The Harbingerngr News

‘I BELONG TO EVERYBODY and I BELONG TO NOBODY...' Belong to all of us, Col Umar writes Buhari *Says President's actions'll bring ruin, destruction to nation *Adds it's no surprise enthusiasm for Buhari’s 5th-anniversary celebration not shared by segments of the public FORMER military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, retd, has written to President Muhammadu Buhari to belong to all Nigerians and not a section or a particular tribe of the country. Col. Umar, who lampooned President Buhari on what he described as his skewed appointments into the offices of the Federal Government, said the President favoured some and frustrated others. He also said the action of the President would bring ruin and destruction to the nation, adding that the country’s political history was replete with great acts of exemplary leadership which, at critical moments, managed to pull the nation back from the precipice and assured its continued existence. In an open lett

THE Olugbo of Ugbolan d, Oba Frederick Akinrutan, yesterday, renewed his position that he is the number one monarch in the South-West region, as he says the issue of supremacy has been settled in his favour. Speaking with pressmen, Akinrutan said the dust raised among the Obas in the South-West concerning who is supreme settled?  The monarch said: “I would have loved not to talk about this matter in a forum such as this. But because you are curious, I will say a few words. There has never been any dust raised on account of who is supreme among the Obas in the South-West. What you have been witnessing is a drama badly rehearsed and badly staged. “I say this because all the historical facts available in the local and international archives are clear on the issue of who is supreme.  Oba Akinruntan “My style has never been that of noise making. I draw my inspiration and confidence from the numerous historical books that support my position as the custodian of the Yoruba race. None o

A Police Inspector, Monday Gabriel, went berserk, yesterday, in Ikoyi area of Lagos, opened fire on his colleagues and killed one of them in the process, while others sustained bullet wounds. It was gathered that Gabriel, attached to Squadron 21 of the Police Mobile Force, Abuja, was on special duty at the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, in Ikoyi area of the state with other colleagues. There was a reported disagreement between him and his colleagues, over an unknown reason, when he suddenly opened fire on them, killing one Sergeant Felix Okago on the spot, while others managed to escape with bullet wounds. Time was 4 am. Thereafter, he hijacked the team’s escort van, shooting as he zoomed off. But the white van reportedly got stuck at Akoka, Yaba. Unable to move further, he came out and attempted to force his way into a building but could not. He was said to have released several shots, which perforated the metallic door of the building, in his attempt to go in, causing frig

A100 level Microbiology student of University of Benin, UNIBEN, Miss Vera Uwaila, weekend, died from injuries sustained after she was gang-raped and hit with a fire extinguisher in her church last Wednesday. It was gathered that the 22-years-old undergraduate was attacked and beaten to a pulp at the Ikpoba Hill branch of Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, in Benin, Edo State, where she had gone to read. Late Vera Uwaila The assailants, it was further gathered, left her to die, but she was later rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, where she reportedly died. It was gathered that on that bad day, the church security officer had gone to collect keys to the church from its keeper when he was told that there was someone already in the church. He reportedly got to the church only to find the girl in a pool of her blood with the blood-stained fire extinguisher near her. It was gathered that after careful observation, it was noticed that she moved her hand a

THE Elewu of Ewuland in Oshodi-Isolo LGA Constituency 1, Oba Adesina Shakirudeen Kuti, has called on well-meaning individuals, corporate bodies to invest on projects that will bring development to the area. Oba Kuti made the call at the commissioning of a water project at Popoola Street, in Mafoluku, sponsored by Abiodun Ogundimu. Oba Adeshina Kuti Oba Kuti who was represented by Prince Saheed Kuti, said: “We really appreciate Ogundimu's efforts because this is one of its kind. It is very hard today to see people who would willingly do this kind of project in any community. I am ready to cooperate with well-meaning individuals and philanthropists who are committed to the development of the area. “There are other projects on the ground and we still want anyone who is willing to assist us to come forward. The community would appreciate either partnering with them, or taking up any of the projects to ensure the area is developed,” he said. Speaking at the occasi

THE lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II at Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Idimogu has called on the Eze Igbo Lagos State and National President of Ndi Eze Ndigbo in the diaspora, Eze Nwabueze Ohazulike to declare his support for All Progressives Congress in Lagos State. Speaking during a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler, Idimogu, said that Igbo people cannot continue to be in opposition in the state. “I have come to pay a royal visit, request the blessing of the royal father, and market our great party, because our people cannot continue to be in opposition. I am happy that the Eze said, he would soon declare for the party. We have always lost being in opposition. My leadership would be transparent and anchored on due consultations” he said. Idimogu, who was recently made the apex leader of Ndigbo in Lagos State stated that the time had come for Ndigbo to come on board of the party with vision. He maintained that the people would no longer be on the

