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Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, April 12, 2018, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Muhammed Belgore, SAN, a former governorship candidate during the 2011 Kwara State gubernatorial election, and Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, a former Minister of National Planning.
Belgore is standing trial alongside Sulaiman for allegedly receiving the sum of N450m on March 27, 2015 out of the $115,010,000 paid into Fidelity Bank Plc by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezanni Allison-Madueke, to compromise the 2015 general election.
The judge further directed the defendants to proceed with their defence. The defendants had, on February 15, 2018, told the court that they had no case to answer.
They had further argued that “all that the prosecution has against us are mere hear-say evidence.” The defendants had, therefore, urged the court to discharge them from the criminal trial.
In his short ruling today, Justice Aikawa stated that he had he read the “erudite submissions” of the respective counsels in support and in opposition to
the no-case submission and had formed an opinion that both the first and second defendants had a case to answer.
Consequently, the judge dismissed the no-case submission filed by the first and second defendants respectively. Counsel to the first defendant, Seni M. Adio, thereafter, brought an application before the court, urging the court to order the prosecution to front-load all the statements of the first defendant.
Adio claimed that the prosecution hoarded some of his client’s statements, adding that “they were not tendered before the court.” However, counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, countered the allegations, saying that “My lord, we are not a party to hiding any statement. All the statements made voluntarily by the first defendant have been front-loaded before the court".
Oyedepo further argued that the claim by the defence was just an attempt to delay trial.

Presidential aide unhappy with being called ‘Buhari’s boy’

Senator Babafemi Ojodu who is the special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on political matters has denied claim that he is being backed by the president for the Ekiti gubernatorial ticket.
Ojudu who is contesting for Ekiti governorship seat said he has done enough for himself to deserve the position.
We reportedthat Ojudu made this comment when he picked up the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, April 13.
He said: “Let me say this, I am not the President’s candidate. I’m nobody’s candidate. The president is a father to all of us. I have a history in this country. I started fighting the military at the age of 27. I wrote my first ‘will’ at the age of 29. I was locked up 15 times between 1993 and 1998. I am a man of myself. I fought Babangida, I fought Abacha, I fought Obasanjo, I campaigned for democracy, I campaigned for good governance, I campaigned for human right and I suffered for it.
“I was in prison for nine months, I wore one cloth for nine month. That cloth I wore for nine month is in the museum at the epicentre of Ekiti state.
“So, at my level, at 57, I am not a crippled, I am not a baby, I don’t need crutches, I do have to be President’s candidate. In fact, I am coming too late. I have enough knowledge and education to be President of this country. Therefore, it is an insult to say somebody is carrying me, I don’t need anybody to carry me.
“President Buhari is our leader, he is our president and he is the leader of our party. If you know him very well, he’s a fair-minded person. If I decide today, if his wife is from Ekiti and she’s in this race with me, President Buhari will still be fair to all of us. That’s the man I know. So, perish that thought. If anybody comes to you to say, he is being backed or presented by the President, know that person is a bloody liar.”
Meanwhile, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, declared on Monday, March 19, that the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti is a ‘must-win’ for his party as he visited the state.
Oyegun, who was in the state on membership drive, reportedly addressed leaders and members of the party in the state at an interactive forum emphasizing that the party would deploy every available resource to win the election which holds on July 14.
Nigerian Tribune reports that Oyegun told the members that the delegates’ list for the party primaries was ready.

