NIGERIAN NOTCH

  By SP Haruna Mohammed In what initially started as a peaceful protests against alleged Police brutality, which has attracted both national and international attention, a swift response has been gotten from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu. This led to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), as well as taking other positive steps, to address the matter in order to avert a breakdown of law and order. But, despite frantic efforts by the government to address the matter amicably, all of a sudden, hoodlums--in Anambra, like in other States--hijacked the protests, launching vicious and 'murderous' attacks on police personnel and their facilities, on the night of 21st October 2020, in Nnewi, through to the evening of 24th October 2020 in Uli. Tragically, at the end of these callous attacks, four Police officers including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Osumenyi Division, CSP Akpan Joseph, ASP Agu Micheal, the Station Officer (SO), ...

.......... As IGP Reassures Nigerians Of Improved Security on Highways ahead of the Yuletide    The Nigeria Police have successfully rescued Nine (9) Police Officers who earlier went missing on 8th November, 2020 between Kankara town and Sheme in Katsina State after the night commercial bus they were traveling in came under attack by heavily armed men, all dressed in Military Camouflage, but suspected to be bandits.  The officers, all Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), were on their way to Gusau in Zamfara State from Maiduguri at the time of the incident. Two of the officers are currently receiving medical attention in a hospital, while the remaining seven are being debriefed.  Covert operation to locate and rescue the officers commenced immediately they were discovered missing en-route to their destination. Thus, the apparent delay in commenting on the unfortunate incident was a deliberate decision aimed at protecting the integrity and confidentiality of ...

As we celebrate the Africa Industrialisation day today being  Nov 20th 2020, there is no gain saying the fact, that Industrial development is of critical importance, for sustained and inclusive economic growth in African countries, which Nigeria is an integral part of.     Industrial growth has its tremendous potentials towards enhancing productivity, increasing  capabilities of the workforce, as well as generating mass  employment, through the introduction of new equipment, new thinking  and new techniques. Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah in this direction has shown in recent times that indeed, he truly has the interest of Ndi Anambra at heart, by the many infrastructural developments he already has in his kitty. In barely two years of taking up the mantle of responsibility by virtue of a landslide election into the red chambers, the Chief proponent of #GosimKamfunanya in Anambra South set about delivering the goods in a manner that showcased class an...

The military under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven has informed the Kaduna State Government of the killing of the District Head of Gidan Zaki, Mr. Haruna Kuye, and his son, Destiny Kuye, in the early hours of Tuesday, November 17, 2020. A statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan on Tuesday morning revealed that they were killed in their residence at Gidan Zaki, Zangon Kataf local government. He said: “The District Head’s wife, according to the military, sustained machete wounds on her hand while his daughter had a gunshot wound on her finger. “The security report further stated that the act was carried out by about five men wielding AK-47 rifles and machetes, who also tried to burn the house and a vehicle. “The military added that location that three empty cases and a live round of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered at the scene.   “Troops in collaboration with other security agencies are carrying out investigations and t...

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has faulted the claims that he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to achieve his ambition of becoming the president in 2023. He told reporters on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital that the insinuation that he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) with such an intention was nothing but false. Rather, the governor disclosed that he would quit politics by the end of his second term in office in the next three years. He said, ”People can write all that they want to write, it is not my business. In 2023, if God permits, I will be quitting politics and I will be very satisfied because the miracles in Ebonyi State may just be the reason I was born in the first place.” Governor Umahi added, “If people are shouting in this country about fairness, equity, and justice, and I stand in a place where such is not practice, then I have to re-examine my head. “Let it be known that I am God’s project and I don’t go beyond the limit of my calling...

Ebonyi state Governor Dave Umahi has officially joined the All Progressives Party (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party. He confirmed his switch to the central ruling during his interaction with journalists in his office, at the new Government House, Abakaliki.   Umahi told Journalists that his reason for APC was to protest for injustice being done to the south east by PDP. The governor also debunked rumor that he was living the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of his demanded for the 2023 Presidential ticket of the country. He further denied being  promised any special package in APC. He said, “I want to clear the air that I didn’t ask for PDP presidential ticket and I will not. So, anybody saying that I have gone to the APC because PDP didn’t zone the PDP presidential ticket to me is being mischievous because number one is that even if PDP promises an individual a presidential ticket, how does it work when over 8,000 delegates will be electing the persons and such pr...

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have shot down a Nigerien helicopter carrying unidentified passengers in Bama local government area of Borno State. It was gathered that the incident occurred near Banki town at about 10 am on Tuesday and five persons reportedly perished in the crash. An emergency source in Banki who visited the scene along the military said that the insurgents were likely responsible for the crash adding that the helicopter belonged to the Nigerein government. The military was yet to confirm the incident at the time of filing this report.  Credits: (Daily Trust)

The member representing Owerri Municipal Council in IMO State House of Assembly Hon. Solomon Anukam has demonstrated his commitment to effectively partner with the IMO State governor Sen. Hope Uzodinma to ensure the success of the reconstruction of Ekeukwu Owerri market. Speaking to newsmen in his office in owerri the IMO state capital, the member representing Owerri Municipal in IMO State House of Assembly  Hon Solomon Anukam expressed joy and thanked the governor Sen Hope Uzodinma for coming to the rescue of his people and for his quick responds to the needs, cry of the good people of Owerri Municipal area. He pointed out that many people have lost their lives and properties as a result of the demolition of the Ekeukwu Owerri market. According to Hon Solomon Anukam he said, " Indeed, the entire people of Owerri are now happy with the IMO State governor Sen Hope Uzodinma. Interestingly, his decision to rebuilt Ekeukwu Owerri market for us the people of Owerri Municipal, is a welc...