PRIVATE school owners and teachers have cried out to the government for help, as their means of livelihood are being seriously threatened by the ravaging coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, the owners, under the aegis of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, are seeking stimulus funding to turn around their businesses, tax relief, technical support to embark on online teaching among others. The teachers are also asking the government to consider them in the sharing of palliatives. Speaking for the schóol owners, the Lagos State President of NAPPS, Chief Amusa Olawale, said his association had written to the Lagos State Government on the issues and expressed the hope that something positive would come out of the effort. He said: "We deserve being supported. The government generates funds through us as we pay taxes, levies, and other revenues. Our sector should not be forgotten. The number of learners in private schools is far more than those in pu

LAGOS State Government has created 202 centres where 37,589 benefiting households would collect food vouchers in the home feeding programme embarked upon by the state government in conjunction with the Federal Government's programme on house feeding. The programme is a continuation of the Homegrown School Feeding Programme for pupils in public primary schools, even when the schools are shut down due to the outbreak of Coronavirus disease. This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, when he led members of the board to the warehouse where the palliatives were being packaged. Fielding questions during the visit, he said 202 centres would be used across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas for the distribution of vouchers to beneficiaries. He gave the assurance that the Board had done due diligence on data collection and the logistics to get the items to the beneficiaries. "I

The Spiritual Leader of NRI Evangelical Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has tasked the Federal Government and the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over continued lockdown of churches. Ayodele expressed displeasure that government action played down the unique moral and spiritual roles the church plays in society but gave market places, eateries, corporate offices even bear parlours preeminence as providers of essential services. He, however, said: “I hail President Donald Trump of America for his courage and recognition essential services church also provides, and for declaring churches open in his country. Unfortunately, African governments don’t even get that. Our own President Muhammadu Buhari failed woefully in his handling of the Covid-19 situation.” The Primate further observed that it is more deadly to reopen market places, eateries, others than churches and schools; pointing out that crowd control in churches is much easier than in a market

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS  has arrested one, Olufowoke  Emmanuel, who threatened to post nude pictures of veteran Nigerian Singer, Queen Salewa Abeni, on social media. The 19-year-old suspect, a National Diploma holder in  Electrical Engineering, from the Yaba College of Technology, was apprehended at Brentfield Avenue, Peace Estate, Magboro, Ogun State, by the Decoy Team of RRS, last Thursday, after three days of monitoring him. Abeni, had announced on her Instagram page, on April 1, 2020, how she received the text message from the suspect, threatening to post pictures of her nude on social media. Her message read: “I am very disappointed that someone somewhere will try to tarnish my image and threaten to destroy my career of over 45 years. “This morning, I received messages from somebody threatening to expose very old pictures of me and in the process, blackmailing me for money. “These could’ve been pictures of me in the hospital or even with my partner, but is th

The Lagos State Magistrate's Court, Igboshere, yesterday, sent 22-year-old Adisa Olufunmilola, who drowned her one-year and nine months old baby in a bucket of water to the Psychiatric Department of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, for evaluation. Magistrate K. O. Doja Ojo remanded Adisa following an application filed by Lagos State Office of Public Defender, OPD, to remand her at LASUTH. Director, Lagos State Public Defender, OPD, Dr Babajide Martins, applied that the defendant be sent to and remanded at LASUTH “for psychiatric evaluation to help determine the state of her mental health.” He based his application on Section 217 (3) of Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2015. Magistrate Doja-Ojo granted the prayer and adjourned till June 26 for the outcome of the tests. Adisa is suspected by the police to have drowned her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Oluwanifemi, in a bucket of water. According to a temporary charge marked C/4

THE Agbekoya Revolutionary Group and the Soludero Hunters Association, has urged South-West governors not to prioritise paper qualification in the ongoing recruitment process of Amotekun personnel. The two groups also vowed to repatriate all Northern youths, who invaded the south, to their states as soon as Amotekun begins operation. Speaking at a forum in Ibadan, the National Chairman of the association, Oba Ajijola Anabi said that when Amotekun begins operation, all hoodlums, violent Fulani herders, kidnappers, armed robbers, dangerous gangs like One Million Boys would be flushed out of Western Region. Oba Ajijola Anabi said: “Amotekun will be stationed at borders and will fish out all Almajiris and send them back to their states. We know all the routes the violent herders, kidnappers ply. We are hunters; we are familiar with all forests in the zone. Forest is a normal terrain for us. We will catch them and hand them over to the police.” Also speaking at a different forum in Ibad

