FRANKFURT; MAN WHO PUSHED 8 YEAR-OLD BOY UNTO TRAIN YET TO SAY WHY

 

Frankfurt Main Train station

The man who pushed a woman and her 8 year-old son unto train tracks at Frankfurt Train station Monday has so far refused to talk about his motive.

An 8-year-old boy was killed on Monday when a man shoved him in front of a moving train entering Frankfurt's main station, German police said.

 The boy's mother was also pushed from the platform, but was able to roll to the side and save herself. 

According to police, witnesses said the attacker also tried to push another person onto the tracks as the Intercity Express train was approaching, but the would-be victim managed to avoid falling onto the track. 

The suspect was chased through the station by passengers who managed to tackle him to the ground. Police later confirmed a 40-year-old African man had been arrested.

The incident happened at about 10am on Monday on platform seven of the station, which is one of Germany’s busiest. The boy’s mother was being treated for shock, according to a police spokeswoman.

 German law enforcement authorities said the 40-year-old man did not know the victims, and has so far refused to speak about his motive. Police said that an investigation is underway, and video footage of the incident will be examined. 

The suspect initially fled the scene and managed to exit the station, but by-standers held him up outside the building. 

The killing prompted a "massive [police] deployment" at Frankfurt's central train station, a police spokeswoman said. Firefighters were also at the scene. Authorities closed six of the platforms for several hours, causing train delays and cancellations.

Commenting on the incident, the premier of the state of Hesse, Volker Bouffier, said he was "stunned" by the "revolting act."

The latest tragedy comes only nine days after a 28-year-old man allegedly pushed a 34-year-old mother into the path of an oncoming train in the northwest town of Voerde, killing her.

The two incidents are likely to trigger a debate over increasing security at German train stations. On Tuesday, Martin Burkert, a Social Democrat (SPD)  focusing on transport policy, told Germany's mass circulation newspaper Bild that there was not enough supervision on Germany's train platforms, and that train stations lacked enough police.

With Agency Reports

MARITIME; NIGERIA CUSTOMS LIFTS SUSPENSION ON AGENTS WHOSE OPERATING LICENSES WERE HACKED

ACG Kaycee Ekezie(3rd seated from L) and her team with Hon Iju Nwabunike (3rd R) and his executive members

MARITIME

The hitherto frosty relationship between Nigeria Customs and some clearing and forwarding agents in Nigeria may have been smoothened with Customs lifting suspension order on some agents whose operating licenses were hacked.

Indications to this development came to light recently during a courtesy visit by Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service Zone A Lagos, ACG Kaycee Ekezie to Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA National Secretariat, Dikko Inde House Amuwo Odofin Lagos.

ACG Ekezie who visited with all the Controllers of Customs under her zone was received by National President of ANLCA Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike and his National Executive Committee members as well as leaders from western Zone.

Ekezie told the full house of ANLCA members that she brought with her a message of goodwill and cooperation from Nigeria Customs Service urging agents to play by the rules of engagement in import guidelines and procedure as it is the only way to guarantee a smooth flow of the entire system with mutual benefits for all stakeholders.

On his part,  National President of ANLCA Chief Tony Iju Nwabunike welcomed ACG Ekezie very warmly to ANLCA secretariat assuring that the current executive of ANLCA which he leads would do all within its powers to ensure that the Nigeria Customs gets the desired cooperation.

In his words Nwabunike said “my administration will continue to do all within our power to smoothen the process and make Customs work easier. We would continue to educate our members as well as importers on the need to adhere to laid down rules in line with international best practices

He added that “continuous training and retraining of brokers and capacity building in the entire freight forwarding industry remains one of the administrative pillars on which ANLCA is anchored.

Speaking further, Nwabunike pleaded for lifting of the suspension order on some brokers over alleged hacking and illegal release of vehicles adding that the suspension was erroneous, didn’t follow due process and has brought untold hardship to the families of the agents.

This plea of lifting the suspension got the positive consideration of the Customs boss who announced the lifting pending completion of investigation.

In a vote of thanks, Ahaji Mukaila Babatunde, ANLCA National Secretary thanked the ACG and her team for his auspicious visit which allowed for a close interaction with her constituency.

He also assured the Customs boss of the total cooperation of ANLCA members.

Association of Nigeria License Customs Agents ANLCA was established in 1954.

By Fred Iwenjora

NAETO C JOINS TEAM IHEDIOHA

SHOWBIZ

*Naeto C

Nigeria’s hip hop star Nnaetochukwu Chikwe better known to many as Naeto C has joined the newly being constituted team of Imo state Governor Emeka Ihedioha as a Special Assistant.

Naeto C son of PDP big wig and former Aviation Minister Chief Dr. Mrs. Kema Chikwe will be in charge of Imo state Liaison office in Lagos.

Naeto C was discovered by Obi Asika, founder of Storm Records. His music Kini big deal is still in the mind of his fans.

This is not the first time entertainers will be appointed by Governors of Imo state.

Stand-up comedian Okey Bakassi served just as screen actress Nkiru Syvanus was appointed by former Gov Rochas Okorocha in the early years of his tenure. 

HOW 87 PASSENGERS, 6 CREW MEMBERS ESCAPED DEATH AS AIR PEACE FLIGHT SKIDS OFF RUNWAY.

BREAKING!

Passengers of Air Peace flight 5N BRN being evacuated after the plane skidded off the runway

Tragedy was averted this evening as Air Peace flight number 5N BRN, on a flight from Abuja to Port Harcourt today, skidded off the Port Harcourt International Airport runway.

