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Panic, lobbying as ‘sick’ Nigeria’s Army Chief is flown abroad for medical attention

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Strong indications have emerged that Gen. Taofeek Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff is seriously sick and has been flown abroad by his immediate family for medical attention.

It is also making the rounds that top military officers are already making contacts with regards to who would take over Lagbaja’s lucrative job.

According to a report by Saharareporters which quoted multiple security sources, Lagbaja’s prolonged absence from official duties has sparked controversy among top generals.

Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.

“The controversy surrounding Lagbaja’s absence is further fueled by reports that family members have secluded him from the public. As the situation unfolds, many are eagerly awaiting an official statement from the authorities to clarify Lagbaja’s status.

“Checks on the Nigerian Army social media pages show that the last public appearance of Lagbaja was on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, when he inaugurated several civil-military cooperation projects in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.

“Top military officers have been representing him at key events, including the Army War College Nigeria Course 8/2024 graduation dinner and award night in Abuja on October 2, 2024, where Lagbaja was supposed to be the chief host.

“Additionally, Lagbaja missed the combined passing-out parade of the 71 Regular Course, Army, Navy, and Air Force on September 28.

“This significant event saw the graduation of Direct Short Service Course 28 (Army) and Direct Short Service Course 32 (Air Force) cadets from the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

“Lagbaja’s absence from these events has raised eyebrows, especially given his position as the head of the Nigerian Army.

“Sources told SaharaReporters that Lagbaja has also not been seen at the Nigerian Army Headquarters located at the Armed Forces Complex, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja in the last three weeks.

“We haven’t seen his official vehicle at his designated car park for three weeks now, unlike before,” a soldier attached to the Army headquarters told SaharaReporters.

“However, a top officer close to Lagbaja told SaharaReporters that he was flown abroad by his family members on a secret trip to attend to his medical needs.

“The officer said, “The Chief of Army Staff is nowhere to be found for many days now. He hasn’t been seen at the Army headquarters or any military function in the last three weeks. I can confirm to you that he is seriously sick and was taken to the hospital. However, his family members arranged for him to be moved out of the country for medical treatment.”

“The COAS is a leader and most of the Major Generals are doing anyhow because they have no one to report to currently. Anybody can fall sick but someone needs to be in charge. I wish him a very quick recovery, I have known him since our days in Makurdi, Benue State. We were both young officers then and he was a captain,” another officer said.

Also speaking to SaharaReporters, a Major said, “I don’t know whether he is sick or not, I can’t confirm that to you, but I got to know two weeks ago that he wasn’t in the country and I know he’s not back as I talk to you.

“As military men, we were taught to be observant, so I noticed he was not at the October 1 Independence Day parade ground in Abuja. I asked my superiors including a general and I was told that he was out of the country. You know, it is unusual for him not to be around at that time.

“Also, the 2024 promotion list of soldiers which was completed a few weeks back is yet to be signed by the COAS. I was told that the Chief of Administration cannot do it because it will escalate the COAS’s absence. Some of my subordinates who are due for promotion are already grumbling,” the report stated

 

 

 

 

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Tinubu: My govt has created 650,000 jobs via National MSME clinics In 19 states and FCT

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President Bola Tinubu on Monday disclosed that his government has created 650,000 jobs through its National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinics in 19 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Tinubu also vowed to remove all bottlenecks militating against Nigerians turning ideas and skills into successful businesses.

The President made this known via his verified X handle, @officialABAT and explained that a tailor should not need millions of naira to buy industrial machinery before she can grow her business while a food processor should not have to build a factory before producing at scale.

This, he stated, informed why the Federal Government, “under our Renewed Hope administration, is investing in shared MSME hubs through our National MSME Clinics, giving entrepreneurs access to modern equipment, reliable power and production facilities without carrying the full cost alone.”

According to Tinubu: “Today, 21 shared facilities across 19 states and the FCT are supporting businesses and an estimated 650,000 jobs. ReadPolitical News

“Nigerians do not lack ideas, skill or ambition. Too often, they lack access to the tools and infrastructure needed to turn them into successful businesses.

“Our job is to remove those barriers.

“When small businesses can produce more, at lower cost, they become more competitive. They grow. They employ more people. They create income and opportunity for Nigerian families.

“Giving Nigerian enterprise the tools to succeed is how we build prosperity from the ground up. That is the Nigeria we are building.”

 

 

 

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Experts raise alarm on Shawarma, Cancer, Kidney Disease

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Health professionals have warned that regular consumption of shawarma containing high amounts of salt, sugar, fat, seasoning and processed meat may contribute to hypertension, obesity, diabetes and kidney disease.

Excessive salt can raise blood pressure and put additional strain on the kidneys, while high-calorie sauces may contribute to weight gain.

Nutrition experts advised Nigerians to eat shawarma in moderation, use less mayonnaise and other sauces, choose lean grilled meat and add more vegetables. Consumers were also urged to check vendors’ cleanliness and avoid food prepared where ingredients are exposed to flies, dust or poor handling.

 

A recent report by experts also warned that frequent consumption of Shawarma may increase the risk of other food-borne infections and long-term health problems.

The report contains documented cases of people who suffered vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and weakness after eating shawarma, with some requiring hospital treatment.

According to the report,  poor hygiene could allow bacteria and other contaminants into shawarma, causing illnesses including cholera, dysentery, typhoid and salmonellosis.

It also raised concerns about mayonnaise and creamy sauces kept without proper refrigeration and warned that poor storage could encourage bacterial growth and increase the risk of food poisoning.

A study cited in the report found bacterial contamination in ready-to-eat shawarma sold on the streets

Experts also raised concerns about processed meat such as sausage, noting that the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans.

 

 

 

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Phone communication exposes married woman in the case of Abuja resident who died in a hotel

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The mystery surrounding the death of a man whose body was found by the roadside in Abuja has taken a new turn, with police tracing the case through his missing mobile phone to a married woman who allegedly spent time with him at a hotel.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja, saying investigators arrested Rukayat Muhammed after tracing the deceased’s final communications.

The man was found dead on August 26 along the Kubwa Expressway, near Katampe under the bridge, after his family had earlier reported him missing.

According to the police, the case initially raised suspicion of a possible “one chance” incident. Investigators, however, established that the dead man was the missing person after identifying his remains.

Sanusi said the deceased’s mobile phone was missing and had been switched off. Police investigators subsequently traced his last known communication, leading them to Rukayat, a resident of Garki Area 2.

Investigators reportedly discovered that Rukayat, who is married, was allegedly in a romantic relationship with the deceased. The police said she had saved his contact under the name “Safiyat.”

The CP said the pair had lodged at Good Samaritan Guest House on 2nd Avenue, Gwarinpa, where the man later died.

Sanusi said Rukayat allegedly discovered that the man was no longer breathing but failed to alert the police or hotel management. Instead, she allegedly took his phone and left the hotel.

The case took another turn when hotel management later discovered the man’s body inside the room after attempts to contact the occupants failed.

Rather than reporting the discovery, two hotel staff members, Ibrahim Omeiza and Kefat Bitrus, allegedly removed the body from the room and transported it to the Kubwa Expressway, where they dumped it under the Katampe bridge.

The police said the action was apparently intended to distance the hotel and its management from the death.

Sanusi said detectives were still working to establish exactly how the man died and determine the individual roles of those connected to the incident.

He warned that anyone found to have participated in the death, concealment or abandonment of the body would face prosecution.

The commissioner said the investigation remains ongoing.

 

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