Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has urged security agencies to ensure that the six people kidnapped by hoodlums from the University of Abuja staff quarters in Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council, are rescued.
Following reports of a gunman invading the staff quarters in the early hours of today, Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021, Bello made this appeal.
However, security patrol teams comprised of military, police, local vigilantes, and university security officials are currently on the lookout for the hoodlums.
However, the Minister condemned the attack on the University Community and stated that concerted efforts are being made to provide adequate security for all educational institutions in the Territory.
Members of the University community were assured by the minister that the government would do everything possible to ensure the abductees’ safe return.
He also urged members of the public to always support and cooperate with security agencies when the situation demanded it.
President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that Nigeria will require approximately 1.5 trillion dollars over a ten-year period to reach an adequate level of National Infrastructure Stock.
President Buhari delivered the figure on Tuesday in Glasgow at a COP 26 high-level side event on building global infrastructure organized by US Vice President Joe Biden, EU Commission President Van Der Leyen, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
‘‘Nigeria is ready for your investments in infrastructural development in the country.
‘‘My administration has established a clear legal and regulatory framework for private financing of infrastructure to establish a standard process, especially on the monitoring and evaluation process.
‘‘We look forward to working with you in this regard,’’ he told world leaders at the high level meeting on the margins of the climate change conference.
President Buhari also hinted that his administration had taken infrastructure expansion in Nigeria seriously, conscious of the fact that new investments in critical sectors of the economy would aid lifting 100 million Nigerians from poverty by 2030.
‘‘There is a nexus between infrastructural development and the overall economic development of a nation.
‘‘My administration identified this early enough as a major enabler of sustainable economic development and the realization of other continental and global development aspirations particularly the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
‘‘On my assumption of office in 2015, Nigeria faced a huge infrastructure deficit and the total National Infrastructure Stock was estimated at 35% of our Gross Domestic Product.
‘‘In solving these problems, we embarked on a massive infrastructure expansion programme in the areas of Health care, Education, Transportation, Manufacturing, Energy, Housing, Agriculture, and Water Resources.
‘‘We provided more financial resources for these policies, charted new international partnerships and pursued liberalization policies to allow private sector participation.
‘‘We introduced the revised National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan – a policy document that ensures our infrastructure expansion projects is cross-sectorally integrated and environmentally friendly, ’’ he said.
The President , however, welcomed the G7 countries for its ground-breaking plan to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars of infrastructure investment for low – and middle-income countries.
He noted that the “Build Back Better World” plan, an initiative of the G7 countries, is expected to be a values-driven, high-standard, and transparent infrastructure partnership.
‘‘It is our fervent hope and expectations that this plan will be pursued to its logical conclusion in order to bridge the infrastructural gap between the North and South,’’ he said.
The President also used the occasion to outline the principles, values and standards Nigeria would like to see from infrastructure initiatives and the challenges the country has faced in partnering with donors on infrastructure development.
‘‘The aim of pursuing quality infrastructure investment is to maximize the positive economic, environmental, social, and development impact of infrastructure and create a virtuous circle of economic activities, while ensuring sound public finances.
‘‘This virtuous circle can take various forms in stimulating the economy,” he said.
The Nigerian leader noted that infrastructure investment should, therefore, take into account economic, environmental and social, and governance aspects, guided by a sense of shared, long-term responsibility for the planet, consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The President added that the positive and negative impacts of infrastructure projects on ecosystems, biodiversity, climate, weather and the use of resources should be internalized by incorporating these environmental considerations over the entire process of infrastructure investment.
‘‘Domestic resource mobilization is critical to addressing the infrastructure financing gap. Assistance for capacity building, including for project preparation, should be provided to developing countries with the participation of international organizations.
‘‘Quality infrastructure investment also needs to be tailored to individual country conditions and consistent with local laws and regulations.
‘‘Furthermore, Infrastructure projects should align with national strategies and nationally determined contributions for those countries determined to implement them, and with transitioning to long-term low emissions strategies, while being mindful of country circumstances,’’ he said.
The President also called for the environmental impact of infrastructure investment to be made transparent to all stakeholders, noting that this will enhance the appreciation of sustainable infrastructure projects and increase awareness of related risks.
The acting coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, has confirmed a large gas leakage in the vicinity of Computer Village, Awolowo Rd, Oba Akran, Medical Road, Anifowoshe, and Ikeja.
Farinloye, who called in to a live TV program on Wednesday morning, notified people of the situation and advised them to keep careful and avoid the impacted region.
“I want to tell everyone that all relevant agencies are on the ground to ensure safety at the site,” he said.
