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Category: Politics

  • Police clear gridlock on Third Mainland Bridge as residents protest Oworonshoki demolition

    Police clear gridlock on Third Mainland Bridge as residents protest Oworonshoki demolition

    Says CP Jimoh directed the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd

    Residents of Oworo turned out in large numbers, early on Monday to protest the decision of the state government to carry out massive demolition of their houses without adequate notice or compensation, leaving many families displaced.

    The Police Command in Lagos State says normalcy has been restored on the 3rd Mainland Bridge following a protest staged by residents of Oworo over demolitions in their area.

    The command Deputy spokesperson, DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

    He said that the protesters had blocked the section of the bridge near Iyana Oworo Bus Stop, obstructing movement from the Island to the Mainland.

    Oluseyi said that upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police(CP), Mr Olohundare Jimoh, swiftly moved to the scene alongside detachments of the Mobile Police Force, Tactical Units, and Police Mobile Force personnel.

    “His presence was to ensure immediate engagement, de-escalation, and the protection of lives and property.

    “CP Jimoh personally interfaced with the protesters in a bid to understand their grievances and persuade them to vacate the bridge, ” he said.

    The image maker said that when the commissioner appeal failed and the road remained blocked, he ordered the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd.

    “Despite his appeals, the protesters remained adamant, resulting in continued blockage of the busy route and worsening the distress of commuters, including reports of sick individuals trapped in traffic who required urgent medical attention.

    “In the interest of public safety and to avert further breakdown of law and order, CP Jimoh directed the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd.

    “Barricades erected by the protesters were dismantled, traffic obstructions were cleared, and the free flow of vehicles was restored without any loss of life, ” the spokesperson said.

    According to Oluseyi, the command reassures the public of its neutrality and unwavering commitment to maintaining law, order, and peace across the state.

    He called on residents to always channel their grievances through lawful means while assuring that the police remained dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens.

  • Hoodlums attack Malami in Kebbi

    Hoodlums attack Malami in Kebbi

    A crowd suspected to be hoodlums, have attacked the convoy of the former Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in Birnin Kebbi.

    Malami’s convoy was attacked on Monday while returning from a condolence visit in the state capital.

    Subsequently, the Police Command in the state says it has begun investigation into the reported attack on the convoy of the former minister.

    Malami resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on July 2 and later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    After an emergency security meeting with security chiefs, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Bello Sani, confirmed that no arrest had been made.

    “We have commenced investigation into the attack, and no arrest has been made yet. The governor convened this meeting to review security developments,” Sani said.

    He added that incidents occurred around the GRA area involving political party members, linked to breaches of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) campaign regulations.

    The commissioner stated that leaders of political parties would be summoned and cautioned against further violations of electoral guidelines.

    He stressed that the measures aimed to prevent further violence as the elections draw nearer.

    The commissioner also urged political leaders to remain calm and sustain peace and stability in the state.

  • Reintroduce Arts, Culture Ministry: Festival organisers urge KDSG

    Reintroduce Arts, Culture Ministry: Festival organisers urge KDSG

    Organisers of the 8th Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) have urged the Kaduna State Government to reintroduce the Ministry for Arts and Culture which served as a tool of social transformation.

    Recall that in 2019, former Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i had  issued an Executive Order that restructured the State’s Ministries including abolishing the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, under which Culture previously fell.

    The ministry was replaced by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, effectively reducing the status of culture to a Department within a broader portfolio.

  • N104,000 monthly pay for Imo workers

    N104,000 monthly pay for Imo workers

    The state’s doctors’ pay was also raised from N215,000 to N503,000, while that of tertiary institution teachers went up from N119,000 to N222,000

    It’s a bumper season in Imo as Gov. Hope Uzodimma approves a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants in the state.

    Uzodimma made this known during a meeting with various labour union leaders on Tuesday night at the Government House in Owerri.

    The current value represents a 84.2 percent increase from N76,000 that was the minimum wage previously approved by the governor.

    Similarly, the minimum wage of doctors was raised from N215,000 to N503,000, while that of tertiary institution teachers went up from N119,000 to N222,000, among others.

    He said Imo citizens had faced numerous challenges since his government took office, including insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardship from reform policies, and disputes over minimum wage and subsidy removal.

     “There is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organised labour.

    “When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows.

    “This is our way of investing in Imo people. Government believes in stimulating political and economic activities, carrying bureaucrats along, and making sure that workers’ welfare was highly respected,” he said.

