FG insists African aviation varsity will begin September

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, maintained that academic activities of the proposed African Aviation and Aerospace University will commence in September 2023. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this while signing the MoU with Nile University, on behalf of the Federal Government. Nigerian Anchor reports that this is the second time the Federal Government would be making the announcement. Last year, Sirika had announced that the African Aviation and Aerospace University will commence registration for the 2022/2023 academic session on September 26 to November 18, 2022. Sirika, while signing the MoU in Abuja, said the university will help address the research and development gaps in the aviation sector, adding that it will begin academic activities offering BSc courses in Aviation Business and Meteorology. He also mentioned that the university has hired its management staff and created an academic brief while noting that there are plans to privatise the university in the future for greater effectiveness. “The university ought to have happened a long time ago because it is part of our roadmap in 2016 that was approved by the president and this is just to go straight into research and development in civil aviation and aerospace and of course environmental sciences. “This university has received attention all over the world. The first of its kind in Africa and by the grace of God, it would be one of the top universities in the world. I’m also very sure that we may even go into aviation medicine in the near future. “It is dedicated to those core mandates of aerospace aviation and environmental sciences. It is intended to attend to the huge demands we have in this sub-region of ours and indeed continentally especially as Africa is looking to unite, integrate and become one entity in all fields and human endeavours. “I’m happy to say that the academic brief has been developed, the management staff have been employed and of course, it will be governed by the Federal Government but will be owned and operated by the private sector through PPP arrangement. “I’m sure in the long run, it will end up being truly private sector but the government needs to ground it fully to ensure that the take-off does not suffer any hitch. “The university will run both physical and online courses. These days, universities are turning virtual and we will begin with the B.Sc. Aviation Business and B.Sc. Meteorology and of course, continue to grow. Also, not too far from now, we will be getting approval from NUC to commence Master of Science in Aviation Management. “Nile will provide support for the undergraduate programme for the first two years and it is expected that more research and collaboration will be established between the AAAN and NUN,” he said.

FG condemns attack on US consulate staff in Anambra

The Federal Government of Nigeria has condemned the attack on the motorcade of staff of United States (US) Consulate in Nigeria by gunmen in Ogabru Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra which left four people dead. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack in a statement by the ministry’s Spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli, on Wednesday in Abuja. The government commiserated with the families of the deceased, assuring them that an investigation had already begun with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to book. “The Federal Government received with dismay the sad news of the attack on the convoy of the staffers of the U.S. Consulate on May 16, 2023 in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State by yet-to-be-identified gunmen. “The unfortunate incident, which led to the death of two policemen and two staff of the consulate, is condemnable and most regrettable. “While the investigation to fish out the culprits and bring them to book is ongoing the federal government extends its sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased as well as to the United States Consulate and Mission in Nigeria over the unfortunate incident. “The Federal Government remains undaunted by this sad development and reiterates its commitment to the continued fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the country.”

