NYSC Press release, 

GRACE FM / CTV, LOKOJA, KOGI STATE.

Corps member engage young girls and women on skill acquisition workshop in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Okonta clement chidi with State code number; KG/17A/0872 trained not fewer than 311 young girls and market women in Lokoja Local Government, Kogi State on how to produce Dettol, Izal and Multipurpose liquid soap as his contribution to community development services in his host community .
Clement intimate the participants on the importance of disinfectant at home and why it is important to go into business with those products to earn themselves more money.
During his sensitization, he described skill acquisition as a tool to eradicate unemployment and poverty in the society.

When he was interviewed by Grace FM and Confluence TV Lokoja, he said that the purpose of the workshop is to foster the entrepreneurial mindset in young and old people, educators and community members and also to set the younger generation in motion for better tomorrow.
Clement urged the youth to venture into skill acquisition to become an entrepreneur so that they can turn employer of labour to reduce the rate of unemployment and poverty in the society. 

During the training, he said that Training people on skill acquisition is more or less intimating the next phase of life which he called entrepreneur, especially for those from average homes. And also define an entrepreneur as a person who undertakes the risk of establishing and running a new business, seeking out new business opportunities, inventing and commercializing new goods and services and method of production.
Over 311 young girls and market women including Secondary School Students and teachers were in attendant and were given free Dettol, Izal and Multipurpose liquid soap after the training to maintain good hygiene at home.
To sustain the project, he involved teachers to be part of the training to enable them impart the knowledge to the younger generation and also provide training guide to participants and schools round Lokoja Local Government.

Why S/East govs outlawed IPOB, others

By Henry Umoru &Johnbosco Agbakwuru 

IN what appeared like a mortal blow to the existence of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, state governors in the South East geopolitical zone, yesterday, proscribed the activities of the separatist group and other aggrieved organisations. The development which came on a day the Nigerian Army gave seven reasons for declaring the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB a terrorist group, was said to have been informed by the prevailing security situation in the zone and its attendant consequences. Consequently, the governors urged all aggrieved groups in the region to articulate their position on contentious national issues and submit to a committee which comprised of governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the zone. 
 

South-East govs currently emergency meeting with army over IPOB, Op Python Dance .

