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  • Nigerian Govt Approves N89.6bn For Road, Airport Projects

    Nigerian Govt Approves N89.6bn For Road, Airport Projects

    Nigerian govt approves N89.6bn for road, airport projects

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N89.6 billion for the execution of road and airport contracts in the country.

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; and the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina; disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

    However, Adesina represented the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; at the briefing.

    Fashola said the road contract covered Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

    According to him, the approval was made for the dualization of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road at the cost of N79.649 billion.

    He said: “The Ministry of Works and Housing presented the memorandum for the completion of the dualization of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road. And this is in relation to the section from Oku Iboku Power Plant to Abak of about 26 kilometre stretch.

    “Council approved the award to Messers Sematech Nigeria Limited for N79.649 billion to be executed over 16 months.

    “So, this will help complete the dualization gaps between the one awarded to Julius Berger and the section awarded to China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC). When this is done, motorists in that area will now have an option of the dual carriageway instead of the existing single carriageway.

    “And this is in recognition of the heavy cargo that passes through that area from the South-South through to the North-Central, Benue through Katsina-Ala through to the South-East to Abia. It’s a very important trade link for the country.”

    On his part, the presidential aide said the Ministry of Aviation brought the memo for the approval of award of contracts for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; and Katsina Airport in Katsina.

  • Trouble In APC As Court Suspends Gov Buni

    Trouble In APC As Court Suspends Gov Buni

    Trouble in APC as court suspends Gov Buni as party’s interim national chairman, stops LG Congress

    A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, on Wednesday, sacked the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, as the Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The court restrained the interim chairman and others from parading themselves as members of the party’s CECPC until the determination of a substantive suit before the court.

    This comes after the Deputy Chairman of the party in Delta State, Olorogun Elvis Ayomanor, led other officials of the party in the state to the Court, challenging the outcome of the Ward Congress in the state.

    The presiding judge, Justice Onome Marshal Umukoro, in his ruling stopped the Party’s scheduled Local Government Congress in Delta State slated for September 4, 2021.

    Meanwhile, Buni had on Wednesday ratified and adopted the results of the party’s ward congresses, which took place across the country.

    The decision to adopt the results was taken at the 16th meeting of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee which was presided over by Buni.

    Meanwhile, the APC had threatened that it would henceforth punish any of its members who files any suit against the party over its CECPC.

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Patrick Obahiagbon, disclosed the development after about 100 aggrieved members of the party in Benue State dragged the party and Buni, to the Federal High Court in Abuja over the continued stay in office of members of the committee.

    The suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/938/2021, also had the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

    According to Obahiagbon, the punishment for such a member would start from the ward and go to the local government and state before coming to the national secretariat.

  • Total Energies Appoints Shell’s Samba Seye

    Total Energies Appoints Shell’s Samba Seye

    Total Energies appoints Shell’s Samba Seye amid rising liabilities

    Total Energies Marketing Nigeria Plc has made changes to its management structure two weeks after the oil and gas company rebranded its operational identity to include energy business.

    Total Energies, which was previously known as Total Nigeria Plc, reassigned its Managing Director, Imrane Barry, to the company’s Headquarters in Paris, France.

    Barry, who was appointed in 2018, has been replaced by Senegalese, Samba Seye, who had previously worked with Total’s market rival, Shell, at various levels, before joining the former.

    “We write to formally notify the investing public and the Nigerian Exchange Limited that the Board of Directors of Total Nigeria Plc has approved the appointment of Dr. Samba Seye as Managing Director of Total Nigeria Plc (the Company).” Total said in a statement.

    Seye’s appointment became effective on Wednesday, September 2, 2021.

    In 2014, Seye joined Total Marketing and Services as a Project Manager in the Strategy Department, a year after, he became Deputy Executive Vice President, West Africa, and later the Vice President.

    Prior to his appointment to head Total Energies Nigeria, Seye was also the Chairman at Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd., Chairman at Total Côte d’Ivoire SA.

    Before Seye’s journey into the oil and gas industry, he worked as assistant lecturer from 1990 to 1993, in University of Sciences and Techniques of Lille, France, where he bagged Doctorate Degree in Engineering – he later joined Shell.

    Seye’s appointment comes at a period the company’s liabilities rose significantly between 2020 and 2021.

    As of First Half of this year, Total Energies liabilities rose to N154.08 billion, in contrast to N115.46 billion of December 31, 2020.

  • NASS REPUBLIC: Fighting Buhari For Press Freedom.

    NASS REPUBLIC: Fighting Buhari For Press Freedom.

    NASS REPUBLIC: Fighting Buhari for press freedom.

    The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, led by Honourable Ndudi Elumelu, last week, condemned the alleged harassment of Channels Television and its presenters, Chamberlain Usoh, Kayode Okikiolu and two others.

    The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), had issued a notice of infraction against the broadcast station for what it deemed unauthorized content.

