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Neglect threatens Multi-Billion Naira A’Ibom drainage project
The multi Billion Naira pipe jacking drainage project in Akwa Ibom has come under threat due to the inability of the state government to conduct periodic maintenance on the facility.
The N13.6 billion undergeound drainage system in Uyo was built by ex Governor Godswill Akpabio and commissioned by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 to distill flood waters threatening lives, properties and markets at the Itam axis of the state capital.
But the project described as the first of it’s kind in Africa is facing neglect as the channels to the 40metres underground pipes conveying flood waters are being blocked with debris with no noticable government effort to clear them.
Besides, the outflow is beginning to be overgrown with weeds, sand blocking the holes while erosion has eaten deep into the only service and access road to the outfall even as the speed of water into the outfall have reduced due to increasing blockage of the smaller water carrying pipes.
The pipe jacking method according to Julius Berger, had water drainage capacity of about 29m3/s with DN2000 and has improved self-cleansing capability of the pipes but in open drains, however additional manpower was not engaged after the construction to clean them periodically.
Newsmen who visited Ikot Ekan, host community of the underground drainage system on Monday got mixed feeling reactions from the residents of on the wellbeing of the project about 10 years after it was inaugurated.
While they still expressed joy and kudos to state government for the facility which has helped to turn the hitherto water locked area to dry land on one side, they also in another hand, raised concerns that the drains system is being threatened that if urgent steps are not taken could impede the smooth functioning of the facility.
The challenges include poor environmental habit by some of the residents, pedestrians and even motorists who dump empty cans, used sachets and bottles of table water and other refuse into the gutter.
They however maintained that if the facility must continue to function optimally the state government should take steps to clear sand and other refuse from the gutters before it becomes too late.
In the meantime, the state government has said that emphasis would remain on the timely completion of the N14B IBB Avenue drainage project and the distillation of major open drains that has hampered water flow and constituted a risk to lives of residents within Uyo metropolis.
June 22, 2021
NDLEA nabs 244 for drug offences, seizes 600kg of illicit drugs in A’Ibom
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom has said that it has arrested 244 suspects for various drug offences in the last one year.
It also seized 600kg of illicit drugs including Cannabis Sativa, Cocaine, Heroin and Psychotropic substances within the same period.
State Commander of NDLEA, Mrs Obot Bassey, disclosed this during a press briefing marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2021 in Uyo on Monday however said that only 21 of them were convicted.
Obot said out of the 244 suspects arrested 30 were females adding that apart from the 21 convictions secured, 23 cases were pending and were undergoing prosecution at different stages in Courts.
She made a case for efforts to be accorded to the sensitization of youths on the devastating consequences of drug abuse and Illicit trafficking.
“This is beautiful the data for the year under review shows that there is an increase in the number of seizures recorded as compared to 562kg of drug seized between July 2019 and June 2020.” She said.
Obot who said that the consequences of drug abuse could be devastating and damaging to the body organs added that impacts of illicit trafficking could be severe and lead to systemic crimes and violence in the society.
“The consequences of drug abuse comes in various ways. They may be in the form of physical consequences such as health challenges, organ damage or failures, injuries due to accidents, mental challenges due to depression and other psychological dysfunctions.
“The impacts of illicit trafficking are severe. It may lead to systemic crime and violence becoming endemic in affected countries. Traffickers may also attempt to corrupt public officials to protect them from the law.” Obot said.
June 22, 2021
Nigerian Farmers Suffering From Band Hands – Peasant Farmers
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
Farmers in Nigeria are still suffering from bad hands due to the lack of excellent treatment, where they appealed to president Muhammadu Buhari to investigate and find out what is really happening in the hands of those he assigned to implement his administration policies on Agriculture.
In a series on interviews with our correspondent in Kano, the small scale farmers disclosed that Buhari has a good provisions to Nigerian farmers, but all the lapses remained in the hands of those who were given the mandate towards the implementation his policies in Agriculture especially the minister and his lieutenants.
Alhaji Dabo Zaura, from Dawakin Tofa local government area, who is also the chairman of Zaura Tomato growers association said that ” the Honourable Minister of Agriculture Sabo Nanono has failed Nigerian farmers that is why we are backwards despites that Mr. President has provided everything required to boosting production in every crop value chain”. He emphasized.
Similarly, Malam Muhammad Adamu from Rano area said that the federal ministry of Agriculture under Sabo Nanono would continue to disgrace president Buhari because the real farmers were sidelined just in order to retards their production, where he called on the president to change the Minister and replace him with competent person so as to restore everything.
In conclusion, the farmers stated that the minister is responsible for the splits of the All farmers association (AFAN), where he recognised somebody who is not even the member of the association due to his personal interest, adding that ” Nigerian farmers only recognised Architects Kabir Ibrahim as the Authentic AFAN national president in accordance to the association’s constitution”.
June 22, 2021
Siasia’s life ban reviewed by Court of Arbitration

