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Chieftain of the Action Peoples Party (APP) and member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has commended the Independent...
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the President of the...
The President of MAAUN Group of Universities, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, has named the newly constructed three-storey multipurpose laboratory at the College of Medicine of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, after the late veteran journalist, Saleh Shehu Ashaka. Gwarzo disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Kano, saying the decision was in recognition of Ashaka’s philanthropic activities, commitment to humanity and impactful contributions to society during his lifetime. According to him, the three-storey multipurpose laboratory is one of the key facilities developed to strengthen practical medical education at the university and provide students with a modern environment for hands-on learning and scientific training. Blueprint reports that the facility comprises 12 different laboratories specifically designed to support practical teaching and learning for students of the College of Medicine. The laboratories are expected to provide students with the opportunity to acquire practical skills, conduct experiments and deepen their understanding of various aspects of medical science in a purpose-built academic environment. Gwarzo said the multipurpose laboratory is being equipped to meet world-class standards expected of a modern university, reflecting MAAUN’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities for medical education. He said the development of the facility underscores the university’s determination to give its medical students access to quality learning resources and an environment that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. “Saleh gave himself to the people in ways many were not aware of until after his death. It is good to honour people like Saleh who served humanity with their all. He will continue to be remembered in our prayers because of the impact he made during his lifetime,” Gwarzo said. He described the late Ashaka as a man who lived a life of impact and service, noting that he dedicated his career to upholding the ethics and professionalism of journalism. “He was a committed journalist whose work earned him respect across the country and beyond,” he added. The three-storey laboratory building, with its 12 dedicated laboratories, modern academic spaces and purpose-built facilities for practical medical training, is expected to play a significant role in enhancing the quality of medical education at MAAUN. Beyond serving as a centre for students’ practicals, the facility represents the university’s broader investment in infrastructure aimed at producing competent, well-trained medical professionals. Ashaka, who died on May 3, was an accomplished journalist whose death was widely regarded as a major loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation at large. He previously worked with the Voice of America (VOA) before resigning from the organisation in 2023. The naming of the impressive MAAUN facility after him is expected to serve as a lasting tribute to his legacy of journalism, philanthropy and service to humanity, while ensuring that his name remains associated with a facility dedicated to education, knowledge and the training of future medical professionals.
The Nigerian Navy has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Ecological Project Office (EPO) and other relevant agencies to tackle environmental and maritime challenges confronting Nigeria’s coastal areas. The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral AA Mustapha, gave the assurance recently when he received the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, the Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Olumide Olajide Fadahunsi, and their delegation at the Command Headquarters. The visit, organised under the auspices of the National Hydrographic Agency, Ecological Project Office and the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action Against Climate Change, focused on strengthening inter-agency cooperation on sustainable coastal zone management, environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Ndayako stressed the need for a balance between human activities and environmental sustainability, noting that effective management of coastal areas was critical to protecting biodiversity and preventing further degradation of fragile ecosystems. She called for the restoration of degraded ecosystems and the development of practical strategies to address the growing effects of climate change. The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the importance of sharing reliable environmental and hydrographic data among relevant agencies, as well as engaging coastal communities in efforts to achieve sustainable management of the nation’s coastal resources. Responding, Mustapha, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the Navy’s readiness to work with the EPO and other stakeholders in addressing environmental and maritime concerns. He described the proposed partnership as timely and strategic, stressing that stronger cooperation among government agencies would enhance environmental protection and contribute to the sustainable management of Nigeria’s maritime domain. The FOC noted that the Nigerian Navy remained committed to supporting initiatives capable of protecting the nation’s coastal environment while strengthening security and economic activities within the maritime domain. The engagement ended with an exchange of souvenirs between the parties and a group photograph.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international cocaine trafficking cartel allegedly using Nigeria as a transit hub to move illicit drugs to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Lagos, saying “the operation led to the arrest of the cartel’s alleged Nigerian arrowhead, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury.” The breakthrough followed the interception of 184.50 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a consignment processed through a courier logistics company in Lagos and destined for onward export. Marwa valued the consignment at about N39 billion if successfully delivered. Following the seizure, the agency constituted a Special Investigation Team to unravel the syndicate, leading to arrests in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Among those arrested was Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a staff member of the logistics company allegedly responsible for packaging and processing consignments for the cartel. Marwa said Michael allegedly operated under the cover of a social media influencer and businessman dealing in gold, jewellery and luxury goods, using his glamorous lifestyle to conceal a sophisticated cocaine trafficking network. The suspect was arrested on August 13 at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly attempting to flee to Paris on a business-class flight. According to him, the suspects was arrested based on intelligence about his planned departure. NDLEA operatives allegedly recovered €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000 from him, alongside expensive jewellery. A subsequent search of his luxury apartment in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, also led to the recovery of exotic vehicles. Marwa said investigations revealed that the cartel allegedly used false identities to conceal consignors and financial facilitators to move billions of naira. He added that some members of the network had also been arrested in the United Kingdom. The NDLEA chairman warned drug traffickers against using luxury lifestyles, social media influence, courier companies or other channels as cover for illicit activities. He said the agency would continue to dismantle transnational drug networks and prevent Nigeria from being used as a conduit for trafficking narcotics across international borders.
The Reconciliation Committee of Rainbow Coalition in Rivers state Monday assured that none of its members, no matter their past political disagreements would be victimised or discriminated against in...
Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, has called on affluent Nigerians to prioritise support for the less privileged....
The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies and other stakeholders...
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina state Tuesday said reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are helping states in constructing massive projects and paying salary and...
The Lagos state government has impounded 175 vehicles for allegedly violating regulations on the use of dealer number plates. The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi,...