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Category: News

Park Ownership Dispute: Unknown gunmen trigger pandemonium in Anambra

An unsettling situation unfolded on Wednesday in Nkpor, situated within the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The cause of the upheaval was the contentious matter of park ownership, which escalated to the point of armed masked individuals purportedly assuming control of the parks.

In the midst of this dispute, chaos ensued, leading to the reported injury of at least five individuals due to the commotion caused by gunshots fired by the armed intruders.

Emmanuel Idemili, the Chairman of the Amafor Nkpor community, addressed the media regarding the unfolding situation.

According to him, his team was duly authorized by the state government to manage and generate revenue from the parks.

He revealed that he was away on official business in Awka when he received a distressing call from his staff at the parks.

They reported that a group of masked and armed individuals had forcefully entered the scene under the fly-over bridge, immediately resorting to gunfire and driving his team away.

Idemili expressed his concern for the wellbeing of his staff, mentioning that he was uncertain whether any of his members were among the injured. The intensity of the shooting triggered a stampede, causing traders at the Nkpor New Auto Spare Parks and Nkpor Relief Markets to hastily close their shops and seek safety.

In an attempt to verify the unfolding events, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, was contacted. However, he stated that he had no knowledge of the incident, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.

This alarming incident in Nkpor, Anambra, underscores the potentially volatile nature of disputes over public spaces and their management.

The clash over park ownership not only led to injuries but also disrupted the local commercial activities, highlighting the need for swift and effective resolution to maintain order and safety in the community.

08/24/2023
Gov Inuwa rounds-off 1st phase palliative distribution to 420,000 vulnerable persons

*Acknowledges receipt of N2bn from FG

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON says Gombe State has received N2 billion out of the N5 billion relief funds that the Federal Government allocated to states for the purchase of food items for distribution to vulnerable members of the public to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

He however stated that the government awaits the receipt of the balance as well as the 1 billion Naira worth of maize which the Central Bank of Nigeria is selling to each state from the national strategic reserve.

The governor disclosed this while speaking at round-off of the first phase of statewide palliatives distribution exercise embarked upon by his administration.

He applauded the Federal Government for providing the relief funds to each state of the federation out of which 48% is a loan that will be paid back over a period of 20 months at N120,000,000.00 monthly starting from November this year.

Assuring that his administration will ensure effective and judicious use of the funds, the Governor revealed that “We will set up a special committee under the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau to ensure effective distribution of the FG’s palliatives to the deserving people of Gombe State”.

Governor Inuwa also assured of his administration’s continued commitment towards addressing the plights of the people. “This exercise will continue, we will not relent in our efforts until our people are taken out of this difficult situation”, he stressed.

He said the palliative distribution exercise was the 8th in the series of interventions carried out by his administration, adding that he will not relent in attending to the plight of his people.

“I am not happy distributing palliatives to the people, I will rather be happy if every household in Gombe State would be able to meet their basic needs”, he added.

“Our intention is to make sure that the palliatives we have provided reach the most-deserving people at the grassroots. We have provided an effective and efficient framework to achieve this by taking the exercise to the polling unit level. In every polling unit, 10 beneficiaries have been selected from making up the 30 thousand beneficiaries for this phase”, he noted.

“Our ultimate target is to help not fewer than four hundred and twenty thousand (420,000) people in in this phase”, he added.

He decried the lingering food crisis in the country, describing the ugly trend as a complex problem that calls for comprehensive solutions from all stakeholders, cautioning that distribution of palliatives from the government will only provide a temporary relief.

“Despite series of palliatives distribution from the government, the problem of rising cost of food commodities persists, because that is not the way to go. Palliatives will not provide permanent solution to the problem. It is therefore pertinent on all stakeholders to find a permanent solution to the problem.

He enjoined the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously, cautioning them about selling the items as this will defeat the intent of the exercise.

