The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), has condemned the harassment and molestation of officials of the Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT).
Officials of the Development Control department were manhandled recently by individuals and organisations while carrying out their lawful duty.
Dr. Chime Ogbonna, the institute’s president, condemned the act when he visited the department’s director, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, in Abuja on Monday.
Ogbonna recalled the recent incident in Lugbe, where the operational vehicle of the department was vandalised and some of the officials manhandled by unidentified security personnel.
The President, who said he was in the office to commiserate with the director over the incident, added that the institute would no longer tolerate such acts.
He cautioned individuals and organisations against future occurrences, threatening that perpetrators would face appropriate legal action.
Responding, Galadima thanked the Institute for their support and disclosed that the FCTA was investigating the matter for justice to be served.
According to him, the incident highlights concerns about the safety and well-being of development control staff.
“This underscores the need to respect and protect professionals carrying out their statutory duties. “
The Yobe government on Monday opened tenders for consultancy services for the development of a comprehensive roadmap on the state’s solid minerals sector.
Alhaji Kaigama Umar, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Solid Minerals declared the bidding open in Damaturu.
Uma said the tender which was advertised on The Nations and Daily Independent newspapers had commenced from January 13 in line with the Procurement Act.
The commissioner listed Ahila Technology Ltd, I Focus Consultant Ltd, Dotnet Technologies Ltd, Pathing-Ways Mapping Ltd and MaxlockNig and Partners Ltd as the only companies that indicated interest and submitted their bids.
Umar said that the state was rich in solid minerals but like most states relied on federal allocations which made it difficult to achieve its goals.
He said to address the issue, the state aimed to generate local resources to complement federal allocations.
The commissioner said that the submitted documents would be reviewed by the technical section and then forwarded to the Bureau for Public Procurement for final evaluation.
He added that firms would be evaluated based on their financial capability, technical expertise and past experience among other.
Malam Hamza Saidu, the Managing Director of Yobe State Investment Company Limited, said that the state was currently focusing on developing its solid minerals sector to provide employment, increase revenue, and establish itself as a key player in Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.
“The state government has records of mineral resources like limestone, gypsum, iron ore, and others. But seeks to update its data on chemical composition, industrial applications, and production reports to attract partnerships and investments,” he said.
Mr Joel Duku of Maxlock Nig, who spoke on behalf of other companies commended the Yobe government for adhering to the Procurement Act, describing the process as a best practice adopted globally.
Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger says that a 2 million dollars poultry farm will be constructed in Bosso Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Umaru-Bago said this on Friday in Maikunkele, the headquarters of the LGA during an engagement with the stakeholders in continuation of his state wide projects monitoring tour.
Governor Bago, who did not state the size and capacity of the farm, said the construction of the poultry was in line with the livestock development initiative of the Federal Government, with Niger as a pilot state.
The governor, who enumerated the numerous road projects ongoing in the area, enjoined the people to continue to support his administration to ensure its success.
He urged those whose properties were affected in road constructions to show understanding and move away from the properties to speed up the projects.
He assured them that the would be fully compensated.
Umaru-Bago, who observed the increasing population in Bosso LGA, said a General Hospital will be built there to decongest the one in Minna and promised to fix electricity challenges in Kodo.
He applauded the senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sen. Mohammed Musa, for his good work for the people of his constituency.
He said a mini stadium and a skills acquisition centre would be constructed by the senator in the LGA and that 20 people from the area would benefit from his scholarship in Singapore.
He also appreciated the member representing Bosso/Paikoro Federal Constituency, Baraje Kure, for his support to the developmental strides of his administration.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, called for the continuous support from the people of Bosso LGA and assured them of the commitment of the Bago-led administration in meeting their aspirations.
Musa commended the governor, emphasising that his administration had prioritised the welfare of the people of the area.
He said this was especially in its agricultural policy as it had been designated a Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone.
He said this would create direct and indirect jobs with positive implications for the wellbeing of the people of the area.
Similarly, Kure said he would support the government’s efforts with N1 billion, provide fertiliser and other farm inputs to farmers.
