Lastday

. Igbo mothers in Nigeria have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stop forthwith the ongoing bloodletting, killings, brutality, harassment and intimidation by the Nigerian military in the South East zone of the country. The mothers, who addressed a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, on the platform of Credible Igbo Women Initiative (CIWI), also demanded the immediate convocation of a security conclave to resolve the crisis in the area. Speaking against the backdrop of widely reported cases of rampant arrests and killings of often unarmed and innocent youths as well as their harassment, intimidation and brutalisation by the military, as a result of the activities of “unknown gunmen,” the women said that the Federal Government must take urgent steps to restore confidence in the nation’s security forces. The communiqué of the conference, which was addressed by leading Igbo women and, which was copied to President Buhari, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), th

. By Lawani Mikairu A deportee with special needs, Adepoju Oluwatoyin Ruth, has been reunited with her family at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos after she returned from Oman by Nigeria Immigration Services,Lagos airport Command . Ruth who arrived Nigeria from Oman aboard Egypt Air on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 is suspected to have special needs. Her name was erroneously given as Olajide Oluwatoyin Ruth by the Egypt Air, which could not be traced in the immigration system. However, the command was able to sort out her real names from its system and contacted the father who is said to be a resident of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.The father ,it was gathered, directed the sister of the returnee, Adepoju Olamide who is based in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital to pick her up at the airport. ” On arrival at the airport, the Command interrogated the sister, Olamide to proof her true identity, but the returnee immediately went berserk and incoherent with her c

Billionaire businessman, Chief Femi Otedola today was on a site’s visit to AUGUSTINE University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State where he had donated a 2billon naira faculty of engineering building to the tertiary institution. Otedola, a renowned philanthropist with many of such philanthropic projects and donations to his name has been praised by many Nigerians for this gesture which many have said would further enhance educational development in the country. Femi Otedola, in a post on his Facebook page, wrote: “Today’s site visit to the 2 billon naira faculty of engineering building at Augustine university in Epe that I donated”. Recall vanguard had reported that at a recent convocation of Augustine University where the Vice chancellor professor Christopher Odetunde praised Femi Otedola for his kind gesture toward ensuring the faculty was completed. He said, “The Engineering building which was funded by Mr. Femi Otedola is in progress. We are extremely grateful to the Otedola family for

By: Kingsley Omonobi – Abuja The Nigerian Army(NA)  has released posting and appointments of senior officers. This is in line with the Chief of Army Staff vision to have a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria. Those affected in the reorganization include; Major General FO Omoigui from Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI to Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria and appointed Director General, Major General CG Musa from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI and  appointed Theatre Commander, Major General OR  Aiyenigba from  Defence Headquarters to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police and appointed Provost Marshal(Army) and  Major General IM Jallo from Defence Space Administration to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI and appointed Deputy Theatre Commander 1. Others affected in the posting include ; Brigadier General NU Mu

A map of Nigeria By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-AFTER engaging in ten hours of marathon meeting on the state of the nation on Thursday former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Emeritus John Cardinal Onaiyekan among others refused to talk to the media. All the participants at the meeting snubbed journalists when they were approached to speak on the deliberations and possible resolutions. READ ALSO Insecurity affecting development in the north ― NSF The meeting which started at 11:30 pm ended around 8:20 pm. Among all the participants approached to speak, it was only Emeritus John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who told reporters that “we discussed everything”, refusing to speak further. On his part, the Director, Publicity, and Advocacy of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Alhaji Hakeem Baba Ahmed, who was also a participant, said he could not speak because he was not mandated to do so. “I am only a delegate to the meeting, I am not author

. Dayo Johnson Akure The Yoruba Pan Socio-Political Group Afenifere has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of taking delight in ridiculing Igbos by his unpresidential utterances. The group’s Secretary General Chief Sola Ebiseni in a statement in Akure in reaction to the President’s interview on Arise as regards IPOB, Afenifere said that ” the President takes delight in ridiculing the Ndigbo which he used IPOB to represent. “Thus, to him, the Igbo and their territory is just a dot in a circle of the map of Nigeria, which even if the secede could exit to nowhere since the elders and youths of the South-South had assured him of not being part of the secessionist agenda. “He couldn’t have been reacting to the IPOB but the Igbo who he said had businesses everywhere. Also Read: President’s Interview: Afenifere blast Buhari says he’s unrepentant tribalist “His utterances were very unpresidential and in the mode of common expressions with some unidentifiable northern organisations. Af

