Robbers set ablaze after bank attack.

Three members of an armed robbery gang have been set ablaze by a crowd of irate residents in the Okeho area of Oyo State.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo, Joe Enwonwu, confirmed this in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Fadeyi Olugbenga.

He revealed that incident followed an attack on a commercial bank by dare devil armed bandits in Kajola Local Government Area of the state.

Enwonwu stated that the assailants, who came in a white 18-seater bus, invaded the bank at about 4:58pm on Wednesday with an intent to rob.

He explained that shortly after they arrived in the area, the armed robbers gained entrance into the bank using dynamites and AK-47 riffles shots to blow the bank’s security door.

The police commissioner, however, noted that the robbery was responded to by the Police Tactical teams and collaborative efforts of the vigilante and hunters in the area, stressing that the effort yielded results.

“Consequent upon this, three of the robbers who were arrested when the 18-seater bus had an accident and somersaulted, were, thereafter set ablaze by the angry mob when they attempted to escape the scene of the accident,” the statement said.

It added, “Immediately the Commissioner of Police got wind of the dastardly acts, he further directed that all the Police Tactical teams, including the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mobile Police Force (PMF 72) and Police personnel from Okeho Area Command and nearby Divisions should be on the trail of other members of the fleeing robbers who escaped in different directions.”

Enwonwu condemned the dastardly act and assured the residents of Oyo of the preparedness of the police to protect their lives and properties before, during, and after the Sallah celebrations.

He also urged them to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation or threat from any quarters.

The police commissioner insisted that the command was on top of the situation and sought credible information from residents to enable them clamp down on crimes and criminalities in Oyo State.

Phone repairer sets 3-month-old daughter ablaze in Ebonyi

A 29-year-old phone repairer, identified as Chibuike Izzogo, of Isofumini Agbaja, in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has been remanded at the Abakaliki Federal Correctional Centre for attempting to kill his three-month-old baby and setting his ‘in-laws’ house ablaze.

Chibuike was said to have impregnated a 20-years-old lady, who gave birth to little Amarachi, without performing any marriage rites, which according to Izzi tradition “made him just a sperm donor.”

Consequently, his partner and daughter were not allowed to live with him but were being taken care of by the lady’s parents in their family compound, against his wish.

The defendant was accused in the suit, numbered MAB/ 361C/2020, of attempted murder and Arson on the premise that he allegedly poured Premium Motor Spirit (petrol ) round the house where his would-be in-laws and the baby were sleeping, at night, on July 8, 2020.

The entire members of the family were said to have fled the house, forgetting the baby.

The baby therefore sustained second degree burns, and had to be taken for urgent medical attention.

The suspect, who had no defence counsel during arraignment, was said to have also beaten his 56-year-old ‘father in-law’, Cletus Aloh, with plank and sticks, which caused him injuries on his head and legs, some days after the arson incident.

He thereby committed offence punishable under Section 320(1), 443(a) and 355, all of Criminal Code Cap 33 Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

Speaking during the arraignment, the trial Magistrate, Blessing Chukwu, ordered the remand of the suspect in Abakaliki Federal Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to a later date for report of compliance.

The trial Magistrate directed that all documents and evidences in the mater be transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution.

COVID-19: Plateau State increases testing centers and sets the pace with mass testing for civil servants.

PRESS BRIEFING BY PROF,DANLADI ABOK ATU, SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF PLATEAU STATE & COORDINATOR PLATEAU STATE TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 ON 28TH JULY, 2020.

1. Gentlemen of the media, I welcome you to this press briefing which is primarily to give you an update on our fight against the Corona virus pandemic in Plateau State.

2. You will recall that since the lifting of the lockdown and movement restrictions was announced by the Executive Governor, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong, the major charge was for residents of Plateau State to take personal responsibility for their health and that of others.

3. The Governor also directed the mandatory use of face masks in all public places as well as adherence to other guidelines such as social distancing, use of hand sanitizers and hand washing among others.

4. In addition, the Governor directed that more public enlightenment and publicity be carried out along with community engagement so as to have the buy-in of all stakeholders.