“Use the fertilisers and insecticides on your farms to cultivate what can sustain your families and avoid selling them out. Look for potential places suitable for dry season farming and venture into irrigation agriculture. This is the way to go as we cannot continue to rely on handouts from the government”, he said.

He used the occasion to call on famers in the state to avoid selling their farm produce during harvest period as the practice afflicts more hardships to the farmers and their families in the near future.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi thanked Governor Inuwa for his magnanimity in attending to the plight of his people at this difficult time.

“It is out of his sympathy and magnanimity that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya moved to rescue his people from the grab of economic difficulties”, he said, calling on people to continue supporting the polices and programmes of the government.

In his address, the Executive Secretary, Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, who is also the chairman state distribution committee, Abdullahi Haruna Abdullahi said the committee has succeeded in inaugurating the LG level teams and flagging off of the distribution exercise in all the 11 Local Governments Areas of the state.

Mr Haruna promised to uphold the trust and confidence reposed in them by ensuring judicious distribution of the item across the state, explaining that the exercise will commence in earnest in every LGA that finished setting up its ward level committees.

The chairman said, the Items distributed include bags of Fertilizer, insecticides, rice and spaghetti and will draw 10 beneficiaries from each polling unit in the state.

08/24/2023
NAF to take delivery of 18 attack helicopters – CAS

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar says the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) will soon take delivery of 18 attack helicopters to boost its fleet of aircraft.

Abubakar said this at a one-day tour of formations and units under the NAF 115 Special Operations Group (SOG) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He said that 12 attack helicopters would be supplied by the United States while another six helicopters would be provided by the Turkish government in September.

“We are not deterred by recent developments as the Federal Government has approved the acquisition of 12 AH1 Zulu Cobra and six T129 Helicopters from the United States and Turkey respectively.

“The first two T129 helicopters are scheduled to come into operation by September, to enhance our operational capabilities.

“So, yes, we are saddened by the recent loss of our airplane (MI 171 helicopter) but then, we have a lot more (aircraft) coming in and our capabilities are increasing,” he said.

Abubakar said he visited the state to commiserate with families of the NAF pilots and crew that died in the ill-fated helicopter crash in Niger on Aug. 14.

“So, we came here to express our deepest condolences to the immediate family members of the crew that we lost.

“The 115 special operations group is the home base for the airplane and all the crew that were onboard the unfortunate crash of our MI-171 helicopter.

“Aside this, we are also here to interact with the officers and men of the unit to encourage and assure them of our support in Operation Delta Safe,” he added.

The air force chief said the deceased crew onboard the crashed aircraft included the pilot, co-pilot and two airmen – who oversaw the cabin.

He said the air force was currently putting measures in place to put an end to crashes of military aircraft in the country.

According to him, the measures included the setting up of an air crash investigation board to detect the probable causes of the crash to mitigate future recurrence.

“NAF has a target innovation of zero accidents, but the truth is that as long as we keep operating, there will be incidents because it is human beings that operate the aircraft.

“We have also established and empowered our NAF Institute of Safety – where we train our pilots and technicians in the fundamentals of safety to improve safety culture in the air force.

“The overall aim is that in the nearest future, we will have a well engraved safety culture in realisation of our target of zero accidents and incidents in NAF,” he said.

Abubakar said the air force would continue to intensify the deployment of its attack helicopters in clamping down on illegal refineries in the Niger Delta.

He said that joint operations with sister security agencies had led to the destruction of several illegal refining sites and confiscation of vessels used in stealing crude oil from the region.

08/24/2023
Katsina govt confirms receipt of N2bn palliative from FG

The Katsina State Government has confirmed the receipt of N2 billion out of the N5 billion palliative approved to the states by the Federal Government.

Dr Bala Salisu-Zango, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Home Affairs made the clarification while reacting to insinuation that the federal government released N5 billion to the state.

He said that: “The attention of the state government has been drawn to news going round in the media that N5 billion has been released to states by the Federal Government for palliative.

