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Imo Govt holds security summit for youths, preaches against crime

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The Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, has organized a one day security summit for youths of the state with the aim of discouraging them from indulging in anti-social activities.

The summit, which featured heads of various security agencies in the state, was also targeted at tackling youth related violence.

Addressing the participants, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, said that the summit is also aimed at sensitizing the youths on the need for peaceful environment for sustainable development.

He pointed out that no investor will like to stake his money in an unsecured environment.

The commissioner asserted that the only way youths can be gainfully employed is when there is relative peace and friendly environment that will attract investors.

He advised the youths to shun violence and embrace the opportunity provided by the government in the area of skill acquisitions, as well as talent hunts, through which youths can expose their ingenuity in sporting activities.

Ukaegbu added that there are many programmes lined up by the state government for the youths, which he maintained will enhance youth development and discourage them from indulging in crimes.

In his speech, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, represented by ACP Linus Nwaiwu, said the task of the security agencies will be less difficult if youths shun anti social behaviors and join in fighting crime.

He maintained that everybody is a stakeholder in the area of security.

Speaking also, the Commanding Officer, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, General I.M. Abbas, stressed on the importance of civic responsibility in nation-building.

He remarked that civil orderliness can only be obtained when the civilian populace, mostly the youths, begin seeing themselves as major stakeholders in fighting insecurity.

Abbas also pointed out that it is not possible for security agencies to be everywhere at the same time, saying crime can be prevented when everyone is engaged.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 10th Governing Council of Imo State University, Rev. Fr. P. A. Ogbonna, harped on the need for youths to be closer to God as the only way to think positively. Ogbonna expressed optimism that the summit will yield positive results.

One of the participants, Chekwube Adinioha, from Ohaji /Egbema LGA, said the summit is timely as it will help in addressing community crisis mostly orchestrated by cult related activities.

He however maintained that there is urgent need for the government and oil companies operating in the state to address some important issues like unemployment, forceful acquisition of lands and infrastructural deficit.

Adinioha noted that neglect by oil companies, who he accused of working with some community leaders to frustrate the people, is the major cause of crisis witnessed in Oil Producing Communities.

Participants at the event were youths from the 27 LGAs and students from various institutions of higher learning in the state.

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Alleged Land Grabbing: We have enough evidence to investigate monarch- Delta govt

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The Delta State government said it has gotten enough evidence from protesters that would help in its investigation of alleged land grabbing by the traditional ruler of Owa Kingdom, Obi, Emmanuel Efeizomor.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Edwin Uzor, leading the inquiry process, confirmed he has received evidential testimonies from some of the aggrieved persons; majority of whom are widows.

While addressing Owa-Oyibu Development Initiative, ADI, which had earlier protested over the matter but soft-pedalled following appeal by the leadership of the State House of Assembly, he said his office has commenced investigative inquiry into the matter.

He assured that the state government would speed up investigation with a view to resolving the crisis and come up with a peaceful resolution.

While enjoining the aggrieved parties to sheath their swords, he assured that the state government would get to the root of the matter. He said the administration of Hon Sheriff Oborevwori was irrevocably committed to ensuring that no Deltan is victimized by anyone on the account of his or her financial or social status.

He enjoined the youths in the community to give the state government the benefits of the doubts by remaining peaceful and calm.

Addressing the over hundred persons, all of whom are indigenes of Owa Kingdom, Uzor said, “we have gotten enough evidence from you that would help us in our investigation process.

“I want to commend you for your peaceful disposition so far. Meanwhile, we wish to appeal that you continue to maintain the existing peace even as we continue in our investigation”.

However, Chairman, Owa-Oyibu Development Initiative, Ogha-ni-ihun Oyibu, Benson Nkeki said the group had decided to embark on a wide protest against the monarch and the palace over alleged high-handedness, bothering largely on land grabbing and forcefully dispossessing land owners of their lands under false pretense.

He said the meeting was an aftermath of the group’s protest on the alleged land grabbing by the traditional ruler of Owa Kingdom, Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor.

Nkeki assured that following the intervention by the state government vis-a-vis the ongoing investigative inquiry into the allegation, the group is committed to giving the state government the benefits of the doubts.

“As law abiding citizens, we are prepared to give the state government the benefit of the doubts. If things are not done the way it should, we will continue with our protest even to the National Assembly level and beyond” Nkeki said.

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Ghana Deports Nigerian Convicted for Smuggling Fake $100,000

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A Ghanaian court has ordered the deportation of Nigerian Aremu Adegboyega after convicting him for smuggling counterfeit CFA francs worth over $100,000 through an illegal border route.

Arrested in 2023 at the Aflao border, he was fined GH¢4,440 or faces up to two years in prison if he defaults.

Adegboyega admitted receiving the fake notes from a Nigerian contact on instructions from a suspected mafia figure in Côte d’Ivoire.

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‘Benue most underdeveloped state I’ve visited’ – Verydarkman

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Controversial social media personality, Verydarkman, has stirred reactions online after describing Benue State as the most underdeveloped state he has ever visited.

In a viral video shared after a recent visit to the state, the influencer claimed, “Benue is still in the year 1940. It is the most underdeveloped state I have ever been to.”

He went on to lament the state of infrastructure and insecurity in the region, saying investors are discouraged from coming due to deplorable road conditions and safety concerns.

“Investors can’t come because of bad roads and insecurity.

“I’m currently drilling a borehole in Yelwata, but the people can’t continue the work because they are afraid of being killed,” he said.

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