Firm which helps wealthy people obtain passports or residency of developed countries to open in Nigeria

Henley & Partners Group, a citizenship and residency advisory firm that helps the rich acquire second passports, will set up an office in Nigeria.

Following in the footsteps of other globally mobile nationals from China, Southeast Asia and the former Soviet Union, wealthy Africans represent a steadily increasing part of its business, according to the Zurich-based company.

Expressions of interest in either passports or residency rights from Africans have jumped in recent years to more than 1,000 in the first quarter of this year from about 750 a year earlier, it said. Nigeria will be its second outpost in Africa.

“We have been engaging with Nigerian and West African clients for over three years now and have seen constant growth,” Dominic Volek, Henley’s head of sales, said by email.


“The significant increase in wealth creation in the region has created a consequent surge in demand for our services.”

Nigeria, the largest economy and biggest crude oil producer in Africa, has more than 700 people with a net worth greater than $30 million and that figure is forecast to grow by 13% in the next five years, Knight Frank’s 2020 Wealth Report estimates.

Henley, which is setting up in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, supports those with deep pockets to secure citizenship of various Caribbean countries including St. Kitts and Nevis, that allow more widespread visa-free travel, as well as a select few European Union members such as Cyprus and Malta. Costs range from less than $200,000 for Caribbean passports -- once vetted by both Henley and the government -- to a contribution of more than $1 million for European nations.

Other clients opt for residency-by-investment programs offered by countries including the U.S., U.K. and Portugal. Henley is globally the largest company active in citizenship and residence planning.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/firm-which-helps-wealthy-people-obtain.html

Malivelihood, Sola Awujoola loses dad

Malivelihood, Sola Awujoola has lost his dad. Chief Awujoola who is a famous man in Ibadan died today. Though his son didn't disclose how the respected philanthropist died, he however mourned the man who had his hands in many businesses.

''Today felt like a dream.A very bad dream... I lost my father today... He was a great man... Rest In Peace daddy 💔'', he wrote while mourning his father.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/malivelihood-sola-awujoola-loses-dad.html

Pictured! Chief Imam's son kills friend over phone in Lagos

Pandemonium recently broke out in the Isale Oja area of Agege, Lagos State after the son of the Chief Imam of the community, Abdulrahman Olayiwola, allegedly stabbed his friend, identified simply as Pelumi, to death.

Punch correspondent learnt that the deceased and the suspect disagreed over a phone allegedly stolen by Pelumi.

Abdulrahman was said to have picked a piece of broken bottle and stabbed the victim to death.


Punch Metro learnt that the case was reported at the Isokoko Police Station and the suspect was arrested, while Pelumi’s corpse was deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that Pelumi asked the suspect to keep the phone for him.

However, upon his demand for the phone, Abdulrahman allegedly refused to release it.

The resident stated, “Pelumi gave Abdulrahman a stolen phone to keep for him and when he came back to collect it, his friend refused to give him the phone. It was Abdulrahman’s sister and Pelumi’s girlfriend, who brought out the phone from where her brother kept it and handed it over to Pelumi.

“This led to an argument between them and some residents of the area settled the matter between them, but another fight broke out between the two friends the following day and Abdulrahman stabbed Pelumi in the neck with a piece of broken bottle.

“Pelumi’s corpse was brought to the house of the chief Imam. The chairman of the community, who was notified of the incident, ensured that Abdulrahman was arrested and the corpse of the victim was deposited in the morgue.”

However, a source told Punch Metro that the parents of the suspect were allegedly making moves to ensure his release from police custody.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, who confirmed the incident, said two other suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.

“We are investigating the incident and the investigation will reveal who killed the deceased and we are also waiting for the autopsy report.”



source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/pictured-chief-imams-son-kills-friend.html

22-year old Iranian woman is killed by her father for coming home late

Iran has been rocked by its third honour killing in a month after a 22-year-old woman was bludgeoned to death by her father.

Reyhaneh Ameri, from Kerman in south central Iran, was allegedly attacked with an iron bar after arriving home late the previous evening.

Local media reported that she survived for nearly 24 hours after the attack but bled to death from her injuries.

It comes just days after 19-year-old Fatemeh Barihi was allegedly beheaded by her jilted husband, and less than a month after 13-year-old Romina Ashrafi was reportedly killed with a sickle by her father.