We’d want to advise everyone to keep away from the scene.”
University of Abuja Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah on Tuesday said “Our Nation is definitely bleeding” and this is too close home for us.
He called on the University community to pray hard for God’s intervention and the release of the kidnapped victims, while assuring they shall continue to mobilize everything available to protect staff and students and ensure this never happen again.
He made this known while reacting to gunmen invasion of UNIABUJA staff quarters were they abducted a professor, his children, three others.
According to him; “They brought their devastation to our Giri Quarters and we are pursuing them with all it takes to recover our dearest ones they kidnapped.
“From now on, it is compulsory for staff and students to wear their official UmiAbuja ID cards when entering ANY of our campuses including the Giri Quarters. The Safety Unit has my instruction to turn anyone back who cannot explain their mission on our campus, Quarters or any UniAbuja branches even if they claim to be staff or students, only University ID card worn on them is a quaranty for entry”, he said.
Similarly, the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, CP Babaji Sunday has reassured residents of the FCT of safety and protection of lives and property.
He said that the command has dispatched additional tactical and conventional policing resources to the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) main and satellite campuses as well as the staff quarters and other affiliate formations of the university, to fortify security, improve public safety and protect citizens in and around the university community.
The CP in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh ANIPR hinted that a combined team of the Police and personnel of the Nigerian Army 176 Guards Battalion were swiftly mobilized to the area to protect the citizens. Preliminary investigations however revealed that six (6) persons were allegedly abducted into the forest by the criminals on sighting the security operatives.
The CP, while calling for calm, further noted that the security forces are already working with the locals in the area toward rescuing the victims. He assured that the perpetrators would be arrested and brought to book.
On this note, the Command pledges its undeterred resolve to ensure lives and properties of residents within the FCT are protected and urge them to report all suspicious movements, emergency or distress, through these numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.
It would be recalled that gunmen on Tuesday morning stormed the staff quarters of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and abducted a professor of economics, Obansa Joseph, two of his children, and other people.
A resident said the gunmen invaded the senior staff quarters at Giri in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at 1 a.m on Tuesday and operated for about an hour.
Obinna Iyiegbu, alias Obi Cubana, a popular socialite and businessman, has been detained for money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Anambra-born club owner, who arrived to the EFCC offices in Jabi, Abuja, around noon on Monday, was still there as of 10.11 p.m.
As of press time, allegations against the socialite were hazy, but a source revealed that his case involved alleged money laundering and tax fraud.
“Obi Cubana was detained and brought to the EFCC offices on Monday afternoon over allegations of money laundering and tax fraud,” according to the source.
Detectives are questioning him right now.”
Wilson Uwujaren, spokesman for the EFCC, said he had not yet been briefed on the situation.
Obi Cubana, Mr Ibu, and the UAE envoy are honored at the Nollywood New Yam Festival.
Obi Cubana reacts to a fan tattooing his name on his skin.
Obi Cubana made news in July when he conducted a spectacular burial for his mother in Oba, Anambra State, with over 200 cows butchered.
The owner of the building Lagos Collapsed building got approval for a 15-storey building and he exceeded his limit to 21, Gbolahan Oki, General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has said.
While adding that the owner of the collapsed 21-story building under construction in Ikoyi was given permission to erect only 15 stories.
Oki told reporters over the phone that the property’s owner had been arrested and would face charges because people had perished in the accident.
“He got an approval for a 15-storey building and he exceeded his limit. I am on ground here and the materials he used are so inferior and terrible.
“The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21.
“I think he has been locked down. He has been arrested before now,” he said.
The GM said four people were rescued and three people died, adding that rescue efforts were still ongoing.
“We are still here and have four machines working as at this moment,” he said.
At least 50 people are reportedly trapped under the rubble after a 21-storey building collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
The building, located at 20, Gerrard Road, collapsed at about 3 p.m. on Monday.
Airtel Africa and UNICEF today launched a five-year pan-African partnership to help speed the roll-out of digital learning across 13 countries by connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms.
The partnership will help to ensure that every kid reaches their full potential by ensuring equal access to high-quality digital learning, particularly for the most vulnerable children.
Airtel Nigeria and UNICEF Nigeria have long been collaborators, and as part of this new effort, they want to help connect schools in Lagos and Kano to the internet, allowing children to learn digitally.
This pilot program is estimated to help over 10,000 students in both states.
Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services in Africa, is the first African private sector partner to commit to ‘Reimagine Education,’ a global initiative launched by UNICEF in 2020 that calls for public and private sector investment in digital learning as an essential service for every child and young person around the world.
