President Bola Tinubu has appointed board members and a management team for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, on Tuesday, Chiedu Ebie was appointed the chairman of the board of the commission while Samuel Ogbuku is the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO).
More to follow…
The Delta State Police Command has arrested over 100 suspected gay men who were reportedly holding a wedding ceremony in a hotel in the state.
The Police in Delta State, in a tweet Tuesday morning, said the suspects would be paraded shortly.
This publication learnt that they are currently detained at the police headquarters in Asaba, the state capital.
The police said they received a tip-off about the wedding ceremony and raided the hotel.
Homosexual relationships are illegal in Nigeria and punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, says the ministry has concluded plans to reintroduce monthly sanitation as part of strategies to keep the city clean.
Wike stated this in Abuja on Monday, after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT.
He said that he had already briefed President Bola Tinubu on the idea that at least two Saturdays in a month would be declared for sanitation from 7a.m. to 10 a.m.
According to him, the move would enable companies supporting the FCT with logistics to go to market, and other public places to evacuate refuse.
Wike said for Abuja to be clean, everybody has to cooperate.
“We must all make sacrifices. There is nothing like we are going to suffer. You also contribute to refuse.
“So, if you spare three hours on a Saturday at home, to clear the refuse and bring them out for us to evacuate and dispose of, then that is the little way you can help.
“We are appealing to you (residents) to cooperate with us so we can achieve our goals,” he said.
On streetlights, the minister said that there were some improvements.
“We are not there yet, but I can assure you that everywhere in Abuja will be lit up,” he said.
For those who have distorted the Abuja Master Plan, Wike said that the issue would soon be addressed.
….Lauds Akpabio
South-South women on Sunday criticized calls for the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to resign.
They also described the Niger Delta Women League (NDWL), former Deputy National Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Timi Frank and other critics of the Senate President as idle talkers and a bunch of worthless wimps.
“We must speak out for reason and balance. Anyone taking a thoroughly objective look at the views of the Niger Delta Women League (NDWL) has to be dismayed and shocked. All sense of logic and balance has been lost.”
A statement issued in Port Harcourt by the South-South Women Vanguard (SSWV) applauded Akpabio for working towards the common good of the country, putting Nigeria in the right perspective and placing the interests of Nigeria ahead of his own.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio is dedicated, honest and devoutly religious. He understands the country’s problems, has a good grasp of what needs to be done to resolve them and is working to make the necessary changes. Nigerians are turning to him to solve their problems.”
The women hailed Akpabio for his morals, values and respect for Nigerians, particularly his colleagues.
“Desire for perverted materialism and government hand-outs are the two things motivating some traitorous individuals and groups in the country” the statement said.
The statement signed by Dr Margaret Ani underscored strong leadership, Akpabio’s hatred for greed and corruption.
The highly respected women in the zone described calls for Akpabio’s resignation by Niger Delta Women League (NDWL), former Deputy National Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Timi Frank and other individuals as foolish.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio is the epitome of success and a stumbling block to the plans of self-interest groups” the statement added.”
Some residents of Bayelsa on Sunday night broke into a warehouse in Yenagoa where 2022 flood palliatives were kept by the state government and stole some food items said to be already decaying.
The warehouse located along Isaac Boro Expressway in Yenagoa, the state capital, was looted by people said to be angered due to the hardship in the country occasioned by the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol by the Federal Government.
The subsidy removal moved up the prices of petrol from around N190 to about N620 per litre and has adversely affected the prices of goods and services as well as transport fares.
The Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA) said that the food items carted away were no longer good for human consumption, because it was stored during the 2022 flood in the state.
President Bola Tinubu-led administration had announced a sum of N5 billion in palliative and grant to the states for onward distribution to Nigerians, but it was unclear if the warehouse looted in Yenagoa housed food items promised by the Federal Government.
Reacting to the invasion of the warehouse, the Director-General of BYSEMA, Hon. Walamam Sam Igrubia, said in a statement on Monday that the agency was preparing for an impending flood this year, when the DG visited the premises, and in his presence, remnants of food items, notably rice and garri that were no longer fit for consumption, were cleared from the warehouse and placed outside for disposal before the invasion.
He said: “The Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA) notes with surprise and concern the unwarranted invasion of the premises of a privately-owned warehouse in the Kpansia area of Yenagoa, the state capital.
