The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) demolished over 137 illegal hostel blocks, hotels, and other structures at Iddo Sarki, a community adjacent to the University of Abuja’s main campus, over the weekend. The exercise was carried out by a combined team of the FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, the Department of Development Control, the Department of Security Services, and other relevant agencies in accordance with the Ministerial directive to remove all contraventions and illegality within the nation’s capital. Ikharo Attah, Chairman of the Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, said the FCT Minister was enraged by people’s continued disregard for warnings to stay away from local chiefs who, according to the Land Use Act, have no authority to sell lands or transfer any valid title to buyers of such land. That exercise, according to Attah, was a quick intervention to avoid further distorting the city’s development plans and to save desperate businessmen and women from financial ruin. He said it was unfortunate that some people continued to ignore timely warnings and engage in land transactions with local chiefs without the approval of the relevant government. Attah claimed that if the illegal hostel blocks and other development projects on the land had followed official procedures, the millions of Naira invested would have been properly directed. He went on to say that the investors’ hasty process had not only violated existing laws, but had also distorted the Abuja Master Plan, resulting in massive economic waste. According to him, the FCT Minister has stated that he is committed to promoting investment in the city, but that he will not tolerate illegalities or disobedience to the Land Use Act’s provisions. “FCTA is concerned about what is going on here,” he said. The Director of Development Control, security services, and DRTS had been briefed by the FCT Minister, and we had been given a matching order to stop what he called “extreme illegality” here. “These people took advantage of the University of Abuja’s proximity to sell every available piece of land here. You can imagine someone here building a house worth hundreds of millions of Naira without proper approval, but based solely on a simple agreement signed with the Chief on a foolscap sheet. That, to me, is an outlier. “There isn’t a single allocation here. The fact that Abuja is heading in this direction is both sad and concerning. What the locals are telling people here is that if you buy land and build, you will have recouped your investment before Development Control arrives. “As a warning to the public, the Minister has ordered that this area be cleared. Those who want to construct student housing can approach the administration and University management and do so under a building operate and transfer ( BOT ) or build, operate, and own ( BOO ) arrangement with proper government allocation and development approval. “The chiefs have denied selling any land, while the buyers who claim to have purchased it from the chiefs are now complaining. We requested that they produce approval papers, but none of them have done so. They claimed to have paid between N2 million and N7 million for the land.” Acting Director of the Department of Control, Garba Kwakur, also spoke out, revealing that the land where the illegal development was taking place had been given to the Nigerian Navy. Kwakur went on to say that while the developers did not have a valid title to the land, the structures they built on it were not approved.
IWA Warns FG Against Using Force in Self-Determination Struggle
The Igbo World Assembly (IWA), the umbrella body of Ndiigbo in Diaspora, has warned Nigeria’s Federal Government against using force to quell ethnic groups’ calls for self-determination.
During an emergency meeting of its country leaders yesterday, the group, after reviewing the kidnapping of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in a foreign land and his detention in Nigeria, demanded unconditional release of Kanu and other political prisoners in the country.
It advised the government to let Nigerians decide their fate while focusing on massive insecurity, unemployment, hunger, poverty, and other issues.
As a result, the group stated in a communique signed by its Chairman, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, that Nigeria can only be saved through negotiations that allow Nigerians to express their will and discuss their peaceful coexistence based on equity, respect, and fairness, as well as discuss their peaceful coexistence based on justice.
After carefully considering the high rate of insecurity in Nigeria, massive agitation from all parts of Nigeria, ongoing killing, raping, and destruction of farms and property by Fulani herdsmen/Miyetti Allah, among other issues, the group stated in the communique that there was a need for dialogue and negotiation, adding: “We need a serious dialogue among all ethnic nationalities for Nigeria to succeed.”
Anakwenze stated in the communique that Kanu’s continued detention is unacceptable and that he must be released immediately and unconditionally.
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“The current situation, in which southern Nigerians fighting for a free homeland are killed, arrested, and detained while herdsmen/Miyetti Allah members who kill our people and rape our women are protected, cannot be tolerated.
That the kidnapping of Kanu cannot silence or end the agitation because the root cause of the agitation remains unaddressed, allowing Nigerians to choose their fate or live in freedom,” he stated.
In the communique, IWA stated that: “The existence of the IPOB, Sunday Igboho’s group, and many other such groups is a response to the current Nigerian administration’s treatment of Nigerian indigenous ethnic enclaves.”
“The federal government can use brutal force to arrest individuals, but it cannot arrest the people’s agitation, and the people’s will cannot be arrested and suppressed by force; however, negotiation could bring about a long-term solution to the country’s problems.”
Ekiti dredges clogged waterways and constructs bridges to prevent flooding
In order to meet the challenges of flooding, which has resulted in the loss of lives and property, the Ekiti State Government has begun the construction of bridges and the dredging of waterways.
