Headline

Sanwo-Olu Meets Buratai, Praises Army And Promises Better Security For Lagosians

Published

6 years ago

July 1, 2019

Editor

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has praised the Nigerian Army for joining hands with his government to strengthen security in the State. The Governor said his two previous meetings with the Division of the Nigerian Army in the State yielded positive outcome, hailing the military for keeping its commitment to boost the State’s efforts.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu spoke while receiving the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who paid a courtesy visit to him in Alausa on Monday.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right) and Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General, Tukur Buratai (left) during a courtesy visit by the Army Chief to the Governor at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja,

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General, Tukur Buratai; Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Jaji and Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola during a courtesy visit by the Army Chief to the Governor

The Governor hailed the Nigerian Army for maintaining high level of discipline and professionalism in its operational engagement, saying the actions of Army personnel in state had been in line with best practice.

“I am happy to inform our gallant Chief of Army Staff that your men have demonstrated highest level of commitment to us in Lagos and are giving us great support to enhance security. On multiple occasions, the Army has responded to our distress calls and this is commendable. I want to assure you that we will not take our relationship for granted,” the Governor said.

Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to keep the state safe for investment and living, stressing that security operations would be strengthened to bring down crimes to minimum level.

The Governor also praised the Army for supporting the state’s environmental plan, noting that he was personally excited to see soldiers engaging in sanitation last Saturday.

Buratai said the Army would not shirk its responsibility to enhance security of lives and property in Lagos and across the nation, assuring that the military would always deploy its personnel for joint security operations to combat crimes in all parts of the country.

He said: “The Nigerian Army is assuring Your Excellency, Gov. Sanwo-Olu, that we are determined to collaborate with you and support your efforts to secure Lagos and defeat all forms of security challenges. I’m using this opportunity to show appreciation to Lagos government for supporting our activities.”

The Army chief, who said he was in Lagos for Combat Support Arms Training Week and Nigerian Army Day celebration, noted that the visit was also to get the support of the Lagos government to develop the Army’s property in Epe Military Barracks, which is presently occupied by the Lagos State University.

Buratai said the Combat Support Arms Training Week was a platform to provide combat support section of the Army and re-appraise their performances in their task of providing efficient combat support for the military operations.

He said the Nigerian Army Day was to mark the contribution of fallen soldiers to the unity and security of the country.

“The celebration of the Army Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate and honour some of our deserving personnel, both living and those that have sacrificed their lives for the unity of our nation. We remember their sacrifices and also pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased. Our hearts are with their families now and always,” he said.

Other top government officials that received the Army chief and his entourage included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, his deputy, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo, and Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

Headline

Resume Before Trump’s Inauguration, American Schools Advise International Students

Published

2 days ago

December 28, 2024

Eric

Universities in the United States have urged international students to resume before president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Trump is set to be sworn in on January 20, 2025.

The universities advised international students to return early from winter break amid promises of another travel ban by the incoming president.

Many international students were stranded abroad when Trump imposed a travel ban at the start of his first administration.
The president-elect has been vocal about his hardline immigration stance.

Some of the actions Trump has promised to take include a travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries and the revocation of student visas of “radical anti-American and anti-semitic foreigners”.

Headline

Prerogative of Mercy: Osun Gov Pardons 53 Convicts

Published

4 days ago

December 26, 2024

Eric

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has exercise his powers of prerogative of mercy, pardoning 53 convicted inmates, including a young man sentenced to death for ‘stealing fowl’.

The governor made this known via a tweet on his official X handle with the title, PREROGATIVE OF MERCY EXTENDED TO 53 CONVICTS.

The governor noted as follows:

In line with the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a), (c) and (d) of subsection (i) of section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), I am pleased to extend my grace and mercy unto 53 convicts serving various convictions within the Nigerian Correctional Service.

In the case of inmates convicted of simple offences, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to remit and forgive the remainder of the said sentences of the following 30 (thirty ) inmates in whole.

