in , ,

Top 10 stories of Monday, August 7, 2017

  1. 11 WORSHIPPERS KILLED IN ANAMBRA CHURCH ATTACK – POLICE

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that eleven worshippers died after the Sunday attack on St Phillips Catholic Church, Ozugbulu in Ekwusigo Local Government area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Garba Umar said the eleven worshippers were shot dead by the gunmen after they missed their target whom they had traced to the Church. He said the attack occurred at about 6:20am on Sunday.

“According to the information, it was a fight between two groups which started outside Nigeria, precisely in South Africa where quite a number of people lost their lives and they took the fight to Anambra state. Also, according to the information, the Church was built by one of the persons that is having conflict with the other group and they had information that he arrived in Nigeria after which they came to assassinate him, I mean with the intent to terminate his life but unfortunately it was a voided game; his father was inside the church and he was killed.”

The Police Commissioner said the force has deployed its men to strategic locations in the community and the state to beef security and subsequently apprehend those who carried out the nefarious act.

 

  1. NOBODY CAN FORCE BUHARI TO RETURN HOME – ADESINA

Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, on Sunday said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be forced to return to the country. Reacting to the demands of the civil society groups led by Nigerian entertainer, Charly Boy, who are demanding that President Muhammadu Buhari resume office or resign, Adesina said the president would only return after his doctors give him the go-ahead.

“The president would always do what is legal and constitutional. What they are asking for is not known to our laws.

“The president will stand by our laws at all times. He will uphold the laws, he will protect them.”

 

  1. PRESIDENT BUHARI CALLS GOVERNOR OBIANO OVER ANAMBRA CHURCH ATTACK

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night called the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, to commiserate with him over an attack on a church.

The attack occurred at St. Phillips Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state on Sunday. The police have confirmed 11 deaths from the attack and vowed to arrest the gunman and possible collaborators.

According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, during Mr. Buhari’s phone call, “He commiserated with him, the families of the victims and the citizens of the state over the tragic shooting incident.”

Shehu had earlier released a statement quoting the president condemning the attack.

 

  1. SARAKI, DOGARA, EKWEREMADU CONDEMN ANAMBRA CHURCH MASSACRE

Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed deep sadness over the massacre at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Anambra State on Sunday. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki stated that the killing of worshippers represents the purest kind of evil, and the security services must not stop until the perpetrators are brought to justice.

In the same vein, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has described the day as a black Sunday, not only for Anambra State, but also the entire nation, called on the security agencies to fish out the killers and bring them to justice.

Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described attack as abominable, barbaric, inhuman, and the height of wickedness.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs,  Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said his heart is broken by the sad news of the massacre of innocent worshippers in cold blood by people he described as “sons of perdition whose souls will rot in hell.”

 

  1. IGBO TRADERS WARN KANU NOT TO COME TO LAGOS

Igbo leaders and traders in Lagos have warned the director of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, not to come to Lagos state to stage any of his rallies.

Kanu last month, disclosed his plans to come to Lagos.

Chief Chiemeka Ibeh of Alaba Amalgamated Traders Association, said the IPOB leader should leave Igbos in Lagos alone because his visit will create the impression that Igbos in Lagos are supporting Kanu and IPOB activities.

Also speaking, the leader in the Auto Spare Parts & Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), Chief Alex Ejiofor, asked Nnamdi Kanu to desist from distracting struggling Igbo people from concentrating on finding their daily bread.

 

  1. IT IS WRONG TO NAME AND SHAME TREASURY LOOTERS – LAI MOHAMMED

Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Information Minister has kicked against calls for the naming and shaming of looters. Mohammed in a chat on Sunday said releasing their names was not “morally right”, adding that some of them were not aware that the money given to them was diverted.

According to him, “There are some people who voluntarily returned the loot and explained that when the money was given to them, they never knew the source of these funds. Can you in good conscience name and shame that kind of person?” he asked.

“Those who have voluntarily returned the money, I think we owe them the obligation to respect their privacy. Because they said they did not know that this money was from a particular source and they returned it.”

He further explained, “We don’t want to be bugged down by litigations. You name a person that he has stolen money or he has returned money, and you have fully recovered the money from him or you’re in the process of recovering it because probably there is just an interim forfeiture…you’re going to be bugged down with all kinds of litigation.”

 

  1. ASUU GIVES UPDATE ON ABDUCTED UNIMAID LECTURERS

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said talks are still ongoing with the Federal Government to secure the release of the University of Maiduguri lecturers abducted by Boko Haram terrorists.

Recall that the lecturers were abducted during an oil exploration trip in Barno Yasu area of the Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State near the Lake Chad region.

Giving update on the situation, ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi said the union had been assured of “ongoing efforts” by the government, noting that he could not divulge further details for security reasons.

Ogunyemi said, “The government has asked us to give them some time. Our members are working with them. We have also given them our suggestions, and they have told us to give them time.

“We are monitoring the efforts. The government did not give us the full details. But you recall that the service chiefs were also asked to relocate to Borno. So efforts are on.”

 

  1. THERE SHOULD BE NO AGE LIMIT FOR PRESIDENT – OBASANJO

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo believes nobody should be considered too old to lead Nigeria.

Obasanjo said this while commenting on the bill by the Senate to reduce the age of presidential candidates from 40 to 35.

“Quite frankly, if we put minimum age, why are we not putting maximum age? If they put minimum age and then say that even if you are 90, you can be president, because there is no age limit to being president.

“To me, there should be no age limit. Gen. Gowon (retd.) became the Head of State at the age of 33, I became the Head of State at 39.

“I believe there should be no age limit; let the people decide,” Obasanjo said.

 

  1. OSINBAJO DROPS NEWLY APPOINTED ICPC BOARD MEMBERS UNDER CORRUPTION PROBE

Two new members appointed by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, to be part of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission board have been dropped. Those dropped are the ones said to be undergoing investigations by the same commission.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, made the disclosure on Twitter.

“We are stepping down two of the new ICPC board nominees who have ongoing investigation issues with the commission as this presents a conflict.

“While existence of allegations or petitions against someone shouldn’t necessarily disqualify them from considerations for appointments, this case presents a peculiarity as we have confirmed that the agency in which they are to serve is indeed investigating the two of them.

“A basic check showed no court convictions against them. But when weighty petitions come up, this administration will always do the right thing.”

 

  1. IKORODU MONARCH LAUD AMBODE’S PLAN TO BOOST TOURISM

Residents of Ikorodu in Lagos have been urged to work in-line with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to boost the tourism potential of the community.

Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi gave this advise while addressing community stakeholders who were present at the second anniversary of his coronation.

He said the Governor is ready to make Ikorodu attractive to investors through the rich culture and tradition of the people of the area.

Shotobi added that the peace and security of lives and property in the area is the responsibility of all residents.

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Avatar

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Here are the major headlines for Monday, August 7, 2017

See what Martins, Aphrodija, Dikeh are up to today (August 7, 2017)