Lead counsel Hassan Liman emphasized that the investigation was not a legal trial but a fact-finding mission.
He noted that ample time had been given for Tambuwal to testify, but his absence persisted.
The Commission’s chairman, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, confirmed the decision to end public hearings, citing over a year of proceedings and no further grounds for delays.
Witnesses have been given 14 days to submit written responses to outstanding memos, with 10 days for replies, before the inquiry formally concludes.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has confirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
On Friday, a three-judge panel upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the Abure-led leadership.
The court also validated the March 2024 convention held in Nnewi, which established Abure’s leadership.
This ruling ensures the Labour Party under Abure retains its legal rights as a registered political organization. Further updates are expected.
The court further declared that any action that is taken outside of its jurisdiction is void. Because Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the Federal High Court’s October 8, 2024, judgment without jurisdiction, it was declared ineffective, and the court struck it out.
The Appeal Court upheld its earlier ruling on November 13, 2024, which said that “Abure remains National Chairman of the Labour Party,” by dismissing the lawsuit.
On Friday, Annet Günther, the German ambassador to Nigeria, opened 1,900 resettlement homes and an ICT (information and communications technology) center for the survivors in Borno’s Monguno Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that the two projects were built by the international partners in collaboration with the Borno and the German government.
Speaking at the inauguration, Günther commended Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno for the initiatives which she said would have great impact on communities affected by insurgency.
“This housing project is a shining example of collaboration between the Borno State Government and international partners.
“Funding for the housing units comes from both the state government and international donors,” the German ambassador said.
Also speaking, Elsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Country Representative, said the projects align with UNDP’s regional stabilisation efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Lake Chad region.
Earlier, Zulum stated that the housing estate consists of 1,000 Two-Bedroom Low-cost houses and 900 Sese-Permanent Shelters.
The governor said that the houses would be distributed to 1,874 households selected from 18 communities who had been living in IDP camps for years.
Zulum said that the German government funded the construction of 500 permanent housing units in 2020 and added 900 semi-permanent shelters in 2023.
Monguno LGA ICT Centre, Borno state
According to him, the Borno government built another 500 houses and provided complementary amenities such as a health centre and solar-powered boreholes.
“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed in 2020 under the RS German Initiative to kick-start the construction of 500 houses.
“In 2023, another LOA was signed under the RSF German reintegration funds, enabling the completion of the 500 housing units, 900 semi-permanent shelters, and the installation of 375 solar streetlights,” the governor said.
He added that the efforts would support the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of IDP camps in Monguno, enabling smoother reintegration of displaced families in their ancestral homes.
Zulum expressed gratitude to the Governments of Germany, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt, and the European Union for their continued support, as well as to UNDP for its unwavering partnership in stabiliSing the region.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud; Sen. Mohammed Monguno; the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Esty Sotyoko; and Mathew Alao, head of the UNDP office in Maiduguri.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents of Monguno also attended the event
There is a disease outbreak in Rivers State that is suspected to be cholera which has killed nine persons in Andoni and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.
Dr Ada Oreh, the state Commissioner for Health, confirmed the development on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
She said that three deaths occurred in Andoni, while six others were recorded in Akuku-Toru, with 41 suspected cases currently under monitoring across the two areas.
“We urge the public not to panic, as the state government has already implemented measures to contain this outbreak,” Oreh said.
The commissioner noted that health officials were conducting tests to determine definitively whether the deaths were caused by cholera.
She, however, said: “The symptoms observed align with the surveillance case definition for the disease.
“The ministry is also investigating a suspected outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea caused by cholera in the Isiodun community in Andoni LGA.
“The symptoms analysed are consistent with cholera.”
According to Oreh, the bacteria responsible for cholera thrives in environments lacking access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and hygienic conditions.
She said that the bacteria could be transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water or food and contact with infected surfaces.
“Rivers is particularly prone to outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera during the dry seasons.
“This poses significant public health challenges due to the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with such outbreaks.
“The ministry, in collaboration with its partners and the authorities in Andoni LGA, has activated emergency response measures.
“Our rapid response team has also been deployed to the affected areas to enhance disease surveillance, strengthen case detection in health facilities, and supply essential supplies to the communities,” Oreh stated.