The former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, on Monday returned to the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for questioning over his alleged involvement in financial misappropriation of funds under his watch. According to reports, a fresh N9.2bn was found in Fowler’s personal account from Lagos Inland Revenue Service and Alpha Beta consult in which a former governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu, had also been fingered. Recall that the former FIRS boss was on November 2 invited for questioning by the EFCC over a N5bn fraud hatched in the agency under his supervision. Earlier, nine senior officials of the agency were detained by the EFCC over alleged multi-billion naira fraud in 2019. Babatunde Fowler was dismissed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 after a query for worsening tax revenues since 2015. He was also accused of a lavish lifestyle, sponsoring extravagant parties and concerts in Lagos, poor corporate management structures at ...

Ahead of the 2023 general elec­tions, there are fresh intrigues threatening to tear the Independent National Electoral Commis­sion (INEC) apart and completely erode its independence as a body that should serve the interest of all political parties, Daily Independent has gath­ered. This followed the formal handover by its National Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, last week, pending the Senate’s confirmation for the renewal of his tenure as chairman of the commission. Also, there are strong indications that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is going through a re­gime of crisis as a result of intense power play among key players within the party’s leadership cadre who have constituted themselves into strong power blocks within the context of who holds which sphere of influence, preparatory to the 2023 general elections. In this mix of power play is also a minister from the North-West geo-political zone who is angling to seek the governorship of his state in 2023. One of the signs ...

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has been notified by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) about the new platform it developed in collaboration with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), to avoid having the same issues with the Federal government as ASUU is having today on IPPIS. The new payment platform will serve as an alternative to the controversial Integrated Payroll and Payment Information System. Nigerian Notch however gathered that the new platform is named University General Peculiar Payroll Payment System (UGPPPS). The minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said the government would look into it and must have a “handshake with IPPIS and other payment systems in use by the Federal Government.” The new president of the union, Mohammed Ibrahim, who was accompanied by the immediate past President, Samson Ugwoke during a thank-you visit and presentation of his successor to Ngige at the weekend, explained that the u...

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi is set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) this week, although it had not been made official. A source said the governor confirmed his defection during a meeting with stakeholders in his Uburu Ohaozara Local Government Area country home on Sunday. The meeting was attended by bigwigs including the lawmaker representing Ezra South/Ikwo federal constituency Chinedu Ogah, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Elias Mbam, State Chairman Senator Julius Ucha, Nwachukwu Eze and Senator Anthony Agbo, among others. It was however gathered that the minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu did not attend the meeting, for reasons that has not been ascertained as at the time of filling this report. Though details of the meeting were still sketchy as at last night, a source at the meeting said the governor also promised to reshuffle his executive council in December to accommodate members of the APC. “He did not give us...

Willie Obiano is the governor of Anambra state currently serving his second and final term in Office due to expire in January, 2022. In fact, he practically has fourteen months left to complete his tenure as governor of the state. A gubernatorial election is billed for the state in a year’s  time and registered political parties are expected to be active participants in the election. Governor Willie Obiano belongs to one of the prominent parties in Nigeria which used to be the party of choice in the state. The party APGA earned this status because of the iconic stature of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu who during his life time was seen as the soul and leader of the party. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was loved and adored by Igbo people particularly the people of his home state, Anambra state. This love was transferred to APGA which was viewed as the Igbo Party.  Senator Ifeanyi Ubah  was a young and successful businessman in the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian...

........ Describes Him as a Competent Public Servant, Trailblazer Erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People's Democratic Party (nPDP) and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has joined people of goodwill to felicitate with the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Prof. Henry Ugboma, as he marked his birthday yesterday.  In a short statement made available to Nigerian Notch, Chief Eze said Ugboma has distinguished himself as a personification of competence whose track record of achievements in the health profession has restored confidence in public health institutions especially, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where he holds sway as Chief Medical Medical Director. He described him as a great son of Rivers State that ought to be well celebrated and a public servant extraordinary, the party Chieftain said Prof. Ugboma has carved a niche for himself ...

 ............celebrates his one-year of returning to APC The Abuja, Aso-Villa residence of the Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Saturday played host to the Chieftain and prominent founding member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Osita Izunaso.  The host Senator Orji Uzor Kalu revealed that the reason for the special reception in honour of Senator Osita was to celebrate his one year of "returning" to the party.  Recall that Senator Izunaso was the pioneer interim National Organising Secretary of the APC, and the first elected and substantive National Organizing Secretary. The reception had the presence of other political dignitaries who gathered at the residence of Senator Kalu to mark the anniversary of Senator Osita Izunaso's return to the APC. Speaking in the presence of the guests Senator Kalu narrated how Sen. Osita persuaded  him to join the APC back in 2016. He described Senator Osita as a noble politician and also be...