    Uzodimma said that the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had grown from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly.

    According to him, in 2020, we were receiving allocations between N5 billion to N7 billion, but has increased to N14 billion.

    “In 2020, the state recorded a debt profile of over N280 billion but has reduced to less than N100 billion,” he added.

    The governor recalled that when he assumed office in 2020, the major infrastructure in all sectors were totally collapsed.

    He said a lot had been expended to rebuild the collapsed infrastructure especially roads and combating the insecurity challenges.

    He stressed that the removal of fuel subsidy had equally raised the cost of living in Nigeria as much as it had its own advantages.

    “It is a thing of joy that we have started seeing the dividends of that bold decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy.

    “What government is confronted with now is how to ensure that the dividends of that policy trickles down to the common man on the street.

    “Cognisant of the fact that our effort has started yielding dividends and that our IGR had improved and that reform policies of the President has also increased our allocations to sub-national governments, every responsible government must be transparent about it,” he said.

    The governor further said that the state government will on Aug. 27, begin  payment of the last batch of gratituity of N16 billion owed pensioners in the state.

    He said his administration had carried out major reforms in the health sector, including initiating health insurance scheme and equipping health facilities to ensure world class treatment for Imo citizens.

    He said his government had keyed into the Federal Government project of establishing 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward.

    He charged labour unions to unite to foster good working relations between labour and government,

    Uzodimma, who solicited for value addition from workers, also cautioned them against unethical practices and redundancy at work.

    Responding, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Uchechigemezu Nwigwe described the increase in minimum wage in the state as “victory for the entire work force in the state.”

    Nwigwe said Uzodimma did not only rescue the workers from the economic challenges, but had made the state one of the highest in payment of minimum wage.

    “Today, no worker in Imo will say you (Uzodimma) have not been fair to us,” he noted.

    Nwigwe prayed God to continue to protect the governor, assuring him that workers will reciprocate the gesture with more diligent, efficient and effective service.

    Also speaking, the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Mr Uchenna Ibe, also lauded the governor for his “strong political will in taking up strong projects, including the increase in minimum wage.”

  • Kaduna Guvnor cautions APC, says grassroots, not social media win elections

    Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has cautioned All Progressives Congress (APC) members against relying on social media propaganda, stressing that elections are not won on X, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.

    He made the remark on Monday during an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna, following the party’s victory in Saturday’s bye-election.

    Sani said while the opposition focused on “X battles and Facebook noise,” the APC concentrated on grassroots mobilisation, inclusivity, and effective governance, which delivered the party’s electoral success.

    “There is no ballot box on Twitter. There is no ballot box on Instagram or Facebook. Elections are won at the grassroots, not online,” he stressed.

    The governor insisted that propaganda could never secure electoral victory, adding that only governance, inclusivity, and people-centred policies could sustain the APC in power.

    “Our opponents fought a propaganda battle, but we fought a political battle. They lost because the people know who truly works for them,” he declared.

    Sani told stakeholders that Saturday’s victory was historic, especially in communities where the APC had never won since 1999, attributing it to deliberate investment in rural empowerment and agriculture.

    “Before now, some communities never voted for our party. Today, they stood with us because they saw inclusivity. We defended everyone, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or party,” he said.

    He noted that Kaduna had reclaimed over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmlands and emerged a leader in maize, tomato, and ginger production, boosting farmers’ livelihoods.

    According to him, agricultural policies supported by strong budgetary allocations had restored hope to rural dwellers, proving that grassroots voters are the people who truly matter.

    Sani also urged party leaders not to abandon the APC manifesto, warning that 2027 success depended on maintaining close ties with communities.

    “Party first, politics second. We must not neglect our wards and councils. If we remain with the people, no party can defeat us,” he stated.

    APC State Chairman, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (rtd.), commended the governor’s inclusive leadership style and praised stakeholders for ensuring the party’s victory in the bye-election.

    He expressed optimism that with unity, the APC would further consolidate its hold on power in 2027. 

  • Flood preparedness: NEMA engages stakeholders on 2025 mitigation strategies

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has engaged stakeholders on preparedness and mitigation strategies against anticipated floods in Niger state.

    Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, said this at a stakeholders’ engagement on National disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) 2025 in Minna on Thursday.

    The theme of the engagement is: “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response”.

