The Federal Government has declared it won't negotiate with terrorists and bandits.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who stated this during the weekly ministerial briefing at the State House in Abuja, said government would rather deploy all necessary forces to eliminate criminals.

According to him, negotiating with the criminals would suggest weakness and incapacity on the part of government.

He said the government would not succumb to blackmail and the use of criminals by proxies to harass innocent citizens.

“While the government is not averse to talking it must apply the necessary force because you can’t trust these people.

“Government wants to use military assets to eliminate them but if along the line, the come out, good. It paints the picture of weakness, incapacity," Monguno said.

Military Service Chiefs have arrived Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irhabor, they arrived the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army where Gen. Irhabor addressed officers and men of the division.

They are to meet Governor Seyi Makinde and supervise change of leadership at the division.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja High Court to give evidence in a N1.4 billion fraud trial involving an oil company, Nadabo Energy.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Saidu Ateh before Justice C. A. Align, the EFCC boss analysed the email correspondences of the defendant.

He said investigation revealed that the defendants, contrary to their claims took about 6 million litres PMS from the mother vessel to their chartered vessel.

He said the email further confirmed that the same quantity was discharged at Port-Harcourt.

"In addition, the email also informed us that one Mr Jide Akpan was the agent of the vessel.

"We invited the said Akpan and during the course of our interrogation with him he confirmed that the first defendant through the second defendant deferred the vessel and paid for it."

Bawa had last year appeared before the court as prosecution witness.

The EFCC had accused Abubakar Ali Peters and his company, Nadabo Energy of allegedly using forged documents to obtain N1,464,961,978.24 from the Federal Government as oil subsidy after allegedly inflating the quantity of premium motor spirit, PMS purportedly supplied to 14,000M.

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the prosecution’s fraud charge.

A 97-year-old woman from Yobe who was raped about a month ago said she had not had sex for over 40 years until she was raped recently.

The Nation exclusive investigation also gathered that the old woman lost two teeth from the beating she received from her rapist who battered her and forcibly tried to cover her mouth so as not to attract people’s attention.

The victim who was brought to the state CID headquarters in Damaturu from Gadaka for investigation has since returned back to her base.

Our correspondent noticed that the visibly distraught old woman looked tired and exhausted but could still speak clearly while answering few questions during investigation.

The 35-year-old rapist according to investigation has been remanded in police custody by the Magistrate Court in Damaturu awaiting proper trial.

Read Also: On indecent dressing and rape

The Nation had earlier reported that Mohammed Faruk on the 8/2/2021 invaded the house of the old woman at Gadaka, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State where he molested, assaulted and raped her.

A statement by the State Police Public Relation Officer ASP Dungus Abdulkarim read: “On 8/2/2021 at about 1400hrs Police in Fika Divisional police Headquarters apprehended one Mohammed Faruk of Gadaka town, 35years old who intruded into a 90 years old woman room in same area of Gadaka thereby molested, assaulted and raped her.

“On preliminary investigation the culprits confessed to the commission of the said alleged rape. However, medical examination by medical facility Fika confirmed penetration and identified drips of semen believed to be the culprit ejaculation.

“The case is currently under investigation and onward transfer to state CID for discreet investigation and subsequent prosecution.

“In view of the recent rape cases reported the Command is committed to bringing an end to these barbaric attacks on minors and even old age victims.

“To this end, the Commissioner of Police appreciates the cooperation of the good people of Yobe State and solicited for more.

“Section 282 of Yobe State Penal Code Amendment Law 2018 prescribed punishment for rape, kidnapping and unnatural offences. Under the section, “The law stipulates clearly that whoever commits rape, where the victim is a minor, shall be punished with imprisonment for life and where the victim is an adult, shall be jailed for a term of 25 years.”

Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has ordered indefinite suspension of activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

He directed all NURTW members are to immediately vacate all motor parks across the state.

The Governor had last week said the suspension of NURTW and RTEAN activities in motor parks would only last for two weeks.

Akeredolu, who spoke Tuesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, said the indefinite suspension would not affect RTEAN.

Akeredolu said the decision to suspend NURTW activities indefinitely was based on the unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders.

