Thursday, April 3, 2025
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FEC Approves Contract For Rehabilitation Of Access Roads To NCDC, IDU Isolation Center, Others

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Muhammadu_Buhari,_President_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Nigeria
Muhammadu_Buhari,_President_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Nigeria

The Federal Executive Council has approved contracts for the emergency rehabilitation/improvement of access road to the Idu Screening and Isolation Center and Gosa Solid Waste disposal site in Abuja.

The rehabilitation is at a contract sum of N3,524,524,912.81 (Three Billion, Five Hundred and Twenty Four Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twelve Naira, Eighty One Kobo) to Messrs CCECC Nigeria Ltd.

 
The Council also approved the contract for the Emergency Rehabilitation /Improvement of Access Road to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Reference Laboratory in the Gaduwa District of Abuja at the sum of N2,493,389,942.88 (Two Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety Three Million, Three Hundred and Eighty Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Two Naira and Eighty Eight Kobo) to Messrs CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nig Ltd

 
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye stated that these approvals were based on memos presented to the Federal Executive Council by the minister.

 
Speaking on the significance of the projects, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin revealed that at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the site currently housing the Idu Screening and Isolation Center was identified as the best suited place for the establishment of such a facility out of several that were considered for the fight against the virus. However, the access road to the Idu Isolation Center was unmotorable, hence the need for its rehabilitation.

 
On the construction of the access road to the NCDC at the Gaduwa District, Engr Jibrin said that in a similar vein, at the onset of the pandemic the access road to the NCDC facility at Gaduwa was equally unmotorable leading to the decision to embark on an emergency procurement process to rehabilitate it

The Executive Secretary said that the rehabilitation works are substantially completed and include the installation of standalone solar streetlights.

 
He also revealed that in the course of rehabilitating the access road to the NCDC, access road to the Nigerian Medical Dental Council facility also located within the Gaduwa District was also rehabilitated.  

 
According to the Executive Secretary, these projects are essential to the FCT Administration in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding for these projects are sourced from the Revised FCT Year 2020 Statutory Budget.

FCTA Task Team Raids Illegal Parks In Area 1, Apo

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Impounds 46 Vehicles, 1 Tricycle, 4 Motorcycles,

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through it Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DTRS) on Thursday raided illegal motor parks and garages along corridors of both sides of Area 1 roundabout through Area 3 junction and Apo roundabout, in the nation’s capital city.

This is to ensure free flow of traffic on Abuja roads, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Officials of DRTS in collaboration with FCTA Command and Control Taskteam on City Sanitation
led by Shehu Adams stormed the area at about 8:30 o’clock in the morning for the enforcement exercise, which resulted in confiscation of the forty-six vehicles, one tricycle and four motorcycles.

Newsfocusng.com observed that the Taskteam repeatedly went round the area, as the motorists kept returning to the cleared spots to continue their business.

Our correspondent reports confiscated vehicles will be released to their owners upon payment of fines ranging from N25,000 to N40,000 respectively, in order to serve as deterrent to others.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations and Enlightenment, DTRS, Mr. Kalu Emetu said the parks were raided, to rid them of all the activities that obstruct traffic on roads in the city.

Emetu hinted that the penalty for the offence depends on the kind of vehicle involved and offence committed. So they are N25,000 and some are up to N40, 000, adding that the main thing is for it to serve as deterrent.

According to him; “We have been at Area 1 &3, Apo Legislative bridge, Apo Roundabout; but we will stillgo to Berger. We don’t stop, because we have a Taskforce, whose primary function is to move round the city daily, to make sure that we clear these kind of obstructions.

“The DTRS is responsible for this activity, so every day we go to the streets to make sure that all those illegal activities on the roads are cleared. That was exactly what we did this morning (yesterday).

“And so far, forty-six (46) vehicles, one tricycle and four motorcycles have been impounded. It’s not right for you to stop in the middle of the road to pick passengers, because when Abuja is clean, is for all of us.

He continued; “We want every residents of Abuja to know there are alternatives- let them go to the approved garages to board vehicles, and refrain from boarding vehicles loading on the road corridors.

” It’s part of the effort been made to ensure that there is free flow of traffic, which affects aspects of life. For instance if the roads are not free, it affects the economy adversely, so every government makes concerted efforts to ensure that there is always free flow of traffic.

