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Yuletide: Zulum Provides Free Transport To Over 600 Non Indigenes In Borno

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Yuletide: Zulum Provides Free Transport To Over 600 Non Indigenes In Borno

By MacAnthony Uche

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has provided free transportation to enable non indigenes residing in the state to travel home and celebrate the Christmas and the new year with their loved ones.

The free transport scheme lunched by the Governor would enable the non Indigenes travel to as far as over 25 locations across the country from the Borno Express transport terminal and Station Kano park in the Maiduguri metropolis , beginning from 21st to 23rd of December this month.

Speaking to our correspondent at the Borno Express terminal on Thursday in Maiduguri, the Coordinator of the Ohanaeze Support Group which is in conjuction with Omaluegwuoku Progressive Initiative and Internal Diasporans in Borno, Chief Ugochukwu Egwudike, said the gesture was borne out of the governor’s magnanimity to ameliorate the sufferings faced by the residents, and to give them a sense of belonging in the running of the state’s affairs.

Chief Egwudike further said the entire non indigenes in the state are happy to benefit from the free transport scheme considering the high cost of living caused by fuel subsidy removal which has taken toll on the citizens.

” The people are happy with the privilege given to them by the Governor. He has been touching the lives of the people irrespective of tribe or religion , and out of about 630 persons that are going to benefit from the free transport scheme, 275 are travelling today marking the first day ,while the remaining beneficiaries will move between Friday and Saturday. All of them are given feeding allowance considering the distance they are to travel.

” So , it is a 3-day programme and on the fourth day , quite a good number of widows will receive financial assistance to enable them celebrate the Christmas and the new year here in the state,” Egwudike said.

Speaking for the yoruba Constituency in the state who are among the beneficiaries, Chief Saka Ganiyu Abiodun, expressed gratitude to Zulum for the gesture, saying that the Governor is known by his attitude of not wanting to see people suffer.

He said the selection of the beneficiaries was done on the vulnerability of each of them especially, those who wished to go home, but could not afford the cost of taking themselves home.

In a similar vein, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees ( BOT ) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Borno State, Pharm Napoleon Egbonu who said he was sent by the Igbo community to supervise what is happening and appreciate the Governor, said the gesture is directly touching the downtrodden.

” It is a tro and fro programme. It has been going on for the past five years and the people are really happy with the Governor ,” Egbonu said.

For the leader of Eggon community in Borno and a native of Nasarawa State, who said he has lived in the state for over 40 years working for the Nigeria Railway Corporation, the Governor’s gesture is timely considering the economic hardship bedeviling the people presently.
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NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias

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NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias

By: Michael Mike

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu has called on stakeholders to reflect on the values that Nelson Mandela embodied, including justice, dignity, equality, and compassion, as the world commemorates World Mandela Day.

Dr. Ojukwu made this call in a statement on the eve of the commemoration, noting that Mandela’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the need to promote and protect human rights, particularly in Nigeria’s correctional centers.

According to him, the current state of Nigeria’s correctional centres, which are overcrowded, under-resourced, and lack basic sanitation and healthcare, reflects a failure of infrastructure, justice, and humanity.

He lamented that thousands of citizens are held in pre-trial detention for years due to poverty and lack of access to justice, while the rich have greater access to quality legal defense and bail, perpetuating systemic bias.

The NHRC Executive Secretary urged the Nigerian government, judicial authorities, private sector, and civil society to prioritize comprehensive reforms in detention facilities and correctional centers, including improving conditions, investing in alternatives to pre-trial detention, ensuring speedy trials, and upholding the rights of inmates.

Ojukwu emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of incarceration, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to justice, in order to build a society that values the dignity and human rights of all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated annually on the 18th of July.

NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias

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Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery

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Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery

By: Michael Mike

The Ondo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Backbone Infrastructure Limited for the establishment of a 500,000 barrels per day oil refinery and development of free trade zone in Igbotiri, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

The signing ceremony took place at the Governor’s office in Akure.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti represented the Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the ceremony.

He described the proposed investment as timely and strategic, assuring the investors of a peaceful and business-friendly environment.
 
He emphasized that the project would boost the state’s economy, create meaningful job opportunities, and reduce crime.

In his remarks on behalf of Backbone Infrastructure, the Vice President, Legal & Corporate services, Barrister Wale Adekola expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Government for the opportunity to partner in the infrastructure development of the State and assured of his company’s commitment to ensure successful delivery of the two projects.

Similarly, the Managing Director / Chief Executive of Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Engr. Henry Owonka, revealed that the two projects would be accompanied by basic infrastructure such as roads, terminal storage tanks, and other facilities that will change the landscape of the State.
 
According to the MOU breakdown on the Refinery, Backbone Infrastructure Limited will hold 65% equity, while the Ondo State Government will hold 20% and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) will hold 15% stake.
 
Meanwhile, the investors have expressed confidence in the leadership and vision of the Aiyedatiwa-led administration, citing the clarity of purpose and support they have received as the reason for choosing Ondo State as their investment destination.

The state government equally pledged its support for the project, which is expected to transform the state’s economy and create jobs.

Present at the signing of the MOU were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti. Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN , the ONDIPA Team while the Backbone team was led by Dr. Steve Dike, a member of the Board of Directors representing the Chairman, Senator Ken Nnamani, Managing Director/CEO Engr. Henry Owonka, the Vice President, Legal & Corporate Services, other members of the management team from the Backbone infrastructure limited among other top government functionaries.

Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery

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Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition

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Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) have arrested two notorious arms traffickers and recovered a cache of deadly weapons in Abinsi town, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Sources from the Benue State Police Command confirmed the development Thursday, describing the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms fueling insecurity in the North-Central region.

According to the sources, the suspects led by one Adikwu Ikwulono, a known illegal arms dealer were apprehended on Wednesday following credible intelligence.

Recovered from the suspects were one rocket launcher, five AK-47 rifles, and thousands of rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

Police say preliminary investigations revealed that the arms were being assembled for delivery to a gang of armed herders and bandits operating around the Benue–Nasarawa border, with plans to launch coordinated attacks on several communities in Benue State.

“The suspects are currently undergoing intensive interrogation with the FID, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the arms-smuggling syndicate,” the police sources said.

Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition

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