Time of the incident was recorded to be about 3:00pm (1500hours).

According to CKN News which quoted FAAN GM Corporate Affairs Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, the incident happened during a heavy downpour at the airport.

All 87 passengers and 6 crew members on the flight were safely evacuated.

As at time of publishing, the runway was being cleared by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria FAAN for normal flight operations to resumed.

Meanwhile the Accident and Investigation Bureau AIB says it would probe the mishap which many allege to have been caused by the slippery tarmac.

HIP! HIP! HIP!…TOTAL LIBERATION PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY IS 2 YEARS

 RELIGION

Rev. Kalu Ugwumba

Members, friends and well wishers of Total Liberation Pentecostal Assembly,(TLPA) are in high mood as you are reading this.

The wave making Isolo based Lagos church is two years old and all members are in full excitement and celebration mood.

A full week programme  themed; Season of uncommon Testimonies  is out with a climax on Sunday 30^th June, 2019.

 Speaking yesterday with ECD Religion Reporter,  Rev Kalu Ugwumba, Senior Pastor at TLPA said “it’s all glory to Almighty God who sowed the seed we are harvesting at the moment. We started out with only great hope and trust in the commission to continue to disseminate the true word of God. Gratitude is all I have because it is not just by my power that Total Liberation Pentecostal Assembly is waxing stronger.

“Our guest speaker is Rev Dr. Felix Iroezi and I am very grateful to the planning committee led by Bro Chijioke Ubah for the good job they have done especially in the success of this programme. Don’t miss this event as you will be highly uplifted” he concluded     

HOT GIST! PROGRESSIVE WOMEN IN GIANT LEAP...TO LAUNCH CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

HOT GIST!

Chief Mrs. Vivian Obi

All is set for the inauguration of the Progressive Women and Youth Advocacy organization Co-operative society.

The inauguration event which also seeks to launch for a N50m fund for start- up capital for young entrepreneurs will hold on Friday 28^th June 2019 at Nnokwa Hall Ejigbo with notable Nigerians including Presidential aspirant Prof Pat Utomi, women rights expert Dr Joe Okei Odumakin, political women leader Rachel Akpabio and renowned gynaecologist,  Dr C.U Chukwunenye  as Chairman of occasion as well as a  host of other distinguished guests present.

Also expected are Representatives of Lagos state Ministry of Commerce, royal Fathers including Oba Moroof Ojoola of Ejigbo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka of Isolo. Also on hand is Onyendu Ndigbo, Eze Alex Nwoye, Bobaselu of Ejigbo

Speaking to ECD yesterday, Founder in - Chief and President of Progressive Women and youth Advocacy Organisation,  Chief Mrs. Vivian Obi said she “founded the orgainsation to give us,  women and youths a sense of belonging and the desired push to survive in this harsh and hostile world environment that has no room for women and youths in the dictionary.

She said “we gather to discuss how women and youths can be of better use to themselves, their homes and the country at large.  Of course we know that the biggest challenge to all is centered on economics and this is propelled by money. Funds. With funds you can turn lives around. For this reason, we share ideas on skills acquisition, and other forms of human development and urge every member to inspire others in any ways possible.

Continuing Obi said “the cooperative society is the next level for Progressive Women and youth Advocacy Organisation. We have to cooperatively pull resources together for our benefit. We will launch for funds to help budding entrepreneurs start businesses. Indeed the future is bright.

“Since its formation a few years ago, Progressive Women and youths advocacy group already has chapters across 20 LGAs in Lagos state. We are looking far ahead”.

This coming event is seen by many observers as a giant leap by the organization in just a few years of its formation.

MEET EMMANUEL NNODIM, BIGGEST THORN IN THE FLESH OF GANIYU JOHNSON.

POLITICS

*Hon Emmanuel Nnodim

Despite that he recently took several buses delegation of his famous GAJ Campaign organization to Abuja for his inauguration into the Federal House of Reps and really painted FCT so red in celebration, one big issue disturbing Hon Engr. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson at the moment is the challenge of his main opponent at the poll, Emmanuel Nnodim of the PDP.

Hon Engr. Ganiyu Johnson

This battle to reclaim his mandate by Nnodim is said to be really intense and gives the former Lagos Commissioner for works sleepless nights according to one of his numerous aides.

Nnodim  with strong base at Ajao estate area of the federal constituency at the tribunal questioning how GAJ , the APC candidate won the Federal House of Reps seat for Oshodi Isolo 2 Lagos in the last General elections .

The PDP federal House contestant from Imo state benefitted from the population of Igbos in the area of Oshodi  Isolo 2 and is harping on how the now famous Ago palace way 2019 election violence marred his success at the elections.

Unconfirmed reports say Nnodim has the full backing of his party and have allegedly received a big financial advance from one of PDP biggest wigs to help him in his case against Ganiyu Johnson.

Recall that erstwhile federal representative of the area Hon Tony Nwulu was of PDP and also from Imo state and is accused of abandoning the constituency to feather his nest in his state where he contested the governorship elections.

However, on the part of Hon Engr. Johnson, he is also defending himself and very well too. He also has the very close backing of the ruling APC in Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general.

Aside from assembling erudite constitutional lawyers, ECD has also learnt that very close overtures are currently being made to reach an amicable settlement “beneficial to all parties” said an insider.
By Our Reporters