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FCTA Makes A Magnificent Return To Iddo Sarki, Destroying Over 473 Illegal Structures

By
Toyin Adebayo
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…Says Mpape, Dutse, Ushafa Next In Line

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) returned to Iddo Sarki today and demolished over 473 illegal structures, just a week after the dust had settled and the tears had dried following last week’s demolition activity.

While warning that those living in unlawful constructions in Mpape, Dutse Makaranta, and Ushafa will be the next targets for this enormous clean-up.

Recall that the FCTA dismantled over 137 illegal structures over the weekend, including blocks of hostels, hotels, and other structures.

An enforcement team composed of the Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Police Force, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, Nigeria Immigration Service, and DRTS, is
working with five bulldozers, was able to demolish 473 unlawful structures in a single day.

While fielding questions from newsmen on the reason why the administration return to Iddo for the ‘mother of all demolitions’, the Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, Comrade  Ikharo Attah, said his team had to go back to Iddo to complete the good work it has started in the town.

According to him, abandoning the demolition process halfway, and uncompleted will only encourage reemergence of unlawful constructions and continuance of illegality which would further aggravate the violations of the Abuja Master Plan.

Attah also warned developers and FCT residents against buying land from traditional Chiefs in the nation’s capital, saying that only the FCT Minister (not even FCT Minister of State) is legally empowered to allocate any portion of the FCT’s 8,000 square kilometres of land.

His words; “Why we came back to here was because we did not finish the clean up. We thought we had fine very far, not until we noticed that the Land Use Contraventions have been very high and disturbing.

“So we had to come back here today (Wednesday) to continue the clean up. Thanks to directors of Development Control and Security who put heads together for us to get five machines to work with which made our job easier.

“Some of the illegalities of land contravention include buying land from local Chiefs, building without building plan approvals, building substandard structures and the authorities will not allow these to continue because the city is planned and when we see contravention, it is the mandate of the FCTA to take it out.”

While responding to a question on whether there was any compensation for them, Attah said: “They have been warned before and when you commit illegality…..we even ought to take them to court but we are living them. The Chiefs who gave them the land have denied that they gave them land.”

Attah also sent a strong warning to those residing in illegal structures within Mpape, Dutse Makaranta, Ushafa and others areas to either move out or comply, adding that they were next in line for similar clean up exercises.

He said: “We have to rush this work now because the people of Mpape, Dutse Makaranta and Ushafa -both the residents and landlords are begging the FCT Minister to come and clean up their area, so we will soon be going to assist them.

“We are seeing encroachments even in the Lower Usuma Dam where we get our safe water to drink. We don’t want people to go there and pollute our water.”

Similarly , the Secretary, Command and Control Centre of the FCTA, Mr. Peter Olumuji said another reason demolishing the structures was because they harboured criminals who constitute insecurity within the area and the whole of FCT.

According to him : “one of the reasons why we are here is because such places hibernate criminals because they can get cheaper houses to rent.

“We have had a sustained clean up operation on the airport road and this has led to reduction in the rate of crime and criminality in the FCT”,he added.

Aliyu Ordered Work At Karu Primary Healthcare Centre To Be Halted

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The ongoing construction of lock-up shops at the Karu Primary Healthcare Centre, which is being carried out by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in collaboration with a private developer, has been ordered to be halted immediately by Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The minister who issued the cease work order also declared that the FCT Administration will organize a committee to analyze the profitability of the existing building work at the main healthcare facility during an inspection trip of the facilities.

Aliyu, who expressed severe reservations about the Karu primary healthcare centre’s location, pointed out that the centre was not serene due to the proximity of the abattoir and other commercial activities around the healthcare facility.

She, however, affirmed that construction of additional lock-up shops by the Abuja Municipal Area Council within the premises of the primary healthcare centre could compound the existing situation.

According to her; “It is pertinent to put a stop to this ongoing construction work. A ministerial committee will be set with effect from today for immediate action and the scope will be made known to you.

“Membership will include even the operators of the abatoir. Take a look at the abattoir, you cannot have a primary healthcare facility as strategic as the Karu primary healthcare is, and exposed it to so many hazards.

“Having the abattoir here alone is hazard to the functions of the primary healthcare not to talk of a commercial place again. This is a very big project with so many shops around it will over exposed the facility.

“It could be acceptable to have the Sickle Cell Center or the AMAC health secretariat. We will look at this and other land functions that could be allocated, but certainly it is unhealthy to have these shops here.

“It is already bad enough to have the raw meat sellers within the vicinity and it will be worst to allow other commercial activities to go on here. If we must change the land use, we must engage the community effectively because you cannot have a hospital or healthcare centre where there are so many noisy activities”.

