A statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa  says the Nigerian government remains committed  to protecting its citizens and combating human trafficking.

The Ministry condemns in the strongest terms the inhumane and criminal act of human trafficking which exploits vulnerable individuals, especially underage girls.

The statement further  commended, Dr. Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, for his patriotism and kind hearted intervention, and urge all stakeholders—including civil society, international partners, and the public—to join efforts in eradicating human trafficking .
The returnees were taken to the Lagos command of NAPTIP for debriefing and profiling on arrival.

The government says it will continue to work with regional partners to dismantle trafficking networks and prosecute perpetrators and that it remains resolute in its duty to safeguard the dignity and rights of its citizens, both at home and abroad.
This is the second batch of Nigerians trafficked to other African countries  to be repatriated in recent times.

On Friday, April 25th, over 200 Nigerians were repatriated from Ghana after they were trafficked there and forced into cybercrime by a criminal syndicate.

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Initiated in 2019, the Deji Bademosi Award for Academic Excellence gives awards to the best students and teachers of the school annually.

In this year’s edition, which is the sixth so far, nine students and two teachers were recognized and given awards for their exceptional academic performance and dedication to duty.

Awards, comprising plaques, school fees, textbooks, writing materials and two pairs of uniforms were given to each of the best students in JSS1, JSS2, JSS3, SS 1(Science) SS1(Art) SS1(Commercial) SS2(Science)SS2(Art and SS2(Commercial). Additionally, the overall best students in SS1 and SS2 were given a brand-new laptop each.

While Solomon Nweke won the award for the overall best student in SS1, Lydia Oladepo, a familiar name in the awards’ history, won the overall best student in SS2. And for consistently winning the award right from when she was is JSS1 up to the latest edition, Lydia was also awarded a cash prize of 50,000 Naira and a N3 million Naira scholarship Trust Fund which she can access when she begins  her tertiary education.

“This scholarship gives me a soft landing for my future in higher education,” an elated Lydia said. “I thank God for this honor and am motivated to keep pushing forward. I thank Mr Deji Bademosi for instituting the awards. All the items I have won right from when I was in JSS 1 helped to lessen the burden a great deal on my parents especially the school fees and textbooks. I can’t thank him enough.”

Two teachers in both junior and senior secondary section won the award for best teacher of the year. While Mrs. Felicia Ogundipe  won the best teacher in the junior secondary category, Mr. Olubowale Ogunye took the honor in the senior secondary category. Each teacher was awarded a laptop and cash prize of 100,000 Naira. Both expressed gratitude for the awards. “Teaching is a calling, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to impact lives. My students and God are my inspiration,” Mrs. Ogundipe remarked. In his own remark, Mr Ogunye said; “I feel very happy and I want to thank Mr Deji Bademosi for all he has been doing for the school. For all the projects he has done for this school. May God almighty bless him and his family. I give glory to God for this award.”

In a heartfelt speech, Bademosi shared his vision for the awards, highlighting his desire to inspire students to excel, regardless of their backgrounds. “I want each student to know that where you come from should never limit your aspirations for quality education,” he said. “This ceremony serves as a reminder that hard work and determination can lead to greatness.”

The principal of St. Ambrose’s, Oyinlola Oyinlola, lauded Bademosi’s commitment to the school and expressed deep gratitude for his support over the years. “Deji’s generosity has not only elevated the spirit of competition but also encouraged our students to strive for excellence,” Oyinlola said. “We are grateful for his dedication to making our school a beacon of hope for young learners.”

Reflecting on his friend’s achievements, a close friend of Bademosi, Olawale Akinsipe commented, “Deji’s dedication to giving back to his alma mater is inspiring. His hard work and passion are evident. I am happy for that these students now hope for better future. I have no doubt that these awards will help them achieve their dreams in life.”

Since its inception in 2019, the awards have recognized more than 50 students and over 10 teachers, helping build a culture of excellence within the school.  And as  the ceremony ended, it was clear that Deji Bademosi’s legacy continues to inspire the next generation, leaving an indelible mark on the community of St. Ambrose Catholic Secondary School, Ondo.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has announced the seizure of large consignments of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over Two Billion One Hundred and Eighty-Five Million Naira (N2,185,000,000.00) in street value  at the Port Harcourt seaports, Onne and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos

The consignment estimated to be worth N960,000,000.00, which was brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Nnaife Francis was discovered at the E-arrival hall of the airport by personnel of NDLEA, Customs and others during a joint search operation by the security operatives while the suspect was attempting to smuggle the suitcases out of the hall.

In Abuja, a 25-year-old lady, Blessing Thomas, was arrested with 1.0kg methamphetamine by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kwali – Gwagwalada expressway on Friday 31^st May while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa state. In the same vein, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 29^th May nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.

Two suspects: Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti state where they recovered 426 kilograms  of cannabis sativa already processed and packed in big sacks, while they destroyed over 4,000kg of same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland on Thursday 30^th May.

