efighter: The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday approved N109.4billion for the construction of Ibadan – Ilesha–Ife and Kano–Katsina (Phase two) dual carriage ways.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this when he briefed State House Correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa.
He said N79.8billion of the amount would be expended on the Ibadan – Ilesha – Ife dual carriage way, while the remaining N29.6billion was for the construction of the phase two of the Kano – Katsina dual carriage way, starting from Gidan Mutun Daya to Katsina Rolling Mill, Katsina.
He said the Ibadan – Ilesha – Ife road project when completed would connect Oyo and Osun states. “Ministry of Works and Housing presented three memoranda and they were approved for – one, the construction of the Ibadan – Ilesha – Ife dual carriage way that connects Oyo and Osun states for N79.82billion
“The third approval was for phase two of the Kano-Katsina High Way from the point known as Gidan-Mutun Daya all the way to where Katsina Steel Rolling Mill is located. “This is a 78 km stretch approved at the sum of N29.654 billion. That road is a 172 km road linking Kano and Katsina road from Kano. “It was a single length highway, until it was awarded in 2013 by the previous administration in phase one,’’ he said. He further explained that the road project, which was inherited from the previous administration, was expanded into a dual carriage way. “We inherited it and we have continued to execute it.
The award was to then expand the road into a dual carriage highway. “That means we are constructing the existing one and building another new one. It was awarded for the first 70 km plus for the phase 1. “What we have now done is to complete the award to the same contractor, so that there is a uniformity of construction,’’ he said. The minister disclosed that N200.176billion was also approved for construction of link-roads, connecting the second Niger Bridge to Asaba and Onitsha. “Secondly, for the link-road that connects the second Niger Bridge to Asaba and Onitsha. The Asaba link-road was awarded to Julius Berger and the Onitsha link-road was awarded to RCC Construction at the total cost of N200.176 billion.
“So, this completes essentially the access road that will link the bridge in the short time. You might recall that these roads were under-designed when the bridge was awarded. “So, it is this administration that completed the design and we now awarded them, so that you can have a bridge that has link-roads. “This was awarded initially under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the bridge in 2010 administration,’’ he added. The Minister of State, Education, Mr Emeka Nwajuba, who also spoke on the outcome of the meeting, revealed that the Council approved N915 million for the construction of Faculty of Environment at the University of Abuja. Another N918million, was also approved for the construction of Faculty of Education at the same University.(NAN).
CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS ROAD ALWAYS STOPS AT IFE. THIS ROAD HAS BEEN REHABILITATED TWICE AND STOP AT IFE . EVERYONE WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT IFE-AKURE NEED AN URGENT DUALIZATION . @ARAKUNRIN ROTIMI,GET THE FEDERAL GOVT.APPROVAL ,FIX IT AND MOUNT ERECT GATES .THIS I BELIEVE WILL INCREASE YOUR IGR (BUT MAKE SURE THEY ARE AUTOMATED TO AVOID INCOME LEAKAGES). ONCE IT IS FIXED YOU GET PAID BACK FROM FGN. IF YOU CAN GET AN APPROVAL ALSO TO FIX ORE-ONDO AXIS AND EDO-OWO,THE STATE WILL JUST FOLD THIER HANDS AND MONEY WILL BE COMING IN. @ARAKUNRIN,PREPARE FOR BOTH CONSTRUCTIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE CRITISISM BUT IF YOU CAN STAND YOUR GROUND ,YOU WILL BE THE BEST GOVERNOR EVER IN ONDO STATE
alonzoiv: So, what now happened? Because you sang/featured in Totori, you are now a star?
SO U DONT KNOW THIS GUY? ID CABASA HAS PRODUCED MANY ARTIST. ALL THE 9ICE GONGO ASO ALBUM, BASHORUN GAA. THIS GUY CAN BUY YOUR GENERATION IS JUST HUMBLE
Naija247blog: The Nigerian police has on Friday arrested about 3 rustlers in the state for allegedly stealing about 1000 cows in Falgore Forest situated at the Kiru L.G.A. of Kano. The suspect names are Lawan Mohammad, 25 years, of Damau Village, Kaduna State, Sa’idu Abdullahi, 23 years, of Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and Suleman Abdullahi, 30 years, of Damau Village Kaduna State.
