[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has, yesterday, 13th October, 2020, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

Statesman Nigeria reports as disclosed by the FPPRO, DCP Frank MBA in a statement in FCT, Abuja.

The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a Unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties. The Unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, Public Relations practitioners, Civil Society and other Human Rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

Meanwhile, the IGP has set up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS. Prospective members of this new team will also undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.  They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week. While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the  Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.

While reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the Police reforms, the IGP enjoins members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a Police Force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.

[dropcap] S[/dropcap]enator Peter Nwaoboshi, Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly has been commended for his avid commitment and unflinching resolve towards the realization of the creation of Anioma State.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government in Delta State, Hon Louis Ndukwe gave the commendation and said that Senator Nwaoboshi has continued to be at the forefront for the creation of Anioma State.

Hon Ndukwe said that Senator’s steadfastness with some other notable Deltans, was instrumental to the submission of a formal application for the Anioma State creation to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

He noted that the presentation of the application where the demand of the people was made known to Nigerians through the Senate by Distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi, remains the height of his representation of the wishes and aspirations of the Anioma People of Delta State.

“Distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi has continued to show leadership; he has by all standing, remained resolute in his commitment towards ensuring that the dream and aspiration of Anioma People to have their own State is realized.

“Anioma people are indeed happy with his purposeful representation for the fact that the creation of Anioma State will, no doubt, give the indigenes of Anioma nationality, a definite sense of belonging which to a greater extent, will bring about Socio-political and economic enlargement,” Hon. Ndukwe stated.

Ndukwe also noted that, the formal presentation of the application for the creation of Anioma State by Senator Nwaoboshi to the Senate Constitution Review Committee, was not only welcomed and commended by the people of Delta North Senatorial zone, but is also a source of delight to many eminent Deltans that included the Senate Deputy President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Professor Sam Oyovbaire, amongst others.

“With this kind of support and nobody arguing against it in the Senate, that means, it is going to be a sure pass and it gives me a great sense of gratitude and appreciation to the Distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi for being at the forefront toward the realization of this great dream of our people.”

The Council boss lauded the efforts of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, an illustrious son of Delta State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Epiphany Azinge as well as Delta North traditional rulers amongst other sons and daughters of Anioma, who he noted, made it possible for the formal presentation of the application to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review on Tuesday 13th October, 2020.

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]rivate school owners in Delta State have been warned against the resumption of academic activities for nursery/pre-primary (KG 1-3) pupils as anyone who goes contrary to the directive of the state government will be sanctioned appropriately.

Handing down the warning in Asaba in a statement today (13/10/2020), the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said that officials of the ministry have been ordered to visit private schools in the state to fish out defaulters.

He noted that the state is implementing phased resumption of schools because of the Covid-19 pandemic and critical stakeholders in the education sector are of the opinion that nursery/pri-primary pupils will resume academic activities in January 2021.

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]movernor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state on Tuesday said that the people of Rivers have suffered and were killed more by the disbanded SARS than any other state in Nigeria.

He told a crowd of protesters at the state government house that when he was crying against SARS, many Nigerians were saying he was politicising the issue, he said now it is clear to everyone that he was not playing politics.

He added that now that other states are receiving the sledgehammer of SARS and they are now weeping, he will not join them to weep, because when he called no one listened to him.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Presidency has said the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has approved the five-point demand of Nigerians, who have been protesting across the country since last week.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday signed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser of Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

According to him, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, convened a meeting with stakeholders, where he agreed to meet demands, which include halting use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

A communiqué signed by the IG of Police, Mohammed Adamu and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, Esq, read in part: “Following the dissolution of SARS, the Forum calls for the following immediate steps to be taken in restoring public confidence and trust in the Police: An order by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to all State Commands to halt the use of force against protesters; Unconditional release of arrested protesters and citizens; Open communication and outreach to citizens to establish trust and confidence and a roadmap for the implementation of the White Paper of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the SARS.”

It added that: “The Forum recommends the psychological evaluation, training and retraining of disbanded SARS officials prior to re-deployment.”

Those who attended the meeting are: Dr Kole Shettima – MAC Arthur Foundation; Innocent Chukwuma – Ford Foundation; Jude Ilo – of OSIWA; Chris Ngwodo, SSA to President Research & Policy; Dr Fatima Waziri – Rule of Law Adviser OVP; Segun Awosanya (segalinks) – End Sars Movement; Yemi Adamolekun – Enough is Enough; Clément Nwankwo- PLAC; Rafsanjani – CISLAC; Kemi Okonyedo – PWAN; YZ – CITAD; Folarin Falana Falz; Prof Deji Adekunle – NIALS and Abdulrahman Yakubu – NHRC Secretariat.

Others are: Hilary Ogbonna- NHRC secretariat; Halilu Adamu – NHRC Secretariat; Ben Aguh – NHRC secretariat; Dr Uju Agomuoh – PRAWA and Onyinye Ndubuisi – UNDP.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is just as natural that the strong depowers the weak, the same way a superior argument or position needs no rejoinder. That is what I have seen in the compilations of historical facts that my ‘learned friend’, Philip Elueme has thrilled us with, for the sole reason of putting straight and to debunk some of the infantile but still calumnious fallacies being transmitted by the desperate camp of the Senator Nwaoboshi critics, under the guidance of the “Emperor” himself.

They are not talking or writing as usual because they know in all honesty that Elueme speaks from the position of an eye witness or rather a partaker in the times and issues he has raised; and he is willing to back them up with documented evidences.

That is not my story and so I will not end it there. In fact, I do not have a story to tell, but I would rather extract a part of Elueme’s story to further amplify the wicked and unscrupulous gang-up to diminish the role and significance of the Nwaoboshi Factor in the turnaround of the Anioma political fortunes, occasioned by the combined efforts of some well meaning men of Anioma extraction with Senator Nwaoboshi in the frontline: An effort that resulted in the eventual win of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa in the gubernatorial elections held in 2015.