...displaces many residents *Scores escape death as two-storey building collapses At least 30 buildings have been destroyed and several occupants displaced following heavy rainfall Sunday night into yesterday, in Iragon-Iragbo community, Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. Scores escape death as two-storey building collapses Also, residents of 6, Olonode Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, narrowly escaped death, yesterday, when the two-storey building partially collapsed during heavy rainfall. The incident, it was gathered happened around 9.45 am amid heavy downpour. Director-General, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu who confirmed the report said all the occupants have been evacuated and directed to relocate to safe accommodation. According to information, before the collapse, the building had shown signs of distress due to lack of maintenance on the part of the owner. Oke-Osanyintolu said: “Upon arrival at

....To employ 2,000 primary school teachers AN indication has emerged that officials of the Federal and Lagos State governments are working out guidelines to re-open schools, which were closed by the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic. This came as the Lagos State Government hinted that there are plans to employ about 2,000 more teachers in its public primary schools. Similarly, the state government, through the office of Education Quality Assurance, has designed an initiative, tagged: ‘Read-Aloud, Lagos’, to create and stimulate the interest of school children in reading books. The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo disclosed this during an online show, while explaining the scorecard of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration within the 360 days. On the possible re-opening of schools, Adefisayo said: “Like other sectors already approved by the Federal Government to reopen, the state government is meeting with officials of the Federal Ministry of Educ

Youth leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Oshodi-Isolo LGA chapter, Comrade Abdul-Rahman Ayuba, has lost his mother-in-law, Alhaja Baleeqis Salako (Nee Babalola) and Baleeqis' mother, Alhaja Afusat Babalola last Saturday, May 23 to the cold hands of death. Late Baleeqis Salako died at her residence, Rafiu Crescent, Mafoluku, and was buried the same day according to Muslim rites. While, Baleeqis' mother died shortly after her daughter's burial. May Allah give the family the fortitude to bear this great shock and grant the departed souls, aljanah fridaus. Late Baleeqis Salako Late Alhaja Afusat Babalola

The management of Harbinger Magazine, has condoled with the chairman, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, LGA, Hon. Bolaji Ariyoh, his brother, Alhaji Adebayo Abolore Ariyoh and other family members on the death of their mother, Alhaja Shakirat Modupeola Ariyoh, who slept on the Allah, last Tuesday, buried that day, according to Islamic rites. Today, as you held fidau prayer for Mama's soul, we pray to Allah to comfort you and other family members and give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Late Modupe Ariyoh The Harbinger in its statement said: “We joined the family and APC members in mourning the devout Muslim, patriotic APC woman leader and distinguished community leader, who dedicated her life on earth to serving Allah and working for the good of others. "We are deeply touched by the demise of your mother who was a very dedicated community and political leader. "May her soul rests in peace. May Allah forgive her shortcomings and reward her goo

Sanitarian Akeem Adeoye The management of Harbinger Magazine felicitates with Sanitarian Akeem Omolaja Adeoye, Head of Department Environmental Service in Oshodi-Isolo LGA, as he celebrates his birthday. The Harbinger said in its statement: “Today, we join others to rejoice with you as you celebrate your birthday. We pray that Allah will continue to protect you and endow you with good health and long life. Also, may Allah in His infinite mercy multiply your blessings. Happy Birthday”.

CATHOLIC Church Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called for the gradual re-opening of worship centres, insisting that the religious centres are in a better position to control and organize people than what now obtains in the banks and markets.  Cardinal Onaiyekan, in a statement titled: ‘COVID-19: A Case for the Resumption of Controlled Worship Gatherings in Churches and Mosques’, noted that humanity has been groping in the dark, with trial and error measures self-proclaimed experts.  The statement reads: “It seems we are in a hopeless situation and we can only wait for the worst to befall us. “For the believer in God, which most of us in this country are, there can be no room for despair, since we believe in God that has never ceased to be in control of His creation. We must, therefore, take seriously our faith in Him as an almighty and merciful God, who wishes nothing but what is good for His creatures, especially for humanity. “In the church, we have ru

By Our Reporters THE Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide through its pastor, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, has made a donation of N25,000,000.00 to support Nigeria’s fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The amount is to be shared among the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as well as Lagos and Ogun State governments. While presenting the donation at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, spokesman for the church’s delegation, Superior Evangelist Bola Akinterinwa lauded the efforts of the government at combating the deadly scourge, especially as regards the provision of medical facilities and palliatives for the citizens of Ogun State in particular and Nigeria in general. He assured the Government of the continued support of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide and seized the opportunity to inform the Ogun State governor of the church’s plan to commence the construction of a world-class university in the Celestial City, Imeko, Ogun State be

