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Category: North Central

  • Popular Nigerian Preacher Leads Protest Against Hardship 

    Popular Nigerian Preacher Leads Protest Against Hardship 

    Hunger protest in Jos, plateau state takes a spiritual dimension as popular pastor, El Buba leads protest

     

    General Overseer and President El-buba Outreach Ministries International (EBOMI), Dr Isa El-buba, personally led the August 1st hunger protest in Jos, Plateau state capital, on Thursday.
    El-buba, who is the national coordinator of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), said the protest led by him would be peaceful all through.
    The protesters converged on the Plateau Secretariat overhead bridge as early as 6am from where they headed towards old airport roundabout Jos.
    While addressing the protesters, he highlighted the suffering of Nigerians and asked President Bola Tinubu to reverse “anti-people policies”.
    Buba specifically mentioned the removal of fuel subsidy, high electricity tariff, and high cost of living as some of the worries of the protesters.
    Security operatives were present to guide the protesters and ensure that the protest remained peaceful, Daily Trust reports.
    The Plateau State government had earlier rejected the protest, citing security concerns, but the protesters were undeterred.
    Other protesters also assembled at the British American roundabout in Jos, where most shops were closed in solidarity with the protest.
    The peaceful nature of the protest was a relief to many who had feared violence.
    As of 11am when this report was filed, there was no single incident of violence recorded.

  • Confusion As Wike’s Office Refuses Protest Organiser’s Letter Requesting Use Of Eagle Square

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stirred controversy by refusing to acknowledge a formal request from the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, a key organizer of the upcoming nationwide protests.
    The Take-It-Back group had written to Wike, seeking permission to use Eagle Square in Abuja from August 1 to 10, 2024, for the demonstrations.
    The letter, signed by Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilization for TIB in Abuja, emphasized the necessity of having round-the-clock access to the venue during the protests.
    Despite this, Wike asserted at a town hall meeting with critical FCT stakeholders on Saturday that his office had not received any such letter.
    “No letter was sent to my office requesting to use Eagle Square for the demonstration,” Wike claimed.
    This denial has led to accusations from Adenola, who suggested that the issue could stem from either bureaucratic delays or Wike’s unwillingness to admit receipt of the letter.
    Adding to the dispute, a source disclosed to SaharaReporters on Monday that “Wike’s office refused to acknowledge TIB’s letter requesting use of Eagle Square.”
    This revelation casts doubt on the minister’s earlier statements and has intensified the debate surrounding the protests.
    In a move seen as an attempt to suppress the planned demonstrations, Wike encouraged residents to disregard the protests and instead participate in celebrations with traditional rulers receiving their certificates on August 1.
    He also dismissed the protesters as “faceless,” a characterization that has provoked a strong response from the organizers.
    Adenola, speaking in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, described Wike’s label of “faceless” as a “double insult,” highlighting that the protest leaders are “hungry Nigerians” and “unemployed Nigerians roaming the streets.”
    He stressed, “The greatest motivation of this #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest is hunger.”
    Adenola also clarified that the protest’s demands were formulated through democratic discussions among young Nigerians, reflecting their widespread frustrations.
    He emphasized that the Take It Back Movement is part of a larger coalition, not the sole organizer of the protests.
    “Take It Back is one of the organizers of this protest, but not the only organizer,” he stated, underscoring that the leadership of the protest comes from the collective will of the Nigerian people, not just a single entity.
  • Man Stripped Of Traditional Title For Supporting Nationwide Protests

    Man Stripped Of Traditional Title For Supporting Nationwide Protests

    The District Head of Bosso in Minna Emirate Council in Niger State, Alhaji Mu’azu Adamu Laka Bosso, has relieved one Abdulahi Isah, aka Biodun, of the title: Wakilin Matasan Bosso.
    According to Daily Trust, the traditional title holder was reportedly dismissed for supporting the planned nationwide protests.
    In a letter titled: “Letter of dismissal”, Mu’azu, who did not give the reason for the sack, said: “I hereby write to inform you that you have been dismissed from your title as Youth Leader of Bosso (Wakilin Matasan Bosso) with immediate effect from 28/07/2024. You should no longer call yourself as Youth Leader of Bosso.”
    However, speaking in an interview Tsalle Daya, a Hausa programme on Prestige, the district head said that Biodun was stripped of his title for declaring support for the forthcoming nationwide protest over hardship.
    The district head was cited as saying his domain would not condone any act that would lead to breakdown of law and order.

