9JA VIBEZ HUB

This was announced in a statement hours after UK added Nigeria to its travel red list as a result of concerns over the Omicron COVID variant.

The suspension of processing visitor visa applications will only be lifted when the travel ban placed on the country is removed.

Part of the statement read, “To support the UK Government’s aim to protect public health from COVID-19 and associated variants of concern (VOC), UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will pause making decisions on visitor visa applications in all red list countries, including Nigeria, until travel restrictions are lifted.

“Visit visas cover travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family and friends, undertaking short-term business activities (for example, attending meetings), undertaking short-term studies (under 6 months), taking part in research or exchange programmes as an academic, medical reasons (for example, receiving private medical treatment).”

The commission noted that application of those who applied for a visit visa in a red list country and met the UK Immigration Rules will be paused.

“You will not receive a decision on your visit visa application whilst red list travel restrictions remain in place.

“You will not be able to request a refund of your visa fee once you have given your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC),” it said.

Also those who possess a valid visit visa and are intending to travel to England as a visitor from a red list country will not be allowed to enter.

DAILY POST recalls that Sylvester died from internal injuries days before his birthday after being assaulted by fellow students in Dowen College.

The deceased, before his death, mentioned some names of boys who assaulted him.

Kashamu’s son was one of the suspects named in the case.

However, the family in a statement issued by Mutairu Kashamu for the family, confirmed that although one of their sons, Michael Adewale Kashamu, was named among the suspected bullies of the deceased, he had no involvement in the death of Sylvester.

Part of the statement read: “The Kashamu family has been inundated with enquiries, calls and messages over the unfortunate incident at Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, that led to the untimely death of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student of the College.

“Most commentators have rushed to conclusions based on assumptions and false information, including the allegation that our son Adewale Michael Kashamu was involved in the bullying or beating of Sylvester Oromoni.”

The family noted that it has conducted its private investigation since the story broke out and their son was just Sylvester’s school father the previous session.

”We as a family have made our own private enquiries and carefully questioned our son about his involvement. This is why we didn’t rush out to respond to the cyber-stalking, name-calling and negative commentaries that have taken over the social media about our son’s alleged involvement in this sad incident.

”Some of the true facts now slowly emerging from under the mass of lies are that: Our son, Adewale Michael Kashamu, had acted as a school father for the late Sylvester in his first session in the school at the request of Sylvester’s sister who is also a student of the school.

“However, in the 2021 session which began in September 2021 Adewale Michael Kashamu was moved to a different floor in the boarding house and engrossed in his own studies and activities, our son was no longer as close to Sylvester as in the previous session.”

The family condoled with the family of Late Sylvester Oromoni and appealed to all and sundry to hold their horses until the police and the Lagos State government have completed their independent investigations and established the truth.

Dowen College has been shut down indefinitely by the Lagos State government till investigation into Sylvester’s death is over.

DAILY POST gathered that the incident occured on Sunday night when the armed men attacked the lecturer along Eke and Ugbokolo expressway and opened fire on him.

A lecturer of the school who spoke to DAILY POST, lamented that Ugbokolo is no longer safe for them, stressing that bloodthirsty men have been on a rampage in the community recently.

“These faceless human beings have been attacking innocent people in this place. At times, it is a clash between rival cult groups and some times, you just don’t know who is who. This is sad. Mr Adah was a very popular lecturer”, he lamented.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene could not take her calls and has not responded to text messages forwarded to her as of press time.

Mr Adah, popularly known as Bull, was a senior lecturer at the department of Business Management and was also a PhD student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State prior to his death.

Ibegbu alleged that Buhari was more patriotic and loyal to Niger Republic than Nigeria, where he is the president.

Speaking exclusively with DAILY POST, the former Ohanaeze spokesman, said Buhari would retire to Niger Republic in 2023 due to his loyalty to the country.

Ibegbu noted that Buhari’s loyalty to Niger Republic was behind the decision to construct a railway line from Katsina State to Maradi.

He recounted how Buhari, during his tenure as Military Head of State supported a candidate from Niger Republic for a position of the African Union Secretary General, ahead of a Nigerian.

Nigeria is currently constructing a 284 kilometers standard gauge rail line enabling interconnectivity between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

When completed, the railway line worth over $2 billion would connect Nigeria with countries in the West Africa sub-region for the promotion of trade and commerce.

