David Umahi, the minister of works, says the proposed Abuja-Lagos highway will be completed in four years.
In a press conference on Saturday, the minister said driving from Lagos to Abuja will take 4 hours when the project is completed.
The minister of works said the construction of the Lagos-Abuja highway is going to take four years, and the road will be solely made with concrete, which is “cheaper than asphalt”.
At the press conference in Lagos, Umahi, flanked by Kenny Martins, the chairman of Advance Engineering Company – consortium in charge of the highway – said the project, a Public Private Partnership (PPP), would be solely funded by the consortium in charge.
He added that the federal government would only be in charge of supervision.
“When I first introduced this to the public, many doubting Thomases were saying ‘it is impossible, Lagos-Abuja that is done in 14 hours cannot be done in four and half hours’, that is the renewed hope of Mr President,” he said.
“The president has approved that I fast-track this project. This project is going to be two lanes, but each lane is going to be a two-carriage way and it is going to be 14 metres.
“The only carriageway that is equivalent to this is the third mainland bridge where each carriageway is 14 metres. It is going to be built on 275-millimeter thick concrete.”
Unahi also said the live-shelf design of the project will be 100 years, adding that it would also include a number of bridges and tolling points.
“We are not putting any kobo but we will assist them in every direction. I give kudos to Advance Engineering Company, I am very satisfied with their concept and what they have put in place.
“So, the next thing is to bring the business proposal so we can negotiate on what the cost of the project is going to be. Then they go to the ministry of finance and negotiate on the issue of their money.
“The good thing is that we are building this road on concrete so we can predict the cost of this project. In asphalt, you cannot predict the cost. The cost of asphalt roads changes every month.”
In addition, the minister explained that “concrete roads are more durable and cheaper than asphalt”. He also said he has given directives that “all ongoing projects that have not advanced up to 80 percent” should be completed using concrete.
The United States Department of State has cautioned American citizens about travelling to Nigeria due to various security concerns.
It made this known in its Travel advisory statement released recently which underscores the elevated risks associated with crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the presence of armed gangs in several areas of the country.
In the warning, specific locations are singled out as heightened risks: Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states are flagged for terrorism and kidnapping. Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states are noted for kidnapping.
Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (except for Port Harcourt) are highlighted for crime, kidnapping, and the presence of armed gangs.
The advisory also mentions that violent crimes, such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape, are common across the country.
Kidnappings for ransom are frequent, often targeting dual-national citizens and perceived affluent U.S. citizens visiting Nigeria.
Terrorist activities are a continued threat, with attacks targeting various locations where crowds gather, such as shopping centres, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, and transportation hubs. Terrorist groups may collaborate with local gangs to expand their influence.
Additionally, parts of Southern Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions, are affected by civil unrest and armed gangs.
Armed criminal activities, including kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security forces, are prevalent in this area. Tensions between farming and herding communities in rural regions can also escalate into violence.
The U.S. government’s capacity to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens is limited in many parts of Nigeria due to security conditions.
According to the advisory for those who still choose to travel to Nigeria, the advisory recommends several precautions.
Such as carrying proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa if required. Staying vigilant, monitoring local media for updates, and being prepared to adjust plans.- as well as steering clear of participating in demonstrations and large political gatherings for safety reasons.
The House of Representatives has announced that it will return from its yearly break on September 26, 2023. This was stated in a letter sent to members on Friday by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria.
After a plenary session on July 27, 2023, during which Speaker Tajudeen Abbas named the heads of the House’s standing committees, the 10th Assembly adjourned for a break.
A statement by the House spokesman and chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, Jr., noted, “The 10th Assembly has been very prolific and in about 100 days since inauguration has recorded a total of 470 bills passed first reading and four passed second reading. There have also been a total of 175 motions considered by the House so far.
“Despite the recess, the Green Chamber continued to function as various ad hoc committees continued to carry out their crucial mandates which have generated significant positive public interest. Honourable members also continued to carry out various constituency outreaches across the country.”
Speaking on some of the activities that would be attended to on resumption, he stated, “Some of the early developments expected on resumption is the conclusion of the work of all ad hoc committees and the submission of their reports for the consideration of the House, in line with the directive of the Speaker.
“It is also expected that the final draft of the Legislative Agenda developed by the ad hoc committee led by House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, will be considered and adopted by the House. The draft agenda was developed following extensive consultations with critical stakeholders.”
