Fulani herdsmen hack another girl to death in Ogun

 It appears the killing of innocent persons in Yewa axis of Ogun State is yet to come to an end.

This is as another young lady has been sent to an early grave by individuals suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Elizabeth Pascal was said to have been gruesomely murdered on Monday at CAC Olorunda, Moriwi Community of Imeko-Afon Local Government.

DAILY POST gathered that Pascal had gone to the stream to fetch water for domestic use when she met her untimely death.

On her way back from the stream, the young lady had encountered her assailants, who, it was learnt, did not hesitate before hacking her to death in cold blood.

The Eselu of Iselu, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, confirmed the incident to DAILY POST on Monday night.

Oba Akinyemi told our correspondent that Pascal was killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen, who have continued to terrorise the Yewa axis of Ogun State from time to time.

According to the traditional ruler, the incident happened around 3pm on Monday.

“Yes, it is true. The lady was killed today by Fulani herdsmen around Imeko Afon. She went to the stream and on her way coming she met the Fulani herdsmen and they killed her. It happened around 3 o’clock according to the report,” the Eselu stated.

DAILY POST recalls that attacks on communities in Yewa have been going on for the past three weeks, even as the Governor Dapo Abiodun government makes efforts to stem the tide.

To proffer a lasting solution, Gov Abiodun had visited some places in the troubled areas, with an assurance that criminal individuals would be dealt with.

The Governor promised to deploy a security task force to the area in order to stop the killing of Ogun indigenes.

But, Abiodun said those behind the killings in Ogun are not the peaceful Fulani people, who he said are traditionally herdsmen.

According to him, the perpetrators of the heinous act are bandits, who the governor described as cattle rustlers.

During his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abiodun disclosed that relative peace is now being enjoyed in the affected areas.

However, residents of the area said they were still under siege, with many relocating to neighbouring Benin Republic to seek refuge.

- DAILY POST

First batch of COVID-19 vaccines land in Nigeria

 

Nigeria, on Tuesday, received 3.94 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India(SII) and shipped via the COVAX Facility.

The United Nations(UN) system in Nigeria made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

Also, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) disclosed via Twitter that Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Federal Minister of Health, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, the National Coordinator of NCDC and Dr Faisal Shuaib of NPHCDA were awaiting the vaccines at Abuja International airport.

NCDC DG Chikwe Ihekweazu (left) also awaiting the arrival of covid-19 vaccines

COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF, the World Bank, civil society organisations, manufacturers and others.

The UN system said the arrival marked a historic step towards the goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what would be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.

It said the delivery was part of the first wave of arrivals in Nigeria that would continue in the coming days and weeks.

Edward Kallon, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, reiterated the commitment of the UN to support the vaccination campaign in the country and help contain the spread of the virus.

“The arrival of these vaccines in Abuja today marks a milestone for the COVAX Facility in its unprecedented effort to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally by the end of 2021.

“The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine will enable the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to commence the vaccination of Nigerians in priority groups, starting with frontline healthcare workers,” he said.

Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director for Country Programmes at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said it was a landmark moment for Nigeria and the COVAX Facility’s mission to help end the acute phase of the pandemic by enabling equitable access to the vaccines across the world.

“We are glad to see Nigeria is among the first receiving the doses from COVAX, thanks to the excellent level of preparedness put in place by the Government of Nigeria.

“Gavi looks forward to these vaccines being made available to the people most at risk, as soon as possible, and to ensuring that routine immunisation services for other life-threatening infections are also delivered to avoid other disease outbreaks,” he said.

Also, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, said it was heart-warming “to witness this epoch-making event.”

“WHO wishes to congratulate the government of Nigeria for its participation in the global vaccine collaboration (COVAX) efforts and its commitment to protecting Nigerians against this pandemic.

“These vaccines have undergone rigorous regulatory processes at global and country-level and have been deemed safe and effective,” Mulombo said.

According to him, vaccines are a critical new tool in the battle against COVID-19 and therefore, Nigeria’s participation is a step in the right direction.

Similarly, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Country Representative, emphasised the importance of vaccines, adding that the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines into Nigeria was critical in curbing the pandemic.

“After a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, today we celebrate the efforts being made in getting the vaccine to Nigeria.

“With more than 150,000 Nigerians infected with the virus and over 1,800 lives lost, the path to recovery for the people of Nigeria can finally begin.

“This is a very significant occasion and the only way out of this crisis is to ensure that vaccinations are available to all,” Hawkins said.

The UN system in Nigeria said COVAX had built a diverse portfolio of vaccines suitable for a range of settings and populations and was on track to meet its goal of delivering at least 2 billion doses of vaccine to participating countries around the globe in 2021.

This, the UN said included at least 1.3 billion donor-funded doses to the 92 lower-income COVAX Facility participants supported by the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC).

The COVAX Facility is expected to deliver around 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the African region in the first quarter of 2021 and has committed to providing up to 600 million doses to the region by the end of 2021 to cover 20 per cent of the population.

NAN

Man remanded for allegedly molesting daughter sexually

 

The Osun State Government has affirmed that no rapist would go unpunished as they would always be brought to justice and subjected to the full wrath of the law.

The Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Barr. Olubukola Olaboopo stated this while briefing the media on the case of incest involving a 13-year-old girl and her biological father, identified as Mr. Kazeem.

Represented by the Principal Social Welfare Officer in charge of Ede Zone, Mrs. Dorcas Lawrence, the Commissioner revealed that an alleged case of sexual violation was reportedly brought to the notice of the Ministry by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Monsurat Ajoke Foundation, which eventually led to the arrest of the culprit.

It was revealed that the mother of the victim, Mrs. Ismail got married to the randy man by mutual consent in 2006 but got separated in 2009, leaving their two female children in the custody of their father.

According to the estranged wife, “l got to know that my husband was making love to my daughter through her younger sister who reported to me that during the COVID-19 lockdown, their father molested her elder sister sexually.”

The case which was initially reported to the Osun State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osogbo by the mother was later transferred to the Osun State Police Command Criminal Investigation Department by the Ministry from where he was subsequently charged to the State High Court for diligent prosecution.

Meanwhile, the accused has been remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Services, Ilesa.

- DAILY POST

Shoprite staff protest, demand pay off ahead of Nigerian management takeover

 

Employees of Shoprite, Africa’s largest food retailer, are currently protesting and demanding that the South African management pay them off before handing over the company to new management.

Staff who spoke to TheCable at the Ikeja City Mall branch accused the management of shying away from their responsibility.

At the Ikeja store, some employees could be seen blocking the entrance of the store while others gathered outside the premises chanting songs.

TheCable gathered that staff are also protesting at the Maryland and Akure branches

“When the new company comes in, they will come with their own policy. What we are demanding is what we deserve. We heard that they have sold the company to Nigerian investors. What we need is a payoff so that by the time the new investors come in with their policies, the impact will be minimal,” Uche Madi, an employee of the company, told TheCable.

VIDEO: Ikeja Shoprite employees protest over ‘unpaid’ gratuity pic.twitter.com/jKw50mGG6D

— TheCable (@thecableng) March 2, 2021

 Olaitan Abiodun, who was described as the chairman of the Shoprite Employees Association, Ikeja branch, said employees have received information that the new investors will take over the business on April 1.

“We are here because Shoprite is shying away from their responsibility. We are supposed to have biannual negotiations and because they have sold off the company 100 percent, it will be handed over to the new investors on April 1,” Abiodun said.

In August 2020, the company announced its plan to sell its stake in the Nigerian business.

TheCable had reported that Persianas Nigeria Limited, a property development company, owned by Tayo Amusan, was the preferred bidder for the company.

In September 2020, the company’s management also announced plans to exit Kenya saying the business is underperforming relative to return requirements.

- THECABLE

Photos: Sowore storms court with herbalist

 

Revolution Now covener and Sahara Reporters founder, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, stormed the Abuja Magistrate Court in the company of a herbalist.

The former presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections was arrested by the police for leading a protest against bad governance on New Year’s eve in Abuja.

He was subsequently arraigned alongside four others by the Federal Government.

They were arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and attempting to incite others.

Sowore and four others were in January 2021, admitted bail in the sum of N20 million each by the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Wuse Zone II, Abuja.

- PM NEWS

Boko Haram: Terrorists patrol Dikwa town, urge residents not to panic

 

Report on Tuesday morning revealed that ISWAP militants are patrolling the town of Dikwa in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

DAILY POST learnt that the militants, who took control of the ancient town of Dikwa after displacing security operatives, are currently patrolling the town in a show of force.

Residents also said the militants asked them not to fear as they were not in Dikwa town to kill any civilian.

According to a humanitarian worker in Dikwa town, the Nigerian military have withdrawn from the town since yesterday when the attackers came and might be preparing for possible offensive to reclaim control of the town.

Also a resident disclosed that the militants set Dikwa Local Government Secretariat complex ablaze this morning at about 08:00 am.

Military authorities are yet to speak on the attack.

Mafa is a local government area in Borno State, about 38km to Dikwa town and 50km to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

- DAILY POST

Lawan: Banditry has become an industry

 

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says banditry in the country has become an industry.

Speaking on the floor of the senate after the new service chiefs were confirmed on Tuesday, Lawan said some people are benefiting from kidnapping and that they need to be brought to justice.

There has been a rise in the activities of bandits across the country — with the abduction of students from schools in the north a rising trend.

The senate president said there must be efforts to rescue the country from these criminals.

“A situation whereby a group of people will go to a school and take over 300 students away on motorcycles is not accepted,” he said.

“Kidnapping without a trace — it is not acceptable. Something has to give because, apparently, this is becoming an industry. Some people are benefiting from this and we have to unravel who these people are, and fight bandits and insurgents until we rescue our country.”

Lawan asked the new service chiefs to work together.

“Let me also advise the service chiefs that there must be interagency cooperation. The army, the air force; they are supposed to have complementary roles,” he said.

“We promise them and indeed Nigerians that we will support them in whatever way the parliament can come to their support.”

- THECABLE