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Host Community Shuts Down Rivers Varsity Over Alleged Marginalisation •As Students Lament Disruption of academic session

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By Our Reporter

Panic as Natives of Rumuolumeni community, landlords to Rivers State owned Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), on Monday shut down the institution in protest over allegations of marginalisation.

The protesters mainly women and youths, grounded academic activities at the institution as they blocked the university’s main gate with rafia leaves, tents, and cooking pots, preventing staff and students from accessing the campus.

Daily Echoes Media gathered that students who were still writing their first semester General Studies Examination, and others who were expecting to start their second semester lectures were denied entrance into the university by the protesters who were seen dancing around the gate to local drums, while security agencies were present to maintain order.

The protesters vowed not to vacate the gate until their demands were met.
One of the leaders of the protesting host community, and the Rumuolumeni Youth leader, Comr. Felix Chinda, while addressing newsmen claimed that the community has been marginalized in employment and contract opportunities despite providing land for the institution.

Chinda expressed frustration over the university management’s alleged disregard for their concerns, despite several letters and meetings.
He specifically pointed out that the recent employment exercise was unfair, with opportunities allegedly diverted to non-indigenes.
He said, “Over the years, during employment, the institution never carried the people along. During employment exercise as a host community, they do not carry us along.
“Our parents, this is where they farm, and we gave the institution when they approached us. In turn, we expected that we would get employment in place of giving our land, but during employment, they do not employ our people.”
Addressing the protesters, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Okechukwu Onuchukwu, explained that the employment process was merit-based and supervised by the dissolved governing board chairman.

The VC maintained that the process was transparent and fair.
Meanwhile, scores of stranded students of the institution have expressed worry over the picketing of the institution’s gate by the host Rumuolumeni community.
Some of the students, in an interview with our correspondent, say their transport fare to school has been wasted.
The students regretted that “lectures for the second semester, which were supposed to start today, have been disrupted.”
Others who are still writing the first semester General Studies (GNS) Examination also spoke about the impact of the protest on their exam.

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FCT budget:Wike seeks national support to address security 

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FCT Minister Barr.Nyesome Wike
By Our Reporter
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has sounded the alarm about the FCT budget:Wike seeks national support to address security  and health challenges facing Abuja, stressing the need for coordinated national support to effectively address them.
While defending the FCT’s budget before Senators in Abuja at the National Assembly Complex,Wike highlighted the territory’s unique status as the seat of the Presidency, National Assembly, and foreign diplomatic missions, making it impossible to operate independently like other states
“You can not discuss autonomy in a city where the President resides, where the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and every corporate head of the country operates from,” Wike emphasized. “The security of this city is not something we can handle alone.”
Wike revealed that the FCT Administration is collaborating with key federal agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector-General of Police, to bolster security. “This city requires total security architecture because of its national importance,” he added.
The Minister expressed frustration over the lack of functional surveillance infrastructure, such as CCTV cameras, citing political sabotage and bureaucratic bottlenecks as major obstacles. “You wonder why we still can’t have effective CCTV coverage in the capital,” he lamented.
Wike cautioned critics pushing for FCT autonomy to consider the constitutional and security implications, warning that a simplified view of governance could lead to operational chaos. “The FCT is not like any other state,” he clarified. “You don’t have a House of Assembly here; our laws are made by the National Assembly.”
To address the pressing challenges, Wike proposed a multi-sectoral summit involving security, health, and FCT stakeholders to develop a unified roadmap. “The issues we face here are complicated and cannot be solved in isolation,” he said. “We need a coordinated effort that brings all stakeholders together.”
On healthcare, Wike announced that the FCTA has completed the procurement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scanners to improve diagnostics in FCT hospitals. “As of yesterday, we completed procurement processes for an MRI and CT scan machine,” he said. “These will be delivered to our health facilities soon, improving access to quality medical care in the territory.”
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NPF Condemns Unprovoked Attack on IRT Operatives in Edo State.       ‎*As IGP Orders Investigation into Oyo Tragic Traffic Incident

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By Our Reporter
‎The Nigeria Police Force has condemned the unprovoked attack on police operatives in the early hours of Monday at Okhuimwun Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Edo state governor, Monday ,Monday Okpebholo

‎The operatives, who are members of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), were in transit from Lagos through Edo State when they encountered a mob that had blocked the road immediately after the University of Benin (UNIBEN) axis. The mob, in an unlawful display of aggression, descended on the officers with stones, sticks, and other dangerous objects, inflicting serious injuries on two police personnel.
‎It is noteworthy that despite the provocation and threat to life, the officers exercised commendable restraint by not resorting to the use of force. The injured officers are currently receiving medical attention and are in stable condition.
‎The Nigeria Police Force warns against acts of lawlessness and unprovoked aggression against its personnel who are committed to maintaining law and order and hereby assure the public that investigations have commenced, and appropriate legal actions will be taken against those found culpable.
‎In a separate development, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into a tragic incident in Oyo State involving personnel of the Oyo State Police Command and the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA), which led to the unfortunate demise of a 14-year-old boy, Kehinde Alade.
‎The Inspector-General of Police condemned the incident and assured that the officer involved in the shooting has been taken into custody while a full-scale investigation is underway. He equally reiterated that the  process will be transparent, and its findings will be made public to ensure justice is duly served as he expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased young man.
‎The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges citizens to remain law-abiding and to channel grievances through lawful and peaceful means.
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Journalists tasks to share information as stakeholders in peace mmaking 

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President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya

 

By Naseer Uthman-Baba,Minna

Media practitioners in Niger State have been called upon to always ensure that they share accurate information as they are critical stakeholders in maintaining peace in the land.

Gov of state,Umaru Bago

Commissioner for Homeland Security, Muhammad Bello Abdullahi made the call during a pre-summit media chat and round table discussion with Media Practitioners from various media outfits held in Minna.

The Commissioner who described journalists as the most dependable ally in the security architecture of the State said they are expected to play key roles in passing across precise information to the public.

He used the medium to urge journalists to be professional in performing their duties and do not engage in divulging news that will put people on panic mode adding that, the State Government will continue to work closely with journalists and address challenges so as to forge ahead in achieving the objectives of a new Niger.

The Commissioner who gave an overview of the forthcoming Peace and security summit said the theme of the event, ” Collaborative approaches to security and peace building with a view to safe-guarding Niger State”, is aimed at engaging critical stakeholders in the security architecture at Local, State and Federal levels so as to proffer workable solutions to security challenges within the State.

He said, issues and challenges associated with security information management will also be looked into as effective management of information enables swift decision making, proactive actions and enhanced community preparedness.

While answering questions from Journalists on some security issues in the State, the Commissioner re assured them that the State Government is not relenting on its oars in addressing any security threat.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State, Bologi Ibrahim who was represented by the Coordinator Media Affairs to the Governor, Hamza Waziri said Governor Umaru Bago, is tirelessly working to ensure peace, tranquility, progress, and development across the State which he said requires the cooperation of journalists

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists Niger State Chapter, Comrade Abu Nmodu said journalists in the State have always worked in accordance with the ethics of the profession and will continue to tow that path and remain advocates of peace in the Society.

In her remarks, a Director with the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute of Peace and Sustainable Development Studies,Dr. Diamond Preye described the decision to organize a peace summit by the Niger State Government as apt saying, without peace, there cannot be any meaningful development in any given society hence the need for everyone to be advocates of peace.

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