AljaziralPress

The Commander, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State Dr Ibrahim Abdul has saod the command seized a total of 6,726,012 kilogrammes of hard drugs from June 2018 till date.

The commander made the disclosure at a news conference in Kano as part of events to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, celebrated annually on June 26.

The day was set aside by UN to bring to the fore, challenges encountered by countries and individuals through illicit drugs sale and consumption, as well as step up campaigns on its ills.

Abdul said that within the period under review, the command intercepted 3,201,155 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, popularly known as Indian Hemp.

He added that the command also seized 3,370,911 kilogrammes of psychotropic substance and 150.007 kilogrammes of khat, a marijuana-like leaf imported from South Africa.

He further revealed that 3.190 kilogrammes of cocaine had also been intercepted by the command within the one year.

The NDLEA boss also disclosed that the agency had within the period under review, seized 29.3 kilogrammes of heroin.

Giving further breakdown of the success achieved, Abdul said the command arrested 725 suspects, out of whom, 620 males and 105 females.

“This is an unprecedented success that has never been achieved within a short period of time since the establishment of this command,” he said

The commander further disclosed that the command had secured the conviction of 47 suspects, nabbed with cocaine and heroin.

He further revealed that the command arrested suspected notorious members of a drug syndicate enroute Saudi Arabia with 2.92 kilogrammes of cocaine.

“The statistics recorded shows a decline in the demand and supply of some substances such as tramadol and codeine, as a result of constant operations by officers of the Kano State command,” said the commander

He, however, added that the lack of adequate manpower, shortage of logistics, the lack of enough facilities to accommodate addicts that required counselling and rehabilitation were some of the command’s major challenges.

”Also, the lack of cooperation by some communities is affecting our work,” Abdul said. Aljaziral reporters press.

A major breakthrough to develop Mega City from Warri South Local Government Area in Delta State, was on Tuesday June 25, reached with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to kick –start processes for the development of a 7,000 hectares of land and water into what would be called Delta-Ukpokiti Industrial City.The MoU was signed at Warri South Council Main Secretariat between Finest Investment Limited and Partsmaster Overseas Limited, with Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, appending his imprimatur as witness.Chief Charles Akeni, who spoke on behalf of one of the investors, Partsmaster Overseas Limited, stated that the proposed city would be bigger than Warri and Effurun Urban put together, with modern Industries, residential areas, railways, stadium and several other facilities associated with a 21st century Mega City like Dubai.A former Local Government Chairman, Hon. Yomi Lapite, who also spoke briefly on behalf of one of the core investors, averred that the planned Delta –Ukpokiti Industrial City, “will surpass Dubai and Ukpokiti will come into world reckoning”, adding, “60% of unskilled labour will go to Ukpokiti Community”.Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, while expressing delight with the signing of the MoU, assured that his administration will provide the necessary support so as to actualize the project.Dr. Tidi who pledged to engage Royal Fathers and youths in the area with a view to making them key into the Mega City project, disclosed that the second edition of Warri Economic Summit will be staged October this year, with larger audience and renowned resource persons.Managing Director of Finest Investment Limited, Hon. Abel Oshevire, Emmanuel Otomewo, Mr. Joshua Tidi and Olorogun Atuyota Ejuoghemre, were among the investors that witnessed the ceremony, while Dr. Tidi was flanked by Secretary to Warri South Local Government, Mr. Joseph Oribioye, the Council’s Supervisors: Chief Linda Ikpuri, Elvis Eboh, Shegue Gbeneso, Henry Mayuku and Patricia Edun. The Head of Personnel Management of Warri South Local Government Council, Mr. Douglas Akambe and Treasurer to the Local Government, Mr. Otighi Sunday also witnessed the ceremony.

W A R R I — Your Godly messages read everyday on your social media platform, It was very clear to us, as evidenced in the personal fiefdoms that your previous leadership vultures erected Nigeria and Delta. Central, We endured it; but nothing can be so repulsive, then this manner of oppression robbing you of the Delta Central Senatorial Chair in the Red Chambers.

Ma’am , without sounding modest, you impressed us; we believed your messages and they sank in us acutely. And even as we await your victory at the tribunal we individually monitored your government to know if you are a leader we can continue to trust.

