DSS Confirms Plot By Disgruntled Elements For Interim Government

 The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria. The Service considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis. The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace loving Nigerians.

This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country. The planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency. Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.

The DSS supports the President and Commander-in-Chief in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction. It also supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the States. It will collaborate with them and sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inaugurations come 29th May, 2023.

Consequently, the Service strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations. Stakeholders, notably judicial authorities, media and the Civil Society, are enjoined to be watchful and cautious to avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation.

While its monitoring continues, the DSS will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements to frustrate their obnoxious intentions.

Peter Afunanya PhD, fsi 
Public Relations Officer 
Department of State Services 
National Headquarters 
Abuja
29th March, 2023

Pastor Ab Isong Shares Blessing CEO's One-Legged Outfit (Edited Photo)

Nigerian pastor, Ab Isong has shared an edited photo of Blessing CEO in which her one-legged outfit was covered with Catholic Women Organization (CWO) wrapper, IGBERETV reports.

The Akwa Ibom pastor captioned the photo;

“If we decide to cover each other's unclothedness, the world will be a better place. No one knew Saul will become Apostle Paul someday"

 

Peter Obi Congratulates Solomon Arase On His Swearing-In As PSC Chairman

 I congratulate former IGP Solomon Arase, on his swearing in as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission by HE President @MBuhari . As an experienced policeman and law enforcement officer, who served in various commands and formations of the Nigerian Police Force before rising to the apex position of Inspector-General of Police, he brings added value to his new position. He follows a succession of credible leaders of the Commission. I am certain he will perform creditably in his new assignment. -PO

Bus-Train Accident: Lagos Compensates Victims With Employment, Scholarship, Othe

 The Lagos State Government has announced compensation for victims of the collision between a train and a bus conveying staff of the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, the state promised to provide employment to one employable child of each of the dead victims of the accident and a concessionary scholarship to one of their biological children.

This was after a nine-member committee set up by the state in the aftermath of the accident of March 9 submitted its report.

The statement read, “Findings of the report showed that the accident had six fatalities from a total of 102 passengers involved, with 85 passengers on board the staff bus, while 17 were on the train.

“The committee as part of its recommendations advised: Death benefits from the Group Life Insurance for families of the deceased, provision of employment to one employable child of the deceased and a concessionary scholarship to one of the deceased’s biological children.

“Injured accident victims were also recommended in the report to be paid full insurance claims as compensation while any staff victim with a permanent disability is also to be compensated in line with the Group Life Insurance Policy of the state, among other benefits.

“The committee, which consists permanent secretaries from relevant ministries of the state public service, was set up to identify the families of the deceased and their dependents, as well as the injured officers, and to determine appropriate compensation packages for each affected family and staff of the state government.

“A final decision on the committee’s recommendations will be taken by the state executive council and further directives communicated by the Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.”

Meanwhile, a case of manslaughter has been established against the driver of the staff bus involved in the accident, Oluwaseun Osinbajo.

According to the state government, as soon as he’s done recuperating, he will be charged to court.

Lionel Messi Makes History With 100th Goal For Argentina

 Lionel Messi became the third player ever to score 100 international goals with his 20th minute goal against Curaçao on Tuesday, and the first to accomplish that feat with a men's FIFA World Cup trophy. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Iran’s Ali Daei each scored 100 goals with their respective countries, but neither have a World Cup to their name. Messi, 35, won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.

Messi also scored goals Nos. 101 and 102 in the first half of Tuesday's game. The final score was 7-0 in Argentina's favor.

Messi's latest feat comes just days after he became the second-ever player to score 800 career goals, joining the aforementioned Ronaldo. Ronaldo holds the all-time record for career goals, which includes goals at the club and international level.

Messi has made 174 senior appearances for Argentina in his career, which is the all-time record for Argentina and fourth on the all-time list. Ronaldo's 198 senior caps for Portugal is currently the all-time record.

At 102 goals, Messi is Argentina's all-time leading scorer by a margin of 46 goals. Messi became Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer in 2016 with a free-kick against the United States in the Copa América Centenario.

Shola Akinlade Buys Danish Aarhus Fremad Club in Denmark

 Nigerian software engineer and co-founder of online payment platform Paystack, Shola Akinlade, has ventured into European football space after completing the purchase of Danish second division club Aarhus Fremad, Peoples Gazette can confirm.

“We have looked at the date correctly, and yes – it is good enough Aarhus Fremad has closed an agreement today, which means a new owner in the club. We are very much looking forward to the collaboration and eagerly await what the future brings us,” the club’s statement read.

According to the report gathered by Peoples Gazette, Mr Akinlade, who is based in the United States of America, purchased a 55 per cent take in the club, making him the majority owner of Aarhus Fremad with the hope of revamping the club.

Aarhus Fremad F.C, who are currently on top of the Danish second division with six points clear and are on course for a promotion to the top division at the end of season, is the 38-year-old’s latest investment in football after establishing Sporting Lagos F.C in 2022.

Sporting Lagos, is one fast-growing private football club in Nigeria and currently play in the Nigerian second division league, the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Court Cases Won’t Stop Handover To Tinubu, Shettima – FG

 The Federal Government, on Tuesday, gave the assurance that the transition of power from the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, would be smooth and peaceful.

This was as the government said the refurbishment of offices for the President and Vice-President elect had been completed.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Transition Committee, Boss Mustapha, stressed that litigation would not stop the hand-over ceremony from taking place.

He said, “The committee has been active and the refurbishment of offices for the President and Vice-President elect has been completed.

“The facility at the Defence House is ready. Security personnel of the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Police Force have also been deployed to the President and Vice-President elect.

“Protocol officers have also been assigned to both the President-elect and Vice-President-elect from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Intelligence Agency.



“The transition process is on course and all efforts are being made to ensure that it is smooth. On May 29, there would be a peaceful formal transfer of power to the new President.”

Mustapha noted that the security sub-committee had been saddled with the responsibility to ensure no one truncates the hand-over.

He said, “All litigation, whether resolved or not, will not in any way stop the process. The President is not spending a day extra in office. The security committee has the responsibility to ensure that nothing happens to truncate the transition process. Nigerians are very law-abiding people.

“Whoever has lost an election, there are provided avenues for those people to make whatever legal inquiry they want to make but the process would continue unabated. We would not create another constitutional crisis. On May 29, the hand-over will take place.”

As part of the transition, Mustapha also said four members of the President-elect’s team would be joining the FG delegation to the Spring meeting of the World Bank.

He, however, revealed that the president-elect has nominated, Wale Edun and the governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu to be part of the transition committee.