Earlier, the Director of Works, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Arc. Gaza Andrew, informed the minister that the initial project was the completion of the abandoned Sickle Cell Centre and AMAC Healthcare Centre, stressing that with the involvement of Development Control the council later added the design for corner shops.

“Right here is an abandoned foundation of a sickle cell center, it was abandoned for over 10 years. The paramount ruler personally in 2020 wrote to us that due to the growing cases of sickle cell this project should be completed,” he affirmed.

Unknown Gunmen Assassinate A Student, Kidnap Two Others at DELSU

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…As University, SUG React

A Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka student, Odje Stephen of the Department of Medical Biochemistry, was shot dead by unknown assailants on his way to Abraka to resume the 2020/2021 academic term on Sunday at approximately 9.30 p.m, our correspondent gathered.

According to sources, the gunmen abducted Mr. Divine Omajuwa of the Geology Department and Miss Hamza Hussiena Jennifer of the Pharmacology Department in DELSU, who were also returning to school, during the attack that took place in Oria, a community less than 15 minutes drive from the university community.

Reason why Odje was shot dead on the spot is still unknown.

Reacting to the ugly news, the University Management condemned in its entirety the gruesome murder of Mr. Odje Stephen and the kidnap of Divine and Jennifer.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Dean, Students’ Affairs, Professor Chukwujindu Iwegbue, called on “the relevant security agencies and the general public to step up actions to ensure the immediate release and safe rescue of the kidnapped students,” adding that the perpetrators of this heinous crime against innocent students of the University must be brought to book.

The university also condoled with the family of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the Student Union Government (SUG), DELSU, Abraka, has described as “horrifying and unacceptable” that students and the entire University community have become targets of attack, murder and kidnap by hoodlums parading the State.

Adding: “It is also painful to the entire student body that when such incidents occur, law enforcement agencies within and around the State have not done enough to bring the perpetrators to book.”

A statement signed by the SUG President, Comrade Mukolo Ogelenya Solomon, warned that the incidence “may lead to a breakdown of law and order within and around Abraka and its environs and the entire state in general if urgent steps are not taken to effect the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped victims.”

A 24-hour ultimatum was thus issued to all law enforcement agencies in the state to swing into action to effect the unconditional release of the kidnapped students, saying that “failure to do so will result to students’ unrest within Delta State University in particular and the entire state in general.”

Furthermore, the student leader on behalf of his government expressed condolence to the family of the slain student, the students of the Department of Medical Biochemistry and staff and students of the institution.

At the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the kidnapped students were still unknown.

BREAKING: Senate Rejects Onochie As INEC Commissioner

By
Shehu Danladi
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Lauretta Onochie’s nomination as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission was denied by the Senate (INEC).

Following the examination of the report of the INEC Committee, chaired by Senator Kabiru Gaya, Onochie was denied (APC, Kano).

Professor Sani Mohammed Adam’s clearance was likewise postponed by the Senate pending additional legislative action.

Because her nomination violates Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution on the Principle of Federal Character, the panel recommended that Onochie be disqualified as an INEC National Commissioner.

According to the committee, a commissioner from Delta state, where Onochie comes from, is now serving.

Insecurity: Buhari Meets 109 Senators Tonight

By
Uche Kingsley
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President Muhammadu Buhari will host a dinner in Villa tonight at 8 p.m. for the 109 Senators of the 9th Senate.

A letter from the State House transmitted the scheduled meeting between members of the upper chamber and Buhari, which was read during plenary by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

On April 27, 2021, the Senate passed a resolution directing the upper chamber’s leadership to schedule a meeting with the President to allow all 109 Senators to discuss the country’s vulnerability.

“I write to info,” reads the invitation letter for the arranged meeting between the President and members of the upper chamber reads: “I write to inform the Distinguished President of the Senate, that President Muhammadu Buhari will host a dinner of Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Tuesday, 13th July, 2021, at 8pm 20:00 hrs.

“The venue is at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.”

APC Congresses Begin July 31, Says INEC

By
Shehu Danladi
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0

Mai Mala Buni, Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee and Governor of Yobe State, has revealed that the party’s state congresses will be delayed by one week.

Buni declared that the party’s ward, local government, and state congresses would begin on July 31, 2021, while introducing Governors Ben Ayade of Cross River State and his Zamfara counterpart, Bello Matawalle, to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.

The congresses were relocated by one week, according to him, because the original dates interfered with Sallah celebrations.

Speaking while welcoming the two Governors to APC, President Buhari hailed the duo for having the courage to defect from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, by these defections, the two Governors will now earn more respect from their people for having the courage to move to the ruling party.

The President stressed that the coming of the two Governors to APC was very important to the party, adding: “To be principled and identify your objectives is a great quality that should endear us to our people.

“Your people will respect you more for having the courage to come to APC at your own time. Nobody forced you, but you believe it is the best way to serve your people. I value your decision.”

