BUHARI'S SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES IN TOP GEAR ACROSS THE NATION

*MORE STATES RECEIVE FUNDING FOR HOMEGROWN SCHOOL FEEDING 

*PAYMENT OF N-POWER BENEFICIARIES IN VARYING STAGES OF PROGRESS IN 34 STATES
*PAYMENTS OF CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER IN PILOT STATES CONTINUE

As the Buhari administration proceeds with the implementation of its Social Investment Programmes, the Federal Government has now released over N375 million this year to feed almost 700,000 primary school pupils in 5 states, while virtually all States of the federation, except two, are now being processed for the payment of N30,000 monthly Stipends to 200,000 graduates, the N-Power Beneficiaries.

Giving a Media Update in Abuja on Sunday, the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande said the Buhari Social Investment Programmes, SIP, are proceeding at different stages of implementation.

According to him, regarding the Homegrown School Feeding Programme, the Federal Government last week released money for this year, to the States of Anambra, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ebonyi to cover the feeding for 10 school days.

Happening Now! Fulani herdsmen Attacking Akpakume Nze, Udi LGA, Enugu State

An unconfirmed Reports reaching us has it that fulani herdsmen arecurrently attacking the people of Akpakume nze in Udi LGA of Enugu State. The report has it that several people have been killed in the ensuing attack by the invading herdsmen. 

More information coming shortly

CONDOLENCE VISIT TO ENUGU STATE: WE KNOW THE MEANING OF TERROR ASSOCIATED WITHE BOKO HARAM - GOVERNOR SHETTIMA

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR KASHIM SHETTIMA, CHAIRMAN NORTHERN GOVERNORS' DURING A CONDOLENCE VISIT TO ENUGU STATE, TUESDAY, MAY 2ND, 2016

PROTOCOLS

On behalf of the governments and peoples of the 19 Northern states, and the Northern Governors' Forum, I have led this delegation to the brotherly people and government of Enugu state, to express our condolences on the tragic killings that took place in this state over a week ago. It is our duty to bring condolences to our brothers and sisters and compatriots of Enugu state, because in the best traditions of our people, we must mourn with our compatriots just as we rejoice together, in moments of happiness. It is particularly important for us to express our heartfelt sympathy, because as victims of the terror associated with the Boko Haram crisis, we know the meaning of terror and the associated grief. We have lived with that for over seven years and we have been able to retain stoicism, largely because of the empathy that we have received from our compatriots from all over our country, including the sympathy of the people of Enugu state.

In a period of grief, we must also be able to maintain a calmness and clear headedness about the challenges that face us as a country. And we know that these are very difficult times for our country. The killings that have taken place here in Enugu state have come in the context of other killings in various rural communities across our country. The security forces are doing the very best to arrest the situation; efforts are being made to bring perpetrators to face the law and in that process, all Nigerians must assist the security forces with the information to succeed. But it is also important that communities, leaders and especially the Nigerian media, should play a calming and patriotic role in the situation that faces our country.

Nigerians in UK protest Fulani herdsmen killings in Enugu, others (Photos)

Irked by the incessant violent activities perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen across parts of the country, Nigerian residents in the United Kingdom, have staged a protest at the UK Westminister Parliament to condemn the killings and destructions by armed herdsmen, as well as draw the attention of global authorities to wade into the wanton killings.

 According to Mr. Chidi Ughonu, Coordinator, London Protest Against Fulani Herdsmen, the protest is coming in response to last week’s attack at Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani community in Enugu State, where six people were killed with scores wounded and properties destroyed by suspected herdsmen.

Protests In Enugu Over Herdsmen Invasion (Photos)

Residents of Enugu state are presently staging a protest in the state over the recent invasion of Nimbo community by some Fulanu herdsmen. 

The protesters, amongst whom are members of Federated Association Of Nsukka Students (FANS), are calling on the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to take a decisive step to curtail the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in the state.

 The protesters started their protest march from the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu as early as 7:00 am.  

More photos below:

OUR 34 POSITIONS: Ohanaeze bans herdsmen, beef consumption in Igboland

1. We have viewed with grave concern, the reckless and callous attitude of the Fulani herdsmen, who had the effrontery to bring down their violence to our peaceful south-eastern states of Nigeria, by recently attacking our defenseless kiths and kin at Nimbo Community, Uzo Uwani, LGA, Enugu State, MASSACRED AND DISMEMBERED a lot of them, without any respect or value for human life. 

2. These itinerant herdsmen have indeed drawn a line on the sand, and their actions and audacity will no longer be discountenanced. We must take steps to reduce the chances of  re-occurrence of this kind of evil, again.

3. Surely, we will not do anything illegitimate to express our displeasure in the killings of our people in our own land, by these itinerant Fulani herdsmen.

How Soldiers Intercept Suspected Boko Haram Ammunition Supply Vehicle, Arrest DSP, Others

At least three persons, including a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Abu Haruna, and a corporal, Solomon have been arrested for illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition.

The third suspect, Onuwa Attaka, is the driver of the arms laden vehicle. It was gathered that their confession showed alleged involvement in supply of arms to insurgents in Northern Nigeria.

The three suspects, who were heading to the North from Imo State, were intercepted in Nsukka, Enugu State, by officers and men of the Nigerian Army while travelling in a bus.

Items recovered from them include- 40 AK47 magazines, 4 boxes of AK47 live ammunition, 100 pieces of live cartridges, one piece of Denin Mopol khaki and charms concealed in a cap.

One of the army officers who spoke to reporters under anonymity disclosed that a police corporal serving in Imo State Police Command was also involved in the arms running.

He said: "When we asked the occupants of the vehicle to come down, we discovered a police corporal in uniform among them.The corporal on getting down pretended to be pressed; he later ran away".

It was gathered that the suspects were taken to Nsukka Police Division before their transfer to the state CID.The retired DSP, Abu Haruna, confessed that he had been in the business of arms dealing since he retired from the police.

He said their mission was to supply the ammunition to their buyer in Taraba State.

The source said Haruna further confessed that they decided to go on the supply after the buyer complained that the first batch was incomplete.The Police corporal's identity has been traced to Imo State Police command; his name was simply given as Solomon, even as efforts are still being made to effect his arrest.

Meanwhile, the Nsukka Police Area Commander, ASP. Ros-Amson Haladu has praised the gallantry of the soldiers in combating crimes in the area."I want to commend the Army Officers for their vigilance in tracking down these illegal arms dealers."At the same time, I warn criminals to leave this vicinity or risk being apprehended by security operatives", he said.