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Again, NNPCL fails to give timeline on shares sale plan

Harrison EDEH
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Again, NNPCL fails to give timeline on shares sale plan

THE Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, has disclosed the company will “soon” launch an initial public offering (IPO) for the oil firm.

Kyari, who disclosed this on Tuesday, July 11 at the ongoing National Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja, said he already had President Bola Tinubu’s backing on the proposed IPO launch.

This is not the first time Kyari would be informing potential investors about the plan to offer NNPCL shares to the public “soon”, but without putting a specific date to it.

In July 2022, Kyari had said the IPO launch would be ready by mid-2023.

“We will go to the market and this is going to happen soon. This is the new direction, and I can confirm to you that Mr President is completely committed,” Kyari said at an energy conference held last year in the capital, Abuja.

NNPC, which became a commercial company in July last year, no longer has recourse to state funds and will have to raise its finances independently.

An analyst wants the oil company to address some concerns before the  launch.

“I am curious to see the book building process, security underwriters, price discovery, issuing houses, exchange it will be quoted on, treasury management strategy for remitting dividends to shareholders (if it will be listed on the London Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange), and corporate governance,” Kelvin Emmanuel, a financial and development expert, told The ICIR.

Emmanuel said the NNPCL must clean up its legacy debts and address apprehensions surrounding its non-functional refineries before it could attract private capital and enlist in the stock market.

“The NNPCLtd. needs to raise at least $30 billion to fund its key projects like the liquified petroleum  (LPG) gas processing plant, trains 8, 9 and 10 LNG and LPG vessels, bulk storage terminals for LPG, gas gathering manifolds and the Abuja- Kaduna-Kano pipeline projects. Private capital should come in, but the NNPC has to keep clean its books,” he said.

Six students score less than 2 points as NECO releases common entrance results

Bankole ABE
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Six students score less than 2 points as NECO releases common entrance results

A TOTAL of six students scored 01 in the 2023 National Common Entrance Examinations conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, in Abuja on Wednesday, July 12.

Adejo said 72,865 pupils registered in 2023 compared to 71,738 for 2022, with Lagos State having the highest number of 18,644 and Taraba having the lowest 102.

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He added that 38,801 female registrants were recorded against 34,064 males.

“We are making progress with bridging the gender disparity. 3,036 pupils were absent; 76 pupils had the highest score of 203. The lowest score was 01 mark, and this was scored by six pupils,” Adejo said.

He said the conduct of the exam was hitch-free, noting that it indicates that NECO is improving in the delivery of its examinations and thanked everybody that contributed to making it possible, including the examination council, the examination monitors, markers, and pressmen.

“As you are all aware, our Federal Unity Colleges have become the first port of call for most parents in the country,” he added.

Adejo said although the Federal Unity Colleges are currently facing challenges of infrastructural development, feeding and teacher quality, the Federal government is doing its best to ensure better conditions for effective teaching and learning in the schools.

Nigerian fraudster, Woodberry jailed 8 years in US

Itoro ETUKUDO
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Nigerian fraudster, Woodberry jailed 8 years in US

A NIGERIAN fraudster, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, popularly known as Mr Woodberry, has been handed an 8-year and 3-month prison sentence by a judge in the United States (US).

Woodberry is an associate of popular Nigerian Internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the US following his conviction for fraud.

On Tuesday, July 11, Robert Gentleman, judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago, handed down a sentence to Woodberry for his involvement in orchestrating a fraudulent scheme worth millions of dollars.

“The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of 100 months as to count,” the judge said.

Woodberry reached a plea bargain in April, resulting in the dismissal of seven counts against him as reported by The ICIR. However, he was ultimately convicted on one count.

The offender is required to surrender to the US Marshal Service for transportation to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut. During his incarceration, his family members, particularly his American fiancée, will be granted visitation privileges.

Furthermore, the judge mandated his deportation to Nigeria upon completion of his prison term.

“Mr Ponle will also be surrendered to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation immediately following his incarceration”, the judge ordered.

In addition, the court has determined that he has the means to make the full payment of approximately $8 million in restitution to seven victims. However, all interests associated with the restitution amount has been waived off.

As reported by the People’s Gazette, on Thursday, June 29, American prosecutors urged the judge to impose a 14-year prison sentence on Woodberry for his involvement in fraud activities spanning from January to September 2019.

