Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu. Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.
The Peoples Alliance for Indigenous Rights (PAIR) has dismissed a newspaper report that the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, was heckled at the presentation of Certificates of Return to newly elected area councils’ chairmen on Friday in Abuja.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday by the National Coordinator of the PAIR, Isa Pai, accused the newspaper of reporting out of context as those who applauded the minister’s suggestion to the INEC were overwhelming.
The statement reads: “Newspapers and media houses need to guard their integrity like a woman’s honour. During last Saturday’s area council elections, there was widespread failure of BVAS leading to the disenfranchisement of some voters. This election obsevers like YAIGA Africa have noted in their preliminary report on the election.
“As an important stakeholder in Nigeria’s political environment, the Hon. Minister of State FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, suggested the possibility of allowing registered voters to vote in places of widespread failure of the BVAS as was witnessed in the area council elections.
“For a newspaper to twist facts when the minister was widely applauded bothers on mischief and a new narrative of some individuals to taint the hard earned reputation of the minister as unfortunate,” the statement further reads.
Pai further stated that the minister has continued to receive commendation one of which was from the NUJ FCT over her exemplary leadership and accommodating administrative style when she paid an unscheduled visit to the union.
The PAIR coordinator called on media houses to be circumspect about reports from some of their reporters as they could be misleading.
The Federal Government has urged drivers of mining industry to always operate within Mining Extant Laws to engender peaceful coexistence between operators and host communities
The Minister of State Mines and Steel Development Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah made this known during his facility tour of BUA Cement, Okpella, Edo State on his 3-day Working visit to the state recently.
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Director (Press & Public Relations Unit, Mrs Etore Thomas, the minister stated that operating within Mining Extant Laws would engender peaceful coexistence between operators and host communities.
He, however, encouraged them to maintain good community relationship for enhanced production, stating that maximum production of the plant would be of immense benefit to the Federal Government and create jobs for lots of Nigerians.
Ogah noted that the interaction with Mining Operators would enable government know the challenges faced by operators and interven by profering solution. He added that the Ministry is committed towards helping them succeed. Saying, “the success of the plant makes the Ministry happy”.
The Minister enjoined the Management to consider the request of the community and provide mast for cellular services for them, asking that they speak with cellular service providers on behalf of the community.
Also, the Plant Director, Engr. Ahmed Idris, while revealing that 98% of raw materials used for production were sourced in the vicinity, stated that the Plant had two lines with a production capacity of 3 million tonnes each. He disclosed that they were planning to have more lines of production.
The Minister who was accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner, Ministry of Mining, Oil and Gas, Ethan Uzamere, the Zonal Mines Officer, Abdulkadir Adamu, the Ministry’s entourage also visited Okpella Cement Plc (Dangote) and Zhong xin quarry all located in the northern part of the state.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has expressed the readiness FCT Administration’s to partner with the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) for 5G broadband deployment in the Territory.
The minister made this known when he received a delegation of the NCC led by its Chairman, Professor Adeolu Akande on a courtesy visit to the FCTA.
He, however, assured the NCC Board and Management that all pending issues concerning the deployment of telecommunication facilities within the Territory, including the payment of appropriate charges by telecommunication companies will be resolved with the collaboration of all parties.
He noted that providing infrastructure within the Federal Capital City was very expensive and provision had been made for the easy deployment of telecommunication facilities within the city, as part of its extensive road network
He directed the setting up of a team, comprising the Executive Commissioner (Technical Services) of NCC, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, (FCDA) as well as the Chief of Staff to the Minister to harmonise and resolve all outstanding issues.
The Minister acknowledged the long and harmonious relationship existing between the NCC and the FCTA and extended the Administration’s appreciation to the NCC for its educational support to schools within the FCT.
Earlier, the Chairman, of the NCC’s Governing Board Professor Adeolu Akande had disclosed plans by the NCC to deploy infrastructure to accommodate 5G broadband in the FCT while calling for a partnership with the FCTA to increase the number of possible technology deployment sites in the Territory.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta commended the Minister and the management of the FCTA for the infrastructural development in the FCT while appreciating the warm relationship between the Administration and the NCC.
Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmed, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, NCC Commissioners and some management staff of the NCC and the FCTA.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that its national convention earlier scheduled for February 26 will no longer hold.
In a letter to the Electoral Commission which was signed Governor Mai Mala Buni, the National Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and Senator John Akpan Udoedehe, its Secretary, the APC notified INEC of its intention to hold its Zonal Congresses on March 26th.
The APC said the current letter supercedes the earlier one it wrote notifying INEC of plans to conduct its national convention on February 26th.
Our correspondent had earlier reported that the Buni-led Caretaker Committee is seeking a minimum of two weeks extension to conduct the national convention.
Detained former Commander of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Intelligence Bureau, Nigerian Police Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, against the Federal Government.
The suit filed on DCP Kyari’s behalf by his lawyer, Cynthia Ikenna, was brought pursuant to Order 11 Rule 3 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rule 2009.
By the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/182/22, the plaintiff wants an order of court directing the Federal Government to him the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) for unlawful violation of his constitutional right provided for in Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Consutution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The applicant also is praying for a declaration that his arrest and continuing detention by agent of the FG without bringing him before a court of competent jurisdiction from 12th of February 2022 till date is “illegal, unlawful and a gross violation of Applicants’ fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of movement guaranteed by section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Article 6 of the African Charter on human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act”.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja on Monday declined an application by the embattled suspended former Commander of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Intelligence Bureau, Nigerian Police Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, seeking his release from detention.
Kyari, through his lawyer, Cynthia Ikenna had moved an exparte motion praying the court for an order releasing the applicant from detention based on health grounds.
However, Justice Ekwo refused making an order for the release of Kyari, and instead directed the applicant to put respondents in the matter on notice.
Meanwhile, the court has adjouned to February 24, for hearing of the motion on notice seeking the release of Kyari from detention.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday dismissed a suit challenging Nigerian citizenship of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He is made the order in his judgment in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa querying the Nigerian citizenship of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The court cautioned some so called NGO’s to refrain from filing frivolous applications targeted at harrassing politically exposed Nigerians.
In addition, Justice Ekwo held that the plaintiff lacks the locus standi to institute the legal action, describing them as “busy body and middlesome interlopers.
In the suit, the group had asked the court to disqualify Atiku as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and to restrain him from contesting the February 16, 2019 presidential election over alleged circumstances surrounding his citizenship.
The suit which was filed on 11th February, 2019, has Atiku, PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as well as the Attorney General of Adamawa state as defendants Specifically, the plaintiff had approached the court for an interpretation of Sections 25(1) & (2) and 131(a) of the 1999 Constitution.
By the suit, the plaintiff prayed for “A declaration that by the combined interpretation of Sections 25(l) & (2) and 131(a) of the Constitution and given the circumstances surrounding Atiku’s birth, he cannot be cleared by PDP and INEC to contest for post of president.”
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted large quantities of dangerous animal hides and skins popularly known as Ponmo with seven merchants of the deadly product in the Agency’s net.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye however warned the general public, particularly consumers of Ponmo against the activities of some unscrupulous businessmen and traders who are selling industrial animal hides as food articles.
Prof Adeyeye, in a statement by the Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola, in Lagos on Sunday, disclosed that the NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement officials swiftly carried out intelligence gathering around certain locations where the alleged products were being warehoused and sold.
This was in response to several complaints received from the public, pertaining to alleged sale and distribution of imported hides and skins meant for use in leather industries and which had already been processed with industrial chemicals. These hides and skins are then sold to unsuspecting public as consumable animal skin products, otherwise called Ponmo.
‘’Monitoring was also extended to some buyers who patronize the sellers and custodians of the warehouse’’, she said, adding that preliminary investigation revealed that some of the hides and skins were imported illegally and sometimes diverted to some merchants of death who re-process the hides and skins and further sell them as consumable Ponmo to the public.
In the light of these discoveries, she said that the Agency recently conducted investigative raids upon some identified locations in Lagos State where market women and men were found clustered for purchase of leftovers from the warehouses.
