Metro
GOC 81 Division, Officers, Families Celebrate Annual Army Day Thanksgiving
By Oki Samson
It was an atmosphere of ecstatic joy in St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church Nigeria, Army Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos where General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. LA Fejokwu led the men, officers and families under his administration for the annual Nigerian Army Day celebration (NADCEL) 2021.
Full of thanksgiving to the Lord, Maj. Gen. Fejokwu expressed his gratitude to God while also commending the efforts of the gallant Nigerian Army. He was accompanied by his wife
and Chairperson, 81 Division NAOWA, Mrs. Oghenerukevwe Fejokwu,
Brig Gen Raymond .M. Ochei, Brig Gen MLD Saraso, Brig. Gen Saka John Edet, Brig Gen E.O. Oshunsam, their families, and other officers to dance gracefully in the presence of the Lord in the interdenominational service attended by Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper.
The GOC Fejokwu then read the goodwill message of his superior, the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. F. Yahaya. ‘It is my singular honour and privilege to celebrate this Army Day which marks 158th anniversary of the Nigerian Army. It is coming when the peace of the country is been threatened by insecurity but the Nigerian Army will not be deterred. This celebration showcases the Nigerian Army and is to honor fallen heroes.’
The Chief of Army Staff Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya asked the congregation to observe a minute silence in memory of the departed former COAS Ibrahim Attahiru and others who passed in the ill fated crash earlier in the year, ‘their sacrifices cannot be forgotten’, he affirmed.
The army general mentioned ‘information sharing, collaboration among security agencies as prerequisites for winning the war against Boko Haram, banditry, and other security issues. The Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned. I urge you on to keep momentum of the operation.’
‘I appreciate and pledge unalloyed support for the President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR. I wish us all happy NADCEL celebration 2021’, he concluded.
In the same vein, Maj. Gen. Fejokwu sent notes of caution to officers and family in Division 81. ‘For the children, wives, and sometimes the soldiers, I want to re-emphasize that anybody who fights in any of the barracks will be shipped out of the barracks before we even find out what led to the fight.’
‘Any soldier who gets involved in illegality like getting involved in land matters, and others will be dismissed the same day he is caught. I am begging you. That’s why I come down here to establish it. Behave well. You don’t need to know me. You don’t need to come and beg me. Please be a soldier. Things are improving in the army welfare, be content with what you are being given. Be well dressed in and out. Wear your uniforms properly. Don’t turn your barracks to the poultry or farm. Adhere to simple instructions.’
‘I congratulate you all. May we celebrate more NADCEL. I commit you into the hands of the Lord. May you continue to prosper in all your genuine endeavors’, the GOC Div 81 prayed.
In his sermon during the service, the guest preacher Ven. Dr. (Col) NZ Davou prayed for the Army that God will neither leave them not forsake them just as He kept Joshua and He did for Moses. He prayed: ‘The Lord will be with the nation. That the Lord will be with officers in their duty posts and everyone on the frontline in the Northeast, Southsouth, and everywhere.’
The priest encouraged the force to return to the Lord and ask for His mercy for the force and for the nation. ‘Enough is enough of putting away the grace of God. Enough is enough of trusting in mammon and charms. God will keep you as you trust in God as declared in Psalms 23’ as he reminisced on the value and respect that the Nigerian Army had when he traveled for ECOMOG operations in Liberia and Sudan.
He also admonished the family, ‘The Lord’s General is beyond the ranks. Pray for your husbands. Your strength is dependent on his strength. You shield him in prayers. A prayerless wife is a powerless wife. A prayerful woman is a powerful woman. She can move mountains. Stand strong for your fathers, mothers, wives, and husbands. May no sudden death steal your joy.’
The Christian Women Fellowship and Catholic Women Organization added pep to the celebration as they did a dramatic music ministration in the service. A Media advocacy group, Prayers and Support for the Armed Forces led by the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter, Dr. Qasim Akinreti also joined the interdenominational church service. They prayed for the Army and asked all Nigerians to pray and confess right for the Army and country rather than curse the nation.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled February 27 for the arraignment of Gbolahan Obanikoro, the son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four other individuals over alleged conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, and involvement in a N1,356,057,330.43 billion fraud.
Others to be arraigned alongside Obanikoro are: Adejare Adegbenro, 51; Balmoral International Limited; M.O.B. Integrated Limited; and DDSS International Company Limited.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa set the date on Friday after the defendants failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
The Inspector General of Police, through the Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos, has accused all the defendants of conspiring between May and September 2013 to fraudulently obtain the sum of N1,356,057,330.43 from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank). They allegedly misrepresented themselves to the bank’s staff and officers, claiming they were involved in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria, and that the money was needed to finance the importation of a set of brand-new cars for resale.
The defendants are also accused of converting, transferring, retaining, or taking possession of the funds, knowing or having reason to know that such funds were proceeds of unlawful activity. Additionally, they are alleged to have unlawfully converted the sum of N1 billion belonging to the bank for personal use.
At the hearing on Friday, prosecutor M.Y. Bello informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the arraignment of all defendants. However, he requested a new date to allow all the defendants to appear in court and take their pleas.