This program intends to provide youngsters with the opportunity to catch up on their learning needs in the midst of the continuing global epidemic.
UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said, “Hundreds of millions of children in Africa have seen their education disrupted or put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“By championing digital education for children in Africa, this partnership with Airtel Africa will help put children’s learning back on track”, she said.
Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative, “Digital learning is the gateway to equipping young people with the right skills – skills that will support them to transition from learning to earning. We are delighted that Airtel Nigeria shares in this vision, and is helping to drive the process of scaling up internet connectivity for school children in Nigeria.”
Airtel Africa’s financial and in-kind contribution for this partnership is $57 million over five years to 2027. The programme will call on technology and expertise, in addition to direct financial support to connect schools and communities to the internet, enable free access to online educational content for learners. It will also provide vital data insights to inform UNICEF’s work to scale-up digital learning and help ensure it is sustainable and meets students’ needs across Africa.
said Olusegun Ogunsanya, CEO of Airtel Africa said, “As a business, we have focused on education as a key area of our corporate social responsibility, and we are delighted that this partnership with UNICEF will enable us to accelerate results. It also coincides with the launch of our new sustainability strategy, which lays out our commitment to education.”
“We are excited to be working with UNICEF to advance the education agenda on the continent through facilitating connectivity and online access to play a role in driving change,” he added.
The Airtel Africa and UNICEF pan-African partnership will benefit learners not only in Nigeria, but also in Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
The National Assembly’s upper chamber has announced that it will have a debate on the armed security agents’ assault of the residence of a Supreme Court Justice, Justice Mary Odili, in Abuja.
When the Senate reconvenes, it will hold a plenary debate on the invasion under the heading “urgent national concern.”
Recall that security personnel raided the supreme court justice’s home on Friday.
However, Justice Mahamud Tanko, the Chief Justice of the Federation, remained silent for several hours following the invasion.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, revealed what the Senate will do when it reconvenes on Monday in Abuja, during an oversight visit to the Chief Justice of Nigeria ((CJN)) in his Office.
“We cannot pretend not to be aware of the embarrassing situation on the invasion of Justice Mary Odili’s residence by security agencies on Friday Night,” Bamidele said. “We take the matter seriously, and by the time we return to plenary session, we will discuss the matter as urgent of National Importance.”
Speaking on the Judiciary’s budget for 2022, Senator Bamidele stated, “it is trite to mention that the 2022 budget budget estimate for the Judiciary is N120 billion, merely indicating a N10 billion increase over the sum which was appropriated in the 2021 Appropriation Act.”
“Even though this increase is not enough to meet the competing needs and challenges of the Judiciary, we must commend the present administration for listening to the voice of reason and clamour from various quarters advocating for increased funding for the Judiciary.”
Responding to the Chairman’s opening remark, the Chief Justice of Nigeria disclosed that there is no any interference from legislators or executives arm of government on their activities, adding that the National Assembly has not failed Judiciary.
He said: “Legislative arm of government has not failed us, there is nothing that we want that have not been granted by the lawmakers. You are doing right thing. If you see that something is going with wrong Judiciary, call our attention to it. There is no interference from Legislature and Executive on our activities.”
He submitted that the Judiciary is ready to accept correction if something is going wrong.
In her submission, the Ag. Chief Registrar of Supreme Court, Hajo Sarki Bello informed the lawmakers that 75 percent budget performance has been recorded in term of releases and 60 percent in expenditure .
She said that N368 million was appropriated to cater for the official vehicles of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Hon. Justices of the Court.
He added that last year, eight Hon. Justices were appointed in to the bench of the court and the sum was therefore for the procurement of one additional vehicle each for eight newly appointed Justices in the interim pending the availability of the funds to procure the remaining vehicles.
Electricity users have declared that after eight years of privatization in Nigeria’s electricity sector, the sector’s overall performance appears fluid and poisonous, with little or nothing to celebrate.
Customers also claim that distribution corporations, often known as DISCOs, are defrauding them by making them to pay for distribution transformer acquisitions.
Purchasing recycled cables, among other things, with no refunds.
Kunle Kola Olubiyo, President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network and Member of the National Technical Investigative Panel on Power System Collapses, System Stability, and Reliability, stated the viewpoint of power consumers in a statement ( June, 2013 ).
According to Olubiyo, Nigeria currently lacks proper customer data for the electrical demand and supply business, which he estimates to be between 8 and 12 million end consumers in the country.