The decisions were among the outcome of a meeting of South East Governors Forum held in Enugu with the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division of Nigerian Army, the Deputy Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremadu and the President General of apex Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo. Compliance in respective states Chairman of South East Governors Forum and Ebonyi State governor, Mr. Dave Umahi said all governors were asked to ensure compliance in their respective states, adding that IPOB leader was invited but failed to attend South-East govs currently emergency meeting with army over IPOB, Op Python Dance A communiqué issued at the end of the forum restated the commitment of the governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members to an indivisible Nigeria. The communiqué reads: “We also restate our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all national issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness for every Nigerian. We reinstate our earlier position that the November 18, 2017, governorship election in Anambra State must hold. “Accordingly, we appeal to Mr. President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the military in the South East zone, while the Police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order. “We have also planned for an exchange of visits between the governors and to re-enforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect. In keeping with our earlier position, we wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the South East zone within this period. “The governors and the security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable. We advise all residents of the South East to go about their normal businesses as the government of each state is committed to protecting everybody and we advise all our people in the South East to be law-abiding.” On its part, the Army said the activities of IPOB in the South East had become a national security threat, adding that labeling the group a violent one became necessary to avoid national security challenges. A statement by the Director of Defense Information, Major-General Paul Enenche said the Army’s decision was taken after due professional analysis of the activities of IPOB and recent events, stating that the group’s claim of being non-violent was false. The statement came as the Rivers State governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike flayed the activities of IPOB in the state, saying that the state would not tolerate any attack on other Nigerians residing in the state. Also, the Northern Elders Forum accused the apex Igbo socio-political organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo of being sympathetic to the actions of IPOB, saying the ongoing military operation in the Southeast was in order. Formation of Biafra National Guard The statement by the Army reads: “The Independent People of Biafra which has posed to be a security challenge in the country, has been metamorphosing from one stage to the other. After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the public that the claim by IPOB actors that the organisation is non-violent is not true. Hence, the need to bring to the public, awareness about the true and current state of IPOB. In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that has been terrorising the public among others include: The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads, extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks, militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on September 10, 2017, physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a checkpoint on September 11, 2017, and also attempts to snatch their rifles and attack by IPOB members on a military checkpoint on September 12, 2017, at Isialangwa, “From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the public that IPOB from all intent, plan, and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation. Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South East and other Nigerians should advice their wards to desist from joining the group. “The Defence Headquarters restates its commitment to handling all the security challenges in the country and further assures all Nigerians of the protection of lives and property.” Steer clear of River State—Wike Explaining the reasons for berating IPOB, Wike, in a state broadcast yesterday, said the activities of the group in Rivers had become an issue of grave concern. His words:”The Rivers State Government is seriously concerned about the recent activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, particularly the attack on Nigerian citizens living in Rivers State. Rivers people fully subscribe to Nigeria’s corporate existence and its indivisibility. As a people, we shall continue to support the unity and peaceful co-existence of all ethnic nationalities and work towards actualizing our collective aspirations for a just, inclusive and progressive nation. Rivers State belongs to all those who live in it. We heartily welcome any Nigerian who wishes to reside here and go about with his or her lawful businesses. ‘’Therefore, we shall not tolerate any attack by any group on other Nigerians living in Oyigbo or any other part of the state. We warn troublemakers, who are bent on causing violence to steer clear of Rivers territory. Nobody should take our hospitality and peaceful disposition for weakness, as we are capable of dealing decisively with any situation that threatens peace in the state. FG should initiate national dialogue on crisis “We call on Rivers people to be vigilant and not to allow themselves to be used by anybody to foment trouble in our state. Do not hesitate to report any suspicious character or movements around your vicinity to the law enforcement agencies for immediate action. In as much as we may share common concerns about the structural problems of the country, we believe that dialogue, not violence, remains the best way to resolve contending political issues. We, therefore, pray the Federal Government to initiate a meaningful national dialogue to peacefully resolve the structural challenges that are threatening Nigeria’s stability and progress.” Ohaneze supports IPOB agenda—NEF Similarly, Chairman of NEF, Prof Ango Abdullahi, who briefed newsmen in Abuja, said the position of Ohaneze on the deployment of troops to the Southeast, confirmed earlier allegation by Arewa Youths that the group approved IPOB’s separatist agenda. He said: “When our children reacted to what they considered continuous barrage of misinformation or sometimes insults and abuses from a source that has been doing, we were hoping that somebody, somewhere who held a position of respect would tell them to stay away from things that will agitate reaction from somewhere. “Apparently this didn’t happen and Ohaneze that is supposed to be an umbrella body of Ndigbo has come out with open criticism of what is happening on the ground by criticising the federal government and by extension the Army for doing what they are supposed to do in terms of keeping peace in the country. I understand from what I have read in the papers that they have demanded that the military personnel be withdrawn from their areas. Their position is now a vindication of what our boys have complained about some months ago. “Now that Ohaneze is coming out to say that, it suggests to me that all along that they have been behind or encouraged these agitations. Even before now we had indicators to believe that the elders, who we thought will restrain some of these things, were behind them. We saw what happened when Kanu got his bail. We knew those, who were behind the struggle for his bail. That was enough to that this young man must have had the support of his people including the elders.” All parties should exercise restraint—Labour On its part, the Organized Labour advised those agitating for self-determination and the federal government to exercise restraint and follow the civil way in whatever they are doing. National President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who said this, lamented that insecurity had become prevalent in Nigeria as a result of the agitation by IPOB. “People must continue to exercise restraint and must use peaceful approach so that it does not escalate. We must continue to adopt the civil approach to quell agitations. We must continue to advance issues of peace and dialogue.” Reacting to the development in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB, denied being a terrorist group, saying it had often been non-violent in its agitations. “IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has never been involved in any act of violence or crime since the inception of this fight for Biafra independence.” The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, said the declaration of IPOB as a terrorist group indicated that the military was not ready to end the ongoing military operation in the South East. The group in a statement by its leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, said the development was an insult and embarrassment to the Igbo. Madu said: “MASSOB wishes to remind the Defence Headquarters that a sitting Judge of Nigeria’s Federal High Court admitted and acknowledged that IPOB is a global reputable organisation. Nigerian Army’s show of force on the people of Biafra is a sign of jittery and fear of Biafra. The action of the Nigerian military against the people of Biafra is deeply assisting in dividing Nigeria.” Talks for end to Python Dance ongoing —Ekweremadu Relatedly, Ekweremadu urged the people of the South East to remain calm, adding that talks were ongoing with the Presidency and security agencies to end the deployment of troops to the region. He said: “The military siege to the South East is uncalled for because there is no prevailing situation in the region beyond the Police, who are constitutionally charged with the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order, to warrant it in the first place. Instead, the show of force, Operation Egwu Eke appears to be creating problems and raising tension in the region. “I want to assure our people that I have been engaging the Presidency and security agencies meaningfully on the issue. It is my hope that the Operation Egwu Eke or Python Dance will be called off. Also, the Igbo Community Association in Kano State has dissociated itself from the activities of IPOB and its leader. The President-General of the association, Chief Ebenezer Chima, made the position known at a press briefing Kano on Friday. He said: “We want to state categorically here that we, the Igbo residing and doing business in Kano State, unequivocally state that we dissociate ourselves from the activities of IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.’’