“The other effort we are making is to intensive sensitisation campaign to ensure that people must obey traffic laws”.

Popular Nollywood Actor Arrested For Alleged Defilement

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The Lagos State police Command on Thursday has arrested a popular Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James popularly known as Baba Ijesha for alleged defilement of a minor for seven years.

The case was reported to the Minister police 19th April, 2021 by Princess Adekola Adekanya.

In a statement made available to newsmen by the spokesperson for the Command, SP Adejobi Olumuyiwa stated that : “The case of defilement was reported on 19th April, 2021 by one Princess Adekola Adekanya ‘f’ at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation

The statement stated that, “Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14 years, since she was 7 year old. The suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.

The Commissioner of Police,Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered for proper investigation as he promised to do justice in the matter.

No Going Back On Strike Action, JUSUN Tells CJN

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The national leadership of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has told the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad reasons why they would not suspend its on going industrial action.

This is as the CJN met with officials of JUSUN wherein he pleaded the union to call off the strike.

The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hadjia Hadiza Uwani Mustapha was in attendance at the meeting with the CJN.

Recall that the CJN had, at an earlier meeting with JUSUN leaders on April 6, asked the union to call-off the strike in view of its adverse effect on the justice system in the country.

But at Wednesday’s meeting, the JUSUN officials, led by its Deputy National President, Emmanuel Abioye and Jimoh Musa Alonge (Treasurer) explained why the union found it difficult to heed the CJN’s demand to call off the strike.

Abiyoye told the CJN that the state governors must begin to demonstrate some level of seriousness by putting in place some measures precedent to the implementation of financial autonomy for judiciary in their respective states.

‘’Though there’s financial autonomy for the judiciary already in some states while some are assuring that they would comply, but others have to take steps in readiness for compliance,’’ Abioye said.

According to him, the union expect each state to start implementing its self-accounting law to deal with the Internally Generated Revenue in line with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and that states without such law should put it in place.

Abioye said it is his union’s position that there must be some level of seriousness from all quarters and as such, the amount standing to the credit of the judiciary from the monthly federal allocation should be deducted directly from the source by the Accountant General of the Federation and remit same to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for onward transmission to heads of courts.

He said, for the Federation Consolidated Account also known as Federal Allocation, the budget of each state judiciary submitted to the implementation committee (received) on October 2, 2020) should be implemented by deducting the amount due to the state judiciary directly from source by Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) in line with Sections 81(3) and 162(9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for the states.

In other words, the AGF should deduct from the monthly Federal Allocation and remit it to NJC for onward transmission of the fund to the Heads of Courts at the State Judiciary. Until this is done, there is no going back, the strike would go on.’’

However, the CJN said it has become difficult to fault the idea of the strike since the rights of the union and its members which are clearly defined in the Constitution are being denied especially at state level.

This was contained in a statement by Ahuraka Isah,
Senior Special Assistant (on media), the CJN was quoted as saying, ‘’I can’t fault your reasons for embarking on this protest because the union wants its rights restored in line with the provisions of the Constitution. I commend you for following due process so far to protest against the injustice,’’ the CJN said.

Kidnapping, Banditry: Buhari Meet With Northern Governors

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Muhammadu_Buhari,_President_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Nigeria
Muhammadu_Buhari,_President_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari was forced to invite some state governors from the Northern part of the country on Thursday to a meeting over the alarming rate of especially kidnapping and banditry in the country

The meeting which was held inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja saw Mr President reiterating his assurance to end insecurity in the country.

The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.

The governors were led by the chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong.

According to a source at the meeting, the Governors took turns to narrate their experiences, individual efforts at finding lasting solutions as well as expectations from the Federal Government.

Others in the delegation were governors of Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu; Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai; Yobe Mai Mala Buni, Niger, Abubakar Bello, and Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule.

In an interview with State House correspondent, Lalong said, “Well, this meeting is in respect of some of the common features of insecurity that we have within our states. You’ll recall that many of the states have some of the insecurities that are very similar. So we put them together and see how to address some of those issues. And we felt that we must also meet Mr. President about it since it’s about the insecurity.”