Saying, “Exactly 8 years ago the Power Sector was Privatised and there was a Paradigm shift from Public Sector driven Business model to a supposedly Private sector driven Business model. .. Taking a glossary look at the general performances of the Power Sector, the picture is fluid and toxic and there is little or nothing to celebrate.
“Since , the year 2013 several DisCoys claims that they don’t have the money to carry out Customers Enumeration , Asset Enumeration And Enumeration of Customers House Holds to House hold , Using Properties and Landmarks vide GPS and Remote Satellite for Real time Customers Data.
“As we speak today, Nigeria don’t have an Accurate Customers Data for the Electricity Demand and Supply Industry Which is Conservatively put at between 8 Million – 12 Million End Users of Electricity in Nigeria.
“As we speak, Electricity Consumers on daily basis are forced or conscripted to pay for Purchases of Distribution Transformers , Buy the Recycling Cable, Buy Aluminum Conductors, D I Iron / Line Materials insulators , Buy Armoured Cable, Buy Uprisers Cable, Buy Incomes and Outcomers Cable, Buy Feeder Pillars ,Buy Feeder Pillars Fuses, And other Accessories, Pay Electrical Contractors to carry Installation, Pay through their noise to get the Officials of the Utility Companies and Government Officials to approved the Diagnostic Reports, Get the Transformer Soaked,Tested, Energised and then Commission for use.
“At the end of it all, the End -Users don’t get refund for their Investments at the Downstream which runs into several Billions of Dollars, Pre and Post Privatization era” he said.
Olubiyo maintained that the Indian Variants of Power Sector Privatisation exercise sold to Nigerians in the year 2013 has intrinsically become worst than a Delta Variant of Novel Corona Virus.
According to him, the Post Privatization bitter experiences of the end users of electricity in Nigeria has been reduced to a scam of sort, stressing ‘it seems to the End Users that Nigerians have been sold a dummy’.
Two bodies were believed to have been rescued from the collapsed 21-story building on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, while two others were said to be critically injured, with several others still trapped within.
Workers at surrounding structures took the remains out of the building, which is still under construction, before the arrival of rescue services, who they claimed did not come until two hours after the tragedy occurred.
When the high-rise structure caved in about 1:56 p.m workers from surrounding buildings gathered to provide rescue services.
It is not immediately clear if the motionless victims were dead, as sources claim they were handed over to medics who arrived on the scene in two ambulances.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) did, however, provide information on how a 21-story building in Nigeria’s commercial capital’s affluent Ikoyi neighborhood collapsed.
Nosa Okunbo, LASEMA’s spokesperson, stated that his agency is on top of the matter.
“A 21-story building has collapsed near Musliu Junction in Ikoyi, Lagos.”
“LASEMA is on top of the situation,” he said, adding that heavy-duty equipment and life detection equipment had been brought to the location.
It was also reported that the owner and developer of the structure, as well as approximately 24 artists, were inside the building as it was cut in.
“The developer and all the workers including the owner of the building simply identified as Mike were trapped under the rubbles after the structure under construction around Ikoyi axis of Lagos State collapsed.
As gathered, the property owner was at the site inspecting the structure along Gerald road at Musiliu junction, when the building caved in at about 2:30 pm, with many trapped under the structure.
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed that he has activated the agency’s emergency response plan to the scene .
According to him, all first responders are enroute to secure the scene while the heavy duty equipment and life detection equipment have been dispatched.
Another eyewitness also noted that he and co-workers felt the vibration of the structure from the property they were working in.
He said they were working beside the building while some others are working inside the collapsed building.
“More than 50 people were working inside this big building when it collapsed, he said.
However , one of the engineers on the sight of the collapsed building who craved anonymity said due to his nature of the work, he slept at the building for one week given the distance from the site to his house in mainland.
He noted that whle sleeping at the structure, he noticed that it was always shaking at night. “I slept there for one week while doing my work in the building. I was always afraid because the structure was shakes at night. “It will bounce vigorously like something was wrong with the structural aspect of it. I found solace in the fact that while doing similar work at a bank in CMS, it was always bouncing but the structural engineers then told me that it was doing so because of the spring in the joints.
“But at this collapsed building which is 21 storeys, it will be shaking like it was being affected by the breeze at the sight and throughout the one week I slept there, I was full of fear and I thank God that I was done with my work before the building collapsed ,” he said.
Asked whether the collapse was surprising to him given what he was experiencing in the night, he said: “Honestly it is neither here nor there; I am not entirely surprise because something was telling me that all was not well with that structure. There are three buildings there; two are 18 storeys while the collapsed one is 21 storeys.”
