Much Ado About Rise Of Regional Security Outfits [LEADERSHIP]

TUNDE OGUNTOLA writes on the emergence of Western Nigeria Security Network (WSNS), code-named Operation Amotekun likely to pave the way for the establishment of various regional security frameworks across the country.

There have been debates since the endorsement of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WSNS), code-named Operation Amotekun and its official launch on 9 January, this year, by the Southwest governors, in response to the increasing need to protect their states from destruction of farmlands and frequent clashes between herders and farmers.

This terror has led to killings, loss of properties, kidnappings, armed robbery amongst others.

Issues brewing were more along the absurdities associated with the legality of the outfit and Nigeria’s federalism.

NAF Graduates 2,079 Recruits, Immortalises Fallen Heroes [LEADERSHIP]

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday graduated 2,079 recruits from the Basic Military Training Course 40/2019 who have successfully completed the Course.

This is just as it named some of the commissioned newly built and renovated projects after five of its personnel who paid the supreme price in the defence of the country.

The fallen heroes are Flight Lieutenant Pereowi Jacob, Corporal Komo MI, Air Craft Man (ACM) Atti AF, Air Craft Man (ACM) Ibrahim M and Air Craft Man (ACM) Nkwuo CS.

All these officers died between 2019 and 2020 in various operations aimed at addressing insecurity in the country.

ACM Nkwuo and ACM Atti died from gunshot wounds during an operation in Akilibu village in Kaduna village, while Flt Lt Jacob, until his death was an operational pilot of M1-35 helicopter with the task force operation Lafiya Dole, Corporal Kommo died in a parachuting accident. ACM Ibrahim died in an operation in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state.

Lagos Man Plunges To Death From Third Mainland Bridge [LEADERSHIP]

A man on Saturday committed suicide by jumping into the  Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the person who jumped into the lagoon on the Third Mainland bridge inward Adeniji Adele Road was a male adult identified as Daibo Toju Davies.

The man who was said to have been born 22 July, 1998 residing at 17 Sosanya Street, Gbagada, Soluyi area of the state, was said to have activated Uber transport service from Mercy Hospital, Gbagada before plunging into the lagoon.

Investigation conducted revealed the victim informed the Uber driver he had stomach upset. The driver stopped at his request while the man then jumped off the bridge.

As of the time of filling this report, The Lagos Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) team and the Lagos Fire Service and Marine Rescue team were combing the lagoon on a rescue mission.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the man jumped off the Third Mainland Bridge and plunged into the Lagoon.

LASEMA’s spokesperson Mr. Nosa Okunbor said, “LASEMA ‘Seafarers RescueTeam’ of the Marine Unit in fervent search for the suicide victim whojumped off the Third Mainland bridge.’’

When It Comes To Intra-Party Fighting, I’m A Coward – Oshiomhole [THE NATION]

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in this interview with the Chairman of Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye, spoke about the intrigues and controversies that surrounded the party’s recent victories in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states.

He also spoke about the face-off between him and his successor as Edo State governor, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, and explained that he does not want to engage in intra-party fighting. Excerpts

SOME people, especially around the PDP circle, believe the APC somehow got the better of the courts to swing it their way and that APC ought not celebrate but should lament the judiciary.

Buhari, Tinubu, Lawan, Others Eulogise El-Rufai At 60 [THE NATION]

TORRENTS of eulogies poured in on Saturday to celebrate the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai as he clocked sixty. President Muhammadu Buhari lauded him as a change agent whose exemplary style of leadership will continue to inspire younger generations.

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said el-Rufai’s reputation “as a public servant eager to confront challenges is well deserved,” while the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, said the life of the Kaduna governor evinces the importance of vision, focus, tenacity, wisdom and courage in leadership.

El-Rufai’s Style’ll Continue To Inspire Youngsters — Buhari [THE NATION]

President Buhari in a message commemorating the 60th birthday anniversary of El-Rufai, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, congratulated him for the distinguished services he has rendered to the country so far.

He said, “President Muhammadu Buhari joins Kaduna State Executive Council and indigenes in celebrating Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, who turns 60 on Sunday, February 16, 2020, congratulating him for distinguished service to the nation.

