Day: August 11, 2023

The Legal Consultant of Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), Mr Kunle Kolawole, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene in the ongoing crisis rocking the company.

Kolawole, who made the call on Friday at a news briefing in Abuja, said the management crisis had impacted negatively on the AMML, one of the FCT-owned revenue generating companies.

The lawyer alleged that the Group Managing Director of Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL), Mr Abubakar Maina, and his cohorts had continued to frustrate the operations of AMML against valid court judgment and order.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court, Abuja had nullified the redeployment of Alhaji Abubakar Faruk, the Managing Director (MD) of AMML, by the immediate-past Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello.

The judge also nullified the reconstitution of the AMML Board of Directors chaired by Mr Maina on Feb. 21 by the ex-minister on the grounds that it contravened the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020.

Besides, Justice R.B. Haastrup of a National Industrial Court, Abuja, on July 26, also nullified the termination of Faruk’s employment by Maina on behalf of AMML’s shareholders against a valid court judgment.

Kolawole, however, said that the decision of the embattled MD to challenge his redeployment and the reconstitution of the AMML board, “both done illegally, did not go down well with the powers that be in the FCT, specifically, by some staff of the FCT administration and the AICL, who viewed the court action as a challenge to their powers and authorities.”

He alleged that Maina convened an unlawful general meeting of members of AMML on July 17 where a supposed decision to terminate Faruk’s appointment was taken.

He said the purported termination letter was published in national dailies.

Besides, he said Maina wrote to bankers of AMML to “freeze/PND the AMML accounts with the aim of crippling its operations and makes it difficult for AMML to fulfil its operations and its tax obligations to government.”

The lawyer, who alleged that there had been sponsored defamatory media campaign against AMML and its MD, said meetings were also held with traders with a view to inciting them against the company.

Kolawole said “the escalating lawlessness of Maina has led him into constituting himself and his company secretary as the board of AICL despite a clear presidential order dissolving the said board.”

The AMML Legal Adviser, Mr Felix Edache, said President Tinubu, in a letter dated June 27, directed the dissolution of the boards of Federal Government parastatals, agencies, institutions and government-owned companies.

Edache alleged that despite the directive, Maina continued to sign AMML board resolution, even against court order.

“We humbly appeal to the incoming minister of FCT, the National Assembly, the IGP and the Presidency to direct Mr. Sadiq Abubakar Maina, FCTA (Federal Capital Territory Administration) and AICL to simply obey court orders and allow peace and tranquility in our markets and FCT,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Army and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North, Local Government Area of Enugu State.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said the troops operating under the auspices of Operation UDO KA II, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, subdued the group with superior firepower, neutralising two fighters.

He said the troops also recovered three Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles and a locally-fabricated single barrel gun during the encounter.

He added that the troops, in conjunction with DSS, apprehended a notorious ESN Commander, Mr Ezege, in a separate sting operation at Obinagu in Udi Local Government Area of the tate.

According to him, the arrested ESN commander, recently threatened to unleash mayhem in Enugu state via his viral video and audio message circulated on some social media platforms .

He said the suspect is currently in custody for further investigations.

Nwachukwu said troops of 130 Battalion, operating in 13 Brigade Area of Responsibility under 82 Division, in collaboration with DSS operatives, also smashed a notorious syndicate of gun runners at Obudu in Cross River.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence revealing the illicit activities of the gun runners in Obudu and Biaju general areas.

He said the leader of the gun running syndicate was nabbed in the sting operation, alongside his accomplices comprising two Nigerians and two Cameroonians.

Nwachukwu said the preliminary investigations had revealed that the accomplices purchased firearms, which they in turn sell to a middle man, who supplies the arms and ammunition to Ambazonian Separatists in the Republic of Cameroon.

He added that a subsequent operation conducted on Thursday, led to the arrest of the gun running kingpin, Raphael, aka Biajua, a Cameroonian, at Biajua community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

According to him, the troops also recovered four Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles and four mobile phones.

“The Nigerian Army enjoins the general public to remain vigilant and report any untoward activity to the security agencies, in support of ongoing operations to curb security challenges.

“The good and enterprising people of South East Nigeria are also encouraged to discountenance the illegal sit-at-home order and go about their daily activities and businesses without fear of intimidation, as ongoing operations will be sustained to counter the enforcement of the unlawful order,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, has approved the redeployment of the service spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu, as the new Commandant for the FCT Command.

