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Tag: Abuja

  • Alleged fraud: Protesters move for removal of CBN Deputy Gov over corruption

    Alleged fraud: Protesters move for removal of CBN Deputy Gov over corruption

    Fraud: Protetsers move for removal of CBN Deputy Gov over corruption

    Hundreds of protesters this morning besieged the presidential villa gate to demand the immediate removal of a Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor, Dr Joseph Nnana over corrupt activities.

    Nnana who is presently a Board Chairman at the Nigeria Export Import Bank,NEXIM is being fingered to be behind some corrupt and fraudulent activities going on in the bank.

    The protesters under the aegis of the Awareness For Good Governance Group (AGGG) said It is disheartening to note the absolute misgivings and unethical conduct of some cursed breeds occupying sensitive position of offices most especially in the financial sector which is supposed to operate on a clean slate.

    The Convener of the group, Princess Ajibola said, “we observed with stark dismay the recent dubious engagements of one Dr Joseph Nnana, a former Deputy Governor (Economic Policies) at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who was appointed barely one year ago to serve as the board chairman of NEXIM

    “We regret to publicly announce the fraudulent and nepotistic crave of Dr Nnana who has soiled his already filthy hands with cans of worms without traces of professional approach and have proven to the world that he is not fit to occupy any public office; not even a treasurer of any hamlet developmental Union talk less of a reputed public treasury like NEXIM Bank.

    She said as a group, the Awareness For Good Governance platform is a formidable front vested with the sole interest of encouraging good leadership style in the public and financial sector of the economy.

    “We all know our beloved country is rated among the third world country. However, our developmental stride is not limited because Nigeria under the pragmatic leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari accord zero tolerance to corruption.

    “As an unrepentant Apostle of corruption, the said Nnana who is unqualified to occupy the position of the organization’s Chairmanship is personalizing the affairs of the Bank by allowing his emotions to take the lead while he steers activities of the bank to the murky waters of frustration, looting and scandals.

    She said recently, Nnana

    authorized the payment of over 100 million naira as severance package for his girlfriend, one Saratu Umar who was once a staff of the bank but was sacked due to her widely attested negligence and incompetence.

    “Furthermore, our group noted the latest scheming of Dr Nnana and his cabals by illegitimately recommending and approving mass sack of staff of the bank perceived to opposed his corrupt minded posture, abuse of public office and lack of due process in his self-seeking and serving interest as an dictator without focus.

    “The ongoing mass sack through threats and intimidation by Nnana is to allow him his cronies and allies, mostly from his State of Origin amass illegitimate public fund at the expense of the formerly standard but now crippling organization under the watch of corrupt stenched filled Nnanna.

    “AGGG further gathered that Dr Nnana’s latest hobby is the comic act of threatening to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to witch hunt many of his staff who are contributing their best quota towards the organizational development of the establishment.

    “We want to equally caution the EFCC and the entirety of its hierarchy to desist from allowing the fake helmsman of a revered organization to use them for shaming purposes without proper investigation. In effect, we are tasking the EFCCC to investigate Dr Nnana’s role when he served a Board Member in Nigeria’s apex bank before his appointment as Chairman, NEXIM bank.

    “It is also worthy of note, NEXIM bank is not just a financial sector but a trade policy financial institution aimed at diversifying the Nigerian economy into a non oil dependent economy.

    “To this end, allowing a renowned rogue to pilot the affairs of this noble institution is a clog in the wheels of Nigeria’s developmental goals and in effect painting our beloved nation on a negative timeline.

    “We are calling on Mr President and the relevant authorities to invoke punitive measures against the newly identified advocate of corruption – Dr Nnana – before he totally infect the few good personnel remaining in the hierarchy of NEXIM bank.