Nigeria’s inflation rate on the rise, hits 22.22% in April 2023 — NBS

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 22.22 percent on a year-on-year basis in April 2023, The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said. This is according to the NBS Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for April 2023 released in Abuja on Tuesday. According to the report, the figure is 0.18 percent points higher compared to the 22.04 percent recorded in March 2023. It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in March 2023 was 5.40 percent higher than the rate recorded in April 2022 at 16.82 percent. “This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in April 2023 when compared to the same period in April 2022,’’ it said. The report showed that contributions of items on the divisional level increase in the headline index are food and non-alcoholic beverages at 11.51 percent. While housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel at 3.72 percent. Others are clothing and footwear at 1.70 percent; transport at 1.45 percent; furnishings, household equipment, and maintenance at 1.12 percent and education at 0.88 percent, and health at 0.67 percent. “Miscellaneous goods and services at 0.37 percent; restaurant and hotels at 0.27 percent; alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola at 0.24 percent; recreation and culture at 0.15 percent and communication at 0.15 percent.” It said the percentage change in the All-Items Index in April 2023 was 1.91 percent on a month-on-month basis. “This indicates a 0.05 per cent increase compared to the 1.86 per cent recorded in March 2023. ”This means that in April 2023, on average, the general price level was 0.05 percent higher relative to March 2023.” The percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending April 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12 months period was 20.82 percent. “This indicates a 4.37 percent increase compared to the 16.45 percent recorded in April 2022.’’ It said increases were recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the headline index. The report said the food inflation rate in April 2023 was 24.61 percent on a year-on-year basis, which was 6.24 percent higher compared to the rate recorded in April 2022 at 18.37 percent. “The rise in food inflation is caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yams and other tubers, and oil and fat, fish, vegetable, fruits, meat, and spirits.” It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in April was 2.13 percent, which was a 0.06 percent rise compared to the rate recorded in March 2023 at 2.07 percent. The report said the “All items less farm produce’’ or Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce stood at 20.14 percent in April 2023 on a year-on-year basis. “This increased by 5.96 percent compared to 14.18 percent recorded in April 2022.’’ “On a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 1.46 percent in April 2023, which was a 0.78 percent drop compared to what it stood at in March 2023 at 1.84 percent.” According to the report, the highest increases were recorded in prices of gas, passenger transport by Air, liquid fuel, fuels, lubricants for Personal transport equipment, and vehicles spare parts. “Others are maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment and solid fuel, medical services, and passenger transport by road, among others. “The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 17.91 percent for the 12 months ending April 2023, this was 4.23 percent points higher than the 13.68 percent recorded in April 2022.” The report said on a year-on-year basis in April 2023, that the urban inflation rate was 23.39 percent, which was 6.05 percent higher compared to the 17.35 percent recorded in April 2022. “On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 2.05 percent in April 2023, representing a 0.05 percent rise compared to March 2023 at 2.00 percent.’’ It said the corresponding 12-month average for the urban inflation rate was 21.50 percent in April 2023. “This was 4.49 percent higher compared to the 17.01 percent reported in April 2022.’’ The report said on a year-on-year basis in April 2023, the rural inflation rate was 21.14 percent, which was 4.82 percent higher compared to the 16.32 percent recorded in April 2022. “On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in April 2023 was 1.78 percent, which increased by 0.06 percent compared to March 2023 at 1.72 percent.’’ It said the corresponding 12-month average for the rural inflation rate in April 2023 was 20.18 percent, which was 4.27 percent higher compared to the 15.91 percent recorded in April 2022. On states’ profile analysis, the report showed in April 2023, all items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Bayelsa at 26.14 percent, followed by Kogi at 25.57 percent, and Rivers at 24.95 percent. It, however, said the slowest rise in headline year-on-year inflation was recorded in Borno at 19.60 percent, followed by Taraba at 19.64 percent, and Sokoto at 19.90 percent. The report, however, said in April 2023, all items’ inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Cross River at 3.05 percent, Bayelsa at 2.92 percent and Rivers at 2.62 percent. “Katsina at 0.52 percent, followed by Jigawa at 0.74 percent and Osun at 0.96 percent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation.” The report said food inflation in April 2023, on a year-on-year basis, was highest in Kogi at 29.50 percent, followed by Kwara at 29.48 percent, and Bayelsa at 29.38 percent. “Sokoto at 19.55 percent, followed by Taraba at 20.20 percent and Jigawa at 20.68 percent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.’’ The report, however, said on a month-on-month basis, April 2023 food inflation was highest in Cross River at 4.65 percent, followed by Bayelsa at 3.61 percent, and Ekiti at 3.49 percent. ”With Jigawa at 0.14 percent, followed by Katsina at 0.44 percent and Osun at 0.62 per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation.’’