He said the violent attacks on members and the innocent citizens were unacceptable.

The British Government has resolved to return to Nigeria £4.2million being part of the funds so far recovered from friends and family members of former Delta Governor, James Ibori.

The British High Commission to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, said this was the first tranche of such planned returns.

Laing said what is currently being returned were retrieved from friends and family members of Ibori.

She noted the Ibori case is complicated and the United Kingdom authorities were still working on the total actual amount involved in the case.

Laing, who spoke at a ceremony for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between both countries in Abuja, assured more of such recoveries from the Ibori case would be returned to Nigria in due course.

Nigeria's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who signed for the country, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the returned loots be deployed to completion of the second Niger Bridge, the Lagos to Ibadan express way and the Abuja to Kano express way projects.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the September 19, 2020 election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and his running mate, Alhaji Gani Audu, Monday morning emerged victorious at the Court of Appeal, Benin.

The three-member panel of the appellate court set aside the judgment of the Edo High Court, Benin, which disqualified them from participating in the crucial election.

Appeal Court's Justices O.F.Omoleye, B.A. Georgewill and O.E.Oho unanimously declared that there was no evidence of credentials' forgery on the part of Audu.

The Judges also declared that the suit was statute-barred, since it was filed outside the 14-day constitutional threshold, thereby upholding the appeal of Ize-Iyamu and Audu, while setting aside the judgment of the Edo high court.

First Lady Aisha Buhari has lamented the continuous mass abductions of women and girls by bandits and insurgents, especially in the north.

Aisha in a statement on the occasion of the International Women’s Day posted on her official Twitter handle @aishambuhari, said: “As a mother, I share the sorrow and agony of the victims and families”.

“I am also not unaware of the impact that these abductions could have in reverting many successes we have hitherto achieved, especially in terms of girl-child education and early marriages.”

She however called on all stakeholders to exert their different levels of influence towards bringing the mass abductions to an end.

While appreciating efforts of women and girls in the fight against COVID-19, she noted the pandemic has had a huge impact on women, disrupted education, careers and proliferation of domestic violence.

She urged everyone that beyond spreading the message of COIVD-19 protocol, they should remember and support those negatively affected by the pandemic.

Residents of Enugu, the Enugu State capital, are facing acute water scarcity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the situation in Enugu on Thursday, reported that the worst hit were residents of Independence Layout, Community Layout in Transekulu, Achara Layout and Emene.

Some of the residents told NAN that they had not had water since the New Year, adding that they had been at the mercy of water vendors.

Pat Chukwuma, who lives at Independence Layout, told NAN she has been buying water from vendors since she moved into the layout nine years ago.

“Ever since I moved into this area, we only had tap water twice in 2014 but from then till now, I buy water from vendors at a very costly amount, between N18,000 and N20,000.

“Again, we cannot do borehole due to the topography of Enugu which is covered by coal,” she said.

Eucharia Ukwu, who lives at the Community Layout, Transekulu, said they were not even reticulated since the area was created, adding that she relied on well water and water from vendors.

“In fact, the situation is worrisome and we are appealing to the state government to address the problem urgently,” she said.

The situation is similar in Emene and Achara layout, as residents also buy water in gallons from wells and vendors.

Chima Agu, a restaurant operator in Emene, and Jonas Okereke, in Achara layout, said they bought 25-litre gallon of water at N70 as against between N30 and N50 they purchased in January.

Mr Agu attributed the situation to the dry season as many wells had dried up due to the harmattan.

Meanwhile, Dubem Onyia, the special adviser to the Enugu State governor on Water Resources, said the government was confronting the water challenges in the state.

Mr Onyia disclosed this in Enugu on Thursday in a statement.

He assured the residents that the issue of inadequate water supply, one of the key challenges Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration inherited, would soon be history.

The governor’s aide said the present administration was doing a lot with the “lean” resources at its disposal to address the issue of water in Enugu metropolis.

He noted that some areas in Enugu metropolis, such as Iva Valley, GRA, New Haven, Ogui, Asata, Uwani, some parts of Achara Layout, Abakpa Nike, Trans Ekulu, and Thinkers Corner, enjoyed potable water supply.