Nigeria should improve investment in health - WHO DG

The World Health Organisation (WHO), Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, has advised Nigeria to speed up the investment of one percent of its Consolidation Funds intended for basic health provision.
Ghebreyesus gave this advice at the second THISDAY media parley in Abuja on Thursday, April 12, Premium Times reports
We gathered that the event which was hosted by THISDAY newspaper, was co-organised by the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, UNFPA and USAID/ the Health Finance & Governance.
Ghebreyesus said the organisation’s new five-year strategic plan sets a target to see one billion more people with access to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2023.
According to him, more than half of the world’s population lack access to essential health services, “and almost 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty every year because of the costs of paying for care out of their own pockets.”
He said implementing UHC means much more than just health insurance, “it means much more than just healthcare.”
“It means ensuring people can get quality health services, where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship,” he said.
He said UHC include the full spectrum of services from disease prevention and health promotion to treatment and care.
“There’s no single path to UHC. All countries must find their own way, in the context of their own social, political and economic circumstances,” he said.
“The foundation of a strong health system is based on primary healthcare, with an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion.
“Such health systems do not only provide the best health outcomes; they’re also the best defence against outbreaks and other health emergencies. UHC and health security are truly two sides of the same coin,” he said.
Ghebreyesus added that the launch of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund represents an essential next step, “by helping to reduce the financial barriers people face when using health services.”
“The establishment of the BHCF provides a great opportunity to turn political commitment into tangible gains, and to rally partners and the private sector around revitalising primary healthcare as the foundation of achieving UHC,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the minister of health, Isaac Adewole, said the basic healthcare provision fund program will henceforth be known as “Huwe”.
Huwe, an Ebira (one of the over 500 languages in Nigeria) word means life.
The minister said the name was derived following an extensive crowdsourcing campaign, where ideas were sought from Nigerians on an easy to recall, short syllable word that depicts good health in a local language.
Adewole said Huwe is complementary to existing efforts at the state and local government levels to mobilise resources for health.
He said this should in no way be seen as an excuse for states to underfund or de-prioritize funding for health.
According to the minister, the implementation of the first phase of the programme will commence in a couple of months in three states (Abia, Niger and Osun).
“We recognise that our future success depends on our ability to transform non-renewable (and often volatile) natural capital into productive wealth by investing more in human capital.”
Adewole further disclosed that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund will provide the platform to expand the high impact and lifesaving interventions to all Nigerians.
He said the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) will assess on an annual basis the improvements in quality of care based on a set of metrics.
Adewole added that the present administration has targeted the coverage and expansion for high impact reproductive maternal, neonatal, and child health (RMNCH) interventions to underserved populations so as to have an immediate impact on the health of women and children.
Also speaking at the event, the wife of the Senate president, Toyin Saraki, said UHC will not only improve health, but reduce poverty, create jobs, drive economic growth, and promote gender equality.
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) issued this warning because people purchase codeine for the purpose of mixing it with alcohol.
According to a statement from the agency, those included in this category include cough syrup, cough suppressants, and pain relievers.
N1,500 for health of Nigerians - on

APC, INEC working to truncate democracy - PDP chairman Secondus tells EU

- The PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus has accused APC and INEC of working to truncate Nigeria's democracy
- He told the EU team who visited the party's secretariat on Thursday, April 12
- The PDP boss said that the ruling APC is not ready to conduct a free and fair election in 2019
The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, on Thursday, April 12, told a European Union (EU) delegation in Abuja, that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were working to truncate Nigeria's democracy.
NAIJ.com reports that Secondus who spoke at the PDP secretariat during the EU team's visit led by Ketil Karlsen, said indicators on ground showed that the party was not preparing to conduct free and fair elections in 2019.
In a statement signed by his special assistent on media, Ike Abonyi, the PDP boss claimed that the government and its agencies were likely to rig the general polls.
He said: "What we see is marshal system of framing up opposition leaders and trying to intimidate them. They are not ready to observe the rule of law and there is no democracy without rule of law
"We conducted elections in 2015, the party and the presidential candidate did not go to court, we had smooth transition because we believe in the rule of law.
"Nigeria as the largest black nation in the globe cannot afford crisis because of the huge effect it would have in the continent and the entire global democratic community if democracy is truncated ."
Secondus also appealed to European Union and other international partners to keep a watch on Nigeria ahead 2019 and put pressure on the government and INEC for a free, fair and credible election.
He said that the European Union's visit is coming at the appropriate time given that President Muhammadu Buhari has just indicated interest to re-contest for a second term in 2019.
Secondus also stated that the PDP is mobilizing its members and other Nigerians ahead of the election through its rebranding project that is targeted at youths and women.
Meanwhile, we had earlier reported that the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that any candidate the opposition party fields for the 2019 presidential election would defeat President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Buhari on 2019 presidential election: will you vote for him?

EFCC arraigns corps member arrested for employment scam in Gombe State

EFCC arraigns corps member arrested for employment scam in Gombe State

The EFCC, Gombe Zonal office arraigned one Maduako Ugonma Chinomso before Justice Abubakar Jauro of the Gombe State High Court on two count charge bordering on Conspiracy and Obtaining Money by False Pretence.

Madueke, a serving corps member posted to Kaduna and later redeployed to Akwa Ibom State, was arrested at Uyo by the EFCC Operatives following a petition by one Yusuf Idris of Tumfure Quarters Gombe stated.