Ma’am , as you mounted the saddle of leadership, to represent the good people of Okpe/SAPELE/ Uvwie federal Constituency for the past years l/we intensely searched for more faults in your legislative duties for the past years but found none. We set assessment yardsticks for your administration comparatively with previous administrations in the country, hoping that you would derail, and we shall instantaneously withdraw support. But pleasantly, you stuck to your convictions, vision, and mission as leader of Delta Central We are most impressed and proud of you, Hon. Barr . Evelyn Omovovwan Oboro Esq.

And God heard our fervent prayers for your retention as our democratic leader in 2019 to consolidate on your uncommon impacts on the economy, as you upgrade to a Senator of the federal Republic Of Nigeria. And we erupted in wild jubilations when the electoral umpire body announced your resounding victory at the PDP primaries at SAPELE Stadium which resonated all over Delta state and Nigeria from a stiffly contested Godfather’s of pdp that you emerged candidate and or ganged-up against your candidature in your party pdp primaries victory, we are also not unmindful of the connivance to destabilize or distract you from performing the functions of your office. They have sponsored protective groups or hirelings against your emergence in Sapele .

So, after diligent deliberations, I/we who believe in your personal ideologies and leadership style, thought it wise to converge to openly appreciate and to further inspire you on the leadership plane of Delta Central despite the distractions, because I /we believe victory is eminent.

I Otiti , believe in your capacity to provide the kind of leadership that Deltans have always yearned at this point of our beleaguered history. We need not remind again, but for emphasis, Nigerians craved for a leadership stripped of religious, ethnic or regional bigotry, which is imaged and epitomized by you. A leadership which place places national interest foremost.

your leadership has not diminished; but rather, it has intensified with the decisions you have taken even before the formal commencement of you going to purchase the Delta Central Senatorial pdp form.

Ma’am I/we believe you are genuinely committed to the progress of this nation especially Delta Central can concede to you that it’s not your style and kind of politics. You neither patronise sentiments whether ethnoreligious or partisan. It uniquely stands you out as an outstanding leader who believes ok in empowerment and training the younger generation .You focus on merit and competence from any but hates idle minded people .

We hail you as the face of Delta Central most empowerment and unsentimental leader and Delta state has ever produced. The eulogies in your glorification are all over, both in Delta and Nigeria, even from renowned foreign leaders.

Please ma’am , help me extend my profound greetings to my Boss Hon. Festus Utuama and hon. Chief Sunday Apah that have made the milestones possible. There is no doubt on my minds that your team is working day and night to keep the tide . It is my solemn pledge to support and pray for your victory at the tribunal . and to deliver more on your promises and Blueprint.

So, ma’am I/we have crafted this public letter to celebrate you, for your thoughtfulness and impeccable wisdom.

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SENATE President, Senator Ahmed Lawan has said that his monthly take home as the number one man in the National Assembly is more than N750, 000 as against erroneous perception of monthly jumbo pay

The Senate President also declared that in line with plan to return yearly budget calendar to January / December, estimates of 2020 budget proposals are expected from the executive latest by September.

Addressing National Executives of Senators’ Forum who paid him courtesy visit in his office , Lawan said one of the things the 9th National Assembly in collaboration with the executive arm of government wants to get rid off, is the yearly budget delays with their attendant economic dislocations .

“In achieving this, as soon as budget proposals are received from the executive in September, this Senate will spend only three three months for its consideration and passage .

“It is our determination that once the executive does its own side of the processes by presenting budget proposal in September of every year, we ‘ll ensure the passage of the budget before embarking on Christmas break in December “, he said .

He appealed to the former senators to join in giving the true narratives to Nigerians as regards emoluments of federal lawmakers.

“Although as an important institution , monies are provided for office running , oversight functions by lawmakers etc, which are always added up by the ordinary man on the street as monthly salary of lawmakers .

“My monthly salary is N750,000 and nothing in the radius of millions “, he explained.

He said in making Nigerians understand the workings of the National Assembly better , the open week policy started last year by the 8th National Assemvly , will further be enhanced by the 9th National Assembly .

Earlier in her remarks, the Chairman of the Senators’ Forum, Senator Khariat Gwadabe told the President of the Senate that as former senators with institutional memory, they will always be there, to support him in leading the 9th Senate and by extension, National Assembly aright .

