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Jilted Pastor Who Committed Suicide Buried In ‘Evil Forest’

by Folarin Kehinde August 26, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Pastor of a Pentecostal Church, Prosper Obum Igboke has committed suicide after the girlfriend he trained in the University left him for another man.

The cleric committed suicide in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Sources said the man jumped down from a two storey-building after he was jilted by his lover.

A source who disclosed this to newsmen and doesn’t want his name mentioned said the man had trained his lover in the university, after which she declined his marriage proposal.

He said, “The incident happened last month. The man (Igboke) was 30 years old at the time of his death. His girlfriend, whom he intended to marry disappointed him after seeing her through the university.

“He jumped down from a two storey-building and died. I am surprised that a man of his age and a pastor can do this. “

The source said according to the tradition of Leru autonomous community of Umunneochi LGA in Abia State, the man had been buried in an “evil forest” for committing sacrilege.

August 26, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

Fubara reacts, says Rivers varsity students behind hostel robbery

by Andrew Mailafia August 26, 2023

written by Andrew Mailafia

The governor of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the robbers who raided female hostels and carted away valuable items at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, as students of the institution.

Speaking to journalists during a visit to the university following the incident and consequent protest by the female students.

Hoodlums, suspected to be armed robbers, earlier this week invaded three hostels occupied by female students near the university back gate on Thursday.

The gang carted away mobile phones, laptops and other valuables, while four students were reportedly injured.

Condemning the attack, the governor said the perpetrators must be apprehended and prosecuted.

He stated, “Honestly, I was really bitter that such a thing would be happening in this jet age. Somebody breaking into a female hostel to go and molest girls.

“I said I won’t just send my aides and the police, I will come and see things myself and assess the situation.

“Let me assure you that we must get the culprits. And I’m sure they are not people outside. They are also students here.”

Adding that the state government would ensure adequate treatment of those injured during the attack, Fubara assured that necessary measures would be put in place to prevent a recurrence.

August 26, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Nigeria on alert as New COVID-19 variant discovered

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Officer-in-Charge, Port Health Services (PHS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Dr Omede Ogu, said on Friday that proactive measures had been taken to prevent the new COVID-19 variant from slipping into the country.

Ogu gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Recall that the United Kingdom detected its first case of the new COVID-19 variant, BA.2.86, on Aug. 18, and said the strain had also been identified in Israel, Denmark and the US.

“There is currently one confirmed case in the UK in an individual with no recent travel history, which suggests a degree of community transmission within the UK,” the UK Health Security Agency had said.

Nigeria and the UK record a high volume of travellers who shuttle between both countries on regular basis.

Ogu said that information on the new variant had been placed on the Port Health Services Emergency Platform, while other agencies at the airport had also been informed about it.

“ Our mandate is health safety and security at the point of entry and it covers both routine and emergency situations.

“The new variant has been placed on the Port Health Services emergency platform and we have also informed sister agencies at the airport of its existence and they are also on the alert.

“The ambulances are in good condition and our clinics around the tarmac are in the perfect shape to review any form of emergency, and facilities are inspected daily.

“Personnel are trained on a weekly basis and this training is called Weekly Pretentious Infection Training. The purpose of this training is to keep our personnel abreast of steps to take when confronted with emergencies like this.

“ Our personnel are on ground and our structures are constantly reviewed, so we assure everyone that there is absolutely nothing to be worried about,” he said.

Ogu said that the Port Health Service collaborates with Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) across the country involving stakeholders who deliberate on different strategies and containment mechanisms for emergencies.

He said that there were cameras at the tarmac that capture the body temperature of passengers when they alight from the plane.

“For every passenger arriving at the airport, the first point of call is the port health services, and they are screened to check for irregularities in body temperature.

“The instruments are categorised into three: the hand held thermometer, a tripod tarmac scanner and the distant tarmac camera,” he said.