    “It is time to save NEXIM Bank and its staff from this ugly quagmire embodied in the misdeeds of a supposed public officer drenched and dripping the filthy gown of corruption”she said

  • Harbingers of fake news ‘ll be jailed, says new Abuja NUJ chapel Chairman

    Harbingers of fake news ‘ll be jailed, says new Abuja NUJ chapel Chairman

    Harbingers of fake news and unregistered journalists will be brought to book once they are accosted.

    Newly elected Chairman of the Abuja Correspondents chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Phil Nyam made this disclosure on Monday.

    Nyam in a chat with TNG said:”The activities of fake journalists has seriously dented the image of genuine journalists here in Abuja.

    “They disseminate fake information and go about obtaining money from Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government without delivery.

    “The chapel in conjunction with the council will ensure that such unregistered journalists are flushed out of the system and those caught in the act will be prosecuted.

    ” We see them in the national Assembly, major event centres parading fake Identity cards and we have secured their list.

    The NUJ council last Saturday conducted an election that ushered in Phil Nyam of New Telegraph as Chairman, Huram Lokodi as vice chairman of Gotel Tv, Jide Oyekunle, Secretary of chapel, Emmanuel Ehijene of PTV, treasurer and Lizzy Atime of Order Paper, emerged Assistant Secretary of chapel.

  • Abuja: Apo transmission station catches fire [Video]

    Abuja: Apo transmission station catches fire [Video]

    There was a fire outbreak at the Apo transmission station in Abuja on Sunday – the fire was later put out.

    A 45MVA transformer, based on preliminary information was lost to the fire.

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Head Corporate Communication, Mr. Oyebode Fadipe, disclosed.

    He noted that “Our technical team is right now working with the TCN engineers to see how to absorb the load on the 45MVA transformer that was affected by the fire.”

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola that was said to have responded to the incident, said that he was that the technical staff were already working to redistribute the power from the station.

    He was quoted as saying that “I am aware of the Apo Fire incident which occurred today (Sunday) affecting the Transmission Transformer and our staff are at site & on ground . The fire has been put out.

    “Damages is being assessed and plans underway to redistribute Power to Communities served by the burnt damaged Transformer at Apo Transmission Sub Station.”

  • NNPC says has no plans to relocate NGMC to Abuja

    NNPC says has no plans to relocate NGMC to Abuja

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it has no plans to relocate its Gas Marketing Subsidiary, Nigerian Gas Marketing Company Limited (NGMC), from Warri to Abuja.

    The Corporation disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affiars Division , in Abuja, on Friday.

    It also said that the purported plans to spend N120million as yearly rent and another N294million to relocate NGMC to Abuja were false and should be discountenanced by members of the public.

    It said the clarification was imperative because of a misleading report on the purported relocation and allocation of the huge sums of money for that purpose as broadcast in the social media by a group.

    It described the misinformation by the group as malicious and capable of inciting the public, particularly NGMC’s host communities, against the company.

    “NGMC remains committed to staying and executing it business operations in the Niger Delta.

    “The company is poised to sustaining the existing relations between it and its esteemed stakeholders and members of the public,”the corporation added.

  • Buhari returns to Abuja after Lagos working visit

    President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after his Wednesday’s working visit to inaugurate some developmental projects executed by the Lagos State Government.

    Buhari and his entourage arrived the airport at exactly 3 p.m.

    The President left the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos at exactly 3:20 p.m. aboard a Nigerian Air Force 001 Boeing aircraft with registration number 5N-FGT.

    Those who saw him off at the airport included Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

    Others were Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Mr Obafemi Hamzat.

    Some members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), members of the National Assembly, members of the Lagos State Assembly were with the President during the one-day official working visit.

    Also on ground at the Presidential Lounge were the top echelon of the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

    The President and his entourage arrived the Presidential Wing of the airport in Lagos at 10.32 a.m. amid tight security within and outside the airport.

    Buhari had earlier inaugurated some developmental projects which include the Institute of Maternal and Child Health at Ayinke House; an ultra-modern 170-bed Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist hospital located within Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and Lagos Theatre at Oregun, Lagos.

