News
See Me Eating In Prison – Orji Kalu Tells Visitor
THIS is a classic instance of the instability of human conditions. At the age of 20, he had become a millionaire at a time the naira was worth more than the dollar. At 26, he became the youngest Nigerian to receive the National Merit Award during the Ibrahim Babangida-led military administration in 1986.
Orji Uzor Kalu became the governor of Abia State when he was not yet 40 and ruled the state for eight years between 1999 and 2007. He capped a life on the fast lane with his recent election as the senator representing Abia North, eventually emerging as the Chief Whip in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
But all that took a dramatic turn penultimate Thursday with his conviction by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court which sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment for N7.65 billion fraud while he held sway as Abia State governor.
Although he has become a prison inmate since then, Sentry gathered that the reality of his new condition did not dawn on him until some of his associates began to visit him in the prison. Recall that the former governor reportedly asked the prison officials who led him out of the court after the judge pronounced his conviction: “Where are we going now?”
A few days after he landed in prison, one of his business associates was said to have paid him a sympathy visit but was shocked at the pitiable picture cut by the former governor, who was said to be wearing a pair of bathroom slippers.
“See me now eating in the prison,” a pensive Kalu reportedly told his visitor, who struggled to find the words that could console him. An erstwhile colleague of his as governor, who spent some time in incarceration, also visited him. The flamboyant ex-governor advised him to stay strong and regard his travails as another phase of life.
Sentry gathered that the former Abia State governor has been moved from Lagos to the Kuje Prison in Abuja for reasons no one could fathom.
Culled from The Nation
News
Ribadu Hands Over Doctor, Nephew Relased After Ten Months In Kidnapers Den To NMA
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has handed over Dr Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, a Nigerian doctor abducted in Kaduna State ten months ago, to her family.
Ribadu also reunited Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, a 16-year-old 100-level student of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, with his family.
According to DAILY POST reports, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, a Nigerian Air Force officer, his wife, Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, and her nephew, Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, were abducted on December 27, 2023.
They were kidnapped from their residence at the National Eye Centre Quarters in Mando, Kaduna.
The trio are indigenes of Iseyin in the Oke Ogun geopolitical zone of Oyo State.
Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola was released in March this year after spending ten weeks in captivity.
JomogNews learned that Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola and Abdulmugniy Folaranmi were eventually released by their captors on Wednesday, following ten months in captivity. They have now been handed over to their family by Ribadu.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Mannir Bature, confirmed the development in a statement obtained by newsmen on Saturday.
In the statement, Bature noted that the duo were handed over to their family in the presence of NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
He added that representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) were present at the event.
Dr Audu expressed gratitude to the security agencies under Ribadu’s leadership, stating, “Following a comprehensive security debriefing, the National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, today handed over Dr. Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew to her family in the presence of NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
“The handover ceremony, which included representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), provided an opportunity for security personnel to highlight the efforts made to secure Dr Ganiyat’s release. They also discussed related operations, including the recent rescue of abducted medical students.
“In his remarks, Dr Audu expressed his gratitude to the security agencies under the leadership of the NSA for their efforts, while urging them to intensify actions to ensure the rescue of other Nigerians, including medical doctors, who remain in captivity.
“The family extended their appreciation to the Federal Government, NMA, NARD, and all Nigerian doctors for their unwavering support during this challenging time.”
News
Troops Arrest Wanted Bandit, Habu Dogo, 7 IPOB/ESN Terrorists
The Defence Headquarters on Saturday said the Nigerian troops have, in the last one week, apprehended a notorious terrorist leader, Abubakar Ibrahim (AKA) Habu Dogo in Sokoto and seven IPOB/ESN commanders in South-East.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement said that Habu Dogo was apprehended at Rumji Village in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to him, Habu Dogo is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross border nature of his terrorist activities.
He said the IPOB/ ESN terror operatives apprehended include Dr Nnamdi Chukwudoze and Chigozie Ezetoha (AKA Chapet) who were nabbed in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.
“Others are Mrs Ngozi Chukwuka and Mr Oyekachi Ohia, who were arrested in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia,” he said.
He said others are, Mr Ifeanyi Eze, Mr Augustine Udemba and Mr Onyedikachi Udemba were arrested in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia while, Elijah Mmaduipeya Obumneke was arrested in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo.
“The ongoing counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations have continued to degrade the combat capacity of terrorists across the country,’’ he said.
News
JUST IN: TCN Restores Power Supply To Damaturu, Maiduguri
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced another significant milestone in its efforts to restore electricity back to the Northern region of the country.
In a new statement signed by the company’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Friday, full power supply has been restored to Damaturu in Yobe and Maiduguri in Borno State.
This development followed repair of the 330kV Gombe-Damaturu- Maiduguri transmission line.
It further explained that electricity was restored to the Gombe – Damaturu line about 7:25 pm, on Wednesday, October 30.
While partial supply was experienced on the Damaturu – Maiduguri (Molai) on Thursday, October 31, 2024, around 2:01pm.
Recall that tower 372, along the 330kV transmission line, was vandalised on September 22, 2024.
The Statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria has restored full power supply through the Gombe-Damaturu- Maiduguri 330kV transmission line.
“Power supply was fully restored on Gombe – Damaturu line about 7:25 pm, on the 30th, and on the Damaturu – Maiduguri (Molai) part of the line, supply was restored yesterday, October 31, 2024, around 2:01 pm.
“The vandalised tower was rebuilt, and the stringing of the line was completed on the 23rd of October 2024, at about 12:48 pm.
“TCN was, however, unable to immediately restore bulk power supply through the line due to the vandalism of the Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line.
“Power supply has, however, been fully restored along the Gombe – Damaturu – Maiduguri 330kV transmission line,” it added.
The company further sought the help of Nigerians to stop vandalism of electricity infrastructure for the greater economic good.
“TCN is again calling on the public to join in the fight against power installation vandalism to safeguard the future of electricity in Nigeria.
“Please report suspicious activities around transmission installations to security operatives or TCN offices nationwide.”
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