  • Reps flays FCT ‘park and pay’ policy

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has criticized the “park and pay” system implemented by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    During an interactive session with Chinedum Elechi, the mandate secretary for the transportation secretariat, in Abuja on Wednesday, Mukthar Betara, chairman of the committee, expressed concerns about the policy, highlighting reports of harassment faced by residents and motorists from those enforcing it.

    The FCTA reintroduced the “park and pay” policy in August 2023 following agreements with two concessionaires, aiming to alleviate city congestion and enhance driving conditions. This policy had previously been suspended in April 2014 by a high court ruling that found it unlawful due to lack of legal backing.

    Betara sought details on the reintroduction process, the policy’s authorization, and how fees are remitted to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). In response, Elechi confirmed that the policy is supported by a legal framework and that parking is confined to designated areas.

    “The park and pay are by regulation. We have legal framework. It is part of the way of controlling traffic.

    ” So, under the part and pay, designated areas are meant to be parks. So, it is legal. It is revenue paid through concessionaires.

    According to him, there is usually a ration between the concessionaires and the FCT. So, for areas where we have concessionaires, there is a percentage that goes to the concessionaires.

    ” It is 60 per cent, and 40 per cent goes to FCT. The infrastructure for the work is usually provided by the concessionaire. The revenue goes straight to the revenue account of the FCT, not transportation.”

    The committee chairman queried the mandate secretary about the contract process, asking how the contract was established.

    ” In appointing your concessionaires, what procedure did you follow? How much has been remitted to the FCDA from January to date? Who gave you the approval?” Betara asked.

    Hussaina Olayemi, the director of legal services, transport, explained that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Abuja Investment Company, the FCT organisation responsible for public-private partnerships, were involved.

    “After their involvement, the concession was submitted to the federal executive council, for approval. So, we have the FEC approval,” Olayemi stated.

    The committee criticised the allocation of 60 per cent of revenue to concessionaires while the government receives only 40 per cent.

    Betara demanded clarification on what infrastructure the concessionaires are providing.

    Replying, Elechi stated that the concessionaire is responsible for marking roads.

    However, Mr Betara countered, asserting that no roads in Abuja have been marked by the concessionaire.

    “The way the concessionaires operate in Abuja, they harass people on the streets. I would have advised you people to have given the VIO this concessionaire.

    ”Let them take this up so that the whole revenue will go to FCT. Why are you personalising this for an individual?” Betara said.

  • EFCC Picks New Date For Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment

    EFCC Picks New Date For Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reportedly picked a new date for the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

    The anti-graft agency fixed June 27 for a hearing in the alleged money laundering case instituted by EFCC against Bello at the instance of the anti-graft agency’s lawyers.
    According to Daily Post, the new date was fixed without prior information from the defendant’s lawyers.

    At the resumed hearing on Thursday, counsel to Bello, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that the EFCC lawyers approached Aliyu AbdulWahab, SAN, who is the counsel for the defendant, that the earlier date, June 13 date, would not be convenient for them to proceed and that Wahab had to agree by way of convenience for another date to be set.

    He said he was surprised when he heard that EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo was in court.

    He said, “They (EFCC) agreed that junior counsel would be sent to court today to formally pick a date. And the registry can confirm this. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, the lead counsel, has been calling us to say today is not convenient.”

    However, for the decision of the EFCC to seek an adjournment to a future date for his arraignment, Bello was said to be ready to appear in court on Thursday.

    Adedipe added, “Under 266 ACJA there are instances when defendants don’t need to come and this is one of them.

    “We came here to pick a date. Of what use will the defendant coming here be? It is the prosecuting counsel that approached us, we did not approach them. We have nothing to hide.”

  • Senate passes N98.5bn FCT supplementary budget

    Senate passes N98.5bn FCT supplementary budget

    The Senate on Tuesday, June 11, passed the sum of N98.5billion as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2024.

    The passage of the Bill was a sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate committee on FCT during plenary.

