The Hood – Hearing from your neighborhood

Efforts of 8 Division Nigerian Army, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, to enhance troops responsiveness and domination of it’s Area of Responsibility paid off handsomely on Friday 27th October 2017 afternoon, as gallant soldiers of 242 Battalion intercepted Boko Haram suicide bomb squad at Ngalle village, northern Borno State. The intercepted bomb could have been intended for troops or innocent and peace loving villagers.

Following an attempt by the terrorists to escape on sighting troops, a terrorist was shot dead, while a huge Improvised Explosive Device (IED) cylinder was recovered. Other items recovered include an AK-47 rifle magazine, a motorcycle and some spare parts.

In a related development, troops also intercepted escaping Boko Haram terrorists crossing Maiduguri-Monguno highway at Torowa village. One of the terrorist was shot dead, while others fled into the nearby bush. The gallant troops recovered an AK-47 riffle with a magazine loaded with19 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 3 mobile phones, a SIM card and jewelries.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Rations

The death of Lieutenant H. Shuaibu, Army Commander of a forwarding base in Sassawa, Yobe State, and eight soldiers in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists could have been averted.

According to a Nigerian Army situation report seen by SaharaReporters, the Army received credible intelligence that Boko Haram terrorists were planning a major attack on troops of the 233 Battalion stationed at the forwarding base in Sassawa, 35 kilometers East of Damaturu, on October 17, 2017.                                                                   
Members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) affiliated to the Army and villagers had informed the troops after discovering that Boko Haram members were congregating in the area.                                      

Following the receipt of the information, Army Intelligence officers notified the Nigerian Air Force and requested for air cover. Curiously, however, the request was not acted upon until the terrorists struck, killing Lieutenant Shuaibu, eight soldiers and seriously injuring 3 others.

The situation report showed that the Army only managed to send a few gun trucks to fortify the base after learning of the impending attack. This followed the failure of the Nigerian Air Force to provide air cover to the troops.
 
A top Army source told Saharareporters that Boko Haram has regained vitality, which has seen the insurgent group carry out deadly attacks on Nigerian troops with increasing frequency. This indicates a loss of momentum by the Nigerian troops in the counter-insurgency offensive. 

Boko Haram terrorists arrived the base in with seven gun trucks and a platoon of fighters armed with machine guns and other high-grade military weapons. After ransacking the base and killing the nine soldiers, they blew up the facility.  
It took the dislocated troops and hurriedly assembled reinforcements about one hour to dislodge the terrorists.                                                                      
The effort resulted in three deaths on Book Haram side but left a yet to be determined number of troops missing, the report stated. 

It equally revealed that the terrorists made away with Army gun trucks and a high-frequency radio used for operations in the North-East.                               

Troops at the theatre of operations, it was also revealed, are currently afflicted with low morale arising from non-payment of their salaries and allowances for two months. The non-payment of salaries is on account of the failure of the Army hierarchy to comply with the Treasury Single Account policy of the Federal Government, the reason for which the Federal Ministry of Finance has refused to release the money. In addition, military sources in Abuja said the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar are intensely jostling for the position of the chief Defense Staff after Buhari confided in aides that the position of the Chief of Army Staff will go next to the Southwest region. Lieutenant H Shuiabu was the Nigerian Army Commander of the 233 battalion FOB killed in action on October 17th 2017Sahara Reporters Media

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Sunday lauded the choice of Otunba Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land declaring that the Oodua Peoples National coordinator is worthy of the title.

The Governor, who spoke at the 50th birthday reception of  his Special Adviser on  Information and Startegy, Semiu Okanlawon in Iwo, Osun state said by the  appointment of the Arigidi Akoko born , Adams has become the generalissimo of both the seen and unseen yorubas ,home and abroad.

Ogbeni Aregbe who held the Aare Ona Kakanfo designate in a long embrace at first sight at the event said he shares many things in common with Gani Adams having lived in the same neighborhood with him in Arigidi Akoko in Ondo state..

Singing the praise of Gani Adams , the Governor said no choice could have been better than the one Alaafin of Oyo made in respect of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo adding that the choice is obviously very popular and sits well with the Yoruba people.

Eulogising the person of the latest Aare designate, Aregbe said ”  I know his activities, I share a lot with him.

” He has become the generalissimo of seen and unseen Yorubas. You are worthy of the title, I salute you” he said.

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, MAPOLY chapter led by Mr Kola Abiola has announced the suspension of the
Work -to -rule action earlier embarked upon in recent time, just as it outlined some conditions to the State Government to be met within two weeks ultimatum.
To this end, academic activities are to commence fully on the school campus on Monday, 23rd October, 2017 while the date for the commencement of examination is to be determined by the School management through its academic board.

