The Harbingerngr News

... N436.03/$ in I&E window THE naira yesterday appreciated to N436.03 per dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window.  Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira fell to N436.03 per dollar from N436.37 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating 34 kobo appreciation for the naira. However, the naira depreciated by N10 in the parallel market yesterday. Findings from black market traders showed that the parallel market exchange rate rose to N735 per dollar from N725 per dollar on Wednesday.

Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka. THE Adoration Prayer Ministry, Emene, Enugu, under the supervision of fiery clergy, Rev. Ejike Mbaka, has been reopened by the Enugu Catholic Diocese, after some months of forceful closure. The ministry was closed by the Enugu Catholic Bishop, Rev. Callistus Onaga, following controversial political comments Mbaka made against the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. It would be recalled that the Enugu Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka stated that the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi can never be Nigeria’s President. He added that unless God ceases to exist, Obi would never smell the seat of the President. According to Mbaka, it was better to have an old man as President than a ‘stingy young man’. This statement led to the closure of the ministry by the Enugu Catholic authority on June 18, 2022. The closure attracted condemnation from his followers who opposed it. But the Church insisted on closing it as the clergy seemed to b...

By Adekunle Adekoya “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” — Malcolm X. IT is trite news that the nation’s public universities, especially those owned by the Federal Government, are currently not in the expected work mode, as lectures are not being given because lecturers are on strike since February. The strike is going into its eighth month as September ends. It is also trite news that the Federal Government, at its tethers’ ends, sued ASUU before the National Industrial Court, which thereafter issued an order compelling the striking dons to go back to work, as usual, “pending determination of the substantive suit”. Government, upbeat about the ruling, reacted through the National Universities Commission, NUC, which issued a circular to vice-chancellors of the universities, directing them to re-open for academic and other activities. In a memo seen by journalists, signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam ...

The tanker, during the inferno ABOUT eight persons were burnt to death, when a tanker with full load of premium motor spirit, PMS (petrol), lost control, due to brake failure, and fell off the bridge of Maboro River, in Ankpa, headquarters of Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. The incident was said to have occurred around 3.30pm., on Wednesday. While eye witnesses put the casualty figures at 20, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said eight persons died. The eye witness said some of the victims were burnt beyond recognition and the charred remains  and debris of cars littered the area. "Many people were in the river doing one thing or the other when the tanker lost control, fell and exploded on the bridge. It's horrible. It was the most gory scene I have seen in my life," said Usman Ahmed from Ankpa. "This one is the most terrible and horrible scene. More than 20 persons were burnt to death, some beyond recognition. "Many who were "crushed to deat...

Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, business owners, residents and commuters have decried the slow pace of work on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway especially from Cele to Sunrise Bus Stop, saying it has not only worsened the traffic situation, but exposed road users to dangers.  The slow pace of work by HITECH Construction Company, the sub-contractor handling the reconstruction of the ever busy Apapa-Oshodi Expressway coupled with the construction of a flyover bridge by Lagos State government at Second Rainbow by FESTAC link road, has worsened traffic nightmare being experienced daily on the dual carriageway. Besides the slow pace of work, the contractors handling the reconstruction of the expressway and the flyover bridge have barricaded the dual carriageway on both sides of the highway beginning from Sunrise up to Cele Bus Stop axis thereby diverting all road users to service lanes towards Apapa and outbound Apapa. Speaking, President-General of  MWUN  Adewale Adeyanju...

THE Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, said, yesterday, that it had suspended one of its Lagos State Vice Chairmen, Oluwaseyi Bamgbose, popularly known as ‘Student’ for instigating unrest in the association. Speaking on the suspension, National President, Alhaji Musa Muhammed, in a statement in Lagos through the National Publicity Secretary of the union, Alhaji Abdulrahman Amusan, said Bamgbose's moves and actions recently were capable of igniting violence in the Lagos State Council of the association. Muhammed, who is also the Lagos State Chairman of RTEAN, said, Bamgbose had earlier in the day organised an illegal protest at Alausa Secretariat with some disgruntled elements in his efforts to create violence and unrest in the association. Muhammed alleged that the intention and plot of Bamgbose was to cause trouble, so much that the state government would regard the peaceful association as uncoordinated and subsequently place a ban on its activities. His words...

SURGING flood has sacked residents of Abuta Lane, Kamwanya Konwea Street and other streets in Asaba, Delta State on the bank of River Niger. At press time, residents of the area were seen moving out in large numbers for fear of being trapped by the flood. Our correspondent sighted the surging water rushing into houses in the areas, while many homes were submerged at Abuta Lane. The flood, which has wreaked havoc in 65 of 73 communities in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state, has rendered many people homeless, destroyed crops worth millions of naira. Worst hit communities are Iselegu, Aboh, Ushie, Ashaka, Igbuku and Ibrede. Speaking during a meeting with members of the State 2022 Flood Management Committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa expressed his administration's readiness to tackle the challenges that maybe thrown up by the flood. The official, who led members of the committee to one of the camps at Ogbe-Afor Primary School in Asaba, said holding camps had been set up to ac...