    Amidst this notice, news that the presenters had been arrested by Nigeria’s secret police made the rounds.

    The move against the media has since generated a lot of debate, and this has been complimented by two other developments in the National Assembly.

    Defending press freedom

    Following the alleged harassment of Channels Television, and its staff, on August 27, House Minority leader, Elumelu, in a statement said, among others: “The assault on press freedom has reached a crescendo under the administration. Little wonder that Nigeria has emerged as the most dangerous place in West Africa for journalists…”

    The disposition of the Elumelu-led Minority caucus did not come as a surprise given its institutionalized opposition role and need for pro-democracy groups to speak up against injustice and infringements on fundamental human rights.

    Indeed, the treatment meted out to Channels Television may easily pass as a subtle intimidation and creates a dent on the human rights records of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    While it can be argued that no nation in the world enjoys unfettered freedom, Buhari government’s penchant for being intolerant to the media and social critics is becoming rife.

    The checks on the presidency and its agencies are, no doubt, welcome.

     

  • Katsina Police Arrest ‘Repentant’ Notorious Bandits

    Katsina Police Arrest ‘Repentant’ Notorious Bandits

    Katsina police arrest ‘repentant’ notorious bandits working with govt for robbery, cattle rustling

    The Katsina State Police Command has arrested three repentant bandits for robbery and cattle rustling in Ingawa Local Government Area of the state.

    The development was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Command’s Spokesperson, SP Isah Gambo, who said the suspects repented and had been working in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and other security agencies.

    According to Gambo, one of the three suspects, Abdullahi Mai-Rafi was a notorious bandit and has been working under the office of Special Assistant to the State Governor on Security since he repented.

    The statement read, “On 25/08/2021 at about 1230hrs, the Command succeeded in arresting the trio of one Abdullahi Mai-Rafi, ‘M’, aged 43yrs of Kofar Marusa Lowcost, Katsina, (2) Abbas Haruna alias Dogo-Abbas, ‘M’, aged 34yrs of Filin Polo Quarters, Katsina and (3) Usman Hassan, ‘M’, alias Manu, aged 50yrs of Ganuwa village, Charanchi LGA of Katsina state, repentant notorious bandits, working in collaboration with the Katsina state government and security agencies.

    “The fact of the matter was that on 11/08/2021 at about 11:00hrs, the trio went to Danmarke forest, Ingawa LGA, with a motor vehicle Toyota, Camry, ash in colour, with registration number DE 631 LED, attacked a herder, one Alhaji Gide Suleiman of Malumafashi LGA while grazing his animals, with machetes and sticks

    “They threatened him and his boys that they were from the office of Special Adviser on security to His Excellency, with a false allegation that their brother one Sa’idu had robbed one Lawal of his herds and that they should either produce the said Saidu or bring hundred (100) cows.

    “After some scuffles, the suspects succeeded in robbing the said Alhaji Gide Suleiman of his twenty (20) cows valued seven million, five hundred and fifty thousand nairas (N7,550,000:00K) with the intention of taking them to the said Lawal as compensation for his stolen cows as falsely alleged by them.

    “They also searched and robbed them of the sum of forty thousand (N40,000) naira and four (4) GSM handsets. Subsequently, on 24/08/2021 at about 0730hrs, the same syndicate of Abdullahi Mai-Rafi and three (3) others attacked the complainant on the same false allegation and attempted to rob him of another set of twenty cows and some sheep, but nemesis caught up with them when they were rounded up and arrested by the Command.”

    Gambo noted that in the course of an investigation, Mai-Rafi and the other suspects confessed to the commission of the offences.

    He said Mai-Rafi confessed to having conspired with the others and sold all the cows at Dankama market, Kaita LGA of the state.

    Meanwhile, two cows and the sum of N444,000 were recovered from the suspects as exhibits.

  • I Inherited Empty Treasury In Zambia, Says President Hichilema

    I Inherited Empty Treasury In Zambia, Says President Hichilema

    I inherited empty treasury in Zambia, says President Hichilema

    Zambia’s new President, Hakainde Hichilema, claimed he inherited an empty treasury from his predecessor, Edgar Lungu.

    Hichelima told the BBC in an interview on Wednesday that the ex-president completely looted the East African country’s economy.

    He defeated Lungu in last month’s election in Zambia.

    The President said: “People are still trying to make last-minute movements of funds, which are unauthorised, which are not theirs.

    “The hole is much bigger than we expected. The debt situation had not been fully disclosed by the former government.

    “There’s a lot of damage, unfortunately.”

  • Femi Falana Urges Buhari To Pardon Convicted Soldiers

    Femi Falana Urges Buhari To Pardon Convicted Soldiers

    The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to grant pardon to 70 soldiers convicted for mutiny during ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    In a letter dated August 25, 2021, and addressed to the President, Falana said the soldiers deserved to be pardoned just like the Boko Haram insurgents.

