Encomium
1. CHIEF IMAM OF LAGOS, HARUNA AKINOLA, DIES AT 79
The Chief Imam of Lagos, Haruna Akinola, is dead. The Muslim cleric passed away on Sunday after a brief illness at the age of 79.
Mr. Akinola died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, a source said.
The President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, in Lagos State, Saheed Ashafa, described him as a worthy leader.
Mr. Ashafa urged other Islamic leaders to emulate the deceased, saying that his promotion of unity was outstanding.
2. AMBODE MOURNS PASSAGE OF CHIEF IMAM OF LAGOS, AKINOLA
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday expressed sadness over the death of the highly revered Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim Akinola.
The Governor in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, described the development as a great loss to the Muslim Community, the State and the country in general.
He said the late cleric would be sorely missed and remembered for his bold and courageous sermons which stood him out in the present-day Nigeria.
Governor Ambode, while commiserating with the family of the late cleric, urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and contributed immensely to the peaceful coexistence in the State until his demise.
3. BUHARI URGED TO APPROVE RECRUITMENT OF 31,000 POLICE OFFICERS YEARLY
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, said yesterday that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will effectively tackle the challenges facing the country if it approves yearly recruitment of 31,000 policemen for the next five years.
The IGP who made the appeal during the passing out parade of 583 police constables at Police College, Ikeja in Lagos said the Nigeria Police Force is presently operating below the United Nations approved ratio of 1:400.
Represented by Deputy-Inspector General of Police (DIG), Foluso Adebanjo, a Supervising Officer in Charge of South West Police Training Institutions, Idris appealed for continuous recruitment to boost the Police workforce.
He further urged the newly recruited police constables to be good ambassadors and put in their best towards enhancing the performance of the force in maintaining law and order.
4. ABIA LAWMAKERS ISSUE 21-DAY ULTIMATUM FOR FG TO RE-ARREST NNAMDI KANU
Members of State House of Assembly, controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to re-arrest the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu or face a nationwide protest.
The lawmakers said they cannot sit back and allow Kanu turn the country upside down. They said Kanu has breached all his bail conditions and is jeopardising the peace and security of the country, hence his rearrest or the country will face a massive protest.
5. FG FIXES DATE TO PROSECUTE ARRESTED BOKO HARAM SUSPECTS
The federal government of Nigeria has decided to begin the prosecution of a host of people arrested in suspicion of being members of the Boko Haram sect.
According to a statement released by the office of the Accountant General of the federation, a special prosecution arrangement already put in place would commence the trial of 1,670 of the detainees in Wawa Barracks, Kainji, Niger State, in October.
After this, the cases of 651 suspects currently detained at Maiduguri prison, would be taken up by the special arrangement.
While 220 others will be released and made to go through a “de-radicalization” process.
6. FG BEGINS REPAIR OF FEDERAL ROADS, BRIDGES IN LAGOS
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Godwin Eke, has said that the Federal Government has commenced the rehabilitation of roads and bridges in Lagos State.
Eke, said some of the roads had become terrible and required urgent attention, adding that the Federal Government was determined to make all its roads in Lagos and across the nation motorable .
He added that the government had plans for other roads not yet captured and appealed to residents of the state to be patient as the repairs would go round.
7. 33 EX-OYO COUNCIL CHAIRMEN UNDER EFCC PROBE
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has begun investigation into how over N300 million allegedly taken by each of 33 ex-local government caretaker chairmen was spent to secure Oyo State against incursion by Boko Haram insurgents during the 2015 general elections.
The investigation followed a petition submitted to the commission revealing that the money was disbursed from the Local Government Stabilization Account to each of the 33 local government areas of the state.
Preliminary investigation by the EFCC was said to have revealed that the former council chairmen actually withdrew and spent various other sums without due authorisation and proper documentation.
8. PETER OKOYE DRAGS HIS TWIN BROTHER TO COURT, SEEK DISSOLUTION OF CONTRACT
Psquare’s Peter and Paul Okoye are finally splitting. A letter sent by Peter Okoye to renowned lawyer, Festus Keyamo was obtained by Linda Ikeji, asking for a dissolution of the P-Square contract. Meanwhile, Peter confirmed the development, saying; “Psquare is no more. I have nothing against my brother. I saw Paul’s post on Instagram about blood being thicker than water.’
‘Who is water and who is blood,’ Peter asked, adding that his nuclear family (wife and kids) are very important to him and he has decided to move on with his personal brand – Mr P.
9. NIGERIA EXPECTING FIGHTER JETS FROM RUSSIA, US, PAKISTAN, UAE
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said the Nigerian Air Force is expecting new fighter aircraft from four countries to boost its capabilities. He listed the countries as Russia, the United States of America, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates .
Abubakar , who identified the NAF ’ s challenges as insufficient aircraft and low aircraft serviceability , said his men were working towards “ more professionalism to meet the security imperatives . ”
In the same vein , efforts are ongoing for the acquisition of the Super Tucano Light Attack Aircraft and delivery of the Yabhon Flash 20 Remote Piloted Aircraft.
The air chief stated that the NAF also had to compete with local and international aviation industry for the limited aviation engineers in the country.
10. SUKUK BOND: FG FINALLY SPEAKS ON CONTROVERSY
The Federal Government has refuted claims by the Christian Association of Nigeria alleging that through the floating of the Sukuk Islamic bond, the Federal Government is planning to Islamise the country through the back door.
Reacting, however, Adeosun stated that several countries of the world, including South Africa had issued sukuk bonds in the past, and Nigeria’s plan to issue the sukuk bond started about six years ago, long before the current administration came into power.
Adeosun said, ‘’Sukuk is part of our programme to deepen the financial market.
She added, “This particular one of N100bn is going to be used for road projects. We have identified the road projects that it is going to be tied to and there is no religious attachment to it.