The spokesperson added that soon after resumption, it is anticipated that the membership of the standing committees would be announced and fully constituted.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated the newly elected leaders of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu has established a humanitarian and poverty alleviation trust fund for the country.
Betta Edu, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, made the announcement on Friday at the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Edu said 30 percent of the funding is expected to come from the federal government while the balance of 70 percnet is expected from donor agencies.
According to the minister, the fund would have several governing caders with a structure that would show accountability and transparency.
“Thirty percent of the funding expected in this trust fund will be coming from the government of Nigeria, and is expected that the rest of this funding comes from other nations, the United Nations, donor agencies, philanthropic individuals, private sector, who we want to bring fully into the space amongst other forms of innovative fundraising,” she said.
“The essence is for us to be able to adequately address the issues which we face on the ground as a matter of urgency.
“I’m sure we already know that the president declared a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria, he equally had a state of emergency on other things like humanitarian crisis and our ability to provide durable solutions.”
Edu said the government was counting on the support of the international community and development partners to provide adequate support in tackling poverty in Nigeria.
“And as we make plans to come in and address this need, what must be key at the back of our minds is providing durable solutions,” she added.
“We must be able to address education for these persons, we must be able to address their livelihood, we must be able to address their reintegration back into communities, we must be to address their resettlement, including the provision of proper shelter for them to stay in.
“We must be able to address their GPV needs amongst other things and we’re counting on your support.”
Edu said the number of persons affected by the humanitarian crisis in the country is expected to rise and asked concerned parties to act fast.
She added that the government is seeking urgent international support to address human and climate-induced displacement and poverty in the country.
Martin Griffiths, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, welcomed the initiative, saying it would take more than the efforts of the government to tackle humanitarian issues.</p
The World Bank has approved a new $700 million loan to bolster education and empowerment initiatives for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
The information was revealed in a statement that was posted on its website last Friday.
The fresh loan aims to offer extra financial resources to support the ongoing initiative named the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment.
The statement reads,
- “The World Bank approved additional financing of $700m for Nigeria to scale up the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment programme whose goal is to improve secondary education opportunities among girls in targeted states.
- “The additional financing will scale up project activities from the current seven states to eleven additional states and increase the targeted beneficiaries to include out-of-school girls, those who are married, and those who have disabilities.”
Revealing further, It was noted that Nigeria is struggling with a substantial number of out-of-school children, with estimates ranging from 12 million to 15 million in the school-age group. Many of these children are concentrated in Northern Nigeria.
It was also noted that an estimated one million children were affected by increased insecurity around schools in 2020-2021.
The statement added, “In the seven AGILE programme implementing states – Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Plateau – the number of girls in secondary schools has increased from about 900,000 to over 1.6 million.
- “Under the programme, over 5,000 classrooms have been renovated and over 250,000 eligible girls have received scholarships.
- “The AGILE programme has supported the construction and rehabilitation of WASH facilities in secondary schools and the installation of computers and solar panels which make attending school more convenient and conducive for both girls and boys. Life skills, systems strengthening, and advocacy are other key aspects of the program which address social norms impeding girls’ education.”
Furthermore, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, stated that “Closing the gender gaps in economic empowerment by ensuring girls have access to education and skills is key for Nigeria’s development and economic prosperity.
- “Nigeria’s working population will soon be one of the youngest and largest around the world, which means that investing in adolescent girls is imperative when addressing overall economic prospects and growth.”
The statement also highlighted that the financing would not only benefit girls but also extend its impact to more than 15 million students and other beneficiaries, encompassing teachers, administrators, families, communities, and staff within both existing and newly established schools.
The statement highlighted that the financing would not only benefit girls but also extend its impact to more than 15 million students and other beneficiaries, encompassing teachers, administrators, families, communities, and staff within both existing and newly established schools.
According to the statement, the newly established fund will extend the project’s coverage to 18 states, with the goal of enhancing education and healthcare outcomes for girls in Nigeria.
It is worth noting that this was the third loan facility approved under the administration of Bola Tinubu.
The first was approved on June 9, 2023, with a loan of $750m to boost Nigeria’s power sector.
The second was a loan of $500m to help Nigeria drive women’s empowerment and was approved on June 22, 2023.