Reyhaneh is believed to have arrived at her parents' home at around 11.30pm on Sunday evening, enraging her furious father who unleashed his violent assault.

The Deputy Police Chief of Kerman, Iran's largest province, said Reyaneh's father launched an iron bar in anger which struck her in the head and caused catastrophic injuries.

Reyaneh's sister claims she went to visit her parents' house the next morning between 8:30am and 9:00am but nobody answered when she knocked.

She let herself in and, finding the house in chaos, waited for her parents to return home.

Her father is believed to have arrived first but, sensing his daughter's suspicion, fled the scene.

Soon after her mother arrived and the pair entered Reyhaneh's room, where they discovered her clothing soaked in blood with splatters up the walls.

Police scrambled to the scene and found traces of blood leading to the father's car.

They tracked his mobile phone to a nearby village and arrested him on his return, but he denied having any knowledge of his daughter's whereabouts.

Police embarked on a desperate hunt to find Reyhaneh her until 11pm that night, when her father is alleged to have 'proudly' admitted to the murder, Radio Farda said.

He took officers to where he had dumped his daughter in an open area of the city.

The Iran Human Rights monitor said that, despite the atrocity of the attack, Rayhaneh died only two hours before police discovered her body.

They allege that Rayhaneh's father had previously told his wife he would kill their daughter, and had even attempted to murder her in 2017.




source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/22-year-old-iranian-woman-is-killed-by.html

British Superbike rider Ben Godfrey dies in tragic crash at 25

British Superbike Championship rider Ben Godfrey has tragically been killed at a track day at Donington Park, aged just 25.

The professional motorcyclist fell from his bike while competing at the No Limits Track Days event.

A statement from the company read: "During the second advanced group session of our No Limits Track day today at Donington Park, Ben Godfrey, 25, collided with another bike on the approach to Redgate and fell from his machine.

"Tragically, he suffered serious injuries and despite immediate medical assistance trackside, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after."


No Limits Trackdays director Mark Neate added: "I am so desperately sad that Ben died from the injuries he sustained.

"Ben really was a fantastic young man and friends with so many people in the paddock, he was always smiling and had time for everyone.
"He was very excited for the start of the season and had taken part in many track days in the last month.

"Our thoughts are with his family, his partner Jordan and his team mates and friends."

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/british-superbike-rider-ben-godfrey.html

Aisha Buhari Gets All Her Security, ADC Back

Following clearance, the aide-de-camp (ADC) to Nigeria's First Lady, Aisha Buhari has been restored to his post in the presidential villa, Abuja.

The ADC, Usman Shugaba, who is a police officer, was absolved of any complicity by an investigative panel which was drawn from the Security Council.



Also, other security aides of the First Lady have been returned to the Presidential Villa.

But a nurse on the private jet from Abuja to Lagos and Kano, which caused misunderstanding at the Villa, has tested positive.

The Federal Government has however directed that all staff at the private wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja submit themselves for COVID-19 test.

There had been issues in the last two weeks over a minor family misunderstanding between the First Lady and an aide to the President over compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.

The family challenge led to shooting at the Villa, the withdrawal and detention of the First Lady’s ADC and other security details.

The President also directed that the incident be investigated. It was learnt that a team, comprising Security Council members, probed the case last Monday.

As at Saturday, the panel had cleared the ADC.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The First Lady has got all her staff back because the investigative panel discovered the ADC did not fire a shot in the Villa.

“It was discovered that the ADC was not even at the scene of the incident and he was not armed on the said day.

“The panel was also able to establish that there were no armed policemen at that moment. There were only issues about compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.

“What really happened was that a presidential aide travelled to Lagos penultimate Monday in a private jet and when he returned last Thursday, the First Lady asked him to isolate for 14 days.

“The whole intent of the First Lady was to protect President Muhammadu Buhari and his household from COVID-19 infection. It was not really a personal matter per se.

“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the First Lady has always asked those on palliative mission for her pet project, the Future Assured Programme to self-isolate for 14 days upon return from any trip."

It was however learnt that a female hostess on the shuttles to Lagos, Abuja and Kano with the private jet used by the Presidential aide tested positive.

Another source added: “The air hostess is receiving treatment and the government has asked all the staff or workers at the private wing to go for COVID-19 test and self-isolate in line with the enabling guidelines."