    He recalled that the Federal Government deployed thousands of ill-equipped and ill-motivated soldiers to the North-East to tackle the Boko Haram insurgents from 2013 to 2014.

    The letter read: “Instead of attending to such legitimate demand, the military authorities accused scores of the soldiers of sabotaging the counter-insurgency operations of the Federal Government and proceeded to set up courts-martial to try them for mutiny.

    “We defended 58 soldiers while the remaining 12 were defended by other colleagues before the Courts-Martial which sat in Abuja. At the end of the trials in August and December 2014, the Courts-Martial jailed some of the soldiers and sentenced 70 others to death for mutiny.

    “The courts martial failed to appreciate that the demand for weapons by the soldiers was justified under section 179 of the Armed Forces Act, (Cap A20) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    “Notwithstanding the pendency of the appeal at the apex court we urge Your Excellency to exercise your prerogative of mercy in favour of the entire 70 convicted soldiers.

    “It is public knowledge that the Federal Government and some state governments have recently granted pardon and rehabilitated hundreds of terrorists who had waged war against Nigeria and subjected unarmed citizens to egregious human rights abuse.

    “The soldiers who were convicted of mutiny for demanding for weapons to fight such terrorists deserve to be granted pardon and rehabilitated by the Federal Government.”

  • BBNaija: 10 Questions With Maria

    BBNaija: 10 Questions With Maria

    BBNaija6: 10 Questions With Maria on Her Time in Biggie’s House & Top 5 Predictions

    Big Brother Naija ‘Shine Ya Eye’ star, Maria sat with the BellaNaija Team as she took on ten questions about her time in Biggie’s house, her top 5 predictions and what she’ll do if she had all the money in the world.

    Read excerpts from Maria’s interview below:

    On why she thinks she was evicted:

    Like everyone else, I have to be. I think my supporters went really hard for me. It’s just what it is. Maybe other housemates had stronger support. I don’t know. It’s a show, I have to be evicted. I haven’t thought about it. I don’t think there’s any reason. I got nominated, and the public had to vote out or keep me, and I got voted out.

    On if she thinks being a wildcard affected her game:

    I actually don’t. Maybe in the house, it did, but outside, probably not. I guess the viewers thought I played my game correctly. Inside the house, yes, I felt like they perceived me like ‘uhn she probably didn’t go through everything we went through, who is she, I don’ like her’. I don’t know, everyone is different.

    On why she won’t be pursuing anything with Pere after the show:

    I’m in a relationship. I mentioned that so many times to Pere in the house.

    On describing some HMs in one word:

    Angel – Loving
    Liquorose – My best friend
    Whitemoney – Talented, Fun
    Pere – Annoying
    Jackie B – Kindhearted

  • Ondo Doctors Suspend Strike After lawmakers’ Intervention

    Ondo Doctors Suspend Strike After lawmakers’ Intervention

    Ondo doctors suspend strike after lawmakers’ intervention

    Members of the Ondo state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and its affiliates have suspended their industrial dispute with the state government after a protracted intervention by lawmakers and other stakeholders.

    This decision was reached by the Ondo NMA after a meeting with lawmakers at the Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday, in Akure.

    The medical practitioners called on the state government to honour the terms of the agreement reached with them, especially payment of their outstanding salaries, in line with their colleagues in the civil service.

    In his statement, the NMA State Chairman, Dr. Stella Adegbehingbe thanked the lawmakers and other stakeholders for their intervention.

    However, she called for the prompt payment of their outstanding salaries, to act as a stimulant to members who have been out of work for some time.

    Adegbehingbe urged the government not to intimidate any member for participating in the strike, through any form of victimisation.

    Other affiliate members who spoke at the parley urged the government to look into the payment of the stipulated welfare packages to the doctors as a way of curbing the massive drift of professional medical personnel.

    Speaking earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Health, Dr Abiodun Faleye, and other lawmakers, pledged to reach out to necessary stakeholders with a view to ironing out grey areas and stemming incessant industrial disputes in the state’s health sector.

  • APC Approves Inauguration Of Ward Executives

    APC Approves Inauguration Of Ward Executives

    APC approves inauguration of ward executives, holds local govt congresses September 4

    The All Progress Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has approved the immediate inauguration of ward executives elected during the party’s recent ward congresses.

    The Secretary of the CECPC, John Akpanudoedehe, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the decision was taken during the committee’s 16th meeting held on Wednesday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

    The statement read: “The All Progressives Congress Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee ratifies and adopts the results of the party’s nationwide Ward Congresses held on Saturday, July 31, 2021.

    “Accordingly, the CECPC approves the immediate inauguration of Ward Executives by state caretaker committees.”

    The party also announced that the local government congresses would hold across the country on September 4.

    “The CECPC hereby directs that the conduct of nationwide Local Government Congresses proceeds accordingly by Saturday, September 4th, 2021, as contained in the official timetable/schedule of activities released by the party,” it added.