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VP SHETTIMA AT 26TH DEMOCRACY DAY LECTURE:

VP SHETTIMA AT 26TH DEMOCRACY DAY LECTURE:
History Has Returned The Baton Of Democratic Struggle To Abiola’s Most Trusted Lieutenant
** Says President Tinubu has kept the covenant of building a Nigeria that works for the people
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said history chose to return the baton in the struggle for the soul of democracy to one of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s most trusted lieutenants, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, decades after the June 12 debacle.
He noted that while hope was one thing that they could not take or extinguish from the final account of Abiola’s life, it is the faith in the promise of Abiola’s vision that has renewed the nation’s hope in what he termed the great theatre of providence.

Senator Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made the observation on Thursday during the Public Lecture Commemorating Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Anniversary held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and described the late MKO Abiola as a patriot who surrendered all he had for the soul of Nigeria, and whose sacrifice became the compass of the nation’s democracy.
According to him, rather than dying in vain, the late Chief Abiola’s dream became a collective covenant and unbroken resolve for Nigerians “to stand for what is right, to defend the sanctity of choice, and to honour the blood that watered the roots of” the nation’s democracy.
The Vice President said, “It is this faith in the promise of Abiola’s vision that has renewed the hope of this nation. And in the great theatre of providence, history has returned the baton to one of Abiola’s most trusted lieutenants in the struggle for the soul of democracy in Nigeria: His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“The ticket once denied Nigerians—the Abiola-Kingibe ticket—has found resonance and vindication in a second coming that mirrors it in composition and conviction, in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man who has kept the democratic flame alive through seasons of fire and storm. I am honoured to share in the weight of this history and the depth of this memory.”

VP Shettima further observed that while Nigeria currently stands on the shoulders of unsung heroes and unheard voices, who sacrificed their comfort, freedom, and even their lives for the nation’s democracy, Nigerians – including him – will ever remain grateful to be “stewards of a government that listens to all.”
“And there is no doubt that President Tinubu has kept that covenant, extending a hand across political divides, ethnic frontiers, and generational gaps to build a Nigeria that works for everyone,” he added.
Maintaining that the life and times of the late MKO Abiola is “a reminder that the burden of democracy is not to be carried by one man alone,” the Vice President urged Nigerians to rise collectively and build a fortress around the nation’s democracy, describing it as “an impenetrable edifice that no force of anarchy can breach, not even in imagination.”
Canvassing unflinching support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Senator Shettima said, “Each of us here owes a sacred duty to support the President’s quest not just to renew hope, but to institutionalise governance, to deepen the roots of democracy, and to build a nation immune to the threats of regression.”
Earlier, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, acknowledged the heroes of Nigeria’s struggle for democratic governance, applauding their legacies, continuous contributions for the sustenance of democratic structures and transformation of the nation’s economy.
He urged stakeholders to rededicate themselves to the ideals of democratic rule by supporting the Tinubu administration in its task of guiding Nigeria on the path of prosperity, progress, peace and security.

In his keynote address, Prof. Samuel Egwu, who pointed out that the hallmark of democratic governance anywhere in the world is commitment, however said for the dividends of democracy to fully manifest across all levels of governance in Nigeria, all citizens and leaders must show commitment in words and action.
He added that building on the gains of 26 years of democracy in Nigeria is a herculean task that requires political office holders to put the interest of all citizens and society above personal goals and aspirations.
On his part, the longest serving diplomat and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria, the Cameroonian High Commissioner to Nigeria, HE Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahim, commended Nigeria’s unity regardless of the challenges.
The Cameroonian envoy urged leaders and all citizens not to relent in preserving democracy in the country.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, noted that the recognition and celebration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day was not accidental, even as he said the choice was made by the collective will, effort and sacrifice of a people.
He urged active participation of all stakeholders, including citizens, young and old across the country, stressing that democracy does not depend on ceremonies and niceties alone.
Uzodimma drew attention to President Tinubu’s trajectory, legacies and current efforts, saying they are all examples of the courage and determination required to nurture a vibrant democracy.
The highpoint of the event was the unveiling of three books titled, “Tinubunomics”, “Leading With Courage”, and “Turning Challenges into Opportunities”, all examining the gains of the Tinubu administration.
VP SHETTIMA AT 26TH DEMOCRACY DAY LECTURE:
News
Mother raises alarm as 2-year-old daughter stolen from hotel in Aba