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, he said “I think they are not to be disclosed because these are about security. But the take away I say is that the meeting with the President was very fruitful and we are also very committed, and we have seen a lot of commitment, so we are waiting for implementation.

“The assurance I will give you is that based on this meeting, we will also wait to see the commitment, and Mr. President has given us that assurance.”

AGN Endorses Basement Search Reality TV Show, Says Project Will Produce New Movie Stars

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…As Audition Train Hits Asaba On Saturday

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has endorsed the Basement Search Reality TV Show, while noting that the project when concluded will produce new stars that will take over from the big names in the acting industry.

National President of AGN, Mr. Emeka Rollas, who was one of the judges at the Abuja audition, to newsmen that over 300 persons showed up for the audition, adding that it was eventful.

According to him; ”We closed Abuja audition at about twelve midnight. It was massive because this is the first reality TV show on film. They were not looking for musicians, dancers but were out looking out for actors,” saying this is a first-of-a-kind show.

He added that, the organizers are capable and have intensity to drive the project, as he called on the brains behind the project to continue to maintain standards.

Rollas further stated that; ”We are in it and anyone doing anything to promote our industry must be supported and that is why we are endorsing this.”

”Our members were at the audition. This project is a welcome development,” Roland said.

Meanwhile, he called on members of AGN and all actors to support the project anyway they deem fit.

Other judges at the Abuju audition are Ali Nuhu, Sam Dede and Real Warri Pikin.

Abuja audition took place on Tuesday at Grand Cubana, Abuja. The audition train is expected to go round a total of 10 locations to pick potential film makers where contestants will compete for the grand prize of a brand new car and 25 million naira worth of prizes.

According to the organizers, it is a reality show where 30 housemates will be elected to the house for 42 days and movie makers will be available to develop the movie making skills of the housemates.

The winner will emerge by votes of the viewing audience at home who are expected to vote for their favourite contestant.

OM learnt that the essence of the programme is essentially to create fresh set of movie stars for the Nigerian film industry.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, 24th May, the audition for Asaba will hold, being the last of the 10 locations set aside for the exercise.

OM learnt that Vienna Hotel, Asaba will be the venue.

Senate Approves $1bn External Loan for FG

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The Senate has approved federal government’s request for external loans to finance federal and state governments priority projects in the revised 2020 budgets.

The approval, which was contained in the report of the committee of the Upper Chamber on Local And Foreign Debts, is part of measures aimed at addressing the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic and improving the country’s food security.

Recall that President, Muhammadu Buhari, in a letter dated 19 May 2020, asked the Senate to approve for borrowing, the sum of Five Billion, Five Hundred and Thirteen Million Dollars ($5, 513, 000, 000).

The funds, according to the letter read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, is meant to “finance priority projects of the government and projects to support state governments.”

In a document obtained by our correspondent, the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, approved the sum of $500,000,000 and $750,000,000 respectively, as loans from the World Bank to cater for “States Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability program to provide fiscal support to States.”

The funds are also to factor in as “Covid-19 action recovery and economic stimulus program to support State-Level efforts to protect Livelihoods, ensure food security and stimulate economic recovery.”

Similarly, the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly approved the sum of Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Million Pounds from the Export-Import Bank of Brazil to cater for the 2020 revised budget requested by the executive.

The sum covers the “Green Imperative to enhance mechanization of Agriculture and Agro-processing in Nigeria.”

In her findings, the Senate Committee disclosed that among others, a total of six indigenous assembly plants, one in each geopolitical zone would be rehabilitated and retooled to revitalize farm machinery and equipment to be imported from Brazil.

This is as it advised for restructuring and expansion of existing States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) program, especially seeing the disruption and shock occasioned by the Covid-19 crises, to match the fiscal measures at the federal level and reallocating the undisbursed balance of the program funds

The Committee also disclosed that the said loans are to be sourced from multilateral and bilateral global lenders and partners with proven records of financial support to the country, even as it said that the borrowing which are concessional loans come with low interest rates, moratorium and a reasonable payback period.

We Have No Confidence In NDDC Forensic Audit Report- Says IYC

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Ijaw youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) said that they had lost confidence in the integrity of the ongoing forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

They alleged that the audit exercise had been riddled with manipulations by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

In a statement by its national spokesman, Mr Ebilade Ekerefe,whuch was made available to newsmen on Wednesday stated that, the IYC said that the forensic audit had become an unending process with Akpabio illegally extending the tenure of the commission’s Interim Administrator, Effiong Akwa.

