TheNewsGuru

Tag: Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

  • Bobrisky: ‘Nobody will be spared, no matter how highly placed’ – FG

    Bobrisky: ‘Nobody will be spared, no matter how highly placed’ – FG

    The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo  has said all persons involved in the alleged bribery case of popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, would be made to face the law after investigation.

    Tunji-Ojo, made this known during a press briefing, where he disclosed that amongst the four senior officers who were recently suspended, two were connected to the Bobrisky case.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) earlier reported that four officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) were suspended by the Minister after he ordered a comprehensive investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption within the service.

    He called on Nigerians to be patient with the government to finish the investigation, stating that “nobody will be protected“.

    “We will not spare anybody no matter how highly placed. Let’s be patient. Investigation is on but let’s be assured that nobody will be shielded and nobody will be protected.

    “It is not just about Bobrisky. Of the four people we suspended only two are linked to Bobrisky. The one in Afikpo took somebody out. This will continue. It is not going to stop here,” Tunji-Ojo said.

    He assured that the committee constituted to investigate the corruption in NCoS would do good work. He said they are people of integrity.

    “Look at the integrity of the people that are involved. Let the integrity of the people in the committee give you confidence,” he added.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu govt declares Monday public holiday

    BREAKING: Tinubu govt declares Monday public holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Monday as a public holiday to mark the Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the public holiday in a statement issued on Friday.

    The Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Mawlid marks the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

    The Minister in the statement to journalists, congratulated Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.

    Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, said Dr Tunji-Ojo urged the Muslim Ummah and, by extension, Nigerians, to imbibe the spirit of patience, sacrifice, and resilience.

    “While congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, the Minister implored them to use the opportunity of the period to pray for enduring peace and a more prosperous egalitarian nation”, the statement added.

  • Maiduguri flood: Evacuation of dead bodies, trapped persons begins

    Maiduguri flood: Evacuation of dead bodies, trapped persons begins

    Thousands of families trapped in Maiduguri flooded areas are being evacuated to safer areas by the military, volunteers and other security agencies.

    Visiting the most affected areas in Maiduguri, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, toured through the Customs area where the broken prison is located.

    While on the tour, dead bodies were also being evacuated. Trapped persons were also being evacuated by the military, security agencies and civilian volunteers.

    Although some flooded areas of Maiduguri have receded, badly affected areas like Gamboru Market, Kasuwan Shanu, Custom Area, Fori, and Abbaganaram are actively flooded.

    The premises of the Nigerian prisons is still being flooded while public infrastructure, amenities, shops and vehicles are completely submerged by the flood.

    Women, children and vulnerable persons are mostly those trapped and being evacuated.

    In the entourage of the Minister are the Controller-Generals of Immigration, Correctional Service and the Secretary of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board.

     

  • FG reacts as Nigerians protest against passports delay in UK

    FG reacts as Nigerians protest against passports delay in UK

    The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has responded to angry protesters who stormed London earlier today over neglect from Nigerian agencies in issuing their international passports.

    In multiple videos seen by TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) on X, showed Nigerian nationals residing in the UK at the country’s high commission lamenting bitterly on how they are yet to receive their passport despite applying for more than six months.

    “Two weeks have turned into six months. We’ve had enough. We can’t tolerate any more delays,” one of the protesters expressed in the video. 

    The protesters also prominently displayed placards, each one a plea for the immediate cancellation of the extra fees imposed on passport applicants by the embassy.

    “Nigerian passport is our right. Say no to $318 extra fee. Minister you promised us 2 weeks, it is 6 months now,” some of the displayed placards read.

    Reacting, the Minister via his handle said that an immediate investigation has begun. He further reassured that corresponding actions will be taken, after which pleaded with affected citizens to excercise patience.

    The statement reads; “My attention has been drawn to the complaints at the Nigerian Embassy in London regarding issues with passport applications.

    “I have ordered an immediate investigation into the matters arising, and I assure you that corresponding actions will be taken soonest. 

    “We appreciate the patience and understanding of all affected citizens as we strive towards an efficient service delivery in line with global best practices. “

  • Lagos airport E-gates 100% ready in 3 weeks – Minister

    Lagos airport E-gates 100% ready in 3 weeks – Minister

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday said that all 21 electronic gates (E-gates) at Lagos airports would be 100 per cent ready for use in three weeks.

    Tunji-Ojo made this known when he inspected the level of work done at the E-Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, new terminal in Lagos.

    He also expressed satisfaction with the level of work done.

    “So what we can see is that it is fully installed and what is left is just the Universla Access transceiver (UAT) and then align the sensors.

    “Of course, by Monday latest, this wing will be fully ready and good to go. Then of course, from here, we move to the D wing. And the D wing, we have eight gates.

    “We cannot shut and block the three airports at the same time or work simultaneously, because of ease of movement.

    “So we have to take it one terminal after the other. The assurance we have already is that by this weekend, the E wing would have been fully completed and that would be left with only the D wing.

