are so glad to be third.
"It is not a club with history of playing in Europe like Manchester United or Arsenal. But now we are there five or six years and now we can try to close the gap on the elite.
The best teams in Europe will be at the Etihad Stadium next season. I don't know what we need to add.
"This is one of the best groups I have ever trained —- they never gave up. It was a pleasure to be with them."
NAN reports that Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool, in that order, picked the Champions League spots in England, while Hull, Middlesbrough and Sunderland were relegated.
The Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, said engaging ex-agitators in sports activities would offer many opportunities that would develop their spirit of volunteerism and patriotism.
Boroh disclosed this in Uyo on Sunday during a meeting with the SIA'one Soccer Academy to reintegrate some ex-agitators and youths in the Niger Delta region.
He said sport is one of the most important facets of Niger Delta culture and community, arguing that few activities affect the emotions and develop sports in the region.
"Sports is a language that everyone can understand.
" Sports is important for healthy living, personal development and social bonding. Sports is also a leisure activity that all can enjoy.
"It keeps us physically fit, builds character, and bonds family and friends.
"At its best, sports can bring people together, no matter what our race, background, or economic status.
"This is why we want to give our beneficiaries the opportunity to experience sports and live better through sports, whether as a professional sportsperson, amateur player, spectator or volunteer, " he said.
He said when Nigerians do take part in sports, "we see more of them doing so individually, for example, jogging, swimming or going to the gym, rather than friends or family."
The Coordinator stressed the need to encourage a sporting lifestyle, not just for individuals, but also our communities.
According to him, the programme has two broad strategies.
"The first strategy is to enhance our public sports facilities in the Niger Delta region.
"This is crucial to meeting the sporting and fitness needs of the region," he said. Boroh said when youths chose basketball, Football and volleyball as a professional career, it never occurred to them that they would have impact on young people's lives and earn living.
The Coordinator said this initiative shows what the office hope to achieve through sports building on this experience, by engaging beneficiaries of the programme in different kinds of sporting activities.
In his remark, the Coordinator of SIA'one, Mr Samson Siasia acknowledged that the Amnesty office under Boroh is coming out with such a brilliant initiative to engage the ex-agitators and youths of the region in sports.
While commending the Coordinator for his interest in sports development in the region, Siasia also noted that it is only sports that can bail the region out of pipelines vandalism, if sizeable percentage of security votes are invested in the sector.
"The youths are the future, hope and custodian of our tomorrow," he said. Siasia said no wonder the Coordinator of PAP discovered this secret to success and decided to consider a worthy partner to invest in sports. Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr Sunday Essien from Cross River thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for such initiative and promised not to defeat the aim of the policy.
Essien said youths like them would no longer be exposed to vandalism and crime in the region and pleaded for the Federal Government continuous supports.
Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has advised officials of the corps to discharge their duties with integrity and professionalism.
Oyeyemi gave the advice on Sunday at the Performance Improvement Management Retreat, tagged "Improving Service Delivery through Professionalism and Road Safety Administration''.
Oyeyemi was represented by Mr Kayode Olagunju, Assistant Corps Marshal, Policy, Research and Statistics, at the retreat held at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry, Lagos State.
"I advise officers to always discharge their duties with integrity and professionalism while making the road safe for road users.
"An officer must be a good example to the public, particularly motorists, by ensuring development and sustenance of responsible service delivery.
"Professionalism and integrity should be part of our actions and they should be guided jealously during our services,'' Oyeyemi said.
In his opening remarks, Mr Shehu Zaki, FRSC Zonal Commander for Ogun and Lagos States, urged officers to show commitment, transparency and comport themselves while discharging their duty.
Zaki also commended corps personnel for reducing crashes on the roads, especially along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Lagos State Sector Commander, Mr Hyginus Omeje, said that road traffic crashes were a dangerous malaise that should be tackled with all seriousness.
