War at NASS amid Akapbio impeachment as DSS takes over

 

                            Akpabio

The premises of the national assembly appears like a war zone this morning as men of the Department of State Security (DSS) have taken over amidst speculations of an impeachment move against Sen. Akpabio 

Operatives of the DSS have taken control of the national assembly amid allegations of a potential impeachment threat against Senate President, Goodswill Akpabio.

Speculations have swirled that some aggrieved northern senators, allegedly dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu, are reportedly reviving an earlier attempt to remove Akpabio from office. Globally, parliaments have dedicated internal security personnel responsible for maintaining order and safety within and around the premises of parliament.

Other security agencies attached to the parliament are present to ensure the safety of lives and property in the event of any security breach or threats that might disrupt the proceedings of lawmakers and staff, particularly when internal security is overwhelmed.

OrderPaper observed this morning that from the main entrance to the second gate and all entrances within the premises, DSS men and women dressed in dark-colored suits, wearing intimidating dark shades have been stationed.

Source: Order paper 

Israeli arrested for plot to assassinate Israeli scientist in exchange for $100K from Iran

Illustrative: A police car in Rishon Lezion on July 3, 2022. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

A resident of Petah Tikva has been arrested on charges of planning to assassinate Israeli figures on orders from Iran, according to a statement from the Israel Police.

The statement names the suspect as Vladimir Verhovski, 35, from Petah Tikva, and says he was arrested “after he carried out different tasks” for Iranian sources in exchange for payment. The actions included spray painting graffiti, hanging up flyers and gathering information on an Israeli official, police say.

According to police, Verhovski agreed to assassinate an Israeli scientist in exchange for a payment of $100,000, and went so far as to acquire a weapon for the plot.

The suspect is slated to appear before a court hearing this morning for an extension of his remand, police say.

Source: The Times of Israel

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Imo Police Command Orders Probe Into Viral Allegation Levelled Against Anti-Narcotics Unit Operatives By Actor, Young C

 

Young C said the officers arrested them and said that they would need N1.5 million to get themselves freed.

CP Aboki Danjuma, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police overseeing the IGP X-Squad to conduct a thorough probe into the damning allegations levelled against operatives of the Command’s Anti-Narcotics Unit and the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Owerri by Young C Entertainment.

In the viral video, Young C said that on October 11, he and his crew travelled from Port Harcourt to Owerri for a movie shoot and were advised to use prop money while shooting his content due to security concerns. He said after they left the shoot, they were stopped and searched by men of the Anti-Narcotic unit and the prop money was found on them.

Young C said the officers arrested them and said that they would need N1.5 million to get themselves freed. The actor said all the explanations he gave to the officers that they were actors and had used the prop money while on set fell on deaf ears as the officers allegedly whisked them to their office and kept them in the cell for 24 hours.

He said the officers seized their phones and prevented them from contacting their family members, lawyers or even production crew members. He said his lawyer later came in for them and that the police demanded N300,000 before they would be released which he and his lawyer refused to give.

Young C further claimed that many Nigerians were being held up in the unit for frivolous reasons and called on the IGP to investigate the officers in the unit. He also threatened to take legal action against the officers who unlawfully arrested him and his crew members.

In a statement released, the state police command spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, said the Commissioner of Police has ordered an investigation and has assured the general public that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with the Force's regulations, and the supervising officer will also be sanctioned.

‘’Meanwhile, the complainant and his film production crew are encouraged to report at the IGP X-Squad, Owerri to assist in the investigation process. The Imo State Police Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens.'' Okoye said

Source: Tori.ng

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SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF IHITTE-UBOMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LGA, HON. PRINCE OBIOHA NDUKWE ON THE OFFICIAL CELEBRATION OF HIS SWEARING-IN AND INAUGURATION OF COUNCILLORS AT THE LGA HEADQUARTERS, ISINWEKE

 

The Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, 

The vice chairman Barr Godson Onyema,

The Hon Commissioner for water resources Hon Barrister Ozor Obinna Ogwuegbu 

The CEO Imo State Micro Finance Bank Lady Blessing Nwoba

Leader of the council Hon. Kennedy Egeonu and all the honorable councillors

The chairman of traditional rulers and all the eze's present,

The LGA Party Chairman, Chief Innocent Chibundu 

The director of administration and general services Ihitte Uboma LGA 

The former SGI to Imo State Government Hon Engr Mark Uchendu 

Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, and all great leaders present

President-Generals of our communities, LGA Women leader, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen...

