News
Presidential Amnesty Programme Boss Opens Up On Termination Date
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
The Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen Barry Ndiomu (retd), has explained the policy document of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), saying it was originally designed to end in 2015.
Ndiomu, who spoke after a crucial meeting with the King of Okochiri in Okirika, Rivers State, Ateke Tom, at the weekend, said the life of the amnesty programme was extended by the Federal Government beyond its terminal year following some exigencies.
Ndiomu’s meeting with King Ateke Tom, an ex-warlord and key figure of PAP, was one of a series of engagements geared towards peace and confidence building as well as a consultative and fact-finding mission to the region.
READ ALSO: FG Moves To End Amnesty Programme, Group Kicks
Reacting to concerns and fears raised by some stakeholders, he said the PAP would not be abruptly terminated, assuring that he would constantly visit the region.
Ndiomu said: “The whole idea is to get them (stakeholders) to understand the fact that first of all the amnesty programme itself by name will end. It’s not intended to be an endless exercise. Originally as you will recall it was intended to be terminated in the year 2015. But for certain reasons of exigency it was extended beyond 2015.
“We need to also educate them on the need to focus more on the fact that there could be a terminal date at some point and we all need to work together towards that so we do not lose focus from the primary objective of the scheme which is in itself intended to terminate at some point.”
Ndiomu, who thanked the monarch for the warm reception accorded him and his team, also applauded the king for his tireless efforts to sustain peace in his kingdom and the Niger Delta region.
The PAP boss assured the monarch that the Federal Government was committed to driving the rapid development of the region and called for support from everyone.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Buhari Appoints ex-General Amnesty Programme Administrator
He said: “I came to introduce myself as the new interim Administrator and also to acquaint him with the general policy direction of the federal government as regards the amnesty programme.
“We were very well received, we listened to him, his needs and reservations that he expressed, we will also move that to the authorities to let them know this was his reaction. He was generally satisfied and he is very willing to cooperate and work with us to ensure that the intentions of the government are fully actualised”.
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News
Immigration Officer Gets N5m For Arresting Fleeing Ritualist
Published
10 hours agoon
June 10, 2025By
Editor
An immigration officer, Ugochukwu Orji, who arrested a fleeing Enugu State-based native doctor accused of killing and kidnapping people for rituals, has been rewarded with N5 million for his efforts by an industrialist, Ebuka Onunkwo.
Onunkwo, who is also a senatorial aspirant for the Anambra South senatorial by-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, hosted the immigration officer at his residence in Ihembosi, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, according to a press statement released by his media team on Tuesday.
Orji was at his duty post along the Seme Border area last month when the fleeing native doctor, popularly known as “Ichie Billion” attempted to use a motorcycle to cross over to the Benin Republic from Nigeria at Seme Border, but having seen his face on the internet, he quickly intercepted him.
READ ALSO: Our Country A Home, Not Hotel, Badenoch Decries UK Immigration Crisis
Recall that “Ichie Billion”, who hails from Umuojor village in the Isiagu Community of Enugu State, had been on the run after being declared wanted by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl and alleged multiple ritual killings.
The native doctor was thereafter intercepted by the Nigerian Immigration Service and subsequently handed over to the Lagos State Police Command following his arrest at the border by the immigration officers.
Onunkwo, an industrialist, while presenting a cheque of ₦5 million to the immigration officer at his residence, said the gesture was part of his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and encouragement for moral renaissance in the society.
News
Tariff Hikes Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Power Crisis, Expert Tells Tinubu
Published
10 hours agoon
June 10, 2025By
Editor
Attempts by the current administration to rely on increased electricity tariffs to resolve Nigeria’s chronic power supply issues are unlikely to succeed, according to energy expert Nick Agu.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Agu argued for a fundamental restructuring of the power sector, prioritising infrastructure over tariff hikes.
Responding to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu’s optimism and recent celebration of Nigeria reaching a new peak generation of over 5,000 megawatts, Agu acknowledged the incremental increase as “a good thing, is good news.”
However, he quickly added, “But should we celebrate? The answer is probably not.”
READ ALSO: Investors Gain N1.93trn In 2 Days As Stock Market Hits 15-year High
Agu underscored Nigeria’s severe “energy poverty” by drawing comparisons with other nations.
He noted that while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, struggles with around 5,000 megawatts, South Africa (65 million people) boasts 55,000 megawatts, Brazil (200 million people) supplies 150,000 megawatts, and even Qatar (3 million people) provides 8,000 megawatts.
“So, you can see that three million people are enjoying more electricity than Nigeria, which has 200 million people,” he highlighted.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Hosts Gov Adeleke, Deji Adeleke, Davido In Lagos
Agu underscored Nigeria’s severe “energy poverty” by drawing comparisons with other nations.
He noted that while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, struggles with around 5,000 megawatts, South Africa (65 million people) boasts 55,000 megawatts, Brazil (200 million people) supplies 150,000 megawatts, and even Qatar (3 million people) provides 8,000 megawatts.
“So, you can see that three million people are enjoying more electricity than Nigeria, which has 200 million people,” he highlighted.
News
From 158 To 351: Lagos Teen Excels In UTME After Initial Glitch
Published
11 hours agoon
June 10, 2025By
Editor
A 16-year-old student, Oyindamola Apampa, has achieved a remarkable aggregate score of 351 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with 65 in English Language, 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, and 90 in Chemistry.
Apampa, a student of Lagoon Secondary School in Lagos, described the feat as the result of determination, strategic preparation, and divine favour.
A statement on Tuesday revealed that it was her second attempt at the UTME, explaining that her initial score of 158 was later invalidated due to technical issues experienced at her exam centre.
She said, “In my first UTME attempt, I scored 158. However, the results were widely criticised and later acknowledged by the authorities as inaccurate due to technical glitches affecting several examination centres, including mine.
READ ALSO: Mass Failure: UTME Candidates To Sue JAMB Over Technical Glitches
“Consequently, the examination body authorised a resit to address these irregularities. In the resit, I achieved a score of 351.”
She added that her parents played a crucial role in supporting her academic journey by fostering a learning-friendly environment at home.
“My parents made our home a positive place for studying. We have a full library in the family living room, in addition to a separate multimedia study room where the whole family often gets together to talk about different topics and help each other learn,” she shared.
Apampa also credited a learning centre in Lekki, Lagos, for providing her with additional academic support through UTME preparation classes and frequent mock examinations.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: JAMB Admits To Errors In 2025 UTME
“The frequent mock exams at our learning centre were a great help in my preparation for UTME,” she said.
In his reaction to the learning centre head, Osayi Izedonmwen, stellar 98 per cent pass rate in the 2025 UTME, attributed the achievement to its hybrid learning approach.
“At Teesas, we are fully IT-equipped to seamlessly support both online and physical learning within a convenient and friendly environment. This has played a key role in helping our students excel,” Izedonmwen stated.
Apampa is no stranger to academic excellence. She was placed on her school’s Honours list after securing 10 As and one B in her Junior WAEC.
She has also represented her school in international competitions, such as the Conrad Challenge, where her team reached the final stage and earned a special mention.
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