The Abia State Ministry of Environment has directed all persons and companies involved in any form of activity relating to the government’s forest reserves to stop forthwith and report to the ministry for discussions and subsequent approvals were necessary.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by Commissioner for Environment Philemon Ogbonna and issued to newsmen over the weekend in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
According to the statement, the directive has become necessary following various reports received by the ministry that there have been encroachments and unauthorised entries into the forest reserves.
“Consequently, all previous approvals from the Ministry of Environment granting permission to any person, group of persons or companies to enter any of the forest reserves in the state are hereby suspended,” it stated.
The statement also quoted the Ministry of Environment as reiterating its commitment to ensuring that all Abia State Government Forest Reserves are protected from land grabbers and illegal deforestation.
Abia suspends all approvals granting entry into government forest reserves
Abia suspends all approvals granting entry into government forest reserves
Ogunlewe urges Lagos to give students free textbooks
A former minister of works and housing, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, has said a lot still needs to be done in the education sector in Lagos, despite a noticeable improvement in standards.
Ogunlewe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.
He spoke on the sidelines of the foundation laying of a 100-student capacity hostel at Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo.
The former minister said there was a need for the government to distribute free textbooks, exercise books and writing materials to every student, to support them.
“Basic education should be the total and complete responsibility of government.
“Though the standard of education in Lagos State has increased, there is a lot that still needs to be done.
“Free textbooks, exercise books and writing materials should be distributed as part of government’s intervention to students,” Ogunlewe said.
He said that such action by the state government would reduce the rate of out-of-school children.
The former minister also urged the government to intensify school farming to mitigate shortage of food and reduce prices of farm produce as was done in the past.
Speaking on the hostel, he said the family donated it so that the principal, teachers and any National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member deployed would have accommodation within the school premises, for effective service delivery.
Ogunlewe urged the alumni of different schools to support the management and maintenance of their infrastructure, as it was not a job for the government alone to handle.
“The school land was donated by our great father for colonial and teacher training college.
“Thereafter, it turned into a civil service model college, but they don’t have enough accommodation for students, teachers and the principal.
“That is why my family decided to build the hostel for the school in celebration of our great icons, to uplift education in the community,” he said.
NAN reports that the hostel was donated in remembrance of two icons of the Fadugba-Ogunlewe royal families of the Igbogbo kingdom.
The families celebrated the 50 years of remembrance of the first traditional ruler of the Igbogbo kingdom, the late Oba Festus Ogunlewe (Fadugba 2) and 76 years of remembrance of the late Amos Ogunlewe.
NAN.
FG won’t embark on new projects in 2025 – Works Minister Umahi
The federal government of Nigeria will not embark on new capital projects in 2025, Minister of Works David Umahi disclosed in Calabar during a town hall meeting with stakeholders.
“We will resist going into new projects in 2025. We want to pay attention to the coastal highway from Calabar to Lagos. We also want to complete other federal highways, especially the Calabar-Uyo road,” he said.
He also issued a seven-day ultimatum to Julius Berger to return to the site of the Calabar-Uyo road or risk termination of the contract.
Umahi, who expressed dismay over the slow pace of work on the particular highway, said: “If they don’t return to site, we will terminate the contract. We won’t tolerate contractors playing tricks on our road construction.”
FG won’t embark on new projects in 2025 – Works Minister Umahi
Successes against Boko Haram are being cancelled
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concerns over the incidents of terrorism resurfacing in the North East.
He also condemned the bomb attacks, which resulted in the loss of lives and the maiming of other citizens in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According Online reported that deadly bomb attacks killed at least 18 persons and maimed many others on Saturday in Tashan Mararaba, Gwoza town, Borno State.
In a statement on Sunday issued via his X handle, Atiku said the suicide attacks in Borno are sad and condemnable, stressing that ugly incidents are worrisome.
The former Vice President said the achievements recorded in the fight against insurgency are being cancelled by the Tinubu government due to its lacklustre posture towards fighting terrorists.