    The Senate had last week stepped down the Bill, saying the details of the budget needed to accompany it.

    The vice chairman of the committee, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu West) presented the report on behalf of the chairman of the Committee Senator Bomai Mohammed (APC-Yobe South) who was absent during the plenary.

    Details shortly…

  • Federal Lawmaker Donates Traditional Well to Residents As Constituency Project

    Federal Lawmaker Donates Traditional Well to Residents As Constituency Project

    A member of the 10th National Assembly representing Bassa/Dekina Federal constituency in the 10th National Assembly, Paul Gowon Haruna has donated a traditional well to his constituency.

    Haruna is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    He is also a former member of the Kogi State Houses of Assembly.

    However, some residents of the constituency have kicked against the project. 

    Sharing pictures with SaharaReporters, one of them said, “This is a project from a House of Representatives member representing Dekina/Bassa Federal constituency, what a shame, not even a mechanised hand pump.”

    Another resident said, “It’s glaring these politicians don’t rate us, a federal lawmaker constructing well and celebrating it as achievement.”

  • Kogi guber: Ododo wins at Tribunal

    The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, Monday, authenticated the election that declared Usman Ododo as the governor of Kogi State.

    In a unanimous judgment by a three-member panel of Justices of the Tribunal, it held that the petitioners failed to prove the allegations contained in their petition in accordance with the law.

    The Social Democratic Party(SPD) annd it’s candidate, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka was challenging Ododo’s election on the ground that it was conducted in gross violation of the electoral law of rigging and vote-buying.

    Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN); Alex Iziyon (SAN) and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), who appeared for INEC, Ododo and APC respectively argued that the petitioners did not list the name of the witness in their proof of evidence and that the witness statement on oath was not front-loaded alongside the petition.

    They also contended that the petitioners served the reports of the witness’ analysis on them 20 minutes before the commencement of the proceedings.

    But Okutepa insisted that the forensic expert was listed on Page 56 of the petition as item 10, adding that his statement was also front-loaded.

  • Murdered Students: Kogi varsity announces three-day mourning

    Murdered Students: Kogi varsity announces three-day mourning

    Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Kogi has initiated a three-day mourning period following the tragic loss of two students to kidnappers.

    Registrar Olufunke Hudson conveyed this somber announcement in a statement released on Sunday.

    The victims, identified as James Michael-Anajuwe and Musa Hussein, were both first-year students studying Information Technology and Software Engineering, respectively.

    They were among the group of students abducted on May 9 while preparing for their upcoming examinations scheduled to commence on May 13.

    Thanks to the concerted efforts of security operatives and local hunters, twenty-one students have been successfully rescued from captivity.

    Ms Hudson said, “It is with deep shock and pain that the management of CUSTECH is mourning our beloved slain students. Consequently, all activities in the university are to be held low-key from May 27 to May 29 in memory of our departed students.”

    The registrar said the university management shared in the grief of the families and colleagues of the deceased students. She urged the parents, other family members, guardians, friends and well-wishers of the deceased students to take solace in God.

    According to her, the state government is intensifying efforts to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining students from their abductors.

    “Governor Usman Ododo is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the students are released safely. We, therefore, urge everyone to remain calm and maintain the peace the state is enjoying,” said the statement.

  • FG To Offer Nigerians 2 Months Free Rides On Abuja Light Rail

    FG To Offer Nigerians 2 Months Free Rides On Abuja Light Rail

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed plans by the federal government to offer Nigerians two months of free rides on the Abuja light rail service.

    Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the ministerial press briefing reviewing the one-year performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Wike disclosed that the Abuja light rail would be commissioned by the President on Monday.

    He added that the free ride would commence on Tuesday after the inauguration on Monday.

    According to Wike, this is part of President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for the residents of the FCT and its environments.

    “For those who are saying that the rail system had already been commissioned, don’t make a mistake. What was earlier commissioned was the building. What we want to commission on Monday is commercial operations.

    “If you are going to the airport, from here to airport is 20 minutes. Seeing is believing. Go on Tuesday. We are going to allow for free rides for two months. You know, Mr. President, he can even say extend it to six months just to reduce the pain of our people. That is renewed hope agenda. When you say something, you do it,” Wike said.