The petitioner stated that on the 21st March, 2017, the defendant and the others at large conspired among themselves and obtained the sum of N63,000.00 under the false pretence that the said sum was to secure a job for him with the Nigerian Customs Service which they never did.

Investigation revealed that a member of the syndicate, Yusuf Maarku, the acclaimed recruitment officer, gave the complainant a Union Bank Number 0053158443 bearing Maduako Ugonma Chinomso through which the said sum was deposited as form, uniform and registration fee.

Further investigation revealed that there are six different account in different banks with huge amount of money which the suspect operates.

When the charges were read to her, she pleaded not guilty. Justice Jauro, however, adjourned the case till Monday, 16th April, 2018, for hearing of her bail application and ordered her to be remanded in EFCC custody.

Late Biafran leader, Ojukwu's bunker to be converted into tourist site

Anambra State has announced that a bunker used by pro-Biafran secessionist leader Chukwuemeka Ojukwu during the civil war in the 1960s will be turned into a tourist site.

Caves and a waterfalls in the state would also be turned into major tourist sites.

“These tourist centres will receive immediate attention with the construction of access roads to them as well as concrete footpaths that will lead into the bowels of the caves to make them easily accessible,” a spokesman for state governor Willie Obiano said.

The move is seen as an attempt to boost employment and income in a region where there is much poverty.

Late Ojukwu declared the formation of the breakaway state of Biafra in 1967, triggering a civil war in which more than one million people died. He remains popular among many people in the south-east, who complain of economic and political marginalisation.

Runs: Almost every guy I know said that if he were female he would be a high class prostitute" - OAP Gbemi

Runs: Almost every guy I know said that if he were female he would be a high class prostitute" - OAP Gbemi

As she tweeted in reaction to a discussion on "Runs Girls"

"Almost every male friend I have has said he would do runs especially if the lady paying is attractive . Almost every guy I know has also said that if he were female he would be a high class prostitute"

Rowdy session in Senate as PDP lawmaker calls Buhari incompetent

The Senate went into a rowdy session after a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator from Abia state, Eyninaya Abaribe, described President Buhari as incompetent
- Abaribe had moved a motion reacting to explanations given by highly ranked security personnel on the matter of herdsmen versus farmers clashes
- Ahmed Lawan, majority leader, cautioned the Abia state lawmaker
The plenary session of the Nigerian Senate on Thursday, April 12, became rowdy over alleged incompetence of President Muhammadu Buhari to address the spate of killings by armed herdsmen by a senator.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South senatorial district, raised a point of order citing Order 43 to make reference to the conflicting reasons given by high security personnel in the current administration for the herdsmen/farmers clashes.
He said the inspector general of police attributed the herdsmen killings to varying laws in different states, while the minister of defence said it was as a result of blockage of movement for cattle in various states.
According to The Punch, Abaribe noted that the latest was from Buhari who during his current official visit to the United Kingdom said that the killer herdsmen were from Libya.
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He said the admittance by the president that Nigeria had been invaded by external forces confirmed his previous claims that Buhari was “totally incompetent”.
Senator Ahmad Lawan, the majority leader interrupted the lawmaker to raise a point of order, asking Abaribe to withdraw his derogatory comments on Buhari and apologise for his statements.
We previously reported that the National Food Security Council warned that if efforts are not intensified to create cattle ranches or provide better security against rustling in the country, the deadly clashes between farmers and herdsmen could worsen by 2019.
According to The Nation, the warning was given on Monday, April 9, during a meeting at the Presidential Villa which was chaired by the Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bagudu.
The Council urged President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly approve the establishment and training of agro-rangers who would serve as a special unit to assist security agencies check the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers -

Electronic voting will not be used in 2019 - INEC chairman

- The chairman of the electoral body disclosed this on Wednesday, April 11
- He, however, said electronics would be deployed in the collation and transmission of elections results
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, says electronic voting will not be used in 2019.
Daily Trust reports that Prof. Yakubu said this in Abuja on Wednesday, April 11, at the end opening of a three-day International Conference of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in West and Southern African countries in Abuja themed “Opportunities and Challenges in the Use of Technology: Experiences from West and Southern Africa”.
Emiratco gathered that the INEC boss, who also doubles as the president of ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), however, said that electronics would be deployed in the collation and transmission of elections results.
He said: “The brainstorming was to look at the adoption of technology in all the areas of electoral process and how to provide a secure platform for the transmission of election results without hindrance.
“We are to deploy technology within our various legal frameworks within the regions. Election is not just about technology, it is about the confidence of the people in the electoral process.”
The INEC boss that said with the efforts being made to improve the electoral process, elections were going beyond the capacity of the electoral commission to manipulate.
Prof. Yakubu reiterated his position that the deployment of technology in the conduct of elections has come to stay.
He added that the essence of the conference was to enable mutually beneficial discussions and strategy and share experiences.
The chairperson of Electoral Commission of Namibia, Advocate Notemba Tjipuena, said Namibia is the first country to deploy technology in the electoral process in Africa.
Tjipuena said the country was able to do so due to direct process of consultation to improve the efficiency of its electoral process.
She said: “Every country has to go through their own process, no one shoe fits all approach. Every country will have to study and see where and how to deploy technology in its electoral process.”
She said that technology was being deployed in the electoral process to facilitate the credibility of elections and build the confidence of the people in the entire system.
Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) from member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) attended the conference.
The conference, the first of its kind to be held in Nigeria, was organized by the INEC and the ECONEC, in collaboration with the Electoral Commissions Forum of the SADC and with technical support from the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).
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The conference was funded by the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project, managed by ECES.
Emiratco previously reported that INEC warned candidates contesting the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti state against inducing voters with cash.
The chairman of the commission gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Monday, April 9.
He said the commission was working with law enforcement agents to prevent vote buying during the poll.
Yakubu was represented by Solomon Soyebi, INEC chairman in charge of Oyo Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states.
President Buhari on 2019 presidential election: will you vote for him?

House of Reps committee allegedly uncovers N1.6billion fraud in NEMA

- The House of Representatives has accused the management of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of corruption
- This accusation is from the House committee on emergency and disaster preparedness
- N1.6billion is said to be missing in the treasury of NEMA
The House of Representatives has accused the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engineer Mustapha Maihaja of mismanaging N1.6billion released to the agency by the Federal Government in July 2017 for relief intervention to flood victims in 16 states.
According to the lower house, the huge sum was expended on contracts awarded to 216 companies that were not qualified for contract awards in the country.
At an investigative hearing on the violation of public trust in NEMA by the House committee on emergency and disaster preparedness, Maihaja was accused of spending N1.6billion on contract awards companies who have no tax clearance and other prerequisite qualifications as demanded by the Nigerian laws.
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NEMA boss under fire from the House of Representatives. Photo source: Twitter
At the investigative hearing presided over by the deputy chairman of the committee, Honourable Ali Isa, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in their reports submitted to the committee revealed that the NEMA boss violated the law on tax and other breaches in the contracts to the companies.
The FIRS, ITF and PENCOM in their separate reports adopted by the committee during the hearing specifically stated that the NEMA’s boss did not carry out due diligence and financial regulations on the companies to know their qualifications and their status before awarding the multi-million naira contracts to them.
Apart from the tax laws, Maihaja was also indicted for breaching the Public Procurement Act 2007 in his refusal to follow the relevant laws of procurement in the ways and manners he awarded the controversial contracts to the benefiting companies.
At the hearing, the committee was told that the governing council of NEMA inaugurated on Tuesday, April 3, on the same day suspended six directors of the agency who were said to have kicked against the ways and manners the NEMA boss was implementing contracts awards in breach of due process.
The suspended officers are Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Gbolahan; Ag. Director, Special Duties, Mr. Umesi Emenike; and Director, Risk Reduction, Mallam Alhassan Nuhu. Others are pilot in charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim; the Chief Maintenance Officer, Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa Deji; and the Director of Welfare, Mr. Kanar Mohammed.
In reaction, Honourable Isa ordered the NEMA boss to produce the suspended NEMA officials before the committee on Thursday, April 12 for continuation of the investigation and to enable the directors give evidence in the interest of fair hearing.
The suspension of the officers was said to be arbitrary and suspicious especially in the ways and manner it was purportedly carried out by the governing council the same day the council was inaugurated.
The committee had queried Maihaja in his claim that the report of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recommended the suspension of the officers while the DG who was also facing investigation along with directors was left out of the suspension in the purported EFCC’s report.
During the hearing, Maihaja was accused of failing to respond to the distress occasioned by floods in 16 states in which several lives were lost and properties worth billions of naira damaged.
In some of the reports submitted by the affected 16 states, the NEMA boss was said to have delivered emergency relief materials to Kwara, Enugu and Ebonyi states to the flood victims a year after the flood disaster occurred, while others complained that the items delivered to them were less than N50million as against the N100million approved to each of the affected states by the Federal Government.
Apart from the three states, 13 other states could not received the emergency relief materials six month after they suffered loses.
Earlier, the committee had threatened to refer the NEMA boss to trial on perjury when it was discovered that he was not giving appropriate answers to the questions put to him by committee members in their bid to unravel the controversies surrounding the spending of the flood funds
Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina state has urged accountants in the country to intensify efforts toward exposing the Chief Executive Officers of ministries, departments and agencies
involved in corruption.
Masari made the call on Tuesday, April 10, while receiving Alhaji Shehu Ladan, the national president, Association of Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), who paid him a courtesy call in Katsina.
The governor said that the chief executive officers could not just dip their hands into the public treasuries without the roles of accountants who were custodians of public funds.
The EFCC stage a walk against corruption on