• CANCELS $50,000 FINE IMPOSED BY FIFA
Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia’s life-ban from football for bribery has been reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The Super Eagles legend was initially sanctioned in 2019 by Fifa for agreeing to “receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches.”
Siasia appealed against the ban with football’s governing body and CAS as he denied the charges against him.
CAS “determined the imposition of a life ban to be disproportionate for a first offence which was committed passively and which had not had an adverse or immediate effect on football stakeholders, and that a five-year ban would still achieve the envisaged aim of punishing the infringement committed by Mr Siasia.”
The ban has been backdated to start on 16 August 2019 as the court explained the background to the case.
“In 2010, a match fixer tried to involve Mr Siasia as a coach of a club under his strict instructions,” Cas revealed.
“With the promise of employment benefits, Mr Siasia would have had to always field several players under the control of the match fixer.
“The negotiations between the match fixer and Mr Siasia in relation to the conditions of employment were conducted by email over a period of two months.
“Eventually, the club did not accept or could not afford Mr Siasia’s requests and the negotiations ended.”
The court also cancelled a fine of CHF 50,000 (US$50,000) that had also been part of the sanctions imposed by Fifa.
“(CAS) acknowledged the need for sanctions to be sufficiently high enough to eradicate bribery and especially match-fixing in football.
“However, the Panel considered in the particular circumstances of this matter that it would be inappropriate and excessive to impose a financial sanction in addition to the five-year ban, since the ban sanction already incorporated a financial punishment in eliminating football as a source of revenue for Mr Siasia.
“And considering that Mr Siasia had not obtained any gain or pecuniary benefit from his unethical behaviour.”
A former Nigeria international, Siasia won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and played in Nigeria’s maiden World Cup appearance later at USA 1994. He played over 50 times for the Super Eagles while scoring 16 goals.
June 21, 2021
Sports minister, boxing champion Bash Ali in war of words over alleged N13m extortion
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Sunday Dare has been accused as the most corrupt, incompetent and confused Minister of all time.
World Boxing Champion, Bash Ali who made the accusation in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the sports Minister also alleged that Sunday Dare extorted the sum of N13 million from him.
“I must break the Jinx that you can’t succeed in Nigeria unless you give bribe to government officials. I must mark my words”, Bash exploded and lamented in his letter.

In a swift reaction, the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare who described Bash Ali as Nigeria’s Blackmailer-in-Chief vowed to drag the boxer to Court for defamation.
A statement made available to our correspondent last Sunday by the Minister’s Media Aide, John Joshua Akanji, stated that Bash Ali often seeked to have his way with successive Ministers, and anyone not supportive of his proposed fight becomes a target of blackmail and verbal attacks.
“For Keen followers of the face -off between Bash Ali and the Ministry of Sports, spanning the past 15 years, Bash Ali often seeks to have his way with successive Ministers and anyone not supportive of his proposed fight becoming a target of blackmail and verbal attacks.

“The last four Ministers of Sports, including the current one have not been spared his antics and tirade”, sports Minister’s statement alleged.
But in a formal letter the world boxing champion personally signed and made available to our correspondent, Bash Ali threatened that he’ll shutdown the ministry of sports if the minister failed to return the purported N13miliion with interest he gave out.

The letter which he also sent copies to the Pesident, the Vice President, Chief of Staff, EFCC, ICPC among other relevant government agencies described Sunday Dare as “The most corrupt, incompetent and confused Minister of all time.

“Return with interest,the N13m you extorted from me within 14 day otherwise I’ll shutdown your ministry”, Ali stated.
Contacted, Bash Ali, who further confirmed the allegations, promised to drag the Minister to court over the extortion for failure to comply with his 14 days ultimatum, but promised to issued another statement soon before doing so.