breaking-osinbajo-receives-president-buhari.

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has received President Muhammadu Buhari who returned from the London hospital from a medical vacation that lasted over 100 days.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/breaking-osinbajo-receives-president-buhari/ President Muhammadu Buhari on arrival received by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. AUG 19 2017. President Buhari after alighting from the aircraft 001 received presidential salute from the Brigade of Guards which was followed by the National anthem.

Read more at
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/breaking-osinbajo-receives-president-buhari/
He also briefly exchanged pleasantries with some of the dignitaries that were at the airport to receive him and thereafter proceeded to the presidential lodge. Buhari’s plane comes to a halt at 4. 40 pm. Details later. Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/breaking-osinbajo-receives-president-buhari/

Strange disease kills 50 people in Kogi. (vanguard news)

A strange disease whose symptoms include diarrhea, bloodstained vomiting and high fever has killed 50 people at Okunran, Okoloke and Isanlu-Esa villages in Yagba West Local Government of Kogi state. Initial reports had suspected lassa Fever, but medics told Dr. Saka Audu, Commissioner for Health, who visited the affected areas on Thursday, that it was a strange diseases that was unknow.   Read more http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/just-strange-disease-kills-50-people-kogi/

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

“We initially suspected Lassa Fever after getting some misleading reports about people bleeding around, so we made a diagnosis for viral haemorrhagic fever (lassa fever), but the result was negative,” Dr. Jannette Hathorn, a Consultant at ECWA Hospital, Egbe told Audu.

She said the first case was that of a child of two and half years, who died 12 hours after he was brought to the hospital.
“We are sure it is not lassa fever; but our concern is that we do not know exactly what is happening. We have not arrived at a definitive diagnosis.

“Two adult patients were also brought here; one showed symptoms of ulcer-viral illness, but there was no bleeding component of any haemorrhagic symptom.

“We isolated them and both of them were treated for malaria. When they started improving, we let them go.

“Another parent brought a child to the hospital and pleaded for help. He said that 50 people had died in their village with similar symptoms of bloodstained vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

“When the child died, we called the World Health Organisation (WHO). Yesterday (Wednesday), their officials came and took samples of everything; we must know exactly what we are dealing with,” she said.

Audu, who described the situation as “serious”, said the visit was to assess it “especially since many lives have been lost to the disease”.

“We want to determine the cause of these mysterious deaths and then proffer solution to it.

“Government is committed to assisting the people irrespective of how remote their settlements may be. We must ensure that we take healthcare to the door steps of rural dwellers.

“We want to reassure the people that government is with them and will take full responsibility of those who are already ill, so as to arrest the spread of this disease.

“For now, what is clear and confirmed is that it is not lassa fever; but whatever it is, we will carry out further investigation and come up with definitive diagnosis,” Audu said.

He said that the information about the outbreak of the strange disease came to government last week and a technical team was immediately sent to take samples which were sent to General Hospital Irrua, Edo State, for definitive investigation.

“We are digging into the real cause of this ailment. All hands are on deck toward unraveling the definitive cause of the mysterious deaths among the kids,” the commissioner assured.

According to him, the Fulani settlers have been reported to be the worst hit by the disease which broke out three weeks ago.