This is contained in a statement by the new NSCDC Director, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Babawale Afolabi on Friday in Abuja.

Afolabi stated that the Corps’ Commandant General (CG) Ahmed Audi, had directed that Commandant Olusola is to resume office at most by Aug.15.

According to the CG, “the handing and taking over between the outgoing and incoming Commandants should be concluded latest by Tuesday, 15th August, 2023.”

Audi said that the deployment was in a bid to rejig, revamp, restructure and reposition the FCT Command of the Corps for more effective service delivery.

He said that the former head of the Command, Commandant Peter Maigari, will be proceeding for a strategic course at the National Security Institute for a year.

He further commended Odumosu for his absolute commitment and display of professionalism in the discharge of his duties.

The CG extolled the virtues of hardwork, tenacity, dedication and loyalty exhibited by him while heading the PR office of the Corps.

According to him, Odumosu’s tenure as Director of Public Relations of the Corps witnessed a lot of innovations that strengthened the Corps’ image with a corresponding increase in the level of social acceptability nationwide.

The NSCDC Helmsman appraised Odumosu for conducting the first ever strategic communication workshop (STRACOMM 2022) for all Zonal Commanders, State Commandants and Public Relations Officers in all formations of the Corps.

He said the workshop paved way for more strategic innovative service delivery and partnerships with both local and international media outlets.

Responding, the new FCT Commandant, thanked the CG for counting him worthy of providing leadership for the FCT Command.

Odumosu assured that he would remain steadfast, hardworking, resolute and committed to the ideals and vision of the CG in transforming, repositioning and driving the Corps to an enviable height.

He reiterated that with the support of the Corp’s leadership, he was ready to move the FCT Command forward by breaking new grounds through unwavering commitment to the accomplishment of NSCDC’s mandate in the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Odumosu is a Fellow of the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the International Institute of Public Relations UK, amongst others.

The CG also announced the appointment of Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC) Afolabi as the new Director of Public Relations (DPR) of the Corps.

Audi charged the new spokesman to work hard like his predecessor and consolidate on the legacies set by him.

He advised him to raise the bar of performance and transformation of the Public Relations Unit of the Corps across all formations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Spouses and children of Nigeria Correction Service’s inmates have commended the Prison Fellowship International (PFI) and Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFNig) for providing succour for them in their trying moments.

They gave the commendation at the end of a two-day Children Holiday Camp for indigent children of inmates in Suleja, organised by Niger PFNig.

The programme dubbed: “The PromisePath Children Education Programme” with this year’s theme: “Precious to God,” is designed for children who are vulnerable and marginalized.

They said their lives would have been unbearable, without the support of PFI and its Nigerian affiliate, PFNig, especially as their bread-winners are incarcerated.

The women testified that PFI and PFNig had helped in ensuring their out of school children returned to the classroom.

Mrs Beatrice Aigbologa from Suleja said the faith-based organisation had helped in wiping away their tears.

“I want to thank Prison Fellowship International and Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Niger State Chapter, they have done a lot for us.

“They bring joy to our lives, pay our children’s school fees, provide financial and spiritual support to our families.

“They come around to visit us once in a while,” she said.

Also, Mrs Ngozi Obasi from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said PFI and PFNig have given the families of incarcerated people a sense of belonging in the society.

“I appreciate the chairman and other coordinators for their deeds and words of encouragement to us especially during the absence of our husband’s and fathers.

“It has not been easy for our families, but, the PFI and PFNig, Niger State Chapter, have been there for us.

“However, I would like to appeal to the organization to consider setting up in business, wives of inmates, because we lost our source of income due to our husbands incarceration.”

Similarly, Mrs Vero Nwabueze paid kudos to PFI and PFNig officials for spending their time and resources to uplift lives of indigent families of the inmates.

Also Master Taye Aigbologa said if it had not been through the help of PFNig Niger State, he and his siblings would have been out of school.

“I am one of the beneficiaries and I want to thank them for their support, may God continue to strengthen them.”

Earlier, the PFNig Niger State Chairman, Pastor Peter Okere, decried the rate of out-of-school children in the country.

He said that, “Nigeria is reported to have the highest number of out of school children in sub-Saharan Africa with millions of children of schooling age out of school.

“Our youth campaign programme which includes catch them young, a crime prevention initiative aligns perfectly with the PromisePath Programme and is our contribution to reduce the number of out-of-school children.