However, Ibegbu said: “When he was the Military Head of State, there was an opening for the position of the Secretary of the African Union, and instead of supporting his fellow compatriot, Peter Ornu from Nigeria, he supported one Umaru, a Fulani man from Niger Republic as the Head of State of a country.

“So, his loyalty is not to Nigeria, but to Niger Republic, and this is why he is building a rail line worth $2billion from Katsina to Maradi.

“As soon as his tenure ends, he will return to his country which is Niger Republic.

“Mind you, most of the people ruling us are not Nigerians. Sani Abacha is not a Nigerian, he is from Northern Cameroon. Gowon, Obasanjo, IBB, Gen Abubakar are Nigerians but the others are not.”

 Operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network popularly known as Amotekun in Ondo State have intercepted a bus loaded with 500 pieces of daggers concealed under the seats.

They also recovered different seizes of knives and guns hidden inside Tigernut bags.

Meanwhile, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had commended Amotekun Corps operatives for filling the vacuum left by military men in the state. 

Army personnel had abandoned checkpoints in the state after being alleged owed allowances by the state government. 

In a statement on Thursday on his Facebook page, the governor said, "Amotekun Corps is now engaging in road patrol to further ensure the security of lives and property of all residents across the state." 

Mr El-Rufai announced changes in his cabinet on October 12 in a statement by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye.

In the changes, the governor assigned new portfolios to some commissioners and senior officials of the state government.

Mr Adekeye said: “The major changes are designed to help harness fresh energy for the government’s final lap, bring new insights and enable the commissioners to have (a) more rounded experience of the government.”

However, many said the changes were influenced by Mr Sanusi, citing his remarks at an event after the then chief of staff to the governor, Mohammed Abdullahi, referred to him as the former emir of Kano.

Responding minutes later at the event in Kaduna in October, Mr Sanusi appeared not to like the reference.

“When I listened to the chief of staff…I will call him former chief of staff…you will understand why I call you ‘former’ later,” Mr Sanusi said at the event. “Next time don’t call me ‘former Emir.’ There is nothing like that.”

Days later, Mr El-Rufai announced the changes in his cabinet, deploying Mr Abdullahi to the Ministry of Budget and Planning as commissioner.

Following criticisms of the former emir after the redeployment of Mr Abdullahi, Mr Sanusi issued a statement that his comments on Mr Abdullahi’s reference to him were light-hearted.

He said he had no foreknowledge of or a hand in Mr El-Rufai’s cabinet reshuffle. 

Speaking on the issue in a brief media engagement in Kaduna last week, as aired by Liberty Radio in Hausa and followed by newsmen, the governor denied any influence of the former emir in the redeployment of Mr Abdullahi.

“I have read from media houses and on social media that it was former emir Sanusi that influenced the cabinet reorganization. It was a decision I had taken since January. I discussed with all my commissioners and I told them that there would be changes but it did not happen until now.

“The comment by emir Sanusi was a mere joke to Mr Abdullahi after calling him, former emir. I found it very funny and mischievous from those who want to start something from nothing.

“Khalifa Sanusi is my friend and a brother. He is also the chancellor of our state university and a professional in the financial sector. I talk to him on issues like that but not on how to run my government. I do that with nobody but my cabinet.

“The meeting where I decided to make those changes was attended by the chief of staff and he did not object to it. We want him to go and fix the ministry. It was a responsibility he held with distinction during our first term. So he is going back there to return the ministry to its former glory.”

Mr El-Rufai also gave the reasons he created three administrative districts with administrators in Kaduna.

“We have created administrative districts to ease governance within the three regions in the state, Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan. The administrators will serve as commissioners,” he said.

The Anambra-born tycoon, who arrived theh of the EFCC at Jabi Abuja at about noon on Monday, was still being interrogated by operatives of the Commission as at 10:30 pm.

Though allegations against the socialite were

sketchy as of press time, a source disclosed that his case borders on alleged money laundering and tax fraud.

When contacted, spokesman of the Commission,W Uwujaren said he was yet to be briefed on the development.

It was unclear as at press time, if the

businessman, who commands large followers across Nigeria, would sleep in EFCC cell or be released on bail to go home before daybreak.

