metro
Buhari mourns ex-minister Alabo Graham-Douglas, who dies at 82
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family of former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, who died on Monday at the age of 82.
The President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, also sympathised with government and people of Rivers State over the loss of the political leader, democrat and administrator.
Sources close to the family said he died on Monday April 25, 2022 in a private hospital in Abuja, from an undisclosed ailment.
Buhari said the deceased served differently as Minister of Aviation, Minister of Labour and Productivity, and Minister of Tourism, leaving a legacy of distinguished service to the nation.
Buhari also noted the historic roles Alabo Graham-Douglas played in entrenching democratic rule and a liberal culture, joining well meaning Nigerians and global leaders to stand and speak for justice and fairness, while promoting grassroots development among his people.
The President said the investments of the departed in people and building of institutions would be remembered by posterity.
President Buhari prayed that the Almighty God will grant his soul a peaceful rest, and comfort his family.
Born May 8, 1939 in Abonnema in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Graham-Douglas was the son of a native court judge in Abonema. His brother, Napo Graham-Douglas, was the first indigenous Attorney-General of Nigeria.
He attended secondary schools in Lagos and Port Harcourt. He studied at Acton Technical School, London (1963 – 1965) and attended the University of Lagos (1965 – 1969), earning a BSc. in Botany and Zoology.
Chief Graham-Douglas had worked with the Nigerian Petroleum Refinery Company, Port Harcourt (1969 – 1977). He became managing director of Togiscani Nigeria, a construction company (1978 – 1985) and CEO of Road Haulage Company and Magroad Enterprises. In 1986, Graham-Douglas was appointed Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Culture by the Rivers State government.
In 1989, the military government of Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Minister for Social Development, Youths and Sports. He was later moved to the Ministry of Aviation.
In 1992, Graham-Douglas became chairman of the Southern Minorities Movement, one of the groups that eventually merged into the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He was a candidate in the PDP primaries for the presidential nomination in 1998, losing to Olusegun Obasanjo.
President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Graham-Douglas Minister of Employment, Labour and Productivity in June 1999.
In July 2000, he was redeployed to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
metro
Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others
Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others
Sokoto State Government has sacked nine district heads for allegedly aiding insecurity and encouraging land racketeering.
The state government also sacked another six district heads said to have been irregularly appointed by the immediate past government of the state.
Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, announced this while briefing newsmen on the development on Tuesday.
Those axed over alleged insecurity are the district heads of Unguwar Lalle, Yabo, Wamakko, Tulluwa, llela, Dogon Daji, Kebbe, Alkammu and Giyawa.
Bawa said the six district heads were dropped because of the way they were haphazardly appointed and their rejection by their people.
The affected six district heads are Marafan Tangaza, Sarkin Gabas Kalambaina, Bunun Gongono, Sarkin Kudun Yar Tsakkuwa, Sarkin Tambuwal and Sarkin Yamman Torankavwa.
“The cases involving District Heads of Isa, Kuchi, Kilgori and Gagi have been re commended for further investigations,” Bawa added.
However, Sarkin Yakin Binji, senior counselor in the Suktanate Council, was transferred to Nabunkari while the District Head of Sabon Birni was deployed to Gatawa.
Bawa said this followed the recommendations of the Committee on the Review of the appointments of Traditional rulers, Renaming of Tertiary Institutions and the Dissolution of Governing Boards of State Parastatals.
metro
Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara
Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara
In a courageous act, the family of a bride-to-be and a group of passengers thwarted a kidnapping attempt by killing a terrorist in Zamfara State.
PRNigeria reports that the incident unfolded when the family of the bride-to-be and other travellers were ambushed by bandits along the Talata Mafara-Gusau highway.
The bride’s family had embarked on a journey to purchase clothing and other wedding materials in Kano. However, their plans took a harrowing turn when armed bandits targeted them.
An eyewitness, who spoke to PRNigeria, revealed that the response was spontaneous once the bandits had selected their victims.
Despite one of the bandits managing to escape, the brave passengers captured two AK-47 rifles.
READ ALSO:
- Emefiele spent N18.9bn to print N684.5m notes, says EFCC
- Rebuild mosque converted to market, MURIC tells Plateau leaders
- CBN sells dollar to BDCs at N1,021/$1
Narrating how the events unfolded, the eyewitness said: “A few kilometres away from the Fangal Tama checkpoint, the travellers heard gunshots echoing all around.
‘’To their shock, they encountered two well-armed bandits on motorcycles, blocking the road and halting vehicles.
“The bandits immediately ordered the young woman (the bride-to-be), her father, mother, and two other relatives to exit their car.
‘’With guns pointed at them, the terrified family members were coerced to follow the bandits into the nearby forest.
“Realising the grave danger they faced in forced abduction, the passengers decided to act swiftly. They rallied together and launched an attack on one of the two bandits.
‘’In a fierce struggle, they managed to overpower him, resulting in his instant death. The other bandit, however, escaped, leaving behind his firearm.
“The courageous group retrieved the two guns and emerged from the forest. They promptly handed the weapons over to the military at a nearby checkpoint.’’
Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara
metro
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has frozen 300 illegal forex accounts trading on a peer-to-peer platform.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, revealed that the accounts were suspended on Monday following a court order.
READ ALSO:
- CBN sells dollar to BDCs at N1,021/$1
- Just in: Ex-Imo Gov Ihedioha heads for LP, dumps PDP
- Policeman shot dead corps member at LAUTECH convocation party
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Olukoyede explained that over $15bn passed through one of the forex platforms in the last one year, outside the financial regulations.
He said the EFCC action was taken to ensure the safety of the foreign exchange market and protect the economy.
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
African automakers, minister, NADDC DG for June 27 Nigeria industry summit
Under-pressure AIG Okolo says state police comment personal opinion, not IGP’s
Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others
-
Education4 days agoWhy we charge N42m fees for primary school pupils — Charterhouse Lagos
-
News6 days agoUpdated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list
-
Auto4 days agoWe expect massive roll-outs of Nigeria-made cars by December 2024 – Minister
-
International6 days agoUpdated: Tragedy hits Kenya, Defence chief, nine others die in military helicopter crash
-
metro4 days agoJUST IN : Borrow pit collapses, kills seven Qur’anic school pupils
-
News3 days agoWe’re not part of Yoruba Nation agitation, says MKO Abiola family
-
metro2 days agoHow gunmen killed Babcock university lecturer, abducted two – Police
-
News6 days agoYahaya Bello: EFCC warns against obstruction of operations