Mr Onyia assured residents in other areas that they would soon enjoy adequate potable water supply.

He disclosed that the state government had commenced comprehensive rehabilitation of the 9th Mile Crash Programme, with solar powered boreholes.

The governor’s aide said the upgrade of the 9th mile Crash Programme would ensure adequate supply of potable water from Oji River, Ajali and Iva Water schemes.

Mr Onyia revealed that a N600 million contract was recently awarded to FordMarx Nigeria Limited for the rehabilitation of the 9th Mile Crash Programme.

The company had mobilised to site, he said.

Mr Onyia said the water project, which will be solar-powered to address the peculiar challenges of power failure, would boost the volume of water being reticulated from the water schemes to Enugu metropolis.

The state government had commenced the bid opening and evaluation meeting for new Okwojo Ngwo boreholes augmentation to Enugu metropolis, according to the governor’s aide.

He said the state government had committed funds to the actualisation of the Federal Government Adada Dam Water Project in Nsukka.

(NAN)

2021 has been tough for Nigeria though it is just three months old. Many prominent Nigerians have died of COVID-19 complications while others died as a result of old age.

Here is a list of prominent Nigerians who have died in 2021:

1. Prof. Ibidapo-Obe

Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe died on January 3, 2021.

The Nation learnt he died of COVID-19 complications.

Ibidapo-Obe’s death came as a shock to the academic community as friends and associates described it as regrettable.

2. Mrs. Folake Aremu (Orisabunmi)

Veteran Yoruba actress, Mrs. Folake Aremu popularly called Orisabunmi, died on January 5, 2021.

Her death, which threw the theatre industry into sadness, was confirmed by a family source

The veteran actress, who hailed from Olla in Kwara State, died at 60 in her residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Her death came four months after the demise of her ex-husband, Jimoh Aliu popularly called Aworo under whose tutelage she rose to prominence in the film industry.

3. Nsikak Eduok

Air Vice Marshall Nsikak Eduok(retd), a former Chief of Air Staff and one-time Aviation Minister under the military administration of late General Sani Abacha died on Wednesday January 6, 2021 at 74 after a long battle with kidney complications.

Nsikak Eduok worked briefly as studio manager for Voice of Nigeria before enrolling for a probable pilot course at the Nigeria Air Force in 1968.

4. Prof Folabi Olumide

Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) Prof. Folabi Olumide died on Friday, January 8, 2021

Announcing the death in statement, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, described it as an irreplaceable loss.

Last year, the LASU Health Centre was renamed the Folabi Olumide Health Centre in his honour.

Olumide died after a brief illness at 81.

5. Jim Lawson Maduike

Nollywood veteran actor, Jim Lawson Maduike died on January 9, 2021.

The Imo-born thespian gave up the ghost after complaining of severe body pains.

He joined the film industry in 2004 where he starred in several films.

6. Col. Aminu Isah Kontagora

Former military administrator of Benue and Kogi, Col. Aminu Isah Kontagora, died of COVID-19 complications on January 10, 2021.

Kontagora, 65, reportedly died at a health facility in Abuja.

He was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in 2015.

7. Didi Adodo

The former Edo Commissioner for Establishment, Labour and Special Duties, Comrade Didi Adodo, died on January 12, 2021

The Nation gathered Adodo died after battling with COVID-19 complications for days.

Until his death, he was the General Secretary of the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN).

8. Rear Admiral Ndubisi Kanu

Former Military Administrator of Imo and Lagos States, Rear Admiral Ndubisi Kanu died on January 13, 2021

The Nation learnt he died in a hospital after a brief illness.

He was 78.

9. Alhaji Ahmed Hassan Jumare

Former Kaduna Speaker Alhaji Ahmed Hassan Jumare, popularly known as “Branco” died on January 13, 2021.

He died in Kaduna after a brief illness.

Jumare was a member of the PDP and served as the Speaker during the tenure of Mohammed Namadi Sambo.

10. Aare Boluwatife Akin-Olugbade

The Are Ona Kakanfo of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Aare Boluwatife Akin-Olugbade, was reputed to be one of the world’s biggest Rolls-Royce collectors, reportedly died of Covid-19 on January 14, 2021

Dr. Akin-Olugbade, a successful lawyer with a doctorate in Company Law from Cambridge University, owned 10 Rolls Royce cars in his lifetime running into billions. He was 64.