    “The D wing might take us roughly another three weeks maximum because it is 8 gates, like this one. What it means is that in the next three weeks from now, Lagos will be 100 per cent good to go,” he said.

    Speaking on the timing of the E-gates in Nigeria, the minister said that President Bola Tinubu administration had brought technology and innovation to play.

    Tunji-Ojo said that the introduction of the e-gates was to enhance national security, easy connectivity to database globally and to help the public perception of government, while enabling ease of doing business.

    He also said that Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was also ready for inauguration, adding that after the completion of Lagos gates, Kano airport and others would begin.

    He said, “President Tinubu had told us from day one on his Renewed Hope Agenda to change the narratives and make passengers’ movements in and out of the country seamless.”

  • Visa administration: FG to streamline process for easy accessibility – Interior Minister

    Visa administration: FG to streamline process for easy accessibility – Interior Minister

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to review the nation’s visa policy administration for easy accessibility.

    Tunji-Ojo made this known during a Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on Nigeria visa policy on Saturday in Abuja.

    The minister explained that though, striking a balance between easy access to visa and national security was very delicate, but if done well, it would no doubt lead to a healthy investment promotion among others.

    “You see, a seamless access to any country is key for investment promotion, job creation, foreign direct investment. In short it is key to whatever a particular country wants to do or achieve to enable it progress.

    “The logic is that everything is built on effective visa administration. So, we are here to really talk about it and to be able to streamline the process for better.

    “Especially, in areas of short stay visa and even our other categories of visa to see how we can optimise them and make it more efficient in such a way that will be able to attract more investment,” Tunji-Ojo said.

    He said government is determined to make sure that in the next couple of weeks, the new implementation framework will be on ground.

    The Minister said subsequently, people all over the world will start having easy access to the country because government want to welcome investment and people.

    “Just last year, the number of foreign passengers that came to Nigeria was just less than two million people.

    “That is unacceptable for a country of over 200 million people. It means that we are limiting investment, import of forex among other things.

    “So, once we get the visa policy right, and we get the implementation framework perfect, then definitely the economic prosperity will come,” Tunji-Ojo said.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako, said that the review had become imperative bearing in mind the importance of visa to the overall development of any country.

    Ndayako expressed optimism that at the end of the meeting, stakeholders would have come up with a new visa policy framework that would be able to compete with other climes that got it right.

  • Jailbreak: FG to fortify nation’s correctional centres – Interior Minister

    Jailbreak: FG to fortify nation’s correctional centres – Interior Minister

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment toward fortifying the nation’s correctional centres against any external attack.

    The minister, who made this known during an inspection tour of Kuje Correctional Centre on Thursday in Abuja, stated that it was the resolve of the present administration to prioritise the fortification to forestall jailbreaks.

    Tunji-Ojo expressed delight about the ongoing rehabilitation work at the centre, which he described as a mark of seriousness on the part of any determined and serious government.

    “Compared to the last time when we came here and compare it with what is on ground now, no doubt it will go a long way to forestall any nature of external attack on this facility.

    “As you can see, the perimeter fencing is completed as well as the solar fittings on both sides of the fence to illuminate the facility for additional security.

    “So, basically, it’s not just about Kuje alone but it will be replicated to other correctional centres across the country.

    “Recall that in 2022 when this centre was attacked, everybody acknowledged the extent of the damage to our pride as Nigerians.

    “So, when we came on board, and since the former administration had already conceived the idea of fortifying the nation’s correctional centres, we immediately prioritised it.

    According to him, with President Bola Tinubu’s intervention fund, it enables us to achieve this feat so far. As you can see, am happy to tell you that about nine of our correctional centres are under rehabilitation right now.

    He expressed optimism that in no distant time, Kuje correctional centre would witness a complete turnaround that would be a model to others.

    “This is a pointer to the fact that the President cares about the security of Nigerians, about the inmates and making correctional centres correctional in nature and not condemnation centres.

    In a similar development, the minister, who also took a tour of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) Academy, promised to build the best and the most sophisticated fire academy in West Africa.

    This, he said, was to enable the service give the best training to its personnel to meet with the ever changing dynamics in fire fighting globally.

    “By the grace of God, on May 28, we will be having the ground breaking ceremony here with the completion period of just one year to be delivered.

    “We are bringing down lots of projects here and we are erecting modern fire academy that can be compared to the best you can get anywhere in the world.

    “As I always say, fire service is not just a profession or choice; it’s a mandatory profession that we must all encourage in our society.

    “This is because; the first priority of any government is to secure lives and property of its citizens. And you know one of the biggest threats to security of lives and property is fire.

    “Obviously, fire service is not just about fire, is about rescue service being the first render in case of any emergency,“he stressed.

  • CCB invites Tinubu’s minister over alleged N438m contract scam

    CCB invites Tinubu’s minister over alleged N438m contract scam

    The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has invited the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over the involvement of his company in an alleged N438m contract scam uncovered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

    The CCB has commenced an investigation into the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by the Minister.