RIVERS – In a letter, Anayo Akubueze Director of Newsline Communications, said transportation , security and Power were too sensitive to consider ethnic or religious coloration and the president had proven that these sectors were very dear to his heart, hence, his appointment of Rt. Hon. Ameachi Chibuike Rotimi former Minister of transportation has done extremely well in the past four years.

Anayo on Monday staged a “thank you” rally in appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for considering the reappointment of Rotimi Ameachi into his cabin sent an open letter addressed to the president, commending him as Ameachi makes his first list of Ministers and defeating what it tagged “ethnic and religious bigotry”

The same spirit of solidarity with you compelled me to also faithfully support the cause of your reelection in 2019. We did it because we knew, with you on the saddle, our country stands the brightest of chances to feel the impact of lasting and full recovery from its doldrums , And appointing our son Ameachi Rotimi into your cabinet in your first tenure

“I therefore, called on other Nigerians to rally round the president as he “strives to boost the nation’s economy and as well make Nigeria a terror-free nation” Mr. President we appeal to you for Amaechi Re-appoint ment to a sensitive position hence, he is fit to handle any position considering his wealth of experience Ameachi who has pay his dues in politics as starting from when he was speaker of Rivers state house of Assembly for eight, eight years as governor of Rivers state and 4 years minister of transportation.

Sir, leaders and millions of members of the Newsline Communications wishes to congratulate you for your repeat and historic inauguration on May 29th 2019 for a second term in office as Nigeria’s democratic leader.

We look forward to this eventful ceremony with unsurpassed enthusiasm; which is greater than what Nigerians communally felt, when you performed the twine ceremonies on May 29, 2015- 2019 to uphold the sanctity, laws, and democratic ethos of Nigeria, our nation of inestimable value on the African continent.

We quietly followed you on campaign trails as you traversed the land in campaigns and listened to your soul-touching messages about the predicament of Nigeria. We were riveted to your honest messages on the plight of the poorest of Nigerians and your agenda of freeing us from the manacles of entrenched relapse of patriotic values orchestrated by the ruling political elites and hijackers of our common destiny.

A woman that has children for her husband and had married him before a house is built has the right to live in the house with her children even after divorce under the provisions of the Married Woman Property Act 1882, a court held on Friday in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The belief that patriarchy is so entrenched in the Nigerian system and women have no rights even under the law has been proved to be an erroneous one, majorly propounded by those ignorant of the rights provided under the law, the court said in a landmark judgement.

The provisions of the *Married Woman Property Act 1882* formed the basis of the pronouncement of the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, on Friday in a property suit between a divorced couple, Toyin Arajulu, formerly known as Mrs Toyin James and her former husband, Mr James Monday.

The court held that *“a husband who marries a wife and builds a house during the pendency of the marriage stands the risk of losing that house if he later divorces the woman who had children for him unless such woman, of her own volition, leaves the matrimonial home.”*

Justice Abimbola, while ruling on the matter, emphasised what is known in law as the *“palm tree justice,”* which indicates that it does not matter in whose name the property stands or who pays what (on the property) and in what proportion as determination of such matters transcends all rights, legal or even equitable, but simply what order is fair and just in the circumstances of the case, citing the case of *Home Vs Home (1962) 1 WLR 1124 at 1128.S 17 Married Woman Property Act 1882*, which is a statute of general application.

Toyin Arajulu had filed the suit against her ex-husband, Monday James, who she married under Native Law and Customs in 1997 and for whom she had four children.
She claimed that while she was married to him, they had put resources together and built two flats of three bedrooms at Ayedun in Akure, Ondo State and procured a plot of land at No 7, Fadana Biala Estate, Olodo, Ibadan, where they built a three-bedroom flat and a storey building which is still under construction before their divorce in July 2014.

She averred that before the divorce, her husband had moved out of their matrimonial home in Olodo but only came constantly to try to forcibly eject her and the children, usually accompanied by thugs who attacked her and her children.

She added that on August 15, 2014, one of her children, Bidemi James, was wounded in one of the episodes of attempted violent eviction and the sum of N530,000 from her business taken by her ex-husband and his accomplices.

She claimed that he had concluded plans to sell off the joint property without her consent and had continued to victimise her and the children, asking the court for a declaration that the property is jointly owned by the two of them and an order that the landed property with the three-bedroom flat and uncompleted storey building be sold and proceeds divided equally between them and an order of perpetual injunction restraining James from harassing her and the children.

