Category: News

Gunmen targeted the Adamawa State Police Headquarters in Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area, during the early hours of Wednesday, causing panic among Yola residents. Although the attack was successfully repelled, the identities of the assailants remain unknown, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje.

While the police have not confirmed the motive behind the attack, sources suggest it may be linked to a perceived retaliation by military personnel. There are claims that the gunmen were military personnel seeking revenge for the alleged killing of one of their own by the police. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the attack and identify the individuals involved.

In a recent incident, a faceoff occurred between officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel at the Kaduna Zonal Command of the anti-graft agency. The NAF personnel reportedly attempted to release colleagues arrested by EFCC operatives for allegedly trying to forcibly release fraud suspects.

The EFCC had arrested five suspects for alleged internet-related fraud activities. Following the operation, six military personnel, four from the Air Force and two students of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, attempted to release the detained suspects. The EFCC exercised restraint and engaged in discussions with NAF leadership to resolve the matter peacefully.

However, on November 17, 2023, unruly NAF officers reportedly stormed the Kaduna Command in a commando-style operation to forcibly release their detained colleagues. The EFCC, emphasizing its commitment to its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, eventually released the detained officers to the NAF Provost after due profiling. The Commission assured the public of its dedication to carrying out its statutory responsibilities without hindrance.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed that the Federal Government needs $35 billion to initiate the construction of concrete roads across Nigeria. During discussions with the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaib Audu, the ministers deliberated on the coordination and cooperation necessary for executing the Federal Government’s action plans for national development.

Umahi highlighted that the Ajaokuta steel company, currently inactive, would contribute 16% of the steel materials required for the construction of concrete roads. The proposed funding would involve a partnership with a commercial bank, subject to approval by the federal executive council.

“We need about $35 billion to start. If we start waiting for FG, it might become difficult. We did an analysis on the Return on Investment, and the profit we could have made, part of it will go to bank interest. We are looking at a partnership with a commercial bank, but the Federal Executive Council has to endorse it,” said Umahi.

The ministers agreed to synergize and strategize on tapping into the opportunities presented by the Ajaokuta Steel Plant for the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria. Umahi assured the Minister of Steel Development of his support to enhance the potentialities of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

Emphasizing the importance of the initiative, Minister Audu expressed hope that it would provide economic growth, generate revenue, and create numerous job opportunities in Nigeria. He stated, “We are to achieve three things: create job opportunities for Nigerians, ensure that the corridor around the North Central Zone and the Ajaokuta-Warri axis is busy with activities, and restart the plant within the shortest possible time.”

This strategic move aligns with the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and job creation, with the Ajaokuta Steel Plant playing a crucial role in supplying materials for the envisioned concrete road projects.

In a significant move, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has revoked 1,633 mineral titles that were previously granted to non-compliant mining companies.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. The revocation of these mineral titles was attributed to the failure of the holders to fulfill the obligation of paying mandatory annual service fees, set at N1,500 per cadastral unit.

Minister Alake detailed the breakdown of the revoked titles, which included Exploration Licences (536), Quarry Licences (279), Small Scale Mining Licences (787), and Mining Leases (31). He emphasized that this action aligns with the authority vested in him by the NMMA 2007, Section 5 (a), and stated, “I have approved the revocation of the 1,633 titles.”

Further details on this development are expected to follow soon.

By Anne Azuka

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has tasked members of the National Youths Service Corps deployed to the state on honest service and transparent commitment towards contributing their quota to the sustainable development of the State and indeed the country.

Oborevwori gave the charge on Tuesday during the Formal Closing Ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘C’ Stream 1 Orientation Course for Corps members deployed to Delta State at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State.

The governor who was represented at the ceremony by the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Tonukari Johnbull urged Corps Members to endeavour to make a difference by seizing innumerable opportunities lying dormant around them and waiting for someone like them to initiate the changes.

Oborevwori therefore, assured them that the State Government and the good people of the State believe in rewarding excellence, honesty and selfless service to the State and humanity in general.

The governor who declared the Batch ‘C Stream I Orientation Course for
members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to Delta State formally closed urged Corps members to feel at home wherever they posted them for primary assignment.

According to Oborevwori, through the MORE agenda of this administration, youths will be given special attention as we are determined to arming them through skill acquisition, enhanced learning to groom them towards becoming responsible leaders of tomorrow.

“My administration is youth friendly and we will engage them in various ways to ensure they come on board to help create a promising future where they will be proud to belong.

” Do not engage in frivolous travels, which often pose dangers through accidents”, the governor stressed.

Earlier, the NYSC Delta State Coordinator, Mr. Alao Olusegun Olaosebikan has expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for his support to the NYSC, assuring him of their loyalty in projecting the positive image of the State.

Alao stated, “today, we gather to celebrate the successful completion of the 2023 Batch ‘C’Stream 1 Orientation Course for Corps members deployed to Delta State”.

NYSC Coordinator urged Corps members to go forth with humility, render rewarding service to their host communities, be exemplary teachers, and positively impact the lives of their pupils and students.

In a significant development, former Minister of Interior and seasoned Senator, Abba Moro, has been appointed as the Senate Minority Leader. The announcement came during Tuesday’s plenary session, with Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio making the appointment public. The decision to zone the Senate Minority Leader position to the North-Central was previously agreed upon by lawmakers in the Peoples Democratic Party, aiming to ensure fairness and equity. Abba Moro, hailing from Benue State in the North Central region, assumes this crucial role in the Senate.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo

In fulfilment of his campaign promises of enhancing educational development in Akwa Ibom, Governor Umo Eno has commenced disbursement of N100 million Education Trust Fund to Persons Living with Disability in the state.

He has also released funds for onward disbursement of bursary to all Akwa Ibom state students in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

At the brief ceremonies yesterday in Uyo, Education Commissioner, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet who presented persons with disability in undergraduate programmes with cheques of N250,000 each while the beneficiaries in post graduate programmes recieved cheques of N300,000 lauded Eno for the massive investments in the education sector over the last six months.

“I am humbled and delighted, the Governor has been here for only few months and we have been blessed massively in the education sector.I want to thank Governor Umo Eno for the remodelling of schools, CKS is at 95 percent completion stage, there’s also another school flagged off in Eket.

“Today, even entrepreneurs have benefited as tailors have been contracted to sew school uniforms for school children.” Etiebet added.

The commissioner charged the benefiting students to reciprocate the gestures of the Governor by studying hard to emerge with spectacular results and thanked him for keeping to the promises he made during the campaign by paying bursary to students.

She also warned the recipients to desist from diverting the funds into extravagant and needless expenses, insisting that the money be channeled strictly to scholarship.

“The money for the bursary payment to all Akwa Ibom Students, is in a designated account newly opened for disbursement and the money will be disbursed digitally, with 10,000 Naira going to each student.” She said.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Dr Frank Ekpenyong explained the modalities set up so far to enable students register effectively via bursary.akwaibomstate.gov.ng.

Ekpeyong further explained that some institutions have provided Application Programming Interface (API) to aid the process which will last for the next six month.

In a goodwill message, state Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAD ) and Director of Administration, State Secondary Education Board, Mr Effiong Tom, thanked the Governor for listening to the plights of disabled persons, stating that the support would further motivate other disabled persons to seek admissions into institutions of learning.

Personal Assistant to the Governor on Persons with Disability,Ubong Ikpe and President, National Association of Akwa Ibom Students, NAAKISS, Ubong Ekwere, both commended the Governor for keeping his promise to prioritize the education sector and for also approving bursary, scholarships as well as remodelling of schools across the state.