In the letter dated May 31, 2021, addressed to the sports Minister through the permanent secretary’s office, Bash Ali stated that Sports is one of the biggest industries in the world, adding that if well organized Nigeria would earned more revenue for the government.

Also in another letter addressed to the Sports Minister titled: Re: Guinness world record boxing champion fight versus corruption and bad administration in Nigeria: The Sabotage of Nigeria’s Economy”, Bash Ali stated that Dare extorted the money from him using the name of president Buhari.

“I am once again respectfully asking you to refund with interest the N13m you extorted from me in the name of President Muhammadu Buhari, obey President Buhari’s October 15, 2019 directive, keep your November 4, 2019 promised to me, apologize to me for the defamation of character and then resign your position because you are the worst public servant, ever.
“Failure of you to do these within 14 days from the date of the receipt of this letter will result in me shutting down your ministry. This is not a Threat but a Promised.
“I am the only boxer in the world to win a world boxing championship without FIRST boxing as an amateur. I am the most qualified boxer to earn a place in the Guinness World Record (GWR) as the oldest to fight and win a world boxing title.
“No 2 is Evander Holyfield of the United States of America (USA). No 3 is Mike Tyson, USA and no 4 is Roy Jones Jr, USA. Simply put, I am the best Boxer in the world.

“In America, these American boxers are celebrated like Gods but unfortunately, I am a Nigerian in Nigeria, a country where Criminals are celebrated and heroes are relegated to the back burners.
“In 2006, I swore to the Almighty Allah that I will never give any Nigerian official a kobo to realize in Nigeria my ambition to set a GWR and 15 years later, despite facing unlimited Corruption and unprecedented level of bad Administration, I have refused to compromise until you were successful in extorting N13M from me in the name of President Buhari.
“Despite the two inaugurations of the above Local Organizing Committee (LOC) on
November 9, 2006 and January 7, 2014 by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).
“Despite this Project being the first Project approved by Mr no nonsense zero tolerance for corruption and bad administration, President Buhari on assumption of office, despite letters from the FGN through your Ministry to the International Boxing Union that Nigeria is a safe country to host this historic event and that your Ministry will facilitate the quick release of the Fight money.

“Despite a third inauguration (May 21, 2019) of the above LOC by the FGN, despite President Buhari’s October 15, 2019 directive to you to meet with me.

“Despite meeting with me on November 4, 2019 where you begged me to settle out of Court the N28m awarded to me against former Minister Solomon Dalung so you can call for a meeting with the members of the above LOC to discuss how to successfully host in Nigeria the historic Fight.

“Despite extorting N13m from me to settle out of Court, you now made a 360 degrees turn to say the FGN is not and has never been involved in the hosting of this historic event because I turned down your request to share with you and your cohorts 50/50 the Pay Per View Television (PPVTV) Revenue instead of the money going to the FGN,”, Ali revealed.
“Sunday, how can you be the Minister of Youth and Sports and can’t generate a KOBO from Sport for the country? Instead, you prefer to go cap in hand to beg for money from the FGN to run your Ministry and most of the time, you claim you don’t have enough money, so some of the athletes can’t go for competition.
“You kill their dreams. You create more Boko Harams, more armed robbers etc. And because of corruption and bad administration, you try to kill a historic event that will bring Honor, Glory and Financial Growth to Nigeria. Tell Nigerians what event you have in Nigeria that will generate a KOBO for the FGN.

“Sunday, you are also the worst example for Youths to emulate because you are the most corrup, most confused and most incompetent. It is a shame that you are in the cabinet of President Buhari but you do not share his vision for a better country. It is a Shame”, Ali further lamented.
Also in his reaction, the Sports Minister, in the statement retorted that Bash Ali has not only constituted himself into a public nuisance, but his ability to peddle falsehood is worrisome and alarming.
“To stem this tide, the current Minister Mr. Sunday Dare is seeking redress in the court where the former boxer is expected answer to charges of libel, defamation and character assassination”, an allegation Ali could not comprehended when asked.
Minister Dare stated that “Bash Ali had in the past 15 years failed to secure Federal Government approval for his phantom fight with 5 successive Ministers’ refusing to buy into his project which they rightly insisted should be handled by the Nigerian Boxing Board (NBB) of Control.
The Minister said “Bash Alli has been campaigning for support to organise a so called Guiness Book of record fight in Nigeria, an enterprise considered a fraud in some quarters.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development initially constituted a Local Organising Committee to assist in raising funds with the assumption that it would be private sector -driven in 2019.
“According to available information, the fight could cost a staggering 48 Million US Dollars which was not budgeted for by the Federal Government.