The statement read in bits : “The tenure elongation was a deliberate attempt by the minister to delay the appointment of a substantive board for the NDDC.

” Despite all the support of stakeholders to the process directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, “Akpabio has turned the forensic audit to an unending exercise used to perpetuate corruption and further bleed the commission of scarce funds.”

” Submission of the audit report to Buhari and constitution of a substantive NDDC board in April as earlier promised by Akpabio and consented to by stakeholders of the region, had been shifted unduly to July by the minister.

He said Ijaw youths had no confidence in any report that would be submitted to the President “from the shady and unending forensic audit.”

Ekerefe said findings by the IYC showed that the minister had reportedly usurped the powers of the President and turned the NDDC to a haven of underhand deals, which had continually provoked stakeholders.

According to him, “This is totally unacceptable and will be resisted. We no longer have confidence in the forensic audit because it is a mere ploy to pocket the NDDC under the whims and caprices of the Minister in perpetuity.

“We opine that the governors of the South-South region under the chairmanship of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa should immediately send a strong delegation to President Buhari and restate the position of the region over our displeasure, and warn of the impending danger of not appointing a substantive board at a time other parts of the country are facing serious security crises.”

Ekerefe recalled that Ijaw youths understood Akpabio’s antics from the beginning and staged a peaceful protest last December around the East-West Road to raise concerns, but some stakeholders motivated by selfish interest emboldened him to perpetuate his manipulative ploy.

“They are all disappointed and are now ready to join the IYC in solidarity to resume the mother of all protests at the NDDC headquarters and other strategic federal agencies in the Niger Delta to demand a governing board,” he said.

Bad Governance Responsible For Killings In Nigeria, Lawmaker

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House of Representatives member,Hon. Yusuf Gagdi on Wednesday hinted that the bad governance was solely responsible for the unabating killings and insecurities presently bedevilling the country .

Gagdi, an All Progressives Congress (APC), from Plateau state, stated that the present security challenges would persist until government attends to the basic needs that would give quality life to its citizens.

The Lawmaker, made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja, saying, “You hear today this one died, that one killed, I think that’s the major problem that the country is faced with.

According to him, “Security is very important and is a collective thing. The followers and leaders must work together to combat insecurity in the country.

“There is a huge moral burden on the part of government on this matter. What is our conduct over issues of insecurity?  I don’t support demolarizing government, but the major problem of insecurity in this country is lack of good governance.

“Government in the first instance, did not address the primary thing the people should enjoy in the country. Government has failed”, the legislator insisted, without fear of favour.

“I am not afraid to say this. If this trend continues, do not thank that this insecurity problem will be solved in the nearest future”, the lawmaker stressed.

He further stated that, what the country was lacking currently was a good President to deliver justice and equity to the people, in order to address to persistent call for restructuring.

“The problem of Nigeria is not restructuring, but bringing a good leader that will provide good governance”, he said.

Elumelu Pushes For Pantami’s Resignation, Sack Over Allege Comments

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The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu during the Wednesday plenary moved for the immediate resignation or sack of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, for showing sympathy to the activities of insurgents.

Elumelu prayed the House to cause a debate on the issue, particularly demanding Pantami’s exit from office, coming under Order 6, matters of privilege of the House standing Orders.

I would be recalled that public outrage has continued to trail revelations that Pantami made sympathetic utterances for the jihadists even though he had since apologized for making the remarks in the 2000s before taking up political appointments.

But according to Elumelu, “Pantami’s apology does not hold water”, stressing that even the Minister had apologized needlessly.

He said: “Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, I rise to move a point of order bothering on the infringement of my privileges.

“In the past few days I have been inundated with calls from my constituents and Nigerians seeking the resignation of the Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Mr. Pantami who was allegedly accused of having link which seems to support Al-queda and Boko Haram knowing very well what we are facing with issues of insecurity in the country.

“Although he has apologized but to me, it doesn’t stand. So, I therefore call for his immediate resignation or sack”.

Ruling on the matter, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila who presided over the plenary said that the matter had been noted.

Saying; “Your point of privilege has been noted”.