Upon their discovery that Woodberry possessed 152 bitcoins, the prosecutors sought the court’s permission to sell off the assets. Subsequently, a public notice was issued, providing a 30-day period for individuals with legitimate claims to come forward. However, at the time of his sentencing, no individual with valid interest in the assets came forward.

As part of the forfeiture, he will give up various items currently held by the Dubai Police, including a Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch and three Audemars Piguet watches.

Additionally, he is obligated to surrender three gold and diamond-studded rings, five gold bracelets, two gold bracelet keys, six gold neck chains, one gold and diamond-studded necklace, one small gold nugget, two bank cards, approximately $1,835 in Emirati dirhams and around $15.45 in South African rands.

Woodberry was popular for showcasing a lavish lifestyle on social media, alongside his associate, Hushpuppi. Both individuals were apprehended on June 10, 2020.

Insecurity: CDS says delays in prosecution of suspects demoralise military

Vincent Ufuoma
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Insecurity: CDS says delays in prosecution of suspects demoralise military

THE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa, has revealed that delays in the prosecution of suspects arrested over cases of insecurity is demoralising the Nigerian military.

Musa, who made the revelation during a meeting with Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, on Tuesday, July 11, decried the slow pace of criminal trials in the country.

While noting that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) was planning to review its operational modes, he stressed that the delay in bringing suspects to justice poses a challenge to the operations of the military.

“The CDS noted that one of the challenges facing the Military in the discharge of its duties is the administrative bottlenecks involved in the dispensation of judicial cases involving criminals handed over to the civil authority for prosecution,” a statement released after the meeting said.

However, the CDS said the military will bolster its kinetic and non-kinetic operations to combat insecurity across the country.

Musa also stressed the need for youths to be engaged in meaningful activities in order to reduce crime in the country.

Sani commended the military for its role in addressing insecurity in the state and called for more support to boost security in Kaduna and its environs.

He said Kaduna State is willing to support the military with local intelligence and other necessary resources to enable it discharge its constitutional responsibilities unhindered.

A professor of Criminology at Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Chika Okonkwo, has highlighted the demoralising effects of the delay in prosecuting criminal and terror suspects on the Nigerian military.

He argued that it erodes the military’s morale, undermines its sense of accomplishment, weakens deterrence capabilities, perpetuates a climate of impunity, and leads to frustration and disillusionment among personnel.

“The delay in prosecuting criminal and terror suspects by successive governments in Nigeria has a detrimental effect on the morale of the Nigerian military,” he said in a phone interview with The ICIR.

“The military plays a critical role in providing security and combating crime. However, witnessing the slow progress of cases and the release of suspects undermines their confidence in the justice system.

“This can lead to a sense of disillusionment and frustration among military personnel. They may feel their efforts are in vain, as the criminals they apprehend are not held accountable. This demoralisation can impact their motivation and commitment to the fight against crime, ultimately hindering their effectiveness in curtailing criminal activities.”

He noted that addressing the delay has become crucial to restoring the military’s morale, maintaining law and order, and effectively combating crime and terrorism in Nigeria.

Okonkwo further noted that addressing the delay requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach involving the collaboration and commitment of various stakeholders, including the government, judiciary, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, and the public.

Family planning: Nigeria to record 700,000 unwanted pregnancies — UNFPA

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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Family planning: Nigeria to record 700,000 unwanted pregnancies — UNFPA

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has projected that Nigeria may record 700,000 unwanted pregnancies due to the increasing cost of funding family planning in the country.

UNFPA made this known on Tuesday, July 11, at the 2023 World Population Day organised by the National Population Commission (NPC) in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme: “Dialogue on financing and investment in family planning: meeting the growing demand of Nigerian women,” the Technical Specialist, Maternal & Reproductive Health, UNDP, Adeela Khan said the challenges in funding family planning may lead to increasing number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions in Nigeria.

Noting that the funding gap for family planning has increased and skyrocketed from $25 million in 2022 to $32 million in 2023, Khan said the situation could further lead to 300,000 unplanned births and 300,000 unsafe abortions.

Khan saud, “Family planning programme is largely dependent on funding, and that is dwindling funding. As far as 2022, there was a gap of $25m. This year, we are looking at a gap of $32m. What is very important about this gap is that if you are costing it, there will be 700,000 unintended pregnancies, which will result in approximately 300,000 unplanned births and 300,000 unsafe abortions.”

She further noted that the government made concerted efforts through policies such as the National Policy for Population and Sustainable Development in 2022 and Family Financial Commitment to ensure family planning.