A resident of 30, Adebola Street, Surulere, Lagos, Mrs. Toyin Momodu, has cried out over the refusal of Lagos State Government to release her landed property at SunnyField Oko-Afo Mixed Development Scheme in the state. Momodu, who spoke to journalists at her home in Surulere, said: “I was given 2,200 square metres of commercial land after paying a lot of money to the purse of the state government in 2012. Later, I was given C of O of the property by Lagos State Government.  "Governor's Office Land Bureau allocated the property to me on August 13, 2012. However, on getting to the portion of land some years later, I discovered that the property had been encroached by another person. “Before then, I had done everything humanly possible to take possession of my land without success, as the staff of Lagos State just aided me while I went through pain without offering any solution.   “All my efforts to get my property back from the government and the people occupying the proper...

There is tension in Agu-Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the invasion and destruction of farms worth more than N50 million by Fulani herders while grazing their cattle. The owner of the farm, a civil servant, John Abonyi, lamented that Fulani herders have resorted to grazing their cattle on his farm. He regretted that all efforts by him and his workers to stop them from entering his farm hit the rock as the Police refused to come to their rescue even when one of the herders was arrested. Briefing journalists, who went round the over three hectares of farmlands devastated by herders, he said they invaded the farm he planted both maize and beans a few days after he applied fertiliser on the crop. Recounting the level of damage, he said: “The major challenge we farmers are facing in South-East is the issue of herdsmen invasion of our farms. As you can see here, the Fulani headers have invaded this farm three times and it’s affecting us. I have reported t...

Chukwudi Gideon, the son of a retired staff of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, ABU, has allegedly stabbed his father and co mmitted suicide. Late Chukwudi was living in Wusasa, Zaria, with his parents before the tragedy. Journalists were told that he killed himself after he jumped from the Dan Magaji flyover and broke his head. The village head of Wusasa, Isiyaku Yusuf, said: “The 40-year old Gideon stabbed his father with a knife and left him in a pool of blood before proceeding to commit suicide. “The young man was known to be a drug addict and hardly mingled with people. He was always alone and very reserved. It was when people took Gideon’s corpse to his parents’ house that they discovered that his father, Mr. Gideon Tseja, 75, was lying in a pool of  blood. “Therefore, people concluded that it was after he finished stabbing the father that he went to kill himself. The injured father, Mr. Tseja, was a lecturer at ABU. He was admitted to a hospital,” the Village Head said. C...

THE Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has called on Nigerians people to partner with him in leading the country to its best future. Tinubu made the appeal in a statement titled 'Message to Nigerians' posted on his verified Twitter handle, yesterday. The former Lagos State governor assured Nigerians that he will convey his plan to the populace in the coming weeks and months, said he would take his message to all parts of the country. He said he and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima are prepared to lead Nigeria in achieving a useful, harmless, secure and flourishing country. "Today (yesterday) marks the official commencement of 2023 presidential election activities across the country. I invite all Nigerians to join me and His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima on this exciting and important journey as we set out a shared vision of Renewed Hope for the people of our dear country, Nigeria. "We will, in th...

*LASG reads riot act, probes fracas NO fewer than three members of a rival group belonging to Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, were feared dead while several others sustained injuries during a clash at Iyana-Iba, Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, yesterday. It was learned that a similar clash happened in Surulere area between transport unions. It was gathered that the clash, which started in the early hours was due to tussle over the control and right for the sale of tickets and collection of tolls from commercial buses at Ojo park and environs. The fracas followed protest by some RTEAN members demanding the removal of the National President of the association over alleged meddlesomeness. One of the leaders of a rival group, Babatunde Kazeem, accused the National President of RTEAN, Musa Muhammed of meddling in the affairs and management of the state’s union for selfish interest. According Kazeem, “three of our members have been killed by the invading riv...

THE  Oyo State Police Command has confirmed attack on Iganna Divisional Police Headquarters by hoodlums, Tuesday night. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, who, confirmed the attack in Ibadan, yesterday, said the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, and a suspect, who was in police custody were killed during the invasion Osifeso said the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, had ordered full scale investigations into the matter with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, leading the team. He said arrest had been made and updates would be provided accordingly. He said: “The Oyo State Police Command under the leadership of CP Williams has promised to make examples of the masterminds of the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of life of an officer and a male civilian with two others seriously injured on Tuesday “Preliminary investigation revealed that in compliance with the stop-and-search d...

FIVE soldiers and an unidentified civilian were feared dead, yesterday, at Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, when gunmen opened fire on them. The victims were in a Toyota Sienna bus when the gunmen, who hid opposite a new generation bank in the town, opened fire on them. A source in the town told Vanguard that there was pandemonium in the area following the shooting as people ran in different directions. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident could, however, not give the actual number of the casualties. “There was shooting close to the bank in Umunze, but the details have not been received,” the PPRO said. According to him, the command had deployed security operatives to secure the area, adding that those responsible for the shooting must be brought to book. However, a source who witnessed the incident, said: “It was terrible. The shooting was so much that the banks and shops closed immediately, while motorist...