5. The Governor also made efforts to increase the Covid-19 testing facilities in the State. I am happy to inform you that as at today, we have 3 testing centres in Plateau State located at the NVRI Vom, Plateau State Specialists Hospital and the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

6. This has greatly enhanced our testing capacity and enabled us to know the extent of the spread of the disease in the State and also respond appropriately.

7. The State is now experiencing community transmission of the virus. This has made the State to commence mass testing of the citizens. Currently the State has been given sample collection target of 87,000. Meaning we have tested about 485 people per day.

8. As at today July 28, 2020, we have tested a total of cumulative samples numbering 14,816 out of which 10,922 results have been received. Pending results are 3,894. From all the tests conducted, 982 have tested positive.

9. The total number of people on admission is 221 (Riyom Trauma Hospital 18, JUTH 64, PSSH 70 and BhUTH 7). About 145 are on home management while the remaining are being moved to treatment centers. All those on admission are doing fine and responding to treatment.

10. Cumulatively, we have discharged 446 persons and sadly recorded 19 deaths. We are observing 454 suspected cases at the moment.

11. Let me say that our health workers who are on the frontline have also been affected by the virus. So far, the total health workers affected is 58 (10 doctors, 15 Nurses, 3 CHEWs, 2 J/CHEWs,  3 pharmacist technicians, 4 laboratory scientists,  1 lab technician, 1 record clerk, 1 watchman and 14 cleaners).           

12. Following the directive by the Governor that all staff of Ministries and MDAs be screened, we have so far conducted tests for 4,422 staff of 54 MDAs with 174 of them testing positives. The tests are continuing. This makes Plateau State the first in the country to commence mass testing of Civil Servants.

13. The implication of these statistics is that there are increasing number of those infected with the disease in the State which is a result of the increase in testing capacity. These figures should not cause panic and anxiety but rather make all of us resolve to adopt safety precautions and also adhere to the guidelines.

14. You may have seen the record of yesterday’s NCDC summary which showed that Plateau has 148 cases. I wish to clarify that these are accumulated results which were delayed because of the shortage of reagents at the NVRI lab in Vom. They are not results of a single day please.

15. We are therefore widening our contact tracing which is becoming very challenging considering the increased cases relative to manpower and resources. However, the Governor is doing everything possible to close the gaps to enable us be ahead.

16. In view of the forth coming Eid-el Kabir celebrations on Friday, 31st July, 2020, the State Task Force on COVID-19, convened a meeting with the Muslim Ummah and the Security Chiefs in the State. 

17. During the meeting, discussions were held on the guidelines and protocols on the celebrations. Guidelines from the PTF, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Security were deliberated upon. 

18. At the end of the discussions, a harmonized guideline was put forward to direct the celebrations in the State. These guidelines were presented to His Excellency the Executive Governor and Chairman of the State Task Force on Covid-19 which he approved. They are as  follows:

i. That prayers at Eid grounds be suspended in the State and restricted to Friday Mosques only, while at the same time observing all Covid-19 protocols. 

ii. Elderly people are encouraged to stay at home as they are the most vulnerable to the virus.

iii. That all festivities, including visits to recreational Centers such as Zoo and Wildlife Park be halted.

iv. Residents should strictly use Face Masks during the occasion and especially children conveying food items to neighbours

v. Movement of commercial vehicles is to be restricted, except on emergency cases.

vi. A two (2) day suspension on Tricycles movement shall be observed before and after the prayers (i.e. 31st July – 1st August, 2020) , while the Federal Government Curfew from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am shall be enforced.

vii. That there should be greater enforcement of existing Covid-19 protocols during the Sallah celebrations.

viii. That the Covid-19 Task Force carries out more sensitization in major towns, using the Enlightenment vans and other resources of the Ministry of Information and Communication.

ix. That Local Government Council Chairmen be engaged to also replicate the measures enumerated in their jurisdictions for compliance at that level.

19. While reiterating the call by His Excellency the Governor for the citizens to submit themselves to covid-19 testing, we wish to re-emphasize that this disease is not a death sentence and there should be no reason whatsoever for stigmatization and discrimination.

20. The Governor has led the fight against this pandemic by example and has submitted himself and his family twice for Covid-19 test. He has also mandated all members of Exco to do same. We have also come out to tell you about some members of Exco who tested positive and the story of their recovery.