He wrote, “It is a sad development that the ugly incidents of terrorism are resurfacing and, indeed, metastasising in the North-East.
“The reported attack by suicide bombers at a wedding reception, funeral procession, and a hospital on Saturday stands condemned.
“It is unfortunate that much of the pushback that had been achieved against the Boko Haram terror sect is being cancelled, owing mainly to the government’s lacklustre posture to hold firmly on the frontline.”
Atiku, therefore, asked the federal government to ensure that the North East does not slide back into the hands of terrorists and become the theatre of extreme violence.
He added, “It is thus important to call on the federal authorities to wake up to their responsibility and to make sure that the North-East does not slide back into a theatre of terrorism and extreme violence.
“My condolences go to the families of victims of these attacks, and it is my prayer that God grants a peaceful repose to the souls of the departed.”
Olu Jacobs alive, well: Betty Irabor, family debunk death rumors
Contrary to rumors circulating on social media, veteran Nollywood actor Oludotun Jacobs is alive and well.
Nigerian columnist Betty Irabor took to her social media account on Sunday to quash the rumors, writing: “Olu Jacob is well and alive.. please ignore all rumours of his passing. He is alive please.”
This is not the first time rumors of Jacobs’ death have surfaced online. In June 2020, similar rumors spread on Twitter (now X) and Facebook, only to be debunked by the Actors Guild of Nigeria’s spokesperson, Monalisa Chinda-Coker.
Again in August 2022, rumors of Jacobs’ death emerged, with his wife, Joke, debunking the news and threatening legal action against those spreading the information.
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The family has released a video showing Jacobs, though frail, in good spirits and engaging in conversation with his barber. His son, Soji Jacobs, confirmed to Channels Television that his father is “very much alive.”
The family has expressed frustration with the recurring death rumors, which surface yearly, and has received numerous calls from concerned people worldwide.
The Actors Guild spokesperson, Kate Henshaw, has also expressed displeasure over the death rumors that emerge regularly.
Jacobs has been battling dementia since November 2021, and his wife has spoken publicly about the challenges they face. Despite his health issues, Jacobs continues to make occasional public appearances and remains an icon in the Nollywood industry.
The post Olu Jacobs alive, well: Betty Irabor, family debunk death rumors appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
South Africa opposition leader, 11 others get ministerial appointments
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday announced opposition leader John Steenhuisen of the Democratic Alliance would serve as the Minister of Agriculture as he unveiled his new government.
Ramaphosa, 71, re-elected for a second full term, will lead what his humbled African National Congress calls a government of national unity after losing its outright majority in the May election.
“The minister of agriculture is John Steenhuisen,” Ramaphosa said from Pretoria in a televised address to the nation.
Details later…
AFP
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Lawmaker seeks Buhari’s intervention in Nnamdi Kanu’s release
The lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Abia State, Mr Obi Aguocha, has sought the intervention of former President Muhammadu Buhari in securing the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu.
The lawmaker visited the former President in his Daura country home on Saturday as part of efforts to commence a dialogue to open up a political solution to the continued detention of the IPOB leader.
Recall that Kanu was arrested and repatriated to Nigeria from Kenya in July 2021, after he fled the country in the wake of the military raid on his home during the tenure of President Buhari.
He has remained in detention since then, facing many charges, including treason.
A statement issued on Sunday by Aguocha’s media team quoted the federal lawmaker as telling Mr Buhari, “For the missteps, utterances, and ill gestures of the past, especially on the part of my constituent and brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I am deeply sorry.”
Aguocha further expressed his belief that a political resolution would not only address the grievances of parties on all sides but promote greater understanding and unity within the country.
The statement also quoted the former President as commending the lawmaker for his humility and dedication to the cause of his people and assuring him that his approach was welcomed.
Recall that Aguocha recently led 50 members of the House of Representatives drawn from across the six geo-political zones to sign a letter appealing to President Bola Tinubu, to direct the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, Lateef Fegbemi, to invoke section 174(1)(c) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic as amended and section 107 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, in setting the pathway to reaching the desired outcome.