Justin Bieber denies s.e.xual assault allegations, plans to take legal action

Justin Bieber has refuted allegations that he s.e.xually assaulted a woman going by the name of "Danielle" in 2014.

The woman, who tweeted from an anonymous account Saturday night (June 20) that was removed from Twitter shortly after Bieber publicly commented on the situation, claimed the incident took place at a hotel in Austin, Texas, on March 9, 2014.

"I don’t normally address things as I have dealt with random accusations my entire career but after talking with my wife and team I have decided to speak up on an issue tonight," Bieber wrote on his own Twitter account Sunday night .


"Rumors are rumors but s.e.xual abuse is something I don’t take lightly," he continued. "I wanted to speak out right away but out of respect to so many victims who deal with these issues daily I wanted to make sure I gathered the facts before I made any statement."

"In the past 24 hours a new Twitter appeared that told a story of myself involved with sexual abuse on March 9, 2014 in Austin Texas at the Four seasons hotel. I want to be clear. There is no truth to this story. In fact as I will soon show I was never present at that location," said Bieber. "As her story told I did surprise a crowd in Austin at Sxsw where I appeared on stage with my then assistant side stage and sang a few songs. What this person did not know was that I attended that show with my then gf Selena Gomez."

Bieber posted links to news articles, as well social media photos and screenshots of emails and lodging receipts, from the time period in question.

He said he did not stay at the Four Seasons, the location of the alleged incident, but spent the night of March 9, 2014, at an Airbnb and March 10, 2014, at the Westin.

"Every claim of sexual abuse should be taken very seriously and this is why my response was needed. However this story is factually impossible and that is why I will be working with twitter and authorities to take legal action," Bieber wrote.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/justin-bieber-denies-sexual-assault.html

Two-year-old baby tests positive for COVID-19 in Ogun

The management of the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has confirmed that a two-year-old girl has tested positive for the coronavirus at the centre.

The child was said to have been admitted into the facility eight days ago on account of breathlessness.

According to a statement issued by the head of public relations and communication for the centre, Sugun Orisajo, investigations were subsequently carried out on her which revealed that she was positive for coronavirus.

“Due to the persisted high temperature, she was isolated, hence no member of staff or other patients were unduly exposed,” he said.


“To confirm the initial suspicion by a team of care givers, on the third day, she was screened for coronavirus while her treatment continued.

“The samples of her test returned positive for corona virus few moments ago.

“The girl is already receiving treatment at the Centre’s isolation ward while the facility where she was initially admitted has been decontaminated.”

Meanwhile, the management has initiated a contact tracing of her relatives.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/two-year-old-baby-tests-positive-for.html

Genevieve Nnaji shares new stunning instagram photos

The actress and filmmaker shared the beautiful photos on her instagram page this morning.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/genevieve-nnaji-share-new-stunning.html

Ghanaian who visited Synagogue church for healing goes missing

A Ghanaian identified as Suzanna Laar who visited Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun has been declared missing.

The 54-year-old woman had visited the church, alongside her two sons, in search of healing over an ailment they claimed had defied medical treatment.

According to one of Laar’s children, John Wuni, they attended the church on Sunday, December 22, 2019 but couldn’t stay for long because Laar became dizzy and slumped while waiting on a queue.

Wuni said, “We arrived in Lagos on December 22, 2019 and checked into a hotel around Ikotun. My brother and I brought our mother to Synagogue for healing. That was the second time we would bring her to the church. The first time was in 2017 when she had spinal cord problem.


“She fell sick again and it appeared to be spiritual. She could barely eat. We took her to different hospitals in Ghana but all the treatments given to her did not yield any positive results.

“The same day we arrived, we went to the church. We were in a queued when my mother collapsed all of a sudden. Some church officials advised us to take her to our hotel room and we did.

“We didn’t take her to hospital because our efforts in the past had no positive impact. My brother stayed with her when we got to the hotel while I returned to the church for service.”

Wuni, currently sheltered at Ghana Consulate in Lagos, explained that his brother went out to buy food but when he returned, his mother was nowhere to be found.

He said they looked for her around the neighbourhood to no avail, adding that the case was consequently reported at the Ikotun Police Station.

“We later printed a poster and put my phone number on it. People called and told me they found her. They were asking for huge money to lead me to where she was. Someone told me he saw her around Victoria Island. I went there but didn’t see her.