By Olasunkanmi Akoni The Oniru of Iruland, Oba AbdulWasiu Gbolahan Lawal, on Thursday, conferred chieftaincy titles on eminient Nigerians and foreign nationals for contributing to the economic development of Nigeria, Lagos and Iruland in in particular. Among those conferred with the titles were: the wife of Dr Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki as the Erelu  Bobajiro or Iruland; founder of Choice International Group; Chief Diana Chen;  Managing Director of VAVA Group,Ambassador Michael Tawadrous; and his wife, Magy, three foreign nationals and 9 other eminent Nigerians, held at the Oniru’s Palace, Iru-Victoria Island area of Lagos. Other personalities conferred  include: the former Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Cheif Adeyemi ; Managing Director of Mego Foods and Beverages Nigeria Limited; Magy Eskander Tawadrous; Ogunbanlmbi Lateef Abisogun, Taiwo Olatunji, Alhaja Muyibat Giwa, Prince Kabiru Fadare Oniru, Mrs Olarenwaj

Akinfolarin By Femi Salako The time will always be right for our society to benefit from the dividends of a good democratic system, the development, and growth of our realities is not subjected to time but it’s a question that rests solely on humans and their willingness to affect the much-needed changes that will not only create a good and conducive atmosphere much needed for this to happen but also ones that will use the limited resources available to push for the greater good of all. For the good people of Odigbo, Oke-Igbo, Ile-Oluji Constituency, Ondo, the past two years have been one of its most amazing times in the history of the Federal Constituency especially when it comes to its socio-political outlook. The immense level of development that the Constituency has witnessed in these past few years has greatly raised the hope of the electorate that much good can still do through the roles of our policymakers. READ ALSO: Why Southern Governors called for national dialogue –

Insurance By Rosemary Iwunze AXA Mansard Insurance Plc has recorded 19 percent Year on Year, YoY, growth in its Gross Written Premium, GWP, to N25.08 billion, in the first quarter ended March 2021, Q1’21, from N21.09 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2020, Q1’20. In a statement from the company, net premium income went up by two percent to N8.34 billion in Q1’21 from N8.21 billion in Q1’20 even as investment and other income declined by 32 percent to N1.64 billion from N2.39 billion. Operating expenses increased by 23 percent to N2.52 billion, profit before tax rose by 36 percent to N2.92 billion from N2.14 billion, while profit after tax went up by 34 percent to N2.63 billion from N1.96 billion. READ ALSO:  Diaspora Igbo insists on restructuring, fiscal federation Commenting on the results, Chief Financial Officer of the company, Mrs. Ngozi Ola-Israel, said: “Our start to the year demonstrates the continued drive to deliver strong and sustainable results. We deliv

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna State Sector Command, has began clamp down on drivers plying roads with expired vehicle documents, old number plates and without drivers licence. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise which began  in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan Local Government areas of the state was a joint operation with some key government agencies. They include the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority. Briefing newsmen on , Tuesday on  the exercise, the FRSC Sector Commander in Kaduna, Hafiz Muhammed, said the joint operation was aimed at enforcing registration of old number plates, and unlicensed drivers. He explained that having registered vehicles and licenced number plates was of critical importance to national security, especially at such trying time. ALSO READ:  Gunmen disguised as NSCDC operatives kill tw

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday granted emergency approval to a second Covid-19 vaccine manufactured in China. The shot, developed by pharmaceutical firm Sinovac, has the highest standards in terms of effectiveness and manufacturing, the WHO said. According to the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), the jab prevents Covid-19 symptoms in 51 per cent of vaccinated people. Another vaccine by Chinese manufacturer Sinopharm was already authorized on May 7 by WHO. WHO has also issued an authorization for emergency use for the Covid-19 vaccines by BioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna. READ ALSO: COVID-19: Adhere strictly to medical advice, Mopheth Pharmacy tells Nigerians Countries that don’t have their own medical regulation authority often use the WHO decision as a benchmark to introduce a jab, while the United States and the European Union, for instance, have their own regulatory bodies for the matter. DPA Vanguard News Nige

By Emmanuel Elebeke The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has shared his experiences on some of the regulatory models, approaches, and best practices being implemented by the Commission in promoting a stable telecoms sector and accelerating digital inclusion in Nigeria. Danbatta shared these experiences while receiving a delegation from Autoridade Reguladora Nacional (ARN), the Telecom National Regulatory Authority of Guinea-Bissau who were on a week-long benchmarking visit to the Commission in Abuja on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The delegation was in the Commission to gain insights into NCC’s regulatory template as part of the exchange to build stronger bilateral relations with the Commission in the area of telecommunications regulation. According to Danbatta, who is also the Chairman of the West African Telecommunication Regulatory Assembly (WATRA), the Nigerian Communications Commission has been recognised by

