Aero To Complete Airlift Operations By June 12

One of the approved airlines transporting Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj exercise, Aero Contractors, has assured that it would complete the airlifting of the 8,033 intending pilgrims allocated to it by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to the Holy Land on or before June 12.

Alhaji Liman Mohammad, the officer coordinating 2023 Hajj for Aero Contractors, gave the assurance in a statement released Sunday’s night .

He said, out of the 8,033 allocated to the airline, 3,223 pilgrims from Nasarawa, Oyo and Adamawa States have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia.

According to him the airline had moved to Lagos where it will transport about 1,500 intending pilgrims from Oyo and Lagos States in five flights, saying the company is determined to conclude the transportation of all the pilgrims assigned to it before the closure of Jeddah airport.

“So from June 12, we will be free. Jeddah International Airport will be closed on June 26, that is about 14 days after we finished our operation, by God’s grace,” he said.

Group urges APC to allow lawmakers -elect to pick their leaders

 A Civil Society Organisation, Better Nigeria Movement has called on the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress to allow the lawmakers-elect to select their leaders.

The PUNCH had reported that the APC nominated the immediate past minister of Niger Delta affairs Godswill Akpabio, and the senator representing Kano North, Barau Jibrin, as the senate president and deputy respectively.

In the lower legislative chamber, the ruling party nominated a lawmaker from Kaduna, Tajudeen Abbas, and a lawmaker from Imo, Benjamin Kalu, as speaker and deputy.

The move, however, has been rejected by some members of the party, and that of the opposition parties as well as some lawmakers-elect.

Amid the leadership tussle, the President, Bola Tinubu scheduled a meeting with the lawmakers-elect from opposition parties on Monday.

However, in a statement on Sunday, the Secretary of the group, Bako Saliu described the party’s action as an imposition that could plunge the 10th assembly into crisis if not rescinded.

The statement partly read, “The ninth National Assembly will draw the curtains on its activities in a fortnight. The leadership of the All Progressives Congress had in April zoned the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to the South-South (Senate President), North West (Deputy Senate President), Speaker (North West), and Deputy Speaker (South East).

While the anointed candidates have been traversing the length and breadth of the country seeking the support of colleagues, state governors, and other stakeholders, there are moves by some gladiators to upstage a surprise come June 14, when the legislators will be inaugurated.

“We believe the lawmakers-elect should be allowed to choose who they want as their leaders. A zone is not a person; even if the NWC zoned the position to the North West and South-South they should allow them to choose the best among those from the region.

“It is very evident that Some of the Lawmakers-elect even those from the same region as the anointed candidates are unhappy with the way anointed speaker and senate president were selected. They have been insisting they were not consulted. It is however an invitation to crisis in the 10th assembly if this is not addressed.

Tinubu condoles over train crash - Indian PM

President Bola Tinubu has sent his condolences to Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the people of the Republic of India following a train crash that killed more than 280 passengers.

On Friday, two passenger trains and a goods train collided in the Indian city of Balasore, located in the eastern state of Odisha, resulting in what has been described as one of the worst rail crashes in recent history. Over 280 people were killed and over 900 others were injured in the incident.

Commiserating with the families of the victims, Tinubu, in a statement issued on Saturday via his twitter handle stated, “My heart goes to the families of those affected in the unfortunate and heartrending train crash in the Indian state of Odisha.

“We stand with India in brotherhood at this difficult time. The magnitude of the crash and the high casualty figure call for global support for India to adequately respond to this calamitous accident.

“I send my deepest sympathy and condolences to His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of India and the families of those trapped in the crash.

Gov Yahaya Bello’s convoy attacked by Gunmen

 Gunmen attack Gov Yahaya Bello’s convoy, injure security aides

The Kogi Government on Saturday said the convoy of Gov. Yahaya Bello was attacked on Saturday by gunmen,  along the  Abuja-Lokoja highway.

it said the attack took place near a Naval Base, a few kilometres away from Lokoja, the state capital.

The Kogi Commissioner for Information,  Mr Kingsley Fanwo,  made the disclosure in a statement in Lokoja.

Fanwo alleged that the gunmen were political thugs of an opposition political party in the state, the  Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“The gunmen suspected to be political thugs of the SDP, having sighted the convoy of  Bello approaching,  blocked the road and started shooting at the convoy.

“A Tundra branded with the logo and flags of the party also blocked the governor’s vehicle and the occupants were armed with rifles and short guns.

“But thank God our governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic.

“Some security aides and other aides attached to the governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for attention.

“We urge the people of Kogi to remain calm as security agents are in full control to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums behind the attack, ” he said.

Fanwo said the state government would not allow any breakdown of law and order but would do all it could to bring the attackers to justice.

According to him, the governor has warned that no APC member should get involved in any reprisal attack as insecurity from any quarter will be met with stiff penalties.

Responding, Mr Kunle Afolayo, Media Aide to the  SDP Governorship Candidate, Mr Yakubu Ajaka, denied the allegations saying:  “It was the other way round because it was his political thugs that attacked us.”

 “Is it possible for an opposition political party to attack a governor just like that?

“We were on our way to the Palace of Maigari in Lokoja from Koton Karfe this afternoon, when the governor’s convoy, heading to Lokoja from Abuja, met us on the way and launched an attack on us just like that.

