The United Kingdom (UK) has advised against travel to seven northern states.

The states listed by the United Kingdom included Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) gave the warning in its travel advisory on northern Nigeria posted on its website.

“FCDO advise against travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states. Violent attacks are frequent and there is a high threat of kidnap.

“On March 26, gunmen launched an attack against Kaduna airport, killing, at least, one airport official in a series of attacks by gunmen in the northern Nigeria.

“On the evening of March 29, an apparent improvised explosive device attack took place against a train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna. Reports suggest that a number of people were killed and that others were abducted by gunmen. Train services are now suspended between Abuja and Kaduna,” the FCDO said.

The FCDO further said there is a threat from extremists linked to Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in particular.

“The threat level in North East Nigeria, including around Maiduguri is increasing, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings. Kidnaps have taken place on the roads in and out of Maiduguri. As the dry season starts in October, this risk is expected to increase even further.

“If the security situation in Maiduguri were to deteriorate any further, there is a significant likelihood that it could be extremely difficult for you to leave the city. We do not advise travelling by road.

“FCDO advise against all but essential travel to: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto states; and within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State. There is a high risk of violent attacks and inter-communal tensions can lead to outbreaks of violence. There is also a threat of kidnap,” FCDO said.

FCDO also said anyone who travels to areas to which it advised against travel, that person is particularly at risk and will need a high level of security.

“If you’re working in northern Nigeria you should make sure your employers provide an adequate level of security where you live and where you work. Make sure they regularly review security arrangements and familiarise yourself with those plans. You should avoid regular patterns of travel or movement, and aim to travel only during daylight hours. Westerners have been kidnapped from protected compounds,” FCDO said.

The FCDO recalled that from September 3, 2021, the Nigerian Communications Commission mandated all telecommunication operators in Nigeria to stop extending services to Zamfara State.

“This included the suspension of all mobile telecommunications, including WiFi. A number of other state governments, including Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger also implemented a partial shutdown of telecom services. There are reports that some of these restrictions have been lifted, with Nigerian media reporting that communications in Kaduna and Zamfara states have been restored as of December 2021.

“Despite the reported restoration of communications in some states, future shutdowns may happen at short notice and may also be extended to new areas without advanced notice.

“Although not officially included in the suspension, there is a possibility that areas of neighbouring states to Zamfara, including state border regions with Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kaduna may also be affected by the telecommunications black-out.

“Regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. If you live or work in Nigeria, you should monitor developments in these states and announcements by the state governments as there is an increased threat of retaliatory attacks elsewhere in Nigeria as a result of these military operations.

"There has been an increase in insurgent attacks in Borno State. Since October 2019, there has been an increasing trend of terrorist groups constructing illegal vehicle checkpoints on major supply and commercial routes in northern Nigeria and attacking vehicles travelling on major roads into Maiduguri, Borno State, including the A3 Maiduguri-Damaturu road. These attacks have directly targeted civilians, security forces and aid workers.

"Furthermore, 2020 has seen increased activity by terrorist groups and related violent incidents in the immediate vicinity of humanitarian hubs. A humanitarian hub was targeted during an attack on Monguno town on June 13, 2020. This was followed by negative propaganda about humanitarian activity in the North East. In July 2020, shots were fired at a UN humanitarian helicopter in the region. Local humanitarian staff were executed in an unrelated event.

“If you’re in the North East against FCDO advice, keep in touch with the authorities and the wider community on the security situation and make sure your procedures and contingency plans are up to date.”

A combined team of soldiers, operatives of the Department of State Services and the police have been deployed in Kaduna to locate and possibly rescue passengers abducted by terrorists, who attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train on Monday, says a Punch report.

It was learnt that the Federal Government had given the Nigerian Air Force express approval to deploy the Super Tucano aircraft in the North-West albeit with conditions that collateral damage be minimised.

It was gathered that the special team was given express orders to locate the abductors’ camp and do “everything operationally possible” to rescue the hostages with minimal losses.

About eight persons were killed during Monday’s attack, while an unknown number of victims were abducted by the attackers, who caused the train to derail after blowing off the rail tracks.

Over 390 persons were onboard the train, which was Kaduna bound.

It was gathered that the Super Tucano aircraft, which was being used against Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province fighters in the North-East, would soon be deployed against the terrorists in Kaduna and surrounding states.

A security source said the military had decided to use the Tucano fighter jets against the terrorists hibernating in Kaduna forests.

“The decision to redeploy the Super Tucano jets to Kaduna has been taken, but the decision may not be implemented immediately because of the individuals abducted from the Kaduna-Abuja train on Monday evening. Using the aircraft against the terrorists in Kaduna might endanger the kidnapped victims and the military will always want to minimise the collateral damage as much as possible,” a source explained.