“I wish to state that, Katsina State Government received only N2 billion for procurement of grain to be distributed to the citizens of the state”.

Salisu-Zango said the state government had so far utilised N2 billion to procure 40,000 bags of rice for distribution to vulnerable persons in all the polling units across the state.

He said the government would also utilise the next tranche of the fund from the federal government to purchase maize for distribution to deserving households.

He warned that the state government would punish anyone found wanting in the palliative distribution exercise.

08/24/2023
Police arrest 94-year-old man for defiling minor in Adamawa

The Police Command in Adamawa has apprehended 94-year-old man for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl in Tappare ward, Ganye Local Government Area.

SP Suleiman Nguroje, the command spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Yola on Wednesday.

He said the suspect, who is a herbalist, was believed to be in the habit of deceiving young girls to defile them.

“It happens that on August 12, while the victim was passing by the suspect’s house, he called her into the house and took advantage of her by having an unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

“Investigation, so far reveals that the suspect while committing the act rubbed some concoction in the form of perfume on the victim which made the victim ill after the incident.

“It was as a result of the illness when questioned by her mother, she opened up to her about what happened,” he said.

Nguroye said that the victim’s mother reported the incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ganye.

He said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Afolabi Babatola directed the officer-in-charge of Family Support Unit of the command to investigate and ensure diligent prosecution of the suspect.

The commissioner called on members of the public particularly parents to monitor their wards against criminally minded elements.

He also urged residents to report cases on Gender Based Violence.

08/24/2023
I didn’t purchase N300m bullet proof SUV -Wike

FCT Minister Wike’s SUV

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has refuted claims of purchasing a N300 million Armoured Lexus LX600 SUV on assumption to office.

Wike made the rebuttal shortly after a visit to Metro Train Station, Abuja on Wednesday to inspect ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja Rail Mass Transport System.

Some sections of the media had published a picture of an Armored Lexus SUV model LX 600, fitted with ‘FCT – 01’ plate.

The reports claimed that the SUV, which cost more than N300 million, belonged to the new FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

But Wike refuted the claim, describing it as mere “mischief”, stressing that he was sworn in on Monday and had not even sat down to work yet.

He said that all he did was interact with staff and today (Wednesday), went to the Metro Train Station, Abuja with the Minister of State for FCT to see things for themselves.

“We are now going back to the office to interact with each of the departments in the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

“But I have seen what is going on in the social media, how the FCTA Permanent Secretary bought a bullet proof car of N300 million that I am using.

“So, I want you people to go hit your hand there (on the car) and see whether it is a treated car.

“With all due respect, people should be careful not to destroy other people,” he said.

He explained that when he resumed, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola Olusade had told him that the FCTA has cars that the ministers would use.

“And the car we use is this (pointing at a regular Lexus SUV).

“I have never approved for any car to be bought and I have not used any official bullet proof car.

“I am not using a bullet proof car as FCT Minister, so we should report the right thing, and not destroy ourselves.

“I want you to take a look at the car I came with, the one with the flag and see whether it is a bullet proof car”, he asked the journalists at the scene.

In a related development, the Director Press, Office of the Minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, dismissed claims by some media outfits that Wike plans to demolish 6,000 houses across 30 settlements in Abuja, including Wadata Plaza.

“We would like to categorically state that these stories are entirely false and without any basis,” Ogunleye said.

He explained that the story on the demolition of 6,000 houses was reported by a national daily newspaper on Aug. 22, with the caption “Abuja land: FG may revoke land allocations, demolish 6000 buildings, slums”.

He added that another mainstream newspaper also published what he described as an “irritating story”, with a caption, “Wadata Plaza will go down, Reactions trail Wike’s demolition threat”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Minister did not in any of his pronouncements list the areas or the number of illegal houses to be removed.

“Rather, his emphasis has always been that illegal settlements and structures would be removed for the greater good of the public.