Omeje said the command had continued to tackle the malaise through sustained special intervention patrol on all critical corridors in the state.
According to him, the command puts seven vehicles and ambulance on patrol on daily basis to stem crashes and for rescue operations.
He also said that the FRSC in Lagos had domesticated public enlightenment in churches and mosques in addition to motor park rallies, advocacy visits, road shows and media campaign.
"Realising that we cannot do it alone, we have continued to partner with key stakeholders in driving the vision of the corps, particularly in Lagos state,'' Omeje said.
Newsmen report that the annual retreat reflected on the performance of the officers in the preceding year.
Iran's ruling powers represent the "tip of the spear" of global terrorism, Saudi King Salman said in a speech on Sunday during a visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to the kingdom.
The King said: "Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are …
The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism."
The king also said in a televised speech that Saudi Arabia would not be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism.
"We will never be lenient in trying anyone who finances terrorism, in any way or means, to the full force of the law."
Efforts by the Boko Haram terrorist sect to rebuild one of its logistics base has been thwarted by Nigerian Airforce fighter aircraft that destroyed the new base.
Director of Airforce Public Relations, Air Commodore Adetokumbo Adesanya noted that the logistics base was discovered by Air surveillance aircraft in one of several reconnaissance its mission to the Sambisa Forest and environs.
Adesanya said in the statement, "On 16th May 2017, the Nigerian Air Force Component of Operation Lafiya Dole conducted an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission in the Sambisa general area, as part of ongoing efforts to clear the area of remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists group.
"During the ISR mission, a black vehicle and some Boko Haram Terrorists were seen on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest.
"A confirmatory ISR mission on 17 May 2017 revealed that the Boko Haram Terrorists are attempting to build a logistics base in the location.
"Accordingly, Nigerian Air Force fighter aircraft were immediately called in to carry out strikes on the location.
"Subsequent battle damage assessment revealed that some of the structures and vehicles in the location were engulfed in an inferno and destroyed.
"In addition, several Boko Haram Terrorists within the structures under the tree were possibly killed by the strikes.
"It will be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force, in a recent attack, frustrated attempts by the Boko Haram Terrorists to regroup in the Sambisa general area.
An accountant and Managing Director of Credit Bureau, a financial organisation, Mr Ahmed Popoola has said that Islamic banking window will help in ending the current economic downturn being experienced in the country.
Popoola made the disclosure while delivering the keynote address at the annual national conference of the Muslim Lawyers' Association of Nigeria (MULAN) held in Lagos, weekend.
The theme of the conference is : “Pulling Nigeria Out of the Economic Recession.”
This was coming as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice W. Onoghen represented by Justice Sidi Dauda Bage of the Supreme Court of Nigeria lauded the efforts of the lawyers, asking them to continue to do all that can promote ethics of the legal profession.
In his address, the keynote speaker noted: "Islamic finance is an alternative option worth exploring to raise funds for public works and to support the private sector access to finance.
"Worldwide, Islamic finance is no more peripheral to conventional finance as it is being operated in 75 countries, including western nations.
"People think that the Islamic financial system is based on faith, but it is based on justice for the two parties.
"Besides, Islamic finance system does not allow investments that harm people or the environment, thereby promoting sustainable finance," he said.
The accountant, noted that the options that Islamic finance offers in funding public infrastructure and empowering small business will help to bail the country out of recession.
He also condemned the bogous budget of N125 billion appropriated to the National Assembly in the 2017 budget, adding that the current budget cannot “address the inherent flaws in our budgeting system and resource allocation.”
Popoola, also noted that Nigeria was experiencing recession for the second time as the country had experienced recession in the 1980s.
"Before this current experience of recession, the last time Nigeria was in recession was about 25 years ago.
"That was in 1987 when the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded consecutive negative growth of -0.51% in the first quarter.