Counsel for the defendants, Joshua A., explained that his clients were not in the country. He added that only the companies named in the charge had been served with the charge sheet. He assured the court that all defendants would be present at the next adjourned date to take their pleas.
In light of these submissions, Justice Lewis-Allagoa adjourned the matter to February 27 for the arraignment of all the defendants.
The five-count charge against the defendants reads: “That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), between May and September 2013 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, conspired to commit felony, specifically obtaining money by false pretenses, and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 8(i)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, No. 14 of 2006.
“That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), between May and September 2013 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,356,057,330.43 (One Billion, Three Hundred Fifty-Six Million, Fifty-Seven Thousand, Three Hundred Thirty Naira, Forty-Three Kobo) from Diamond Bank (now Access Bank Plc) by falsely representing through its staff and officers that you and your companies were in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria. Based on this false representation, the bank released the money as a loan, which you then diverted to your personal use. This action is contrary to Section 1(i)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
“That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), between May and September 2013, in Lagos, directly or indirectly converted, transferred, retained, or took possession or control of N1,356,057,330.43 (One Billion, Three Hundred Fifty-Six Million, Fifty-Seven Thousand, Three Hundred Thirty Naira, Forty-Three Kobo) belonging to Diamond Bank (now Access Bank Plc), knowing or having reason to know that such funds were proceeds of an unlawful act. This action is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), sometime in May 2019 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) from Diamond Bank (now Access Bank Plc) by falsely representing through its staff and officers that you and your company, DDSS International Company, were in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria. The bank released the money to you as a loan, which you subsequently diverted to the account of another company, Balmoral International Limited, to disguise the true origin of the funds. This action is contrary to Section 1(i)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
“That you, Adejare Adegbenro, Gbolahan Obanikoro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd, and other directors of the companies (now at large), sometime in May 2019, in Lagos, directly or indirectly converted, transferred, retained, or took possession or control of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) belonging to Diamond Bank (now Access Bank Plc), knowing or having reason to know that such funds were proceeds of an unlawful act. This action is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Abuja, the nation’s federal capital, came alive with joy and excitement on Wednesday as a new set of winners in the ongoing Globacom Festival of Joy promotion received mouth-watering prizes they won at a special presentation ceremony held at the premises of Globacom at Aminu Kano Crescent.
A glittering brand new Toyota Prado, a brand new Kia Picanto, tricycles (Keke Napep) and scores of other prizes including power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines were handed over to joyful winners.
Sarah Ilya Madu was presented the keys to her brand-new Toyota Prado by Senator Simon Lalong, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth Development, supported by a stellar cast of celebrities and influencers.
Sarah, a federal civil servant from Borno State, who emerged winner of the Toyota Prado in the draw of the promotion held in Abuja last Friday, expressed shock when she was called up. She dropped the call from Globacom several times because the news was too good to be believed.
She said, “I was prevailed upon by my colleagues to do a video call with the Glo staff who called me. Even when I saw the office environment, I was still doubtful.” She added that when she eventually agreed to visit the Glo office, she went with a hefty colleague just in case she was being set up.
Ufot Victor, a 43-year-old businessman based in the FCT, was expectant about winning as he had been recharging regularly so as to cross the minimum requirement for a car. Winning a brand new Kia Picanto was a huge reward for his dedication.
Other lucky winners also went home with tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines. Ireimiya Mallo, a SIM registration agent and native of Nasarawa State, who won Keke, said, ”I was so joyful on learning I had won a Keke”. He disclosed that he would be deploying it for commercial purpose”, while the winner of a power generating set, Felix Gabriel, thanked Globacom for always remembering Nigerians every year in its annual promos.
The Special Guest, Senator Simon Lalong, praised the Chairman of Globacom for putting the promo in place for Nigerians and also extolled his strong support for sports. He said he would love to be a winner in the Glo promo one day soon. Also Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the spokesman of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth Development, said Globacom has always been a brand after his heart, adding that the network is not just attracting customers but also giving out to show that it means well not only for the customers but also for Nigerians.
In his remarks at the event, Globacom’s Head of Division, North West, Mr. Kazeem Kaka, said that to participate in the Festival of Joy promo, new and existing subscribers should dial *611# so as to opt into the promo and to keep recharging thereafter to meet the threshold for the various prizes. He added that new subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.
Guests at the event included representatives of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mariam Imam, Assistant Director, Consumer Affairs at the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Moses Iyi; comedians, Tee A, Seyi Law, and Gordons.
Others were Nollywood duo of Ebube Nwagbo and Juliet Ibrahim as well as popular content creator, Kiekie.
U.S immigration and border officials will be able to arrest migrants at so-called “sensitive” locations again, after the Trump administration overturned policies limiting where such arrests could happen.
Officers will now be able to make arrests at designated “sensitive” areas, including houses of worship, schools, and hospitals.
Officials have been prohibited from doing this since 2011.
Later, the Biden administration expanded the regulation, further restricting the authority’s powers.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”
A second directive reinstates the ability for the U.S. to quickly deport any undocumented person arrested who is unable to prove they have been in the country for more than two years.
