Six shops were reported to have been burnt down by fire at Owode Igbona, Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Saturday night.

In the process, goods worth thousands of Naira were destroyed.

Reports that were gathered confirmed that the fire started in one of the shops at Opomulero Monjalekan Bode House around 10:05pm before it spread to other shops.

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Mr. Ibrahim Adekunle, the spokesman for the Fire Service, confirmed that the incident took place.

He said: “We received a distress call at exactly 10:51pm on May 8 that shops beside Opomulero Monjalekan Bode House, Owode Igbona, Osogbo were on fire."

“We immediately left for the scene and put the situation under control and also prevented further spread to other buildings. But, unfortunately, the six shops were severely damaged as a result of late report to the Fire Service.”

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Fire guts down six shops, goods lost in Osogbo,Osun

Fourteen passengers, including three children, were burnt to death in multiple accidents at the Kara long bridge in Ogun State stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The accidents said to have occurred around 10:20pm on Thursday involved a Toyota RAV 4 car marked LND 13 GS; Toyota Camry marked, GGE 369 GJ and a nondescript Mazda bus.

It was learnt the commercial bus, while trying to overtake, ran into the Toyota Rav 4 parked in the middle of the road due to fault, tumbled many times over before it exploded into balls of flames and thick smoke, killing a number of the passengers.

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The Public Relations Officer of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident on Friday, said 14 persons died.

Akinbiyi said: “In all, 17 passengers were in the bus when the crash happened with three seriously injured and 14 burnt beyond recognition among which are three kids.”

The TRACE image maker said operatives of the traffic agency and other security agencies on ground rescued two to Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre and one other to the General Hospital in Gbagada.

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While commiserating with the family of the dead and injured, he warning drivers to “desist from speeding, wrongful overtaking and overbearing cum nonchalant attitude that exposes other road users to risk and danger.”

14 burnt to death in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for the immediate release of the remaining 16 students of the Greenfield University who are still at the mercy of their abductors.

The President’s appeal followed the release of the 27 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, near Kaduna, by their abductors.

President Buhari, who expressed joy over the release of the Afaka 27, also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all Nigerians who are currently captives of criminal gangs.

The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, expressed the strong determination of his administration to ensure that Nigerians lived in a country where everyone could move where they wanted without the fear of kidnapping and banditry.

In his reaction to the release of the 27 students, the President said: “We are happy they have been released,” says the President. “We express our deep appreciation to all the actors who contributed one way or the other to this happy outcome, in particular the defence and security agencies, the officials of the Ministry of Environment and the government of Kaduna State. We thank Nigerians for their prayers.”

President Buhari called for steadfastness and security awareness on the part of citizens and the law enforcement agencies. He decried  the increasing politicisation of security in the country by opportunistic politicians.

Nigerian president asking for the release of abducted students 

Buhari calls for the release of 16 Greenfield varsity students

Directors of banks have shown support on the action taken by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to steer First Bank on course.

The apex bank last week reversed the move by First Bank directors to change the management without the approval of the regulator.

The directors, under the aegies of Banks Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN), advised the directors of First Bank to comply fully with the directives by the CBN.

Chairman of BDAN Mrs. Osaretin Demuren gave the position of the association yesterday.

Mrs. Demuren, who is the chairman of the board of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), spoke on the sidelines of BDAN’s 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

She said: “The position of the association is that CBN is the regulator, and has the spread sheet of First Bank. So, if CBN took a decision, we just have to encourage the bank to rectify whatever it was so that we have a better working environment. They should listen to the CBN.  We cannot challenge the CBN because it is the regulator”.

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She urged on bank directors to enhance their corporate governance practices by ensuring stability and accountability in the banking sector.

The BDAN President  noted that it was important to also ensure the emergence and appointment of directors in banks that are properly vetted, with such roles filled by only qualified candidates.

She said: “Corporate governance should be entrenched in bank directors. Even when recruiting directors, you have to find out on what basis since everyone is not corporate governance- compliant.

On bank ownership in the country, she said: “We have gone beyond banking where banks should be owned by individuals. Once that is out of the way, then corporate governance can be entrenched. When you have an individual, whether directly or indirectly behind a bank, then it is left to the regulator to call that person to order.”

The BDAN President’s tenure was extended by  90 days pending election of a new President.

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She said:  ”I took over as the President of BDAN in October 2018, at the 21st Annual General Meeting, and since assuming office, I can confidently say that with the support of my colleagues, we have been able to deliver on the mandate of the association by increasing members’ participation. We have increased revenue as evident in our financial statements in addition to improving the quality of our programmes.”

“There is still more to be done notwithstanding especially with regards to advocacy with the regulators. I am sure whoever takes over as President will further deliver on our aspirations. I am therefore informing this meeting that this is the last meeting I will be acting in the capacity as President because my tenure as Chairman of Guaranty Trust Bank has come to an end and we are in a transition period.”

“In view of this, we will also have a transition period where I will be speaking with my colleagues Chairmen of Banks on who will be my successor. I hereby crave your indulgence as we go through the transition period and assure you that members will be carried along throughout the process,” she added.