“lt is to this end we embarked on this programme since three years ago to bridge the gap by providing for their educational and other social needs.

“Here in Niger State, we have a total of 71 children currently in our list from Suleja, Minna and Lapai custodial centres.

“Both Muslims and Christians are benefiting from this programme.”

He further said that through the PromisePath Programme, PFI and PFNig sought to ensure that vulnerable children receive essential supports in the areas of education, safety, health, social and emotional resilience, all within the care of their family units.

“The PromisePath Programme is focused on Improving access to, and participation in education.

“Others are improving important social connection through supportive relationships with local volunteers, interaction with peers, and some form of connection with the incarcerated parents.

“Also, it seeks to improve on spiritual and personal development through mentoring, discipleship, and connection with the local church community.

“Beneficiaries of the PromisePath programme are between the ages of 4 and 18 in public primary and secondary schools in Nigeria and whose parents are incarcerated”

Pastor Okere further observed that the programme has wide-ranging impact on the lives of children and their parents.

“lt has also helped to break the cycle of ignorance, poverty and crime within their families and society at large.

“I want to use this opportunity to encourage children to embrace this programme with all seriousness, study hard to excel so that they can tell their success story tomorrow.”

Also, the camp coordinator, Pastor Dele Olude, said the purpose of the programme was to “show the children of inmates incarcerated in our correctional facilities, whom we are sponsoring their education, that God loves them with an everlasting love and how precious they are to Him”

A total of 46 children, 18 parents/guardians and 14 Prison Fellowship Volunteers attended the programme in Suleja Location being the first location in Niger State, the second location comes up on the 18th & 19th August, 2023 in Minna the State capital.

It was loaded with varieties including Bible drills, crafts and sports.

Deserving children and parents were presented with gifts and awards at the close of the programme.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Jos, The Plateau Government has prioritised sports and youth development, to engage youths in order to curtail social vices and curb crime and criminality in the state.

Mr Lawandi Datti, Plateau Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos.

Datti said that Gov. Caleb Mutfwang`s administration was committed to youth development and wellbeing.

The commissioner said that his visit to the Zaria Road Stadium on Thursday was to assess the state of facilities with a view to giving it a facelift.

“We need to give the stadium a facelift to enable our teams; Plateau United and Mighty Jets play their professional and national leagues at the stadium.

“We noticed that the facility was vandalised last season and we need to fix it for Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to approve for our teams to play.

“It is not news that apart from engaging the youths, sports is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world.

“If we invest in sports, it could be a huge source of revenue for the state,’’ he said.

Datti said that the state government was working on skills acquisition programmes to train youths on how to set up their small scale businesses and be self-sufficient.

According to Datti, an idle man is a devil’s workshop, adding that government would do everything possible to take idle youths off the streets.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Defence Headquarters says Nigerian have, in the last one week, neutralised 38 terrorists, apprehended 242 others and rescued 89 kidnapped hostages in different operations across the country.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Buba said the apprehended suspects comprised 175 gunmen/criminals, 20 kidnappers, 30 collaborators and 17 pipeline vandals.

He said the troops denied the oil theft saboteours the sum of N607 million being value of seizures as well as recovery of 38 assorted weapons and 186 ammunition.

Giving the break down, Buba said the troops recovered 14 AK 47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT, three AK47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one SMG, 10 dane guns and five locally-fabricated pistols.

Others, according to him, include two fabricated weapon, two double-barrel guns, one locally-made revolver, three locally-fabricated pistols, 151 rounds of 7.62mm special, five rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm ammo, 16 rounds 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 12 AK47 magazines, one G3 rifle magazine, one FN rifle magazine, one magazine containing 30 rounds of 7.62mm special and seven empty cases of 7.62mm special.

“Miscellaneous items recovered include; 33 motorcycles, 30 mobile phones, four tricycles, four motorola HH radios, four vehicles, 10 bags of fertilizers and 73 livestock.

“Also recovered are seven cutlasses, one magazine pouch, two solar panels, 10 litres of PMS, Nigerian Police uniform, two gas cylinders, one power bank, one pair of woodland and desert camouflages each.

“Troops also recovered the sum of N2.59 million,” he said.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested 53 terrorists and rescued 34 hostages as well as recovered a large cache of arms during the period.

In the North Central, he said troops of Operations Safe Haven remained relentless in offensive posture against kidnappers and other criminal elements within the operational area.