Mu’azu Sambo inaugurates NIMASA Abuja office, tasks staff on productivity

The Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Mu’azu Sambo, has urged members of staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to double their efforts to ensure improved service delivery and economic development. Sambo gave the advice while inaugurating the new NIMASA Abuja Liaison office. He said that establishing a permanent Zonal office for the agency was imperative because of its strategic role in the sector. “Apart from the reduction of cost of governance, the New Abuja Zonal Office will serve as the centre piece of government relations on matters with bilateral and multilateral implications on international trade and cooperation. “It will enable the agency to host foreign diplomats and other key maritime stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory, thereby helping the agency to speedily achieve its mandate. “All these led to the acquisition of the office and served as further proof of the growth in capacity of NIMASA due to its deepened role in Nigeria’s economic development,” the minister said. While expressing the ministry’s commitment to NIMASA and all other departments under it, Sambo said this project was a pointer to its determination in that regard. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for approving the procurement of the office, the NIMASA Chief executive and all who made the project a reality. Sambo thanked everyone who contributed to the realisation of the project, saying more of such projects would subsequently be inaugurated in the country Earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, thanked the minister and the Federal Government for ensuring the acquisition of the state-of-the-art edifice. Jamoh said the project signaled the agency’s commitment to providing conducive, favorable and supportive working conditions to boost staff productivity. The Director-General said,” Today’s ceremony is just one more step in living up to what the world has come to expect from us. “If we train our staff internationally, we must provide them with a working environment that matches with those international standards. “This edifice reflects management’s commitment to providing a world-class working environment in addition to the recently reviewed and improved conditions of service for all employees. “With this investment, we have taken things up and made them top-notch by providing support, infrastructure environment, regarding safety and security.’’ He, however, pledged NlMASA’s commitment to ensure a culture of maintenance to extend the lifespan of the building.

Rampaging gunmen attack Plateau village, kill 30- Police

Gunmen have killed over 30 persons in Bwoi District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, DSP Alfred Alabo confirmed in a statement. Alabo said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, who described the incident as unfortunate has directed immediate deployment of armed personnel to the area. ”The commissioner of police expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident that has claimed the lives of yet-to-be-identified persons from various villages within the area. ”At about 11:56 p.m. on Tuesday, we received a distress call from one of our Police officers in charge of Tanknale village of Mangu, that some gunmen were shooting sporadically in a nearby village. ”The commissioner immediately mobilised all assets in the command to the scene to ensure that the suspects are arrested and brought to book. ”Further information from the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), ACP Bawa Sale, who was also present at the scene, reveals that with help from other security agencies in the command, the hoodlums were chased away,” he said. He explained that due to the superior firepower of the security personnel, the hoodlums abandoned four motorcycles, a Sharon vehicle, and some items used for their nefarious activities. ”As we speak, the culprits are on the run while our officers are still on their trail with the aim to ensure that they are neutralized and arrested,” he added. Alabo maintained that the commissioner of police has called on residents of the area to remain peaceful adding that security agencies have modalities available to stop the criminals. He also called on the residents with useful information to avail it to the security agencies for prompt action.

Security: NSA, DG DSS task governors on conflict management

The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.- Gen. Mohammed Monguno, has tasked state governors with the regular engagement of stakeholders and proper management of conflicts to enhance the security of their respective states. The NSA made the call at the ongoing three-day 2023 induction program for re-elected and newly elected governors organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja. Munguno, represented by Mr. Joseph Dashwuep, a senior officer in the NSA’s office, also called on State Governors to adopt both the kinetic and non-kinetic models in tackling insecurity in their states. Monguno who was the lead discussant at a panel session on “Managing security in the states: Ungoverned spaces and regional security” said that security agencies would always do their best to keep Nigeria safe. He said that there was the need for state governors to adopt policies that meet the aspirations of the people and ensure proper management of conflicts. “The way you manage conflicts go a long way in determining the peace and security of your state,” Monguno said. He also advised them to regularly meet with security agencies, media, civil societies, non-governmental organizations, citizens, and traditional and religious leaders. Also speaking, the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi who was a discussant, advised governors to act promptly on intelligence reports and early warning alert. ”You are expected to act promptly once you receive intelligence or early warning reports. “Do not neglect these reports. Sometimes governors will receive intelligence report and hand it over to a special adviser or aide,” he said. The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, who was also a discussant, advised governors to work with existing security architecture to secure their state. Baba said that establishing a new security outfit would cost more than improving of the existing ones He also advised governors to tackle the issue of unemployment and poverty as well as adopt advanced technology in fighting crime. Contributing, Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra, said that state governors should be empowered to tackle security challenges at the local level because the federal security agencies were not localised. “The central point here to make is that security or insecurity is largely a local issue. Every locality has its own peculiarities. “I think for those of us who are governors and the governors-elect, a major concern that we need to address is that the national security architecture places much emphasis on kinetic architecture which is almost exclusively on the shoulders of the Federal Government. “Whereas the governors are called chief security officers (without troops); we must have to learn how to cope for survival in a dysfunctional system,” he said. Soludo expressed happiness that the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu had expressed his commitment to state police saying that is really the way to go in a federal structure. “The vigilante services of various states are backed by law. The one of Anambra is doing well but we are operating on a tight constraint as it were,” he said. Also, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, said instead of establishing new security outfit at the state, governors should key into efforts by federal government. He said that federal security agencies were functioning, but in adequate fund remain a big challenge that states can step into to fund their operations. “If we can tackle the funding gap that exists among these security agencies and fund them early enough, the idea of having a general without a troop will disappear because you know as we always say, who plays the piper dictates the tune,” he said. Uzodinma called for partnership and cooperation between the state and federal governments “I am also aware that given the economy and revenue sources available to the states, it may not be very easy now for some states to fund the cost of setting up an independent security architecture that will be effective and efficient in their various states. “Rather, an inter-dependent relationship between the federal establishment and provincial authorities will also work,” he added. On managing the process of governance, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State advised incoming governors not to abandon any project because they were not the initiators. Sanwo-Olu said the completion of a project was more important to the people than who started it. “If a project is 86 per cent completed and abandoned, no body will take the credit. What the people are concerned about is to enjoy the facilities,” he said. Gov. Seyin Makinde of Oyo State also advised governors not to abandon projects. Former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke, urged governors to deliver on their by promises saying “politics is over. You emerged one way or the other, it is time to work. “I will congratulate you for winning election but the bigger congratulations will come at the end of your tenure,” he said.

You can’t go on strike, FG warns resident doctors

The Federal Government has warned members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to shelve their planned five-day warning strike. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja, shortly after receiving the letter of notification from the NARD executive on the planned strike. Ngige said this in a statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry while the planned strike as illegal. The impending industrial action is billed to begin by midnight of May 16. Ngige who was reacting to the letter, delivered to his office at about 5pm same day, said he contacted the Minister of Health, who informed him that a meeting has been scheduled with the resident doctors on Wednesday. He therefore advised the doctors to avail themselves of the opportunity for social dialogue with their employer, rather than embark on a warning strike, which is unknown to the law. According to him, “I will advise them to attend the meeting with the Minister of Health tomorrow.  I will also advise them very strongly not to go on a five-day warning strike. “There is nothing like a warning strike. A strike is a strike. If they want to take that risk, the options are there. It is their decision. They have the right to strike. You cannot deny them that right. “But their employer has another right under Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, to withhold their pay for those five days. So, if the NARD has strike funds to pay their members for those five days, no problem. “The Health Minister will instruct the teaching hospitals to employ ad-hoc people for those five days and they will use the money of the people who went on strike to pay the ad-hoc doctors. “That is the ILO principles at decent work, especially for those rendering essential services. Lives should be protected. One of my sons is a resident doctor, I will advise him to go to work and sign the attendance register,” he said. He added that, the people seen at work are the ones to receive their pay. If you don’t work, there will be no pay. On the five demands of the doctors, Ngige said the Federal Government lacks the powers to compel the states to domesticate the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). He added that since health is on the residual list, where both the federal and state governments have the powers to legislate. The minister also stated that the job of the Federal government was to make policy and where the states disagree, they were at liberty to make their own policy. He noted that the Federal Government cannot bully the states into domesticating the MRTF if they do not want to. Regarding the issue of immediate payment of the MRTF to their members, he said it was appropriated in the 2023 budget but has not been released, as the 2022 budget was still running, adding that those in 2022 have all been paid. Ngige denied the claim by NARD that the Federal Government did not pay minimum wage consequential adjustment arrears to their members. He added that, all workers in the Education and Health Sectors, and even the defense agencies benefited from the adjustment. He noted that the doctors cannot declare a nationwide strike because some states were owing their members, pointing out that the federal government cannot also dabble into the issue, being a state matter. Ngige also said the Federal Government as the Executive arm of government cannot intervene in the bill at the National Assembly to bond doctors for five years, as it is a private member’s bill. According to him, any intervention by the executive on the matter impinges on the autonomy and independence of the legislative arm of government. Ngige noted that the bill has passed through first and second reading, he was sure it would be shot down at the public hearing, since the law prohibits forced labour. He advised the doctors not to talk about 200 per cent pay rise, as it was not feasible. “Besides all the government has done for doctors and other workers in the health sector, such as upward review of hazard allowances, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) was already negotiating with the Federal Ministry of Health, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Presidential Committee on Salaries on pay rise for doctors. “It is incongruous for student doctors to embark on strike when consultants training them were already negotiating with the Federal Government,” he said

Buhari appoints Baba Haruna as new Rector, Bida Poly

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr Baba Haruna as the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Bida. This is contained in a letter signed by the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu and made available to newsmen in Bida on Wednesday. The appointment which took effect from May 21 was for five years. “I write to convey to you the approval of Mr President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for your appointment as Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State” “The terms and conditions of service including remuneration and fringe benefits shall be as approved for Rectors of Federal Polytechnic,” he added. Buhari congratulated the new rector and wished him a most successful tenure in office. Until his appointment, Haruna was the Director, Quality Assurance at the polytechnic.

Gearing up for children’s education ahead of rainy season

‘Rain, rain, go away’, a short nursery rhyme, suggests how unwelcomed the rainy season is to everybody, especially children. Also known as the wet season, the rainy season is the time of year where the majority of a country’s or region’s annual precipitation occurs. In Nigeria, rainfall is experienced throughout the year, with most significant rainfall occurring from April to October, and with minimal rainfall occurring from November to March. It is, however, briefly interrupted in August in the southern part of the country. Rainy season in Nigeria is a blessing and curse. This is because like other works of nature, there are many advantages and disadvantages of rain. On one hand, the people get a break from the scorching sun, temperatures drop, and the crops get enough water. Then, on the other hand, plans get ruined, traffic intensifies, and one gets wet and cold. The weather in Nigeria is very easy to understand. Just like everyone learned in the elementary school, Nigeria, like the rest of West Africa and other tropical lands, has only two seasons – the dry and rainy seasons. Rainy season in Nigeria is experienced in two different ways. In Southern Nigeria, the rainy season features heavy and abundant rain. The annual rainfall received in this region of the world is usually high. The rainy season in Nigeria differs by region. Rainy season is different in northern and southern Nigeria. In southern Nigeria, light rainfall begins in March, with the peak of the rainy season being June and July. In June and July, it rains cats and dogs. A brief break is experienced in August, to begin again in September, and the season does not end until late October. In northern Nigeria, rainy season does not come until June. Rainy season in Nigeria is the planting season, and with the dry season comes the harvest. After the rainy season comes the dry season, which is accompanied by a dust-laden air mass from the Sahara Desert, locally known as the harmattan season in Nigeria. Residents of the country would describe the weather conditions in Nigeria as violent and apologetic. This is because the weather is never on ones’s side. Last year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) disclosed that more than 2.5 million people in Nigeria were in need of humanitarian assistance following severe flooding that ravaged the country. The agency also stated that 60 per cent of those affected were children. It further revealed that about 1.5 million children were at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition due to the flood. UNICEF further explained that the floods which had affected 34 out of the 36 states in the country, had also displaced 1.3 million people, while over 600 people have lost their lives and over 200,000 houses have either been partially or fully damaged. “Cases of diarrhea and water-borne diseases, respiratory infection, and skin diseases have already been on the rise. In the North-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe alone, a total of 7,485 cases of cholera and 319 associated deaths were reported as of 12 October. As rains are expected to continue for several weeks, humanitarian needs are also expected to rise,” a statement by UNICEF said. The flooding in Nigeria has also affected the education sector as it left behind trails of destruction in schools. It led to schools being closed down, children dropping out of school and school absenteeism as some school buildings were used as evacuation centres. For example, in Anambra State, the government had announced the closure of all the primary and secondary schools in the flooded communities and other flood prone areas in the state. Some towns in Ogbaru Local Government Area were flooded due to the overflow of the River Niger. Also, some communities in Anambra West and other LGAs were affected. Commissioner for Education in the State, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, during the period, in a public service announcement released by her aide, Chioma Unachukwu, said that the closure of the schools became necessary to ensure the safety of the schoolchildren. “I am directed to convey the Honourable Commissioner’s approval for the closure of all schools in riverine and flood prone areas in the state with immediate effect in compliance with the already published 2021/2022 Special Academic Calendar for riverine and flood-prone areas in the state,” it partly read. Also, the Bayelsa State Government had to direct all public primary, secondary and private schools in the state to suspend all academic activities and embark on a flood break until Friday, November 11, 2022. The directive became necessary to safeguard the lives of teachers and students as the flood had continued to submerge parts of the state. Reports have it that flood took over parts of Adagbabiri, Swali, Azikoro, Amassoma, Agudama Epie, Igbogene, Sagbama Communities and Nembe Kingdom in the State. In Delta State, the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, had to be shut down for two weeks by the government as a result of the ravaging flood that has negatively affected most parts of the institution. The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu, announced the closure of the university during an emergency visit for on the spot assessment of the impact of the flood on the institution. The Commissioner noted that with the level of the flooding, it was no longer safe for students to remain on campus. Faculties mostly affected by the flood included that of Administration and Management, Computer Science, and Environmental Sciences. Others included the Faculty of Agriculture, Mass Communications, the University Health Centre, the library, generator plant house, Staff Club, as well as the administrative building of the university. The Commissioner expressed hope that within the two weeks duration, the flood would have receded. He added that the measure was taken in the best interest and safety of students and workers in the university community and assured students and the school management that lectures and academic activities would resume as soon as the flood receded. With the reports of this magnitude last year, education experts had worried that the destruction by the flood will increase the

I’m not involved in any maritime contract mess- Transport Minister

The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has debunked reports by some media organizations (not NIGERIAN ANCHOR), that he is involved in a purported maritime contract scandal at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). According to a press statement issued Tuesday by the Minister, the allegations are nothing but a smear campaign to tarnish his reputation and downplay his hard work and successes in the Ministry. “My attention has been drawn to false and baseless publications on some online media platforms regarding my alleged involvement in a purported hijack of a maritime contract at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a parastatal under my supervision. “These allegations are nothing but a smear campaign orchestrated to tarnish my reputation and undermine my work as the Minister of Transportation,” Sambo said. He went on to say that since he assumed office at the Ministry, he has concentrated on meeting the expectations of stakeholders in the industry, through honesty, transparency, integrity and in accordance with the country’s extant laws. The Minister further berated the media outlets for peddling falsehoods based solely on anonymous sources, fabricated documents, and distorted facts, all of which he says violates the core ethics and principles of journalism. “Let me be clear: Since I assumed Office as Minister in July 2022, my focus has been to meet the high expectations of stakeholders in the transportation sector. I have always acted with honesty, integrity, and transparency, in accordance with the law and public interest. “Surprisingly, the news outlets that carried the false report relied on anonymous sources, fabricated documents, and distorted facts to create a narrative that suits their agenda or that of their sponsors. They not only violated the core ethics of journalism and the principles of fair hearing but have shown contempt for the truth, objective journalism and balanced reportage. “It is even more laughable for anyone to think that just one man will sit back to award contracts of such a humungous amount. The contract awarding process in the Country is quite complex for manipulation. These purveyors of falsehood forget that contract awards under our extant laws and regulations involve rigorous due process, diligence and authorizations by different agencies and levels of government such as the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) among others. “I am certain some persons are intimidated by our achievements in the Ministry within a short time, thus their desperation to drag us in the mud. They are out to use me to chase clout. It is expected that with the transition to a new government, these persons and/or groups may want to target me as a basis to curry favour or seek relevance. Who is indeed afraid of Mu’azu Jaji Sambo? “Consequently, the public is urged not to fall for this propaganda. Under my leadership, this Ministry has executed initiatives to improve the Country’s maritime domain as well as the mobility and safety of Nigerians. We have also promoted innovation, sustainability and social inclusion in the transport sector. “Let me emphasize that I will continue to serve this nation with dedication and commitment till I exit Office. And even out of Office, I will remain a loyal and law-abiding Nigerian. I will not be intimidated or distracted by these false accusations, which only seek to divert attention. I am not involved in any (maritime) contract mess. The public should be guided,” he said. He added that “I have requested appropriate security and law enforcement agencies to expeditiously investigate the content of the misleading publications so that the peddlers of fake and malicious news will be made to face the law.”