Sagay committee seeks clarification from JAMB over ‘money-swallowing snake’

- Prof Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, has visited the JAMB HQ, and asked for clarification over the N36m reportedly swallowed by a snake
- Sagay also congratulated the board’s registrar over recent remittances to the federal govt, and sought to find out areas of challenge he may be having
- The JAMB registrar lamented over the fact that serious issues were now being trivialized; but assured the committee that he was working hard to maintain the credibility of the board
Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof Itse Sagay, has sought clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), over the alleged N36m cash of the board said to be swallowed by a snake, Tribune reports.
Sagay sought the clarification as the committee visited the JAMB headquarters on Wednesday, April 11
Emiratco gathers that Sagay also commended the JAMB registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, over what he described as the board’s “geometric increase” in remittance to the coffers of the federal government.
JAMB had previously explained that the alleged fraud was committed before Oloyede’s administration. According to the board, it had been discovered when the registrar embarked on a tour of the board’s state office at the inception of his tenure, to find out their actual financial standing.
The huge financial discrepancies had caused the registrar to introduce reforms; including ending the use of scratch cards.
Commending Oloyede for his integrity, Sagay stated: “We also wish to congratulate you for what I will call the geometric increase in remittance to the federal government of Nigeria.
“We are not surprised. You have a name that has gone before you and we know that nowhere will you be operating in which there will not be events which will show that you have maintained your outstanding character and integrity.
“We are here basically to learn more about JAMB. What are your problems, what are your challenges and also to offer our help if required in any respect within our competence?
“We are also curious about some other things; for example, as I said, what challenges do you still have? I remember in some time past, it used to be commonly believed that if you do JAMB examination, a different result would be prepared for you and score high marks; and you go to the university, only to underperform. We want to know if this problem has been eliminated.
“Also, we read recently of some members of staff of JAMB at a lower level who accumulated a lot of cash and did not properly account for it, leading them to make very absurd defences, which has created a lot of fun nationwide.
“We want to know what steps are being taken to ensure that monies realized from your work are now maintained in a guaranteed fashion that people do not have the opportunity to abuse it.
“We also want to know if there are any issues militating against the JAMB system and in what way can we help promote the excellent work that you are doing."
In response, Prof Oloyede lamented over the fact that serious issues were now being trivialized, especially the “crazy talk” about a snake swallowing JAMB money.
He stated that since taking over, he had worked hard to maintain the board’s credibility and reliability.
He said: “Since I came here, nobody has called me to do any wrong thing. I have never seen anybody who will call me and say, somebody has done what is wrong don’t allow it to go.
“People who have authority over me have been the people who are even calling me to strengthen what I am doing. Whereas my fear when I came here was that I was not going to stay long because what we used to peddle in the university is that these politicians will be intervening in one’s activities.
“So, I had made up my mind that if they call me to do what I am not supposed to do, I will go. On no occasion, any of my superiors has called me for any such thing. The minister of education, Malam Adamu Adamu is more puritanical than me in his worldview and not talk of people higher than him."
Meanwhile,emiratco previously reported that following the missing N36 million from the office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, its registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, slammed Nigerians that had been making jokes with it.
Philomena Chieshe, a sales clerk in JAMB office, Makurdi, had claimed that her housemaid connived with another JAMB staff, Joan Asen to "spiritually" swallow N36 million from the vault in her office.
During interrogation by a team of auditors, she claimed that Asen and her accomplices confessed that they had been stealing the money spiritually through a mysterious snake that always sneaked to swallow the money from the vault.
Nigerians react as snake reportedly swallows N36 million - on