Fellow Ihitte-Uboma citizens,

Without doubt, today's event is epoch-making and it is with great pleasure and immense gratitude to God that I address you on this great occasion as your democratically- elected executive chairman.

It is not by my power but by the grace of God Almighty that I stand before you today. To Him alone be all the power and glory. 

I also thank the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for his purposeful leadership and vow to continue in his footsteps in Ihitte-Uboma.

To all the good people of Ihitte-Uboma, I say, thank you very much because without you, today's event would not have been possible. 

Thank you for the privilege and honour you have given us to serve you. We know you are expecting much from us and I assure you that we won't disappoint.

Let me take this moment to appreciate our leaders, past and present, for their great sacrifices and services to the Local Government Area and the State. To them we say a very warm thank you.

I fully understand the peculiar challenges of Ihitte-Uboma and I have transformative programmes to tackle those challenges.

Let me also emphasize that there are no quick-fix solutions to the challenges of Ihitte-Uboma, but one thing certain is that we are prepared to tackle the challenges courageously.

Umunnem,  we have the resolve and we are resolute in our desire for a new Ihitte-Uboma.

 Let me reaffirm that we will summon the political will every step of the way to initiate policies and programmes that will engender peace, progress and prosperity in our land. This is a solemn commitment.

I  will be firm, but fair and just to all regardless of political or religious inclination and in all, the interest of Ihitte-Uboma remains sacrosanct.

I extend a hand of friendship to all, especially the other contestants that purchased the form, I appreciate you all, we are brothers and sisters, please join me in the quest for a new Ihitte-Uboma.

 It was Martin Luther King Jr who said that:  ‘We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools,’ because we must not perish, we must unite. 

They say we are the least populated area in Imo State but our strength should be in our unity, not in our numbers. A united minority is stronger than a divided majority even the Holy Bible affirms this truism by stating that: ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand’.

Welcome to a new dispensation. By the grace of God, we are starting a new journey - a journey to secure Ihitte-Uboma, a journey to unite Ihitte-Uboma and a journey to develop our Local Government Area. Our vision is to build a united, secure and prosperous Ihitte-Uboma. 

The vice Chairman, Barrister, Godson Onyema, all the elected Councillors and I, are focused on our quest to bequeath rich legacies to our successors and successive generations. Legacies that will live long in the hearts of our people. 

It is against this backdrop that we have resolved to focus on the following thematic areas, pursuant to the goal of establishing a new  paradigm in Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area, for the enthronement of peace, justice, prosperity and sustainable socio-economic development,

1) Agriculture and food security: : We will adopt a pragmatic approach to ensure food sufficiency, food security, expanded employment generation and higher income levels for our people. We will give special attention to agricultural products in which Ihitte-Uboma LGA,  has comparative advantage, and return Ihitte-Uboma to its rightful status as the food basket of Imo State.

2) Job creation, empowerment and Infrastructure

This administration will  engage the people meaningfully through diversified production especially in agriculture and relevant skill acquisition.

Basic infrastructure like feeder roads will be constructed for easy access to and fro the farms.

The youths will be encouraged and supported to learn new skills especially Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related skills for self-employment in our technology-driven world.

3) Security 

The new administration will focus on the provision of adequate security.

4) Education and Health 

Primary healthcare delivery will be prioritized especially for children, nursing mothers and the elderly.

Equally, the education of Ihitte-Uboma youths will be given adequate attention.

In conclusion, I reaffirm my commitment to the Shared Prosperity Administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and commitment to the development of Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area. 

From Amakohia, Umuhi, Ikperejere to Lowa, Umuawuchi, Okpaetere to Abueke and all the communities, nooks and crannies of Ihitte-Uboma, the impact will be felt.

Welcome to a new Ihitte-Uboma, where peace, unity and prosperity shall reign.