The state government has also taken steps to replenish the state’s depleted nine forest reserves, as well as acquire new lands for the planting of indigenous trees in order to combat desert encroachment in the state.
Dr. AKinyemi Akinyugha, the state Project Coordinator of a World Bank initiative, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), stated these in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a press conference.
Akunyugha, who is also the state Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Environment, Kayode Fayemi, stated that the government, through NEWMAP, would soon complete the construction of the Arinkin and Ajolagun bridges in Ikere and Oke Ako Ekiti, respectively.
The NEWMAP coordinator described the two sites as being highly prone to flooding, which has put lives and property at risk.
“The government of Governor Fayemi is using the NEWMAP to change the landscape of the state,” he explained. In the first phase of the project, we are constructing drainages and culverts at Arinkin in Oke Ako and Ajolagun in Ikere Ekiti, after which we will proceed to the Ogbomu bridge in Kogi State, which is located between Irele and Ponyan. The Ajolagun bridge is scheduled to be completed in August 2021.
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“We will also carry out erosion control works on Bisi Aloba Avenue and Temidire Road in Ikere Ekiti. We are focusing our attention in Ado Ekiti on Tinuola, Eminrin, Afao Road, Ajilosun, and Odo Ado, as well as Owode and Otete in Efon Alaaye, all of which are subject to World Bank approval.”
Akinyugha stated that the state government has purchased two 30-ton excavators to channelize flood-prone areas throughout the state.
Concerned that desertification was rapidly encroaching on the northern part of the state, Akinyugha stated that a total of 250 hectares of land had been acquired in order to plant 250,000 indigenous trees to drive the government’s afforestation policy.
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The APC has warned the Abia Assembly about the threat of suspending the governor.
The All Progressive Congress in Abia State has warned the State House of Assembly against acting on a threat to suspend its Minority Leader, Chijioke Chukwu of Bende North, for expressing his views on zoning in the state.
Last week, Chukwu said in an interview with a national newspaper (not Punch) that the agitation over the 2023 governorship zoning was heating up the polity and a ploy to divert attention away from the state’s current Peoples Democratic Party-led administration’s shortcomings.
Following his remarks, the House leadership was said to have asked him to apologise or face being suspended.
“We have to make it clear that the APC sees the threat as an affront to democracy and will not tolerate it in any way,” Perfect Okorie, the party’s state secretary, said in a statement. In fact, the party’s position is that a threat to the Minority Leader of the House, who is an APC member, is a threat to the party as a whole.
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“It is not about him as a person; he is there to represent his constituents and the APC, and he has remained committed to the party’s principles and tenets.
“He has remained the state’s voice of opposition, and they will not be able to dissuade him from standing up for what is right in any way.
“In Abia, democracy must be allowed to flourish. Nobody has threatened to suspend members of the PDP in the National Assembly, including those from Abia, for criticizing President Muhammadu Buhari on several occasions.
“The party encourages Hon. Chukwu to speak out when and where necessary, and to continue to criticize all government policies that are detrimental to the welfare and well-being of the people of Abia State,” says the statement.
In Kano, a 17-year-old boy drowns.
On Saturday afternoon, a 17-year-old boy named Muhammad Muktar-Tijjani drowned in an open water at Semegu Sabon Titi in Kano, according to the Kano State Fire Service.
In a statement issued in Kano, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, said the boy drowned when he fell into open water.
“On Saturday around 2:25 p.m., we received a distress call from one Muhammad Bello.
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“At about 02:37 p.m., we sent our rescue team to the scene after receiving the information,” he said.
Muktar-Tijjani, on the other hand, was brought out of the water lifeless, according to Abdullahi.
He went on to say that the body had been handed over to Muhammad Ibrahim, the Ward Head of Kankarofi. (NAN)
Awolowo Has Made NEPC Successful Agency, Says Onyeama
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo, has hailed the tremendous roles of Nigerian Missions abroad, describing them as key export enablers for the achievement of the Zero-oil plan.
He disclosed this at the weekend when he hosted the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, on a courtesy visit to the NEPC Headquarters, Export House, Abuja.
The Zero Oil Plan is a blueprint for a strategic non-oil export led economic diversification agenda with an ambitious agenda that targets 20% of Nigeria’s GDP to be attributed to non-oil exports and aimed at the realisation of at least $30 billion in non-oil exports by 2025 and creating 500,000 additional jobs annually.
While presenting the Outstanding Export Enabler Award to the Minister, Awolowo stated that the award was in recognition of the collaboration between NEPC and the ministry in driving the diversification of Nigeria’s export portfolio by deepening the ability of Nigeria’s foreign missions to facilitate export commercial diplomacy, collaborate on opening up foreign markets for Nigerian products, providing international trade administration to support Nigerian companies get into target markets and collaborating on setting up the Commercial Service Partner Programme.