Why Makinde Revoked Ajimobi’s, Adeyemo’s, Akande’s, Others’ Plots Of Land [THE NATION]

A source close to Governor Seyi Makinde yesterday gave the reasons behind the revocation of landed property belonging to the immediate past Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his former deputy, Moses Alake Adeyemo, a former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, a former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande and a younger brother of ex-governor Ajimobi, Mr Adelodun Ajimobi.

Governor Seyi Makinde led Peoples Democratic Party government had on Thursday announced the revocation of some parcels of land within the Agodi Government Reservation Areas (GRA) and Jericho area of Ibadan, the state capital.

The revocation order read in part: “Notice is hereby  given to members of the public that by virtue of powers conferred on the Governor of Oyo State under the provisions of Section 28, of the Land Use Act, Cap LS, No. 18 of the Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the under listed plots of land located  within the Agodi Government Reservation Area in Ibadan are hereby revoked by the Oyo State Government for overriding public interest absolutely and in particular for the use of the State Government.”

But shortly after the order was made public, ex-governor Ajimobi, headed for the courts seeking to stop the said order and asking for N15million as cost of action.

The former governor has also accused the Makinde administration of what he described as incompetence and intellectual laziness in verifying information, saying that accounts for the reason the government have continued to reverse itself on different policies within its nine months in charge of the state.

However, the top government source who spoke on the condition of anonymity gave the reasons behind the revocation order.

Man, 22, Plunges Into Lagos Lagoon From Third Mainland Bridge [SUN]

A 22-year-old man, identified as Daibo Toju Davies on Saturday, plunged into the lagoon from the Third Mainland bridge, inward Adeniji Adele Road in Lagos State

Witnesses said the incident occurred at about 9.30 am yesterday, explaining that a, Uber driver conveying the man said he resides at 17, Sosanya street, Soluyi, Gbagada, Lagos and was said to have told the driver of the Uber car he activated from a hospital in Gbagada to stop on the Third Mainland Bridge,  after which he jumped into the water.

The  Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA has commenced  a search for the 22-year-old Daibo Davis who jumped from the Third Mainland Bridge on Saturday.

The Director-General of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday.

Tragedy As Fire Kills 3 Siblings In Anambra [SUN]

Tragedy struck in Ugwu Chelekwu village, Okija community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday as firebreak which occurred at the residence of Mr Chukwuma Aduhuba claimed the lives of his three children.

The fire outbreak which took place at about 2am on the fateful day also destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police, in a statement yesterday, said that the police rushed to the scene upon receipt of a distress call on the ugly development and cordoned off the scene while local volunteers helped to put out the fire.

Service Chiefs: Tomorrow’s Planned Protests Fake –Presidency [SUN]

The presidency has described as inciting the planned protests against Service Chiefs tomorrow.

The presidency also said that the protests are orchestrated by the opposition to embarrass the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It, therefore, urged the media not to give credence to what it called “fake protests”.

Recall that the federal lawmakers had asked President Buhari to appoint new Service Chiefs, as well as take other drastic measures to tackle the deteriorating security situation in the country.

Why El-Rufai, Tinubu’s Ambitions Can’t Tear APC Apart In 2023 – Yobe Gov [PUNCH]

Amid speculations that the ruling All Progressives Congress may collapse after the exit of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in 2023, the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has said the much speculated presidential ambitions of Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and that of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, cannot break the party.

I’ll Dump Nigeria For Togo If Tinubu Becomes President — Bode George [PUNCH]

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, speaks with MUDIAGA AFFE on the state of insecurity in the nation, his plans to contest the 2023 presidential election, and the problems in his party, among others

You have shown interest to contest the 2023 presidential election. What are the motivating factors?

First, our party will have to agree if it is coming to the South-West or not. We have a highly cerebral group made up of seasoned Nigerians where we discuss issues on Nigeria and the South-West. The thought came out when people started talking about the South-West and in my part of the world, if some people are wishing you to do something, you do not deflect it. Although the time is still far ahead and nobody knows who will be alive or not, when this discussion came up, I got calls that this is what they were thinking. I did not tell them to stop, neither did I tell them to go ahead because these are things you will have to put into prayers and if it is the wish of the Almighty, it will get open to me. Like I told them, there is a myriad of problems in this country today and usually, in four-year term governance, you start political discussions at least during the third year. If you have a problem, you will start to address it from the top to the bottom. We just concluded an election process and it is not up to one year but the state of the nation gives me a lot of concern. I am talking as a Nigerian.