    The President also inaugurated the Oshodi Interchange terminal for a modern transportation hub; 822 High capacity Mass Transit buses and a 10-lane world standard International Airport Road.

  • Tight security at Lagos airport ahead of Buhari’s visit

    A high number of security operatives were on Wednesday deployed to strategic positions at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, ahead of the working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the security operatives were already at their respective positions at about 7.15am.

    They included officers from the Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    Also on ground were officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps who were observed controlling the traffic situation within the airport and its environs.

    NAN reports that Buhari is visiting Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria to inaugurate some projects executed by the Lagos State Government.

    The projects are – Institute of Maternal and Child Health (Ayinke House), Lagos Theatre, Oshodi Transport Interchange and International Airport Road as well as 820 Mass Transit buses.

  • 30 nude dancers arrested in Abuja night club

    30 nude dancers arrested in Abuja night club

    The Federal Capital Development Administration (FCTA) has invaded a popular night club, Caramelo, located at Utako district of Abuja, demolished part of the structure and arrested 30 nude dancers.

    The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) , Mallam Umar Shuaibu, said that operators of the night clubs contravened the law by converting residential buildings for other purposes. Shuaibu said the Department of Development Control had to demolish the fence of the compound as another form of warning to the owners of the club, while the arrested dancers would be handed over to the Social Development Secretariat for rehabilitation.

    He said: “It is a flagrant abuse of the city plan and violation of the relevant clause (Viii ) of the building plan approval granted, and clause No.2 (ii) of the letter of Offer of Grant on this plot. The contravening activities will cease henceforth and the allottee will revert the use of the building to the health clinic so designated and approved.”

    He further said: “In response to security reports and complaints from the residents of area adjoining the location of Caramelo Night Club on plot 630 Cadastral zone B05, along T.O.S Benson Street, within Utako District , the authority deployed its officers to carry out surveillance in order to validate the complaints.

    The outcome of the surveillance revealed that the complaints are genuine and real. Please note that the substance of these complaints, include noise nuisance from loud party music, nude/strip dancing club activities, intractable traffic challenge resulting from uncontrolled patronage to the commercial nightclub within the residential precinct.

    “You may wish to note that the plot under reference is zoned as health clinic on the Utako District Land use Plan, and in line with this plan, the building plan approval granted was for the development of the health clinic. Accordingly, the property was developed as a health clinic. However, the use of the building has been changed to a commercial night club.” Shuaibu noted that the authority has repeatedly engaged the operator of Caramelo and other operators across, on the need to quit the operation of night club within residential precinct, to no avail.

    He vowed that the administration will not renege on its duty to protect and maintain the sanctity of the Abuja Master Plan, and will continue to ensure that the city remain a safe place for living, working and recreating for all its residents and citizenry. The Acting Secretary, Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Hajia Safiya Umar, said the owner of the club would be punished according to the law, considering the calibre of girls arrested.

    Umar said that preliminary investigation showed that the nude dancers were from wealthy homes. It was also discovered that some of them were married and have children. She disclosed that the dancers have been taken to Wuse General Hospital for medical checkup, after which they would be taken to FCT rehabilitation centre in Lugbe. They would expected to stay at Lubge for three months in order to learn basic trades.

  • FCT indigenes protest over killings of natives by Army

    By Gabriel Okoro, Abuja

    Coalition of Federal Capital Territory indigenous groups on Tuesday carried out a protest at the National Assembly gate over recent killings of its native people allegedly perpetrated by the Nigerian Army.

    The protest which lasted for hours resorted to traffic gridlock at various entry point of the National Assembly around the Eagle Square, Presidential villa and Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government thereby leaving many whose offices are situated there stranded.

    The protesters said they have already written to the presidency. They further threatened to storm the presidential villa soon if the Army is not called to order.

    They revealed that no less than Seven of their kinsmen , women and children have been killed, adding that their crops destroyed and lands had been forcefully taking over the Army.