Ardo Damina Ibrahim, leader of the Fulani settlement, told newsmen that the first case was reported three weeks ago, adding that children were worst hit.

“We at first used herbs to treat the patients but had to rush to the hospital after recording several deaths,” he said.

He explained that parents became more confused when doctors could not ascertain the cause of the illness, saying that many died in the hospital while others were discharged without any cure.

“We have lost more than 50 people and still have many helpless patients at home,’’ he said.

Oba Joshua Ogunyanda, the traditional ruler of the community, who thanked the commissioner for visiting the area in spite of the difficult terrain, said that he ran to the Yagba Local Government when the disease broke out.

“We are confident that the disease will soon be brought under control with the commitment that you have shown,” he said.

The commissioner later gave N50,000 to the leader of the Fulani community to transport the sick patients to Lokoja for proper treatment.

Gunmen invade Benue village, kill one, injure many BY PETER DURU (VANGUARD NEWS).

By Peter Duru on August 7, 2017

MORE ON VANGUARD @

 http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/gunmen-invade-benue-village-kill-one-injure-many/

On August 7, 2017

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/category/national-news/

On August 7, 2017

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/category/national-news/

 MAKURDI— A man in his mid-forties was, weekend, killed by unknown gunmen that invaded Atongo village in Katsina/Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. The gunmen also inflicted bullet wounds on many others, including the deceased teenage son. An eyewitness disclosed that the gang that stormed the village, Saturday night, on two motorbikes and a pick-up van, shot sporadically to announce their arrival. He said: “They invaded our village late Saturday night, when many had gone to bed and several young men were still outside. But everyone was rattled by the sporadic gunshots. “No one was expecting such because the people have been living in peace, hence the sound of gunshots sent fears into everyone and people started running for their lives. The siege lasted few minutes. “Unfortunately, when the gang left, we later discovered that the victim was killed in the confusion, while some other persons sustained bullet wounds, including the 14-year-old son of the deceased. “His remains have been deposited at the General Hospital, while the injured persons, including his son, are receiving treatment at the same hospital.” When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Moses Yamu, said he was yet to get details of the incident. Read more at:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/gunmen-invade-benue-village-kill-one-injure-many/

The killing of worshippers this morning at the St. Philips Catholics Church , Ozubulu, Anambra State.

Worshippers killed in St. Philips Catholic Church, in Anambra by a gunman

 http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/residents-condemn-attack-worshippers-anambra/


 The police Commissioner in Anambra, Mr Garba Umar confirmed that eight persons died while 18 sustained various degrees of injuries in the incidence. Speaking in separate interviews in Awka, residents described the attack as heinous, unjustifiable and totally unwarranted. Chief Osita Chidoka, former minister of aviation, said he was saddened by the incident. Chidoka decried the desecration of the temple of God which served as a place of worship, adding that nobody attacked anyone in the church even during war times. “This is tragic, the church is a place of refuge to anyone who runs into it, and this wicked, barbaric and mindless bloodletting shows that something has gone wrong on our psyche. “My heart goes to the bereaved at this moment of pains. I pray that God grant the soul of the departed eternal rest as I urge the security agents to fish out the perpetrators and make them face the law,” he said. On his part, Mr Oseloka Obaze, former Secretary to Anambra Government, said such callous attack dehumanises the society. Obaze said: “Our heart goes to the family and parishioners of St. Philips Catholic Church in Ozubulu, where unidentified gunmen reportedly killed several church members and wounded several others early today. ‘’Such violent incidents dehumanizes our society”. Also reacting, Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said no amount of provocation could justify the killing of innocent people who had come to worship in a Church. Oye, who described the attack as wicked, called on the security agencies to fish out those responsible for the dastardly act. “As a political leader, I totally condemn the Ozubulu Church shooting as dastardly, unjustifiable and callous. “Nobody has the right to kill innocent citizens. The Police and other relevant security agencies should ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are caught and made to face justice,” he said. Also speaking, Chief Jude Emecheta, who hails from Ozubulu said a dark cloud had befallen his peaceful town. Emecheta, who is the Managing Director of Anambra Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), said that the loss from the attack was too much for the people to bear. He wondered why brothers could visit such attack on their people and urged those involved to ‘’sheathe their swords”.

