The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, has said the relentless military onslaught against terrorists in Zamfara State has thrown notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji into a desperate scramble for escape. Musa also said the elimination of two of his top commanders, Kachalla Gwammade and Kachalla Shehu on Thursday night has sent shivers down the spine of Turji. He stated this on Friday at the closing ceremony of the CDS Joint Task Force Commanders Conference in Abuja. “In a follow-up operation, troops advanced into Tufan and Mashima villages, further dislodging armed groups and pushing them deeper into the forest. “In a symbolic strike against banditry, the security forces also returned to the once-cleared area of Bello Turji. “The remaining portions of his camp, previously targeted in past offensives, were obliterated in a final suit to erase his presence from the region. “Reports indicate that both Turji and Sani Black are now in this area desperately seeking escape...
The Gombe State Government has promised to declare a one week break for schools in the state to participate in the 2026 edition of Gombe Inter-secondary Schools Athletics and Principals’ Cup Football Competition.
Gombe State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Aisha Umar Maigari, who gave the hint in a chat with journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing Gombe State Inter-Secondary Schools Athletics Championship, however, explained that the approval would only be possible if the competition do not clash with the schools academic calendar.
Dr. Aisha assured that the Gombe State Government would continue to support the grassroots sports and other programmes aimed at developing talents in the state.
“The State Government is in support of the Gombe State Inter-secondary Schools Athletics Championship and the Principals Cup Football Competition, and that is why His Excellency has approved a one week break for schools to participate in the competitions, and this is in tandem with the Federal Government policy.
“We are ready to approve a week break for next year’s edition if it doesn’t clash with our schools calendar, we will do it in a way that it doesn’t affect the school calendar, and we are able to deliver our curriculum for our students will study and prepare for their exams.”
Meanwhile, organisers of the ongoing Gombe State Inter-secondary Schools Athletics and Principals’ Cup Football Competition have commended the Gombe State for the massive support to stage the annual games.
The games’ Competition Director, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, gave the commendation in a statement while addressing the press.
He said he was particularly grateful to the the state government for the release of sports facilities for the various competitions and for camping of over 3,000 athletes and team officials.
The former Gombe State Football Association chairman added that he was looking forward to a robust working relationship with the state government for a platform for the abundant talents in the state to realise their dreams of becoming professional sportsmen and women.
“I want to thank the Gombe State Government for the various supports given to is to successfully prosecute the games in the state.
“We particularly appreciate the state government for declaring a one week break for schools to participate in the games.
“Similarly, we thank the the state government for releasing sports facilities in the various schools to us for use during the games, without which we wouldn’t have been able to stage the games,” he said.
Edo Guber Election Tribunal To Relocate To Abuja
BENIN – It is being insinuated that the sitting of the Edo State 2024 Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, EPT, might be moved to Abuja for continuation of hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate for the election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
The insinuation was given credence when the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, informed counsel to the parties that there are reports indicating that the venue of the Tribunal would be moved to Abuja.
AdvertisementHe, however, said that the report was yet to be confirmed, adding that correspondence would be send to parties once the report is authenticated by authorities concerned.
He, subsequently adjourned sittings at the instance of the respondents’ to January 28, 2025, for continuation of hearing of the PDP petition.
Abuse Of Royal Paraphernalia: Oba Of Benin Mandates Chiefs, Priests, Priestesses To Lay Curses On Culprits
BENIN – The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has authorized the chiefs, priests and priestesses of various deities in Benin Kingdom to lay curses on those who will henceforth abuse the royal paraphernalia during ceremonies.
This was contained in a statement made available to Journalists in Benin by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and signed by Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere, Osuma of Benin, Chief Edionwe Oliha, Oliha of Benin and five other palace chiefs.
Addressing Journalists at the palace of the Oba of Benin, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere, Osuma of Benin, said that it has come to the knowledge of the palace that some persons have formed the habits of using paraphernalia such as the weaved coral bead (Ikele) that are exclusively preserved for royalty but without recourse to its implications.
According to him, “It has come to the attention of the Benin Traditional Council that some individuals have formed the habit of indulging in the abuse, aberration and abomination of the well-cherished Benin customs and tradition.
“It has been noticed for some time now that some uninformed and disgruntled elements when performing marriage and burial ceremonies adorn themselves with Benin chieftaincy traditional paraphernalia such as the weaved coral bead (Ikele) Eben and Okuku.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Eben is only used by titled chiefs when paying homage to the Oba of Benin. The Eben has not and is not part of the items used during marriage and burial ceremonies.
Advertisement“It has also been noticed that some women and cultural groups as part of their dressing mode, adorn themselves with full paraphernalia head-gear of the Oba’s wives (Queens) known as Okuku.
“It should be stated clearly that the Okuku is only worn by the Queens (Iloi) of the Oba of Benin. Those women that put on this Okuku are inadvertently bringing curses to themselves,” Ozigbo-Esere said.
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