21. This shows that we can defeat this virus by adopting safety protocols and treating it just like any other ailment. The fact is that we are going to have to live with this pandemic for a long time and the earlier we get used to the guidelines of preventing it, the better for us.

22. Finally, I wish to also inform you that the Plateau State House of Assembly has passed the revised budget into law which will be assented to by the Governor any moment from now.

23. While wishing our Muslim brothers and sisters happy Eid-el Kabir, I urge all citizens to take all precaution and stay safe.

24. Thank you. 

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG Executive Governor of the State & Chairman, Plateau State Task Force on Covid-19.

Former speaker Yakubu Dogara reportedly decamps to APC

According to news report by Channels, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, is said to have officially decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The acting Chairman of the party, Mai Mala Buni, disclosed this to Channels Television on Friday, after he and Dogara met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the villa.

More details later.

54-year-old legendary boxer, Mike Tyson makes return to the ring for bout against Roy Jones Jr.

Boxing legend, Mike Tyson will make his widely speculated return to the prize ring for an exhibition bout against four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr on 12 September. Mike Tyson’s crazy comeback talk is the perfect lockdown story | Barney Ronay The eight-round fight will be broadcast on pay-per-view and Triller, an upstart TikTok-like music video app which confirmed the event in a release on Thursday. Triller said the main event between Tyson and Jones will headline a three-hour telecast including undercard bouts and musical performances to be announced in coming weeks. The app will also air a 10-part documentary series tracking the quinquagenarian fighters during the run-up to the match.
Tyson, 54, became the youngest ever boxer to win a heavyweight title back in 1986, becoming the division’s undisputed champion until he was dramatically unseated in a shock upset defeat to James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990. The Brooklyn native retired in 2005 with a career record of 50-6 with 44 knockouts. The 51-year-old Jones, a native of Pensacola, Florida, represented the US at the 1988 Olympics, where he won a silver medal after a highly disputed loss that prompted a complete overhaul of the scoring system for Olympic boxing. As a professional, he was captured world championships at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight, earning widespread recognition as the finest pound-for-pound fighter of his generation.

Founding managing director of Democrat Newspaper and former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), is dead.

Mallam Ismaila Funtua, the founding managing director of Democrat Newspaper and former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), is dead.

Details of his death are somewhat sketchy, however, many persons have taken to social media to mourn the loss, including the Personal Assistant on New Media to President Buhari, Mr Bashir Ahmad. 

Mr Ahmad took to his twitter handle, musing over death, using Funtua’s life as an example.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un! Just heard about Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua’s sudden death. This life! May Allah accept his soul, forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannah al-Firdaus.

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) July 20, 2020

This life is so unforeseeable! You will just be full of life and doing very fine, the next minute it will be people grieving over your demise. May Allah accept the souls of our departed beloved ones.

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) July 20, 2020

Mallam Funtua who at the time of his death was aged 78, was born in Funtua, Katsina State.

He is a pioneer student of the Federal Training Centre, Kaduna.

Funtua, who was the Minister of Water Resources in the defunct Second Republic, established the Democrat Newspapers during the military era in Nigeria.

He was also trained as an administrative officer at the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.

He was an administrator at Manchester University in the UK.

The late Funtua worked as the Katsina Native Authority as an Administrative Officer and later served in many ministries in the defunct Northern Region
Equally, the Kastina-born entrepreneur was a Manager of the United Nigerian Textile Company, Kaduna.

Acting MD NDDC faints during public hearing

The acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Company (NDDC), Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, ‘fainted’ on Monday during his presentation at the ongoing probe of the commission by the House of Representatives.

The acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Prof Daniel Pondei, has collapsed. The NDDC boss fainted where he was seated after the members of the House Committee on NDDC grilled him for about 45 minutes.

Pondei has been rushed out of the Conference Room 231, venue of the investigative hearing on illegal spending and mismanagement of funds.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, however, stayed behind.

Details later …

COVID-19: Kwara govt quarantines 50 people arrested at night club

No fewer than 50 people have been arrested by officials of the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 at a night club in Ilorin, the state capital.

The Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 in the state, Dr Femi Oladiji, disclosed this on Saturday at the state’s quarantine centre in Ilorin where the suspects were kept.