“Equally vexing” is the headline from a reputable broadcast station saying, “I will fix Abuja in 6 days” and attributed the same to the FCT Minister.

“We wish to state quite clearly that at no time did the Honourable Minister say this or allude to this phrase in any way. This headline, therefore, is borne purely out of mischief,” he said.

The director press pointed out that such sensational reporting not only misleads the public but also undermines the vital role that accurate and well-researched journalism plays in society.

08/23/2023
Alkali pledges to reactivate road, rail transport operations

The newly appointed Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Àhmed Alkali, has assumed office, with a pledge to reactivate road and rail transport operations in the country.

The Minister gave the assurance in Abuja during his first day in office, saying he will collaborate with relevant Ministries, Agencies, and corporate entities to make this possible.

Similarly, Sen. Alkali said that his administration will carefully study the prevailing economic trends, as well as undertake the provision, modernization, rehabilitation, planning and development of the rail transport sector with efficient security services to support the realization of the primary purpose of government.

This initiative according to him, will no doubt maximize the potentials embodied in the recent constitutional alterations that moved rail transportation services to the Concurrent List, adding that this will reduce the frequent menace on Nigerian roads which are characterized by accidents, kidnappings, and armed robbery.

”As a compliment towards ensuring the realization of this aspiration, I will support the provision of necessary conducive environment while at the same time, maintaining zero tolerance to indiscipline, laxity, inefficiency, and any form of misconduct in the discharge of any official responsibilities.

While pledging that the Ministry will under his supervision, strive to ensure the realization of its mandate and the mandates of agencies under its purview, he joined the staff to accord him the necessary support to succeed.

According to him, working as a team would not only help to harness the resources of the nation but promote national prosperity and a dynamic self-reliant economy that would actualize the renewed hope of the present administration’s developmental agenda of ensuring an efficient transport system that is in consistent with the socio-economic objectives of the constitution.

The Minister further said that he will soon embark on facility tour of Agencies supervised by the Ministry with a view to making them more efficient and effective to meet global standards.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation/ Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani in a welcome address, promised a smooth working relationship with the Minister for the development of the sector, while expressing optimism that he would be of immense help to the Ministry coming from the National Assembly.

Speaking on the agencies under the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary said:

“The University of Transportation in Daura is our newest baby. It was a Corporate Social Responsibility from one of our main railway contractor, CCECC. So, the University was built in Daura purely for transportation; training of Nigerians on transportation. The immediate past President appointed the Vice Chancellor just before he left and he’s trying to midwife the University”.

08/23/2023
Lagos Assembly rejects 17 commissioner-nominees, confirms 22

The Lagos State House of Assembly has rejected 17 commissioner nominees of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, including former Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and former Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho.

The lawmakers, however, confirmed 22 other commissioner-nominees of the governor.

The exercise, which was done through a voice vote, was sequel to the screening of the nominees at the assembly’s Committee of the Whole at plenary.

The Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over it, said the exercise followed a rigorous and detailed screening of the nominees by an ad-hoc committee led by the Chief Whip, Mr Fatai Mojeed.

Obasa said the exercise was in line with Section 182 Sub-Section I and II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The speaker said the other 15 nominees rejected were as follows: Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, Mr Yomi Oluyomi, Mrs Folashade Ambrose, Ms Barakat Bakare, Olalere Odusote, Dr Rotimi Fashola, Mrs Bolaji Dada.

According to him, others rejected include: Mr Sam Egube, Mr Olalekan Fatodu, Mrs Solape Hammond, Mr Mosopefolu George, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, Mr Seun Osiyemi, Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi and Dr Olumide Oluyinka

Obasa listed the 22 confirmed nominees as: Mr Layode Ibrahim, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, Ms Bola Olumegbon, Mr Idris Aregbe, Ms Abisola Olusanya, and Mr Moruf Fatai.

“Other nominees confirmed are Mr Kayode Bolaji-Roberts, Mr Abiola Olowu, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih- Awokoya, Mr Yakub Alebiosu, Mr Lawal Pedro, Mr Tunbosun Alake.