    Umar, represented by Dr Ishaya Chonoko, Zonal Director in Charge of North West Zone of NEMA, said that the engagement was to strengthen resilience, enhance preparedness, and response to flood disasters across the country.

    She said NEMA had received insights into rainfall patterns and flood scenarios for 2025 from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    “NEMA will deploy teams to all states to engage with flood-prone communities, taking early warning messages to the grassroots.

    “This will be done with the support of state Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and community volunteers,” she said.

    The director-general called on partners such as the traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups and the media, to support the initiative, saying disaster management was everyone’s business.

    According to her, all hands must be on deck to take the right early warning to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in various communities.

    “There is a need to step up our games on what we can do differently from the past and come up with solutions and prepare for quick response.” she added.

    Also speaking, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, Overseeing Director-General, Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the meeting would proffer solutions to flooding, preparedness, and response from expected flooding to save lives and property and minimise flooding.

    Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Yumu, Commissioner, Ministry for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, said the campaign would help reduce impacts of annually recurring floods in the state.

    Also in attendance were Mr Hussaini Isah, Head, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Akapo Adeboye, traditional leaders and stakeholders from the police, army amongst others.

  • In a raging face-off, Benue assembly speaker rebuts executive, “weren’t saboteurs”

    In a raging face-off, Benue assembly speaker rebuts executive, “weren’t saboteurs”

    The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Hyacinth Dajoh, has said that the lawmakers are not saboteurs but representatives of their people, who desire the success of the executive for the good of the state.

    Dajoh spoke in Makurdi at the inauguration of a new executive/appeal fund for an administrative office for the Association of Emcees (ABE), Benue Chapter, says the assembly desires the success of the executive for the good of the state..

    It would be recalled that the state assembly recently resolved not to honour correspondence from the executive until the assembly’s demands were met.

    The lawmakers said that the executive had “flagrantly refused to obey the Assembly’s resolutions”, hence declined the screening of the commissioner nominees.

    But the speaker, represented at the event by Mr Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South State Constituency, said that their actions were always guided by responsible representation and meant for the good of the state.

    “Whatever decision the assembly takes is not that we are fighting the governor or the executive.

    “What we are doing is to support the governor to succeed and leave lasting legacies.

    “All we do and say is to support him. We are not fighting; we are not saboteurs,” he said.

    The speaker lauded ABE for electing credible officials to lead the association.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Cephas Dyako, who is the Minority Chief Whip of the Assembly, lauded the members of the association for coming under one umbrella to coordinate their activities.

    Dyako promised to support the association to achieve its targets.

    The Wife of the Speaker, Mrs Cynthia Dajoh, commended ABE members for their unity and professionalism.

    Dajoh promised to furnish the ABE secretariat, whenever it was ready for use.

    Chief Solomon Iorpev, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, who was the guest speaker at the event, spoke on “Building a Successful Brand as an MC”.

    Iorpev listed some tips that make a successful master of ceremony and advised the ABE members to be properly guided by the best standard protocol rules.

    The Speaker of the new ABE executive, Mr  Terver Adom, commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for gradually changing the narratives of Benue.

    Adom said that the state had witnessed an unprecedented development in the last two years that Alia mounted the saddle. 

  • Ground rent: Wike threatens immediate sanction for defaulters

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Friday, demanded the list of ground rent defaulters across the territory for immediate implementation of necessary sanctions.

    Wike gave the directive in Abuja while inaugurating two committees to address land issues at River Park Estate and abuse of land use act in the FCT.

    The FCT Administration had on June 2, published a demand notice for the payment of ground rent due to the FCT Administration from 2014 to 2024.

    The FCT Administration gave the defaulters two weeks to comply.

    Wike noted that the two weeks had long elapsed into months, adding that it was time for enforcement of necessary sanctions.

    “We have allowed so much time. Initially we gave two weeks; it has passed one month, two months, three months.

    “You know how Nigerians are, if you don’t take steps nothing will happen.

    “So, all those owing, from the ones we have published up to 2025, you have to provide the list so that we commence immediate implementation.

    “This will enable us to receive the needed funds that will aid us in the development of infrastructure in the FCT,” he said.

    The minister said that the FCT 2025 budget had been passed and assented to, by President Bola Tinubu.

    He, however, pointed out that without funds, there was no way the administration would undertake projects that would have a positive impact on the lives of FCT residents.

    “So, please, Directors of Land, Abuja Geographic Information System, Development Control, Urban and Regional Planning, you need to work tirelessly to make sure that this is achieved,” the minister said.