Following the end of the two-day deadline initially given by the body to the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Union is yet to issue a definite statement on the proposed nationwide industrial action.
The union, which gave the FG a two-day ultimatum, has remained reticent on their next course of action.
An ultimatum lasting 21 days first was issued by the union concerning the delayed palliative distribution, with a potential indefinite labour strike looming if their demands go unmet.
The organized labour said all is set for a total shutdown of the economy, which would start at the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday (yesterday).
However, since the expiration of the deadline given, NLC has maintained an indecisive position by not issuing a definite statement on what the next course of action will be.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the NLC, Benjamin Upah, while featuring in a telephone interview on TVC, said that the news making the rounds that the congress was to commence an indefinite industrial action is fake.
According to Upah, NLC is yet to release any official statement on whether they will go on strike or not.
What FG is Saying
Earlier, the Federal Government allayed the fear of many Nigerians, emphasizing that the outcome of their meeting on Monday with the union was productive and there’s no reason why the union should go on strike.
- “I don’t think there is any problem. We don’t have any fears about some of the things they (labour) put on the table and also the suggestions and the package of the Federal Government,” the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, told State House Correspondents after a private meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Wednesday evening.
When asked on whether the union will follow through with the indefinite strike, Vice President Kashim Shettima, stated that there is no reason to be worried, as the government continues to engage NLC in a friendly manner.
He said,
- “As for me, I don’t think there is any problem. We have fully spent time with the Nigerian labour and the posture of the President too is towards the welfare and prosperity of workers.
- “We have no doubt and that’s why, in many of our meetings with them, we did not end up boxing ourselves. We hope that the best is going to come.
- “Don’t worry about that. That’s why I said it’s a friendly engagement we are having with them.”
President Kikwete rang the bell in honour of Global Health Commitments for Women’s Health and Women’s Cancers at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City’s Times Square.
Here’s an excerpt from NASDAQ’s official website ahead of the bell-ringing ceremony by the Tanzanian President:
- “Global Health Leaders will announce Global Health Commitments for Women’s Health and Women’s Cancers at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City’s Times Square.
- In honour of the occasion, President Kikwete of Tanzania, First Ladies and Health Ministers, and Global Health Leaders will officially ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell.”
The Verdict
Based on available information, President Bola Tinubu is not the first African President to ring the closing bell at NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
[Nairametrics]
Special Forces troops under the Hakorin Damisa IV have burst a gun manufacturing syndicate which has been used in fuelling crisis in Kaduna and neighbouring Plateau States. The troops also recovered 26 assorted weapons, combat gears and caches of ammunition in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Media and Information Officer, Operation Safe Haven, Captain Oya James on Friday said the discovery followed a week-long intelligence operation that finally led to the capture of a wanted gunrunner Napoleon John who has been on the wanted list of OPSH. He said the suspect confessed to the crime which led troops to a concealed factory where arms of different calibre were sold by another miscreant identified as Monday Dunia, who confessed to have been in the business for more than five years fuelling the crisis in Kaduna and neighbouring Plateau States.
“A thorough search of the factory led to the recovery of 22 different weapons, including seven pistols, two locally fabricated AK 47 rifles, two military grade AK 47 rifles and nine revolvers. Others include one submachine gun, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, machine tools and a gas cylinder.”
He said between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, troops raided another hideout in Adua 1 village in Kafanchan and captured additional two AK-47 rifles, two revolver rifles, live rounds of 9mm and 7.62 ammunitions, six daggers, one hacker axe, several empty cases of 7.62mm special rounds.
“Two mobile phones, one fragmental jacket, two police uniforms, one military camouflage trousers, one ammunition magazine carrier, one pistol holster, one military grade camel pouch and one police combat helmet, among others.” He said Commander OPSH also vowed to ensure that all fleeing syndicate members are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. He warned sponsors and perpetrators of criminality to immediately abandon their evil ways and embrace lawful means of livelihood.
Despite efforts to calm frayed nerves at the Senate, the plot against leadership of the upper legislative chamber, there are indications that the war is not over.
During the week, the plots against the Senate leadership headed by Obong Godswill Akpabio, Senate President, thickened, with former governors among the lawmakers teaming up for one cause of effecting a change of leadership.
The former governors are upset and specifically accused the Senate President of undercutting and undermining them since his election in June 2023.
