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Alleged Diversion Of Palliatives: Sacked Kogi Council Boss, Atawodi Breaks Silence

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Hassan Atawodi, the sacked Transition Chairman of Ofu Local Government Area, has opened up on why he was removed.

The Secretary to Kogi State Government, Folashade Arike Ayoade, had on Monday announced the sack of Atawodi in a statement by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for allegedly diverting palliatives meant for his local government.

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Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Atawodi said he was removed from office courtesy of some political leaders who do not like him.

He added that the palliative meant for Ofu LGA was not handed over to him, saying, “How can I divert what was not given to me?”

While noting that it was a gang-up against him, as there was no time he diverted any palliatives meant for his people, Atawodi stressed that he was denied the clearance letter that would have allowed him to collect the palliative.

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“My travails began from the first day I was appointed, possibly because I was not the choice of some alleged power brokers in my local government. After signing for the palliative for Ofu, the next day I could not get the clearance letter because of orders from above.

“Upon assumption of office, I appointed my five aides and six special advisers. Later, they reported me to the powers that be that I made the appointments without consulting them.

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“They went to the extent of sending pictures of somebody I appointed to say he was a member of an opposition party.

“I was asked to meet with the Leader of the local government in the company of the House of Assembly member, the local government, and the zonal party chairmen, which I did and asked that they should please forgive me, following their report, with a call on them to please join me so that we can work together.

READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Agencies That May Be Scrapped Based On Oronsaye 800-page Report

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“Following my appeal to those who reported me over the appointment, I was asked to dissolve the aides I appointed, which I did by going on air as promised and dissolved all the SSAs.”

The former Transition Chairman said he is innocent of the allegations of diversion of palliatives leveled against him, calling on the State Governor of Kogi State to look into the matter critically, as the said palliative was never handed over to him.

Continuing, he said, “I was not given a palliative to share. On hearing about the palliative, I went to the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, who said there is an instruction for me not to be given the palliative.

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“The ommissioner asked me to put a call across to the Deputy Governor before it could be released. I called from the morning through till about 4:00 pm on the said day, without my calls being picked.

“I later went back to the Commissioner, who said the Deputy Governor is yet to call. I had to leave to return the following day.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: CBN Begins Sales Of Dollars To BDCs

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“The next day, upon arrival at the Government House, I saw the DLG, SLG, and the APC Chairman for my local government. The commissioner said he has been directed to release the palliative to them.

“I was asked by the Commissioner to remain calm, particularly that with the several leaders I have in my local government, he doesn’t think I should bother myself with how the palliative would be shared.

“After they moved the palliative from the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, I called the DLG to ask about the whereabouts of the palliative, that is the 1200 bags of rice. He said it was off-loaded at the residence of the Zonal Chairman in Ejule. I asked if it was safe there, as I would have guaranteed that if brought to the Local Government Secretariat, it would be safer and would reach the intended beneficiaries.

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“I was at the Governorship Tribunal in Abuja yesterday when somebody called me to inform me that a letter of replacement was being typed to replace me, after which I was later told that I had been replaced.”

While the former Transition Chairman said he has taken the power play against him as the will of God, he lamented that he was surprised to read on social media that his sack was connected with the alleged diversion of palliatives that were never given or handed over to him.

“My hands are clean, and I know that my God will fight for me. Since my assumption, it’s been one battle to another. The DSS are all aware of my travails.”

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The former Transition Chairman called on Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo to constitute an investigation into the reason behind his removal, pointing out that it could not have been over a palliative that was not handed over to him.

 

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Community Violations: TikTok Removes Over 3.6m Videos in Nigeria

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TikTok on Tuesday said that it has removed over 3.6 million videos in Nigeria between January and March 2025 for violating its Community Guidelines.

It represented a 50 per cent increase from the previous quarter, according to TikTok’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.

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The report said that TikTok prioritised creating a safe, respectful, and trustworthy digital environment.

The report highlighted TikTok’s proactive approach, with a detection rate of 98.4 per cent for content removed before user reports and 92.1 per cent of videos removed within 24 hours.