This was, even as, the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, called on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) not to relent on its efforts at ensuring that Nigeria is rescued from the current state.

The trio spoke on the heels of the just concluded national convention of the main opposition party, PDP, in Abuja.

According to Atiku, the PDP might not be perfect in its handling of the affairs of Nigeria in the past; but the APC has done worst things to the economy, security and the dignity of the Nigeria’s citizenry.

“The PDP is not perfect, but the APC has shown themselves as the most corrupt and inefficient.

“Nigeria has never been this bad, since the history of the country. I’m 70 years plus, but I can tell you, I have never seen this country in this form, so disunited, so much insecurity”, he said.

Speaking further, the Presidential Candidate of PDP in 2019 election, said, “We have a chance now to atone for the mistakes of the past.

“We have a chance to sieze the opportunity of putting the country on the part of global reckoning amongst the comity of nations.

“We must step in and save Nigeria from further calamity. We must position ourselves to rescue this country from insecurity, unemployment and restore the dignity of this nation.

“This time is a critical juncture for us to work toward rescuing this country from its present state”.

On his part, Governor Tambuwal, who is the Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, said, those who wanted to disintegrate the party were the ones falling while the PDP remains united.

He said, “We are ready to welcome more members to PDP and I charge our members across the country to be ready to receive more members.

“Our young people need a safe and secured country, where they could work on their own and be gainfully employed too”.

Tambuwal assured that, the 13 PDP Governors were working tirelessly “and very determined to stabilize the party and rescue this country from its sorry state”.

Senator Abaribe, in his reaction, said Nigerians were anxiously waiting for PDP to rescue the country, adding that, “the APC government is handicapped and cannot do anything for the people”.

His words, “Our people are saying today that they are tired of the suppression, extra judicial killings, systemic injustices and molestation of opposing voices.

“This clueless government of APC is watching helplessly while our innocent people are being killed and kidnapped, hoodlums and bandits take over our highways and other routes.

“The APC government has deprived our citizens, about 80% of them, of the daily meal they can get and turned Nigeria to the poverty capital of the Wolrd.

“APC government is a looter of our economy and have totally destroyed our economy. When we handed over, dollar was 165 naira and today, it’s over 500 naira”.

The last Saturday’s convention of PDP, which analysts adjudged as the most peaceful political congresses in the history of Nigeria; saw the return of almost all the National Executive Council offices unopposed, except for the positions of National Deputy Chairman (South) and National Youth Leader which were contested for. 

Well-meaning Nigerians, individuals and groups have provided various reason the Buhari administration should declare bandits’ groups in the North as terrorists.

However, the government has remained adamant to the calls, saying that there is a process to declare a group as a terrorist organisation.

Bandits and kidnappers are on rampage in the North West, killing, kidnapping and maiming residents.

In a tweet on Monday morning, the former lawmaker represented Kaduna Central District at the 8th Assembly, said, “They [bandits] killed Muslim worshipers in their mosques in Niger and Katsina State; they killed Christians in their Churches in Kaduna State; if the Government doesn’t want to declare them terrorists, it should declare them federal civil servants.”

Speaking shortly after marking the 30th anniversary of his ministry and 42 years as a preacher, he observed that the country is going through its most trying moment, calling on members of the National Assembly to urgently rescue the country from insecurity and reshape the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.

According to him, “The Naira is just going moribund. The poor are dying as I’m talking to you. So when the politicians beat their chest that they have done well, they are just talking for themselves while the poor man is exposed to all manners insecurity and hardship.”

He added that as a clergyman, he meets the poor every day, feeds them, buys bags of rice and other foodstuffs to distribute to them, stressing that they were not doing that three years ago.

He explained, “We know that the lockdown from COVID-19 has affected so many things but many economies across the world have rebounded. Nigeria is only rebounding on paper and on TV where what the government has done is announced, but the public we met every day are not singing the same song of abject poverty.”

Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Nuhu Kure warned those working against the progress of the country that the wind of justice from God will soon wipe them out, assuring that the wrath of God would soon catch up with them no matter how highly placed they may be in the society.

Those working against the progress of the country, he said, “Whether they be Muslims, Christians or any other, they will not escape the wrath of God because blood has been shed in all parts of the country. Nemesis will soon catch up with whoever has a hand in what millions of Nigerians are going through today.

