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Abuja, Anambra stampede: Tinubu cancels official engagements in honour of victims

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President Bola Tinubu has cancelled all his official events in Lagos on Saturday, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.

Tinubu was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday titled ‘President Tinubu cancels scheduled events in Lagos in honour of victims of stampede in FCT, Anambra.’

The two tragedies claimed many lives and left many others injured.

“In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them,” Tinubu said.

Onanuga revealed that dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.

Commiserating with the victims of the incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory, Tinubu urged states and relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately.

He noted that it was very disturbing that the events at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community Centre in Okija, Anambra State, bore a distressing resemblance to the recent incident in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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He said local and state authorities should no longer tolerate operational lapses by organisations and corporate bodies involved in charitable and humanitarian activities.

While praying for the peaceful repose of innocent Nigerians who died in the stampede, President Tinubu wished a quick recovery to the injured.

He reiterated that these mishaps are avoidable if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre- and post-event safety.

The President also wished the Lagos State government, organisers of the Boat Regatta, themed “Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life,” a successful and hitch-free festival.

The cancellation comes days after 35 children lost their lives at a stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

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Former Miss Nigeria dies in London

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Former Miss Nigeria, Edna Ibru
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Ex-Miss Nigeria and former First Lady of Delta State, Mrs Edna Ibru (nee Park) is dead.

Edna Ibru, wife of Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first civilian Governor of Delta State between 1991 and 1992, died in her 80s on Wednesday, in a London hospital after a brief illness.

The deceased, who was Miss Nigeria 1964, and the first Nigerian/African to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, had two children for Ibru.

The Ibru family of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom in Delta State confirmed the death of the former first lady in a statement issued by her son, Dr Paul Ibru, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.

“Our amazing mother passed onto glory on Wednesday 15, January 2025 after a brief illness”, the statement partly read.

It continued, “Until her death, she was full of life and we never expected her to leave us so soon but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life.

“She was a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, full of stories all of the time, and we will miss her very dearly.”

Paul added that arrangements for her burial would be announced by the family later.

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Tinubu administration has no plan, no vision – Bauchi Governor

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Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that while he initially celebrated Tinubu’s victory, he has since observed a lack of clear vision and effective policies that are hindering national progress.

Mohammed, who was an opposition governor during the 2023 elections, admitted to having high hopes for the new administration due to Tinubu’s successful tenure as Lagos State Governor.

However, he now believes that freedom and development remain elusive under the current leadership.

Speaking at a courtesy visit by Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, in Bauchi, Mohammed emphasized that President Tinubu appears to have entered office without a concrete plan or manifesto.

He also criticized the president for surrounding himself with individuals who he described as “misfits,” and warned that the administration’s direction is likely to lead Nigeria down a path of destruction.

The Governor clarified that he holds no personal animosity toward Tinubu, but expressed concern over the impact of the current policies, particularly those that he believes could negatively affect Nigerians.

He urged the president to be more inclusive and develop a comprehensive, well-thought-out vision for the country.

Mohammed called for reforms that would be beneficial to all citizens, stressing the need for unity and respect for Nigeria’s diversity.

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He cautioned against divisive policies and practices of impunity, urging for governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people and ensures their aspirations are not stifled.

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Yahoo Boys shoot EFCC officer dead, injure another in Anambra

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Armed internet fraudsters fatally shot an officer after opening fire on a team of anti-graft operatives in Anambra on Friday.

The officers were on a mission to corner a cluster of suspected cybercriminals, widely known as Yahoo Boys, when they were met with lethal violence on Friday morning.

One officer was shot dead on the spot and another sustained serious injuries and remained hospitalised in critical condition as of Friday night.

The officers had travelled to Anambra on the assignment from their zonal headquarters in Enugu.

A male suspect has been taken into custody for the murder, an official said. His identity was not immediately disclosed just as the motive of the attack is yet to be ascertained.

A spokesman for the EFCC said he would find out about the incident when contacted.

A police spokesman in Anambra did not immediately comment on the development.

The attack came as chairman Ola Olukoyede was recalibrating the agency’s protocol on raiding white-collar criminals. Yahoo Boys were hitherto largely known to be unarmed and, therefore, easily to take into custody.

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The deceased officer was identified as an assistant superintendent who had recently completed a promotional examination.

It was learnt that the identity of the officer was kept secret to allow time for his family to be officially notified.

Anti-graft agents expressed apprehension over the development saying the agency’s personnel insurance had been moribund for years.

“We no longer have life insurance,” an officer said under anonymity to discuss internal administrative policies.

“The last time family members of an officer who died on duty were compensated was under Farida Waziri.”

“So the families of the officer that died today won’t be getting anything,” another officer added. “So can we say he died for nothing?”

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