    Giri, Kpakuru, Ido Garki, Zuba and Tugan Maje are amongst affected areas the group claimed that the Army is committing the genocide.

    Speaking at the protest, Dalhatu Ezekiel,who led the group expressed dismay that they were at a loss over why the FCT natives will continue to suffer just for relinquishing their ascenstral lands to government to build the capital territory.

    ” we are helpless, we want Justice” that is why we are here”, Ezekiel decried.

    He disclosed further that they have also written to the Villa and would visit there, notwithstanding today’ protest which they have carried to the door step of the National Assembly.

    According to him, the Army were illegal occupants and were laying false claims to the lands they don’t have or own titles.

    ” Each time we demand their allocation letters, their responses usually are the allocations letters have been burnt”

    He noted that the natives will keep on demanding justice through every legal and constitutional means.

    Meanwhile, Chairman Senate committee on FCT, Dino Melaye, while addressing the protesters in company of other senators, said a committee will be set up by the Senate leadership to interface with group’s leaders.

    Dino assured the group that a meeting will be held on the same day of the protest to resolve all the issues and pass to the leadership to make a resolution.

  • President Buhari returns to Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja from N’Djamena, Chad, where he participated in a one-day Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD).

    Those at the Hassan Djamous International Airport N’Djamena airport to bid the President farewell included Chadian government officials, Nigerian Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defence, Mr Jeoffrey Onyaema, retired Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau and retired Brig.- Gen. Mansur Dan Ali.

    Others were Maj-Gen. Mohammed Monguno (retd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandede; and the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Sadiya Umar Farouq. and the Nigerian Charge d’Affaire, Mr Nasiru Waje.

    While in N’Djamena on Saturday, the Chadian capital, President Buhari raised alarm over the influx of small arms into Nigeria, saying such weapons “are flowing into the hands of militia forces, bandits and insurgents who are becoming a threat to human rights and internal security.’’

    He, therefore, stressed the need for wider cooperation among countries of Sahel and Saharan regions to counter the infiltration of these small arms to Nigeria.

    According to him, his administration has worked closely with immediate neighbours in the last few years to stem the widespread availability of small arms and light weapons making their way into Nigeria.

    He, however, noted that the “very disturbing recent developments” had impelled the administration to seek support from a wider circle of countries if the illegal inflows are to be curtailed.

    The President, alongside his host and current Chairperson of CEN-SAD, Idriss Deby and their counterparts from Niger and Togo, with high-level representations from other member-countries, deliberated on the problems of irregular migration.

    The leaders also deliberated on the menace of trafficking in persons, especially of women and children among other security issues.

  • One dead, four injured as Abuja indigenes, soldiers clash

    One dead, four injured as Abuja indigenes, soldiers clash

    One person has been confirmed dead and four others injured in a fresh clash between some indigenes of Abuja and soldiers over land at Tungan-Maje, an outskirt town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Malam Tanko Sani, one of the community leaders who confirmed the incident in an interview with journalists on Wednesday at the scene, said trouble ensued when soldiers forcefully moved into the land and started work without the consent of the indigenes.

    He said one of the indigenes, a student, Hamza Usman, was killed at the spot by the soldiers for protesting against the action.

    The community head said four other persons were injured and are receiving treatment in a hospital within the area.

    He regretted the soldiers had never engaged the community members for a discussion since the disagreement between them started about three years ago.

    Female and male indigenes of the town blocked the ever busy Zuba – Gwagwalada road to press home their demand.

    The situation became worst as motorists plying the route were held in gridlock for over five hours before the intervention of some stakeholders.

    Reacting to the sad development in his palace, the Agora of Zuba, HRH Mohammed Bello, demanded that the indigenes should be compensated, urging them to be calm.

    Attempts to speak with the military personnel on ground failed as at the time of filling this report.

    There was also no official statement from officials of the FCTA.

    All efforts to speak with the FCT police command on the incident were futile as at when filling this report.