Protocols,

The Town Hall Meetings have been genuine platforms where all opinions are not only explored, but are critically examined for the growth and development of our dear State.

Thus, having a people-oriented Budget has always been a priority of our Administration in our “Mission to Re-build” Ogun State.

Today’s meeting is a further testament to the fact that, we take cognizance of our people in the decision-making and running of the Government in Ogun State. A government that is run with the understanding and inputs of the governed is, a practical expression of the beauty of democracy, which we have sworn to defend and uphold at all times. Just as I have reiterated on several occasions, we are trustees in the service of Ogun State, and, we owe our complete allegiance to the general public, who have entrusted us with the fate of our dear State. It is, and will always, be about our people.

It is on this apt note, that I join others to specially welcome you all to yet another Town Hall Meeting, which is essential for the consideration of the 2018 Budget. For us in Ogun State, our budgetary process is not complete without the Town Hall Meetings. It is through the platform of the Town Hall Meetings that our Administration has continued to synergize with the good people of Ogun State to come up with people-oriented Budgets for the good of the people and the continued socio-economic development of our dear State.

No doubt, our working together has and will always elicit positive and fruitful outcomes. It is my belief that this will not be an exception. We are here again to jointly chart a course for our common good, through proper discussion, deliberation and cross-fertilization of ideas.

This very Town Hall Meeting is particularly significant in the sense that it is the last full year Budget of our Administration. Therefore, all hands must, as usual, be on deck to see that the successes we have jointly achieved are sustained until the end of our tenure, and that we leave a solid foundation that will provide a basis for further development of our dear State.

At the start of this year, we reviewed our achievements thus far, as well as areas where we believe more could still be done. We therefore drafted a State Development Plan (SDP) that spans years 2017 to 2030. The critical element of the SDP is the Agricultural Production and Industrialization Program, which has engendered strong support from our Development Partners, who are now increasing their financial and technical support. The key pillars of the Agricultural Production and Industrialization Program are as follows:
· Agricultural Production: Increasing the wealth and welfare of our farmers; Increased Industrialisation:
· Diversifying our economy to reduce our dependence on oil revenues, and create much needed jobs for our people;
· Skills Development: Empowering our youth through modern technical and vocational capacity-building; and, 
· Governance and Administration: Strengthening Government’s ability to accurately plan and deliver services to our people.

Good people of Ogun State, we have left no one in doubt of our commitment to the transformation of our dear State and the burning desire to improve the standard of living of both the indigenes and all who have made Ogun State their home.

At this point, let me, once again, acknowledge and commend the good people of Ogun State for the high level of understanding, unflinching support, fervent prayers and ceaseless cooperation that our Administration has continued to enjoy ever since we assumed the mantle of leadership, and without which, all our efforts would have been a colossal waste and we would not have reached these unprecedented heights amongst the comity of States.

Let me use this opportunity to assure all our people that we not only remain undeterred in the execution of all our programmes and projects, but, will work assiduously to ensure that all on-going projects come to a successful conclusion before the end of our tenure in May, 2019. Suffice to say that your contributions have always been instrumental in the initiation, formulation, execution and success of the previous Budgets and I, sincerely believe that, this 2018 budget will also be given the needed attention.

Let me, therefore, urge you to make the best use of this forum by making useful contributions and suggestions that will further assist in the fulfilment of our collective dreams. Please join hands with our Administration through your invaluable contributions to the 2018 Budget with the mind-set that, together, we are building a legacy for future generations.

I thank you all for listening and we will now take your questions and comments.

Senator Ibikunle AmosunCON,FCAGovernor of Ogun State, Nigeria.Friday, 20th October, 2017.

Parents and guardians in Ondo State have been urged to disregard rumours making the round on harmful vaccination on children.

The Commissioner for health ,Dr Wahab Adegbenro said it is not true and only a rumour.

He said there is presently no immunisation campaign going in the State apart from the routine immunisation going on at the health facilities in the State.

Dr. Adegbenro said whenever there is to be immunisation campaign the people will be notified accordingly.

He however urged the people not to misconstrue the ongoing net campaign for immunisation.

The health commissioner treasures the people of the state of the potency of government vaccines and that the people will be notified when such is to take place.

Dr. Adegbenro appealed to heads of educational institutions in the state not to allow any immunisation in their school until otherwise directed .

He reassures the people of the State that the government places high premium on the health and lives of the people.

Abooluwa Famakinwa
Press Officer Ministry of Health