In his counter claim and defence, the ex-husband stated that when he bought and constructed the Akure property, his wife was a full housewife and had no contribution to the project, adding that the situation was the same for the Ibadan property as his wife only signed as a witness as she had no job and only depended on what he gave her to take care of the children when he travelled out of the country.

According to him, she was only trying to fraudulently take over his property, adding that her claims were vexatious, gold digging and an abuse of court process.

He also asked the court to declare that the receipts of purchase his ex-wife presented were forged and that she should vacate possession of the property which she had refused to give up despite service of statutory seven days owner’s intention to recover possession and perpetual injunction restraining her from occupying the building.

*HELD*
Justice Abimbola, while ruling on the case, held that the landed property at No 7, Fadana Biala Estate, Olodo, Ibadan, together with the three-bedroom flat and uncompleted storey building is jointly owned by the two.

On the second relief that both buildings be sold as requested by Toyin, Justice Abimbola held that, *“I will not give such orders in respect of the two buildings. Particularly, Section 17 Married Women Law of Oyo state Cap 83, Laws of Oyo state 2000 gives a court the discretion as it thinks fit on the issues of title of possession to property.*
*“Section 18 also enjoins the court to treat such property as a joint property if the issue has to do with the maintenance of a matrimonial home.*

*” My order to this effect is that the completed three-bedroom flat on the land be retained as the matrimonial property and the four children are entitled as beneficial owners by way of a resulting trust created for them by their parents. The mother, as long as she remains unmarried, is directed to be in possession undisturbed in order to take care of her children.*

*”The uncompleted storey building is ordered to be sold by both parties and the proceeds divided in equal share. The half share shall go to the wife for the maintenance of the children. A divorced wife has no business being maintained,”*

Justice Abimbola held.

The court also restrained James from harassing Toyin any further or disturbing the quiet possession of the property by her and the children, holding that, *“the rationale is that a husband who marries a wife and builds a house during the pendency of the marriage stands the risk of losing that house if he later divorces the woman who had children for him unless such woman, of her own volition, leaves the matrimonial home.*

*Also, a divorced woman is not entitled to any maintenance allowance but maintenance of the children by way of settlement.”*

Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II has declared that Nigeria is on the threshold of bankruptcy following unfavourable economic policies such as subsidizing petroleum products and electricity tariffs.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who spoke during the ongoing 3rd National Treasury Workshop organized by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation holding in Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano advised President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to cancel subsidy in petroleum subsidy and electricity tariffs if the economy must stabilize.

According to him, “the country is Bankrupt and we are heading to bankruptcy. What happened is that the Federal Government do pay petroleum subsidy, pay electricity tariff subsidy, and if there is rise in interest rates, Federal Government pays.

“What is more life-threatening than subsidy that we have to sacrifice education, health sector and infrastructure for us to have cheap petroleum.

“If truly President Buhari is fighting poverty, he should remove the risk on the national financial sector and stop the subsidy regime which is fraudulent.”

He insisted that Buhari must tell Nigerians the fact about the economic situation and also act quickly on it because the nation is already bankrupt.

According to him, “since I have decided to come here, you have to accept what I have said here. And please, if you do not want to here the truth, never invite me.

“So let us talk about the state of public finance in Nigeria. We have a number of very difficult decisions that we must make, and we should face the reality. His Excellency, the President said in his inaugural speech that his government would like to lift 100 million people out of poverty, it was a speech that was well received not only in this country, but the world-wide.

“The number of people living with poverty in Nigeria are frightening. By 2050, 85 percent of those living in extreme poverty in the world will be from the Africa continent. And Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo will take the lead.

“Two days ago, I read that the percentage of government revenue going to debt services has risen to 70 percent.

These numbers are not lying. They are public numbers. I read them in the newspapers. When you are spending 70 percent of your revenue on debt services, then you are managing 30 percent.

“And then, you continue subsidizing petroleum products; and spending N1.5 trillion per annum on petroleum subsidy! And then we are subsidizing electricity tariff. And maybe, you have to borrow from the capital market or the Central Bank of Nigeria to service the shortfall in the electricity tariff, where is the money to pay salaries, where is the money for education, where other government projects.

The Royal Father lamented that for 30 years, successive governments have had this project called petroleum subsidy, insisting that this is the right time to stop it so as to save the nation’s economy.