“The Almighty who created the earth is about to begin justice that will bring stability to this nation. So a lot of things are about to change.”

The programme had in attendance Pastor Enoch Adeboye, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Emmanuel Udom, Former Governor of Plateau State, Sen. Jonah Jang, senator representing Southern Kaduna, Sen. Danjuma La’ah, former Ministers of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, Labaran Mako, and other dignitaries.

IPOB said those killed in Nnobi, Idimili South Local Government Area of Anambra State were criminals, terrorists, and not ESN operatives.

In a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the separatist group accused the Federal Government of falsehood.

 The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, a socio-political pressure group, on Wednesday in Owerri condemned the murder of three traditional rulers in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo on Tuesday.

Spokesman of the police in Imo, CSP Mike Mbattam, had earlier on Wednesday confirmed the killing of three traditional rulers who attended a meeting at the area council by unknown gunmen.

The victims were Eze Anayochukwu Durueburuo of Okwudor autonomous community, Eze Sampson Osunwa of Ihebineowerre autonomous community and Eze Onyeaka of Nkume autonomous community.

The group condemned the killing in a release signed by its President-General, Goodluck Ibem and Publicity Secretary, Okey Nworu.

It described the killings as gruesome, villainous, barbaric, senseless and condemnable and called for all hands to be on deck to stem the tide of insecurity in the Southeast geo-political zone.

It also called on youths of Njaba LGA to swing into action and gather intelligence that would lead to the arrest of the assailants.

It further urged governors in south-eastern states to give communities money from their security votes to youths and traditional rulers in various communities and urban areas to work on security challenges.

“It is so worrisome and shameful that our once peaceful land is now turning into a war zone where one cannot predict what will happen next.

“Now is the time to be our brothers’ keeper’ for communities in the zone to work in synergy on matters of security; all communities must rise and defend their territories against invaders and criminal elements,’’ it said.

The group prayed to God to console families and friends of the deceased as well as the entire state

The Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Thursday, ordered the police to apologize or face a boycott over the unlawful arrest and arraignment of a Daily Post reporter, Sikiru Obarayese, during the EndSARS memorial.

According to reports gathered, the Osun NUJ Chairman, Wasiu Ajadosu, and Secretary, Bukola Elufadejin, requested that the police should apologize or face a boycott.

NUJ stated, “The police should be civil in approach and stop unnecessary force on citizens performing legitimate duties.

“They should focus on criminal elements. The union will no longer tolerate the abuse and harassment of its members.

“The Commissioner of Police must call his officers to order and educate them on the place of media in the task of policing the state.

“If this command fails to do so, the union may not have any other option than to stop reportage of all police activities”.

Recall that Obarayese was arrested and taken to the station on the instruction of Chief Superintendent Oyegbade Akinloye, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dugbe Division.

He was charged to Osogbo Magistrate Court, under the charges of assaulting DPO Akinloye and a breach of peace.

However, Magistrate A. O. Daramola condemned the use of force and granted the request of the Commissioner of Police, Wale Olokode, for withdrawal of the suit and struck out the case.

 The Bauchi State Police Command has explained that no life was lost as a result of the crisis between Bauchi and Gombe communities over boundary disputes.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammad Ahmed Wakil who stated this on Thursday while fielding questions from newsmen in Bauchi, debunked media reports that a communal clash between communities in Ganjuwa Local Government in Bauchi State and communities in Dukku Local Government of Gombe State, claimed an unspecified number of lives while houses and farmlands worth millions of naira were destroyed.

“It is not true that lives were lost in the crisis that involved the communities. The truth of the matter is that some communities from Gombe State cross the river, invaded some farms of Bauchi communities in Ganjuwa Local Government areas”

“The attackers started shooting sporadically in the air, they destroyed the farms and left. They did not kill anybody from the report received by the command. The District head of one of the affected communities informed the police who visited the area and restored law and order”

“After the incident, the commissioner of police of Bauchi and Gombe State summoned a meeting between the police commands, Special advisers on security who represented the State Governors, Commissioner of youth sports, local governments chairmen traditional and community leaders from the areas and all the relevant stakeholders, where they held a fruitful discussion on how to ensure sustainable peace In the area,” he said

The PPRO said that part of the resolution of the meeting was to lodge a formal complaint to the National Boundary Commission.