One of the former governors told Saturday Sun that the current disquiet in the Senate came about because of the leadership’s failute to unite the legislative arm.
He said that when Akpabio moved against lawmakers who didn’t support him when he ran for office, he sowed the seed of discord.
The lawmaker said the Senate president ignored existing practices in selecting principal officers, chairmen of ranking committees and contributions during plenary.
According to him, “political parties usually determine who are to be appointed principal officers of the Senate. That’s the practice and the Senaye President knows this.
“Akpabio is a product of that arrangement when he because Mimority Leader. He was nominated by the Peoples Democratic Party them.”
“In 2019, the same thing happened. It was the APC and the PDP that nominated the eight principal officers of the Senate and Ahmad Lawan announced them.
“But as soon as Akpabio took over, he decided to come up with his style. Instead of meeting with the various caucuses of the senatorial districts and the leadership of political parties, he went to meet President Tinubu at the Villa. Those who parade themselves as APC principal officers in the Senate, were selected by the Villa and Akpabio’s kitchen cabinet.
“APC and the PDP protested and Akpabio ignored them. For instance, in the PDP, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who is the most ranking in the Senate, was ignored by Akpabio.
“Instead, a minister in the administration of President Tinubu decided who got any position in the opposition caucus of the Senate. The leadership of the PDP also protested, but Akpabio ignored them.
“In the South East, ranking senators were ignored and a first time lawmaker was named a principal officer. That was very strange. Lawmakers protested and Akpabio didn’t listen.”
Another former governor told our correspondent that Akpabio again flouted other existing norms in naming heads of committees.
The senator said a selection committee, predominantly made up of principal officers, ought to have been set up to draw up a list of committee chairmen.
He said lawmakers were shocked when Akpabio reeled out names of committee chairmen and named first time lawmakers as heads of Grade A committees.
The aggrieved lawmaker said neither of the former governors nor the immediate-past President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, was named chairman of a Grade A committee.
“Some of us have spent four terms in the Senate since we left office as governors. But Akpabio went ahead and named first timers as chairmen of very sensitive committees. Former governors who are his colleagues were given useless committees.
“We’ve tried to understand the reason behind his action. The only thing we could deduce was the fact that he only gave good committees to those who he felt supported him. That’s the only reason.
“Since he has told us we don’t matter, we will flex our muscles and do whatever it will take to keep the independence of the Senate. We’ve been made an annex to the Villa and this is very odd.
“This is not about Akpabio. This is about keeping the National Assembly strong. For now, we’re too weak to even challenge the Executive when needed. These are the issues.”
The Senate has, however, described as a ruse the rumour that some senators were planning to remove Akpabio.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said: “Our attention has just been drawn to a syndicated satanic verse in a section of the media of purported and illusory plots of leadership change in the Senate.
“The Nigerian Senate is one united and fraternal family. This imaginative composition is in the realm of speculation, like the fake and fallacious story of N100 million per legislator. It’s apt to note that the10th Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio has carried out its legislative and constitutional duties diligently.
“Within a span of less than 60 legislative days, the Senate has passed life enhancing bills and motions. It has screened and confirmed Service Chiefs and Ministers, among others, apart from very essential oversight functions.
“We urge the fifth columnists, who operate undoubtedly outside the Senate, desperate to cause disharmony through media stunts and thus clipping the wings of Nigeria’s democracy, to take caution.
“The Senate should be allowed fresh air to settle down for its national assignments, so that the Nigerian project can move forward. The media too should be discerning not to be used as hand tool to these retailers of fake and bad news.”
There were reports in some mainstream newspapers recently that some northern senators were plotting to impeach Akpabio
[Sun]
Some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee members have corroborated claims by Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike that he informed the party leadership prior to accepting a ministerial appointment from President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi and an anonymous source confirmed that Wike wrote to acting chairman Umar Damagum about the offer and his intention to serve in the interest of national unity. However, the party allegedly did not respond approvingly or disapprovingly.
Wike had refuted accusations of betraying PDP by accepting the ministerial role, stating he got greenlights from various party leaders beforehand. The FCT minister’s letter to Damagum reportedly conveyed his decision to “answer the clarion call” from Tinubu despite misgivings from some PDP members.
With the party neither confirming nor rejecting Wike’s move, the FCT minister went ahead to be sworn in. But some like Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor still demand Wike’s expulsion for alleged anti-party conduct.
