PHOTO NEWS: Badaru Receives Ukraine Defence Attaché To Nigeria In Abuja

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni, on Thursday received in audience, the  Defence Attaché of the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria, Andrii Vasyliev, at Ship House, Abuja.

Father Defiles 4-Year-Old Daughter In Abuja

Mrs Modupe Maduba, an Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, told an FCT High Court in Kubwa that a 35-year-old man, Onyebuchi Ezema defiled his four-year-old daughter. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), charged Ezema, who resides in Zone 9, Lugbe AirPort Road, Abuja with assault, to which he pleaded not guilty. Maduba of the NAPTIP said this while being cross examined by the defence counsel, Opeyemi Adeyemi at the resumed trial of Onyebuchi Ezema. During cross-examination, Adeyemi asked Maduba the time, date and place the defendant committed the said offence. He further asked if Maduba knew where the defendant’s wife kept the victim the day it happened and if it was possible an unknown person penetrated her vagina. The defence counsel also asked the investigator to describe where the defendant lived and if there was electricity on the day of the incident. In response, Maduba said the incident happened on April, 15, 2020 at Lugbe Zone 6, at night. “The defendant lives in a one-bedroom self contained apartment with his son whom he sleeps with in same room alongside his wife and daughter (the victim). “The defendant’s wife left her child with her cousin whom lives in the same village, while she went to work on the said date,” she said. The investigator added that she did not know if there was electricity on the day of the incident. Adeyemi asked if the investigator discovered any blood stain on the minor in the course of her investigation and if a finger print examination was carried out on the child to confirm if it was the defendant’s finger. The defence counsel asked the investigator to read out the medical report in court, if it stated that the defendant broke the victim’s hymen. Maduba responded that she did not see any blood stain on the victim, no finger print examination was carried out and the medical report did not state whom broke the victim’ s hymen. Adeyemi however applied for a no-case submission to the court. Following the defence counsel’s submission, Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf adjourned the matter until Dec.13 for adoption of the no-case submission.

Tragic Road Accident Involves FG Civil Servants En Route IPPIS Registration

A group of 20 federal civil servants, who were en route from Maiduguri, Borno State, to Abuja for a mandatory verification exercise related to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) registration, were involved in a tragic road accident in Gombe on Tuesday. While the specific details of the accident remain unclear as of the time of this report, it was confirmed that one person lost their life in this unfortunate incident. The accident took place during their journey from Maiduguri to the nation’s capital. The Nigerian Government recently issued a directive requiring all civil servants and employees from core ministries to participate in the ongoing IPPIS registration to ensure the accurate capture of their details. This directive impacted approximately 17,000 federal civil servants from various regions of the country who had to travel to Abuja for registration. A surviving civil servant, deeply distressed by the situation, shared, “Tragically, one of our colleagues lost their life on the way from Maiduguri to Abuja for the mandatory IPPIS registration. The accident occurred in Gombe. This is a truly heartbreaking situation, and I will provide further updates as we receive more information.” The affected civil servants have been grappling with delayed salary payments, adding to their concerns and challenges during this registration process.

Tinubu Swears In 3 New Cabinet Members

President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to three new ministers during the second Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. The newly appointed cabinet members are as follows: Malam Balarabe Lawal from Kaduna State as the Minister of Environment, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim from Kwara as the Minister of Youths, and Ayodele Olawande from Ondo as the Minister of State for Youths. These appointments follow the creation of the Ministry of Youths, with Tinubu nominating these individuals to lead it and serve as a replacement for former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai. Recall that El-Rufai’s nomination was previously rejected during the Senate ministerial screening due to a petition against him. Tinubu, who chaired the FEC meeting, oversaw the swearing-in ceremony and also posed for photographs with the new cabinet members. The council also observed a minute of silence in honor of Late Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, a former member of the cabinet who served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. This second FEC meeting further solidified the administration’s commitment to delivering on its “Renewed Hope Agenda” and addressing the eight-point economic agenda unveiled by President Tinubu during the inaugural meeting held in August. The Federal Executive Council serves as a constitutional institution where government policies are discussed and endorsed by ministers, with the President serving as the Chairman and the Vice President as the Vice Chairman.