He said the troops had within the week neutralised three terrorists, arrested 13 suspected criminals, five kidnappers and rescued three kidnapped hostages.

According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also neutralised seven terrorists, arrested three suspects and rescued three kidnapped hostages.

In the North West, Buba said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised five terrorists, arrested eight suspects and rescued nine kidnapped hostages while several terrorists’ camps were destroyed.

He said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised five terrorists, arrested 44 collaborators and rescued 15 kidnapped civilians while several weapons with four trucks and four motorcycles amongst other items were recovered.

In the South-South, Buba said that troops of Operation Delta Safe, destroyed 39 illegal refining sites, 72 dugout pits, 65 wooden boats, 70 storage tanks and 119 cooking ovens with sundry equipment such as two speedboats, five outboard engines, and four pumping machines.

He added that the troops recovered 1,247,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 132,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 57,450 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine and 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

In the South East, he said, troops of Operation UDO KA eliminated two members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network, arrested two, apprehended two trucks loaded with illegally refined AGO and rescued four kidnapped hostages.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not back down in its offensive operations aimed at tackling insecurity across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country.

“Rather, the military will brutally hunt down the orchestrators and take appropriate actions to hold them accountable for their actions.

“The military, while conducting these operations, will continue to take great measures to prevent civilian casualties as protecting civilians remains a vital part of our objective to promote greater security for all Nigerians.

“The uncommon cooperation, collaboration and support received from citizens across the country is greatly assisting own operations to yield expected results,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Angolan president João Lourenço Friday assessed the construction works of the new General Hospital of Ondjiva, in southern Cunene province, with current execution standing at 84.7 percent.

The infrastructure, with planned capacity for 220 beds and estimated at 52 million euros, including equipment, is expected to start operating in the first quarter of 2024.

There are few works left to complete some parts of the physical structure, the general coordinator of the supervision of the contract, Cundissa Neto, told the press.

The Secretary of State for the Hospital Leonardo Inocêncio praised the progress of the work and said that the physical execution stands at 84.7% while the financial is 74.17%.

The establishment will replace the old General Hospital, affected by fire in October 2020 that completely damaged the surgery area and the oxygen storage division.

The President João Lourenço also visited the municipality of Cuvelai, where he learned about the works on the Ndúe and Calucuve dams, under construction as part of the structuring projects to combat drought

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan head of State João Lourenço assessed Friday the level of execution of the construction works on Ndúe and Calucuve dams in southern Cunene province.

The two structuring projects are part of the programme for fight against drought in the country’s southern region.

These are lots 03 and 05, which include the construction work on the Ndúe dams on the Caundo river and Calucuve dams on the Cuvelai river.

On the site, João Lourenço was briefed on the progress of works conducted and those still in progress.

The Secretary of State for Energy António da Costa put the physical execution of the Ndúe dam at 23% and financial 21.53%.

While Calucuve dam, the execution, both financial and physical, stands at around 16%.

Ndúe dam is expected to improve access, supply water to 55,000 inhabitants, 60,000 head of cattle, irrigate an area of 9,200 hectares and create 591 direct jobs, the official said.

In April 2022, the president João Lourenço inaugurated the Canal do Cafu.

The project cost 44.3 billion and benefiting an estimated population of 235,000 inhabitants, watering 250,000 animals and irrigating five thousand hectares of agricultural fields

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

NamWater held a ground-breaking ceremony for the raw water pipeline replacement project at Katima Mulilo on Thursday.

The project will address the growing water demand and extend the supply of water to rural areas to provide clean drinking water to local communities.

The pipeline is core to water supply in the Zambezi Region as the town of Katima Mulilo, the communities serviced by the Katima-Sibbinda pipeline, Katima to Bukalo pipeline and Katima-Linyanti pipeline would not receive water if the raw water pipeline is not functional.

The project, executed at a cost of N.dollars 2.4 million, was officially launched by Zambezi Region Governor Lawrence Sampofu, who said supplying water to Katima Mulilo and surrounding areas in adequate amounts to acceptable quality had become a major concern and challenge to NamWater.

The governor said water supply has been a major issue in Katima Mulilo, recalling that residents could attest to the endless water supply interruptions and associated inconveniences to the livelihoods and economy of the Zambezi capital.

Katima Mulilo Urban Constituency Councillor Kennedy Simasiku on his part welcomed the project, emphasising that the intervention is long overdue. He said pipeline replacements including reservoirs will accommodate the growing population of Katima.

