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Senate tasks security agencies on discreet intelligence sharing

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St Francis Catholic Church, Owo
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…mourns victims of Owo attack
The Senate has urged security agencies in the country to be discreet in collaborating on intelligence gathering and sharing to prevent future attacks by bandits and insurgents.
This was just as the chamber condemned the recent attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and mourned the killing of worshippers.
These formed part of resolutions reached, sequel to the consideration of a motion on the “Killing of Worshippers in Owo, Ondo State.”
The motion was sponsored by Senator Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North).
Boroffice, in his presentation, noted with deep concern the attack on worshippers on Sunday, 5th June, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
According to him, the attack led to the killing of 40 worshipers, with about 80 others suffering varied degrees of fatal injuries.
He stated that, “the attackers deployed dynamite and heinously massacres aged persons, women and children.”
The lawmaker, while noting the killings of Nigerians across different parts of the country, warned that such massacre could be a trigger to inter-religious conflicts and ethnic war in Nigeria.
Contributing, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo (PDP, Ondo South) said, “our internal security is still very defective.
We need to put our resources together and improve the Nigeria Police, so that what happened in Owo, should not happen in other places.”
On his part, Senator Istifanus Gyang (PDP, Plateau North), blamed the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on religious extremism.
He urged religious leaders in the country to desist from inciting their followers through religious messages preached in places of worship, adding that doing otherwise poses great security threat to the country.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks, said, “this is one sad event that took place, and we are all united in grief.
“One thing that is so imperative is for security agencies to continue to protect our citizens, and where we encounter breeches, the perpetrators must be fished out and then the law takes its full course.”
The Senate, in its resolutions, accordingly, urged Security Agencies to intensify efforts to investigate the matter with the aim of bringing perpetrators to book and as well deploy drones and helicopters to monitor forests and ungoverned areas in Nigeria, to identify illegal camps of Armed Bandits throughout the country.
The chamber urged for collaboration amongst her various security agencies on intelligence gathering and sharing in very discreet and organised form, at local government and state levels, and nationwide.
It also commiserated with the families of the victims, the Catholic Church, the people and Government of Ondo State.
The chamber also observed a minute silence in memory of the victims killed during the attack.

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NASS Secures Presidential Assent to Federal Universities in Ekiti, Osun

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Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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The National Assembly has secured the assent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Bills establishing Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State and Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele revealed the decision of the president yesterday after the signing of the two legislations establishing the two universities at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.

Bamidele had sponsored bills to establish Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin- Ekiti Kingdom, Ekiti State and Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State respectively in 2023 and 2024.

He had initiated with strong convictions that the two bills would bridge the knowledge gap in science, technology and innovation required for national development; promote environmental sustainability and climate action as well as enhance agricultural innovation and food security in the country.

Contingent upon their strategic national significance, the upper chamber passed the two legislative initiatives into laws and secured the concurrence of the House of Representatives, thereby informing the resolve of the president to give effect to the two legislations.

After the signing of the bills yesterday, Bamidele revealed the decision of the president, which he described as defining and significant in the quest of the president administration to address food insecurity and challenges associated with climate change in the country.

He, therefore, commended the president for approving the establishment of the two federal universities with specific mandate to address knowledge deficit in environmental technology and promote innovative research in food security and agricultural production.

Before the assent of the president yesterday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa had strongly recommended the establishment of Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State and Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State.

In a letter to the presidency on Wednesday, February 19, the education minister asked the president to approve the establishment of the two federal universities as passed by the National Assembly.

With respect to the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, the minister said the Federal Ministry of Education “has reviewed the provisions of the bill and found that it meets all requisite guidelines and standards for the establishment of a Federal University of this nature.

“The university will specialise in technology-driven education and research, producing graduates equipped with 21st century skills in Engineering, Digital Innovation and Applied Sciences. It will drive Nigeria’s industrialization by fostering homegrown technological solutions for economic growth and job creation.

“The institution will focus on environmental sciences, offering programmes that address climate change, renewable energy, waste management and sustainable urban development. It will serve as a research hub for developing policies and solutions that align with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental sustainability goals.”

On the Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Alausa specifically said the university would serve as a center for advanced agricultural education, research, and innovation, contributing to the country’s food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

He said: “It will develop improved farming techniques, agro-processing methods, and climate-smart agriculture solutions to boost productivity and resilience. The university will integrate agricultural sciences with development studies, training professionals to address socioeconomic challenges in rural areas.

“It will foster entrepreneurship and Agribusiness, equipping students with skills for self-employment and wealth creation. The university will stimulate economic activities in Iragbiji and surrounding communities, creating employment and business opportunities.

“The university will serve as a hub for collaborative research with international institutions, government agencies, and the private sector to drive innovations in agricultural sustainability, and community development,” the minister wrote in another letter to the president.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NLM Rejigs Leadership Structure, Says It’s time for Leadership by Productivity

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By Abdulrahman Obaje

The Nigeria Liberty Movement (NLM) has outlined detailed plan as it rejig the leadership structure of the party from National Executive Councils to Family Mobilisers, saying that It’s time for leadership by productivity.

This is contained in an advance Ramadan message by Amb. Moses O. Adebisi PhD, aka ThisDaysMoses, aka Al’Musa, National Leader, Nigerian Liberty Movement.

Ambassador Moses while passing his advance ramadan message said, “Despite the general acceptance of the Message of Liberty by the aggrieved members of Nigeria Society, we have a need, and that need is worthy, able and willing Liberator in our 7 Hierarchical Order of Leadership and Structural Formation.”

“11 person at the state level across all the senatorial districts.”

“11 person at every local government level in your state.”

“11 person at every wards level in your state.”

“Requirements: We need a leader that can assemble these numbers of person together in his state, have a meeting with them, take their details and bring it to the headquarters in Abuja in person.”

“You and them would become the NWC of NLM, You and them will receive our Training, Empowerment and Leadership Tickets in Our Party and Our Government.”

“In quest for Liberty: NLM Through You, Would Emerge New Breed of Leadership in Nigeria’s Political Landscape, For Emergency National Intervention, Self Actualisation of every Nigerian and National Development.”

He charges any member that has the capacity to lead to contact him with his or her detailed plan.

he said, “Can you take this lead for your state?, Come up hitter, Come to my dm and tell me the state you want to lead, We shall bring down this posts in 24hours”

He greats and wishes the muslim community in Nigeria a rewarding Ramadan period in advance and pray that May the Ramadan bring you ever closer to Jannah

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PANDEF Leader Edwin Clark Dies At 97

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Chief-Edwin-Clark
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The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, is dead.

The death of the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader was confirmed by a family representative, Prof. C. C. Clark, on Tuesday.

The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday, 17th February 2025.

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

Clark was a leading voice for regional and national unity. He was also known for mediating peace among warring communities and politicians in the Niger Delta region.

Last October, he set up a committee to reconcile Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile political godfather Nyesom Wike.

The committee was headed by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT.

Clark’s death comes barely four days after the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.

Both statesmen were known to be leading voices in the political development of the country.

The duo joined other patriots to attend the Greater Nigeria Conference, which was held in Abuja in 2022 to deliberate on the emergence of the next Nigerian President from the South-East.

In November 2023, they, alongside other and other eminent leaders of thought, renewed the calls for the restructuring of the country to achieve a true federal structure.

They called for the adoption and fully implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, arguing that document contains the antidote to the political and socio-economic problems confronting the country.

 

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