"Recession does not happen overnight, the ominous signs are always there. During the recession if the 1980s, the signs of things to come were apparent in the early 1980s when the then federal government declared 'Austerity Measures.'
"The signs of the 2016 recession were also manifested in the preceding years. Real GDP growth slid from 6.3% in 2014 to 2.7% in 2015 and finally to a negative of -1.5% in 2016.
"Just as it was in the 1980s, Nigeria again, this time, found itself in recession because of the challenge of earnings from oil.
Popoola added that the Nigeria is currently exiting the recession and that there have been recent improvements in the earnings from the oil industry.
He gave various suggestions where the country can overcome the recession and get on the path of growth and development.
"There needs to a diversify the economy and invest massively in infrastructure, there needs to be a re-orientation of Nigeria towards appreciating our products is imperative.”
National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), a Senior Advocate, Mr Abubakat Mahmud in his speech said that the NBA and MULAN should collaborate on Islamic banking projects.
"I will like to thank Mr Ahmed Popoola for an enlightening speech, the NBA and MULAN should collaborate on a proposal on Islamic banking which can be adopted by financial organisations.
"When we look at national indices, we notice the inequalities between some certain groups. This becomes problematic in countries and developing Islamic finance told can bridge a gap between the groups," Mahmoud said.
Speaking, another erudite lawyer, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, SAN, decried the low level of western education among people of the Islamic faith.
"I am extremely happy that muslim lawyers came together to form MULAN, the level of education among Muslims is very low, we are still behind in western education.
"If you look at the list of successful candidates at the bar exams in the law school, we still find that the number of Muslim brothers and sisters called to bar compared to our Christian brothers and sisters is as low as 10 to 15 percent.
NBA President noted that his presence at the conference was to express support and solidarity for MULAN.
"I want to thank the leadership of MULAN for the leadership it is providing and I will like greater partnership between the NBA and MULAN," Mahmoud said.
Speaking, another SAN, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, decried the low level of western education among people of the Islamic faith.
"I am extremely happy that muslim lawyers came together to form MULAN, the level of education among Muslims is very low, we are still behind in western education.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, in her remarks stated that the theme of the event was of high relevance as it affects every Nigerian.
Atilade who was represented by Justice Kudirat Jose, commended MULAN for its strides in the justice sector.
"MULAN was created just 10 years ago and because of its successes in the justice sector, I thought it has been for a longer period.
"As lawyers we should be a member of MULAN and make our mark in the justice sector.
"The theme for today and other topics to be discussed are highly relevant to us.
"I thank you all once again and I pray that this conference will be a resounding success," she said.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar III, has said that the Almajiri practice which involves children who have deviated from being students of Quránic schools to being beggars in the streets after their parents had sent them to distant Islamic schools to learn does not represent Islam and its teachings but instead, represents hunger and poverty.
The Sultan spoke during a meeting in preparation for the Ramadan period.
According to him, "Almajiri does not represent Islam, but hunger and poverty. Almajiri system of begging is not representing Islam and must therefore be distinguished from Islam," the sultan said.
"Islam encourages scholarship and entrepreneurship and frowns at laziness and idleness as exemplified by itinerant Almajiri. Therefore attempt must be made to stop the practice Almajiri system of begging among Muslim faithful."
Recall that, in like voice, the Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje had in April raised an alarm over the increasing number of Almajiris in the state, saying they had become both social and economic problem to the country at large.
Govenor Ganduje had said that a survey the state conducted indicated that there were about three million out of school children, roaming the streets of the state, as Almajiris.
"What we discovered from our survey is that many of these Almajiris come from the Niger Republic, some from Chad, Northern Cameroon and some from other states of the north-west", he had pointed out.
He had however suggested the introduction of a legislation to prevent the movement of school age children as panacea to the problem.
"So, if we can come together and have a common synergy to introduce a common legislation, preventing the movement of school age children from one place to another, I think the states will find it very easy to address the problem of Almajiri syndrome", he emphasized.
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