...at PDP Campaign flag-off Says Nigerians must halt Nigeria’s descent into anarchy *Nigerians more disunited now than during civil war *Launches three books, begs all PDP members for support *Says I can’t win elections alone *Ignore doomsayers — Gov Emmanuel *Ayu, Wike, Makinde, Ortom absent *Why I distanced myself from Atiku’s book launch — Anyaoku *Ikpeazu didn’t snub Atiku in Enugu —Abia PDP  THE presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, flagged off his 2023 campaign in style, with a call that Nigeria’s frightening descent into anarchy must be halted. He held two events in Abuja – launching of three books; and inauguration of his 600-member campaign council where he said Nigeria must be saved and appealed to all party members to join him in the task of seeking the mandate of Nigerians to rebuild the nation. Speaking at the inauguration of the 2023 PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Nigeria was in such a bad state that ...

OVER 23 people were killed by the raging River Benue in four local government areas of Benue State, while 74 others were seriously injured. The  flood  also  forced  116,084  people  from  their  homes,  and  the  disaster  affected  12,856  households. Dr.  Emmanuel  Shior,  Executive  Secretary  of  Benue  State  Emergency  Management  Agency,  SEMA,  made  the  announcement  yesterday  during  an  update  on  the  state’s  flood  situation. Shior  stated  that  the  flood  affected  104  communities  in  11  councils,  including  Agatu,  Apa,  Tarka,  Gboko,  Gwer  West,  Logo,  Guma  Vandeikya,  Otukpo,  Katsina-Ala,  and  Makurdi. He  stated  that  4,411  houses...

A total of 32,617 persons lost their lives to road traffic crashes in Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, resulting from 65,053 accidents across the country.  Mr Ayobami Omiyade, Assistant Federal Road Safety Corps Marshal (retd), disclosed this while speaking at a retreat at the agency’s zonal office in Ojodu, Lagos,  yesterday. Speaking at the retreat, entitled "Promotion of strategic partnership for innovating road safety intervention in Lagos and Ogun states: Zone RS2 Lagos View Point,"  Omiyade said 200,784 people were also injured in the accidents during the period. According to the statistics, 5,053 lives were lost in 2016, while 5,121 and 5,181 lives were lost in 2017 and 2018 respectively. In 2019 and 2020, about 5,483 and 5,574 lives were also lost respectively while  6,205 died in 2021 which accounted for highest accident rates and loss of lives. He also disclosed that combined road traffic crashes statistics for Zone RS2 comprising Lagos and Ogun showed that 449 a...

There was tension in Enugu as gunmen, yesterday, attacked an Army checkpoint at Obeagu-Amodu Road in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State. It was gathered that the hoodlums stormed the checkpoint in two Lexus SUVs and one Toyota Sienna around 7:25a.m., and reportedly opened fire on the combined team of Police and military. A source confirmed that there was heavy shooting, while two deaths were recorded in the shoot-out. Confirming the incident, spokesman of the state Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said: “There was an attack on a Joint Operation Team checkpoint at Amodu in Nkanu West LGA, in the morning hours of today (yesterday). “However, I await full briefing on the incident due to ongoing intense manhunt of the masked assailants, most of whom escaped the scene of the incident with fatal gunshot injuries, after the gun duel with the team. Further development will be communicated.” Culled from Vanguard

Four children have been burnt to death in Choba community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State in a fire incident. The said incident happened at Rumuchakara village in Choba in the early morning of Tuesday September 26, according to a source. The source, said the four children were sleeping when fire gutted their room. He said three of the children were of the same parents, while the fourth came to visit the family few days before the incident. He said the children, who were of primary school age had used candle to do their assignments, but slept off without putting out the burning candle. Innocent alleged that the fire was from the candle, noting that before the parents of the kids got hint of the fire from their own room, smoke had already taken over the entire building. He said: “There was a fire incident at Rumuchakara area of Choba. Four children were burnt to death. Three died in the room, while the fourth one died at the hospital where he was rushed to. “It is reall...

•We're ready to work —CONUA  •Non-academic staff salaries not yet paid  FACTS have emerged on why the Federal Government reversed itself on the decision to reopen public universities, despite the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. It was gathered that pressure from opinion leaders and other stakeholders interested in resolving the face-off between the union and the government led to the latter asking that the circular, earlier sent to mandate the reopening of the universities, be withdrawn. "After the circular became public and people started interpreting what the consequences could be, it was agreed that it be withdrawn to also allow for more negotiation between the government and the union," a source said. The Acting Director of Public Affairs, the National Universities Commission, Mr Ayo Haruna, confirmed to our correspondent the withdrawal of the circular dated September 23, this year. The latest circular calling for the nulli...