“The Nigerian government has been recognising the importance of investing in family planning.”

Also speaking at the event, a Public Health Practitioner Gafar Alawode, expressed concerns over Nigeria’s rising population.

Alawode pointed out that the population was growing faster than the economy, a development which he said was detrimental to the country. According to him, Nigeria produces the combined population of Liberia and Togo annually.

“Nigeria is producing the size of Liberia, Togo, and maybe Sierra Leone combined every year. Why it is more dangerous is that our population grows faster than our economy. The implication is that the wealth is not expanding, but the people consuming the wealth are expanding. That means the share that comes to each individual is reduced. And Nigeria is already a poverty capital.”

The ICIR had reported that  the former Country Director, IPAS, Ejike Oji, disclosed that only 6.5 million women in Nigeria use modern methods of contraception.

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Stressing that the use of modern contraceptives in the country prevents over two million unintended pregnancies, he noted that the contraceptive caused nearly a million unsafe abortions and 15,000 maternal deaths.

Oji emphasised the need for the government to raise adequate funds for family planning services and maternal and child health programmes in the country, adding that investment in family planning saves lives and boosts nations’ economy.

“Only 6.51 million women use a modern method of contraception in Nigeria. As a result of contraceptive use, 2.28 million unintended pregnancies will be prevented, 816,000 unsafe abortions will be averted, and 15,000 maternal deaths will be averted,” he said.

Amid concerns over SARS operations in Rivers, police arrest officers for assault

Ijeoma OPARA
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Amid concerns over SARS operations in Rivers, police arrest officers for assault

AMID concerns over continued operations by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the Rivers State Police Command said it has arrested officers caught assaulting a man in a viral video.

In a statement on Tuesday, July 11, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command Grace Iringe-Koko said the officers will be investigated and sanctioned according to the regulations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka Psc LLB PhD, has condemned the police assault and brutality of a man in a video trending on social media. The policemen in the video have been identified and arrested. They are currently at the Command undergoing trial for their unprofessional act, which will serve as a deterrent to other police personnel.

“The Command hereby appeals to the victim to come forward to the Public Relations Department, Rivers State Police Command to give his own statement so as to aid the conclusion of the investigations and his identity will be protected,” Iringe-Koko noted.

The video showed a group of policemen dragging a man into their van in front of Crunchies restaurant, which, according to the accompanying caption, was located in Oyigbo, Rivers State.

At first, two officers were spotted dragging the man by his trousers. He refused to follow them into the van but was overpowered when at least three other policemen joined in the assault.

He was pushed to the ground and later carried into the white Toyota Hilux van parked close by.

Pictures provided by Iringe-Koko showed the faces of two policemen, although the later part of the video captured about five officers involved in the act.

The ICIR reached out to Iringe-Koko to ascertain why only two officers were arrested. She said findings by the Command revealed that the assault was actually carried out by the two arrested officers.

“They are all team members, but these two were the ones that assaulted the man. They were in the CP’s office and we did an interview. We interviewed all of them. But these team members defaulted,” she said.

Residents allege SARS operations

Some residents of Rivers State recently raised concerns over rising incidents of police brutality in the state, alleging that men suspected of being officials of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were still operating and harassing citizens.

In a post on Twitter, a resident, Derek Vinebo, said he was harassed by SARS officials in 2021, one year after the group was disbanded by the Federal Government.

“20.10.20. The day the Nigerian governement murdered it’s citizens. We will never forget. Almost a year later and I got harassed by SARS in Rivers State with my friends in our way back from the market,” Vinebo tweeted.

“I thought they had banned SARS in Port Harcourt. They came to my neighbour’s yard and beat him up,” another user Keyblinks, posted on June 18, 2023.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has warned against SARS operations in the state, urging the Police Command to investigate the allegations by residents.

Although Rivers CP insisted that SARS had ceased to operate in the state, cases of police brutality have continued to be recorded against residents.

The then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had announced the disbandment of SARS in October 2020, in a move seen as a prompt response by the Federal Government to the demands of Nigerians youths protesting against police brutality‎ during the #EndSARS protests.

