Metro
Eid-ui-Adha: FG Declares Monday, Tuesday As Public Holidays
The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ui-Adha celebration.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
He said the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, and congratulated all Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.
“He called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of our country,” the statement read.
“The Minister assured that the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.
“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-ul- Adha celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to our children.”
On June 7, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Sunday, June 16, as Eid-el-Kabir day after affirming that Friday is the first day of Dhul Hijjah.
Sultan disclosed this in a statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Sambo Junaid, in Sokoto State.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with Nigeria’s Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings.
“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country also wishes all Muslims a Happy Eid-El-Kabir. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds, amen”, the Sultanate council said in the statement.
The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, has said that townhall engagements across the country would catalyze grassroots understanding of security dynamics and foster community-specific solutions.
She stated this according to a statement by Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), during the Renewed Hope Police Agenda: Citizens Town Hall Engagement on Strengthening Community Policing in Nigeria with the theme; Community Policing: Building A Safer Nigeria Together, held at the Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia.
The Minister stated that security is inherently local, and people’s approach must reflect an appreciation for each community’s distinct characteristics, challenges and strengths.
In her words, “Security is local, and we must acknowledge and embrace the unique dynamics of each community in ourpursuit of a safer nation. Today’s town hall is a reflection of the significant shift in our approach to policing. As you may be aware, Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 puts the security and welfare of our people as the government’s priority”.
Imaan added that Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed security at the centre of the administration’s eight(8) priorities, and they have commenced the implementation of the Renewed Hope Police Agenda, which will ensure that our police force is strategically positioned to fulfill its mandate.
According to her, “At the heart of this Renewed Hope Police Agenda is the implementation of a community policing strategy that is designed based on local peculiarities and considerations, withthe full participation of members of the various communities and stakeholder blocks, to ensure inclusivity and full ownership. The Minister of State opined that NasarawaState is unique in terms of security. The state is home to a very diverse andrapidly growing community. She noted that Nasarawa has substantial mineral deposits that attract both local and international attention. Its proximity tothe Federal Capital Territory (FCT) brings significant socio-economicopportunities but also increases the security burden. She stressed. Imaan reiterated that the Renewed Hope Police Agenda for Nasarawa State, therefore, seeks to build on local efforts while supporting the existing collaborations that have made Nasarawa a shining example of effective security measures within the North Central Region.She outlined the six foundational pillars that serve as strategic frameworks carefully designed to redefine andstrengthen the Nigeria Police Force such as Technical and Operational Excellence: Infrastructure Advancement: Welfare Enhancement: Policy Framework Development: Policy Framework Development and Re-branding, Strategic Communication, and Public Trust Management. The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan represented by the National Vice Chairman, Don Kenneth Otuonunyo, stated that police are the main focus in policing, and security revolves around them, noting that there is a wide gap between Nigeria Police Force and the society, making policing difficult in the country.
He added that the community must be ready to collaborate with the police by giving necessary information that will enhance their performance. Police work 24 hours every day without break, and they need support and encouragement to succeed.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, said that the state is willing to collaborate with the Ministry of Police Affairs and NigeriaPolice Force to enhance policing in Nigeria and urged the private sector andother relevant stakeholders to support the Renewed Hope Police Agenda to achieveits objectives.
In his welcome remarks, the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector General, (Intelligence), DIG Dasuki Galadachi, revealed that the Inspector General of Police in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved the Crime Data Analysis and Mapping in all the local government in the country.
By Eric Elezuo
Following a fire incident that occurred at a section of the Dangote Refinery at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, on Wednesday, the group has said that there is no cause for alarm.
A section of the refinery reportedly went up in flames, and staff were evacuated from the premises.
In a press statement, Dangote’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, confirmed the fire incident, but added that it has been contained, and there is no cause for alarm.
“We have swiftly contained a minor fire incident at our effluent treatment plant (ETP), today Wednesday 26th of June,” he stated.
Mr Chiejina added, “There is no cause for alarm as the refinery is operating, and there is no recorded injury or body harm to all our staff on duty.”
The cause of the fire was not disclosed.
In furtherance of the ongoing Operation Water Guard, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, has intercepted 72 bags of cannabis sativa, each weighing 40 kilograms along Elegushi area of Lekki, Lagos State, according to a statement signed by the Base Information Officer, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo, while briefing newsmen disclosed that the contrabands were intercepted on 5 June 2024 by NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team and Deep Blue Assets of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
He added that the arrest was made possible by the unrelenting efforts of the Base at gathering actionable intelligence and maintenance of presence in Lagos waterways, under the tenets of Operations Water Guard.
Commodore Oladejo explained that the effort was sequel to the Strategic Directive of Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to maintain credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to rid the maritime environment of all forms of crime and criminality.
He further warned perpetrators of illicit drugs to desist from such acts as NNS BEECROFT will not rest on its oars in ridding its area of operations of all criminal elements.
This successful arrest of large quantity of cannabis sativa underscores the unwavering commitment of NNS BEECROFT to curtailing spread and use of illicit drugs among teaming youth which negatively affect their health and threaten national security.
The arrested cannabis sativa were handed over to the officials of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Marine Command, today Tuesday 25 June 2024 for further investigation.