Banks' dirctor supports CBN action on First bank

Pep Guardiola’s father, Valenti Guardiola, has expressed his excitement at the possible victory of Man City at the Champions League final.

City hold a 2-1 aggregate lead over Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the second leg on Tuesday evening, and are seen by many as the favourites to lift the trophy.

“Beating Real Madrid would be a complete dream,” Valentí Guardiola told Israeli sports channel ‘Sports 5’ ahead of the second leg."

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“If {Manchester City} play against Real Madrid, I hope they win the trophy."

Guardiola commented on whether his son is the greatest coach in football history.

“Well, I am his father and I do not want to boast,” he said.

“Johan Cruyff was also very good but each coach has their own personality."

“I do know one thing: Pep does not sleep before a match. He analyses everything.”

On returning to Barcelona, he went on to disclose that he does not believe that his son will return to the club as coach but believes that he will still remain in football.

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Guardiola’s father predicts Man City will win UCL

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday described the late President Umaru Yar’Adua as a man who had the vision of a peaceful and united Nigeria.

Yar’Adua died eleven years ago in office.

Jonathan, on his official facebook page, said: “Today, I celebrate my boss, friend, colleague and brother, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who departed this world 11 years ago.

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“As politicians, we shared a common vision of a peaceful, united and just nation. President Yar’Adua kept faith with this vision, channelling his strength and time in pursuit of an egalitarian society until his last breath.

“Although out of our sight, his legacies live with us and his memory we will continue to cherish.

“We will always remember him as a peacemaker, nation builder and democrat whose timeline was defined by virtues of service, peace, truth and love”.

former president of Nigeria eulogizing late president Umaru Musa Yar'Ardua

Late Yar’Adua was a nation builder, says Jonathan

AS Roma have announced Jose Mourinho as the new head coach ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Mourinho, sacked by Premier League club Tottenham last month, will replace fellow Portuguese Paulo Fonseca who will leave Roma at the end of the current campaign.

Mourinho returns to Italy where he led Inter Milan to the treble in 2010.

He also won the Champions League with Porto in 2004 and three Premier League titles with Chelsea

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Roma Announce Mourinho As New Head Coach Ahead Of Next Season

Paulo Fonseca will leave his job as Roma coach at the end of the season, the Serie A club confirmed on Tuesday.

“On behalf of everyone at AS Roma, we would like to thank Paulo Fonseca for his hard work and leadership over the past two years,” said chairman Dan Friedkin, who took over the club last summer."

“Paulo guided the team through many challenges, including the Covid pandemic and a change of ownership, and did so with selfless integrity and great character.”

According to media reports former Juventus, Napoli and Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is favourite to take over the three-time Italian champions who last won Serie A in 2001 and are trophyless since 2008.

Fonseca, 48, joined the club in 2019 on a two-year contract with the option for a third year if the club reached the Champions League next season.

The club finished fifth in Serie A last campaign and are currently seventh, nine points behind city rivals Lazio who sit sixth and have a game in hand.

Roma trail Premier League side Manchester United 6-2 going into Thursday’s second leg of their Europa League semi-final in the Italian capital.

“Over these last two years we have experienced a number of highs and lows, but I have always given my all for this club and this city — a city that has always been so welcoming,” said Fonseca.

“We still have some very important games in front of us this season that we want to win, and we will continue to give our all in order to do so.”

Fonseca replaced Claudio Ranieri, who had a brief spell as coach after Eusebio Di Francesco was sacked in January 2019.

Di Francesco had guided the club to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018.

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Fonseca, a Portuguese national born in Mozambique, previously coached Shakhtar Donetsk where he won the league and cup double in all three seasons with the Ukrainian club.

He also won the Ukrainian Super Cup in 2017.

Fonseca has also coached Portuguese clubs including Pacos Ferreira, Braga and Porto.

Roma Coach Fonseca To Leave At End Of Season

The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday warned individuals and groups against utterances and actions that threaten the country’s peace and sovereignty.

Its spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said in a statement that there was an agenda by “subversive and hostile groups” to throw the country into anarchy.

The statement reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby condemns the unsavory statements by misguided elements who have continued to threaten the government, sovereignty and corporate existence of this country."

“Notable are the unnecessary vituperations and activities of some religious and past political leaders who have either called for a forceful change of government or mass action against it."

“It has been established that the main objective for these is to cause a disintegration of the country."

“It is unfortunate that those in the forefront of this are respectable individuals who should be patriotic and not allow their personal ambitions to ruin the nation."

“The Service has also noted their desperation and penchant to collaborate with external forces and influences against Nigeria.”

DSS said though the benefits of democracy includes free speech, individuals shouldn't utter words that are capable of tearing the nation apart. 

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The statement added: “It is instructive to note that the ballot box remains the vehicle of change in a democracy.

“In this regard, self-centered individuals and groups are warned to stop engaging in acts inimical to the peace and sovereignty of this nation."