“The incident occurred about 7.45pm on Sunday, August 27 almost an hour after the Director-General, Hon. Walamam Sam Igrubia, alongside some BYSEMA personnel, left the warehouse premises.
“During the 2022 flood in the state, the Agency used the warehouse to store food items. As part of preparations for an impending flood this year, the DG visited the premises, and in his presence, remnants of food items, notably rice and garri that were no longer fit for consumption, were cleared from the warehouse and placed outside for disposal the next day.
“The remnants, which were swept from the floor and packed in disused bags, were less than 10 bags of rice and garri and with some broken cans of oil.
The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Foundation (NACAT) has taken legal action against Mr Folashodun Shonubi, the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Mr Edward Adamu, a Deputy Governor at the bank.
LeadingReporters learned that NACAT alleged that both individuals failed to declare their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The lawsuit, filed in a Federal High Court in Abuja by NACAT’s legal representative, John Ainetor of Festus Keyamo Chambers, also names the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau as a defendant.
The basis for the lawsuit is Section 1(1) and (2) of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
The lawsuit was designated as FHC/ABJ/CS/1182/2023 and is dated August 25, 2023.
An affidavit accompanying the initial motion ex parte, sworn by Stanley Ugagbe, the operational manager of NACAT, asserted that the respondents adamantly declined to reveal certain documents.
According to Ugagbe, in their roles as public officials, the second and third respondents are legally obligated to declare any interests they hold in specific companies when taking up their positions as acting Governor and Deputy Governor.
He said:
The applicant argued that court intervention was necessary to enforce the request made to the first and second respondents, in line with Section 1 (3) of the Freedom of Information Act.
The applicant’s requests were based on the fact that it had previously sent letters on July 3, 2023, and August 14, 2023, seeking the documents from the respondents, but they declined to comply.
The Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Folashodun Shonubi and a Deputy Governor of the CBN, Mr. Edward Adamu have been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja, over their alleged failure to declare their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The other defendant in the suit filed by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Foundation (NACAT), was the Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The applicant premised the suit on the strength of Section 1(1) and (2) of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
The Acting Governor, CCB Chairman and the Deputy Governor were 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1182/2023 and dated August 25, 2023.
Specifically, the group is requesting for the documents wherein Shonubi deliberately refused to declare interest in the following companies: Intameks Ltd– RC13086; Kirby’s Place Resources Ltd – RC1215845; The Pekaboo Company Ltd – RC1395011; Ehlkuhile Investment Ltd– RC857442; Iscopeng Ltd – RC1431044; and Kilima Technologies Ltd – RC1218250.
Similarly, the applicant is demanding the assets and declaration forms of Adamu, wherein he failed to declare his interest in the following Companies: Pinnacle Solutions Network Ltd – RC698688; Elad Global Resources Limited – RC933366 and Global World Frontier Services Nig. Ltd – RC772500.
An affidavit in support of the originating motion ex parte deposed to by Stanley Ugagbe, the operational Manager of NACAT stated that the respondents had vehemently refused to avail them of the documents.
Ugagbe, averred that the 2nd Respondent was listed as a Director in the following Companies: Intameks Ltd– RC13086; Kirby’s Place Resources Ltd – RC1215845; The Pekaboo Company Ltd – RC1395011; Ehlkuhile Investment Ltd – RC857442; Iscopeng Ltd – RC1431044; and Kilima Technologies Ltd – RC1218250.
Also, the deponent claimed that the 3rd Respondent was listed as a Director in the following Companies: Pinnacle Solutions Network Ltd – RC698688; Elad Global Resources Limited – RC933366 and Global World Frontier Services Nig. Ltd – RC772500.
As public officers, Ugagbe stated, the 2nd and 3rd Respondents have statutory obligations to declare in their Asset Declaration Forms, the interests they have in the above-named companies, while assuming their respective offices as acting Governor and Deputy Governor of the CBN.
“That the applicant has a right under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, to access the Assets and Liabilities Declaration Forms of the 2nd and 3rd Respondents, in the records of the 1st Respondent, with respect to declaration of the 2nd and 3rd Respondents’ interests in the said companies.
“That the applicant has made demand under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 to the respondents, for the Respondents to produce the Assets and Liabilities Declaration Forms where the 2nd and 3rd Respondents declared their interests in the said Companies, but the Respondents failed, refused and neglected to produce the said documents.