A former PDP governor also expressed concern the Wike-Atiku rift is dividing the party hierarchy, warning urgent steps are needed to address the leadership vacuum and uncertainty. However, spokesman Tsauri advocated patience till Supreme Court rules on Atiku’s election challenge.
Wike’s appointment has exposed latent friction within the PDP ranks. But his notification to party leaders before accepting may limit accusations of outright betrayal. The party faces tough choices on asserting internal discipline while remaining a broad political tent.
More...
The legal teams of President Bola Tinubu and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, will resume a legal battle over the President’s Chicago academic records in a United States court on Monday.
A US District Judge, Nancy Maldonado, had on Thursday agreed to stay an order directing Chicago State University to make Tinubu’s academic document available to Atiku’s legal team.
The hearing came up late Thursday night after the President’s lawyers filed an emergency motion seeking a delay in the implementation of the self-effectuating order directing the CSU to comply with Atiku’s subpoenas till Monday.
Atiku is currently challenging the victory of the former Lagos State governor at the 2023 presidential poll and his recent affirmation by an election petition court in Nigeria.
Earlier, a magistrate, Jeffrey Gilbert, had on Tuesday ordered Tinubu’s alma mater to provide all relevant and non-privileged documents to the applicant, Atiku, within two days.
Documents sought by the PDP candidate, through his counsel, Angela Liu, include the record of admission and acceptance at the university, dates of attendance including degrees, awards, and honours attained by the former governor of Lagos State at the university, among others.
But as the deadline given by Gilbert drew nearer on Thursday, Tinubu’s lawyers approached Maldonado, arguing that the earlier decision by Gilbert needed to be reviewed by a district judge.
The request for a review and delay of the order till Monday was granted by the US district judge.
In the emergency hearing, Maldonado disclosed that mindful of legal deadlines in Nigeria, she would rule on the matter as quickly as possible.
“I will have a busy weekend. The issue is of process and rules. I’m a rule person. That’s why I’m a judge. This case is quite involved. I am aware of the stakes. It’s more important to me to get this right,” she said.
No hiding place
Ahead of the resumption of the case on Monday, however, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that the President should not be hiding anything and that the camp would wait for the court process while whatever is being hidden will be unfolded.
Ibe said “What is in that file if it is released that would bring harm that is irreparable to him (Tinubu)? It has become important for Bola Tinubu to let Nigerians know what he is hiding in his academic record at Chicago University.
“We cannot mortgage the destiny of over 200 million people for the interest of one individual. He is bringing embarrassment to Nigeria, it is shameful and it is a tragedy to have something as simple as releasing your records to be subject to public scrutiny.
“Nigerians should begin to take an interest in this matter. Nigerians should be asking questions about what is going on. Why should the President of Nigeria not be a product of due process, transparency and accountability? It has never reached this low and it is unfortunate. We will get him.
“We will await the court process, they can only stall but finally whatever it is that is being hidden will be released.”
Tinubu’s camp ready
When Saturday PUNCH contacted the Coordinator of Tinubu Presidential Legal Team, Babatunde Ogala, on the team’s preparation ahead of Monday, he said the team members were ready for Atiku’s next move.
He said whatever may be the former vice president’s next plan, members of the President’s team were also not sleeping.
Ogala, who is currently in the US as part of the legal team said, “We submitted our application and the order has been suspended. We are starting all over again.
“If they like, let them do a Plan C. We are not sleeping either. We will meet them there.
“Instead of recommending to the judge, the magistrate was ruling which he has no power to do. We told the judge and he agreed. So the whole process of what he has done was set aside.”
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, however, did not speak on whether the President is hiding something from Nigerians and the nature of the “non-privileged” details contained in the academic record in the custody of his alma mater when he was asked.
“There is nothing new to say beyond what you have. We will wait till next week,” he said.
Efforts made to reach the PDP legal team and spokesman for the opposition party, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful as of press time.
NNPP intervenes
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party has called on the President to assent to the release of his academic credentials to douse the growing tension and suspicion of his critics.
The party’s new National Publicity Secretary, Yakubu Shemdam, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said if the situation was allowed to get out of hand, it might distract even the President.
Shemdam said, “As a party, we have been following the drama. But, of course, we are not part of the people who filed an application to demand his records from Chicago University.
