Metro
Precious Owolabi: Dusk at Dawn
The death of University of Ilorin graduate and a reporter with Channels Television, Precious Ayo Owolabi, came to many as a rude shock, and to others as a consequence of a failed nation in dire need of salvation.
Precious, a youth corps member, was covering the clash between security agents and violent Shiite protesters when a stray bullet hit him in the stomach, killing him shortly afterwards.
While the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Adamu, has promised to fish out the perpetrators at no certain time, more Nigerians are skeptical of the outcome, expressing fear that it will go like the others – swept under the carpet.
However, whether the culprits are found or not, a life in its prime has been cut short, unavoidably killed while on duty for both country and Channels TV.
Ayo, as most of his close friends call him, had his lofty dreams…dreams of revolutionalising the film industry in addition to practicing frontline journalism, but militants’ or is it Police bullets silenced those lofty dreams. His parents in Zaria, Kaduna State where he grew up are left forlon and so are his loved ones.
It is not known how long the Shiite/Police clash will last, or what the Federal government is doing to put an end to such clashes, but it is sad to imagine how many more lives will be wasted in the coming days as a result of the imbroglio between those two.
The Shiites are calling for the release of their leader, Sheik El-Zakzaky, who has been incarcerated by the President Muhammadu Buhari led government. The Muslim leader was arrested in December 2015, and ever since, has been remained incommunicado, notwithstanding several court judgements for his unconditional release. The President has confided that the reason for holding El-Zakzaky bothers on national security, but his followers will hear that, and so escalates the crises. The issue is taking a terrible turn as even the Islamic republic of Iran has taken an unusual interest. No one can tell how it will all end.
Precious is gone, and so is Deputy Commissioner of Police Umar, who was also hit by bullet on the same day. Dreams have been shattered and homes depressed, and so the Federal government should wake up to some responsibilities.
And is it not time adequate security is provided youth corps members wherever they go?
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.
A 23-year-old Turkish OnlyFans model, Azranur AV aka Ezra Vandan, has been arrested by Istanbul police after announcing her plan to engage in sexual activity with 100 men within 24 hours.
Vandan’s social media post, in which she declared her intention to live-stream the act in an attempt to set a national record, was deemed “obscene” and “damaging” to public morals by authorities.
“My goal is to break a Turkish record first, then a world record!” she wrote in the now-viral post.
Her arrest was carried out by the Morality Bureau of the Istanbul Security Branch Directorate at a cosmetic surgery clinic in Atasehir, Istanbul.
