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JUST IN; Govt clears air on threats to ban Traditional Worship– Commissioner

Mr Don Onyenji, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism in Anambra, says it is not true that the state government threatened to ban traditional worship.

Onyenji made the statement at a stakeholders meeting organised in partnership with ASHOKA Africa, a non-profit organsation and social change agent, in Awka on Thursday.

He said that Gov. Charles Soludo only called for the registration of all traditional religious leaders and custodians of shrines in the state.

The commissioner described religion as a collection of social and cultural systems involving core beliefs, practices, morals that were needed in human society.

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“The governor wants to have that compilation as a way of discouraging crime. Let’s not forget that some people who do unlawful businesses patronise these places.

“Armed robbers, fraudsters, kidnappers and other criminals go to native doctors and shrines to seek for powers to do evil,” he said.

Onyenji said that the activities of some native doctors and custodians of shrines in the state encouraged criminality.

He said that any native doctor or shrine worshipper found to be preparing charms for robbers or fortifying kidnappers would be prosecuted.

Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the Commissioner for Education, said that the partnership with ASHOKA Africa was aimed at promoting social behaviour reformation among the youth.

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Represented by Dr Ify Agbaizu, the Permanent Secretary, Chuma-Udeh said that the correct orientation about core Igbo values should be given to the younger generation in order to put them on the right track.

“We must preach the values of hard work, respect and honesty. This will save the youth from indulging in the social ills that are rampant in the society today,” she said.

She urged youth in the state to imbibe good social behaviours and hard work as they grew in life, saying,” nothing good comes without hard work”

Mr Okechukwu Uzoechina, the Leader, ASHOKA Africa delegation to the meeting, said that the organisation’s “Everyone is a Change Maker”vision was a social transformation tool needed in human society.

“We foresee a world where everyone has the confidence, freedom and support to identify and design solutions for the common good of the society.

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“A world where people are equipped to tackle challenges, and to create a better future in both small and bold ways,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting also attracted the attendance students drawn from select secondary schools in the state.

Speaking to NAN, Miss Makuochukwu Umeh, the Head Girl, Anglican Girls Secondary School, Awka, described the engagement as enriching and well thought-out.

“We all are grateful to be part of the programme, we have learnt a lot from the resource persons, if for nothing, I havee learnt that quick and illegal wealth is not good

“I also learnt that farming, craft making and other lawful engagements are good and dignified sources of making wealth,” she said.(NAN)

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Man allegedly stabs Uber Driver, steals his car

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Man allegedly stabs Uber Driver, steals his car

The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a suspect accused of stabbing a uber driver and dispossessing him of his car.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

Hundeyin said that the incident happened on Saturday at 7:34p.m., at Ile-Zik in the Agege area of the state.

“A uber driver reported at Isokoko Division that the suspect boarded his Toyota Camry at Nitel by Old Abeokuta Motor Road, Agege, to Marriott Hotel, GRA, Ikeja.

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“On getting to Ile-Zik along the way, the suspect brought out a sharp knife, stabbed him all over his body and stole his vehicle, ” he said.

Hundeyin said that based on the report,
a team of policemen later trailed the vehicle to Oshodi where the suspect was intercepted.

“He was immediately apprhended and the vehicle was recovered from him to the station, ” he said.

The police spokesman said that the victim had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

Hundeyin said that investigation into the case was ongoing. (NAN)

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BREAKING; Killing: University closed down by School’s Management over students’ protest

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BREAKING; Killing University closed down by School’s Management over students’ protest

The Management of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State has announced a one-week Mid-Semester break starting from Feb. 24.

The closure of the school followed a protest embarked on by the students on Sunday after they alleged that the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) had shot to death one of their colleagues.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students’ protest continued Monday morning.

Reports indicated that the JTF members on Sunday shot the student, alleging that he was an informant.

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The FUDMA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, announced the decision of the Senate to close the school in a statement issued in Katsina on Monday.

Bichi further advised the students to leave campus before 6.00 p.m. on Feb. 24.

“The Management wishes the students a happy and peaceful mid-semester break,” he said. (NAN)

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Controversy as Ganduje, Senate Deputy President attend NNPP Senator’s family events in Kano

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Controversy as Ganduje, Senate Deputy President attend NNPP Senator’s family events in Kano

Prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), such as National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, recently attended a prominent opposition senator’s private ceremonies in Kano, sparking political controversy and speculation.

Prior to the 2023 elections, Senator Kawu Sumaila, who is currently the representative for Kano South in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), made news when he left the APC after a protracted leadership dispute inside the party.

His recent choice to invite APC members to his family gatherings has drawn criticism, with many speculating about the political ramifications.

On Friday, Jibrin, who led a delegation of federal lawmakers, confirmed their attendance at the wedding of Sumaila’s children, which took place in Sumaila town, Kano State on February 21.

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The wedding united Dr. Khadija Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Faisal Abdulmanaf Sarina, and Maryam Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila with Bello Ibrahim Ma’aji, in a ceremony officiated by Professor Salisu Shehu, Imam of Sumaila Jumaat Mosque.

Jibrin’s statement also highlighted the attendance of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, who joined the festivities and offered blessings for the newlyweds.

“May Allah bless their union and give them patience, endurance, tolerance, and love. Congratulations to the newlyweds,” Jibrin added in his post.

The following day, both Jibrin and Ganduje were present at the first convocation of Al-Istiqama University, a private institution reportedly founded by Senator Sumaila in the Sumaila Local Government Area. This further fueled speculation about the growing relationship between the APC and the NNPP senator.

Within the NNPP, these moves have sparked unease, with many members expressing concern over Sumaila’s increasing openness to opposition figures. There are growing rumors that Sumaila may be contemplating a return to the APC, especially as he continues to distance himself from NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso and Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano.

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The senator’s tensions with the state government have been well documented, especially over the controversial reinstatement of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and the repeal of the 2019 State Emirate Council Law, which had consolidated power in five emirates.

The involvement of APC heavyweights at Sumaila’s events, including former Kano governor Ibrahim Shekarau of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left many questioning the senator’s allegiance.

With his history of disagreements with the state government, particularly over the dissolution of emirates created under Ganduje’s administration, there’s increasing speculation that Sumaila may once again align with the APC.

Should Sumaila make the move back to the APC, he would join a growing list of opposition lawmakers defecting to the ruling party, further shifting the political dynamics in Kano.

The NNPP, which currently holds the title of Nigeria’s fourth-largest party in terms of parliamentary representation, has been struggling to maintain its influence in Kano—the only state it governs.

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While NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso managed to secure a victory only in Kano, a potential shift in allegiance by Sumaila could mark a significant blow to the party’s already fragile standing.

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