The IGP also announced the establishment of another police special squad – the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team – replace SARS. A statement issued by then police spokesman Mike Mba noted that prospective members of the new team would also undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

Japa: Nigerian stowaways rescued from ships in Brazil, Canary Islands

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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Japa: Nigerian stowaways rescued from ships in Brazil, Canary Islands

FOUR stowaways were discovered and rescued by crew members off the southeast coast of Brazil, after spending a harrowing 13 days concealed in a compartment on top of the rudder of a Liberia-flagged ship that sailed from Lagos, Nigeria.

The Brazilian federal police confirming their safe retrieval said on Tuesday that the ship left Lagos on June 27 and the four stowaways had hidden in a compartment located in a submerged section of the ship.

Upon discovery, the four men, who claimed to be Nigerians, were found to be in good health and well-fed, but lacked documentation to confirm their nationality.

A police official told AFP, “The men rescued claim to be Nigerians, but they did not carry any documents confirming their origin.”

Meanwhile, in another incident, the Spanish coastguard successfully rescued two Nigerian migrants who had stowed away on the rudder of a ship arriving in the Canary Islands from Togo.

The migrants were found and brought to safety on Monday night in the port of Las Palmas and were immediately taken to a hospital for evaluation.

The Guardia Civil police confirmed that the migrants were 19 and 22 years old.

After being released, they were transferred back to the ship responsible for their return to Togo.

The port police tweeted, “The migrants were taken to a hospital. They were later released and were transferred back to the ship, which has to return them to their port of origin.”

Visual evidence shared by the Las Palmas maritime police on Twitter portrayed the precarious situation in which the two stowaways were found.

The images depicted them huddled on the rudder, beneath the ship’s hull and just above the waterline of the MSC Marta.

Investigations revealed that the MSC Marta’s last port before reaching the Spanish archipelago was Lome, the capital of Togo, hinting at the point of origin for the stowaways.

The ship, which had departed from Lagos, Nigeria, on July 2, made a stop in Togo on July 4, indicating that the migrants had remained onboard for at least seven days.

Under Spanish law, stowaways who do not seek asylum must be returned by the ship’s operator to the port of origin.

The Canary Islands, owned by Spain, continue to be a popular yet dangerous route for African migrants attempting to reach Europe, given its geographical proximity and significant maritime traffic in the region.

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Stolen runway light: FAAN suspends officials, starts investigation to recover stolen items

Ehime ALEX
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Stolen runway light: FAAN suspends officials, starts investigation to recover stolen items

THE Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reportedly suspended some officials over stolen runway lighting system at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and has commenced an investigation into the matter.

The director of public affairs and consumer protection (FAAN), Yakubu Funtua, has confirmed the incident, according to reports.

The airfield lighting system at the domestic runway 18R/36L of the airport was said to have been stolen by some yet-to-be-identified workers.

FAAN had, on March 13, announced a shutdown of the runway for eight weeks to allow maintenance work, and channelled all flight operations to taxiway B-18L until the maintenance was completed, The ICIR reported.

The runway lighting system makes it safe for aircraft to take off and land at the domestic airport.

According to a Punch report, some heads of relevant departments at FAAN had been suspended over the missing lighting equipment on the directive of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Emmanuel Meribole.

Funtua said the FAAN had launched an investigation and assured that the agency would do all within its powers to get to the root of the matter.

He said because of the many agencies operating at the airport, including those supposed to be taking care of security, it would be unfair to accuse the FAAN staff of the occurrence.

“We can’t say exactly who did it, but we are doing all that we can to recover what is lost. We are going to recover it because we are going to find out those people who did it and then block all those loopholes,” he was quoted to have said.

Efforts to speak with the FAAN authority to clarify some issues were unsuccessful. Its spokesperson, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, did not answer calls or respond to the text message sent to her phone line.

An expert who spoke unanimously with The ICIR said FAAN needed to explain what happened.

He asked, “Was it that the lighting system had been installed and was stolen, or had not been installed and was stolen?”

He said the perpetrators of the act might have taken advantage of the closure of the runway, which lasted for about three months, to beat FAAN’s security apparatus.

There had been incidents of theft at the Lagos airport. For instance, in December 2021, Arik Air complained to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) about an attempted robbery of its taxiing aircraft by unknown men that encroached on the runway.

The ICIR reports that for nearly 16 years, the second runway of the MMA Lagos operated without airfield lighting until November 2022 when FAAN reopened the runway for flight services after the successful installation of the CAT III Airfield ground lighting system.

An aviation consultant, Fatai Afolabi, told The ICIR that FAAN needed to look inward to address the many security challenges at the airport as there are personnel and touts with no business operating at the airport.

