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Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, says he is not sure of when President Muhammadu Buhari will return to the country because he is not treating “mere malaria”.

Umahi is one of the seven governors, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who visited Buhari in London on Wednesday.

Speaking with PUNCH after the visit, he said the president’s recuperation is going on smoothly, as opposed to the things said by “naysayers”.

“We met a cheerful president whose level of recovery is a miracle. We know he will soon return home as soon as his doctors certify him to do so. What he’s treating is not mere malaria that we can say he will return today or tomorrow,” he said.

“However, we are happy and we thank God for what we saw. It is contrary to the pictures people are painting on the social media. The president we saw is recuperating well and we are happy for that.

“It is even better that, we as members of the opposition party, are among the entourage. Nigerians should continue to pray for the president.”

Umahi’s statement contradicts that of Rochas Okorocha, his Imo state counterpart, who said it is possible for the president to return in two weeks.

Buhari has been receiving medical attention in London for the past 80 days.

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Former US President Jimmy Carter Dies At 100

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Jimmy Carter, a former president of the United States, has died.

The Democrat, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, passed away at the age of 100.

The Carter Centre announced that the 39th president of the US died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Carter became the first ex-US president to reach 100 years on October 1, 2024.

He lost his re-election bid to Ronald Reagan in 1981 and left the White House with low approval ratings amid economic turmoil.

Following his presidency, he dedicated himself to humanitarian work, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Rosalynn, Carter’s wife of 77 years, passed away in November 2023.

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” Chip Carter, his son, said in a statement after his passing.

“The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

Carter was the first US president to embark on a state visit to sub-Saharan Africa when he arrived in Lagos, Nigeria on March 31, 1978, with Olusegun Obasanjo, then military ruler, on hand to receive him.

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BIG STORY

We Spend N204m Monthly To Keep Kaduna Clean — Environment Commissioner Buba

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Abubakar Buba, commissioner for environment in Kaduna, has stated that the state government spends N204 million monthly to maintain cleanliness in the state.

Buba made the comment in response to a recent report by State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE), which ranked Kaduna as the cleanest state in the north-west.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Buba explained that this investment is driven by Uba Sani, the state governor, who believes that “a clean environment is the foundation of a good healthcare system.”

The commissioner noted that the significant financial commitment is beginning to show results, describing the ranking as a true reflection of the sanitary condition of the state.

He further mentioned that the Sani administration has engaged 2,400 street sweepers who ensure that major cities are swept every day.

Buba clarified that the cost is shared by both the state and local governments.

“The Senator Uba Sani Government is doing a lot toward ensuring the recycling of waste to wealth. In the near future, Kaduna State government will be generating revenue from waste instead. We are currently working with investors in this area,” Buba added.

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Troops Destroy ’20 Illegal Refineries, Recover 90,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude’ In Niger Delta

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The 6 division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state, announced that it has destroyed 20,000 illegal refining sites and recovered 90,000 stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta.

In a statement on Sunday, Jonah Danjuma, the division’s assistant director of public relations, revealed that the military also arrested several suspects.

He explained that the raids were conducted in partnership with other security agencies in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states.

“Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained the onslaught against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region,” the statement reads.

“This effort led to the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, the arrest of eight suspected oil thieves, and the deactivation of 21 boats used in criminal activities.

“Additionally, over 90,000 litres of stolen products were recovered during the ongoing anti-bunkering operations in the region.”

Danjuma stated that, acting on intelligence regarding illegal activities around Buguma in Asari-Toru LGA, troops swiftly responded, uncovering a tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat containing over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.

“At the Ogajiama axis of the Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops engaged in a gun duel with criminal elements who fled due to superior firepower,” he said.

“An illegal refining site, one large pot, and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined dual-purpose kerosene were appropriately dismantled.

“This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted while attempting to load crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.

“In a related development, around the Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, troops intercepted two illegal refining sites, four fibre boats, three wooden boats, and approximately 2,000 litres of stolen crude.

“At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, and 31 sacks containing over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

“Further operations at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA of Rivers State led to the recovery of one illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat, and over 3,500 litres of stolen products.

“Similarly, at the fringes of the Imo River, seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, 49 drum receivers, and over 10,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.”

Danjuma mentioned that at Biseni forest in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state, one illegal refining site was dismantled, and about 8,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

He also reported that troops foiled an attempt to vandalise an inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company flowline at well 20 in the Opukushi general area of Ekeremor LGA.

In Akwa Ibom, troops intercepted eleven 280-litre drums containing approximately 3,080 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA.

He stated that a follow-up operation traced the source of the product to a loading point at Dazele Filling station, Ibaka, where an additional 31 drums of PMS, estimated at 8,680 litres, were intercepted.

Danjuma added that preliminary investigations revealed that the products were allegedly intended for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

In Delta state, Danjuma mentioned that both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted, “effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action in the area.”

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