“Also confirmed are Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, Dr Adekunle Olayinka, Dr Jide Babatunde, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun and Mr Abdulkabir Ogungbo.

The speaker commended the committee for its effectiveness and urged the confirmed nominees to always remember that they were in office to serve the people of the state and not individuals.

He also promised that the assembly would continue to do its best in the interest of the state.

The Speaker, therefore, directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Lekan Onafeko, to communicate the notice of the confirmation and rejection of the nominees to the governor.

The speaker did not give any reason why the assembly rejected the nominees.

08/23/2023
HEDA writes NNPCL, seeks clarity on $3bn naira stabilisation loan

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has initiated a formal information request to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

According to Chairman of HEDA Resource Centre, Olanrewaju Suraju, the request pertains to the recent acquisition of a $3 billion emergency crude oil repayment loan.

HEDA Resource Centre is a preeminent non-profit organization devoted to championing transparency, accountability, and robust governance in Nigeria,

He said, “This action is aligned with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2011, underscoring HEDA’s unwavering dedication to ensuring judicious resource utilization and safeguarding the nation’s interests.”

The obtained loan, secured from the African Export-Import Bank (AFRIEXIM), is intended to fortify the Naira and reinforce the foreign exchange market. Concurrently, HEDA acknowledges the potential merits of this endeavor while simultaneously expressing apprehensions about its possible implications for Nigeria’s economy, natural resources, and future prospects.

Furthermore, the civil society group is keen to understand the specific oil grades or categories being utilized for the negotiation of the loan; the exchange rate to dollar being employed in the terms of the agreement for the crude oil repayment loan; and providing the quantity of oil that is being sold or used as collateral for this particular transaction.

Manifesting its vigilant oversight role in managing public resources, HEDA through its Freedom of Information has presented a series of pertinent inquiries to NNPC, designed to elucidate the ramifications of the $3 billion crude oil repayment loan. The organization’s overarching objective is to acquire a comprehensive comprehension of the motivation behind the deal and its plausible effects on Nigeria’s economic landscape.

“As champions of accountability, we firmly believe that these inquiries will serve to illuminate the rationale underpinning the recent loan agreement, along with its potential ramifications for our nation’s economic well-being and overall prosperity,”

08/23/2023
FG to redesign Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road

The Minister of Works, David Umahi has vowed to redesign the Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road in Kogi State.

Umahi, who spoke during a courtesy call on the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello at the Government House, Lokoja on Tuesday night, also revealed plans for long-lasting, low-maintenance concrete roads and assured of swift progress on all federal road projects in the state.

The minister had earlier on Tuesday inspected a bridge reconstruction at Gada-biu, the Abaji section of Abuja-Lokoja road, Koto-Karfe bridge, Murtala bridge, Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road, Lokoja-Okene Road, and Lokoja-Kabba Road.

He disclosed that the federal government was considering concrete road construction innovation which he said it has low-maintenance cost and can last for over 50 years without maintenance.

The minister also disclosed that concrete roads are cheaper in terms of construction cost and the guarantee of construction materials.

He, however, commended Governor Yahaya Bello’s commitment to the people of Kogi State and his administration’s accomplishments across education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

The Minister expressed gratitude for the governor’s warm reception upon his appointment as Minister of Works and for his dedication to the betterment of Kogi State.

In a remark, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, expressed deep appreciation for the minister’s proactive approach in inspecting deteriorating federal roads within the state, which according to him, demonstrated a significant dedication to resolving pressing infrastructure issues.

Bello also expressed optimism regarding the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s road infrastructure, and commended Umahi for his visit to the state.

The governor highlighted the concern surrounding the condition of federal roads in Kogi State, emphasizing its strategic position as the connecting point between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

He acknowledged the hardships faced by commuters, the negative impact on trade and the economy, and the strain on transportation systems.

08/23/2023