KOGI STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (VANGUARD NEWS)

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/pdp-calls-immediate-transfer-kogi-commissioner-police/



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate transfer of Mr Wilson Inalegwu the Kogi state Commissioner of Police and the arrest of Mr Ahmed Ahmed, a member representing Ankpa constituency in State House of Assembly over allegations of mutiny, impunity and the kidnap of a fellow legislator, Mr Friday Makama on Tuesday morning. The leader of the Peoples Democratic Youth Frontier (PDPNYF) Comrade Austin Usman Okai reacting to the ongoing impunity trending in Kogi state made the call while briefing newsmen shortly after an emergency stakeholders meeting of the party held in Abuja. In his words “We hereby call on the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo as a matter of urgency to call the Kogi State Governor Mr Yahaya Bello and his boys to order.Kogi state is not an autocratic state and we cannot continue to tolerate this impunity. This is not democracy”. “We equally seek for the immediate arrest of the member representing Ankpa constituency in the House of Assembly for plotting the kidnap of Friday Makama using the coercive influence of thugs and some uniformed police officers. This is sheer wickedness”. Speaking further on the development, Okai noted that ‘we noticed the incessant political romance Inalegwu has with the the state governor and that he has shunned the ethical conducts of the Nigeria Police by condescend so low to work for the state governor” “This is not the first time the Commissioner of Police is present in a crisis recorded scene of which he could not prevent due to his political switch. Inalegwu is glaringly an opposition and not a neutral police officer” “Recently, Wilson Inalegwu was present when Senator Dino Melaye was attacked under his watch in Lokoja. The attacked led to the death of two innocent indigenes of the state leaving numerous others injured. ‘The same Inalegwu motioned his boys from Lokoja to arrest me in Abuja on the orders of the Kogi state governor. It is now a known fact that Wilson Inalegwu is a political police officer”. “Wilson Inalegwu should be transferred with immediate effect because he is causing more harm than good within the confluence state. He is not representing the interest of the Nigeria Police but his own interest.” “We are requesting for the urgent attention of the Acting President to mediate in this matter to prevent the scenario from escalating”. As at the time of filing this report, heavily armed policemen led by the state police commissioner are still in the premises of the legislative house despite being unable to prevent the crisis.

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and the State Commissioner of Police (CP), Wilson Inalegwu, on Tuesday locked up the Kogi State House of Assembly Complex to prevent plenary from taking place.
According to a source who spoke to newsmen, the development was an attempt to halt the planned removal of the Majority Leader of the House, Matthew Kolawole, who is said to be a staunch supporter of the state governor.

The source further said the State Commissioners of Justice and Finance; Mohammed Ibrahim and Idris Asiwaju, were also slated to testify before the House of Assembly how the state government utilized the bailout funds and the two tranches of the Paris-Club loan refunds received from the federal government.
He said: “The Kogi State House of Assembly is locked as we speak. Governor Yahaya Bello and the State Commissioner of Police stormed the complex this morning with some officers and thugs invited by one Hon. Bello who represents Ajaokuta State constituency to lock up the premises in order to prevent plenary from holding today
“The reason is not unconnected to the perceived failure of the plot to impeach the Speaker and replace him with the Majority Leader who is a staunch ally of the governor. But, the Speaker himself having control of the House, has also staged a counter plot to have the Majority Leader removed today.
“Also, the governor has paid some arrears owed workers and pensioners in the state with the funds received from the federal government. However, the House had planned, today, to hear from the Commissioners of Justice and Finance how the funds were expended by the state before this incident happened.”

Commending on the incident, opposition youth leader in the State, Austin Okai, described the action of the Governor and the Police Commissioner as a plot to truncate democracy in the State and institutionalize autocracy where in the legislature is suspended from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
He said: “This is unheard of anywhere in the world that members of the Executive arm of government will physical storm a legislative complex in the company of security operatives in order to prevent legislators from doing their job.
“It is impunity in its highest form and must be put to a stop before it leads to an oppressive regime.” He therefore calls for the immediate transfer of the state police commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu.
It will be recalled that the Commissioner of Police and some fierce looking political thugs stormed the State Assembly Complex on Tuesday morning disrupting plenary and pushing for the unconstitutional arrest of the embattled member representing Igala Mela / Odolu, Hon Friday Makama.

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