God bless Ihitte-Uboma

God bless Imo State and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

October 15, 2024.

Our vision is to build united, secure, prosperous Ihitte-Uboma - Ndukwe

By Ben AHANONU 

The new executive Chairman of Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area, LGA, Hon. Prince Obioha Ndukwe, has assured that he will use his position to build a united, secure and prosperous Ihitte-Uboma, where peace shall reign and dividends of democracy will not elude the people.

Ndukwe, stated this while addressing the staff and people of Ihitte-Uboma LGA, during a grand ceremony to celebrate his swearing-in and inauguration of 10 elected Councillors at the council headquarters, Isinweke, Tuesday.

He thanked the Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for the good work he is doing in the State and promised to follow in his footsteps as the Chairman of Ihitte-Uboma LGA by making positive impact in the lives of the people and rendering transparent governance that will promote rural development and empowerment of the people.

He said: "  Welcome to a new dispensation. By the grace of God, we are starting a new journey - a journey to secure Ihitte-Uboma, a journey to unite Ihitte-Uboma and a journey to develop our Local Government Area. Our vision is to build a united, secure and prosperous Ihitte-Uboma. 

Details coming....

New Nigerian Education Curriculum To Commence In January 2025 – Minister

A file photo of a classroom in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Credit: Sodiq Adelakun/Channels Television

The Federal Ministry of Education on Monday announced that the new curriculum for basic education will commence across schools in the country by January 2025.

The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman who disclosed this in Abuja, at a stakeholders meeting on the implementation of the new curriculum, said the new curriculum for senior secondary education would also commence by September 2025.

Professor Mamman stated that the new curriculum will address problems of learning crises and employability as the new skills acquisition to be introduced will have a multiplier effect by equipping students with 21st-century skills.

He noted that the next three months will be used for the preparatory stage, including preparing teachers’ guides in using the curriculum.

The Director of Curriculum, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Dr Garba Gandu, explained that the new curriculum will provide prerequisite skills and training for global competitiveness as the new curriculum includes 15 newly introduced trade subjects for basic education.

The subjects are basic digital literacy such as information technology, and vocational entrepreneurship skills such as building and construction, plumbing and tiling.

Others are hospitality such as hair styling, and make-up and services such as construction, GSM repairs, satellite and CCTV installation and maintenance and garment making, among others.

Source: Channels Television 

'We Empathise With The Poor But Have No Option,’ Shettima Defends Govt’s Policies

Vice President Kashim Shettima. Credit: X/@stanleynkwocha_

Amid the hardship faced by Nigerians, the Federal Government says it empathises with the citizens, especially the poor.

The Vice President, Senator Shettima, stated this in Abuja on Monday during the 30th anniversary of the Nigerian Economic Summit.

He defended the economic policies of the current administration while highlighting steps taken by the government to improve the economy.

“Some of the policy decisions, the policy options available are painful, but they are almost inevitable,” Shettima said.

“My heart and the heart of President Bola Tinubu go to the Nigerian people. We empathise with what the poor and the young are going through in the Nigerian nation but we have no option.

“Some of these decisions are unpopular but the truth is most often the truth that men prepare not to hear.”

Growth Trajectory

After coming to power last year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought in reforms billed as a way to revive the economy and attract foreign investment.

However, Nigerians have seen fuel prices soar and inflation hit a three-decade high since Tinubu ended fuel subsidy and floated the naira currency.

Recently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) increased prices at the pump from around 610 naira per litre ($0.38) to 855 per litre or more.

Private suppliers already sold fuel at higher prices than the NNPC. Some were selling at 1,200 naira per litre.

The price increase came a day after NNPC acknowledged it was struggling to maintain fuel supplies because of financial difficulties.

But the vice president said the nation’s growth trajectory has been volatile, stressing that the economy is reliant on oil revenue.

“Like many other nations, Nigeria has experienced significant economic problems over the past few years. The challenges have been global as well as domestic, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and fluctuation of oil prices to internal security issues, inflation and structural weaknesses in our economy.

“Nigeria’s growth trajectory has been volatile, heavily dependent on oil revenue and unable to create enough jobs,” he said.

Source: Channels Television