“But we think that if he has nothing to hide, definitely he should do the needful by allowing the people who requested those records to have access to them, especially now that the US judiciary is already involved in the matter.
“The earlier they do this, the better so that the President can continue to focus on the developmental plans he has for Nigerians. This is because what is happening now is causing a lot of distraction in the country. Many people are beginning to agitate and question the motion being filed to stop the release of the documents. There is a saying that a clear conscience fears no accusation.”
Obi’s team speaks
In a related development, the campaign team of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said the President needed to present his academic records to prove his critics wrong.
In an interview with one of our correspondents, the Chief Spokesman of Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, said Tinubu’s excuse for holding on to the result was unacceptable.
Tanko said “Can you imagine the President stating in the motion he filed that releasing the result could cause him irreparable harm? You begin to wonder what was that supposed to mean. It is very sad.
“If I am a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University who has my records intact and I know they are clean, why do I have to stop the university from releasing my result? It will assist me if ABU quickly issues it so that I can get out of this particular accusation. What this simply means is that the President has something to hide. The learned judge that they are attempting to blame acted according to his power.
“What the Chicago State University said was that it can only act on an order from the court to release the result. Why is the President not interested in having it published if truly he attended that particular school? This will further make the people more inquisitive to find out exactly what that result contains. If there is nothing to hide, they should publish it so that everybody can go and rest.”
Atiku and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, had challenged Tinubu’s electoral victory at the Supreme Court following the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which upheld the President’s mandate on September 6.
Atiku approached the US court for an order compelling the CSU to release Tinubu’s academic record, questioning alleged gaps in the President’s academic history.
Tinubu’s credentials indicated that he graduated from CSU in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting and Management, but there have been allegations of discrepancies with his academic record.
But justifying his decision to obtain the President’s record, Atiku said unless a clarification was made, it would be difficult for Nigerians to understand the academic journey of the former Lagos State governor.
In response to an order by the court that he should make a formal filing on why his records should not be released, Tinubu claimed a clerical error was responsible for the discrepancies on the certificate issued to him by the university.
According to filings by Tinubu’s lawyers, Oluwole Afolabi and Christopher Carmichael, an unidentified clerk of the university made the error about the date the school stated on his recently-issued certificate, thereby creating “the appearance of differences.”
Regardless of his opposition to Atiku’s application, Magistrate Gilbert ordered the CSU to release all relevant academic records of the President to his political opponent.
[Punch]
Comedian and actor Akunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, has warned artistes against compromising their values for success in the music industry.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Ali Baba bemoaned aspiring artistes now taking to occult practices prior to getting signed by a record label.
He claimed there is a strong desire to become successful that has led some artistes to compromising the values they have been brought up with.
“For me, there are some things that you would not want to do, and you must stick with it. It is the same thing with some of these artists, some of them do rituals now.
“As an artiste, you must define your purpose, you must hold on to some strong values you’ve been brought up with.
“If you are someone who is in a position with your creative abilities, you don’t need that kind of pressure. You don’t need somebody making you sign or take an oath for you to be creative.”
“People just want to blow; they want to be seen, they want to be heard, they want to make money, they want to belong. And because of that, they step back from the values they have been brought up with and do what they shouldn’t do.”
Alibaba stated that certain artistes are surviving and thriving despite the pressures of the entertainment industry.
“They don’t smoke, they don’t hold cigars, they don’t hold the glass cup and drink whiskey in their [music videos], and they insist on it,” he said.
“Even if the choreography says it would add colour to the video, they would say no.”
AliBaba’s remarks come following increasing public outrage over the allegations of abuse suffered by the late 27-year-old singer Ilerioluwa Olademeji, also known as Mohbad, prior to his demise on September 12.
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has called for effective collaboration and harmony with the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to address all issues confronting the country.
Shettima said without effective collaboration it would be difficult for the country to surmount her economic and political problems.
The Vice President stated this on Friday while speaking during the 2-day Retreat for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly organised by the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies in collaboration with Konrad – Adenauer-Stiftunh e. V, held at Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
He said “Governance is a collective responsibility and not a personal endeavour. Our most significant achievement will be attained through cooperation and harmony. This is what we take from you because we are brothers and sisters in pursuit of a country that has all of us.