11. Martins Kuye

The former Minister of State for Finance and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) died on January 17, 2021.

Martins-Kuye, a sociologist and economist, made two bold moves to govern the Gateway State, first on the platform of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) during the General Sani Abacha regime and later as a candidate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999.

12. Joe Erico

Nigerian football was again thrown into mourning on January 21, after the death news of former senior team goalkeeper and one-time assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico was announced.

Family sources said the 71-year-old flamboyant trainer of trainers and respected nurturer of talents complained of body pain and was treated for malaria, only to be found dead in his bed at dawn January 21.

13. Dan Nkoloagu

Nollywood veteran actor Dan Nkoloagu died on January 22, 2021.

His son, Dan Nkoloagu Jnr, announced his death on his Facebook page

Nkoloagu, who died at 83, was popular for playing the role of a native doctor in many Igbo movies.

14. Abdullahi Ibrahim

Abdullahi Ibrahim was a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN).

Ibrahim was the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria from the northern part of the country, who also served as Minister of Education died on Sunday January 24, 2021.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, who confirmed Ibrahim’s death in a condolence message, said the deceased celebrated his 84th birthday on January 14.

15. Ernest Asuzu

Veteran Nollywood actor Ernest Asuzu died on evening of Tuesday January 26, 2021

His wife, Jennifer Asuzu, who confirmed the sad incident to The Nation, said he fainted on Tuesday evening and never woke up.

16. Mr. Toju Ejueyitchie

He was the Managing Director, Premier Records limited and Premier Music Publishing Company limited,

According to a statement by the management, Ejueyitchie died on January 29, 2021 after a brief illness.

17. Prince Tony Momoh

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Minister of Information and Culture Prince Tony Momoh died on February 1, 2021.

Momoh was a veteran journalist who served as a Nigerian minister during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida between 1986 and 1990.

He was among the founders of the ruling APC.

17. Ossy Prestige

Hon Ossy Prestige was the member representing Aba North and South federal constituency of Abia state in the House of Representatives.

Prestige was confirmed dead on February 8, 2021

The lawmaker, who was serving his second term in the Lower Chamber, was elected on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

18. Alhaji Lateef Jakande

Former Lagos Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, died on February 11, 2021 at 91.

He was a former journalist who became governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983.

He later emerged Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993–98).

19. Dr. Junaid Muhammad

Kano Second Republic lawmaker Dr. Junaid Muhammad died on February 18, 2021 at 73.

The deceased's son, Suleiman, who confirmed his demise, said Junaid died after a brief illness that lasted for three days.

20. Abdullahi Dikko

Former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Abdullahi Dikko died on February 18, 2021

Dikko was the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) between August 2009 and August 2015.

He left office after President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office.

Abdullahi joined the Customs in 1988. He was born on 11 May 1960 in Musawa town, a Local Government in Katsina State.

21. Pa Chris Ajilo

Veteran musician and producer, Pa Chris Ajilo died on February 20, 2021.

The Nation gathered the ‘Eko O Gba Gbere’ crooner died in his Ijebu -Ijesha hometown after a brief illness.

He was 91.

22. General Ahmed Abdullahi Aboki

He was former Communication Minister and later Social Development, Youth and Sports during President Buhari’s era as the military Head of State.

He later became the Military Administrator of Kwara State from 1987-1988.Abacha in 1993. He died on February 20, 2020

23. Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu

Former Chief of Naval Administration Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu (rtd) died on February 25, 2021.

Aikhomu, 65, died allegedly from COVID-19 complications.

The deceased who was younger brother to former military Vice President, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd), was until his death, chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS), a company his late brother founded with businessman Captain Hosa Okunbo.

Aikhomu was also a member of the investigative panel on arms procurement between 2007 and 2015 which was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari during his first tenure.

24. Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati

Abdu-Kafarati was the immediate past Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. He died on February 25, 2021.

The Nation learnt the jurist died after observing his evening prayer.

He was said to have died in his Abuja home.