Mr Ahmed Iliyasu, the state Commissioner of Police in Kano, told the news crew that he was the 3 notorious rustlers were arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) team of the state of Operation Puff-Adder with some members of Miyetti Allah in Falgore Forest. While interviewing the suspects they said that their crimes led Puff-Adder Operatives to various locations within the Falgore Forrest were more than 1,000 cows were recovered.
The efforts of the Inspector-General of Police of the State, Mohammed Adamu, was commended for his encouragement and guidance to officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force in-line with the directives and principles of the Anti-Crime machine of Operation Puff-Adder
soberdrunk: I dont know who made eba for Sowore and told him not to worry about soup but he made the biggest mistake ever, how can you lose election and in less than a year you threaten to overthrow a sitting president, not even anyhow president but "BUHARI"
i told him to contest for house of rep or senate but his followers on twitter attacked me�
fergie001: A week after The PUNCH’s investigation into the non-existent doctorate of the acting Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Chima Igwe, the government has refused to take action.
The Ministry of Science and Technology had stated that it could not do anything because Igwe’s academic records were with FIIRO.
The ministry had also shifted responsibility to the institute’s governing board and a former director general, Prof. Gloria Elemo.
It also claimed not to be aware of any investigation into the matter.
However, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has promised to make public its findings on the matter.
Our correspondent had reported that Igwe joined FIIRO in 1991 and rose through the ranks.
However, a policy in the institution made it impossible for anyone without a PhD to be promoted to the senior cadre.
Igwe then claimed that he completed his doctorate at the Abomey-Calavi University, Benin Republic, in 2001.
He was reportedly promoted several times based on the claim, despite having only an attestation letter as evidence.
The matter became contentious when there was a need to appoint a new head for the agency earlier this year.
The board of governors checked the files of senior officers and discovered that 57-year-old Igwe, who was the most senior, did not have a certificate to back his PhD claim.
After several failed ultimatums for the officer to bring the certificate, the board recommended to the ministry that the next most senior officer be appointed into the position.
The PhD case was said to have been taken up by the ICPC.
The Dr Ogbonnaya Onu-led Ministry of Science and Technology, however, rejected the recommendation of the board and insisted that Igwe be appointed.
The FIIRO spokesperson, Chris Olumuyiwa, while acknowledging that PhD was a basis for promotion to senior positions in the institute, maintained that Igwe’s doctorate was not in doubt.
The conundrum around the PhD remained unresolved until The PUNCH visited Benin Republic, where Igwe claimed to have bagged the degree.
The Deputy Director, School of Postgraduate Studies, Abomey-Calavi University, Prof. Valentin Wotto, told our correspondent that Igwe had yet to complete the degree.
Wotto added that Igwe must re-register to continue his studies and complete his academic programme before getting his PhD.
The ICPC, which has been investigating the case for many months, promised to reveal its findings to the public.
The spokesperson for the agency, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, said in a text message, “I learnt that our investigation into the matter is ongoing. The outcome will be made public when the processes are concluded.”
Nigerians, who read the report, commended The PUNCH for the good job, adding that what took the ICPC a long time to do, the newspaper did within a short while.
Many also called for Igwe’s prosecution.
“Too many people out there occupying high positions of authority, while there are millions of eligible Nigerians in various fields looking for jobs. No wonder, nothing is working. It is not only the man that should be prosecuted, but many that have been incompetent should also give way as collateral – let the right people in,” a reader, de_Wale, wrote.
Another reader, with the alias, government, said Igwe should be made to refund the salary he took with the supposed certificate.
“The man should be asked to refund all the salaries he used his adulterated PhD to obtain. He should also be demoted,” he wrote.
“The PUNCH did a good job here; professional journalism despite the language barrier. No one can accuse this newspaper of shoddy journalism. Excellent! Let’s have Igwe’s reaction when confronted with the facts from the Republic of Benin,” Daoud Akano stated.
Some readers on Twitter also queried the reaction of the Ministry of Science and Technology that it could not do anything about the scandal.
“This is wrong; so many out there who strive just to get this certificate and deserve better after all the suffering they went through just to get a better life. And now, someone who doesn’t deserve it is enjoying it all,” @EverythingisF1 tweeted.
emmalezy: Two Busia county women, 28-year-old Lilian Weta said to be a mother of three and 29-year-old Millicent Auma, a mother of two swapped their husbands in a bid to find happiness.