“We reported the incident at the Ikotun Police Station but the police did not treat the case as I had expected,” Wuni, 34, told Punch.

However, The Punch reported that the church (SCOAN) officials are yet to respond to calls regarding the matter.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed the development, noting that investigation had begun.

He said, “We have commenced investigation into circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Meanwhile, we have declared her missing. Anyone with useful information on her whereabouts should contact the nearest police station please.”



source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/ghanaian-who-visited-synagogue-church.html

I feel there’s more to Ibidun Ighodalo’s death – Yul Edochie

Nollywood actor cum politician, Yul Edochie has reacted to the sudden death of former beauty queen, Ibidun Ajayi-Ighodalo.

According to reports, Ibidun Ajayi-Ighodalo lost her life due to a cardiac arrest while she was in Port Harcourt. She passed on at the young age of 39.

The former beauty was buried on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The funeral took place at the Vaults and Gardens cemetery in Lagos state.

Reacting to the news of her death, Yul Edochie questioned If Ibidun really died of cardiac arrest.


The actor went on to place a curse on anybody that has a hand in her death.

He wrote: “Why do I feel there’s more to her death than the cardiac arrest story? I never met her but watching her videos brought tears to my eyes. She was so full of life, full of love for humanity.

“If your life was taken by someone, may suffering and painful death befall that person. They shall know no peace till they are gone. Rest well Ibidun.




source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/i-feel-theres-more-to-ibidun-ighodalos.html

Check out Niniola’s Beyonce-inspired dress (photo)

The 33-year-old ”Ibadi” crooner shared a picture of Beyonce and herself, wearing a some-what same dress.

She captioned the picture with; ”Please help me ASK the TAILOR why she did to me 😢 Asin WHY?????”

While Beyoncé’s is an all-black embellished dress, Niniola’s dress was made from a different fabric.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/check-out-niniolas-beyonce-inspired.html

Nigeria records 436 new cases of covid-19, total now 20,214

Nigeria reached a new grim milestone in COVID-19 cases Sunday night with the national total now 20,214.

The new caseload was reached after the NCDC announced 436 new cases, with 12 deaths.

Lagos continued to dominate the daily chart with 169 cases.

The figure is much lower than the 230 registered on Saturday and the 260 on Friday.


However, the state remains the most affected nationally with 8,576 cases.

Oyo recorded the second biggest cases with 52.

Plateau has 32, Imo 29 and Kaduna 28.

Rivers, which announced a lockdown of Bonny and Onne on Sunday, posted just eight cases.

From the figures announced, the virus appears to be on recession in Kano.

Nigeria’s most populous state after Lagos posted six cases, consistent with its recent trend.

Kano, nevertheless still has the country’s third highest caseload, next to Abuja FCT.

Here is the breakdown of cases for 21 June:
Lagos-169
Oyo-52
Plateau-31
Imo-29
Kaduna-28
Ogun-23
FCT-18
Enugu-18
Bauchi-17
Bayelsa-14
Rivers-8
Osun-6
Kano-6
Edo-5
Benue-5
Adamawa-3
Borno-2
Abia-1
Ekiti-1

20,244 confirmed
6,879 discharged
518 deaths

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/nigeria-records-436-new-cases-of-covid.html

Man kills girlfriend, stashes her in gunny bag

Police in Kitengela, Kajiado County, Kenya have launched a hunt for a middle-aged man accused of killing his girlfriend.

It is alleged the suspect strangled his lover on Friday night and hailed a boda boda at 5am Saturday with instructions that he be taken to a forest in Changombe area to dump some “unwanted house item”. The incident happened at the victim’s house in Kitengela.

The suspect is said to have wrapped his girlfriend’s body in a bedsheet, put it in a polythene bag, which he, thereafter, stashed in a gunny sack.

When the boda boda he had hailed arrived, he loaded the gunny sack on the pillion and sat while positioning his “luggage” strategically not to fall off.


On being asked by the boda boda operator where he was headed, the suspect said he wanted the rider to take him to a forest to dump the “unwanted house item”.

A few meters from the pick-up point — the deceased’s house — the rider, became suspicious of the passenger’s luggage, leading to a disagreement between the two.

It was at that point that the suspect hopped off the motorbike and fled, leaving his girlfriend’s body on the passenger’s seat.

On looking at what the passenger had carried in the sack, the rider was shocked to discover it was a human being’s body. Immediately, he raised the alarm, attracting neighbours’ attention.