25. Dokta Frabz

Popular music producer Ayorinde Faboro, Dokta Frabz died on March 1, 2021.

He reportedly died in the United States of America where he lived in recent years.

26. Alhaji Salihu Tanko

Emir of Kagara in Niger state, Alhaji Salihu Tanko, died on March 2, 2021

Former Kaduna Senator Sen. Shehu Sani confirmed the demise of the Emir via twitter on Tuesday.

Salihu Tanko was appointed as the 16th Chief of Tegina in 1971.

PHOTOS: Sheik Gumi meets kidnappers of Niger students, teachers.

Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are plotting the removal of National Chairman Uche Secondus owing to lack of confidence in his ability to lead the party to victory in 2023, The Nation has learnt.

The plot gathered steam on Tuesday during a meeting of the PDP NWC. Sources at the meeting said many of the NWC members, during the tension-soaked meeting pushed for removal of Secondus, who has been having a running battle to remain in office.

A very reliable source at the meeting disclosed that the NWC members were unhappy with Secondus’ handling of issues in the party, which they said has not made the party play its role as a viable alternative or opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was gathered NWC members amongst other issues accused Secondus of not providing effective leadership to enable the party take advantage of what they consider as the poor leadership style of the APC to convince Nigerians to do away with the ruling party in 2023.

“Many of the NWC members are unhappy with him (Secondus). He has not lived up to expectations. And we’re afraid that our great party would not make the expected impact in 2023 if we retain Secondus as national chairman”, the source who did not want to be named told The Nation.

He stated that issues of financial impropriety and mismanagement were also raised against the chairman, whom he claimed had a hard time defending himself.

“There were also allegations of financial mismanagement brought against him. And we needed explanations, which we are yet to receive. There was so much tension, and it was clear many stakeholders in the party wanted Secondus out.

“He has been unable to manage the simmering crisis in the party, some chapters in the north are barely hanging on by a thread. Even in the south west, some prominent members are at war with each other, and the only reason the party has not imploded there is because of their strong faith in the party.

"Secondus has also failed to manage the situation. We think he just has to leave so we can reposition the party for 2023,” the highly placed source revealed.
He further revealed that a number of the party’s national executives also offered to resign from their positions so as not to be dragged down with the embattled national chairman.

Secondus may have incurred the wrath of the NWC members when he unilaterally lifted a suspension placed on some lawmakers at the House of Representatives under the party’s platform who had been sanctioned for the role they played in the emergence of Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the lower chamber as well as other minority officials.

The opposition PDP had nominated Kingsley Chinda for the position of minority leader and Chukwuka Onyema as Deputy Minority Leader. Yakubu Barde was nominated as Minority Whip and Muraina Ajibola as Deputy Minority Whip by the PDP.

But in what was viewed as a betrayal, some members of the PDP backed Speaker Gbajabiamila to reject the PDP nominees and instead endorsed the emergence of Ndudi Elumelu and Toby Okechukwu as Minority and Deputy Minority leaders respectively. Gideon Gwani was picked as Minority Whip and Adesegun Adekoya as Deputy Minority Whip.

The action made the PDP slam suspension on Elumelu, Wole Oke, Lynda Ikpeazu, Anayo Edwin, Gideon Gwadi, Toby Okechukwu and Adekoya Abdul-Majid, a move that was reversed by Secondus without the approval of the NWC.

Secondus’ situation is said to be more precarious as he is not in the good books of the Rivers Governor, Nyesome Wike who is regarded as a kingmaker in the party.

The NWC Tuesday meeting, which was reportedly extended due to the heated debates around the removal of Secondus, came to an inconclusive end with the officials trying to calm tempers, as stakeholders kept insisting that Secondus must go, a situation that was said to have split the NWC.

David Mark's Daughter, Bauchi Rep Join APC

Daughter of former Senate President David Mark and member representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue, Hon. Blessing Onuh, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA).

The member representing Bauchi Federal Constituency, Hon. Yakubu Abdullahi, also dumped the People's Redemption Party (PRP) for the APC.

In two separate letters read by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, the two lawmakers said they were leaving the platforms that sponsored their elections due to crisis at all levels of the parties.