But the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria flayed the military over its failure to deploy the 12 Super Tucano fighter jets against terrorists turning the North-West zone into another killing field.

HURIWA also reminded the Federal Government that the daredevil terrorists were fast approaching the Federal Capital Territory and had struck many times very close to the nation’s capital.

It was also learnt that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had deployed some riot policemen to protect engineers repairing the destroyed rail tracks.

The acting Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed this to one of our correspondents on Thursday, also said the police had commenced an investigation into Monday’s incident.

“We are working with all relevant ministries, departments and agencies, as well as security agencies to investigate and forestall any further attack. The IG has ordered the deployment of half a unit of PMF men, one Armoured Personnel Carrier, one lorry and so on, to provide adequate security for the engineers, who are carrying out repairs on the rail line,” Adejobi stated.

Seven soldiers killed, Air Force bombs terrorists

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that seven soldiers were ambushed and killed by terrorists on the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

It was learnt that the attack happened close to the Zuma barracks along the road in the Suleja area of Niger State in the early hours of Wednesday.

A military source said the commanding officer had received a distress call and sent his men to the scene.

The source said contrary to the speculation that the barracks was overrun and some soldiers killed, it was an ambush close to the facility.

The source said, “The commanding officer received a distress call on the activities of bandits around the Diko area, which is not far from the Zuma barracks. He deployed men but unfortunately, they were ambushed and seven soldiers died in that ambush. There was, however, no attack on the barracks as speculated. The incident happened between 4am and 5am on Wednesday.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Director, Media Operations, Nigerian Army, Bernard Onyeuko, were not successful. Calls to his line were not answered and he had yet to respond to a message sent to him on the matter as of the time of filing this report.

In a related development, the Air Component of the Operation Thunder Strike bombed some terrorist hideouts around 2pm on Wednesday. The number of terrorists killed in the operation could, however, not be ascertained.

A situation report read, “Upon receiving credible information that at about 2pm on March 30, 2022, about 70 terrorists on 40 motorcycles and some on foot were sighted moving towards the Akilibu-Sarkin Pawa Road, near Mangoro village, the air component of Operation Thunder Strike swiftly scrambled an aircraft to intercept and neutralise the terrorists.

“The terrorists were subsequently engaged in different waves with rockets, while those fleeing were mopped up with canons decisively.”

It is unclear if the terrorists were part of those who attacked and killed eight passengers on board the Kaduna-bound train on Monday.

A Competition and Consumer Protection (CCP) tribunal sitting in Abuja has restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services the cable reports.

A three-member tribunal, presided over by Thomas Okosun, gave the order on Wednesday following an ex parte application moved by Festus Onifade, a legal practitioner, on behalf of himself and the coalition of Nigeria consumers.

Other members of the tribunal include Sola Salako Ajulo and Ibrahim El-Yakubu.

While MultiChoice Nigeria Limited is the first defendant, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is the second respondent.

The suit marked CCPT/OP/1/2022 was filed on March 29.

Onifade had prayed the court for “an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendants/respondents, either by itself, agents, representatives, officers or privies, howsoever described, from carrying out the impending increase in tariffs and cost of its products and services intended to take effect from April 1, 2022, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this tribunal.

“An order of the honourable tribunal mandating the 1st defendant/respondents to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“And for such further order or other orders as this honourable tribunal may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”

After hearing the motion ex parte, the tribunal granted the applicant’s prayers.

The matter was adjourned to April 11 for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The tribunal also directed that all parties in the suit must appear before the tribunal on the next date.

On Wednesday, the senate asked Multichoice to reduce the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages owing to the prevailing economic circumstances of the country.

Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims across the country to look out for this year’s Ramadan moon after sunset on Friday.

Director of Administration of the council, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, said this in a statement in Abuja.

“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1443 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, April 1st, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1443 AH.

“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Saturday, 2nd April as the first day of Ramadan 1443 AH.

“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Sunday, 3rd April, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1443 AH,” the statement read.

The council prays that Allah spares the lives of every Muslim to participate in the ibaadah (worship) exercise and to maximize the benefits therein.

It also urged Muslims to contact the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, and also some members of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) to report a credible and positive sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan 1443 AH.

The council added that one of the special devotional activities in the month of Ramadan is Tafsir, which is meant to enlighten humanity, particularly Muslims, on the treasures and blessings of the Quranic messages.

The council enjoins all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in this month of (Ramadan), to help the country, the world in general and leaders in particular to overcome the current challenges confronting them.