*As killer-cop arrested *DPO nabbed over alleged killing of policeman  A stray bullet from a policeman on enforcement of the curfew imposed by the government over the spread of Coronavirus disease snuffed life out of a man in the Ikotun area of Lagos, Wednesday night. The deceased, Fatai Ayafe, 28, was said to have gone to buy a loaf of bread at Obabiyi area of Ikotun. The killer cop, Inspector Okoro Charles, attached to Ikotun Police Division, was said to have stopped a tricyclist at about 10.05 pm. But the tricyclist refused to stop, but in a bid to force him to stop, the policeman reportedly released a bullet from his AK 47 rifle, which hit and killed Ayafe, who was at the bread stand. On noticing the magnitude of his deed, the killer cop and his colleagues fled the scene, thereby, allowing free passage to motorists who were earlier prevented from passing that route. The incident led to protest as youths in the area trooped out in their numbers and placed the lifeless body of

*l9-yr-old boy, others in critical condition Tragedy struck last Friday as a 33,000-litre capacity petrol tanker rammed into a commercial bus at Berger, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, killing a woman, while other passengers sustained injuries. According to reports, a nine-year-old boy was among those injured in the accident that caused heavy traffic on the axis. An eyewitness attributed the cause of the accident to high speed and brake failure on the part of the driver of the tanker filled with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, that was heading inwards Berger. It was gathered that the driver in a bid to control the tanker reportedly veered off its lane and rammed into the bus. Some of the passengers were trapped in the mangled bus and it took efforts of some sympathisers to bring some of them out. One of the sympathisers, who simply gave his name as Musibau, said: “ My vehicle was behind the tanker. From the way it was swerving, I knew disaster would happen, but I did not know it was

PRESIDENT  Muhammadu Buhari has approved the termination of the appointment of Prof. Charles Uwakwe as the Registrar/Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council, NECO. A statement yesterday by the  Head, Information and Public Relations Division of NECO, Azeez Sani, said the President also approved the dismissal of four management staff from the services of the council for various offences. It explained that the President’s action was conveyed in a letter dated 11th May, 2020 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Sonny Echono, on behalf of the Education Minister.” The statement read: “ Uwakwe was accused of violating the Public Procurement Act (2007) and pursuant to PSR 030402 and part 1 schedule 4 (i) of NECO Establishment Act. “After due consideration of the investigative panel on the allegation of unsatisfactory conduct levelled against you and some Management Staff of the Council, Mr. President in the exercise of his powers, has appr

By Idowu Ajigboteso PRIVATE school owners in the country, under the aegis of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, have called on the Federal Government to embark on a gradual reopening of schools. According to NAPPS, the government should begin reopening schools with students in terminal classes, such as Primary 6, Junior Secondary School Class Three and Senior Secondary School Class Three. Speaking through its National President, Chief Yomi Otubela in Lagos,  NAPSS suggested that states with low incidence of coronavirus outbreak or where the figures of cases were going down, should reopen schools first. He also noted that over one million teaching and non-teaching staff in private primary and secondary schools were facing serious economic challenges occasioned by the threat posed to their jobs by the fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that reopening schools would put an end to the disruption in the system and allow final year students prepare fo

A middle-aged man, Endurance Eshegbai has been arrested over the killing of his cousin, Usman Abdul Lateef, a native of Akpekpe, over a N2 million land deal. The body of the late Lateef was found buried in a bush along Auchi-Igarra road. It was gathered that the deceased left home last Wednesday with Eshegbai popularly called Koma to a second-generation bank for a transaction but never returned. Eshegbai was said to have been initially arrested by the police for an investigation being the last person Lateef interacted with on the day he went missing but was later released after questioning. It was gathered that the Azomode Age Grade members were also involved in the search for the missing Lateef and while the investigation by the Police operatives from Auchi Divisional Headquarters was ongoing, the family of the deceased was said to have contacted the Auchi branch of the bank and notified his account manager about the development, which led the bank placing his account on alert. I

...as Modupe quits politics at 77 Chairman, Oshodi-Isolo LGA, Hon. Bolaji Ariyoh has lost his mother, Alhaja Shakira Modupeola Ariyoh to the cold hand of death in the morning Tuesday, May 19. According to a statement from the elder brother of the council boss, Hon. Adebayo Ariyoh, “Alhaja Shakirat Ariyoh died in her residence at Sehinde Callisto Street, Oshodi, Lagos at 77." She has been buried in the evening of the same day according to Muslim rite, after prayer by Chief Imam of the area. Until her death, Alhaja Modupe Ariyoh was a staunch political leader of All Progress Congress, APC in Oshodi-Isolo LGA, community leader, and woman leader in the area. Late Alhaja Modupe Ariyoh