Millicent Auma was living with her husband Christopher Bwire in Siroba village, Matayos constituency. Suddenly, she walked out of the tumultuous marriage and moved in with one Kevin Barasa, a married man with three children.
Barasa and Lilian Weta, 28, have lived together as husband and wife for more than 10 years in Namwitsula, Butula constituency and have three children, but were experiencing constant quarrels.
Weta told Standard Digital that her husband came back home one day with Auma, telling her he had a new wife.
“They came in at around 1am with my husband and she (Auma) told me that night she was officially the wife,” said Weta.
When Weta confronted her husband, he told her to go look for Auma’s husband and marry him. Weta thought of their constant quarrels and said enough is enough. She summouned courage and for left Matayos in search of Bwire.
“My husband told me to go look for Auma’s husband and marry him. I asked him if he would be comfortable with me finding a new husband. He said yes.”
Weta called her brother and sister to tell them what had happened and they told her if that would bring peace in her life, then she should go for it.
“They told me to do as my husband had said. In the morning I went to Bwire and told him what happened.”
When she eventually located Bwire, she shared with him what had happened in Butula.
Weta told Bwire that Auma had moved in with her husband and they told her to look for him (Bwire).
It was then that Bwire asked her to go pick up her children and come with them to Matayos.
Bwire confirmed that they were staying together as man and wife after his former wife left him without a trace.
“I called Auma several times but she was not picking my calls so I gave up,” he said.
He added that between him and Barasa, one person may regret the decision.
“It is either me or him who will regret afterwards but for now I am happy with my new catch,” Bwire added.
When contacted, Barasa stated that he is no longer interested in Weta because he is happy in his new marriage.
“If she has accepted to stay with Bwire, so be it.”
freelansa: Maureen Esisi has stated that she's ready to spill details about her reportedly crashed marriage to actor Blossom Chukwujekwu.
In an Instagram post, Maureen Esisi alerted her followers on Instagram and all concerned parties to be prepared as she gets set to ''spill the real deal''.
"Countdown to the release," she wrote.
She added: "Y’all been Waiting too Long? I Apologize... TURN ON YOUR NOTIFICATIONS #SpillingTheRealDeal 11??09??2019 #StayTunned"
GidifeedNews: Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has stated that he’s ashamed that he has not been able to pay pensioners their pension money.
The state pensioners have have refused to vacate the entrance to the Government House in Makurdi despite the Governor’s advice.
Pensioners of the state have last week moved to the entrance of the Government House, sleeping on mats vowing to occupy the seat of power until their pensions and gratuities amounting to N25billion are paid as they claim they have not been paid for 25 months.
Governor Ortom while addressing the pensioners said: “I’m ashamed that my government has been unable to meet its financial obligation to the pensioners, who are senior citizens”.
The Governor who describe the situation as sad promise to address to the pensioners plight noting that he met about N17billion as gratuity and N34billion as pension arrears when he took over the mantle of leadership, but has reduced the amount before the state found itself in a difficult financial situation.
However, he called for understanding from the pensioners adding that his administration has taken steps to address the problems through domestication of pension law to ease their plight.
Ortom noted that as a palliative measure, he has obtained a bank overdraft of N611 million, adding that “between Monday and Tuesday the pensioners will be paid two- month pensions.”
kirajustice: Nigeria’s leading financial institution, Zenith Bank Plc, is set to light up the social and entertainment scene this month with the announcement of the Bank’s “Aspire Music Festival”.
Dubbed as the most anticipated entertainment event of the year, the music festival holds on Saturday, September 21, 2019, by 8.00pm at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The breathtaking festival promises to be a night to remember, as it will feature captivating and thrilling musical performances by some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes including Olamide, Flavour, Phyno, Niniola, Mayorkun and Rema.
The Aspire Musical Festival, which is a must-attend event for music lovers, tourists and fun-seekers, is one of a series of events lined up by Zenith Bank to usher in “Style by Zenith 2.0”, the bank’s annual lifestyle fair which will take place towards the end of the year.
Attendance at the music festival is exclusively reserved for Zenith Bank customers. However, non-Zenith customers can still participate by simply opening a Zenith Bank account and registering to attend at www.zenithbank.com/style.
Zenith Bank Plc is recognized as one of the most innovative financial institutions in Nigeria and was voted the most customer-focused bank in Nigeria for the Retail and SME segments in the 2018 KPMG Annual Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey (BICSS).
BigBabyJesus: Within 5yrs that country will be worse than Somalia.
It will be a dystopian nightmare. The niggers will make every other brutal civil war in Africa look like a childhood game of cowboys and Indians.
The nation's infrastructure will collapse and anarchy like no other will prevail.
The blacks will prove to the world that niggers are incapable of governing themselves, maintaining society and that the only thing they know is to rape, kill and destroy.
The western world will not intervene. It will have to be a task undertaken by black African nations to fix SA, banish the zulu niggers to Rugas and reinforce apartheid 5 0 laws and erect an epithet for future generations not to trust nor empathise with these zulu niggers again.
Timer04: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will visit Adamawa on Sept. 10 to inaugurate the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).
The plan which is to run from 2019-2028, is an initiative of the Federal Government in collaboration with States under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC).
It is targeted at supporting the development of Nigeria’s livestock sector and will initially be implemented in seven pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration of the programme in Adamawa is to formalise what has been agreed upon by state governors at NEC.
NAN recalls that Osinbajo had, while speculations were rife regarding RUGA, clarified that he was not supervising RUGA.
He had said that RUGA and the NLTP were not the same.
Few days after the vice president’s clarification, President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the RUGA initiative.
Findings from the Office of the Vice President indicate that the suspension of the Ruga Settlement initiative has not been reversed.
The successful launch of the programme on Tuesday in Yola will make Adamawa the first to endorse and implement the programme in the country.
The NLTP will focus on modernising livestock production using a mix of nomadic breeding and ranching that would serve a modernised dairy and meat processing industry.
It will develop a plan for resettling and addressing dislocated populations in key conflict zones like Adamawa to enable them become a part of the agriculture modernisation process.
supremenews: Biodun Fatoyinbo, the Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, has asked Busola Dakolo, to stop telling lies ''up and dan''.
Fatoyinbo stated this while reacting to the court paper Busola filed at the Federal High Court Abuja recently. Busola in the court paper, insisted that Fatoyinbo raped her. She demanded for an apology and also for Fatoyinbo to pay N10 million legal fees for the case.
See what Fatoyinbo posted on his IG page this evening
Upritman: Some lawmakers from Rivers State on Monday took to the street to protest against the collapsing state of the Akpajo Bridge in the Eleme axis of the state. The lawmakers comprised of those at the state and national levels from the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Leader of the protesting lawmakers, Senator Barry Mpigi while addressing newsmen called on the federal government to urgently fix entire road and repair the bridge.
"The lives of our people and other Nigerians are at risk here. We’ve written to the authorities and also raised motions on the floor of NASS concerning this. We decided to show Nigerians what our people faces everyday and demand that the federal government listens to us and avert unforeseen tragedy that might occur here", Mpigi lamented.
Information Parrot Nigeria reports that the angry lawmakers carried placards with various inscriptions.
Fountainofyouth: If only other african countries left them alone when whites were shìtting on them during the apathied rule, none of this would have happened, they would have been refugees in their own country, Mandela would have rot in jail peacefully cos I know right now his dust is twisting and turning in his grave cos of the ungratefulness they are displaying especially to Nigerians, they do not deserve independence, had it been they are destroying drug Lords strongholds it would have been better, but these are people's sweat, bunch of lazy, jobless mofos, they don't know that this issue will alienate other African countries from them, nonsense.
MY DAD GAVE OUT ONE OF MY BEST SHOE AS A RELIEF MATERIALS THEN
dokyOloye: Ambode should man up for once and spill d beans on Thiefnuubu's legendary thievery. You can't tell me was accountant general of the state for several years and doesn't have info on an avaricious thief like Thiefnuubu. Doing otherwise means he's a coward and a pussycat who deserves what he is getting.
THAT IS IF HE WAS NOT TAKING HIS SHARE. BABA IT IS VERY HARD TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA. CAN BUHARI TELL US WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR JET FUELING IN 2015 CAMPAIGN AND WHOSE JET WAS THAT?
MhannyEra: In other to avoid kidnappers and bandits on Kaduna Abuja expressway, see Nigerians at Rigasa Train station yesterday, trying to buy train tickets for their journey.
Politics › Re: Nnpc’s Kyari Says Fossil Fuel To Remain Relevant Decades To Come by ajayiopy: 2:43pm On Sep 26, 2019