“The applicant submitted that it needed the intervention of the court to compel the 1st and 2nd respondents to grant the request of the Applicant, in accordance with Section 1 (3) of the Freedom of Information Act.”
The applicants predicated their prayers on the ground that they had written letters dated 3rd July, 2023, and 14th August, 2023, requesting the Respondents to produce the said documents but they refused.
“The respondents have failed, refused and neglected to produce the said documents requested from them, contrary to section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011,” the counsel stated.
As public officers, the counsel submitted that the 2nd and 3rd Respondents have statutory obligations to declare in their Asset Declaration Forms, the interests they have in the above stated companies, while assuming their respective offices as Acting Governor and Deputy Governor of the CBN.
NACAT is a non-governmental organisation, a pro-democracy civil society organisation, whose objectives include contributing to the global war against corruption, financial crimes, terrorism and economic sabotage.
Alex Enumah in Abuja
Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Enaholo Ojeifoh has unveiled plans by the government to develop Lithium and other solid mineral mining operations in the State.
This came to the fore at a meeting organized by the Ministry to find lasting solutions to challenges bedeviling Lithium and other Minerals mining in the State.
“The State Government is already working on implementing the agenda enumerated during the last Stakeholders meeting on leasing of Equipment, training of Youth in the mining Business, Power, etc.
Lithium mining is capital intensive, and the State Government wants to know the challenges faced by Miners”, he said.
He harped on the necessity for every Miner to join the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) while pointing out that it has become essential to establish a framework for providing power support to Miners through thorough profiling.
Hon. Enaholo further said, “The State Government’s objective is to foster the growth of the Lithium Industry by establishing a Lithium Processing Plant. There is a plan to convert Gas to power for Industrial Park. We intend to create a framework centered around Lithium Partnerships, leveraging connections with International Companies. Some of these foreign entities are willing to cover investment expenses.
The Government also aims to set up a buying centre for Lithium and other Minerals at very affordable prices. We must have a dialogue on the operational aspect of the system”.
Furthermore, the Commissioner said that Government was prepared to develop a model and explore additional minerals like Kaolin, Gypsum, and Coal. Our limestone reserves can also be utilized for manufacturing high-grade products beyond our current usage.
It’s imperative to establish a power cluster, pinpointing the suitable Local Government area as our power hub. Clear consensus is required regarding the specific metrics and criteria for our power facilities”.
Additionally, the Director of Mining, Mr. Ihianle Omoruyi, stated that the State Government plans to set up a Weighbridge to weigh the quantity of minerals carried by Trucks conveying minerals.
The Chairman of Miners Association of Nigeria, Engr. Micheal Okhumode applauded the Commissioner for his interest in the State’s Mining sector.
He stated that the Miners are ready for partnership but will not allow foreigners to mine directly, stressing that the foreigners will have to partner with the Indigenous Companies and follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
He appealed to the Government to help in equipment leasing, adding that laboratory analysis would help the Miners to know the percentage of each element present in a mineral.
The Chairman suggested nearness to the source of raw materials as regards the base power. He enumerated some Local Government Areas (Akoko Edo, Etsako West) in Edo North, where minerals such as Limestone, Dolomite, Kaolin, Feldspars, and Lithium are present in commercial quantities. He suggested Auchi for the Lithium Processing Plant.
Oyiro Orumen, a representative of the Freedom Group, pointed out that partnerships from Europe are welcome, but they must collaborate with indigenous Miners. He maintained that the indigenous Miners are knowledgeable and have a wealth of experience.
He expressed the belief that the Mineral Analysis Centre will flourish if established in the State, referencing Kaduna State, which owns one of the best analysis centres with high standards.
Another Representative of Freedom Group, Bamikole Segun commended the Commissioner for implementing the agreement reached with the Miners earlier. He said Edo State can take advantage of the Lithium Processing Plant, maintaining that Edo State is blessed with Kaolin that extends from Igueben-Ubiaja, then straight to Benue.
Bamikole further stated that professionals should have a perfect understanding of the mineral formation and that there is an ongoing plan in Freedom Group to set up Weighbridge in the corridors and strategic points in no distant time in Edo State.
The representative of Goopex Company, Osayanmen Rapheal commended the State Government initiative, noting that miners are ready to participate. He said that the faraway miners were ready to join the drive.
The Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Engr. Fatai Jimoh stated that the Commissioner is working hard to offer solutions to the challenges in the state’s mining sector. He called on everyone to develop a model for both the host indigenous miners and those who are entering the sector.
