Folarin Kehinde

A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed near Chubuka village in Niger State.

The incident happened today, August 14, at about 1.00 pm, the aircraft departed Zungeru Primary School enroute Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the crew and passengers on board the helicopter, while preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the probable cause of the crash.

Northern traders have lamented the loss of about N13bn weekly due to the closure of borders in the region over the ongoing crisis in Niger Republic.

It would be recall that President Bola Tinubu had on August 4 ordered the closure of all borders with Niger Republic which the Nigerian Customs have now enforced. The borders include Jibiya in Katsina state, Illelah in Sokoto and Maigatari in Jigawa.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the chairman, Arewa Economic Forum Ibrahim Yahaya Dandakata, said the economic consequences of the closure is becoming unbearable for traders, while urging the federal government to open the maje-illo border in Kebbi to allow traders bring in goods to the country.

“Since the order by the President to close all the borders with Niger Republic following the announcement of the coup, the consequences have been huge. Northern traders loss N13bn weekly.

“Trade between Niger and Nigeria is usually informal especially in perishable goods and only last year alone, it is estimated at about N177bn in goods and services like livestock and food items

“Therefore, further closure of the border will be detrimental to the huge trade going on between these two countries.

“We hereby appeal to President Tinubu to open the maje-illo border in Kebbi state to enable traders bring in their goods into the country and empower customs to collect import duty thereafter,” he explained.

Also speaking, a trader and member of the forum, Hamza Saleh Jibiya, said since the closure of the border, about 2,000 containers laden with perishable and non-perishable goods have been trapped and cannot be cleared due to the closure

“The average value of a container is between $20,000 to $70,000 which in our estimation will be about N140bn trapped in those containers.

While the ECOWAS forces are set for military action against the coupists in Niger, Nigerian actress and singer, Cossy Ojiakor has her sights on Burkina Faso’s military ruler, Ibrahim Traore, saying she can be used as a peace offering sent to him.

Cossy openly confessed her love for the Burkinabe leader, crushing on him with some seductive words.

“I love this man, Ibrahim Traore. He is so cute, intelligent and brave. Incase Nigeria/ECOWAS want to send a peace offering to him, I am available. I present myself as a peace offering. Will he take me? Africa really has good looking, brave men, tall, dark and handsome, ” she said.

“Nigeria, an oil producing nation does not have a refinery. Our Nigerian men are not that brave. Especially, all those politicians in Nigeria, most of them are just good in girls matter.

They have coconut heads. I don’t want to mention names.

Recall that when the Chibok girls’ abduction by Boko Haram was still fresh, Cossy had offered herself as a sacrifice for their release.

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said he is still on medical leave in Germany.

Akeredolu, said this in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, to disown a video circulating on social media suggesting that the governor is back from his medical vacation.

Akeredolu reacted to the footage of the video showing Governor Akeredolu alighting from an helicopter while walking alongside his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye.

But in the statement, Mr Olatunde said the governor was not yet back, saying he would soon return to the state and be back fully on his feet.

He said the viral video was recorded during Mr Akeredolu’s campaign tour of the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Olatunde said, “Our attention has been drawn to a recent video circulating on social media suggesting the return of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, from his medical vacation.

While we acknowledge the eagerness of the people of the state, as well as supporters and well-wishers from both within and outside the country to have the Governor back, we want to clarify that Governor Akeredolu is currently in Germany and focused on his full recovery.

“Governor Akeredolu extends his deep appreciation to the citizens of Ondo State for their unwavering prayers and support. Their genuine concern and compassion have been instrumental in aiding his recovery journey.

The statement further read, “It’s important to note that Governor Akeredolu will return to the state very soon to continue executing his administration’s Redeemed agenda and providing impactful governance. His commitment to delivering positive and lasting development remains steadfast.

“The video in question, which is circulating, was captured during the Governor’s campaign tour in preparation for the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Governor Akeredolu is eagerly looking forward to reuniting with the people of the Sunshine State. He is deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support, and he can’t wait to continue working towards a brighter future for Ondo State.”

Recall that the Ondo governor embarked on a 21-day leave on June, 7, and was expected to return on July 6.

On June 5, he informed the House of Assembly of proceeding on medical leave and asked his deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa to “act as the governor” in his absence.

Late last month, the Ondo governor again wrote to the assembly to extend his medical leave abroad.

In an apparent move to silence some of his critics who say he uses demonic power to do miracles, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has asked that God would take his life if their claim is true.

He made the prayers at the ongoing convention of the church in the early hours of Saturday, August 12 while also urging the congregation to pray in that direction.

Adeboye who said he never wanted to respond to his critics, said he had to reconsider his stance because according to him, “some people may believe their claims.”

He said he got to know that some people were saying on the internet that he uses demonic powers to do miracles and carry out some of his operations on Redemption Camp.

His words, “Usually I don’t like responding to some so-called prophets especially when they talk about me. I just ignore them. But I got to know that some of them are saying that I use some demonic powers to perform miracles.

“I did not want to respond to them. But when I was praying about three days ago, I felt the leading that some people might believe the claims of these people. I now felt that we need to put an end to this. So I will ask you to pray that if I consult any devil anywhere that God will kill me before sunrise.”

The RCCG G.O. also urged the congregation to pray that if his critics are wrong in their claim that he uses demonic powers, God will increase the power in his life sevenfold.

The congregation rose in unison to make the double prayer requests.