According to him, the distant tarmac camera is the most effective because it captures everyone and all the health information, and port health officials see the result on the screen.

“We intend to get more cameras in the nearest future for more effective coverage and optimal reporting,” he said.

He urged Nigerians not to panic, noting that the new variant was still at the observatory level

August 25, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Bride Slumps, dies during bridal shower in Oyo

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

A bride, identified as Rebecca Oyedotun, slumped and died on her wedding day in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The tragic incident happened on the eve of the deceased bride’s wedding while having her bridal shower with her friends.

According to the father of the dead bride, Evangelist Oyedotun of C&S Reformed Church, Isale-High School, the bride did not show any previous signs of illness until she slumped at about 10:30 a.m.

Before she passed on, the deceased bride was supposed to marry Abiodun Oluwadamilare on Saturday, 19th August 2023.

According to the groom’s sister, preparations were in full swing before the tragic event happened.

“The groom’s parents had slaughtered their cow at Ogbomoso, and being an only child, Abiodun, the groom, was excited, unaware that disaster was hiding around the corner.

Though the deceased’s mother, Mrs Ruth Oyedotun, could not talk owing to grief, the father, Evangelist Oyedotun revealed that they took the bride immediately to LAUTECH teaching hospital hoping she will return to complete the marriage rites.

“We quickly took her to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso. After some time, she was revived, and she appeared stable, and by dawn of Saturday, her condition deteriorated so she was confined to the bed.

“We were even required to take her to Bowen University Teaching Hospital for some tests, which we promptly did.

“The groom fainted and was anxiously crying, ‘let me take her away.’

“We were in the hospital throughout that Saturday.

Her health worsened till she gave up the ghost on Sunday morning, according to Tori News.

August 25, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Protests hit FUTA over death of final-year student

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

Students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) protested on Friday the sudden death of a 500-level student of the institution, Ayomide Akeredolu.

The grieving students barricaded the busy Akure-Ilesa highway, causing heavy disruption to vehicular movement and a prolonged traffic jam that lasted for hours.

Akeredolu, popular among his peers, tragically collapsed in his hostel in Akindeko Hall days before his final papers. He was immediately rushed to the University Health Centre, where medical personnel declared him dead. The news of Akeredolu’s unexpected demise sent shockwaves through the university campus, prompting students to gather in protest.

An eyewitness said:

“We rushed the guy to the health centre around 8:30 pm. However, when we arrived, there was a power outage. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, who administered CPR, oxygen, and injections, the electricity was not restored throughout the treatment process.”

Reacting to the development, the university’s Director of Corporate Communication, Adegbenro Adebanjo, said in a statement: “Due to some perceived misgivings about services at the University Health Centre, students embarked on a protest on Friday, August 25, 2023. It is important to point out that the protest was not directly related to the death of the student.

“The representatives of the students, at a meeting with Management, called at the behest of the Vice Chancellor, pointed out some lacunae in the process of accessing services at the health centre. The corrective measures will be reviewed from time to time to ensure that they are being implemented to the letter and to the satisfaction of the students.”

August 25, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

13 students reportedly dead as strange illness hit Enugu State University

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

Some officials of the Enugu State Government on Friday visited the state’s University of Science and Technology as a strange illness reportedly killed 13 students in less than a month.

The team led by the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Ikechukwu Obi, Friday, visited the Agbani campus of the university to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the alleged development.

The unfortunate incident which has already caused anxiety among students and staff of the university, our correspondent learnt, has been downplayed by the university management.

A member of staff of the university, Rev Godwin Onah, who spoke to our correspondent, described the situation as alarming and called on the government for intervention.

He said, “There are massive mysterious deaths at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, yet the Enugu State Government and school management are non-challant about it.

“The Enugu State Government or Federal Government should close the school immediately to avert further deaths.”

However, the National Association of Nigerian Students South-East Zone has called for the immediate shutdown of the university till further notice to allow for proper investigation into the cause of the outbreak of the strange illness.