“For the first time in our history, all the elected heads of branches of our government are produced by the hallowed halls of the National Assembly. Let us come together for the common good of the nation. All the Chiefs of Staff and Deputy Chiefs of Staff to the President are all proud alumni members.
The First Lady of the Federation and the Secretary to the Federation are all members of the alumni.
“Certainly what this means is that we cannot afford to go to war, not because we are going to overlook each other’s transgressions but because we are going to engage with those who know the gravity of their work and will never take you for granted.
“Let us fight the stereotypes of our differences. The burden of managing a diverse nation has ensured that we cannot afford to trade the path of division
“The 10th National Assembly is unquestionably the richest we have had so far. You( National Assembly) have a president and vice president who was one of you and recognize the sacrifices you make.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured us with a heart of certainty that we are not in government to go to war with the National Assembly, we are here to collaborate and match towards shared prosperity.
“Our journey as a democratic nation has been marked by trials and triumphs, setbacks and progress, but through it all the National Assembly has remained steadfast in its commitment to our collective wellbeing.
“It is there within the Chambers that the voices of our diverse constituencies find their expression. While the aspirations of our people are transformed into legislative action, the foundation of our democracy is continuously fortified.
“The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. By 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous nation on earth. Our population will hit 440 million and we will surpass the United States of America, and the end of the century Nigeria will be the most populous nation on earth what are we going to do with the demographic growth?
“We can turn the demographic growth into demographic dividends. I believe, with the quality of leadership we have it will not turn into a demographic disaster that will consume all of us” the VP said.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said Nigeria cannot move forward unless the various stakeholders and groups see the need for effective Collaboration in the country.
He said it is an error to blame any political party for the challenges of the country, adding that the country is facing a collective action problem as relevant groups and stakeholders failed to collaborate.
According to him, my friends and colleagues, let us not make the mistake of thinking that our problem is APC or PDP or LP or SDP or any other party. That is an error.
“We face a collective action problem because relevant groups and stakeholders in our country fail to connect, cooperate and collaborate.
“But if we, the leadership of the Tenth National Assembly, can properly understand and effectively use collective action processes in the official conduct of business, we would achieve positive outcomes for our country’
“We can lead the charge in our country. Let us be united in purpose. It does not matter which political party you used to get to the Red or Green Chamber, right now we are in the Nigerian boat. If we all put our hands on deck, the Tenth Assembly shall surmount every challenge” Akpabio pointed out
While noting that the retreat would identify priority business for the Tenth National Assembly and develop strategic objectives for the Legislative Agenda of the respective chambers, Akpabio said it behooves the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to “set collective action templates for our nation’s developmental efforts and a collaborative legislative agenda for solving our nation’s challenges.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeem Abbas expressed delight for the retreat, saying that it would create an opportunity for the legislators to contribute immensely to the attainment of the 8-point Agenda of President, Bola Tinubu.
Abbas urged his colleagues in both chambers to think first of the national development of the nation, emphasizing that all three arms of government must be in symphony to ensure that the current administration delivers on its promises to the people.
The host governor, Pst Umo Éno, who was represented by his deputy Senator Akon Ayakenyi, in his goodwill message appreciated the federal government’s bipartisan and inclusive approach to governance.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NILDA, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman stated that the retreat was organised to reflect, learn, and strategise to collectively enhance the performance of the National Assembly.
Sulaiman stressed that the only way the President can achieve his lofty goals is to ensure that the necessary legislative frameworks support government actions.
Operatives of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin-Daji, have rescued six female students of Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara, abducted in the early hours of Friday.
Force Information Officer, Operation Hadarin-Daji, Cpt. Ibrahim Yahaya confirmed this to the newsmen via telephone on Friday in Gusau.
Recall that 24 female students had been abducted from their rented hostels at Sabon-Gida, a few metres away from the university.
Yahaya said the troops pursued the abductors who took the students, mostly females, to the forest.
He said that the troops engaged the abductors in a gun duel, supported by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) air component, and rescued six students.
Yahaya further stated that several bandits were neutralised during the rescue effort, which, he said, was still ongoing.
“The troops also recovered one AK-47, a magazine, four motorcycles and one communication gadget from the terrorists,” the officer said.
Efforts to speak with the school authorities on the incident proved abortive, as the institution’s Spokesperson, Umar Usman, did not respond to several calls put through to him.(NAN)