News
Senate Donates ₦50M to Families of Oriire Rescue Victims
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday approved a ₦50 million donation to support the families of five Nigerians who died during the rescue operation of schoolchildren abducted in Oriire, Oyo State, after 56 days in captivity.
The decision was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, where lawmakers unanimously agreed to release ₦10 million to each of the affected families. The beneficiaries include the relatives of three fallen security operatives and two teachers.
Akpabio recalled that the Senate had, a day earlier, commended President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the abducted children and their teachers.
He specifically praised the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Minister of Defence, and President Tinubu, whom he described as the Commander-in-Chief that led the operation.
“While the operation ended with the safe rescue of the victims, it came at a heavy cost,” Akpabio stated.
The Senate President named the deceased security personnel as Lieutenant F. A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force.
The slain teachers were identified as Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun. Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers while in captivity, before the rescue operation took place.
Akpabio explained that the ₦10 million per family is intended to support the children and other dependants left behind by the deceased.
He put the proposal to a voice vote, which received overwhelming and unanimous support from the senators.
The Senate President subsequently directed the leadership of the upper chamber to present the cheques to the bereaved families on behalf of the Senate.
Akpabio expressed hope that the financial gesture, though symbolic, would provide some relief to the families and reaffirm the Senate’s appreciation for the supreme sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.
News
Bamanga Tukur, former Adamawa gov, ex-PDP Chair dies at 90
Tukur, who died three days before his 91st birthday, was one of the prominent political figures whose career cut across Nigeria’s military and civilian administrations, the private sector and continental business circles.
BAMANGA Tukur, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former governor of Gongola (now Adamawa)State, is dead, aged 90.
Family’s sources confirmed his death on Saturday, although details surrounding his passing were not immediately made public.
Tukur, who died three days before his 91st birthday, was one of the prominent political figures whose career cut across Nigeria’s military and civilian administrations, the private sector and continental business circles.
Born on September 15, 1935, he began his public service career at the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, where he served as General Manager from 1975 to 1982.
He moved into elective politics and won the Gongola State governorship election in 1983, but his tenure was cut short by the military coup in December of the same year.After leaving office, Tukur turned to business and founded BHI Holdings, popularly known as the DADDO Group of Companies.
He later returned to government as Minister of Industries between 1993 and 1995 under the military administration of General Sani Abacha.Tukur also played prominent roles in African business and economic affairs, serving as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
He held advisory positions with several international trade organisations.
In March 2012, he returned to partisan politics when he was elected National Chairman of the PDP with the backing of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
His tenure, however, was overshadowed by prolonged internal disagreements within the party, culminating in his resignation as national chairman in January 2014.
News
Albert Horsfall, Ex-SSS Director-General dies
“Details of funeral arrangements and other related activities will be communicated in due course.”
A former Director-General of the State Security Service and pioneer Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Albert Horsfall, has passed on.
Horsfall’s death was announced in a statement released on Friday, signed by his son, Donald Horsfall, and obtained by our correspondent.
According to the statement, the transition of the elder statesman and great son of Rivers State occurred peacefully, describing him as a “beloved patriarch.”
While the family mourns his death, the statement said they would be comforted by the extraordinary life he lived and the indelible mark he left on the sands of time.
“Details of funeral arrangements and other related activities will be communicated in due course,” it added.
News
US delivers military equipment to Nigeria
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in a statement on its website on Thursday, said the equipment was delivered in September through a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State, to support counterterrorism operations.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in a statement on its website on Thursday, said the equipment was delivered in September through a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
According to the command, the delivery was part of a foreign military sales agreement between the United States and Nigerian militaries.
“The delivery furthers the strategic partnership between the two nations in order to enhance Nigerian-led efforts to counter terrorism in the region.
U.S. military support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria is by its invitation and rooted in respect for Nigerian sovereignty,” AFRICOM said.
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Bamanga Tukur, former Adamawa gov, ex-PDP Chair dies at 90