“Furthermore, the council urges Muslims and non-Muslims alike to be vigilant and take extra security and health measures to protect ourselves, loved ones and neighbours.”

“Fasting brothers and sisters should ensure they have enough rest and consume sufficient fluid after each day’s fast,” the statement read.

He listed established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, members of the NMSC who can be contacted for information and clarification to include Sheikh Dahir Bauchi (08036121311), Karibullah Kabara (08035537382), Simwal Usman Jibrin (08033140010), Salihu Yaaqub (07032558231), Jafar Abubakar (08020878075), Alhaji Abdullahi Umar (08037020607), J.M. Kaura (08067050641), Bashir Aliyu Umar (08036509363), and

Abdur Rasheed Mayaleke (08035050804).

Others are Dr Ganiy I. Agbaje (08028327463), Gafar M. Kuforiji (08033545208), Usman El-Nafaty, (08062870892), Ibrahim Zubairu Salihu (08038522693), Z. I. Oboh Oseni (08033574431), Nurudeen Asunogie (08033533012), Bala Lau (08037008805), Sani Yahaya Jingir (08065687545), AbdurRahman Ahmad (08023141752), Sulaiman Gumi (08033139153), Yusuf Nwoha (08030966956), Kamil K. Oloso (08023098661), and Yahaya Boyi (08030413634), among others.

A deaf and dumb man simply identified as Peter has allegedly raped his two nieces who lived with their grandmother in Lagos, according to a vanguard report.

One of her niece, an 11-year-old girl reportedly died of complications sustained at his hands for subjecting her to sexual abuse in the Alimosho area of Lagos.

Family sources revealed that Peter had consistently defiled the little girl and her elder sister, who live with their grandmother.

It was learnt that the girl became very sick due to the constant sexual abuse she suffered from her uncle.

According to her aunt,the young girl died on March 22 after she was taken to a hospital.

Before her death, the girl, in a video recording, revealed that her uncle, Peter, was responsible for her plight.

According to her, her ordeal began when she caught her deaf and dumb uncle molesting her elder sister.

Surprisingly, her elder sister told their uncle to do the same to the girl so that she won’t speak out.

Her aunt drew the attention of Coordinator of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN) Mr. Ebenezer Omejalille, to the issue.

He said: “Peace was very sick for some time while she was still with her grandmother.

“When her grandmother realised she could no longer cope with her deteriorating health condition, she reached out to me.

“So I took her in on March 20. While she was with me I discovered she had been severely sexually abused when she excreted on herself.

“I had to pet her for her to open up. Eventually, she opened up to me about how her uncle would always molest her.”

Explaining further, the aunt said that the girl died, her father noticed that whenever he visited his children at their grandma’s place, he observed that she was always moody.

He would think she needed money.

Her father complained each time he wanted to take his daughters, his mother is always screaming to the extent neighbours would intervene and appealed to him to leave his daughters.

However, the abuse continued unabated till she developed health complications that eventually led to her death.

Lamenting the rise in domestic violence and sexual abuse of girls despite efforts by government and rights groups to halt the menace, Ebenezer Omejalille, Coordinator of ACVPN, called for the immediate arrest of the perpetrator.

The United States embassy says the drop box service or interview waiver for persons renewing visas in the country is now available in Abuja according to a cable report.

The development comes months after the US lifted the suspension on drop box visa applications — the suspension had lasted for 32 months.

In a statement on Wednesday, the embassy said the programme, which started in Lagos in February, will take effect in Abuja from March 30.

ELIGIBILITY

According to the embassy, you are eligible for the process if:

The visa is B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L, or C1/D (combined only);

The applicant previously received a US non-immigrant visa that expired within the last 24 months, or will expire in the next three months from the date of application;

The previous visa was issued in Nigeria;

The previous visa was a full validity, multiple entry visa;

The applicant is applying for the same visa classification as the prior approved visa;

The applicant has never been arrested or convicted of any crime in the United States (even if they later received a pardon or waiver);

The applicant has never worked without authorisation or overstayed in the United States; and

The applicant has not had any significant life changes.

The embassy said “a parent’s qualifications cannot extend to a child”, adding that the number of applicants who will be accepted “may initially be limited”.

“Qualified applicants seeking to utilize this no-interview program must set an appointment for document review online at ustraveldocs.com/ng,” the statement reads.

“On the date and time of the appointment, the applicant must drop off all necessary documents at the address specified in their appointment letter: DS-160 confirmation page; a valid passport and previous passports containing the most recent visa to the present; I-20 and I-901 SEVIS receipt, DS-2019 (if applicable); new passport photo; copy of parent’s visa (if minor).