FG approves N47bn for 3 road projects

The projects include the Baban Lamba-Sharam Road in Plateau state, Lagos- Otta- Abeokuta Road and the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road
- Fashola said the design on the Enugu-Port Harcourt road needed to be changed so it would not fail
The sum of 47 billion naira has been approved for three road projects by the federal government, Leadership reports.
The development was disclosed at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, April 11, by the minister of works, power and housing, Babatunde Fashola.
We gather that Fasola gave the breakdown of the projects to include Baban Lamba-Sharam Road in Plateau state at the cost of 19.2bn, Lagos- Otta- Abeokuta Road for 22bn and the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road for 6.309bn.
He said: “The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing got approval for three memos. One was for Baban Lamba-Sharam Road in Plateau state for the contraction of 44.625 kilometers for N19.392 billion.
“The second was for Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta Road, 81 kilometers. That road was first awarded in year 2000 and it has since been left uncompleted because there was no budgetary provisions for it. This administration in trying to move this contractor to site, stated the revision of the rate.
“So the revised rate were brought to council today and a revision of N22 billion was approved for the 81 kilometers road, bringing the total contract price to N56.701 billion.
“The third approval was for the section four of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, the part between Abia and Port Harcourt, particularly in Port Harcourt that has been problematic and has failed severally.
“We have a contractor there but we needed to change the design because of the storm water drainage needs and the high water tables there, so that the road does not fail. So that requires a revision of the scope of work to include retaining side-lanes and also drainage facilities in the sum of N6.309 billion.
Recall that previously reported that Babatunde Fashola, the minister of works, power and housing, unveiled plans by the federal government to build a better network of roads and bridges across the country.
Fashola said that the intention was to connect states, drive economy, move fuel, food and the import and export of goods.
He unveiled a plan for the construction of 44 federal highways, 63 roads and an emergency intervention across the country, to give relief to Nigerians, subject to appropriation.
What does Nigeria need right now? (Nigerian Street Interview) - on

Herdsmen allegedly kill 75-year-old man, 14 others in fresh Benue attack

Herdsmen have reportedly allegedly several communities in Benue state, killing a 75-year-old man and 14 other individuals
- The attacks were reportedly confirmed by the state’s commissioner of police who stated that an investigation is currently underway
- The state governor stated that the herdsmen attacks were similar to the attacks carried out by Boko Haram; and stated that the invaders were not just interested in grazing alone
In what appears to be a sustained coordinated attack on communities in Logo and Ukum local government areas of Benue state, suspected herdsmen struck again, allegedly killing a 75-year-old man and 14 others,
gathers that the attack reportedly took place on Tuesday evening, April 10; and the affected communities include Gbeji in Ukum local government area, Ukemberagya/Tswarev ward, Channel One community, Orveren and Ajura villages and Tombo community in Logo local government area of the state.
A former aide to the ex-governor of Benue state who is from one of the affected communities reportedly stated: “It all started two days ago but Tuesday evening between 6pm to 9pm was when the fully armed herdsmen came down heavily on the affected communities.
“They went to Gbeji in Ukum local government area and had a free day. They burnt down houses and killed about 8 people in the community and injured many.
“They did not stop at that. After that operation, they came down to Ukemberagya/Tswarev ward in Logo local government area, at Channel One community of Tswarev clan and killed two people, burnt down houses and one motorcycle there.
“They came unchallenged from Tungwa in Nasarawa state to attack our communities; and after the operation, they usually pull back or retreat to where they came from.
“But before yesterday’s incident, in the last 72 hours we have been facing these attacks. Before yesterday they mounted a road block at about 2pm around an abandoned mobile barracks projects at Anyiin and killed somebody there.
“As I speak to you, the mobile police at Anyiin in Logo local government area just removed the corpse of the victim and deposited same at the NKST Hospital mortuary. This is apart from the attack on Tombu ward in the same local government where four people were also killed. These killing have been going on in the last 72 hours. It happens everyday.
“It is obvious from this development that the security personnel sent to the area are either insufficient or they have been overwhelmed. We appeal that more mobile police personnel be posted to our communities.”
The attacks were reportedly confirmed by the state’s commissioner of police, Fatai Oowseni, who stated: “There was an incidence in Gbeji and we are investigating. There is said to be an attack by suspected herdsmen in the area but we can confirm that as at this morning; four dead bodies were recovered there.
“We have stepped up security in the area and we are investigating.”
The governor of the state, Samuel Ortom , reportedly stated: “The manner in which the armed herdsmen invade communities of the state and slaughter innocent people is not different from the mindless acts of Boko Haram in the north-eastern part of the country.
“They come with sophisticated weapons and kill people, matchete them and chase them away.”
He continued: “In some cases, they do not have herds. They just come with their weapons, kill and chase the people out and take over the land; that is the worrisome part of it.
“The trend of attacks on Benue is beyond mere grazing of livestock. If the invaders were only interested in grazing, the massive destruction of lives and property would not have been their priority.”
Meanwhile,previously reported that Amnesty International (AI) raised an alarm over the spate of clashes between farmers and herdsmen across the country, pointing out that the crisis has resulted in over 150 deaths in 2018 alone.
The country director of the organisation, Osai Ojigho, in a statement, urged the federal government to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
She noted that the government’s response to the issue in most cases was inadequate, too slow and ineffective, and in some cases unlawful.
TY Danjuma, Nigerian Army and the herdsmen crisis - on