Onuh said she was leaving APGA due to leadership crisis at all levels of the party, adding she decided to leave after serious consultation with her people.

She commended national leadership of the APC for making the defection possible.

Onuh formally joined the APC at a well- attended event in her constituency in December 2020.

Abdullahi said he decided to leave the PRP as a result of the crisis, which led to emergence of two national chairmen for the party as well as two chairmen in Bauchi state.

He said Alhaji Falalu Bello and Prof. Sule Bello were laying claim to chairmanship of the party with two separate national headquarters.

He also said one of the factions of the party in Bauchi state wrote him a letter suspending him from the party.

The lawmaker said the crisis in the party in Bauchi state is worrisome as it has led to series of litigations among members of the party.

The Director General of the Progressive Governor's Forum (PGF), Salihu Moh. Lukman has said the rejection of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from defecting to the party despite meeting with the party leadership is an attestation of the strong internal democratic culture of the party.

In a statement titled "APC, and the Question of Values" on Friday in Abuja on Friday, Lukman said the fact that members were able to reject Fani-Kayode’s attempt to join the party meant the APC has values.

Lukman who is a Chieftain of the ruling party commended the internal democratic credentials of the ruling party, which he said is lacking in the opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Again, we are as a party debating the issue of who should join our party or not represent the qualitative difference between the APC and PDP. If it were PDP, once the National Chairman of the party act on a matter and backed by a serving governor, members can only grumble.

"I am proud to have my voice guaranteed and affirmed by my leaders in APC. As an employee of Governors, it has been a privileged opportunity to speak out openly on matters within the purview of leadership initiative. Rather than my leaders, including our Governors, relating to me as a subordinate who should only take instructions, they recognise and respect my views as a loyal member of the party."

He further said, “The issue of Mr Fani-Kayode’s drifted attempt to join the APC is a clear instance of attempts to manipulate some of our leaders into accepting membership of someone who ought not to have been considered a member of our party. If that was the case in the past, it is better late than never to correct such a mistake.

“As party members, we were able to rise up to the challenge of engaging our leaders. Fortunately, we are able to gain the respect of our leaders and surely, moving forward, issues of who qualifies to be a member of our party will be clarified unambiguously. Maybe this could challenge the PDP and other parties in Nigeria to begin to address issues related to their failings.”

A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode may be on his way back to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) six years after he left for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sources close to him informed The Nation he met with chairman, Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Gov. Mai Mala Buni and Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello at a Guest House in Abuja.

The closed- door meeting, which lasted for about an hour, The Nation learnt, may not be unconnected with fine tuning plans for the return of the former Minister to APC.

Fani-Kayode had earlier met with Governor Bello in his Wuse Zone 6 residence in Abuja before he led the former Minister to the party chairman's Guest House.

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has said that there was no eviction order to herdsmen in Ondo State or any part of the South West region.

It said the speech of Ondo Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was misconstrued in the media and was only directed at government reserve including registration.

Chairman of NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, spoke in Akure at a meeting with the national leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

Dr. Fayemi noted that the statement generated a lot of hoopla which led to what he described as unfortunate development in Oyo State.

He said Akeredolu didn't talk about herdsmen vacating the state but about registration of herdsmen who want to operate within the reserves.

The Ekiti Governor said they are after criminals and not fulani herdsmen.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, gave timeline to round off the war against Boko Haram and bandits.

The President said the counter insurgency war will be finished this year, 2021.

He called for prayers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to enable them end what they are doing.

The President, who spoke during the Juma'at Prayer for the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the National Mosque, also assured that "this is a year of action and we will finish what we are doing."

According to Buhari, who was represented by the Defence Minister, Major General Magashi Salihi, "what is happening in this country will soon be over. This year we will finish what we are doing; pray for us that we succeed."

He said that the nation will continue to remember the heroic duties of members of the Armed Forces and will continue to pray for the repose of the souls of those that paid the supreme price defending the integrity of the nation.

The President also assured that the welfare and comfort of the families of the fallen heroes, as well as those who are still alive will continue to get the priority of the government.

The Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Dr. Mohammed Kabiru Adams, prayed for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes.

He also prayed for an end to insurgency, banditry and other social vices plaguing the country.