She disclosed that large quantities (120 tons) of the products were intercepted at six different locations, stressing that seven suspects who were alleged to be involved in the acts are currently under investigation.
The NAFDAC boss further explained that samples of the products have been sent to the laboratory for testing so as to ascertain the products quality and unwholesomeness.
According to her, “The intervention would help the Agency deal with the interaction and the dangers associated with the consumption of these products.
‘’The street value of the product currently intercepted is estimated to be around N25.330m only’’, she said.
Adeyeye however, alerted the general public on the existence of these merchants of death and their nefarious activities as she warned Nigerians to exercise caution when buying animal hides, popularly known as Ponmo ‘’NAFDAC wishes to advise consumers and retailers of Ponmo not to patronize importers of hides and skins for consumable animal skins’’, she said.
She further warned that the hides, are pre-treated with industrial chemicals which are not of food grade and will be toxic and injurious to human health, stressing that health hazards inherent in the consumption of such animal hides include risk of Liver, Kidney and Heart damage, increased risk of Aplastic anemia, Central nervous system toxicity, Cancer, amongst several others.
“The general public is hereby encouraged to be very vigilant and exercise discretion when purchasing animal hides PONMO and indeed other food items. NAFDAC is fully alive to her responsibilities of assuring the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of processed foods offered for sale to the public’’.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has hinted that there is no plan to demolish the official residents of the President of Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives as earlier reported.
The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Eng. Ahmed Hadi, made this known when he appear before the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the real estate sector in the FCT,in Abuja.
He stressed that the official residents of the President of Senate and the Speaker didn’t in anyway contravene Abuja Master plan.
He noted that due diligence had been done in every bit of process for the construction of the structures.
His words, ” We want to use this forum to reach out to the leadership of the National Assembly that there was no any intention to rise the issue or embarrass the offices of the President of Senate nor the Speaker or the Deputy Senate President.”
” The issue is not a conclusive position and we have not reach a climax of forum. We really take exception to that news making round that.
” That is not the position of the FCTA and certainly not the position of this investigative workshop. I’m not mincing word to say that everything that we agree here we will crosscheck with our records have been done”,
Hadi further stated that, the development within the three arms zone was intended to house the legislature, executive and the judiciary.
He hinted that on the side of the executive the Presidential Complex was developed which was supposed to be residential and office complex side by side with the resident of the Vice President which are all master plan provision.
” On the side of the judiciary is the Supreme Court and the official resident of the Chief Justice of the Federation.
” Somewhere along the line the legislative arm which occupy the largest complex has no provision of the residences of the presiding or principal officers.
” And this was what make case between the period 2014 there were armful correspondences between the FCDA and the department of Development Control and after due consultation with the leadership of the national assembly that this was what is needed to have residential provision within the three arms zone so that it will become complimentary’, he further explained.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that the administration is planning to commence massive beautification and tree planting along the Airport road.
The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Comrade Ikharo Attah gave this hint during an advocacy and sensitization visit to Sauka Community along the Airport road.
Attah hinted that,” The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has remained committed to ensuring sanitation of the nation’s capital and will not compromise on the cleanliness of all the gateways to the city centre.
“Sauka community as one of the strategic settlements along the airport road axis, had some contraventions which need to be quickly corrected.
” The clean up exercise in Sauka community had been delayed because the Minister doesn’t want to inflict hardship on the people without following due process”, he hinted.
He expressed satisfaction that the youths of the community had commenced enforcement and removal of some of the illegal structures, like the roadside market that constitute nuisances along the road corridors.
According to him, ” the Minister wants us commence massive tree planting and land scaping on the strech of airport road. We are also going to embark on refuse evacuation and intra community refuse collection points . We appealing to all residents to key into the clean up programme.
” We have given them ultimatum before but they begged us to give them till today but inline with the spirit , we will communicate to them and give them a short notice”.
More so, one of the youth leaders, Jubrin Kasimu who pleaded for an extention of the deadline given to the community to vacate the roadside market, also assured that the youths will continue to enforce compliance.
Kasimu also pledged to mobilize the youths to stop all contraventions that will attract sanctions to the community
