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Four Arrested for Corps Disappearance in Rivers

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The Rivers State Police Command announced that four suspects had been apprehended in connection with the disappearance of Yahya Faruq, a member of the National Youths Service Corps stationed in Ikuru town in the state’s Andoni Local Government Area.

This came after the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria reported Faruq missing on Monday, October 4, 2024.

Since then, the corps member, who was assigned to a secondary school in Ikuru town for his primary duty and works part-time for a local company, has not been seen for eight days.

However, in response to the event on Tuesday evening, Grace Iringe-Koko, the state Police Public Relations Officer, verified the corporal’s disappearance and stated that an inquiry was proceeding.

Iringe-Koko went on to say that the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Mustache, had received some NYSC officials who had visited him about the event.

She stated, “Yes, I am aware of it. Four persons have been arrested and transferred to the SCID for discreet investigation.

“Already, some NYSC officials were with the Commissioner of Police today where he briefed them on the arrest and other measures being taken to ensure that the corps member is found.”

An previous statement from the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Edo Central Area Council, expressed concern about the incident.

It reads, “Faruq who reportedly went missing on Monday, October 14, 2024, is a corps member, serving in Rivers State. Till the time of the announcement of his disappearance, he was serving at the Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Faruq was also reported to have been working on a part-time basis at the LDM Chinese Milling Company, in the same Ikuru Town, Adoni LGA.”

While appealing for help, the Society said, “We are devastated and heartbroken to announce the sudden and mysterious disappearance of our beloved brother, Yahya Faruq, a dedicated corps member serving at Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Last seen on Monday, October 14, 2024. Part-time job at LDM Chinese Milling Company, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area, Rivers State. The unsettling fact is that he signed in for his shift but did not sign out, leaving a trail of unresolved questions, agonizing dread for his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as a gaping emptiness in our lives.

The organization also stated, “Adding to our distress, the LDM Chinese Milling Company returned his bag and phone to his primary assignment, Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni LGA, Rivers State, fueling our fears and deepening the mystery.”

“We badly need your help, prayers, and empathy to find our beloved brother and secure his safe return. Every passing second is agony.

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Culture

Enugu Monarch Urges Igbos to Preserve Tradition, Culture

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The traditional ruler of Amurri in Nkanu West, Enugu State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, has called on the Igbo people to protect their cultural heritage, warning that posterity would not forgive them if these traditions were lost.

Speaking at the 2024 Annual Oriri Anu Amurri, the community’s harvest celebration held at the Afor market square, the monarch emphasized that a people’s history is incomplete without their culture.

The Oriri Anu Amurri, a festival honoring the land for its abundant harvests, brings together the community to celebrate the “soil” for its blessings.

“We cultivate, plant, and by November, harvest bountifully,” Igwe Nwoye said. “For me, as a traditional ruler deeply rooted in tradition, I will keep promoting our culture.”

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, represented by Commissioner for Agriculture Patrick Ubru, praised the Amurri people for their dedication to farming, aligning with the government’s goals for food production.

He pledged to continue supporting farmers, aiming to make Enugu the food hub of the South East.

Dr. Ben Nwoye, former chairman of the APC in Enugu and a community Crown Prince, echoed the call for tolerance, particularly among religious groups.

He noted that before Christianity, Amurri people had their own ways of worship and had welcomed missionaries to establish schools and churches.

He urged Christians, Muslims, and others to respect traditional worship, adding, “The way of worship of Amurri people is the ancient way, and the God that created us still hears us.”

Chief Priest, John Njoku explained that the festival also serves to bless the land, while Senator Kelvin Chukwu highlighted that this year’s event allowed Amurri’s sons and daughters to reconnect and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

The festival, he noted, was an important reminder of the community’s unity and traditions.

 

 

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Culture

Yeyemo’ye Bunmi Dipo Salami: Making of a Meteor

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“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not

to you. Everything happens at exactly the right

moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don’t

have to like it… it’s just easier if you do.”

Byron Katie

When Yeye Bunmi Dipo Salami (BDS), began her earthly

journey, there were no comets. There were also no predictions or prophecies, (practices that are prevalent in many African villages in those days).

Her parents were educated, a rare privilege at her time of birth and they gave little Bunmi, sound early education that entrenched her feet solidly on life’s journey that now produced a brainy, resourceful, diligent, hardworking and beautiful woman, whose touch on planet earth has been very remarkable.

So, when the drums were rolled out on Saturday, November 2, 2024, part of annual Iyin Day celebration, which kicked off from Monday, October 28, to Sunday, November 3 and Bunmi Dipo Salami was called upon by frontline monarch and Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaye, to be the Yeyemo’ye of Iyin Ekiti, it was a title well deserved.

