Metro
Indigenous Language Critical to Community Policing – NICO Boss
The Chief Executive Officer and Director-General, National Institute for Culture Orientation (NICO), Alhaji Ado Yahuza, has said that the revival and sustainance of indigenous Nigerian languages are vital to community policing.
He is also believes that the study and sharing of knowledge on Nigeria’ history, culture and tradition through the use of indigenous tongues, will unite the country, thus shaping collective national aspirations and reduction of sociopolitical tensions.
Speaking at the nation wide third edition of Nico’s indigenous language program for police formations, held at Lagos police command, Ikeja on Wednesday, Ado Yahuza reiterates the spiritual awakening attached to the teaching of local Nigerian languages, noting that the process reinforces the brotherhood of the various Nigerian peoples and key enabler for rural security and development.
Specifically addressing new police intakes who thronged the NICO event for Lagos area command, Alhaji Yahuza insisted that a national rebirth in all areas of human endeavour, can only be accelerated when Nigerians can truly discuss in their mother tongues which will help in understanding and resolving issues.
“As aspiring police officers, it is my firm believe that your job to secure Nigerians starts with the opportunity to learn the indigenous language of the people, who will readily support your assignment because of your mastery of their local tongue.” he further noted.
Earlier at a courtesy visit to Mr Adekunle Asafa, Commissioner of Police (CP) of Ikeja Police College, the NICO helmsman commended the Police chief for the good work in training new officers, and appreciated him for partnering with NICO to revive and reposition the study and teaching of indigenous language as part of the college curriculum.
“Our local language is an essential tool to unlock and unravel the security challenges in our nation, particularly at the rural areas and it is government desire to address entire architecture of community policing through the indigenous language program as conceived by NICO,” Yahuza told his host.
On his part, CP Adekunle Asafa disclosed that his experience as a top cop who have served in the north and east of Nigeria, validate the importance of the need for security personnels to speak local languages which will make their assignment very easy.
He appreciated the efforts of NICO Chief Executive Officer in putting together the program targeting the barracks, adding that it is a well thought out human development program which is need at this point in time in the affairs of the nation.
Metro
FRSC Boss Commiserates with Families of Niger Fuel Tanker Explosion Victims
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has condole with families of the victims of the fuel tanker fire which occurred at the Dikko junction in Niger state on Saturday, charging tanker operators to always adhere strictly to safety standards and observe due protocols in transloading fuel products.
In his reaction to the fuel tanker incident, according to a statement signed by the Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the Corps Marshal described the human losses to the inferno as disheartening and disastrous, warning that such incidents must never be allowed to happen again.
The Corps Marshal expressed worry that despite sustained enlightenment programs carried out by the Corps with the tanker drivers on the need to be safety conscious while transporting petroleum products due to their inflammable nature and the general public to stay away from scenes of tanker crashes, many people could still fall victims of the Saturday’s unfortunate tanker incident. While recalling that 73 burnt bodies have so far been recovered by the rescue teams for final burial as arranged by the Niger State Government, the Corps Marshal revealed that the FRSC teams have been directed to sustain the joint operations with other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective management of traffic at the scenes in order to prevent further incidents.
In the same vein, the accident investigation unit of the Corps will work in collaboration with other agencies to unravel the causes and proffer solutions that could address future occurrence. “Meanwhile, those that sustained various degrees of injury have been taken to different hospitals including Suleja General Hospital for further medical attention as normalcy has returned to the area with free movement of traffic,” the Corps Marshal stated.
Shehu Mohammed stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration and robust engagement with members of the public including critical stakeholders to ensure that the nation does not witness this level of human losses again, especially when the incident could have been prevented by strict adherence to due diligence. “The nation was yet to recover from similar incident that occured in Jiagawa last year, and having to witness another incident of this magnitude at the beginning of the new year is painful and regrettable,” he further stated.
The Corps Marshal assures Nigerians that the FRSC will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders and members of the public to find lasting solutions to all road-based emergencies and called for involvement of all Nigerians in the joint efforts to ensure safety and security of lives and property of road travelers.
While praying God for repose of the souls of all those that lost their lives to the inferno, the Corps Marshal appeals for support to the families of the survivors in the various hospitals to ensure their quick recovery. He further commiserate with the people of Niger state and commended the prompt intervention of the Executive Governor of Niger State who was physically present at the scene.
Metro
Glo Holds Festival of Joy Promo Draw in Abuja
In furtherance of its ongoing scheme to excite and reward its subscribers across the country, Globacom, on Friday, in Abuja, held another draw to select winners in its Festival of Joy consumer promotion.
The draw, held at the Gloworld, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse, had the presence of several observers including Glo subscribers, members of the media and Martin Oteh who led officials of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to witness the process.
The company had before now presented prizes to winners in several cities since the promo started in October 2024, enabling hundreds of Nigerians who won various prizes to end the year 2024 on a joyful note.
As is the tradition since the start of the promo, the draw precedes the prize presentation exercise, which is to be done on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the same Glo office at Wuse, Abuja. The lucky subscribers include the winner of a brand new Toyota Prado and winners of tricycle, sewing machines, generators and grinding machines.
Globacom encouraged new and existing subscribers to dial *611# to opt into the promo and to also keep recharging (voice and data) during the promo period, in order to be eligible to win the prizes on offer. New subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.
“New and existing customers are to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for the grinding machine, a recharge of N1,000 in a week will be eligible for the draw”, the company noted.
Metro
Wike on Rampage, Revokes Abuja Land Allocations of Prominent Nigerians
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked lands allocated to Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, his Bayelsa counterpart Douye Diri, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen.
The minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, said the withdrawal of the R-of-O for 568 allottees followed the expiration of a two-week grace period to pay their C-of-O bills.
He noted that of the 3,273 allottees initially given two weeks in October 2024 to pay their bills, 568 remained in default after an additional grace period expired on January 15.
Also affected are the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hadejia; former governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, Senate Leader; Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Minority Leader; Abba Moro, Minister of State for Labour and Employment; Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Industry Trade and Investment; John Eno, Chairperson/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM); Abike Dabiri-Erewa; late Sports Minister Bala Kaoje; and Regina Akume, wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The fresh revocation comes three weeks after the initial withdrawal of 762 plots of land from their allottees.