READ ALSO:Most Followed Tiktoker Khaby Lame Deported From US Over Visa Violation

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Globally, TikTok removed over 211 million videos in Q1 2025, with more than 184 million removed through automation.

“The platform’s global proactive detection rate reached 99 per cent.

“TikTok has intensified its LIVE Monetisation Guidelines and prioritised LIVE content enforcement.”

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According to the report in Nigeria, 42,196 LIVE rooms were banned, and 48,156 streams were interrupted for violating community guidelines.

READ ALSO:EFCC Arrests TikToker For Spraying, Stepping On Naira Notes In Kaduna

It said that the platform also removed 129 accounts in West Africa tied to covert operations in partnership with Cece Yara, a child-centred non-profit organisation.

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The report said that TikTok is expanding in-app helpline resources to Nigeria.

This initiative provides young users with access to local helplines for expert support on issues like suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment.

READ ALSO:Trump Gives TikTok Extra 75 Days To Find Buyer TikTok

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The report also noted that TikTok Digital Well-being ambassador, Dr. Olawale Ogunlana, collaborated with experts to promote digital well-being.

It said that TikTok encouraged community participation through user reporting and education, advocating for a collaborative approach to creating a respectful online environment.

The Q1 2025 report reflects TikTok’s efforts to safeguard its Nigerian user base, strengthen enforcement systems, and remain transparent about measures taken to uphold platform integrity.”
(NAN)

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Buhari Buried In Daura Amid Prayers, Tributes

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest on Tuesday evening in his Daura residence in Katsina State, following Islamic funeral rites attended by President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, family members, top government officials, and dignitaries.

His body was committed to Mother Earth at about 5:50 p.m.

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Buhari had passed away on Sunday, July 13, in London at the age of 82, following a brief illness. His remains were received in Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, Others Attend Buhari’s Burial In Daura

The body arrived in Daura at approximately 4:33 p.m. in a military ambulance. It was accompanied by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, businessman Aliko Dangote, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and other dignitaries.

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Here are things to know about late Buhari.

Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari in Daura, Katsina State. He belonged to the Fulani ethnic group and was a devout Muslim.

He joined the Nigerian Army and rose to the rank of Major General. Buhari became Nigeria’s military Head of State following a coup on December 31, 1983, and led the country until August 27, 1985.

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In 1994, Buhari was appointed Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by the Sani Abacha administration, overseeing infrastructure projects funded by oil revenues.

After three failed attempts at the presidency, Buhari won the 2015 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. He was re-elected in 2019.

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He was married to Aisha Buhari and had several children. Known for his austere lifestyle, Buhari maintained a reserved and disciplined public persona throughout his life.

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Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, Others Attend Buhari’s Burial In Daura

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President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine were among thousands of people who attended the funeral rites of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the remains of Buhari were conveyed to Nigeria by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

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NAN also reports that the remains were brought aboard a Nigerian Air Force flight -FGT 001, which touched ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, around 2 p.m., on Tuesday.

The body was received by Tinubu, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Governors, and other dignitaries.

READ ALSO:North West Govs Declare Tuesday Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

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After a farewell parade in honour of the late former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his remains were conveyed to Daura by road.

Imam Hassan Yusuf led the funeral prayer at 4 p.m. at the Daura Helipad.

Many dignitaries performed the prayer, notable among them were the former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

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Others were members of the National Assembly, including the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk-Umar, and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, as well as the Emirs of Zazzau, Dutse, and Kazaure, among others.

READ ALSO:APC Secretariat Shuts For Three Days To Honour Late Buhari

Captains of industries, such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, also attended the burial.

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After the funeral prayer, the corpse was taken to his residence, where he was buried.

The funeral rites were attended by thousands of people who were earlier denied access to the venue but later allowed to enter.

Some of the people interviewed praised the virtues of the late former President, who was distinguished for his integrity, honesty, and discipline.

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READ ALSO:FG Declares Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

Salisu Lawal stated that Buhari was a great man who loved being among his people and offering a helping hand to them.

Aliyu Nasiru, another resident, described the death of Buhari as a great loss not only to his immediate family but to the state and the country.

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The death has created a vacuum that is difficult to fill, he will continue to be remembered for his good virtues,” he said.

He prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

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