The Elueme post reads thus in part:

“And to crown it all when then Governor Uduaghan started his *’makosa dance’* to take the governorship to *Core area delta, during HIE Esenwesie mothers burial, a *’jittery Ekwueme’* was brought by Chief Awuzia of Ogwashi into the Igbuzo residence of SPON on *’all fours pleading with SPON to help lead the battle to liberate Anioma, to make him Ekwueme governor, yes Chief Awuzia is alive, Ekwueme was on all fours in his very low voice,’*
*”Biko Omogwu, Oracle turned Miracle, our political warrior – you must lead this battle, you are the only one that can give Anioma victory as the father of Equity” *Yes at the Oboshi, Igbuzo residence of SPON – Ekwueme sneaked in with Chief Awuzia on all fours pleading…”

What caught my attention in that post, and that is the premise of this write-up is the reality that “Ekwueme sneaked in with Chief Anwuzia on all fours pleading…” While I do not see any issue with someone prostrating (horizontally) to seek help, I have trouble figuring the present posturing of this same man, now Governor, to have declared (through his proxies) that Senator Nwaoboshi is good riddance. Did Ekwueme really prostrate before Senator Nwaoboshi asking him to “come over to Macedonia and help us”? If it is so, (Elueme has challenged them to the truth) how has Nwaoboshi become so easily inconsequential if not for the grandstanding of a puffed-up ruler who suddenly realizes the sheer size of his power and strength? My opinion.

But Elueme’s story is incontrovertible and so they have remained quieted in total submission to the superiority of Senator Nwaoboshi.

Beyond the Anioma Agenda and the 2015 struggle, Nwaoboshi has shown an undying and responsible strength for fairness and equity. Yes! He led a peaceful and focused PDP in Delta State through superlative performances in general elections for two terms; he managed with firmness the miscellany that is a cultural presence in the mix that is Delta State to the delight of all stakeholders and left a PDP Delta State that was strong and flourishing. What else can a man bequeath his people?

Nwaoboshi ranks in the mold of a generalissimo; he has never been known to run from ‘trouble’, yet he is a stickler for the rule of law. His detractors must know this – Senator Nwaoboshi’s mystery is beyond the material. He is endowed with uncommon sanity that is foundationally esoteric and impregnable; and that is why I urge and encourage all those that that now acclaim themselves champions and leaders of Anioma and in particular, Oshimili North, to, in humble repentance, seek peace with the Oracle of Delta politics, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.
Will it hurt to see them prostrate once again. No! not at all.

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]r Rotimi Akeredolu has been re-elected as Governor of Ondo State on the back of a campaign in which he promised to provide composed and focused leadership marked by economic growth and improved security for people in the state.

The incumbent governor, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, swept to victory by winning 15 of the 18 local governments.

Governor Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress got 292,830 votes, while Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party and Mr Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party came second and third in the election with 195,791 and 69,127 votes, respectively.

“Having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored the highest number of votes, I hereby declare Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu of the APC as the winner, and he is hereby returned elected,” Chief Returning Officer for the election, Professor Olayinka said.

Professor Olayinka, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, announced the winner on Sunday at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Akure, which doubles as the final collation centre.

It is the second time the governor is defeating the PDP candidate. In 2016, Akeredolu, with Ajayi as his running mate, defeated Jegede to win his first term as governor. Ajayi fell out with Akeredolu and chose to go against his boss this time around.

Residents of the state came out on Saturday, across 3,009 polling units of 203 electoral wards/ registration areas in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state, to choose their leader for the next four years.

The poll, the second major election to be conducted since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, was preceded by a dramatic campaign featuring 17 political parties and their candidates, all racing for the top political office in the south-western state.

Up to 11 contenders pulled out of the race in favour of other candidates just in the final days of the campaign with the trio of Akeredolu, Jegede and Ajayi emerging as the leading contenders.

Ajayi’s conflict with Governor Akeredolu was one of the intriguing issues that provided drama in the months preceding the election in the state.

After surviving an attempt by the State Assembly to impeach him, the deputy governor dumped the APC for the PDP. But after failing to secure the PDP’s governorship ticket, he joined the ZLP – the platform on which he contested.

Governor Akeredolu’s first tenure as governor will expire on February 23, 2021, with victory in the bag, he is on course to govern the state for another four years.

In the coming hours and days, it is expected that the opposition parties that fielded candidates in the poll will make their position on the outcome known.

Under the Nigerian Constitution, the outcome of a governorship election can be contested at the Election Petitions Tribunal and should aggrieved parties be dissatisfied, they can proceed to the Court of Appeal.

Any party who is still not satisfied with the decision of the appellate court is at liberty to approach the Supreme Court, which has the final say.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he people of Anambra State, the so the eastern part of Nigeria has yesterday rocked the street of Awka, the capital territory of the state with heavy protest of EndSARS campaign. The protest which was staged at the state capital comprises mostly youth with hand bills of different inscriptions calling on the federal government to end SARS.

EndSARS movement started few weeks ago after what is termed to be brutally by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) on some Nigerian youths recently. The protests has been staged in many state of the nation with Edo, Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State to be among the state to have participated in the on going movement across the nation.

The Anambra citizen joined the campaign yesterday as the staged their first ever protest against the SARS brutally and harsh treatment on the citizen, the inscription on their hand Bills which draw the attention of the people mostly is “Awkuzu SARS Are Assassins” the write up and display has got many Nigerians asking why it is specified to Awkuzu SARS.

In the peaceful protest that contained not less than 200 protesters, people had air their views about SARS activites in th a nation as all were crying with one voice “End SARS now”.