National
Northern Youths Pass Vote of Confidence on President Tinubu ,Akpabio
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Arewa Youth Consultative Movement (AYCM) has passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
At a press briefing, the National President, Comrade Kabiru Yusuf, praised President Tinubu for his significant accomplishments in human capacity development and infrastructural enhancement in Nigeria.
He stated that President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio have made monumental achievements geared towards economic recovery and the promotion of unity and peaceful coexistence in the country.
Kabiru highlighted that the Coastal Superhighway Initiative, the South East Development Commission, the NYSC Trust Fund, and the Student Loan Scheme stand as tangible testaments to the forward-thinking leadership of President Tinubu’s administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Despite facing economic challenges, his administration has adeptly navigated the country’s affairs without accruing excessive debt, a departure from past administrations’ practices,” he added.
“We boldly declare that President Bola Tinubu remains resolute in forging collaboration and engagement with all stakeholders, including the youth, to realize the vision of a prosperous Nigeria.”
He also pointed out that the ongoing refurbishment of the three refineries underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring efficient domestic petroleum supply and meeting the nation’s energy needs.
Kabiru implored the youth, women, and men to exercise patience and solidarity with the government as they collectively work towards a better Nigeria.
The group maintained that Senate President Godswill Akpabio has been commended for his articulate and proactive leadership in the National Assembly. During his tenure in the 10th Assembly, several people-centric bills and initiatives, such as the Student Loan Bill and the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, were passed, significantly impacting youth empowerment.
“In just one month in office (December 2023), Senator Godswill Akpabio passed the budget for 2024 within record time, a feat that none of his predecessors were able to achieve.”
The group also noted that the collaborative efforts and transparency in engaging stakeholders have been particularly noteworthy, alongside the innovative legislative processes introduced to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
They disclosed that under Senator Akpabio’s leadership, 25 bills have been passed into law, and 115 resolutions have been adopted, all aimed at driving Nigeria’s socio-economic development, national cohesion, growth, and security stability.
“The synergy between the Senate and the executive branch has never been this cordial, not even during the tenure of Senator David Mark (2007-2015), the longest-serving Senate President.”
“Senator Akpabio’s crucial role in facilitating governance and promoting national development is vital in seeing Nigeria as one indivisible nation.”
Looking ahead, the group emphasized that leaders must prioritize the welfare of the people and foster unity, peace, and good governance to ensure sustainable progress in Nigeria.
The call by some in the North for Senator Akpabio to resign, despite his impactful legacy, was described as cross-prejudicial and unhealthy for the polity.
“The prevailing indicators suggest that Southern leaders in positions of authority are committed to shaping a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth and the generations to come.”
The group urged solidarity and endorsement of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Senator Akpabio’s leadership in the National Assembly.
The group condemned in strong terms the call by some sections of the North for the resignation of performing leaders simply because they are Southerners, stressing that they do not and will never support such actions.
“We call for the support of one united, indivisible Nigeria, with President Bola Tinubu and Senator Godswill Akpabio working together for executive and legislative synergy, alongside a pragmatic judiciary, to salvage Nigeria and secure a better future for all.”
Gunmen have abducted some female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi, Benue state.
The students, reportedly numbering up to four, were abducted on Tuesday evening at the university’s North Core campus.
The students were said to have been headed for “night class”, a practice of late-night studying in Nigerian campuses.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the hotel area of the campus before abducting the four students.
Some moments after the incident, operatives of the Nigerian army arrived at the school.
Sewuese Anene, Benue police spokesperson, told TheCable on Wednesday that a report received by the police indicated that only two students were kidnapped during the incident.
Anene added that the police have launched an investigation into the matter.
The Markurdi incident is the latest in a series of abductions targeted at Nigeria’s tertiary school students in recent years.
In August 2024, at least 20 medical and dental students were kidnapped in Benue State while travelling to a convention in Enugu.
In September 2023, gunmen abducted approximately 20 students from a university in Zamfara state.
At Greenfield University in Kaduna State, at least 20 students and two staff members were kidnapped in April 2021.
Tragically, five students were killed during captivity before the remaining hostages were released after a month.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Kogi-born political activist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Austin Okai, in Abuja.
The arrest, which took place on Wednesday morning, was reportedly carried out on the directive of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Video footage obtained by Elanza shows heavily armed security operatives storming Okai’s residence in the Federal Capital Territory before taking him away.
While no official reason has been given for his arrest, sources suggest it may be connected to his outspoken criticism of the Kogi State government.
Okai, a well-known opposition figure, has frequently condemned the administration’s policies and governance.
His wife, speaking to reporters, claimed that the DSS operatives did not present an arrest warrant before detaining him.
“They came to arrest him at our home in Abuja without a warrant,” she said.
“They ransacked our house, forced their way inside, and took him away. I asked for a warrant, but they had none.”
She further alleged that Okai’s personal gadgets were confiscated during the operation.
As of the time of this report, the DSS has not issued any official statement regarding Okai’s detention.