Mother raises alarm as 2-year-old daughter stolen from hotel in Aba
By: Zagazola Makama
A 20-year-old woman, Elizabeth Alaoma, has reported the disappearance of her two-year-old daughter, Precious Ahiwe, under suspicious circumstances while lodging at a hotel in Aba, Abia State.
The incident occurred on the night of July 22, after Alaoma checked into Hotel De California in the city with her daughter, following an invitation by a man identified as Promise and a woman he introduced as his sister.
According to Alaoma, Promise took her out under the guise of buying food around 10:00 p.m., but later abandoned her at the food vendor’s location. She rushed back to the hotel only to discover that her daughter, Promise, and the woman had all vanished, and the hotel room key had already been returned to the receptionist.
A search at the hotel led to the recovery of the child’s clothes. Two hotel staff the receptionist, Victor Uzoma (17), and the manager, Emmanuel Kalu (35) were taken into custody for questioning.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover the missing child as investigations continue.
End
News
Correctional officer allegedly murders apprentice, dumps body, dies by suicide in Lokoja

Correctional officer allegedly murders apprentice, dumps body, dies by suicide in Lokoja
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic incident has shocked residents of Lokoja, Kogi State, after a senior officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service allegedly killed a 26-year-old photography apprentice, concealed his body in a freezer, and later took his own life in a hotel.
Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred on Monday, July 22, and involved a Deputy Superintendent of Corrections (DSC), Adebayo Oluwapelumi, who until his death was attached to the Kogi State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
According to witness accounts, the case came to light after Ujah Goodness, a photographer with a studio located opposite the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, reported the matter.
Goodness stated that around 7:50 p.m. on the day of the incident, he was editing photographs with his apprentice, Ayo Ayipelumi, aged 26, when the Correctional officer, Adebayo, arrived at the studio and called the apprentice outside for a brief conversation.
Moments later, Goodness said he heard frantic screams from his apprentice calling for help. However, out of fear, he did not step outside to investigate but instead quickly contacted local vigilantes to intervene.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly attacked and killed Ayipelumi. He then reportedly placed the victim’s lifeless body inside a deep freezer, loaded it into a white unregistered Hilux van, and drove off to an undisclosed location.
Acting on the report, security personnel launched a search for the vehicle. It was later found abandoned around the Nataco Junction area of Lokoja. Although the corpse was no longer in the vehicle, investigators found blood stains inside the freezer and recovered a machete believed to have been used in the attack. Photographs of the scene were taken, and the vehicle along with the exhibit was moved to the station for forensic examination.
Efforts to trace the whereabouts of the suspect and recover the victim’s body were still ongoing when a new development emerged.
At about 12:10 p.m. the next day, the management of Abidan 115 Guest Inn in Lokoja contacted authorities after discovering a lifeless body in one of their rooms. The deceased was identified as the suspect, Adebayo Oluwapelumi.
Upon arrival at the hotel, investigators found the suspect naked and lying dead on the floor. A suicide note, a bottle of Sniper insecticide, and a plastic Coca-Cola bottle were recovered at the scene, suggesting that he ingested the toxic substance.
Photographs of the scene were taken, and the body was evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead. His corpse was deposited at the hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
The whereabouts of the victim’s body remains unknown as of the time of filing this report.
Investigation is ongoing to unravel the full motive behind the gruesome killing and to trace the missing remains of the apprentice.
Correctional officer allegedly murders apprentice, dumps body, dies by suicide in Lokoja
News
Gunmen kill one, abduct seven in Taraba community attack

Gunmen kill one, abduct seven in Taraba community attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men suspected to be bandits on Wednesday invaded Ilela village in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State, killing one person and abducting seven others, including women and a child.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the assailants stormed the village at about 10 a.m., shooting sporadically to scare residents before abducting their victims.
One of the villagers, Umaru Belangu, who reported the incident to security personnel, said the gunmen killed 35-year-old Abdu Dahiru during the attack.
Those kidnapped include Ladi Abdu (20), Salamatu Sani, Ramatu Sani, Marka Kabiru, Kabiru Sani, and a 10-year-old boy, Yau Alh. Lawan. All the victims are of Fulani origin and residents of Ilela village.
Following the report, a team of security personnel was immediately mobilised to the area, where they visited the scene and recovered two empty shells of ammunition.
Photographs were taken, and a search operation was launched in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante members to track the perpetrators and rescue the abductees.
Authorities say intensified monitoring and patrols are ongoing in the area to prevent further attacks and apprehend those responsible.
Gunmen kill one, abduct seven in Taraba community attack
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