May 5, 2024 – Precise Post

Journalism associations condemn closure of Al Jazeera in Israel

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

TEL AVIV- Two leading international organisations that campaign for freedom of the press and freedom of expression have strongly condemned the closure of the Arab television station Al Jazeera in Israel. “Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the closure of Al Jazeera’s office in Israel and the blocking of the channel’s websites,” CPJ Programme Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna said in New York on Sunday. “This move sets an extremely alarming precedent for restricting international media outlets working in Israel,” he added. “The Israeli cabinet must allow Al-Jazeera and all international media outlets to operate freely in Israel, especially during wartime.” The French-based organisation Reporters Without Borders stated via the platform X, formerly Twitter: “RSF strongly condemns freedom-threatening legislation that censors a TV network for its coverage of the war in Gaza.” A few hours earlier, the Israeli government had issued a decision banning the TV channel Al Jazeera from operating in Israel. Inspectors from the Ministry of Communications immediately searched the broadcaster’s premises in East Jerusalem and confiscated equipment and devices. Cable and satellite providers took the broadcaster …

News

2024 US-Africa Business Summit: Shettima Departs Abuja For Dallas on Sunday

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Chris Udochukwu ABUJA – Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Dallas, United States of America, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa. Shettima will join other political and business leaders across Africa, the United States of America and beyond for the summit featuring high-level dialogues, networking business sessions and the plenary. This was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha. According to the statement, among African leaders expected at the summit include, President Joseph Boakai of the Republic of Liberia; President Lazarus Chakwera of the Republic of Malawi; President Joao Lourenço of the Republic of Angola; President Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi of the Republic of Botswana; President José Maria Neves of the Republic of Cabo Verde, and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Honourable Nthomeng Majara. Besides the summit plenary, Senator Shettima is expected to speak at the Roundtable on African Infrastructure Investment with a focus on impact and returns. …

News

Forensic Audit seeks return of stolen government funds, not to witch-hunt– Gov Otti

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ABIA- Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has said that he initiated forensic audit of the State Government’s account to recover stolen government funds and not to witch-hunt anyone. Otti said this on Sunday during an interactive session with constituents of Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. The governor said that upon assumption of office as governor, he established an audit with the primary objective of recovering stolen government funds and not to send anyone to jail. He said that the report of the audit revealed that “a lot of money was looted and stolen brazenly” for non-existing projects which include the Abia Airport Project. “I am looking for the airport for which funds were moved from the coffers of the government for. “The people concerned with the act of moving the airport project funds in question went to the media and began to say all manner of things. “If you are following the happenings in the media space, you will see these things there. “The problem with lying is that when you tell …

Sports

Argetina’s 1978 World Cup winning team coach, Cesar Menotti dies

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ARGENTINA – The Coach of Argetina’s 1978 World Cup winning team, Cesar Luis Menotti is dead, the country’s football federation announced on Sunday. He died at the age of 85. In his coaching career that spanned 37 years, Menotti, won 11 caps for Argentina in the 1960s and then managed 11 clubs, some more than once, and two national teams. Menotti was born in Rosario, Argentina, in 1938. He is best remembered for leading Argentina to the 1978 World Cup and the under-20 title the following year and for his commitment to a romantic ideal of football at a time when Argentina had developed a reputation for a cynical approach straying into violence. In the 1978 World Cup final hosts Argentina defeated the Netherlands 3-1 after extra-time with flamboyant man of the tournament Mario Kempes scoring twice against a Dutch side shorn of Johan Cruyff, who had refused to play in the tournament. The triumph was accomplished with flair but was surrounded by controversy. Many felt Argentina’s repressive junta made it an unsuitable host. Menotti also opted not to pick …

Opinion

Nyesom Wike And Abuja Roads By Is’haq Modibbo Kawu (Opinion)

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

Today is Saturday, May 4th, 2024. I had an early appointment inside the precincts of Aso Villa. I live in the Gudu District of Abuja, so I came out of my residence and took the turn through the Gudu cemetery, and followed the direction towards Asokoro. That was where my “problem” commenced. I hadn’t driven in that direction for several weeks. After a while, I came upon construction workers that early in the morning, and further ahead, I noticed that I was literally heading into a maze. The roads had been opened up in several directions. I’ve lived in Abuja for 22 years now, and with the surety of a native dweller of the FCT, I instinctively took a right turn and the next thing was that I found myself by the A-Y-A junction. Well, all was not lost, I thought to myself. I followed the road past the ECOWAS Secretariat, and further down, the road had been blocked! I turned round and made for A-Y-A again and took the under bridge turn, again with the false assurance that I …