The transporter and the neighbours, thereafter, filed a report at Kitengela Police Station.

The deceased, who was in her early 20s, and her boyfriend are said to have lived in the neighbourhood for two weeks now.

When authorities went to the couple’s rented house, they found it empty.

Isinya Sub-County Police Commander Kinyua Mugambi said a manhunt for the suspect has been launched, and investigations into the woman’s murder have begun.

The deceased was taken to Nairobi’s City Mortuary upon her family’s request.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/man-kills-girlfriend-stashes-her-in.html

Photos: Couple marry after meeting on Twitter 18 months ago

A Nigerian lady,@Aysha_Yayari took to Twitter to share her beautiful wedding photos as she recounted meeting her husband on the social media platform 18 months ago.

 ''About 18 months ago, this guy slid into my DM at 7am in the morning on a Saturday (like who even DMs girls that early in the morning, on a weekend.)

    Now I’m married to this man and couldn’t be happier. Alhamdulillah'', she wrote.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/photos-couple-marry-after-meeting-on.html

Man arrested for killing his children with wooden pestle

A 34-year-old man, Ifeanyi Apusiobi, in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State yesterday reportedly killed his daughter and son, injuring his 72-year-old father.

A resident of the area said the man suddenly went berserk at 1a.m. yesterday and attacked and killed his children in their sleep.

“I can’t just say what happened to him. Maybe he took something that made him run amok. I can’t just say. It’s painful,” an eyewitness said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said the man killed the children, Chinecherem and Obinna, with a wooden pestle in their sleep, while injuring his aged father on the head.


Mohammed said: “At about 1a.m. on Sunday, police operatives attached to Ogbunike police station arrested one Ifeanyi Apusiobi, 34, of Azu Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“The suspect allegedly ran amok in circumstances yet to be ascertained and attacked two of his biological children, Chinecherem (daughter), 7, and Obinna (son), 5, with a wooden pestle on their heads while they were sleeping.

“The suspect equally used same object and injured his father, Mr. Dominic Apusiobi, 72, on the head.

“Police detectives visited the scene and rushed the victims to the hospital for medical attention where the children were certified dead by a medical doctor, while the aged father is responding to treatment.

“Their corpses were deposited at Isienyi hospital morgue for autopsy. Exhibit recovered from him and the case have been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for discreet investigation.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/man-arrested-for-killing-his-children.html

Rivers APC suspends Victor Giadom

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers has suspended a former Deputy National Secretary, Victor Giadom, over alleged acts of gross infractions of the party’s Constitution.

Livingstone Wechie, the Media Adviser to the Acting Chairman of APC in Rivers, Igo Aguma, confirmed the suspension at the weekend.

He said the suspension was following report of a fact-finding committee set up by  the party.

He said: “The committee recommended that Victor Giadom be immediately suspended from the party and every party activities for his numerous infractions of the Party Constitution and conduct, which have brought the Party irredeemable disrepute.


“That Victor Giadom should immediately write a letter of apology to the party and same should be published in three national Newspapers.

“The Committee report which was presented to our state Executive Committee meeting was accepted and adopted as the position of the APC in Rivers state”.



source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/rivers-apc-suspends-victor-giadom.html

Man identified as satanist 'burns' down Russian church

A satanist has been accused of burning down a spectacular church in Russia.

Archangel Michael's Orthodox chapel, located deep in the mountains of Siberia, is the country's highest-altitude church at a height of 6,900ft.

The church, close to the Akken Glavier, was razed to the ground after what was at first believed an accident with candles.

Video footage shows flames burning on 14,783ft-tall Belukha, the highest peak in the Altai Mountains.


However, according to local media reports, officials now fear the famous cedar chapel was destroyed in an arson attack.

The timber church was originally built in 2006, with funds raised by relatives of climbers lost in the mountains.

V Gornom, a Russian outlet, reports that police have now identified self-confessed satanist Sergey Tuzovsky, 40, as their main suspect.

It comes after several witnesses claim the bearded “shaman” was seen on the lower slopes of Belukha.

One said: "We have turned to the police with a statement about intentional arson. The check has started.”

Climber Anatoly Minichkin, 67, from Moscow, who was one of the last to visit the chapel on Friday, says no candles were alight at the time.