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Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, disclosed this earlier today saying all the school children were released unharmed.

Armed bandits had abducted the children as they were just rounding off from the assembly ground on March 7 and marched them into the forest.

It is still not clear yet if the children were rescued or they were released and if any ransom was paid.

It had been reported that 287 students and pupils were abducted including the principal of the school. But the military has now confirmed that the total number of hostages was 137 and all of them have regained their freedom

Were the hostages released or rescued?

While the statement put out by the government says the hostages were released and seems to suggest there were some negotiations before this release was effected, the statement put out by the military categorically stated that the hostages were rescued in Zamfara State after a coordinated search and rescue operation.

The military had mounted a massive operation to free the hostages in the aftermath of the incident.

Giving a breakdown of the number of hostages, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba put the total number of hostages as 137 comprising 76 females and 61 males.

President Tinubu welcomes release

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release of the school children.

In a statement by his by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President said the commended the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the security agencies and the Kaduna State government for working together to secure the release of the school children.

President Tinubu also welcomes the release of pupils of Tsangaya school in Sokoto State, commending all the parties for their efforts.

The President assured Nigerians that his administration is deploying detailed strategies to ensure that schools in the country remain safe for learning.

Find below more photos of the released school children.

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Hundreds had poured out onto the streets across the country in the first day  of a two-day protest called by the union to demonstrate against the country’s cost of living crisis.

The country was barcing up for a second day of protests when the labour union, after its national executive council meeting in Abuja, issued a communiqué announcing the suspension of the protest.

The communique partly reads, “Consequently, NEC-in-session resolved as follows: to suspend street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.”

The union also announced the extension of an earlier ultimatum it gave the government to address the hardship in the country.

“To reaffirm and extend the 7-days ultimatum by another 7 days which now expires on the 13th day of March, 2024 within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreement of the 2nd day of October, 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest,” the union stated in the communique.

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Click here to see the full statement issued by the Navy Headquarters on the matter

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Lionel Messi was named the Ballon d’Or 2023 winner at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, the eighth time he has won the prestigious award.

Messi captained Argentina to 2022 World Cup success in Qatar last winter, the first time he won the tournament which ended a 36-year wait for La Albiceleste.

The 36-year-old scored twice in a blockbuster final against France in December which finished 3-3 after extra-time, scored in the penalty shoot-out and was named player of the match.

Messi fought off competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe, as well as 26 other nominees to win the award.

In a league title-winning season for PSG, he played 41 matches during the 2022/23 season, scored 21 goals and provided 20 assists.

At the World Cup in Qatar, Messi scored twice in the group stage and was on target in each knockout round, scoring against Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia, and then in the final.

He finished second in the top goalscorer charts with seven goals and received the Golden Ball at the conclusion of the tournament in recognition of his fine campaign.

On stage, he said: “Thank you very much, to share this with my national team-mates for what we were able to achieve with the national team.

“The entire group, the coaching staff, everyone involved. I’m delighted to be here once more to be able to enjoy this moment one more time.

“To be able to win the World Cup and really achieve my dream, to share this with all those who were involved.”

Fittingly, after his World Cup success, he added: “To finish, I want to say happy birthday to Diego Maradona.”

After his contract at PSG ran out in the summer, Messi moved to Inter Miami in MLS on a free transfer and was one of three players nominated for the award who do not currently play in Europe.

The former Barcelona forward spent 17 years with the Spanish club between 2004 and 2021 and also won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

He was 22 years old when he won his first in 2009 and 14 years later has sealed a record eighth award.

Portugal and Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo is in second place with five awards but was not nominated for the 2023 edition, the first time he has not been up for the award since 2003.

There were plenty of nominations from the Premier League, with Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez among the seven Manchester City players put forward.

Speaking to his fellow nominees, he said: “Hats off to Kylian [Mbappe], Erling, Kevin, You guys are very young, you’ve achieved so much already, so plenty of time left.”

England’s Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham were also nominated.

Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, who also won the World Cup, won the fifth edition of the Ballon d’Or Feminin while Real Madrid’s Bellingham was named the best young player and awarded the Kopa Trophy.

Courtesy:   Eurosport

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Emefiele was reported to have entered a plea bargain with government on condition of surrendering N50 billion to facilitate his early release from the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS).

However, in a statement signed by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Modupe Ogundoro, on Sunday in Abuj, the Minister made it clear that reports of any purported plea bargain are false.

Below is the full statement

“The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement.

“The report further alleges that Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement and that the agreement is awaiting the signature of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby states clearly that these reports are completely false.

“It would be noted that the legal team representing Mr. Godwin Emefiele had expressed their intention in court at the last hearing to initiate a plea bargain arrangement.

“However, no such arrangement has been reached with Emefiele or his representatives.

“We wish to advise the media and members of the public to kindly disregard the said false report.

“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will continue to take all actions in the interest of the Nigerian public”. No

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