News

Reps greet Deputy Speaker on his 53rd birthday anniversary

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ABUJA – The House of Representatives has extended warm felicitations to the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on the occasion of his 53rd birthday anniversary, the statement from the House Spokesman/Chairman, House Committee on Media & Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr has said. “A leader and parliamentarian of outstanding merit, Rt. Hon. Kalu has distinguished himself in public service over the last two decades. From his early days in politics, serving as Council Chairman of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, through his years in the Abia State Executive Council, he has consistently demonstrated a deep passion for service,” the statement said. Rt. Hon. Kalu’s appointment as Spokesman of the Nigeria House of Representatives in the 9th Assembly left a commendable legacy for the Green Chamber, significantly improving its reputation and social license to function as the people’s house. This legacy has continued to resonate in the current 10th Assembly, setting a standard for transparency and accountability in parliamentary affairs. In his nearly one year in office as Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kalu’s inspiring leadership and …

News

NDLEA intercepts 4,752kg of cannabis in Abuja

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ABUJA (SUNDIATA POST)- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a 40-ft gas tanker marked RBC 77XG with 511 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752kg concealed in the gas tank compartment of the truck. The Spokesperson for the agency, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Babafemi said NDLEA operatives had intercepted the tanker during a stop and search operation along Abuja-Abaji highway on May 1. He said the consignment was loaded into the tanker in Ondo State and was meant to be delivered in Abuja for further distribution. Babafemi said the four suspects arrested in connection with the seizure were: Efe Mikel, 39, Ebigide Cyril, 29, Ejechi Monday, 41 and Friday Chukwudi 39. In another development, two suspects, Aminu Umar 25, and Anas Umar, 22, were arrested with 207.1 kilograms of cannabis sativa in their houses at Ungwan Rimi, Basawa, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State on April 29. Also, Bashir Umar, 35, was nabbed at Ladanai, Hotoro area of Kano State, on May 3, with 194 bottles of codeine syrup. In the same …

News

53rd Birthday: Akpabio eulogises Ben Kalu, describes him as a rising star

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ABUJA – The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON has felicitated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu on his 53rd birthday. Akpabio, in a birthday message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh described Kalu as a “rising star, a reliable colleague and outstanding legislator”. He applauded Deputy Speaker Kalu for effectively collaborating with him and other lawmakers to give Nigeria a voice and a place of pride at the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) after 49 years. The Senate President stated that as deputy speaker, Kalu has exuded high level of commitment to nation building and support to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to have a peaceful and resourceful chamber. He commended the deputy speaker for his patriotism and great love shown the people of the South East by leading a peace campaign using his Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P). “Honourable deputy speaker, I can say without mincing words that you’re a patriot. Since your emergence as deputy speaker, you have been preaching peace and unity, …

News

DSS pledges partnership with NAN on intelligence gathering

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

ABUJA (SUNDIATA POST)- The Department of State Service (DSS) has pledged to partner with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on intelligence gathering and other related security issues. The Director-General of DSS, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, made the pledge on Sunday in Abuja when a delegation from NAN led by its Managing Director, Malam Ali Mohammed Ali, paid him a courtesy visit. He said the two agencies of government perform similar responsibilities in the areas of information and intelligence gathering. Bichi commended the delegation for the visit and pledged that the DSS would support and key into the planned NAN Annual Lecture. The DSS boss urged the delegation not to hesitate in reaching out to the service for support or partnership when needed. Earlier, NAN managing director had told the DSS boss that the visit was to intimate and sought his collaboration ahead of the planned annual lecture of the agency. He said the planned annual lecture was intended to focus on the challenges and prospects in the security sector of the country. Ali said the lecture could not be planned …

News

Driver dies after vehicle crashes into White House gate

May 5, 2024May 5, 2024 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON- A vehicle traveling at high speed collided with a gate at the White House, leaving the driver dead, the U.S. Secret Service. “Shortly before 10:30 p.m. (1430 GMT) on May 4th,” the vehicle crashed into “an outer perimeter gate on the White House complex,” the federal law enforcement agency said on Sunday in a statement published on X, formerly twitter. “Security protocols were implemented as officers cleared the vehicle,” it said, adding that “there was no threat to the White House.” Limited traffic closures remain in effect as the agency and the local police department investigate the incident, said Anthony Guglielmi, chief of Communications for the agency, in a post on X. (Xinhua/NAN)