According to him: “This is one of the happiest times for us in this party. For you to have the courage to leave your constituencies speak a lot. I wish Nigerians will reflect about it.

I congratulate you for leaving your constituencies for our great party. We lost many states at the last election, which is unusual for a ruling party. But we did it to prove that we are a tolerant group. We wanted to demonstrate that we respect individuals.

“We emphasized that we respect our people. That was why we insisted on free and fair elections. Leaders should show honesty and respect for their followers.”

President Buhari thereafter handed the flags of the party to the two Governors and raised their hands aloft.

Kano Hisbah Arrests 5 Men For Gay Sex

By
Roland Edet
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At Sheka Barde in Kano’s Kumbotso local government area, the Kano State Hisbah Board arrested five males accused of homosexuality.

Dr Harun Ibn-Sina, the Board’s Commander General, confirmed the arrest in a statement signed by Lawal Ibrahim, the Board’s Public Relations Officer, and published in Kano on Monday.

According to him, the arrests were conducted in response to local citizens’ complaints.

“All the suspects confirmed to be above 20 years of age, were apprehended on July 11 during a special raid,” he said.

The commander-general expressed outrage over the alleged actions of the youths.

Ibn-Sina thanked members of the community and security stakeholders for their cooperation and support in cracking down on corruption in the state.

He said the suspects would be charged to court.

CBN Working On Plan To Reduce Graduate Unemployment

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced on Monday that it is working on a Tertiary Institutions’ Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) to help re-orient, teach, and fund entrepreneurship ideas among Nigerian graduates.

Dr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said this in a goodwill message to the 35th Conference of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, which is being held at the Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil.

It would also help to create jobs for thousands of the country’s young people who graduate from various institutes of higher learning each year, he added.

“Around 600,000 graduates from our tertiary institutions will enter the workforce this year after participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, seeking the already thinned out white collar jobs.

“The situation has contributed significantly to the rising youth unemployment across the country,” he said.

Emefiele said that the proposed scheme would also provide a platform for building digital skills relevant to Nigeria’s broader developmental goals.

He explained that efforts were ongoing aimed at addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on production sectors and dwindling oil revenues in the country.

“Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) portend great opportunities for addressing these gaps and accelerating economic growth by leveraging our vibrant youth population,” he said.

Kidnapped Kaduna Emir Released, but Bandits Hold On To His Daughter Other Captives.

By
Gladys Phillip
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0

The Emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, has been freed from captivity.

A source told our reporter that the other 13 people kidnapped from the monarch’s private palace are still being held captive.

According to the report, the Sarkin Kajuru was released in the woodland areas leading up to Kajuru Castle.

According to a member of the Emir’s family, he is well and will be transferred to the hospital for testing.

PIB: Urhobo Peoples International Assembly Rejects 3% To Host Communities, Demand 10%

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Hon (Chief) Keston Okoro Muhammed Al-Amin, former member of the Delta State House of Assembly and National President of the Urhobo Peoples International Assembly, UPIA, has stated that the Urhobo nation opposes the 3 percent revenue to host communities, adding that UPIA demands 10% and that the passed bill must be amended before the president signs it.

Following a conversation with journalists, Chief Okoro stated that this decision was made recently during a meeting of prominent elders and leaders representing various Urhobo communities who met to talk on the subject.

According to him; “We know what the act of oil exploration has caused the Niger Delta and for once, we are saying that they should allow the region that takes care of the nation enjoy from their wealth,” noting that to whom much is given, much is expected.

“The Federal Government and especially the National Assembly ought to have realized the negative impact we have suffered. We sustain the Nigerian economy with almost 90 percent of our resources.
“But we also are supporters of one Nigeria. We just said we don’t wash our dirty linen outside if not no one has the monopoly of violence. We know where we are coming from in this country. But we have come to the point where we must call a spade a spade because what is good for the goose is good for the gander, but we don’t want to pervert the cause of justice. We don’t want to be a stranger in our own God’s given land.”

He further stated that, this time, they will resist every form of intimidation or threats on the PIB matter.

“We are not accepting that 3 percent, not even 5 percent. What we agitated for is 30 percent. But because some leaders are saying because of the situation of the country, we said okay we agree to ten percent. But anything short of that will be resisted fully,” he said.
Continuing, he said he believes that their position is same view of other Niger Delta ethnic groups.
“As it is, we are all at alert; peradventure they decide to impose it on us. We know what the land use act has caused us,” he added.

He ,however, called on Mr. President to act fast, as he urged NASS to reconvene, withdraw the clause of three percent and come up with 10 percent.

Adding that this is a must if the president and federal lawmakers want Urhobo nation to continue to support the call for Nigeria remaining together and not divided.

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