... drops note for father, girlfriend The lifeless body of a young man identified as Kelvin Rhima was found dangling from a ceiling fan by neighbours, Tuesday night, in his mini-apartment at Modinatu Street in Ogba area of Lagos. It was gathered that Kelvin Rhima’s neighbours became worried Tuesday evening when they noticed that he had not been seen outside for that day. Unfortunately, when they peeped through the window, they found the body of the young banker hanging from his ceiling fan. According to a neighbour, who spoke on anonymity: “When we didn’t see him on Tuesday morning outside, we felt he was sleeping inside, but when it was getting late we got worried because there was no padlock at his entrance to indicate that he had gone out. “When we tried to open the door, because it was locked from inside, that was when we began to bang on the door. By the time we went to the window he was seen dangling and his tongue stuck out. From the look of things, it was obvious that it w

Mrs. Deborah Folasade, wife of Former Military Vice President, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (retd) died at 66 after a brief illness. In a statement by Olawale Adekoya, Special Adviser to Gen. Diya, available to press, the late Folashade died on Monday, May 18, 2020, after she fell ill and was rushed to a hospital. According to the press statement: “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on. With grief in our hearts but gratitude to Almighty God, we announce the transition onto eternal glory of Otunba (Chief) Mrs Deborah Folashade Diya (JP), wife of His Excellency, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya, (retd) GCON, MNI; whose death occurred on Monday, May 18, 2020. She was aged 66. Chief Folashade Diya “Madam Deborah Folashade Diya was preparing and looking forward to her 66th birthday celebration on May 23rd 2020 (this week). But as man proposes, God disposes; six days ago, she took ill and was taken to the hospital, where she took her last breath on Monday, May 18. Otunba Folashade Deborah

OPERATIVES of the Osun Amotekun Corps in collaboration with the state Joint Taskforce, has arrested illegal miners during a raid on four illegal mining sites in the state. Those arrested include 10 Chinese nationals, a Ghanaian and three indigenous illegal miners. The raided sites were Itagunmodi, Igun and Ariye I and II, all in Atakunmosa-West Local Government Area of the State, following a tip-off by members of the public. The operation which lasted about two hours was carried out at all the illegal mining sites in the council area. Speaking with journalists after the operation, the Director-General, Amotekun Corps in the state, Mr. Amitolu Shittu, said the operation was part of the state government’s resolve to clear the state of economic saboteurs. Shittu commended the JTF comprising Nigerian Army, Air force, Navy, Police, DSS, NSCDC and Immigration for their cooperation with Amotekun corps to make the operation a success.

By Fokansi Ogunyemi IT would be a new dawn for the residents of Apapa Constituency-1, as member, Lagos State House of Assembly, representing the constituency, Hon. Mojisola Lawal-Meranda has promised to put more special empowerment and welfare packages in place for the residents to make life comfortable for them. Meranda, who stated this at the constituency stakeholders’ meeting, said: “I have been organising empowerment programme regularly to alleviate poverty and ensure that people in my area become self-reliants. “I have focused on youths in my constituency, so they can become useful to themselves and the society. I am close to my people and feel the hardship they are facing. “I know my constituency, understand the problems each ward facing, I will try my best to support them and bring succour to their hardship." Mojisola Meranda .”

AN INTERVIEW WITH 99-YEAR-OLD CHIEF IMAM By Sunday Akanni Former Chief Imam of Aiyegbesin Mosque, at Arowojobe Street, Oshodi, Alhaji Adio Bakare, had explained the circumstances that forced him to marry many wives. He disclosed this in an interview with  The Harbinger Magazine . Bakare who narrated his life experience and circumstances that pushed him to marry 14 wives, disclosed how he saved his mother from committing suicide. Excerpts: My Birth I was born in 1921 into the family of Alhaji Garuba Alao Bakare and Alhaja Munirat Modupeola Abeni Bakare at Iboro town in Yewa South Local Government Area, Ogun State. We were twins — I am Kehinde, named Hussain; while my twin brother Taiwo, named Hassan. My father married five wives, and they were blessed with children. But only three of us remained, (myself, and my twin sisters; Mrs. Hassan Kelani Ayodele and Mrs. Mariama Azeez Sanni) of the same mother. The uniqueness of Iboro town Iboro is a unique town where  Oro festival is