Afolabi, a former financial secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), said, “What has happened is a reflection of the activities that go on in the airport. When you look at our airport, you will see a lot of security agencies, but their concern is to get some things from travellers. Security is not their concern.”

Believing the theft must have been perpetrated by airport staff, he queried how possible it was for non-staff to walk onto the runway, an area not accessible to them, and steal the lighting system.

‘Vessel intercepted with stolen crude notorious for altering its name’

Harrison EDEH
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‘Vessel intercepted with stolen crude notorious for altering its name’

CREDIBLE Security intelligence has revealed that a vessel laden with stolen crude oil intercepted by a private security contractor engaged by Messrs. Tantita Security Services is notable for altering its identity.

NNPCLtd official logo

The intel was made known on July 10 by Captain Warredi Eniusuoh, the Group Technical and Operations Manager of Messrs. Tantita Security Services on the sideline of a media briefing on the vessel.

The intel was corroborated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Eniusuoh said, “The vessel came into light since 2013. It was operated by Hauline Maritime Services and was brought into Nigerian waters as Ali Risa Bay registered in Togo. At some point it was apprehended but somehow got itself out and later changed its name to Turatu. It changed its name in a very criminal manner and it did not approach official authorities for such name changing. From then it started operating illegally in several waters right from Cameroon to Ghana and even Nigeria. The partners of the companies are both local and international.

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited is owned by former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

The vessel, MT Tura II (IMO number 6620462), owned by a Nigerian registered company, Holab Maritime Services Limited with registration number RC813311 was allegedly heading to Cameroun with the cargo on board.

A statement issued on July 10 by the NNPCL signed by its spokesman, Garba Muhammad, noted that the vessel was apprehended at an offshore location at latitude 5.8197194477543235° and longitude 4.789002723991871°, with the captain and crew members on board.

The statement said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crude oil cargo was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria.

It added there was no valid documentation for the vessel or the cargo at the time of the arrest.

Further investigations into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Limited command and control centre, Muhammad said, also revealed that the vessel had been operating in stealth mode for the last 12 years.

“The last reported location of the vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011,” he stated.

Details of the arrest and the outcome of the investigations were sent to the appropriate government authorities, upon which it was concluded the vessel should be destroyed to serve as a strong warning and deterrent to all those participating in such illegal activities to cease and desist, the NNPCL said.

“The illegal trade of stolen crude oil not only inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry, but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability.

“NNPC Ltd. assures Nigerians that we will sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt,” the national oil company added.

Tinubu condemns Plateau killings, orders arrest of perpetrators

Mustapha USMAN
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Tinubu condemns Plateau killings, orders arrest of perpetrators

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent killings in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State and parts of Benue State.

The President also ordered security agencies to ensure that those behind the killings are arrested and made face the full wrath of the law.

Tinubu equally directed the governments of Plateau and Benue states and emergency response agencies to provide support and immediate relief to victims who have been displaced as a result of the conflicts.

Tinubu reacted to the killings in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, on Tuesday, July 11. He condemned what he described as festering reprisal attacks and needless, avoidable bloodletting among communities in the two states.

The ICIR gathered a fresh attack by gunmen on Mangu LGA on Sunday, July 9, claimed the lives of 12 people. 

According to a report, the gunmen also set many houses on fire.

Mathew Habila, one of the affected victims told The Punch: “We have our people killed again in another attack last night. This time,12 people were killed with several others injured, and many houses were burned by Fulani militia at Farinkasa Kerana and Sabon gari communities in Mangu district of Mangu local government area.”

Also, the National President of Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) Joseph Gwankat, at a press conference, noted that since April, members of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association had attacked 53 communities and killed 204 persons in Mangu LGA, where the state governor hails from.

Reacting to this recent attacks, Tinubu said, “It is most unfortunate that in this orgy of violence, an innocent eight-month-old baby in Farin Lamba community of Vwang District, Jos South Local Government, died in a conflict she knew nothing about.

“A major consequence of perennial conflict is always the tragic loss of innocent lives.

“To build virile, peaceful and prosperous communities demand tolerance and forgiveness for every perceived wrongdoing.”

The President urged community, religious and traditional leaders, socio-cultural organisations as well as the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and the Christian Association of Nigeria, to work together to help foster genuine and long-lasting peace.

He reaffirmed his government’s determination to stamp out violent crimes and all forms of criminalities everywhere in Nigeria.

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