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The export boss commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ achievements, stating that missions abroad have been instrumental to driving the penetration of Nigerian non-oil products in their respective countries of assignment.
According to Awolowo, some of the success stories included the drive for Nigerian Cuisine Beyond Borders, a book by Ambassador Eniola Ajayi and the display of Cassanova Chips at the Nigerian embassy in Germany, among other promotion activities being facilitated by foreign missions abroad.
In his remarks, the minister praised Awolowo, saying he has made has made NEPC one of the most successful agencies in the country.
His words” :The NEPC remains a valued partner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and together, we are transforming Nigeria in a very concrete and sustainable way. The future of Nigeria lies in trade and NEPC is strategically placed to help Nigeria trade its way from pandemic to prosperity.”
BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu Calls For Calm As Lagos Enters COVID-19’s Third Wave
Lagos, Nigeria’s Coronavirus epicenter, has entered the third wave of the deadly virus. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the announcement during a…
Lagos, Nigeria’s Coronavirus epicenter, has entered the third wave of the deadly virus.
On Sunday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced this at a press conference in Lagos.
He stated that the state will do everything possible to prevent a large-scale outbreak, threatening to imprison travelers who do not provide a phone number where they can be reached.
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“Fellow Lagosians, It is necessary to provide you with an update on the Coronavirus pandemic situation in Lagos State, as well as our ongoing response as a State Government.”
“The second wave of the COVID19 pandemic in Lagos State began to wind down around the end of March 2021, and we began to enjoy some respite from the virus’s worst effects.
“This allowed us to further open up the economy, allowing us to begin the journey back to full normalcy in our lives and the pursuit of livelihoods after a particularly trying year. Regrettably, despite the hard work and dedicated efforts over the last three months to maintain the return to normalcy, we are now in what appears to be the beginning of a potential third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State.”
Details will be provided later…
BREAKING NEWS: The 2021 Eid-El-Kabir will be held on Tuesday, July 20
Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared Sunday, July 11 as the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.
Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, made the statement on Sunday.
“On Saturday, the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs received reports on the sighting of the crescent of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee.
“The Sultan accepted the report and declared July 11th, 1442AH, to be the first day of Dhul-Hijja.
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He expressed his congratulations to the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance and blessings.
The Sultan urged the Muslim Ummah to continue praying for the country’s peace, progress, and development, and wished them a happy Eid-el-Kabir ahead of time.
Dhul-Hijja is the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, according to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN).
It is a holy month in Islam, during which Muslims perform the ajj (Holy Pilgrimage) and commemorate the Sacrifice Festival.
With the Sultan’s declaration, Nigerian Muslims will celebrate Eid-el-Kabir 2021 on Tuesday, July 20, which corresponds to the 10th of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH. (NAN)
Gov. El-Rufai declares a public holiday in honor of Bantex, the former Deputy Governor
The Kaduna State Government, led by Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has declared Monday, July 12 as a public holiday to commemorate the death on Sunday of Arch Barnabas Bantex, a former Deputy Governor of the state.
Bantex, who served as Deputy to current Governor El-Rufai during his first term in office, died after a brief illness.
Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, issued a statement declaring the day a public holiday.
“The Kaduna State Government has formally announced the death of former Deputy Governor His Excellency, Barnabas Yusuf Bala,” the statement reads (Bantex).
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“In honor of his memory and service to the state, the state government has declared Monday, July 12th, 2021 as a work-free day.
“Architect Barnabas Bala, who served as Kaduna State’s Deputy Governor from May 2015 to May 2019, died today in Abuja.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai has sent a personal message of condolence to the family, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to know and work with Bantex. The governor expressed his commitment to Kaduna State’s progress and prayed to God to grant him peace and comfort to his family.”
Traditional medicine practitioners in Kaduna have launched a committee on professionalism
The Kaduna state chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) has formed a five-man committee to ensure professionalism.
NANTMP state chairman, Dr. Nasiru A. Alhaq, said the committee was given two months to complete its task in Kaduna on Saturday.
According to him, the committee’s goal is to root out bad apples so that only professionals are allowed to practice the roots and herbs profession in the state.
Dr. Alhaq stated that at the conclusion of the committee’s work, all of the resolutions would be made public in order to ensure the profession’s sincerity and transparency.
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He urged NANTMP members in the state to follow the law and support and cooperate with the organization in order to achieve the desired result.
He praised Nasiru El-Rufai, the state governor, for his development programs aimed at propelling the state to greater heights.
He praised Governor El-reforms Rufai’s in areas such as education, agriculture, civil service, health, road construction, and social and community development, among others.