“This meeting (with Buhari) is part of a broad-based initiative aimed at securing a speedy political resolution of the issues surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s detention and trial, and securing his subsequent release in the spirit of engendering dialogue and non-contentious approaches to resolving thorny national issues, in the understanding that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is willing, ready and able to embrace the new dynamic in joining hands across the country in building a new Nigeria where peace, equity, justice and prosperity shall reign,” the statement further read.
Edo community names school after late EFCC chair, Lamorde
The memory of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde who died on May 25 this year came to life in the Niger Delta region on Saturday as Ogbona community of Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State formally commissioned an ultramodern auditorium and outdoor sports centre at the community secondary school to immortalise the late crime buster.
Tagged ‘Ibrahim Lamorde Hall’, the Ogbona community noted with delight that the projects were inaugurated in remembrance of Lamorde who, in his lifetime, immensely supported war against environmental degradation in the area and Niger Delta region as a whole.
“He (Lamorde) was appalled at the level of environmental degradation and deprivation suffered by many of the communities and believed that their plight needed to be highlighted, and lasting solutions advocated for action, through a pet project he initiated on retiring from the public office,” the community stated.
A member of Ogbona School Management Board and Executive Director of Inter-Atlas Synergy Ltd, an oil and gas industrial security and project management firm, Mr. Peter Dunia, who led Ogbona community leaders to the commissioning ceremony described late Lamorde as “a people-person and problem solver who could be relied on to help at any time, a loyal and unifying figure who maintained an extensive network of good relationships with inclusion and diversity.”
Speaking further on Lamorde, Dunia said, “As a man of deep religious convictions who was dedicated to the Muslim faith, he (Lamorde) was a committed family man who dearly cherished his family and a champion of communities.
“From the philanthropic outreaches he sponsored non-stop in his native Mubi, Adamawa State, to the many other communities where he worked across the nation, securing a safe and flourishing community life was a priority to him.
“Unfortunately, he passed away on the 25th of May, 2024. He left behind a legacy of lifetime service to God, humanity, community and country. The Ogbona Community Secondary School Ultramodern Auditorium and Sports complex in Etsako Central LGA of Edo State is named in his honour and loving memory by Inter-Atlas Synergy Limited, the company he led after his retirement from public service until his demise.”
In a goodwill message, the NNPCL Chief Executive, Mallam Mele Kyari, acknowledged the synergy between Ogbona community and Inter-Atlas Limited in facilitating development projects to the oil bearing community stressing that “it is a result of collaboration where stakeholders work together as a team.”
Kyari, represented at the occasion by a top official of NNPCL, Muhammed Adamu posited that the project is a testament of what synergy can do and called for continued harmony among host communities and oil firms so that production can continue unhindered.
The NNPCL boss also commended the security agencies including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, NSCDC as well as the Federal Government privately contracted pipeline surveillance firm, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. (TSSNL), for a good job well done.
Also, the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, represented by his Special Assistant on Project Monitoring, Engr. Okodugha Dauda tasked the people of Niger Delta to emulate Ogbona community by contributing to the development of their various communities.
According to the Minister, “having benefited from the community, they should be able to give back to the community.”
He disclosed that the Ministry has continued to contribute to the development of Niger Delta region in consonance with the pledge by President Bola Tinubu to continue to maintain peace and development of the region.
In an emotion-laden response on behalf of the Lamorde family, Dr. Suleiman Lamorde, a brother to the late EFCC Chairman appreciated Ogbona community for “the extraordinary gesture” displayed by the Niger Delta community to their departed benefactor.
He said, “Mr. Lamorde was born in the far away Adamawa State, North East of Nigeria, but the first public recognition given to him to immortalise him is coming from Ogbona, Etsako, Edo State.
“We are happy and we are proud of this. We have a second home in Ogbona, Etsako LGA of Edo State,” he said.
Dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr Omobayo Godwins; the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe; the Ogie Anvianwu of Anvianwu, Etsako Central LGA, His Majesty Chief Jackson Etokhana; the Aigbokhaivho of Anvianwu, Chief Dan Orbih; the national president of HOSTCOM, Dr. Benjamin Style Tamaranebi and other captains of industry drawn from different parts of the country, among others.
Tax hike protests: I have no blood on my hands
Hundreds of people marched in the Kenyan capital Nairobi Sunday, to honour those who died in anti-government demonstrations this week, as President William Ruto insisted that “I have no blood on my hands.”
Rights groups say at least 30 people died in protests driven by a government drive to substantially raise taxes in the East African country.
Following the violence, Ruto announced an about-turn earlier this week, saying he would “listen to the people” and would not sign the finance bill into law.
Ruto, in a television interview, put the toll at 19 — the first figures issued by the authorities — and promised a full investigation into the deaths.
Largely peaceful rallies turned violent last Tuesday when lawmakers passed the deeply unpopular tax increases following pressure from the International Monetary Fund.
Police opened fire on protesters who stormed the parliament complex and a fire broke out.
“I have no blood on my hands,” said Ruto during the interview with Kenyan TV.
Referring to the deaths, he said: “It is very unfortunate. As a democracy that should not be part of our conversation…”
“There will be an investigation on how these 19 Kenyans died,” he added. “There will be an explanation for each and every one of them.
“The police have done the best they could,” said Ruto.
“If there have been any excesses, we have mechanisms to make sure that those excesses are dealt with.”
And he added: “Any killer cop who went beyond what is provided for in the law will have action taken against them.”
– ‘We will catch’ criminals –
But he warned that those who had attacked parliament would also be held accountable.
“Criminals infiltrated and caused mayhem,” he said. “Those who attacked Parliament and the judiciary are on CCTV.”
“Many of them are on the run but we will catch them,” he added.
Going back over his decision to scrap the finance bill at the last moment, Ruto said: “It means that we have gone back almost two years” and meant the government would have to borrow heavily.
But he acknowledged: “We should have communicated better.
“If I am given a chance to explain to the people of Kenya what the finance bill was all about and what it would have done for them, then every Kenyan would agree with me.”
The clashes were unprecedented in the history of the country since its independence from Britain in 1963.
On Saturday, a few hundred people gathered in Uhuru Park in central Nairobi following an appeal on media.
After singing and lighting candles, they waved Kenyan flags and chanted as they marched past the hospital where some of the injured protesters are being treated.
Demonstrators dispersed peacefully late in the afternoon.
Stop exposing waste, Ogun warns residents
Ogun State Waste Management Authority has appealed to residents of the state who are still exposing their waste to start containerising them saying that such healthy habits help to curb the spread of communicable diseases like cholera among others.
This appeal, the state government said becomes necessary to tackle the outbreak of Cholera in the state.
The government has equally threatened to arrest residents found flouting the order to stop leaving their waste exposed.
The Managing Director of OGWAMA, Abayomi Hunye made the appeal while inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Kurata Dumpsite in Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government area of the state.
Hunye, according to a statement, on Sunday, said that containerizing waste by the residents would make refuse collection and disposal easy while also helping to prevent contaminating the environment and of course, prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
He said “A situation where some residents expose their waste indiscriminately poses a lot of danger because when it rains these refuse will infect the underground water which when not purified will lead to water-borne infestation that will result in diseases like cholera.
“Aside from this, these wastes also find their way to rivers and wetlands which will equally affect all the wells and boreholes in those areas leading to unwanted consequences”.
Hunye therefore called on those living in those areas where wastes had been left open to avoid drinking wells, boreholes as well and sachet water as some of them might not be fit for human consumption this time around.
He however assured the residents that OGWAMA will continue to perform its duties of proper waste management and urged the people to make the job easier by containerizing their refuse so that PSPs in their areas can pick them up for proper disposal.
Hunye said that waste police officers are equally out to arrest those who are adamant about this appeal and directive.
“We want our people to heed this appeal in the interest of the general public so that the cholera issue can be contained as quickly as possible as everything is being done by the state government to rid our state of this disease” he concluded.