    A company, New Planet Projects, allegedly belonging to the Minister, benefitted from an alleged contract scam from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

    The CCB has invited the embattled minister to appear before it on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB Headquarters, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

    This was made available in a document, which was obtained by a correspondent of an online news forum (not TheNewsGuru.com)

    The document signed by Gwimi S.P, the CCB Director, Investigation and Monitoring, on behalf of the CCB Chairman, Murtala Aliyu, revealed that the bureau’s invitation is hinged on its mandate and powers as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part 1, 3 (e) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    The letter addressed to the Minister, read, “The bureau is investigating a case of alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in which your name featured prominently. Consequently, you are invited for an interview scheduled as follows:

    “Date: Tuesday, 16th January, 2024. Time: 11:00hrs prompt. Venue: CCB Headquarters on 5th Floor, Annex III, Phase I, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

    “This invitation is pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 3 (e) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Please be properly guided.”

  • YPP gives Tinubu 48 Hrs to suspend Tunji-Ojo

    YPP gives Tinubu 48 Hrs to suspend Tunji-Ojo

    As debates continue to heat up over the involvement of Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in the scandalous contract at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; the Young Progressives Party (YPP), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend him.

    Failure to suspend Tunji-Ojo within 48 hours, the party threatened to mobilize youths across the country to shut down Abuja on Monday, 15th January, 2024, at the same time, mobilize for mass action in United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK), where it boasted of large followership.

    In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu Tuesday night and signed by the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri; the YPP cited “abuse of office” as its reason for calling for the head of Tunji-Ojo; saying it would deter him from further abusing public office.

    “We have gathered evidence that a company owned by Minister Tunji Ojo, New Planet Project Limited, was paid a total of N438.1 million by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under the leadership of Dr. Betta Edu, for consultancy services. This payment was part of the N3 billion awarded to several consultants for the National Social Register contract, which was intended for cash transfers and social investment programs.

    “The payments made to Minister Tunji Ojo’s company, New Planet Project Limited, include N279 million for the verification of the list and an additional N159 million for the same purpose. It is worth noting that the company, which was registered on March 3, 2009, with registration number 804833, has Minister Tunji Ojo and his wife, Abimbola, listed as directors, with Gbadamasi Gbadamasi Clement as the company’s secretary.

    “We strongly believe that Minister Tunji Ojo’s actions are in direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the Code of Conduct law. Sections 5 and 6 of the Code of Conduct law clearly prohibit public officers from engaging in conflicts of interest and participating in any business other than farming.

    “It is a known fact that a contract of this magnitude could not have been approved except by the Federal Executive Council Meeting of which Minister Tunji Ojo is a Member. Minister Tunji Ojo who knew he had an interest in the New Planet Project Limited, had deceived the Federal Executive Council into approving the contract for him without even informing the FEC that he is a shareholder in the said company, this is deceitful, mischievous and obtaining by false pretence”, the letter reads in part.

    The party also accused one Thalis Apalowo, the Coordinator of the National Programme Manager for Grants for Vulnerable Groups, as a fronter for Tunji-Ojo in securing the contract.

    Mr. Apalowo was a Legislative Assistant to Hon. Tunji-Ojo during the 9th House of Representatives, when he served the House Committee on NDDC as its Chairman.

    Furthermore, the party alleged that, “Apalowo was part of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu’s advance team that received a total of N2,515,000 for DTA (Daily Travel Allowance) for five nights, local running expenses at 30% of DTA, flight tickets, and airport taxis to Kogi State, which does not have an airport”.

    The party therefore, called on the President to immediately suspend Tunji-Ojo, while seeking a “comprehensive and independent investigation into the alleged misconduct, involving the appropriate authorities and agencies”.

    If found guilty of abusing his office, the YPP urged Tinubu to initiate “appropriate legal actions against Minister Tunji Ojo”, to serve as a deterrent to others.

    Recall that an award of contract for verification of beneficiary’s list in the empowerment programs undertaken by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was linked to a company owned by Hon. Tunji-Ojo.

    Although the Interior Minister had since cleared the air that he resigned the ownership of the company, New Planet Project Limited since 2019, when he won election into the House of Representatives; but Nigerians believe he still has shares in the company and as such, an interested party in the firm.

  • JUST IN: FG launches automated passport application system

    JUST IN: FG launches automated passport application system

    The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has launched the much-anticipated International Passport Automation system.

    The automated passport system will go live during a review of Nigeria Immigration Service facilities in Abuja on January 8, 2024.

    The programme intends to give applicants a convenient and secure experience while also reducing the human interface in the passport application process.

    The minister emphasised the importance of the new system in strengthening the country’s security architecture and safeguarding Nigerian residents’ comfort and convenience.

    He said the Nigeria Immigration Service had deployed document verification personnel across all local government areas in the country to improve document verification.

    Tunji-Ojo emphasized the government’s commitment to putting a stop to the use of forged documents in passport applications.

    Details later…