“The Ministry had made it clear that its mandate is amateur boxing, while professional boxing is purely a private affair under the purview of the Nigerian Boxing Board of control (NBB OF C) .All entreaties to Bash to liaise with NBB OF C to make his so called record fight a reality has been rebuffed.
“Due to Bash Ali’s incessant intimidation, harassment and false allegations against the moribund LOC members and government officials, the funds for the fight could not be raised. Moreso, the position of government at all material time was to provide a platform where funds can be raised through the private sector to support the fight.
”Following from the above, particularly on the inability of the LOC to raise the required funds for the fight, Bash Ali resorted to blackmail and harassment of government officials to force government to sponsor the said fight. As a result of this development, the Ministry has taken a position not to be involved in any World Guinness Record Fight as proposed by Bash Ali.
“All these had led to continuous intimidation and incessant false allegations from the Boxer against successive Minister of Youth and Sports Development.
His latest antics is the weighty allegation that the Minister took part of the out of court settlement money, an allegation he now has to prove in court.
“Bash Alli over the years had made several baseless allegations against Ministry officials, former and current Ministers regarding the inability of the Ministry to raise funds for this so called project.
“The current Honourable Minister had never asked Bash Alli for a private meeting, neither has President Buhari directed the Ministry to host the fight as alleged by the boxer.
“Finally, and for the avoidance of doubt,it must be affirmed that Mr. Bash Ali has no case against the Ministry. Moreover, the said fight is a professional bout and does not fall under the purview of the Ministry which supervises only amateur sports.
“While the Ministry was trying to assist Bash Ali to stage the Boxing event which is a private sector driven project, it is important to state that at no time did the Ministry proposed to sponsor or finance the project,” the minister stated.
June 21, 2021
Fire guts Osun state Police Commissioner’s house in Abeokuta.
By Richard Ayinde, Osogbo.
The Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode’s house in Abeokuta, Ogun State was on Sunday night engulfed in an inferno where properties worth millions of naira were destroyed completely.
According to Osun State Command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Opalola Yemisi Olawoyin in a press statement she made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Monday, the fire which started at about 1800hrs of yesterday 20th June, 2021 lasted for about two hours before it was put off through the efforts of fire fighter.
The CP, while thanking the Almighty God that no life was lost nor injury sustained during the inferno, thanked all who have contributed in one way or the other to ensure the fire was put off as the family still counting their loss.
The entire State Police Command appreciates His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, CP Eward Ajogun Awolowo, Area Commander Abeokuta metropolis and everyone for sympathizing with the Commissioner of Police.
The Officers and men of Osun State Police Command commiserate with the CP and the entire family and described the incident as unfortunate and pathetic. It is the Command prayer and hope that, the Almighty God replenish the loss in hundred folds, the statement concluded.
June 21, 2021
Governor Lalong, IGP Alkali Baba Commission Security Patrol Cars/Motorcycles
Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Alkali Baba on Monday 21st June 2021 joined Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the premises of the New Government House in Rayfield Jos to inaugurate 50 new patrol vehicles and 200 security motorcycles procured by the Government of Plateau State.
Governor Lalong described the event as a momentous occasion that is aimed at boosting the capacity of security agencies in the State towards tackling criminal activities and resurging attacks on innocent citizens.
He said “to a very large extent and without sounding immodest, we have made giant strides in restoring peace in Plateau State by bringing down the level of insecurity and restoring confidence of the citizens as well as attracting investors, visitors and tourists who continue to troop into the State in large numbers. However, we have also realised that while we consolidate on the peace, the crises merchants are not sleeping as their source of business has been obstructed due to the actions we have put in place to restore stability. Therefore, they are restless and trying various methods to breach the peace.”
Lalong said these criminals have in recent times resorted to isolated attacks in various communities which are carried out in a hit-and-run fashion. In the last two years, such cases were recorded in Kulben, Mangu LGA; Kwatas in Bokkos LGA; Foron in Barkin Ladi LGA; Kwall in Bassa LGA; and recently in Dong in Jos North and Kwi in Riyom LGA among others. While some of the perpetrators have been arrested, others are still at large.