“Applicants will not have access to their passport until processing is completed. Processing times may vary but are expected to be up to two months.  In cases where an interview is deemed necessary, the embassy will return the passport and notify the applicant to set an appointment to appear in person.

“Application fees will remain the same and can be found at travel.state.gov.  ($160 USD for non-petition-based non-immigrant visas, and $190 USD for petition-based non-immigrant visa categories).

“Third parties unaffiliated with the U.S. Embassy Abuja may seek to take advantage of various visa services to target visa applicants with fraudulent offers or claims.”

The embassy added that more information on the process can be found on “travel.state.gov.ng.usembassy.gov/visas/, and ustraveldocs.com/ng.”

Applicants are also expected to fill forms and schedule appointments by themselves.

At least seven bodies were recovered and about a dozen people were missing after a boat carrying mostly women and children capsized in Niger State on Wednesday, residents said in a Reuters report.

Two residents in Guni village in the state said the passengers on the boat were trying to escape from gunmen who had attacked their village in the Munya local government area.

Gangs known locally as bandits have been terrorising areas of northern Nigeria in recent years, forcing thousands to flee and perpetrating mass kidnappings for ransom.

Guni resident Kabiru Musa told Reuters by phone that his wife and 7-year-old child were among more than 20 people who boarded the wooden boat and they were missing.

"When we heard information that armed bandits were heading to our village, we immediately put our families on a boat in order to escape. Unfortunately, their boat capsized in the middle of the river," he said.

Waziri Mu'azu, a primary school teacher who was part of the rescue team, said the victims were crossing to the other side of the Guni-Zumba River when the boat capsized. Seven bodies had been recovered so far, he said.

A Niger police spokesman did not respond to calls and text messages on his phone seeking comment.

Because a 50-year-old is almost 3 times more likely to found a successful startup than a 25-year-old says inc.

Mark Zuckerberg -- clearly no stranger to startup success -- said "young people are just smarter." Maybe that's true.

But that doesn't mean younger entrepreneurs are likely to be more successful than, um, more "seasoned" entrepreneurs. A study conducted by the Census Bureau and two MIT professors found the most successful entrepreneurs tend to be middle-aged -- even in the tech sector.

After compiling a list of nearly three million company founders who hired at least one employee, the researchers found that the average startup founder was 45 years old when they founded the most successful tech companies. (In general terms, a 50-year-old entrepreneur is almost twice as likely to start an extremely successful company as a 30-year-old.)

Another study published in Journal of Business Venturing found that entrepreneurial success, where age is concerned, is fairly U-shaped. (Especially for female entrepreneurs.)

Granted, younger entrepreneurs may have better insights into how new technologies could meet consumer wants and needs. And younger entrepreneurs may be less risk averse; it's harder to quit a full-time job and take a flyer on a startup if you have a number of mouths to feed.

But on the flip side, older entrepreneurs can benefit from their broader business, leadership, and execution skills and experience. Inexperience makes developing sound strategies more difficult. Inexperience makes building a team more difficult. Inexperience makes turning an idea into a reality -- much less a profitable reality -- much more difficult.

As the researchers write, "Age has ... a positive effect on subjective success, firm size, and financial success."

Because the only way to decrease the number of things you don't know -- and, just as important, have a good grasp on which things you do well, and which you don't -- is through gaining experience.

If you're in your 40s, and want to start a business, don't let age hold you back. If you're in your 50s, don't let your age hold you back. If you're in your 60s, don't let age hold you back.

The skills, experience, and savvy you've acquired could mean you're the perfect age to start a business.

...Should children be their parents’ retirement plan?

...I am so sick to my stomach!

…A 73-year old woman’s statistics

She was a UNTH nurse and retired since 2007.

1. Widowed in 1999.

2. Gave birth to 6 children with 5 surviving (4 boys and a girl)

3. Her husband was a retired Principal

4. Her only daughter lives in Lagos _( in a bad marriage since her husband doesn’t allow her to bring her mum over)

5. Her three sons live abroad. The only son in Nigeria lives in Enugu and his wife pays her a visit on Sundays but stopped for reasons not revealed.

6. Her only sister, who is older than her but still strong in health, visited and found her in a bad state and decided to take her with her to her Umuahia home.

She had signs of dementia. She also suffers from diabetes and weak bladder. So, the urine smell complained by people is well understood. Her only elder sister took care of her since her arrival till her sister’s son had accident in Abuja and was left for neighbours to attend to her.

The sister’s neighbour left her and travelled.

Mama was found dead close to an opene fridge. Her corpse has been deposited in a morgue this morning.

