IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

A heated dispute over eviction took a violent turn in Enugu as a female tenant allegedly attacked her landlord with a pestle, leaving him with severe head injuries.  

The altercation reportedly began after the landlord asked her to vacate the property. Witnesses say the disagreement escalated, leading the tenant to strike him with the heavy kitchen tool.  

The landlord has been rushed to the hospital for treatment, while authorities have taken the suspect into custody for further investigation.

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has said that a driver of a private vehicle “recklessly ran into troops” during its Bi-Annual Route March near Myhoung Barracks in Yaba, Lagos State, on Friday.

This resulted in the death of a soldier, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries, according to a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni. He said that the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary while the injured are currently receiving medical care at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba, Lagos.

Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni said that the 81 Division Military Police and other relevant security agencies are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident. He added that the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldier while praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

The GOC also called for calm among the public as investigation into the sad occurrence has commenced. “The Division remains steadfast in its commitment to training and readiness to discharge its duties despite this devastating event.

“Furthermore, this tragic loss will not deter the Division’s dedication to safeguarding the lives and properties within its Area of Operations in accordance with the NA’s constitutional mandate,” the statement added.

Popular retail chain SPAR has announced a ban on the use of nylon bags in its stores as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.  

The move aims to reduce plastic waste and promote eco-friendly alternatives. Customers are encouraged to bring reusable bags or opt for available biodegradable packaging options.  

Further details on implementation and customer guidelines are expected soon.

...as NDDC Clocks 25, Niger Delta Sports Commissioners Brainstorm In PH

Gov. Hope Uzodinma Of Imo State, Has Assured The Management Of The Niger Delta Developments Commission, NDDC, And The Organizers Of The Maiden Edition Of The Niger Delta Sports Festival, Of The Full Supports Of His Administration, And The Participation Of Imo Contingents To The Festival.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival Has Been Slated For 1st Through 8th Of April, 2025 In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State As The Host State.

Speaking Through His Commissioner For Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, Uzodinma Lauded The Pilot Initiative Of The Sports Festival In The Region, Thanked The Organizers And The NDDC For The Initiative, Adding That The Festival Would Help The Development Of Sports In The Region, As Well As Discover More Sporting Talents.

This Is Even As Commissioners Of Sports From The Nine (9) States Of The Niger Delta, Friday, Gathered At The NDDC Headquarters In Port Harcourt To Brainstorm On Modalities For The Hosting Of The Festival.

This Maiden Edition Of The Niger Delta Sports Festival Is A Sports Development Initiative Of The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Coming As Part Of Its Events For The 25 Years Anniversary Of The Existence Of The Commission.

Addressing The Participating  Commissioners At The Meeting, Dunamis Icons; The Consultant Said The Event Is Aimed At Re-awakening And Reviving The Region's Sporting Potentials And Dominance In The Country. 

The Consultant Also Unveiled The 'Dolphin' As The Mascot For The Festival, Which Is Also Chosen To Be Addressed As "Bros".

"The Niger Delta Is Largely Influenced By The Sea, And One Of The Biggest Characters In The Sea Is The Dolphin, Which Itself, Has Human Semblances. 

"Dolphin Is A Friend To Human Beings, And Are Always Available To Defend Man When Under  Attack By Sharks As Well As Entertain Us. 

"So, We As Niger Deltans, We Are The Defenders Of This Country. We Are The Oil That Runs The Engine Of Nigeria", Also Explained Mr. Fred Edorah, The Director Of Organization,  And A Partner To Dunamis Icons.

Earlier In His Address, The Chairman Of The Meeting, Hon. Boma Iyaye; The Execuve Director, Finance And Administration (EDFA), NDDC Hinted That The NDDC Is Taking Up A 95% Sponsorship Of The Festival For All The States Participating In The Festival, While The States Take Care Of The Remaining 5%. 

He Directed The Commissioners To Set Up Their State Organizing Committees To Help Work In Synch With The Consultant For The Success Of The Festival.

He Charged Them To Commence Immediate Actions At The State Levels, Using The Next Two Months For The Preparations Of Athletes For The Festival.

The verbal crossfire between former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and presidential media aide Daniel Bwala continued on Thursday when the ex-governor said he would have still excoriate the All Progressives Congress (APC) if were in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu as a minister.

On Monday, El-Rufai spoke at a national conference in Abuja, saying he no longer recognise the APC and that the party has tended toward a one-man show. “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he had said, criticising the leadership of the party. Bwala responded on X and said El-Rufai would not have expressed such a position if he were in the cabinet of the President.

He said, “My Senior brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam.”

Replying to the presidential aide on X, El-Rufai said, “I was cabinet minister 22 years ago, and was clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government. The pathetic manner all of you latter-day converts to the Tinubu government make an issue of something that I never wanted in the first place is perhaps a reflection of the level of your moral flexibility.

“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I will say or do the same on the tragedy within a party I was a founder, and the government that emerged from it – first in private sessions with those concerned, and then go public if no remedial actions are taken. Go and check my public service record from 1998.”

Tinubu nominated El-Rufai as minister in August 2023 but the ex-governor’s nomination was rejected by the Senate. Since the incident, El-Rufai has not been seen in a gathering of APC chieftains. The former governor has also not been seen around the Aso Villa, the seat of power, or near the president whom he vigorously campaigned for in the last poll.

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a committee to resolve the current crisis over the position of the National Secretary of the Party. Both Samuel Anyanwu and Udeh Okoye are laying claim to the position of the national secretary and the case is currently before the courts.

The crisis took another dimension when supporters of both men clashed at the PDP secretariat on Wednesday during the party’s BoT meeting. The PDP BoT chairman, Adulphus Wabara, in a communique after the meeting, announced that the committee will be led by Barr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

According to Wabara, the committee is to interface with the parties, study the situation and report to the Board for further action. He noted that the Acting Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, assured the BoT that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will hold as scheduled in scheduled in February 2025 “to address all pertinent issues and reaffirm our shared commitment to the unity, discipline, and ideals that bind us together as members of the PDP.”

The BoT meeting was presided over by the chairman, Adolphus Wabara, and it was attended by other prominent members including the acting national chairman of the party, Umar Damagun; ex-Niger governor, Babangida Aliyu; ex-Kaduna governor, Ahmed Markafi; and ex-Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido.