Federal Govt Set To Complete Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kano expressway End Of This Month

April 5, 2023

File: Area view of Abuja-Kaduna expressway

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has announced that the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kano Expressways will be completed by April 30 this year.

Fashola spoke today, April 5, at the pre-inspection of the completed Loko-oweto Bridge in Nasarawa State.

“I want to appeal to commuters on that road for continuous patience and understanding: it is a difficult project to execute because it is perhaps one of the busiest roads in the country.

“Building through 40,000 vehicular traffic daily is not an easy undertaking. We cannot shut down the road. So, we have to manage and divert traffic for the safety of those involved in the construction.

“So, I want to implore that forbearance continues because the deadline date we have for completion now is the April 30 this month.

“In about four weeks, 26 days, plus or minus, that road should also be fully completed, open to traffic from Lagos to Ibadan, and beyond the toll gate up to kilometre 116.

According to him, what will be left is 9 kilometres from kilometres 17 to 27.

Fashola said the reason why that would be left is because Oyo State Government is constructing a drainage across the road, adding that the drainage was necessary to help address the issue of excessive flooding and climate change in the state.

“We believe that it is better to wait for them to finish that project, and then complete the remaining nine kilometres, instead of building it now and then having them cut it up again.”

Speaking about the Abuja-Kano expressway to be completed April 30 as well, Fashola said that it is the biggest of all the road projects in terms of scope and budget.

“Abuja-Kano is the biggest of the three projects in terms of scope, in terms of size, in terms of budget; it is 375 kilometres.

”It encompasses 41 bridges of different sizes. It was the last to start, so it cannot finish at the same time. That is the honest truth.

“But we have made progress from Zaria to Kano, that is, 137 kilometres, and the contractors tell us that by May15 that site should be fully completed.

“Then, we have Kaduna to Zaria, which is about 70 something kilometres. That side of course, they say will be completed on the 30th of this month, fully open to traffic.”

Fashola, however, said Abuja-Kaduna road which is one of the projects embarked upon by the Buhari administration, would not be finished in the life of the administration

“The eye of the storm, the most difficult part and that is the busiest part, is the Kaduna to Abuja side. That has suffered all kinds of delays and it would not be finished in the life of this administration.

“It is the most trafficked side. It has almost 40,000 vehicles in the traffic every day. But those are not just the problems; the problems are that the right of way has been severely encroached on between FCT, Niger and Kaduna states.

“We are working with the governors to help relocate all the obstructions, otherwise, we cannot fully build it.

“Apart from that, the project is also delayed by the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project. We need that gas pipeline project as a major boost for our energy security.

The minister said that these were some of the challenges unseen to members of the public, adding that both the road and the pipeline were important hence they had to be taken in sequence and order.

“We lost almost a year and a half to security challenges or sometimes contractors had to move from that section completely – they could not work.

“Thankfully, we must acknowledge the work that has been done by the law enforcement agencies, especially the Chief of Defense Staff and his team.

“They have made the return to that site easier and possible for our contractors. So, those are no longer an existent problem now. It is just the manhours now to do the work.

The Federal Government has also finished the Loko-oweto Bridge in Nasarawa State and the Second Niger Bridge both to be inaugurated soon.

Source: NAN.

Alleged Forgery: Court Sacks National Chairman Of Labour Party, Others

Editorial staff

April 5, 2023

File of photo of Labour Party’s National Chairman and Mr Peter Obi

Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has issued an order restraining the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure; National Secretary, Farouk Ibrahim and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Others stopped from parading themselves as national officers are the National Organising Secretary, Clement Ojukwu, and the Treasurer.

Justice Hamza Muazu issued the restraining order while ruling in ex-parte application argued by a James Onoja.

In an application, Onoja told the court how the restrained National officers allegedly forged several documents of the FCT High Court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last general elections.

Among the documents were the receipts, seals, and affidavits of the court to carry out criminal activities.

The Senior Counsel also tendered several documents, confirming to the Judge that the Chief Registrar of the Court wrote the Labour Party to disown several documents used for the alleged criminal activities by Abure and three others.

Onoja said that following their indictment by police investigation, the four people are to be arraigned in court, and that warrants for their arrest have already been obtained.

In a brief ruling, Justice Muazu held that the application and the supporting affidavits are a good case for the request to be granted.

The judge subsequently ordered that the four people should immediately stop parading themselves as National Officers of Labour Party.

Source: Frontierng.

Federal Govt Declares April 7, 10 Public Holidays For Easter Celebrations

Editorial staff

April 5, 2023

The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 7 and Monday 10 public holidays for the 2023 Easter celebrations.

A statement today, April 5, by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore said that the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

He said that Aregbesola advised Christian faithful to emulate the virtues of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace and patience, which were attributes and practices of Jesus Christ as exemplified by His ministry on earth.

He also called on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for an end to the security challenges in some parts of the country, adding that security was everybody’s business.

He enjoined them to love their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity of spirit, with the well to do sharing their substance with the less privileged around them.

He urged Nigerians and foreigners resident in the country to display high sense of citizenship and public spiritedness by supporting the efforts of the security agencies.

This, the Minister said, is with a view to ensure peace and security of lives and property of Nigerians.

Aregbesola said that the Federal Government is doing all that is necessary to ensuring a peaceful transition of government following the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election.

“The nation is persistently on the part to greatness and I urge all Nigerians to positively deploy their creative energy to the full realisation of the coming prosperity, as there is surely light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Minister wished all Christian faithful a most blissful celebration and all Nigerians a happy holiday.

Student Cultists In UniBen Kill One Of Them

Editorial staff

April 5, 2023

Student cultists in the University of Benin, Edo State, have killed one of them, whose name was given as Desmond Obukobo, aka Mayor.

Report said that late Mayor, who was also the chief of the Kegites Club in the university was a member of Maphites secret cult group.

He was said to have been killed by members of the Black Axe, popularly called Aye.

Confirming the report, the

Spokesman of Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor said: “The DPO Ugbowo reported that he got a phone call from the CSO of the university about the incident and when he got there, a room in Hall 3, he saw the lifeless body and some items like voter’s card, school ID card and other items were found with him.

“Preliminary investigation showed that the victim was a member of Maphites while the killers are members of Black Axe Aye. The DPO will transfer the case to the SCID to continue investigation.”

The university’s management has since condemned the killing.

A statement its spokesperson, Benedicta Ehnaire said the “gruesome shooting occurred in one of the Halls of Residence and was carried out by a yet-to-be-identified gunman.”

The university authority enjoined other students to be calm as the police and other security agencies work hard to arrest the culprit.

“Management is also working closely with the internal security units in ensuring that such a dastardly incident does not occur again within the University’s premises.”

I’m Not Sure If I Will Probe Ortom, But Things Are In Very Bad Shape – Gov Elect

Greenbarge Reporters

April 5, 2023

Governor-elect for Benue State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has said that he’s not sure whether he will probe his predecessor, Governor Samuel Ortom on the awful way he runs the State government.
Answering reporters’ questions today, April 5, shortly after a private audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, Abuja, the Governor elect said that he will be inheriting a badly managed state when he formally assume office on May 29, 2023.
According to him, the state’s civil service is in a state of near collapse and in “Intensive Care Unit” (ICU).
“I have come to infuse life into it and keep it moving.”
He said that he had not looked at the books of the Ortom government to know the extent of the damage to the State, saying: “so I wouldn’t want to be quite pre-emptive. Once I’m sworn in, I know that what the good people of Benue want is progress and development.
“There is so much that we need to put on track for things to work. Benue state is an agrarian zone and so we must focus on agriculture and upgrade it.
“Benue is very capable of feeding the whole nation; so we are not just the food basket of the nation by name and I am hoping that we will up our game in agriculture and take care of the rest as well.
“It is sad that the civil service in the state is near collapse, it is in the ICU. I just need to get in there and infuse life in it and keep it moving.
“We have a lot of backlog of unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities. Already I got much on the desk to keep a good focus on and I remain hopeful that I am going to do just that.”
The Governor elect had earlier written a letter to the Benue Investment Property Company, warning the officials against colluding with the incumbent governor on some financial transactions.

Ex US President, Trump, Appears In Court On Criminal Charges

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2023

Former United States President, Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty to 34 felony criminal charges of falsifying business records in Manhattan criminal court today, April 4.

The indictment against Trump alleges that the former President sought to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election.

Prosecutors alleged Trump was part of an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, including an illegal payment of $130,000 that was ordered by the defendant to suppress the negative information that would hurt his campaign.

The reason Trump committed the crime of falsifying business records was in part to “promote his candidacy,” the indictment alleges.

The former President’s voice was measured in the courtroom as he walked in slowly scanning the reporters in the courtroom and looking at the judge when he was speaking.

Trump had arrived at the Manhattan district attorney’s office earlier Tuesday afternoon, where he was placed under arrest and in police custody before the arraignment.

The arraignment in the Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday represented a surreal and historic moment in US history.

We’ve No Mandate To, And Don’t Track Phones, NCC Clarifies

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2023

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has made it clear that it has no constitutional and legal mandate and has not been involved in phone tracking and leakages.
In a statement today, April 4, the Commission’s spokesman, Reuben Muoka said that the Commission has practically nothing to do with the allegations flying around.
“By the provisions of the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA) 2003 and other extant Laws of the Federation, the Commission does not and cannot “track” nor “leak” telephone conversations of anyone.
“The Commission has reported the allegations, which we take seriously, to relevant security agencies for proper investigation and necessary action.
“The Commission restates its commitment to discharge its responsibilities to the Nigerian people in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the NCA 2003; and other extant Laws of the Federation; and global best practices.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission denies these allegations and advises the public to disregard them.”