He explained that the operation was led by the state Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Technical Committee on COVID-19, Mr Kayode Alabi.

“Around 1:00am, we got information that some people were clubbing at Kwara Hotel.

“The deputy governor, in my accompany and some security officials, raided the club and we arrested so many boys and girls within the age range of 20 to 30,” Oladiji was quoted as saying in a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and spokesman for the technical committee.

He added, “Around 2:00am, we brought them to the Hajj camp (Quarantine Centre). We made them comfortable overnight, and early this morning, we took their samples for COVID-19.

“The arrest, which may lead to prosecution, is to send the signal that we cannot tolerate such conduct. Violations will henceforth attract a strong response from the government.”

The commissioner insisted that the ban on night clubbing remained in force to prevent the further spread of the virus in the state.

He stressed that the action of the clubbers violated the Kwara State Infectious Diseases Regulations, 2020, as well as the government’s subsisting ban on congregation beyond 20 people.

Oladiji, however, noted that this excluded places of worship where preventive measures have been put in place in agreement with religious leaders.

According to him, the government is considering other measures, including enforcement of the use of face mask in public to flatten the curve of transmission of the virus.

“The government will take appropriate actions against any officials of the hotel found to have authorised the violation of the existing ban to send the signal that such behaviour will not be tolerated,” the commissioner said.

PLATEAU ENTREPRENEUR WINS AT THE 2020 NATIONAL MSME AWARDS

PRESS STATEMENT

ANOTHER PLATEAU ENTREPRENEUR, MAFENG WOODCRAFT, WINS AT THE 2020 NATIONAL MSME AWARDS.

Plateau State has again demonstrated its prowess as the home of innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria when another of its illustrious sons Mr. Mafeng Iliya Yohanna, CEO of Mafeng Woodcraft located at Gut, Rayfield Jos, won the award for Woodworks and Furniture Category at the 2020 National MSME Awards held virtually.
Mafeng beat contestants from all parts of the country to emerge winner following his submission to the selection board which assessed the quality of his furniture products and the use of locally sourced raw materials. He was awarded one million naira.
In his remarks at the awards, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong said he was again honoured to have another entrepreneur and innovator who is putting the State on the national stage once again as far as small and medium enterprises development is concerned.
Lalong said “I am not surprised by the achievement of Mafeng Woodcraft which is following in the footsteps of previous winners starting from Mr. Jerry Mallo who was the overall winner of the maiden edition in 2018 with a tractor; as well as Mr. Luka Zaka Zang Bot who in 2019 won an award in the technology innovation category by producing a computer mouse for people living with disabilities. Ours is to continue to provide a conducive environment for our people to showcase their talents in order to create jobs and prosperity”.
He appreciated the hardwork of the Management and Staff of the Plateau State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (PLAMEDA) for fishing out talents, training them and also facilitating the process of establishing their business.
He also thanked partners such as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for their support to innovators and entrepreneurs which has seen many ideas being transformed into jobs and employment opportunities.
Mr. Mafeng Yohanna while responding to the award said he was delighted to be chosen as the winner in the Woodworks and Furniture Category of the 2020 National MSME Awards.
He appreciated Governor Lalong for creating the right environment for the small businesses to thrive by not only ensuring that they are given the right training and incentives, but by also ensuring that there is peace in the State which has continued to make businesses to flourish.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo congratulated all the winners and nominees for their industry, creativity, ideas and innovation that have stimulated the creation of jobs and provision of employment.
He recognized the progress made by innovators and past winners such as Jerry Mallo whose Company Bennie Agro has continued to grow and churn out various products after the maiden Awards in 2018.
He said the Federal Government is making available more funds worth billions that will be accessed by deserving MSMEs to enable them produce for domestic consumption and export.
Director General of the Industrial Training Fund Sir. Joseph Ari and DG PLASMEDA who participated in the virtual awards assured that their organisations will continue to offer opportunities to those who want to break away from the shackles of poverty by suing their skills for productivity.
Mafeng woodcraft started in 2005, and is into the production of all kinds of woodworks and furniture for interior and exterior purposes such as Home chairs, Room Beds, kitchen cabinets, office table and chairs, school furniture among others.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Press Affairs to
the Governor of Plateau State
16th July 2020.