Abdulrasheed Bawa By Segun Ige PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari could actually be whitewashing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through the approval of Abdulrasheed Bawa. The EFCC is crucially a formative organ in the Nigerian justice system. Buhari could, ideologically speaking, be making the gesture that this ‘born-again’ EFCC would demonstrate unflinching conversion and redemption of lost years. It would be a sheer ignominy and impunity to overlook how, even at 60, we still can’t manage ‘small matters’. I’m extremely appalled by the fact that the Ibrahim Magu case had to be presided over by the U.K. Business and Property Courts of England and Wales. To be sure, certain constitutional scholars and legal practitioners were glad that Magu eventually won the case – but have indeed forgotten that unless the commercial court intervened, we could still be perennially grappling with one Magu case, or worse still, just wrap it away in a nolle prosequi or dead-end sine die . Perh

The Commissioner of Police in Osun, Olawale Olokode, on Tuesday said the EndSARS protest in 2020 had emboldened hoodlums to attack police formations and officers across the country Olokode, who spoke on a radio interview programme in Osogbo, said hoodlums and criminal elements are now emboldened and dare security officers, whether or not the officers are in uniform or they carry arms. “There is a kind of hatred for the police, and many false reports and allegations had been leveled against officers and men of the force. “Some members of the public that are bad (hoodlums) are now emboldened to face any uniform agent , be it military or police, irrespective, whether they are carrying arms or not. “The action of these hoodlums is at the expense of their lives because the Inspector General of Police has given directive that police officers should also protect their own lives when under attack. ALSO READ:  Shot with Federal Riot Gun at close range – Sowore alleges “Look at the EndSA

By ‘Yemi Adamolekun Of all the institutions of a democratic society, there’s none as formidable as an awakened and conscious citizenry — Shehu Sani WHEN I started actively working on governance issues 10 years ago, it seemed that there would be a rational sequence of actions leading to holding public office holders accountable. People put themselves forward to serve and when they fail to deliver on their promises, refuse to serve or serve in ways that are destructive, we bring this to their attention, expecting them to realign. If they do not comply, we vote them out of office or use other legal processes to enforce accountability, including protests! It was very straightforward to me. I would get so frustrated when talking to people about demanding better governance, because there was just very little or no interest in taking any action. Some did not know their rights, while others had the general understanding that government should serve them. Nevertheless, both groups felt he

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna State Sector Command, has began clamp down on drivers plying roads with expired vehicle documents, old number plates and without drivers licence. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise which began in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan Local Government areas of the state was a joint operation with some key government agencies. They include the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority. Briefing newsmen on , Tuesday on the exercise, the FRSC Sector Commander in Kaduna, Hafiz Muhammed, said the joint operation was aimed at enforcing registration of old number plates, and unlicensed drivers. He explained that having registered vehicles and licenced number plates was of critical importance to national security especially at such trying time. “Up till this moment a lot of unregistered vehicles including

Babatunde Fashola A total of 75 companies are bidding for 12  federal roads to be concession under the first phase of the Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI). Mrs Abimbola Asein, Head Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, disclosed this at the opening of Request For Qualification (RFQ) bid on Tuesday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the HDMI was created by Federal Government to develop and manage the federal Road network through sustainable Private-Sector investment. The 12 roads to be concession under the first phase of the HDMI are: Benin – Asaba, Abuja – Lokoja; Kaduna – Kano; Onitsha – Owerri – Aba; Sagamu – Benin; Abuja – Keffi – Akwanga; Lokoja – Benin; Enugu – Port Harcourt; Ilorin – Jebba; Lagos – Ota – Abeokuta; Lagos – Badagry; and Kano – Shuari – Potiskum – Damaturu. The initiative is aimed at creating alternative sources of financing road development and management in the country whil

……Warns against keeping youths on streets By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja The Federal Government, Monday, said that it was working on the artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta area and that the project would soon be launched. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, disclosed this at the inauguration of Francis Olabode Johnson Foundation in Abuja. Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson popularly known as FOJ was the President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN before his death two years ago at the National Hospital, Abuja. Senator Enang, who explained that work was in an advanced stage on the policy, said, “We are still working on the artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta. It will soon launch off.” ALSO READ:  Gulak’s Murder: Ndigbo can’t afford to be linked to senseless murder ― Ngige He described the late Johnson as a reliable and practical labour union leader before his death two years ago. Spe

By Tayo Ogunbiyi THERE is a saying that “a wealthy nation is a healthy nation”. This assertion is anchored on the belief that a healthy population contributes immensely to the socio-economic growth of any society. This is why one can only but commend the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos State for making health and environment one of its cardinal programmes as captured in  T.H.E.M.E.S(an acronym for the administration’s strategic development agenda, namely: Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism and Security and Governance) developmental Agenda. In the last two years, the administration has invested immensely in the upgrade of public health facilities to enhance access to quality healthcare. At the centre of the state’s public health policy is the provision of unhindered access to healthcare delivery without financial constraint to the residents. The com