The brand new Yeyemo’ye, Bunmi Dipo Salami (aka B D S), graduated at the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ife, Osun State.

She began work at the non-profit sector in Nigeria as a Programme Officer at the Centre for Human Development, Ile-Ife (1998–2000) and from there joined Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Lagos, as a Programme Officer in 2000.

She rose to the position of Programme Director in 2006.

Similarly, she was Senior Trainer and Co-Coordinator of the International Women’s Democracy Network (IWDN), at the Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights and Development, in the United States between 2007 and 2008.

She launched LaRen Consulting in 2009 and was the Principal Consultant/CEO, until she was invited to serve in the government of her home state, Ekiti, in 2010.

As a public servant, she functioned at different times as Commissioner and as Special Adviser to the Governor, with responsibilities for Planning, MDGs & Multilateral Relations; Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs; and MDGs & Development Relations until 2014.

She is currently back to BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, as the Executive Director, making her selection as the Yeyemo’ye (Woman of Wisdom), a well-deserved title.

The cap really fits.

Preparatory to the Iyin epochal event, Pastor Remi Obaparusi, Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee, had made an announcement on Saturday, October 26th 2024, expressing excitement on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Adeniyi Adeola Ajakaiye, the Oluyin-in-Council, and the entire Iyin community.

He christened the year’s celebration; ‘Celebration of Unity and Development,’ with the aims to highlight the Iyin Kingdom’s unity in diversity, resilience, and commitment to progressive development.

The weeklong festivities showcased Iyin Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage, tourism potential, and natural resources.

Activities showcased include: an interdenominational service, a medical outreach program, environmental sanitation efforts, essay writing competitions, and the awarding of scholarships and bursaries.

Additionally, various competitions such as indoor games, football matches, and an inter-school quiz took place, along with a health and fitness walk and empowerment initiatives, which includes the distribution of palliatives.

Highlighting the weeklong was the conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles, the Iyin Day carnival, and the launch of the N750 million Development Fund, aimed at further enhancing the growth and welfare of the Iyin community.

 

 

 

 

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Crime

Invoke Curses on…BUF pleads Oba of Benin

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Following renewed cult-related killings in Edo State, the Benin United Forum (BUF), has urged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, to curse those involved in cult-related killings, as he did when human trafficking became an embarrassment in the kingdom.

In addition, the Edo State Police Command has reported that one person has died in the state’s rekindled cult conflict.

According to a source close to the scene of the confrontation in Upper Sokponba, eight people died.

The most recent clash is supposed to be between the Eiye and Vikings confraternity.

Though the reason of the conflicts is unknown, it is thought that the situation worsened when some of the people considered to be leaders of the organizations attempted to mediate the matter at Tipper Garage on Upper Sokponba Road in the Idogbo neighborhood.

It was stated that the attempt to reconcile difficulties did not work out, so some ‘Eiye men’ attacked the Vikings members and inflicted injuries on them with knives, but no lives were lost.

The source said, “The Vikings went back in their numbers and killed one of the top members of ‘Eiye’ which led to an escalation of the crisis and killing spree. The challenge in this is that one of the groups does not accept apology and the other does not apologise,” the source stated.

Meanwhile, the Benin United Forum has urged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, to put curses on those involved in cult-related killings, as he did when human trafficking reached humiliating proportions in the kingdom.

Benin United Forum issued a press release on Tuesday, signed by the group’s President and Secretary, Iyamu Culture and Osayuki-Osa Benson. It read  “We humbly appeal to Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolo Kpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to direct our Ohens (Chief Priests) across the length and breadth of Benin Kingdom to immediately place curse(s) on those who are hiding under cultism to kill themselves in parts of Benin City which have consumed the lives of countless youths especially at Upper Sakponba Axis which is often seen as the center ground for the barbaric act, followed by Egor/Uwelu, Ugbowo/Uselu, part of GRA.”

Another group, the Network of Civil Society Organisations, has urged the authorities to relax the state’s ban on vigilante groups in order to tackle the threat posed by cults.

According to the organization’s president, Ogbidi Emmanuel, the cult clash is partly blamed on the state’s porous security, which resulted from the “needless ban on the Edo State Joint Security Network,” which had previously been trained by the police.

“The ban, which was pronounced by the Inspector General of Police Mr Kayode Egbetokun have since brought about great increase in crime to an alarming rate, especially within the locals.”

The statement urged police to investigate the cult-related killings and bring criminals to justice.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Moses Yamu stated that one person has been slain in the latest cult fight in the state.

“I don’t know if there were cult killings, but I can confirm one corpse was picked on Monday around the pipeline,  I have the picture on my phone. As of Tuesday, I don’t have any information that anything has happened,” he added.

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