Speaking during the workshop, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris noted that, “the overall objective of the workshop is to promote accountability and transparency in all facets of the nation’s public finance and management architecture.

“It is expected that participants should appreciate that accountability and transparency remain major watchwords for prudent financial management practices and are, therefore, major prerequisite for economic growth and development.”

He charged participants to strive towards identifying the challenges to accountability and transparency the management of public funds, improving independent revenue base and profile of government, as well as proffering revenue diversification for governments at all levels so as to cut down the cost of governance.

In his address, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu identified corruption as the bane of the country’s economic woes.

He warned public and private office holders to desist from corrupt practices, stating that his office has zero tolerance to corruption.

According to him, “transparency and accountability are twin sisters of good governance. They are the tools to tackle corruption. It is true that we can leave a good legacy.”

Magu, however, called on the Federal and state Accountant-Generals to take the lead in the fight against corruption, adding that they must insist the right thing must be done in their offices.

In his address, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said Kano state was the first to establish the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in its bid to fight corruption and block leakages.

According to him, the state also put in place, the Anti Corruption and Public Complaint Commission to checkmate corrupt practices of public servants in the state.

Editor: aljaziralreporters (Otiti) otiti300@gmail.com

UGHELLI D E C E N D A N T Union , UDU, has drawn battle line with Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, operating in Ughelli, Delta State, that failure to provide each and every houses in the kingdom prepaid metres will result to eviction and risk the quit notice of 3 months ultimatum to leave the kingdom.

BEDC have been asked to packed their belongings from Ughelli Kingdom because of illegal extortions of Light bills without power … The kingdom have been experiencing power outage for the past two months.

According to UDU, that Transcop Power company has enough of gas but BEDC refused to buy gas to generate light for the use of the people and yet they go about giving people estimated Billings without light.

They were asked to “leave the area or, in the alternative, fix the prepaid metres within the speculated time given or face the wrought of the people .

In separate letters to the BEDC by the Ughelli Kingdom, among other exco members, the community alleged that BEDC have “Failed to give the entire Kingdom light, we are in total darkness.

Ughelli residents also condemned BEDC act of extorting monies from them without seeing the light they pay for.

The people insisted that the BEDC have failed to fulfil their corporate and social responsibility to them, “particularly in the area of power, our business are closed, because the generator we do used cannot carry our deep freezers , ” a frozen chicken seller lament her ordeals.

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“The ultimatum which is deemed to have begun on today will lapse on August 25th If by that day they don’t move out and don’t fix the prepaid metres we shall mobilize everyone in the community, including the youths and our eghweya (women group) and protest to their premises and shut them down.

A B R A K A , C H I E F G R E A T OGBORU’s Loyalist , Comrade Sabastine Omokiniovo who think Ogboru ! Speaks Ogboru ! Dream Ogboru ! has prayed the synagogue of all Nation Church , Ipaja, Lagos Covener Pastor T. B Joshua to give him the anointing to defeat The governor of Delta state, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa at the tribunal .

Sabastine Omokiniovo, Speaking in Abraka , explained that he sought the face of God for Ogboru to win Okowa at the tribunal, because it will be very hot and unpredictable so I went to Lagos to meet with TB Joshua to acquire anointing oil that I will pray on to give Ogboru an edge over Okowa .

‘Ogboru will continue to hold on to God until he Unseat Okowa at the tribunal ,he said, he also promised to place Agege tribunal on to God and seek favor on his behalf.

‘I’m optimistic that Ogboru will win at tribunal . He therefore called on all factions of the APC Delta state to close ranks and put their family and differences behind so that APC can muster the required strength to win Okowa at tribunal.

OKPANEM — Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State overrun by the ravaging flood in parts of the state were said to be sleeping in the ceiling of their houses, in their words that ! the flood swept away two blood brothers recently at Okpanem. Their home land is under water.

The father of the two children who broke into tears during interview with aljaziralreporters the sad story of how he lost his two grown up children just in one day. That he is not even interested in whatever the government have do now , that, cannot bring the lives of his two children back, as he lament in teary eyes.

According to others affected ,” as we speak to you people now, majority of us slept ontop roofs and ceiling .”

The people of Okpanem Community close to ASABA are appealing to the state government and well meaning individuals to come to their aid as the ravaging flood has taken over their homes and their only means of livelihood , and their personal belongings .