FCTA Shuts Down 2 Substandard Schools In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has closed two private schools for operating below minimum standard in the FCT. The affected schools are Erudite Bright Kids at Kagini and Jane’s Angela School in Abuja Municipal Area Council The schools were closed during an operation to close all substandard schools operating in the FCT. The Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Danlami Hayyo, who led the team in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the measure was to ensure quality of teaching and learning in FCT schools. Hayyo said that the move was in line with the mandate of the Department of Quality Assurance charged with the core responsibility of proper accreditation of schools, monitoring and inspection. This, according to him, is to ensure quality educational services, compliance to the requirements for the establishment of schools and enforcement of minimum standards as stipulated in the operational guidelines for Schools. “In a normal situation, no school should be allowed to operate in the FCT without due registration, payment of dues and obtaining the necessary requirements. “The secretariat through the Department of Quality Assurance is determined to sanitise the system for a better teaching and learning process. “We will also intensify its efforts to ensure FCT schools compete favorably in the global education space,” he said. He called on the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to enlighten their members on minimum standards and the need to key into FCT Administration educational policies. Hayyo, also called for robust partnership of the private sector in the delivery of quality educational services to the teeming residents of the FCT. The mandate secretary also frowned at the attitude of some school proprietors who denied evaluators and inspectors from accessing school premises. On her part, the Director, Department of Quality Assurance, Dr Favour Nse-Edem, explained that the sealed schools failed to satisfy the conditions of establishment of regular schools. Nse-Edem added that there were no records of their existence and has been operating for years, adding that the closure was key to maintaining standards in schools. She said that the department would continue to ensure that both public and private schools operate within expected standards. She added that all schools must operate in line with minimum requirements, duly accredited, registered and adhere to operational guidelines. The director said that the closure exercise was with the approval of the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike. She explained that the department had created awareness through public announcements in various media organisations on the need to comply with operational guidelines to provide quality educational services. The director said that the announcement served as a warning signal to defaulting and substandard schools operating in an unconducive environment. “There are other schools operating in an environment that predisposes students to health hazards and those operating in faulty physical structure among others. “The department has continued to advise the schools owners on what is expected of them but have continued to ignore such professional advice of quality assurance evaluators,” he said. 

Rivers: Tribunal Dismisses Labour Party’s Petition Against Fubara’s Election Victory

The Rivers State Governorship Election petition, convened in Abuja, has rejected the petition submitted by the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Beatrice Itubo. She was challenging the victory of Simnalayi Fubara from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). After the announcement of Fubara as the victor in the March 18 governorship election, both the Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with their respective candidates, submitted petitions to the tribunal. Fubara secured 302,614 votes, defeating his closest rival Tonye Cole of the APC, who garnered 95,274 votes. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Senator Magnus Abe, and Itubo trailed behind in third and fourth places, with 46,981 and 22,224 votes, respectively. On September 13, the tribunal reserved its judgment on Cole’s petition, which sought the annulment of Fubara’s victory. After the parties presented their final written arguments and made their case for or against the petition, the three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Cletus Emifonye, adjourned the matter for judgment. However, in its ruling on the LP’s petition on Monday, the Justice Emifonye-led tribunal dismissed the petition, citing a lack of merit and the failure to substantiate the allegations made.

FG Moves To Avert Planned Strike, Meets Organised Labour In Aso Rock

In an effort to avert a nationwide strike scheduled for October 3, the Federal Government has initiated discussions with organised labour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. This meeting, orchestrated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has drawn the participation of several ministers. Last Tuesday, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) jointly declared their intent to commence an indefinite strike on October 3. Following a resolution of their internal differences, which led to a two-day warning strike by the NLC without the participation of TUC, the unions also called upon their state chapters to mobilize for protests across the nation. Two days later, during a meeting of the National Executive Council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, a plea was made to the organised labour to reconsider their planned strike action. Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who addressed reporters at the Presidential Villa last Thursday, appealed to the leadership of organised labour to exercise patience and allow more time for dialogue. Mutfwang revealed that the welfare of Nigerian workers would be a focal point in President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural Independence Day address to the nation on Sunday. In response to the plea made by the National Executive Council, the President’s Chief of Staff convened this meeting to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute with organised labour.

Wike Revokes 22 Allocations, Offers 3-Month Devt Window To 21 Embassies, 168 Others

In a significant move, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has revoked 21 plots of land in the Central Business District (CBD), citing violations of the terms of development as the primary reason for this decision. The revocation notice was formally issued by Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, who stated that the minister was exercising his authority under Section 28(5)(a) & (b) of the Land Use Act 1978. The lands were revoked due to “continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right of Occupancy, to wit non-development.” Several prominent entities were affected by this revocation, including Lowe Lintas, Tourist Company of Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, CFA Motors, and Chidol Properties, among others. In a parallel development, the FCT Minister also extended a three-month grace period to 189 titleholders who have acquired Building Plan Approvals but have not yet initiated development on their respective properties. The official statement from the Director of Information and Communication in the FCTA, Muhammad Hazat Sule, explained that this grace period is an opportunity for these titleholders to commence development or risk having their titles revoked. This three-month grace period applies to a diverse group of stakeholders, including embassies and government agencies. Notable embassies such as the Embassy of Ireland, Embassy of France, Canadian High Commission, Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and several others are among those who have been granted this extension. Additionally, numerous government agencies, including those within the FCT Administration, fall under this category. The grace period also covers various other organizations and entities such as the Abuja National Mosque Council, Daily Times of Nigeria, Elf Petroleum, Access Bank, Federal Housing Authority, and several individuals including Adamu Ajuji Waziri, Isa Yuguda, Eyitayo Lambo, Abba Gana, Mohammed Abubakar Rimi, and more. It is emphasized that this extension is solely for those who have already acquired Building Plan Approvals and have expressed a genuine intent to develop their properties but have not initiated development. The FCT Administration emphasized that this extension is a gesture to support those who have demonstrated a clear commitment to property development by obtaining the necessary approvals. It is a response to their willingness to comply with the terms outlined in the Offer of the Right-Of-Occupancy. The statement further encourages affected property owners to make use of this opportunity and proceed with development within the stipulated three-month period. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of their titles, in accordance with the provisions of the law. The FCT Administration has extended this grace period to both individual property owners and corporate organizations that have shown a sincere desire to develop their properties. Simultaneously, the three-month grace period extended to 189 titleholders is a strategic move aimed at encouraging and facilitating property development within the Federal Capital City. Property owners, including embassies, government agencies, and corporate entities, are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure the continued validity of their titles and contribute to the growth and development of the city.

Ban Activities Of Eze-Igbo Group In Abuja, Ohanaeze Urges Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been called upon to ban the activities of Eze-Igbos in Abuja The President of Ohaneze, FCT Chapter, Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Nweze, said anyone who wants to become Eze-Igbo should return to the South-East.  He said the FCT is not Igboland and therefore, cannot have Eze-Igbo. Barrister Nweze said: “Following the sack of Uche Isaac Egenti, Ibe Nwosu, and others by the General Assembly of Ohanaeze Nd‘Iigbo FCT Abuja Chapter for causing crises in the FCT, and subsequent communication of the same to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, we wish to say that Uche Isaac Egenti and his cohorts employed one FCK Obike (one of the erstwhile members of the Executive Committee ostracized with them) to author a phantom impeachment against our president.  “The Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo FCT Abuja Chapter’s General Assembly through the Executive Committee reiterates that Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is not Igboland; therefore, there are no Eze-Igbos in the Federal Capital Territory. People seeking to be Eze/Kings should go back to their home states in the South East and follow the guiding laws in respect of Chieftaincy – Nd‘lgbo cannot build kingdoms within the traditional leaderships of their host communities thereby creating confusion, unwarranted rivalry, and crises in the FCT.  “Henry Ugbaja, Hilary Ukpabi, FCK Obike, and Promise thezie, who are unknown to their respective Presidents General of Abia State and Imo State communities in FCT Abuja, and were ostracized with Uche Isaac Egenti; they cannot speak for Ohanaeze.” He called, on the unsuspecting members of the public to beware of their activities and added that Ohanaeze Nd‘Igbo FCT Abuja Chapter is a responsible organization that will not under this regime seek for funds from the general public.  He said those parading themselves as Eze- Igbo gathered Igbo people, especially the unemployed or under-employed for which they approach authorities for patronage; from which they receive monies and other benefits for either their personal use or for use to further enslave the unsuspecting vulnerable people.  “They have leutenants whom they also address as Ezes; some of whom are not employed at all and/or are not even known at all by members of their extended families not to talk of their communities in the South East – they have employed this purporting traditional Leadership of Nd’Igbo for fraud and deceit to the detriment of the FCT society at large.  “Sir, those who want to have kingdoms should go home to the South East and become Ezes/Kings if they can; and should stop causing confusion in the city. The Federal Capital Territory is not Igbo villages; and kingdoms do not exist within other kingdoms,” he said. 

We’re Taking Legal Action Against Owners Of Impounded Vehicles, Tricycles, Others- FCTA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says owners of 149 impounded vehicles, 100 tricycles and motorcycles in the FCT will appear before a mobile court for various traffic offences. Dr Abdulateef Bello, the Director, FCTA Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIO), stated this in Abuja at the weekend, after inspecting the impounded vehicles. Bello, who visited some of the VIO Commands where the impounded vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles were kept, said that the owners would pay dearly for their sins. He explained that the offences included parking in unauthorised areas, driving against traffic, and operating unregistered and unpainted taxis as well as illegal motor parks. “I always advise that it is cheaper to be on the side of the law to obey simple rules and regulations. “We have asked commercial motorists to register and operate within the defined routes and motor parks and not to pick indiscriminately from the road corridors. “We have also told the tricycle operators to operate within the confines of the road plan, already agreed upon. “They are not supposed to come into the city. They are supposed to transport people that are going into estates and towards suburbs of the city,” he said. He said that traffic regulations have been reviewed, adding that fines will equally be reviewed upward. He said that traffic offenders would pay hugely when they face mobile court, “but I am sure it will serve as a deterrence”. The director said that the directorate was working with the Transport Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to review existing road traffic policies on traffic management. This, according to him, will ensure effective regulation of road traffic management. He noted that until the Abuja Mass Transit become fully operational to meet the needs of commuters, the directorate would continue to battle with unregistered vehicles operating illegally in the city. “This is because it is a function of demand and supply, but I am sure in no distant time, all these will be a thing of the past,” he said.