NANS which made the call in a statement issued on Thursday titled: “Call to shut down Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) immediately,” warned that it would not stand idly by while the lives and welfare of its students are endangered.

In the statement signed by its Zonal Coordinator, Chidi Nzekwe, NANS, stated that the “leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS Zone F-Southeast expresses our deepest concern and utmost dismay over the frequent and tragic deaths of our students in ESUT.

“Our investigations have shown a high level of negligence on the part of the school administration, ranging from non-functional student clinic, which is a major factor for the unfortunate death of our students.

“In the light of these disturbing findings, the leadership of NANS Zone F has decided to order the immediate shutdown of the institution from tomorrow, August 24, 2023, till further notice.

“This action is necessary to allow us to engage in extensive meetings with relevant stakeholders including the university management, medical experts, security agencies, and student representatives.

“Failure to shut down the institution with immediate effect, we will be compelled to escalate our actions and the university management should get ready to contend with the armless battalion of Nigerian students in the zone.

“The leadership of NANS Zone F is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian students. We will not stand idly while the lives and welfare of our students are endangered. As we seek a quick intervention to this crisis, we urge all our students in ESUT to return to their respective homes where they will be safe till further notice.

“May the souls of our dear departed students Rest in peace.”

However, when the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Ikechukwu Ezianioma, was contacted by telephone by our correspondent, he described the rumours and reports as fake, insisting that there was no strange Illness in ESUT.

According to him, “The Commissioners of Health, Education and Secretary to the State Government, with a whole lot of other government officials came to the university today and after check, they discovered that the reports circulating were false.

“So, I would advise you to contact the commissioner of health and he will be in a better position to tell you whether there is such or not. All I can tell you now is that there is no strange Illness killing students in ESUT.”

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the state Commissioner of Health were unsuccessful as he was said to be in a marathon meeting after he left the university campus.

As of the time of filing this report, he had yet to respond to text messages sent to him.

August 25, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Bandits demand N4m ransom for abducted NYSC member

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

Yet-to-be-identified bandits have demanded N4 million as a ransom for the release of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member kidnapped in Zamfara State.

Armed gunmen allegedly kidnapped eight members of the NYSC along a highway last weekend.

The fresh graduates were alleged to be on their way from Uyo, Akwa Ibom, to Sokoto State to participate in the required National Service when their van was stopped.

In a phone call with Channels Television on Friday, Emmanuel Etteh, the father of one of the victims, Glory Thomas, confirmed the latest development.

Etteh stated that the bandits phoned him with their phone number to inform him of his daughter’s kidnapping and demanded N4 million to guarantee her return.

“They called me with their line; they asked me to pay N4 million. I spoke with my daughter because I asked how they wanted us to pay; she said we should contact the AKTC,” the troubled father said.

“Since that time, they have not called, and I have not spoken with my daughter. I don’t know if they have released them, but my daughter has not called me.”

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command has yet to react to the abduction.

August 25, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

‘President Tinubu appointed a corper as minister of culture’ HURIWA Alleges

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has accused the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa of serving as a minister while still undertaking the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme.

In a statement on Thursday, HURIWA alleged that years back, Musawa abandoned her NYSC in Ebonyi State but later showed interest in completing it.

The group claimed that the minister was remobilised this year and got posted to a law firm in Abuja before her appointment.

The group urged the NYSC to compel Musawa to focus on either her national youth service or the ministerial appointment.

“She was confirmed by the senate without proper screening and sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as minister of arts.

“HURIWA wonders about the kind of scrutiny being conducted by the Department of State Services so much so that it wasn’t disclosed that the minister is a youth corper,” the statement added.

The Director of Press and Public Relations at the NYSC headquarters, Eddy Megwa confirmed to TheCable on Thursday, that the minister is a corps member.

“Yes she is a serving corp member,” he was quoted as saying.