Oreh said the response team had distributed oral rehydration solutions, intravenous fluids, and vital medicines to health centres in the affected areas.
She advised residents to practice frequent hand washing with soap and clean water, particularly before eating and after using the toilet.
Oreh also urged them to drink only boiled or chorine-treated water to ensure safety.
The Abia State Government has approved an increase in the monthly payments for traditional rulers in the state.
Traditional leaders will now receive between N250,000 and N350,000, with an extra N100,000 added for members of the Traditional Rulers Council at the state and local levels.
This decision was announced on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, following a State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.
He said the government aims to honor traditional rulers and promote the state’s culture.
Additionally, the government is working on updating its 30-year development plan to address current economic conditions.
A State Economic Team will soon be inaugurated to handle the re-basing process, which involves adjusting the economy’s base year to reflect updated prices.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has pledged harmonious relationship with the executive arm of government.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe (APC- Oshodi/Isolo I) ,made the pledge in an interview with journalists on Monday in Lagos.
Mr. Ogundipe made the pledge following the impeachment of Mr Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on Monday.
A total of 32 out of the 40 lawmakers ,at an emergency plenary, impeached Obasa via voice votes over alleged gross misconduct.
The Assembly subsequently elected and swore in Deputy Speaker ,Mrs Mojisola Meranda (APC-Apapa I) to replace Obasa.
The House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Olalekan Onafeko,indefinitely during the plenary.
Ogundipe said under the new Speaker, the Assembly would ensure the executive arm of government ,led by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,, enjoy the support of the legislature.
The lawmaker said a good relationship between the executive and legislature was necessary to achieve the development goals of the current administration in the state.
According to him, the new Speaker has shown commitment and passion to collaborate with other arms of government, especially the executive, for the success of the administration .
“Today, there was a change of leadership in the Lagos State House of Assembly as the former Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, was removed and his former deputy ,Mrs Mojisola Miranda ,was elected as new Speaker.
“There is no division in the House over the development .All members have pledged allegiance to the new Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda , and she has since settled down in office.
“She has assured of legislature’s harmonious working relationship with the executive and that all hands must be on deck to ensure continued development of the state,” Ogundipe said.
Aminu Dan’Agundi, a kingmaker in Emir Ado Bayero’s cabinet says the faction will appeal the recent Court of Appeal judgement.
Alhaji Aminu who is senior to the contending emir made the state state in relation to the suit regarding the Kano Emirship.
In ruling on the matter, the Appeal Court said the Federal High Court, Kano does not have the powers to interfere in the matter, a judgement welcomed by Kano State Government.
“This ruling validates the government’s lawful actions and clarifies jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, reinforcing the constitutional boundaries of courts in such affairs,’’ said Mr Haruna Dederi the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
However, addressing newsmen in Kano on Sunday, Dan’Agundi said he had instructed his legal team to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling at the Supreme Court.
He cited errors in the interpretation of the ruling on the side of government which backs Emir Muhammad Sunusi II for the throne.
He said it was wrong for the Appeal Court to interpret the case as a chieftaincy matter rather than a fundamental human rights violation.
Dan’ Agundi said he was not contesting the constitutional power of the Kano State House of Assembly to enact or repeal laws but that the Kano Emirate Council Law 2024 (Repeal) did not follow due process.
He said as a kingmaker in the Emirate Council he should have been accorded a fair hearing before the emirate council law was repealed.
“I went to the Federal High Court Kano to challenge the Kano State Government’s decision.
“After hearing from all the parties, the trial judge, Justice AM Liman, assumed jurisdiction to hear our case on merit.
“While delivering its judgment, the Appeal Court heavily relied on Supreme Court citation on Emir of Muri’s case, upholding that any issue relating to chieftaincy affairs has to go back to State High Court.
“But our case and that of Emir of Muri are different.
“Since the Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain our case, there is nothing I can do than to appeal the judgement,” he said.
He said challenging the Appeal Court verdict meant that all actions regarding the Emirship be suspended pending the Supreme Court’s final judgment.