  • FCT Minister inaugurates committees on river land use abuse

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, Friday in Abuja, inaugurated two committees to address land issues at River Park Estate and abuse of the land use Act in the territory.

    Wike, while inaugurating the committees in Abuja, described the two issues as “very important” in streamlining the activities of the FCT Administration on emerging land matters.

    He said that the River Park Committee would be chaired by the General Counsel/Secretary, Legal Service Secretariat and acting Director, Public Service as secretary.

    He pointed out that sometimes the government gives out letters of intent to those who declare interest to develop mass housing.

    According to him,  the FCT Administration always signs MoUs with estate developers, adding,  however, that in most cases, the clauses in the agreements end up being violated.

    The minister explained that the river park estate committee was inaugurated to look into the land issues in the estate and advise the FCTA on the necessary steps needed to correct the anomalies.

    He said that the committee has two weeks to conclude the assignment, adding that there would be no extension of time.

    “So, if it requires you to sit from morning till night, may it be so. We will not delay,” he said.

    Wike advised the committee to carry out the task with utmost professionalism and warned the members against giving in to internal or external influence.

    “If I hear that somebody has interest, be it from outside or be it from the FCTA, particularly Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and the administration department, you know the consequences of it.

    “If there’s any department that’s trying to stop you from getting information, let me know on time,” he said.

    The second committee was on the review of land uses/purpose clauses of land and properties at locations overtaken by commercial and other activities.

    It will be chaired by the Director, Development Control, with Director, Urban and Regional Planning as Secretary.

    Wike explained that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) always indicates the purpose for usage, which could be for commercial, residential or other uses, in line with the provisions of the Abuja Master Plan.

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    “Today you find out that all those provisions were being violated without prior approval from the government.

    “You will see people with C of O, whose purpose is for residential, but turned to commercial. This, of course, is a violation of the certificate that was issued,” he said.

    The minister explained that the committee would identify all those areas that were in violation of the use of the C of O given to residents, as the case may be.

    He said that the area could be in the Central Business Area, Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Wuse I, or Wuse II, as the case may be.

    “Having identified them, you have to recommend to the government what appropriate steps to be taken in compliance with extant guidelines.

    “This is very, very important to us. Are you going to say outright revocation for not complying with the provisions in the C of O or there would be a penalty if they asked for conversion and pay the appropriate fee?

    “The committee has two weeks to deliver on the task and come up with a robust recommendations of what the government is to do.

    “Like I said earlier, this job has to be done without outside or inside interference,” he said.

    Wike said that the move was necessary for the public to know what the government was doing to address the anomalies in land use in th FCT.

    Members of the river park estate committee included Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Lands, Urban and Regional Planning and Deputy Director, Land.

    Others are Director, Security Services Department, Director Development Control, and Director, AGIS.

    For the committee on the review of land uses/purpose clauses of land and properties at locations overtaken by commercial and other activities, the members included Director, Land Administration and Director, Surveying and Mapping.

    Others are Director, AGIS, and Director, Engineering Services.

  • Zulum to build staff quarters and revamp Borno school structures

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State has outlined a multifaceted plan to rejuvenate the education sector, which includes building teachers’ quarters and renovating dilapidated schools.

    Zulum, rolled out the plan at a high-level meeting with key stakeholders in the education sector to review current challenges and outline fresh directives for improving learning outcomes, infrastructure, and coordination across the state.

     The governor emphasised the need for synergy among education agencies to ensure effective service delivery, noting that collaboration was key to addressing the sector’s challenges.

    Zulum ordered the establishment of additional High Islamic Colleges in selected local government areas.

    The colleges, he said, would integrate traditional Islamic studies with literacy, numeracy, modern sciences, and vocational training.

    According to him, the initiative is aimed at mainstreaming the non-formal education sector into the formal system, targeting Almajiri pupils and providing a second chance for out-of-school children who have exceeded the official enrolment age.

    The governor also directed the establishment of state libraries in Biu, southern Borno, and Monguno, in the northern part of the state, in addition to the upgraded Maiduguri library. 

    “Deliberately, I upgraded the Maiduguri library, with the aim of establishing another one in Biu and one in Monguno in order to promote reading culture, which is fast eroding.

    “ I want you to rejuvenate the reading culture by ensuring the library is effective. But most importantly, apart from the physical books, let’s put a mechanism for e-books in place,” Zulum said.