NamWater Chief Executive Officer Abraham Nehemia reassured the residents that the water from the Katima Mulilo scheme remains top quality and free from possible pollution, as was the concern with the old dilapidated reservoir covers that were in place.

Nehemia also revealed that NamWater has made a strategic decision to ensure that water supply leadership in the region is localised, with an area manager appointed to attend to local needs.

The CEO of the national water supplier further urged Katima residents to continue paying for water services rendered to enable the corporation to continue serving the nation.

NamWater also rehabilitated the clear water reservoirs at Katima Mulilo at a cost of N.dollars 5.4 million.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Otjozondjupa police have launched a culpable homicide investigation after a man navigating a towed vehicle died in a collision on the Okahandja-Karibib road on Thursday.

The Namibian Police Force’s head of community affairs in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha told Nampa in an interview the deceased was identified as Albert Hiskia, whose age was yet to be established.

The accident occurred around 16h12, approximately 40 kilometres west of Okahandja.

The Toyota pick-up was being towed by another pick-up when the driver of the leading vehicle allegedly lost control because the towing material they were using, malfunctioned while the vehicles were in motion.

“Both vehicles then overturned after hitting the shoulder portions of the road near a bridge,” said Mbeha.

The four occupants of the leading vehicle, including the 46-year-old male driver, survived with slight to serious injuries.

Hiskia, who was alone in the car that was being towed, sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Okahandja State Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, said Mbeha.

His next of kin have been informed of his death and investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni has reaffirmed Government’s commitment towards supporting developmental initiatives through regional and local authority councils.

Uutoni said this during the commemoration of the Africa Day of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development at Okahao in the Omusati Region on Thursday.

This year’s day is commemorated under the theme ‘The contribution of African Subnational and Local Governments in the Making of the African Continental Free Trade Area’.

Uutoni stated that one of the instruments they are using to harness the economic potential of regions and local authorities is their Regional and Local Economic Development (LED) White Paper of 2011, which they are reviewing in order to ensure its continued relevance.

“Through our LED programme, we will continue to support and build the capacity of our regional and local governments to develop and implement effective regional and local economic development strategies and initiatives with a view to attract and retain investment and business, which are important sources and catalysts for employment and wealth creation as well as economic growth and development,” he said.

Uutoni said they need to be mindful that their decentralised system still needs nurturing and perfection before they can experience the full benefits thereof.

He said this more than ever calls for enhanced cooperation and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders, especially line ministries who have to decentralise functions and corresponding resources as well as regional and local authority councils as the recipients, to re-commit and do everything in their power to accelerate the pace of decentralisation.

The minister indicated that with other government ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, they will also continue to assist local governments to build business sites and premises, as well as to access production equipment that offer conducive spaces for trading and boost the productive capacity of their micro, small and medium enterprises.

Uutoni stressed that decentralisation has the potential to unleash development potential at regional and local levels, which in turn translates into benefits at both local and national levels.

The commemoration was attended by all 14 regional governors.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) on Thursday stated that the country received below normal rainfall with a delay in the onset of rain, since the beginning of 2022/23 season.

In a Crop Prospect, Food Security and Drought situation report issued to Nampa on Friday, MAWLR Executive Director (ED), Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata stated that most parts of the country only received productive rainfall in January.

“In addition to sporadic and insufficient rainfall patterns that have dominated the season, the country noted severe and prolonged dry spells in December, February, March and April, which led to poor agricultural production and pasture establishment,” Nghituwamata said.

The ED stated that the aggregate cereal analysis showed that the country has recorded 153 000 Metric Tons (MT), which is 9 per cent lower than the last season’s harvest of 168 200 MT, but 23 per cent above 10 years’ average production of 124 200 MT.

Furthermore, a considerable number of households in the key communal crop producing regions have reported a depletion of their harvest from the previous season, and they are now relying mainly on the market and drought relief food in some regions for sustenance, she said.

Due to the findings of the assessment among others, recommendations were made for possible interventions and future assistance, such as that Government through the Office of the Prime Minister should continue with the provision of the drought relief measures to households faced with food insecurity in Kunene, parts of Omusati and Erongo, Omaheke, ||Kharas and Hardap, until situations normalise.

According to Nghituwamata, another recommendation made was for the government to consider the roll-out of drought relief interventions (food assistance and the Livestock Support Programme) across the remaining eight regions, including the entire Omusati and Erongo regions.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency