Year: 2025

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has signed a N30bn contract to address the state’s water challenges.

 

The project aims to improve water supply and distribution, particularly in the southern zone of the state, comprising six LGAs

 

The Governor, who witnessed the contract signing on Friday, restated his administration’s commitment to finding a long-term solution to the state’s water crisis.

 

The contract was signed under the Plateau State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape project, a World Bank-funded initiative in partnership with the Plateau State Government.

 

Speaking at the event, Mutfwang explained that the contract represents a crucial step in the government’s efforts to resolve the water scarcity affecting the state’s southern senatorial district within the next 30 months.

 

“Indeed, signing this agreement today marks a significant milestone in our quest to address Plateau’s water crisis. When we assumed office, we inherited a water sector that was virtually on its knees. For years, the Yakubu Gowon Dam has lacked serious intervention, leading to an epileptic water supply in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

“However, we are working tirelessly to fix the problem. Each time we address one issue, another emerges, but we are tackling it holistically. By God’s grace, within the next six months, we aim to resolve the challenges surrounding the Yakubu Gowon Dam and other key dams within the metropolis”, Mutfwang assured.

 

He further stressed that the acute water shortage in Plateau Southern zone is a top priority for his administration. The contract signing, he noted, is a significant step toward reversing the dire water situation in the area.

 

“Let me remind the people of Plateau State that this project is financed through a loan secured under the World Bank framework in collaboration with other northern states. The project is designed to combat desertification, ensuring sustainable water supply and environmental restoration. The dedicated project team has worked tirelessly to reach this stage, and we are fully prepared for implementation”, he stated.

 

The project scope includes the desilting of Dams One and Two in Langtang North, the construction of hedge rows to minimize future siltation, the maintenance of washout embankments with laterite filling compacted to 100% WASC standards, and the planting of grass and trees to prevent erosion, enhance environmental greening, and curb land degradation. These interventions are expected to ensure a stable water supply for the affected communities.

 

Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Garba Gonkol, commended Mutfwang for prioritising impactful projects, noting that Plateau State has never experienced such a high level of commitment to addressing water challenges.

 

Similarly, the Project Engineer and Contractor, Akin Fagbohun, provided an overview of the project and pledged to complete the contract within the stipulated 30-month timeline.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, have eulogised President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

 

Born on March 29, 1952, the President turned 73 on Saturday.

 

In a congratulatory message on Saturday, issued by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas said Nigeria is lucky to have a democrat and patriot in the person of President Tinubu as its leader at this critical point in the country’s democratic journey.

 

The speaker described the president as “One of the most experienced politicians to have occupied the presidential seat, having at various times excelled at the state and federal levels in the executive and legislative arms of the government.”

 

He commended the first citizen for taking some bold initiatives aimed at turning around the fortune of the Nigerian state, such as the removal of subsidy from petrol, among other reforms.

 

The statement said these reforms are already yielding positive results for the country, affirming the sincerity of purpose in the administration’s handling of the economy.

 

He also applauded the president for programmes such as the Student Loan Scheme, the consumer credit scheme, the new national minimum wage, local government autonomy, the crude-for-naira deal, and the fixing of the Port Harcourt Refinery, among many others.

 

He said, “It is indeed a day of celebration not just for His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, and his family but also for every well-meaning Nigerian.

 

“As a democrat and patriot that he is, President Tinubu has demonstrated his unflinching allegiance and steadfastness to the well-being of Nigerians. He keeps to his covenant of making Nigeria better.

 

“Though initially painful, the policies and programmes introduced by the Tinubu administration are necessary for our future and the future of our unborn generations. As we have already started witnessing, these painful decisions are now paying off. Prices of foodstuffs are dropping drastically; the naira is truly fighting for its strength as exchange rates keep crashing; insecurity is gradually being nipped in the bud.

“I make bold to say that across all sectors, we are witnessing not just the resilience of our country and its people but also the transformative impact of these courageous policies. Your strategic foresight and unwavering commitment have set Nigeria on a remarkable path to recovery, prosperity, and renewed national pride.

 

“Under your resolute command, our security apparatus has delivered peace and order, cutting violent crime and insurgency by over 30% across our beloved states. Improved coordination among our armed forces, intelligence agencies, and community security initiatives has resulted in a reduction of over 30% in violent crimes and insurgency incidents across several states,” the statement read in part.

 

On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, has congratulated Tinubu for his courage in taking some painful but necessary steps to stabilise the economy.

 

He highlighted Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy, which he described as a “whited sepulchre” that had deceptively appeared economical on the surface but was, in reality, draining the country’s resources.

In a congratulatory message issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu lauded President Tinubu’s efforts to develop the geo-political zones in Nigeria through the creation of regional development commissions.

 

According to him, the initiative will meet the infrastructure needs of the people and foster economic prosperity and social cohesion in the respective regions.

 

“President Tinubu’s leadership has been a game-changer for Nigeria. His commitment to economic reforms and development is unwavering, and we are confident that his policies will yield positive results in the long run,” the statement read in part.

 

In his tribute, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described President Tinubu as the “Aare Ona Kankafo” of all political and democratic struggles in the land.

 

He said, “Let us pay tribute to this enigmatic and bold reformer as he turns 73; this quintessential democrat; this master of political consensus; this consummate politician; this exemplary President, and this ‘Aare Ona Kankafo’ of all political and democratic struggles.”

 

The minister said, “It will take decades before Nigerians truly and fully understand and appreciate the value President Tinubu has brought into our democratic space in all ramifications and the audacity with which he has taken on some of our key systemic challenges as a nation, root and branch.”

 

Guinea’s ex-dictator Moussa Dadis Camara, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison over a 2009 massacre, was pardoned for “health reasons” by the West African country’s junta head, according to a decree read out on national television.

 

“Upon the proposal of the Minister of Justice, a presidential pardon is granted to Mr. Moussa Dadis Camara for health reasons,” said the decree, read out on television by presidential spokesperson General Amara Camara late Friday.

 

Following a landmark trial, a court found Dadis Camara guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced him in July to 20 years behind bars over what is considered one of the darkest pages of Guinea’s history.

 

On September 28, 2009, at least 156 people were killed by gunfire, knives, machetes, or bayonets in a massacre at an opposition rally, according to a UN-mandated international commission of inquiry.

Hundreds more were wounded and at least 109 women were raped.

 

The abuses continued for several days against women who were held captive, and detainees were tortured.

 

Only 57 bodies of the victims were recovered, according to families and human rights organisations, and the toll is believed to be far higher.

 

Dadis Camara was found guilty “on the basis of superior responsibility”, a judge said, and was also guilty of “his intention to suppress the demonstration” and for failing to punish the perpetrators of the massacre.

 

Seven other people were also sentenced to prison terms of up to life imprisonment for their role in the massacre.

 

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) had welcomed the verdict, calling it a “landmark moment in establishing the truth… and bringing to account those bearing the greatest responsibility for the atrocities committed”.

Camera’s younger brother Jean Dadis Camara, told AFP he was delighted to hear the news.

 

“Everyone is happy. We thank the president … I followed the decree on television,” he said.

 

“We are extremely grateful to President Mamadi Doumbouya for this pardon. It is the greatest gift for the entire family,” said Marcus Olivier Thea, a close friend and confidant of the former dictator.

 

Dadis Camara’s pardon came after the junta’s head General Mamadi Doumbouya announced Wednesday that the compensation costs for the victims of the September 28, 2009, incident would be covered.

The junta would implement the reparations ordered by the judge for the victims, ranging from 200 million Guinean francs ($23,100) to 1.5 billion Guinean francs ($173,300), depending on the case.

 

The junta, which came to power through a coup in 2021, had allowed this historic trial to take place.

 

This week’s decrees come amid severe restrictions on freedoms in Guinea.

 

Many opponents of the junta have disappeared or are being questioned by the courts, demonstrations demanding the departure of the military are regularly banned, and several media outlets have been closed across the country.

 

AFP

 

Students under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Ondo State chapter, took to the streets on Thursday to protest the worsening insecurity in the state.

 

The demonstrators, primarily from Owo Polytechnic, blocked Oba Adesida Road near the “A” Division in Akure, chanting “Enough is enough” and demanding urgent government intervention

The students decried the frequent abduction of their colleagues, alleging that kidnappers often killed victims even after collecting ransom.

 

https://punchmetro.com/just-in-ondo-students-protest-rising-insecurity-block-major-road/?amp=1?utm_source=punch&utm_medium=punch_backlink

 

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday received his Ghanaian counterpart, John Mahama, at his official residence in the State House, Abuja.

 

Mahama’s visit to Nigeria is his first official visit since his inauguration on January 7, 2025.

 

Both leaders are expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Ghana in areas of cooperation in trade and security and discussing key regional issues within the Economic Community of West African States.

 

Shortly after winning the presidential election in December 2024, Tinubu visited Mahama in Accra to congratulate him on becoming Ghana’s president.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activist politician and former African Action Congress, presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore on Thursday, said he rejected the offer to work with former president, Goodluck Jonathan.

 

According to him, he rejected the offer due to the calibre of people under Jonathan’s administration.

 

He disclosed this in an interview on ‘State of the Nation’ with Leadership TV.

“When Goodluck became president, he sent a man to come look for me in Breton with money, but I declined, telling him I cannot work with the people under his administration,” Sowore said.

 

He explained that he had been close to a friend who was actively involved in challenging the political establishment during the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

 

Sowore suggested that Jonathan was the only politician he might have had some level of connection with, but he remained firm in his stance against working with his government.

 

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria has vehemently rejected a proposed bill seeking to convert 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State into full-fledged Local Government Areas.

 

In a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna, the NYCN National President, Isah Abubakar, described the proposed bill as ”

unjust and a threat to the principles of equity and fairness that must underpin our nation’s governance.

 

The NYCN president argued that the development could lead to increased fragmentation and division within Nigeria’s national structure, undermining the unity and integrity of the country.

 

Abubakar also advocated for a fair and comprehensive review of local governance structures across the country.

 

The NYCN boss also called on Nigerian governors, especially northern governors, to protest against the bill, noting that northern interests must be protected.

 

He said, “We believe that the creation of new LGAs should not be a measure that benefits only Lagos State at the expense of other states in the federation.

 

“If these 37 LCDAs are allowed to transition into LGAs, it sets a dangerous precedent – inevitably, other LCDAs across the country will demand similar recognition.

 

“We call on Nigerian governors, especially those from Northern Nigeria, to protest against this bill. It is crucial that they stand as guardians of equitable governance, ensuring that any policies or legislation reflect the needs and rights of all Nigerians, not just those in a particular region.

“Any discussions around LGA creation should involve concerted dialogue with all stakeholders, ensuring that decisions consider the diverse needs of the entire nation rather than catering to a select few.

 

“We call on Nigerian governors, especially those from Northern Nigeria, to protest against this bill. It is crucial that they stand as guardians of equitable governance, ensuring that any policies or legislation reflect the needs and rights of all Nigerians, not just those in a particular region.

 

“As we move forward, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria remains committed to promoting unity, equity, and fairness in governance. We urge all lawmakers to reconsider the implications of this bill and to work towards the betterment of all Nigerians.”

 

PUNCH Online reports that the proposed bill, which has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, has sparked intense debate across the country. While some lawmakers support the bill, others have expressed reservations about its potential impact on the country’s governance structure.

 

The Lagos State Government has plans to conduct local government elections in 2025, covering all 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. However, there are ongoing debates about the desirability of LCDAs and their role in governance.

 

In the meantime, the NYCN has urged lawmakers to reconsider the implications of the bill and work towards the betterment of all Nigerians

“As we move forward, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria remains committed to promoting unity, equity, and fairness in governance,” Abubakar said.

 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, has mobilised 4,000 personnel to ensure the safety and security of residents during the upcoming Eid-Fitr celebrations.

 

The NSCDC FCT Commandant Olusola Odumosu, announced the deployment, which spans all areas of the FCT, aimed at protecting lives, property, and critical national assets throughout the festive period.

 

“The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, Olusola Odumosu, has ordered the deployment of 4000 Personnel across the nooks and crannies of the FCT ahead of the Eid-Fitr Celebrations.

 

“The deployment is in a bid to ensure security of lives and property as well as Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the FCT and its environs before, during and after the celebration,” the command spokesperson Monica Ojobi said in a statement on Thursday.

 

The officers deployed include personnel from specialised units such as the Female Strike Force, Arms Squad, Operation Adkasu, Counter-Terrorism, and Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosives.

 

Their focus will be on securing vulnerable locations such as prayer grounds, shopping malls, markets, recreational centres, and government buildings.

 

Special attention is also being given to areas like motor parks, amusement parks, and diplomatic offices.

 

In addition, covert operations and surveillance are already underway, with undercover units monitoring potential security risks.

The NSCDC is also targeting locations known to harbour criminals, including uncompleted buildings that could pose a security threat.

 

Odumosu has instructed all Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to ensure their teams remain vigilant and proactive.

 

“All hands must be on deck, I will not tolerate any form of breeches, ensure you deploy your personnel adequately,” he said.

 

He emphasised the importance of maintaining a visible presence throughout the celebration period to prevent any security breaches.

 

The Commandant further urged officers to collaborate with other security agencies, maintain discipline, and respect citizens’ rights, while ensuring a smooth, peaceful celebration for all.

 

Odumosu also appealed to residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

He reassured the public that NSCDC personnel are ready to provide a secure environment, urging the community to play its part in keeping the festivities safe.

 

Lastly, the Commandant warned criminals to avoid targeting critical national infrastructure, noting that covert officers are actively monitoring the capital city and will take swift action against any offenders.

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to investigate the excessive use of explosives by quarry companies nationwide and especially in the Federal Capital Territory.

 

The House took the decision on Thursday after adopting a motion of urgent public importance brought before it during plenary by the member representing Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Kwara State, Mr Tijani Ismail.

 

The lawmaker informed the House that ZEBERCED Quarry, located along Arab Road in Kubwa, Abuja, has been operating with significant negative impact on the surrounding communities, particularly in relation to degradation of houses, buildings and other infrastructural decay.

 

According to him, “The House is aware that the persistent detonation of explosives from the quarry has led to serious noise pollution, resulting in auditory impairments, respiratory health issues, and psychological distress, especially among children and elderly residents

 

“We are concerned that the continuous ground vibrations from quarry explosions have weakened buildings and infrastructure in the area, creating the potential for structural collapse and severe property damage, endangering lives;

 

“We are also concerned that heavy-duty trucks transporting materials from the quarry have deteriorated road infrastructure, leading to increased vehicular accidents, economic losses, and mobility challenges for residents.”

He added that the activities of quarry companies violate the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, “which prohibits mining operations that endanger human life, property, and the environment (Sections 61 & 116).

 

He also accused quarry companies of breaching provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (1992), which mandates that any industrial activity likely to affect public health among others must undergo proper and relevant assessment and mitigation planning.

 

He lamented “That despite clear violations of environmental and public health laws, no substantial regulatory action has been taken to protect affected residents.”

 

Following the adoption of the motion, the House directed its Committee on Solid Minerals to recommend the immediate revocation of ZEBERCED Quarry’s operating license if found guilty of violating health and safety regulations.

 

It also mandated the Committee on Solid to summon the management of ZEBERCED Quarry, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and other relevant agencies for an investigative hearing to assess the health impact of the quarry’s operations among others.