1. OLUBO SUNDAY
2. ISAH UMAR BIODUN
3. FAWAS KAREEM
4. OMIRIN TEMITAYO
5. OLARENWAJU AYOMIDE
6. DARE SUNDAY
7. OLADAPO TUNDE
8. GANIYU SAHEED
9. ADEWUMI SODIQ
10. ADEBAYO ADEOYE
KEHINDE
11. LASIS KAZEEM
12. DAUDA OJO (59 YEARS)
13. ISMAILA RAJI
14. OSENI MICHEAL
15. AJAYI KOREDE
16. ABIONA NURUDEEN
17. OSHI SAMUEL
18. SHEU YUSUF OLATUNJI
19. OJO AANU
20. MUSTAPHA KEHINDE
21. LASIS ABEEB
22. ALEXANDRA IORLAHA
23. OJO TAIWO
24. AZEEZ MUJEEB
25. AKINYEMI DAVID
26. ADEOSUN ADEKUNLE
27. OLAOBAJU SAMUEL
28. ADURA ADEFEMI
29. PAUL BASIL
30. KUNLE DAVID

I have also decided in accordance with the said recommendation to grant outright pardon to the following 12 (Twelve) inmates convicted of simple offences.

1. OLABOMIJI NURUDEEN
2. MUSTAPHA ISAH
3. OLALEKAN ABDULLAHI
4. AYOMIDE OLOJEDE
5. AKEEM RAPHAEL
6. ADEYEMI ABIODUN
7. OLADIPUPO SEGUN
8. OMISAKIN SUNDAY
9. ADEMOLA ADIO
10. TUNDE OLAPADE
11. LATE CHIEF WOLE OLA
RUFUS OJO
12. OMOLOYE OLAJIDE
OLAYEMI

In the case of the following 6 (Six) Convicts sentenced to death, I have approved the commutation of their sentence from death to outright release while OJEKUNLE TIMOTHY has his sentence commuted from death sentence to 15 (Fifteen) years imprisonment having spent at least 10 (ten) years in custody.

1 OLUWAFEMI FAGBEMI
2 BEWAJI SUNDAY
3. AMEHIN GEORGE
4. AYOMIDE ARULOGUN
5. TAIWO OLUWATOBI STEPHEN
6. ABUBAKAR ABDULAZEEZ

The following 4 (Four) Convicts also have their sentences commuted from death sentence to outright pardon.

1. SUNDAY MORAKINYO
2. SEGUN OLOWOOKERE
3. TUNDE OLAPADE
4. DEMOLA ODEYEMI

Headline

Amnesty Demands Probe of Military Airstrike in Sokoto Communities

Published

4 days ago

December 26, 2024

Eric

Amnesty International (AI) has urged the Federal government to conduct a comprehensive, independent, and impartial investigation into a military airstrike that killed at least 10 people in two communities in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The human rights organization called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly set up an independent inquiry into the tragic incident.

Amnesty emphasized that if investigations point to criminal responsibility, the authorities must ensure that those indicted are prosecuted in fair and transparent trials, adhering to international human rights standards.

Amnesty International criticized the Nigerian military for what it described as a consistent pattern of neglect in investigating airstrikes and other violent incidents that have repeatedly endangered civilian populations.

The organization noted that this lack of accountability has fostered a climate of fear among villagers, who live under the constant threat of recurring attacks.

“These incidents have created a vicious cycle of violence and insecurity for communities, and this must not be allowed to continue,” the statement said.

Amnesty also highlighted the need for justice and effective remedies for the victims and their families, including compensation and psychological support.

They stressed that the government’s response must go beyond investigations to address the systemic failures that enable such incidents.

The call comes amid growing concerns about civilian casualties resulting from military operations in Nigeria, raising questions about the rules of engagement and the transparency of the country’s security forces.

Observers note that accountability for military actions is critical to restoring public trust and ensuring the protection of human rights.

Amnesty’s statement underscores the urgency of addressing these systemic issues to prevent further tragedies and uphold the fundamental rights of affected communities.

The Federal government has yet to respond to Amnesty International’s demands.