I Have Never Sponsored Or Preached Action Against Nigerian State, Obi Protests

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, Peter Obi has protested against being tagged treason promoter.
Obi, in reaction to the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed who accused him of having committed treason against Nigerian State, in a statement today, April 4, said: “I have never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state; I have never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state.”
Obi frowned at the series of what he termed “calumnous campaigns mounted against him by the Minister who is in the United States meeting with the Western media.
He complained that in the past few days, he observed various campaigns of calumny directed at his person, with the latest being allegations attributed to the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed from Washington DC.
“It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to what I am, and my core values, is coming from such high quarters.
“Minister Lai accusing me of stoking insurrection is totally malicious and fictitious.
“Those initiating these actions have increasingly used their official positions and agents to make false allegations against me.
“I am on record as always advocating for peace and issue-based campaign and never campaigned based on ethnicity or religion. I am committed to due process, and presently seeking redress in the Court.
“I urge those engaged in this demarketing process to stop presenting Nigeria in such bad light.
“Our future generations deserve a new Nigeria, where they can live a secure and decent life like their counterparts in other climes. It is possible. -PO”

Obi, Datti Have Committed Treason, Verdict By Information Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2023

The Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has come up with verdict: the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and his running mate in the February 25 election, Yusuf Datti-Ahmed have committed treason.
“Obi and his Vice, Datti Ahmed cannot be threatening Nigerians that if the President-elect, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is sworn in on May 29, it will be the end of democracy in Nigeria.
“This is treason. You cannot be inviting insurrection, and this is what they are doing. Obi’s statement is that of a desperate person. He is not a democrat that he claimed to be.
“A democrat should not believe in democracy only when he wins election.”
The minister spoke in Washington DC, America during respective interactions with some international media organizations.
According to the minister, it was wrong for Obi in one breath to seek redress in court over the outcome of the polls and in another breat, incite people to violence.
Speaking in defence of the 2023 elections which had been rejected by five presidential candidates as flawed, the minister said in spite of challenging the election results in court, he speculated that there was “no pathway to victory” for either Obi or Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The minister said that both Obi and Atiku failed to meet the constitutional requirements to be declared as president.
“The constitution has stringent criteria for anybody who wants to be president of the country.
“Not only must he have the plurality of vote cast in an election, but he must also have scored one-quarter of votes cast in at least 25 states.
“Only the President-elect met the criteria by scoring 8.79 million votes and having one-quarter of all the vote cast in 29 states of the federation.”
He recalled that Atiku, who came second with 6.9 million votes was only able to make one-quarter of the votes cast in 21 states while Obi came third with 5.8 million votes but won only one-quarter of the votes cast in 15 states.
“You cannot win an election in a poll where you came to a distant third position and failed to meet constitutional requirements.
“Peter Obi, while complaining of fraud, has not disowned his victory in Lagos.”
On why he flew to the U.S., Lai Mohammed said that he needed to correct what he called “the negative narratives being promoted by naysayers and opposition on the election.”
The minister accused opposition parties of alleging fraud and calling for the cancellation of the elections and the constitution of an interim government following their defeat at the polls.
“We have come here to balance that skewed narratives and to tell the world unambiguously that the just concluded general election in Nigeria is the fairest, most transparent, and authentic in the history of Nigeria.
“The election is the fairest and most credible because of the introduction of the Bimodal Voters Verification System (BVAS) which I regard as a game changer.
“BVAS, during the polls, worked 97 percent giving unparalleled credibility to the elections.”
Source: Persecondnews.

Ogboni Leader, Olakisan, Dies In Accident While Searching For His Kidnapped Wives

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2023

Oba Ogboni Agbaye, leader of Ogboni worldwide, Oba Abdullah Adetoyese Olakisan has died alongside two others in a road accident yesterday, April 3, along the Ila/Edemonsi/Imesi-Ile Road while on a mission to rescue his two wives and others from kidnappers.
The kidnappers were said to have attacked his residence in the early hours of yesterday and took away two of his wives.
It was gathered that Oba Olakisan, the officer-in-charge of Imesi-Ile police post and a female occupant were traveling in the vehicle searching for the kidnapped victims when the accident occurred.
Acting on the information given by one of the suspects, the traditionalist, the police officer and the woman, went after the kidnappers towards Ila but were involved in the accident while returning to Imesi-Ile.
The Osun State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident.
She said that the Command had commenced a search and rescue operation to free the victims.
“The Ogboni leader, the Police OC Imesi-Ile and a woman were inside his (Olakisan’s) car coming back to Imesi after reaching Ila, searching for his wives that were abducted, when they had an accident.
“The vehicle ran into a tree. It was a lone accident. They were rushed to a hospital, but eventually they all died. Our men are inside the bush to continue the search and rescue mission.”
The Command had, on Sunday, announced that it rescued a female victim of a kidnapped incident which occurred along the Osogbo-Ikirun Road on Friday.
Source: Dailypost

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