On June 5, Tuzovsky, posted a video with a jar of blood online, declaring he was taking it to the “altar of the Mother” in connection with the "birth of the force of Lucifer”.

Originally from Novosibirsk, local sources say he is now wanted by law enforcement.

Tuzovsky also faces separate charges of using excess force in self-defence, resulting in the death of a man in his house.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/man-identified-as-satanist-burns-down.html

Woman who had her first orgasm at 30 charges £1K teaching women how to lift weights with their vagina because it helps orgasms

Frustrated women are forking out £1,000-a-go for orgasm lessons from a s.e.x guru.

Self-styled orgasm coach Veronica Trufasu, 32, didn’t have her first one until two years ago when she had four in a row.

She’s since come so far in her quest for s.e.xual self-fulfilment that she can now lift up to 1.5kg in weight from her lady parts.

Veronica said: “I teach women how to lift weights with their vagina because it helps them gain sensitivity and strength to build up to more powerful orgasms.”


Before she became an orgasm master, Veronica spent £30,000 on techniques and courses researching how to climax.

She reckons there are lots of myths around female orgasms and she’s determined to bust them.

Veronica, from London, said: “Society says that you are waiting for an orgasm to be given to you.

“Women expect their partner to give it to them but the truth is, no one gives you the orgasm, you create it with your mind, with your body, how much you are connected and your level of self-love.

“You actually create it within you.

“If women made that connection, they would realise that they could have it whenever they want and as many times as they want.

“Then they realise that instead of being stressed or needing a holiday, they can just self-pleasure regularly and that would make them feel more fulfilled than they’ve ever been.”

Now she averages around 170 women per class, who are generally aged 25-40.

She offers a range of courses for up to £1,000.

Veronica added: “Some ladies are extremely successful and they lied about having an orgasm for years to their partners, so their partners actually think they’re having one when they’re not.

“Others are really ashamed because they reached a certain age and they cannot talk about it anymore and think they’ve missed the boat, she said.

But will you be willing to make payments for such? I think Toke Makinwa had already told us how to get ours, lol.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/woman-who-had-her-first-orgasm-at-30.html

Service Chiefs Can Go, Nigerians Are Dying - Senate President

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Sunday said any officer found short of expectations should be shown the way out if he refuses to go.

Lawan, who briefed State House reporters after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the National Assembly was ready to receive supplementary budget to tackle the security challenge, including the recruitment of more personnel in various security agencies in the country.



He said the resources must be provided to empower the security agencies to fight the Boko Haram in the North East, banditry and other security challenges across the country.

Lawan, who said the security situation in the country especially in the northern part of the country required that more resources be given to the security agencies, added that the heads of these agencies especially the service chiefs, must sit up and address the issues within timeline.

“We can’t just go on without any time frame for dealing with these issues,” he added. Lawan said: “You know the country is facing very deep and serious security challenges and I have come to discuss with Mr. president what we discussed previously that we should do whatever it takes to improve the security situation in the country.

“And we believe that the senate and indeed the National Assembly is positively disposed to receiving even supplementary budget purposely to address the fundamental needs of the security agencies of our country so that we are able to empower them, enable them to fight the Boko Haram in the North East, banditry and other security challenges across the country.

“Secondly, in the senate, we believe we need to provide more resources for recruitment by the security agencies: Army, the Navy, Air Force, Police, immigration, the paramilitary generally. “We need to have more manpower or personnel and this is not something you get on platter of gold. “Whoever wants to make an omelette will break an egg.

“Section 14 subsection 2b of the constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria is very categorical and crystal clear, that the purpose of government shall be to provide for security and welfare of the people. “Therefore, we must, we have no luxury of any option other than to address the security challenges more than any other thing.

“We provided for N500 billion intervention for COVID for the revised budget, and various agencies, the CBN, the NNPC and the IOCs provided for palliatives and some kind of interventions for the COVID challenge. “I think we must tell ourselves the truth, that the security situation in the country especially in the northern part of the country, require that we give much more resources to the security agencies.

“And those who are heading these agencies especially the service chiefs, must sit up, in fact we must have milestones and timelines on how we are going to deal with this. We can’t just go on without any time frame for dealing with these issues.

“If after we provide some support and someone is found short of expectations, he should be shown the way out if he refuses to go. Because the lives of Nigerians are so precious and therefore must be more important than any other considerations or sentiments."