“In the same manner, influential personalities should be sensitive to the emerging situations and guard against divisive and inciting utterances that may cause a breakdown of law and order."

“Recently, the Service invited and cautioned some persons who recanted their earlier statements or said they were quoted out of context."

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“The public should be wary of such individuals and their co-travellers who incite them in the open but, turn in the secret to retrieve their words after they had caused the damage."

“While the Service reaffirms its unambiguous support to an indivisible, indissoluble and united Nigerian State in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, it will no longer tolerate deliberate machinations by subversive and hostile groups whose agenda is to throw the country into anarchy so as to serve the interests of their sponsors."

“Consequently, the Service is assiduously working with other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure the maintenance of peace and internal security of the country.”

Spokesman of the DSS speaking on issues threatening national security

DSS warns citizens against threat to security

President Muhammadu Buhari is presiding over a security meeting in the State House, Abuja.

The meeting is coming after the nation experienced several attacks on security and a lot of stakeholders came out to decry the situation.

Over the course of the past days, there's been a series of attacks and kidnapping that left some dead in different parts of the country.

Among those attending the meeting are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno.

Others are General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defense Staff; Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Marshal Ishiaka Oladayo Amoo, Chief of Air Staff.

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, is also in the meeting.

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BREAKING: Buhari presides over security meeting

Lagos Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu has refuted reports claiming that the command planned to release popular actor James Omiyinka alias Baba Ijesha from custody.

He stated that the suspect was still held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Odumosu’s clarification came on the heels of protests at the SCID following a report that the police planned to release the actor today.

The police chief said the allegation against Omiyinka was sexual and indecent assault which is bailable and not defilement.

He said he personally interviewed all parties to the case for about three hours where it was established that the alleged defilement took place seven-years-ago but was not reported.

He said: “You don’t do trial on the pages of newspapers. There are two issues in Baba Ijesha’s case. One is the allegation that he defiled a girl seven-years-ago .The girl is now 14 years old. At that time no compliant or report was made to the police."

“Last week, a video went viral where he was arrested for having sexual assault. What is meant by indecent assault? When a man touches a woman where he is not supposed to without her authority or consent."

“Baba Ijesha admitted that he sexually assaulted the girl. The case of defilement that happened seven years ago is still under thorough investigation and will require some scientific work."

“Sexual assault is a bailable offence. It is not like rape. No allegation of rape was made against him. Throughout yesterday, they were all with me, including the girl that was assaulted and Baba Ijesha himself. I listened to them,one after the other."

“We have compiled the casefile and we have sent it to the office of DPP and the office of the Attorney General of Lagos State for legal advice."

“Once that comes out, action will be taken based on legal advice. Till then, Baba Ijesha’ is still in our custody. The case is bailable but we have not considered him for bail.”

'Baba Ijesha still in custody,' Police commissioner states

The Police have rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered N200,000 from the scene in Edo State.

The victims identified as Okeke Emmanuel (37) and Rilwan Adewale (36) both male were traveling in a Sienna Bus from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Lagos before they were kidnapped by gunmen on April 25, 2021, along Ahor bypass and taken into the bush where they met other victims.

In a statement by the spokesman of the command, SP Kontongs Bello, the victims were rescued along Lagos Bypass by Ahor community, Benin City.

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“On receipt of the information, the Police operatives immediately swung into action and rescued two (2) of the victims after an exchange of gun battle with the hoodlums.

“In the process, one of the victims, Adewale Rilwan sustained injuries from the use of matchet by the hoodlums.

“He is presently receiving treatment in the hospital. Also, the sum of #200,000 was recovered from the scene.

“The victims’ investigation is in progress to clamp down on the fleeing kidnappers”, the statement added.

RESCUE OF KIDNAPPED  VICTIMS/RECOVERY OF
CASH SUM OF #200,000

Today being 28/04/2021 at about 1030hrs, Men of the Edo State Police Command rescued two (2) kidnapped victims identified as Okeke Emmanuel ‘m’ age 37 and Rilwan Adewale ‘m’ age 36.
They were rescued along Lagos Bypass by Ahor community, Benin City. On receipt of the information, the Police operatives immediately swung into action and rescued two (2) of the victims after an exchange of gun battle with the hoodlums. In the process, one of the victims, Adewale Rilwan sustained injuries from the use of matchet by the hoodlums. He is presently receiving treatment in the hospital. Also, the sum of #200,000 was recovered from the scene.

The victims were traveling in a Sienna Bus from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Lagos before three (3) of them were kidnapped by gunmen on the 25th of April, 2021 at about 0300hrs along Ahor bypass and were taken into the bush where they also met other victims. The investigation is in progress to clamp down on the fleeing kidnappers.

The Commissioner of Police Edo State, CP Phillip Aliyu Ogbadu, psc (+) is calling on the good people of Edo State and the general public to avail the command with useful information that will expose criminal elements in the EDO state.

SP KONTONGS BELLO,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
EDO STATE COMMAND.

Men of the police force rescues two kidnapped individuals and recovers money

Police Rescue Two Kidnapped Victims In Edo, Recover N200,000

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.