While commending the security agencies for doing their best to tackle such attacks and other criminal activities, he expressed deep concern over the inability to prevent isolated killings or arrest the perpetrators in some cases. He told the police and other security agencies that he does not want to hear unknown gunmen again in Plateau State
Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Alkali Baba in a remark commended Governor Lalong for his efforts at restoring peace and security in Plateau State and also consolidating it with the acquisition of vehicles and providing other logistic requirements for the police and other security agencies.
He assured that more police personnel will soon be recruited to boost the manpower of the force while the training of the personnel is also being accorded serious attention.
Gbong Gwom Jos Da Jacob Gyang Buba appreciated Governor Lalong for his continued support to security agencies, assuring that the traditional rulers will always give maximum support to all security agencies by mobilising their subjects to gather intelligence.
Over 3,000 Plateau State Joint Civilian Operatives personel were unveiled by the Governor. The IGP also advised them to be involved in intelligence gathering and also pass the same to the security agencies.
SEE PHOTOS;
June 21, 2021
BREAKING: DSS Releases Kano Singer Detained For Blasphemy
The Department of State Services (SSS) has released an Islamic singer, Ahmad Abdul, arrested for releasing a blasphemous song.
Abdul was arrested for releasing the uncensored song titled ‘Barhama Gwaska’, perceived as blasphemous and capable of creating chaos in the State.
Confirming the release on Monday, the Executive Secretary of Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, Ismaila Na’abba Afakallah, said he had received hundreds of petitions against the song from concerned citizens.
Afakallah said he reported the singer to the SSS which later arrested him at a hotel where he had been hiding for days so as to save him from mob.
He added that the singer was reunited with his family after spending days in custody.
“He has been released as he regretted and apologized over his offence, promising not repeat it again,” said Afakallah.
On why the board did not arraign him before a court of law, Afakallah said, “We are not after arraigning people, we just want to see them repenting and rehabilitating. He has already regretted and apologised over the crime he committed.”
This is not the first time that people would be caught in controversy over songs perceived as blasphemous.
In August last year, an upper Sharia Court in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area of the state sentenced on Yahaya Sharif-Aminu to death, after finding him guilty of releasing and circulating a blasphemous song via WhatsApp.
The judgement was however quashed High Court of Kano on January 21, 2021.
June 21, 2021
Oil Spillage: High Court Awards N82bn Damages Against NNPC
The Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded the sum of N82 billion as general damages against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited over oil spillage, in Ibeno Community within Ibeno LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
Delivering judgment, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, ordered the oil corporations, to pay the sum in 14 days, or pay eight percent of the sum, per annum.
Justice Taiwo had earlier struck out ExxonMobil from the list of defendants, on account of being an American registered company, leaving the NNPC and Mobil producing Nigeria Unlimited.
The court held that the oral and documentary evidence produced by Mobil, was not helpful in their case, describing them as serving pre-determined assets.
According to Justice Taiwo, the action of Mobil is a clear violation of section 11 of the oil pipeline act that makes it mandatory for the oil companies to monitor and fix defective pipelines.
June 21, 2021
JUST IN: UAE Reinstates Ban on Nigerian flights
The United Arab Emirates, UAE, has again announced indefinite suspension of flights from Nigeria to Dubai.
This is coming barely 48 hours after the UAE announced that it has finally lifted the ban on travels between Dubai and Nigeria.
Dubai had placed a ban on travelers from Nigeria, South Africa based on breach of Covid-19 protocols.
UAE in a message from the Dubai Media Office announced that passengers from Nigeria are expected to ” provide a negative result for a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure.” resumption of flights to Nigeria, Emirates.
The authorities also initially fixed Wednesday, June 23, 2021, for resumption of flights to Nigeria.
However, in a statement on its website on Monday, the airline said the UAE made a U-turn with a new travel update indicating that Lagos and Abuja flights would no longer resume on Wednesday as earlier announced.
“In line with government directives, passenger flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) are suspended with effect from 21 June 2021 until further notice.
“Customers travelling to and from Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted for travel. Customers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not permitted to board from any other point to the UAE.
“We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking.
“Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow,” the statement said.
June 21, 2021