He added that Edo State is blessed with Coal around Ugiamen in Ekpoma axis; the cost of sampling is making miners lose interest in mineral evaluation.
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has said Nigeria still loses 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily to local and international thieves despite efforts to end the menace.
Speaking on Saturday August, 26, the NSA confirmed this in an inspection exercise of presidential delegation to oil and gas facilities at Owaza in Abia and Odogwa in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers on Saturday.
Noting that the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals had impacted negatively on the nation’s economy, he reiterated vandals were partly responsible for the rising cost of living in the country.
“It’s unfortunate that few individuals would steal our common resources, and in the process cause unbelievable loss to both the nation, communities and the people.
“Nigeria has the capacity to produce 2 million barrels of crude daily, but we are currently producing less than 1.6 million barrels due to theft and vandalism of pipelines.
“So, we are talking about 400,000 barrels of crude oil going to waste with few criminals and economic saboteurs not even getting much out of it,” he said.
Further stressing that that the operators of artisanal refineries collect a small quantity of crude oil when they break the pipelines, he mentioned that a larger volumes of oil are spilled on the environment.
“The value of 400,000 barrels of oil today is about 4 million dollars, and every day, we lose this amount because of this irresponsible behaviour.
“If you multiply 4 million dollars by 365 days (one year), you will see that it is a lot of money running into billions of dollars.“Currently, the country is in desperate need of money as the Naira is continuously losing its value because we earn less money.
“We are working hard with the security forces and those employed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to secure our facilities and end this madness called oil theft,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that on the presidential delegation with the NSA were the Minister of Defence, Baduru Abubakar, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.
Others included the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri.
The Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources, Ekperipe Ekpo, and senior management officials of the NNPCL as well as other top security personnel were part of the team
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has urges well-wishers to refrain from placing congratulatory billboards in his honour.
In a statement signed on Sunday, August 27 by the Director of Press, Office of the Minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye said that the minister acknowledged the congratulations and wishes.
Noting that the attention of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been drawn to lamp post billboards, full-scale billboards, and other adverts congratulating him on his appointment as minister, the minister strongly urged that such billboards and advertisements be discontinued forthwith.
According to the”The minister acknowledges the overwhelming goodwill from the residents of the FCT and beyond understands the sentiment behind these congratulatory displays and is genuinely touched by the show of support.
“However, in the spirit of public service and commitment to his responsibilities, the minister wishes to focus his full attention on assisting President Bola Tinubu in realising his vision and renewed hope agenda for Nigeria,” he said.
Ogunleye further said that Wike’s foremost duty lies in contributing to the development and growth of the FCT and the well-being of residents and the nation as a whole.
He added that the minister held in high regard, the aspirations and expectations of the FCT residents, and he remained dedicated to fulfilling his role with utmost sincerity and dedication.
Stating that this can be achieved by concentrating all efforts on the task at hand, he called for a joint efforts with public servants to serve the country to the best of their abilities.
“Wike sincerely hopes that the public will understand his perspective and continue to extend their support and cooperation.“
He looks forward to working hand in hand with all stakeholders to build a stronger, more prosperous, and united FCT and Nigeria,” the director said.
The Ogun State Police Command said it had apprehended a self-acclaimed native doctor, Babatunde Kolawole after he was found with a fresh male corpse in the Ado-Odo Ota area of the state.
In a statement released on Sunday, August 27 by the command spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, said the suspect, who was apprehended by the Amotekun Corps, claimed he was trying to revive the deceased.
According to the statement, “The Divisional Police Officer of Ota Police Station, CSP Saleh Dahiru, has received a report and taken into custody one Babatunde Kolawole, who was caught by members of the Amotekun Corps in Ado-Odo Ota with a fresh male human corpse.
“Preliminary investigations have commenced, and although the suspect did not deny the incident, he claims to be a native doctor who was attempting to revive the deceased.
However, it remains unclear how the suspect obtained the fresh corpse during the late hours of the night.
“So far, no one has come forward to claim the body, and the suspect has not revealed any information about the origin of the corpse. In order to gather more information and solve the case, the corpse was transported to the Ifo General Hospital for an autopsy.
“The Sango Ota Divisional Police Officer is urging members of the community to provide any useful information related to the incident by volunteering information.
“The community members can assist the police in their investigation and help shed light on this disturbing occurrence.”
