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Anglican Church Warns Incoming Administration Against Lopsided Appointments

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The Anglican Diocese of Okrika in Rivers State, has warned the incoming administration, both at the federal and state levels, to avoid making lopsided appointments into political offices.

The diocesan Bishop, Rt. Reverend Enoch Atuboyedia, gave the warning in his presidential address during the second session of the Seventh Synod of the Diocese, which held at Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Okrika.

Atuboyedia, who described as worrisome, the present state of insecurity and attacks on christian churches, communities and indeed the citizens of the country, called on government to put high priority on the security of lives and property of citizens by providing adequate security for all citizens.

The Anglican Bishop also called on government to improve on health-care delivery system, so that the current medical tourism among top government functionaries and privileged few can completely be eradicated or be reduced.

He said: “The Church demands that government should put high priority on the security of lives and property of citizens by providing adequate security for all citizens.

“The present state of insecurity and attacks on christian churches, communities and indeed the citizens of this country is worrisome. The security of lives and property of citizens will foster economic growth of the country.

“The government should also ensure that education of our children at all levels is given top priority, as this is the best legacy our country can bequeath to her youths.

‘The government should improve on health-care delivery system, so that the current medical tourism among top government functionaries and privileged few can completely be eradicated or be reduced. Nigeria has the capacity to provide good health-care delivery system and be a destination for health tourism at least in Africa.

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“We have great apprehension over the rising inflation, debt servicing burden, fuel subsidy and fear for the future of Nigeria. Alleviating the suffering of the masses should be the priority of the government at all levels.

“The Church demands adequate provisions for education, economic empowerment and jobs for the teeming youths and citizens. The provision of grants and loans for indigent people as a social safe-net for the citizens will offer every citizen the opportunity to contribute to the development of the country they call their own.

“The Church frowns at the negligent attitude of the leaders and the lack of political will to enforce the rule of law. We therefore advice the Government to maintain the rule of law and to uphold civil rights, justice and equity.

“The Judiciary should be made to serve the citizens in matters of justice and equity. Decentralizing the Police Force and the creation of State Police will help to improve on security and maintenance of law and order.

“The Church demands that our leaders should make comprehensive assessments of the policies and procedures of governance to be able to make governance in Nigeria an all-inclusive matter.

“The government should ensure that the appointments into Political Offices are not lopsided and should not be done based on sentiment or sectional interest. The enforcement of the Federal Character and other Regulatory Policies will help to restore balance and fairness in the country.

The Church would hold the government to account for any form of infrastructural neglects, and therefore, demands full execution and completion of road constructions, schools, medical centers and others basic infrastructure to make up for the long infrastructural deficiencies we have suffered in the country.”

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Trump threatens attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities as talks continue

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U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat of drastic consequences for Iran over its nuclear programme, including a potential attack on Tehran’s nuclear facilities.

During a meeting at the White House with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump said: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they got to go fast, because they’re fairly close to having one, and they’re not going to have one.

“And if we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it. And I’m not doing it for us.

“I’m doing it for the world, and these are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

When questioned by a reporter if this included an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump affirmed, “Of course it does.”

The U.S. government and other Western states as well as Israel aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

During his first term in office in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Vienna nuclear deal, which was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear programme and lift sanctions in return.

Following this, Tehran also ceased adhering to the agreement’s stipulations.

Last Saturday, the U.S. and Iran resumed talks about a possible new nuclear agreement after years of deadlock, with Oman acting as a mediator.

The next round of talks is expected to hold on Saturday in Rome.

Trump confirmed the scheduled date and expressed confidence in resolving the issue with Iran, describing it as “almost an easy” problem.

Earlier Monday, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi announced that he would travel to Tehran this week ahead of the next round of nuclear talks.

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According to Iranian media reports, Grossi is expected in Tehran on Wednesday.

“Continued engagement and cooperation with the agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed,” Grossi wrote on X on Monday.

Tehran’s lack of cooperation with IAEA inspectors is a main cause of the growing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, along with its production of near weapons-grade uranium. (dpa/NAN

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Alleged N33.8bn fraud: Court adjourns trial of ex-Power Minister

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, adjourned the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, until May 2.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s video evidence to counter the allegations by Mamman that his extra-judicial statement was not voluntarily made, was played in the open court.

Justice Omotosho had ordered that the video clip of the interview session conducted by the commission’s officials during their investigation be played in a trial-within-trial, following allegation that the ex-minister did not voluntarily make the statement.

The ex-minister had, through his lawyer, Femi Atteh, SAN, insisted that his statement tendered by the EFCC in the alleged corruption trial was not not made voluntarily.

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, disagreed with Atteh’s submission.

The judge consequently ordered that the video clip be played in the open court to ascertain the veracity of the argument.

In the video on Monday, Mamman insisted that he could not write statement due to his ill-health.

Counsel to the EFCC, Abbas Muhammed, asked the EFCC investigator and a witness, Abubakar Kwaido, whether he read the statement of caution to Mamman before the session.

Kwaido confirmed that the cautionary statement was read to the defendant before the video recorded and the statement taken.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until May 2 for continuation of trial.

Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel, had, on Thursday, asked Kwaido whether he harassed Mamman or threatened him with detention but the witness responded in the negative.(NAN)

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Ghastly accident claims 7 lives in Ebonyi– FRSC

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi has confirmed the death of seven persons in Sunday’s auto crash at Nwafia Oga, Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area.

The Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Henry Igwe, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, saying that it occured at about 7.30pm.

Igwe also said that the crash involved a commercial Toyota Bus, with Registration Number UWN 429 ZY and an articulated vehicle, with Registration Number XW 294 ENU.

He said: “20 persons were involved in the crash, consisting of six males and two females.

“The dead include four males and three females, while two females were injured.”

According to him, 11 persons, comprising two males, eight females and one child, escaped unhurt.

The FRSC chief also said that the crash was caused by speed violation.

He said that while the injured were taken to St. Saviour Hospital, Onueke for treatment, the remains of the deceased were taken to the Onueke General Hospital’s morgue.

He said that investigation into the crash had commenced.

“We still urge drivers to drive carefully and obey road signs because it is only the alive that travels,” he said. (NAN)

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