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The acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the compulsory treatment of gunshot victims without police report.

This directive was contained in a police internal memo signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday.

The memo dated October 25, 2023 was addressed to all Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and the Commandants of Police Colleges in Ikeja, Kaduna, Oji-River, Maiduguri and Enugu.

The directive, Egbetokun said, was in line with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.

The Act, which came into effect on the eve of 2018, mandates all health facilities to accept victims of gunshot for immediate treatment without a police report.

The memo read, “I forward herewith a copy of letter HMSH&SW/IG/CTCV/ 10/2023 dated 3rd October, 2023 received from Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare on the above-underlined subject, and write to convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you comply with and enforce the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 without any hesitation.

“The Inspector-General of Police further directs that you make this a subject of lecture and circulate widely for the members of the public to be aware of our compliance with the National Law.”

In the attached letter from the Minstry of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of State, Olatunji Alausa, had called the police boss’ attention to the low compliance with the provision of the law which he attributed to poor awareness among policemen and sympathisers who may fear being implicated.

Blue Print newspaper is reporting that a massive explosion just occurred in the Kaduna metropolis.

According to the report, firefighters and personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) were among those injured in the explosion caused by a fuel tanker.

Sources near the scene revealed that about 20 persons were injured as the tanker exploded while offloading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The Director of Kaduna State Fire Service, Paul Aboi, said five Federal firefighters, some personnel of Kaduna Vigilance Service and passers-by sustained various degrees of injuries during the incident that occurred in one of the filling stations at Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area part of Kaduna metropolis.

The director said some injured people are receiving treatment at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

The state house has received donations of pilot buses.

Recall that in August, an initiative to introduce CNG buses into the country’s transportation system.

The initiative is part of the President’s commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal and promoting green transportation.

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) aims to deploy over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing petrol-dependent vehicles.

Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw is currently under fire for anchoring a high-profile fundraising ceremony supporting the Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is seeking reelection next month.

Henshaw anchored alongside a veteran Nollywood actor, comedian and TV/radio host, Okey Bakassi.

The event, which was attended by a diverse crowd of politicians, celebrities, and well-wishers, was a remarkable showcase of support for Governor Uzodimma’s aspirations.

The gala served as a platform to generate crucial financial backing for the governor’s reelection campaign.

The event was held at a prestigious venue in Owerri, and it witnessed enthusiastic speeches from Governor Uzodimma and his supporters. Attendees generously contributed to the governor’s reelection campaign fund, showcasing their belief in his leadership and vision for Imo state.

Photos and videos of the event have surfaced online, triggering supporters of the Labour Party, who have criticised the actress for accepting to host the event.

Henshaw was very vocal in supporting the LP and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, before the 2023 elections.

“Indeed, human beings are hypocrites. Aunty Kate Henshaw has vindicated that yesterday. How can you enable what you criticise and condemn daily?” one LP supporter wrote on social media.

Another wrote, “What good is a truth if you can’t stand by it? How would you sound tomorrow dragging a man you fundraise for when he starts suffering my people? The hypocrisy stinks.”

Femi Adeyeye, an activist, wrote, “Hosting an event means you approve of what the event is about. There’s no how you will host such an event that you won’t say good things about the person, the government and the party you are raising funds for.

”In fact, you are the major brander for that night. That’s why you are the HOST. You will talk the most, appear the most and appeal to people’s emotions the most.

”You are the face of the campaign for that night. It’s an approval of what the APC represents. Where the hypocrisy now lies is in castigating other creatives when they take up similar jobs. I hope you won’t do that.”

Responding to the criticisms, Henshaw wrote, ”Someone called me this morning to check the X app. I was invited to host a fundraiser alongside my colleague. I accepted. My prerogative.

”What is the noise about? The difference between you and I is that I will still speak my truth as I see fit. End of.”

Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, has declared that the fight has just begun following the Supreme Court judgement that upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election in the February 25 presidential election.

Leading Reporters reports that the judgement followed appeals filed against Tinubu’s election by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.

Atiku and Obi approached the apex court to appeal the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which dismissed their petitions against Tinubu.

“The fight for a Good Society has only now started and we know that nothing can defeat a People who have had enough of the invasive Cancer of Corruption and Criminality,” Oby Ezekwesili wrote on X.

“Read the story of the 70s Hong Kong to learn that in the quest for a Good Society, ‘it is never over until a people say it is over’.”

“If, after 14 days, they do not comply, we have the mandate of the court to sell the property and recover the tax owed the state,” he said.

The Akwa Ibom State Government through its Internal Revenue Service has sealed three banks for their alleged failure to remit outstanding tax liabilities of N228m to the state government.

The banks were shut down on Thursday during an exercise conducted by the revenue board’s Enforcement and Recovery Department, following an order of Notice of Distrain from the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Eket Judicial Division.

READ ALSO: FAAC Shares N903.4bn September Revenue To FG, States, LGs

The affected banks included two Keystone Bank branches, at Abak Road and Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, and Heritage Bank, located at Aka Road, Uyo.

Briefing journalists in Uyo, the board’s Executive Director, Enforcement and Recovery, Leo Umana, said Heritage Bank failed to remit its N100,270,910 tax liabilities to the state while Keystone Bank refused to pay N128,413,882 owed to the state government as tax liabilities.

“If, after 14 days, they do not comply, we have the mandate of the court to sell the property and recover the tax owed the state,” he said.

Umana said the banks were given warning notices but failed to comply after several months, adding that the AKIRS had exhausted reconciliation and negotiation opportunities with the financial organisations before resorting to court action.

According to him, under the law, the banks that are served the notice to distrain have 14 days to negotiate with AKIRS and vacate the order.

The Supreme Court’s validation of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 25th Feb. 2023 presidential election is in line with the ‘go-to-court’ mantra of the Prof Mahmoud Yakub-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Recall that the apex court dismissed the petitions of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, and affirmed that APC’s Tinubu won the polls.

Hon Charles Anike, national president of the Eastern Union, told THE WHISTLER on Friday that the judgement would remain a testimony for years to come.

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According to him, “We accept the decision of the justices of the apex court in good faith. We’re learning a lot about the operators of our institutions.

“We can now understand the deeper meaning of the ‘Go-to-Court’ mantra of INEC and APC. However, both the justices of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal and those of the Supreme Court must bear in their minds that the judgements they have declared will remain a testimony and references to their names, as they have laid precedents that will continue to be referenced for posterity.

“We encourage Nigerians to remain peaceful, focused and go about their lawful businesses. We continue to look forward to the grand finale of the judgments from the Supreme Court of Heaven because all power belongs to God.”

FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has said that he will mobilize electoral support for President Bola Tinubu during the next election in 2027.

Wike declared that those who scored 2,000 in the 2023 elections would score next to nothing in 2027.

The minister stated this in Abuja on Thursday while playing host to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Rivers State led by the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Victor Giadom.

Wike noted that he had no regrets about supporting President Tinubu in the 2023 election as he was out to ensure equity and justice, adding that he owes no one an apology.

Promising to carry the Rivers APC and all Nigerians along, the minister said he would never discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion, ethnicity or political affiliations.

His words: “Let me say clearly and to the hearing of everyone: we owe a duty to continue to support Mr President irrespective of the political party we belong

“My position is not hidden. I owe nobody no apologies that I stand firm with Tinubu. I stand for equity, fairness and justice.

“The interest of Rivers State is key. What will benefit our state is what we must always project. I am not a member of the APC but I believe that the support for Asiwaju was necessary.