Ban on rice, vehicles through land border to benefit Nigerians - Ambassador

- Kayode Oguntuase said Nigerians will benefit from the ban on importation of rice
- The ambassador said this will help boost local production
- He said Nigeria cannot continue to remain a dumping ground
Kayode Oguntuase, Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, said the ban on rice and vehicles importation through the land border was for the benefit of Nigerians.
He said this in a statement issued by the Consul, Mr Olanrewaju Badmus in Badagry, Lagos on Wednesday, April 11
Oguntuase spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Yashikira, in Kwara State, Alhaji Umar Seriki.
He said the ban placed on rice and importation of cars through the land border was to improve local production.
“We would keep on addressing this matter until people understand the short and long term benefits of this policy that the government has taken in order to improve the economy.
“Our locally made products have to be encouraged in order to provide employment for people and in order to make this happen, some drastic steps must be taken and this is one of them.
“If Cotonou was making its own cars, then it would be a different case but they also import these things and we wouldn’t allow Nigeria to be a dumping ground for all these products.
“The government has the wellbeing of its citizens at heart and to achieve such goal, some measures must be taken to ensure that,’’ Oguntuase said.
The envoy urged people in the community to desist from smuggling.
“Everyone should engage in legitimate trade and should not be used as a tool to engage in illegal trade as this affects the economy of the country.
“We must learn to work together with the government and one of the ways of ensuring that is by resisting smuggling and other illicit acts,’ ’ he said.
The statement said Seriki thanked the envoy for his visit, noting that he was the first Nigerian ambassador to visit the community.
He also used the occasion to inform the ambassador that the community lacked basic social amenities.
“For many years, we haven’t had power supply in this community, and there are no health care services so we have to go as far as Cotonou to get such.
“Also, a liaison office should be established in the community so that the people around can easily get access to travel and other relevant documents,’’ he said.
Menwhile, tension was triggered in Daddara village, in the Jibia local government area of Katsina state after some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), federal operations unit,
allegedly shot dead a man in front of his father’s shop. The victim was identified as Amiru Abdulaziz.
The Punch reported that the customs officials had intercepted some men who packed bags of suspected smuggled rice in a vehicle.
After seizing the rice and the vehicle, officials allegedly opened gunfire to suppress any possible retaliation from the smugglers. Abdulaziz was reportedly hit by a stray bullet in the process.
Police parade gang leader of Badoo Cult group in Lagos On

Why I decided to declare for presidency now - Buhari gives details

President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken about his announcement on Monday, April 9 to seek presidential re-election saying it was to clear the air as a lot of people had been speculating whether he would run or not.
This was contained in a statement by Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity on Wednesday, April 11.
The president said he wanted to get the declaration away with so that his administration could focus on more important like agriculture and security.
On the war against insurgency particularly the fact that Boko Haram terrorists were still holding on to Leah Sharibu, the school girl from Dapchi, President Buhari said his administration was working hard for her return.
Read statement below:
President Muhammadu Buhari has explained why he declared his intentions to run for another term in office on Monday, April 9, 2018, during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Why I decided to declare for presidency now - Buhari gives details