A lawyer, Victor Giwa said the minister should be in her Place of Primary Assignment if she was serving.

He said, “If it is true that she is serving, she is not meant to hold public service at this time. In as much as she has enrolled to serve, everything she should be doing through her PPA. In fact, she ought to be in her PPA if it is true. I think this should have been spotted during the screening.”

The Minister is yet to confirm or give an official statement regarding the issue.

August 25, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

’46 million poor Nigerians not on social register’ FG slam Buhari’s minister as verification begins

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHADMSD) Sadiya Farouq has been indicted by the National Executive Council (NEC) of robbing the poor through the National Social Investment Program, as the Federal Government begins verification of the National Social Register (NSR).

NSR is an information system that supports the outreach, intake, registration, and determination of potential eligibility for one or more social programs.

In January 2022, Farouq said over 46 million vulnerable Nigerians have been captured on the NSR, and the number was pushed up based on insecurity which led to an increase in displaced persons in need of intervention.

However, in July 2023, NEC which is headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, dumped former President Muhammadu Buhari’s national social register, describing it as a fraud, phantom, bogus, and ambiguous program, indicting Farouq.

It was under the register that over N3trn was distributed by Farouq in the last few years, according to NEC.

Meanwhile the newly inaugurated Minister of FMHADMSD, Betta Edu, on Friday claimed that the 46 million vulnerable Nigerians captured in the NSR were neither poor nor vulnerable.

Edu said this on Friday during an interview with Channels Television, while responding to questions on the verification of the NSR.

She said, “The first thing which we are starting almost immediately is the verification of the National Social Register.

“For a couple of days and weeks, we have been going back and forth with the governors’ forum and several interested parties, saying ‘the register is okay and not okay.

“We are going to first carry out a full verification of the social register to ensure that truly it is the poorest of the poor, those who deserve to be on that list, that are on that list.

“We will verify, remove, and update the register, and it will be owned by Nigerians both at national, state, and local government areas and even in the community.”

She reiterated that the verification process will cut across the three tiers of government because they complained that one of the challenges, they encounter is non-inclusiveness.

“The process of really getting the poorest of the poor is that we have to have ownership of whatever data that must be used from the grassroots, so we can say these are the poor people, we know them, not just numbers and names, but they are human beings and we can identify them.

“This will be done through the involvement of the NEC, governors, local, traditional rulers, and religious rulers” Edu reiterated.

August 25, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

Niger Ambush: ‘Death of our men will not go in vain, we will avenge’ – Military

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2023

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, says Nigerian Military will avenge killing of its personnel who were ambushed at Zungeru-Tegina road in Niger State on August 14.

Leading reporters had reported how soldiers engaging terrorists were shot dead while an aircraft on rescue mission subsequently crashed.

The military had last week disclosed that a total of 36 personnel of the military paid supreme price during the ambush which occurred on Zungeru-Tegina road and the crash in Chukuba area of Shiroro, all in Niger State.

Speaking at Military Cemetery, Abuja, where 20 deceased personnel of the armed forces were buried, the Defence Chief said none of those adversaries will go scot-free, saying they would be hunted down by all means.

The deceased, buried at the Cemetery, include: Private Habib Aliyu, who joined armed forces in 2020; Lance Corporal Nura Mohammed (joined in 2016); AB Suleiman with registration number X/1468; Lance Corporal Sunday Okopi (12NA/65/5192) and 16 others.

Speaking after laying of wreath on their graves and presentation of the national flags to the deceased’s next of kins, Musa said they joined the family members in their griefs, adding that the deaths of their loved ones would not be in vain.

“Those that did this, and those that have continued our men, wherever they are, we will get them out, we will smoke them out and we will ensure that they never have any other opportunity to kill any other person, that I assure you.”

“We will hunt you down, we will bring you to justice. We will not relent until we get those causing havocs in the country,” the distraught Defence Chief said.

August 25, 2023 0 comments

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