“God knows the truth. It’s unfortunate that APC administration in Kogi is using government might against us and to lie against us for a crime they committed against us, ” the media aide said.

Man City beat Man United 2-1 to win FA Cup

 Man City beat Man United 2-1 to win FA Cup

Manchester City’s Portuguese defender Ruben Dias (L) and Manchester City’s English defender John Stones (R) celebrate on the final whistle of the English FA Cup final football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley stadium, in London, on June 3, 2023. – Man City won the game 2-1. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Ilkay Gundogan scored twice as Manchester City beat city rivals Manchester United to win this season’s FA Cup and continue their push for a historic treble.

IPoB warns security agencies to Stop deceiving Nigerians with fake arrest of ESN commanders

 THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, yesterday dismissed the claim of the arrest of four Eastern Security Network, ESN, commanders by Nigerian security agents, particularly the Police Navy and Army in Ogbaru, Local Government Area, Anambra State.

IPoB alleged that the security crisis in Ogbaru Local Government Area Anambra State which led to the attack of USA Embassy officials is the result of the war between the oil bunkering cabal and some politicians which polarized the security agencies, and IPoB and ESN are not part of the war in Ogbaru.

A statement on Saturday by IPoB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled, “No ESN Commander was arrested by Nigeria compromised security agents at Ogbaru” alleged that Nigerian security agents made up of Police, Army, Navy and DSS, are deep in the war in Ogbaru LGA and that is why they allegedly refused to carry out an investigation into the attack on USA Embassy Staff convoy, claiming they were not informed of the Embassy officials presence in Anambra State.

The pro-Biafra group alleged that over three weeks after the attack, none of the security agencies or a combination of them have been able to come out to present any arrest made of the perpetrators of such heinous attacks and now are coming up to divert attention with their purported arrest of ESN commanders in Ogbaru.

The separatist group challenged the Nigeria security agencies made up of the Police, Navy, Army and DSS, Nigeria prove their innocence who carried out attack on the USA Embassy Staff convoy instead of playing ostrich on such an international embarrassing attack.

IPoB’s statement read, “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, unequivocally debunk the fabricated and concocted lies from the Nigeria security agents, on their purported arrest of four ESN Commanders in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State.

“It is pathetic that the compromised Nigeria security agents will always delude themselves with fake claims of ESN Commander’s arrest. We wish to ask them, where was the arrest made? And what are the identities of the so-called commanders arrested?

“We in IPoB wish to tell the public to ignore the professional liars called the Nigeria security agencies, there were no ESN commanders or operatives arrested anywhere in Ogbaru. As usual, the terrorists in uniforms may have arrested innocent people and called them ESN operatives so that they would extort thousands of naira from their victim’s relatives as bail money.

“On the other hand, they may have arrested criminals impersonating ESN. Nigeria security forces regular claims that they have arrested ESN operatives is childish. No ESN operatives was arrested. All ESN commanders and operatives are intact.

Tinubu on fuel subsidy removal

 Uche Nwosu backs Tinubu on fuel subsidy removal

President of the Ugwumba Leadership Centre and former Chief of Staff to Imo State Government, Uche Nwosu, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for his decision to remove fuel subsidy, saying that it was the right call.

According to him, “You know one problem we always have in this country is that we Nigerians always whenever there is a policy, they leverage on that to make some of these commodities scarce. Whether we like it or not, few individuals cannot have money that can feed the entire nation, infrastructural wise, educational wise and other things we need to do with money.

“These are things we don’t need in this country again. Now, we buy fuel for almost N250 per litre and some areas buy as high as N300 per litre. And they say when they remove fuel subsidy it is almost the same thing. What is fuel subsidy? Fuel subsidy is that all the money that goes to private individuals is not going to them.

“Among all these, whether fuel subsidy or not, is to have more refineries like that of Dangote in this country. If we have another 3 or 4 refineries, bet me we won’t be talking about fuel subsidy. We will have enough fuel to export and consume. It’s a right call, it’s overdue.”

Nwosu expressed optimism in Tinubu’s administration, noting that he has a good vision for the country and is capable of leading Nigeria.

He said, “Tinubu has a good vision for the country. I have gone through some of the outline of his program and I can actually say that the president has a good vision for the country and Nigerians. At least on the issue of Power, CBN and currency I think there is hope.

“You can only commend somebody who has the courage to quickly bring up the issue of fuel subsidy and remove it.

“I don’t think his age will stop him from achieving whatever he wants to achieve. Although some of the countries we know now that their presidents are over 90, they are doing well, it’s about us giving him encouragement and letting him do well.”

On the 60 days’ time for Tinubu to appoint his cabinet members declared by an APC chieftain James Faleke, Nwosu said, “I don’t think it’s late. We know in this part of the world, how we behave sometimes. I believe that if it comes before 60 days, better for us but if it doesn’t come before the 60 days, he is the President, some of the agencies have Permanent Secretaries and they are almost like Ministers in their Ministries, so they should take charge till Tinubu makes his appointment.

“The issue of 60 days is not actually a big issue; it will enable the president to do wider consultation and appoint more technocrats to handle the affairs of the country. In fact, I would have preferred Mr. President to have 60 percent technocrats than politicians to handle some of these ministries.”