Her first son is a medical doctor in America, married to a Brazilian and only called once in a while after her mum was moved to Umuahia by her sister and kids.

___________

ANALYSIS:

Mama is not childless.

She raised all her kids and they’re all professionals.

Money was not an issue. Her husband, though a principal, built a bungalow where Mama and her kids lived till his death.

Mama’s sister said her only daughter has only called twice since she came to Enugu and picked her younger sister with her.

Mama’s senior sister wants to bury her Junior sister on her own and mourn her quietly !!

Her kids are now back crying and saying they will give their mother a befitting burial.

I wanted to call them out & curse them.

I am in pains.

My heart is heavy.

A woman that raised five children should not have suffered like this.

While you’re popping kids, remember that one day……

– The bones and muscles will be WEAK..

– The eyes might lose their functions

– The bladder might be weak and you cannot control your urine.

– Cash flow will cease.

– Your legs won’t be able to carry your weight.

– Your hands might not hold things due to parkinson or rheumatism or any of the other numerous infirmities

– Your mouth may be smelling because you cannot brush it well.

– Your brain might stop functioning.

– Dementia and loss of memory can set in.

– You may not even be able to take care of your personal hygiene…_

It is called OLD AGE characteristics.

Life can be harsh and your children may be too busy with their lives that your care will be relegated to STRANGERS.

Children are NOT retirement benefits.

Old age is a reality !

Prepare for that time.

*Be armed !

Learn this big lesson Today !

Thank you…. olu Ademuyiwa

..declares governorship ambition 

Lauretta Fagbohun, Ogun

A former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Oladipupo Adebutu has promised to save Ogun residents from the wilderness of sufferings brought about by what he referred to as 'bad governance of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC'. 

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chieftain and the Lisa Aje Egba, stated this while declaring his intention to vie for the position of governor of Ogun State come 2023, at the Ake Palace ground on Wednesday.

Governor Nyesom Wike who last week declared his 2023 presidential ambition as well as the former governor of Ekiti State, Former Governor Ayodele Fayose were among top PDP leaders who graced the occasion.

Chief Oladipupo Adebutu disclosed that his desire to take over the rein of leadership from the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government in the state come next year was due to the ruling party’s bad governance and poor performance in every area.

Adebutu described himself as the Joshua that has the capacity to lead the residents of the state out of the wilderness of suffering imposed on them by the APC-led government.

He said “time is now to say enough is enough for all the sufferings the APC government has brought on the people. Luckily our party is now devoid of rancour, the party is solid and united as ever. We have gone through the wilderness and I am now the Joshua that will lead the people to the promised land.

“The APC government has no doubt failed woefully, this is a government that lacks human kindness, no infrastructure, no light, no road, there is so much hunger in the land, no one is safe either, killings and kidnapping everywhere. All these we shall tackle headlong when PDP is back to power come 2023. It is on this note that I am telling you that our Ward to Ward Campaign begins next week Tuesday because we must bring back the smiles to the faces of our people”.

Fayose in his short remark described Chief Adebutu as a dependable leader who has all it takes to take Ogun State to higher height urging the party members as well as the residents of the state to see to the success of his governorship ambition in 2023.

The former governor of Ekiti State equally demanded that the opposition party’s presidential candidate must come from the south saying that “President Buhari who represent the north will by next year be completing his tenure of eight years, it is just normal to have the next president from the south, that is what is the best for our great party”.

Gov Wike of Rivers State also described Adebutu as an highly resourceful politician who would fly higher the PDP flag if given the opportunity to lead the state come 2023 calling for more support and cooperation to bring his governorship dream to reality.

Wike who also said that it was the turn of the South to produce the next president for the country disclosed further that he remains that man of courage who has all it takes to wrestle power from the APC government come 2023.

He said “there is no disputing the fact that APC has failed woefully, there is hunger and insecurity everywhere, people can’t go anywhere. I have the capacity to take APC head on. You must have a courageous leader to fix some of these challenges, a leader that can inspire and take the country to greater height.I have the capacity to take the country out of the woods. I am call Mr Project, I want to do same for the country”

The State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Sikirulai Ogundele, disclosed that the party has heard the cries of the residents of the state owing to bad governance of the APC led government.

 He said now that Chief Adebutu has taken up the challenge to liberate the people come 2023, he is now calling for the support of the people to bring this dream to pass.

Other PDP aspirants who graced the Ocassion included Chief Olumide Aderinokun, Chief Toyin Amuzu, TA, Asiwaju Bola Oluwole, Barrister Taiwo Shote, Sakiru Sanusi and Lukman Adeleye among others.