₦airaland Forum

The Commander, Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Michael Nzekwe, has warned miners in states under his watch to pay royalties due to the Federal government or face the wrath of the law.

He also hinted that the zonal command will beam a “torchlight on the activities of illegal miners in Kwara, Ekiti and Kogi States which are under his command with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice.”

Speaking when he received the new Kwara State commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ibrahim Muhammed, in his office, in Ilorin, Michael, described the non-payment of royalties to the government by miners as economic sabotage.

The Commander said his agency was prepared to strengthen the existing collaboration between the Commission and the NSCDC, in tackling illegal mining and non-payment of royalties by miners in Kwara State.

Michael, described the NSCDC as a strategic partner in the fight against corruption adding that “One of the critical areas that it will want to seek your collaboration is in the area of illegal mining.

“As agencies of government, part of our responsibilities is to check corruption and preserve sources through which government generates revenue for the wellbeing of its citizenry.

“We cannot, therefore, sit back and watch people divert or pilfer what is meant for government to personal use,” he declared.

According to the commander, “The law made it compulsory for miners to pay royalties to the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government is losing a lot to the activities of the illegal miners not only in Kwara State but also in Nigeria.

“If due processes are followed and royalties are paid, not only that the Federal Government would benefit, the State Government is equally entitled to 13 percent derivation of the royalty paid to cater for its people.

He expressed delight over the cordial relationship between the Commission and the Corps, particularly the recent deployment of some of the personnel of the Corps to assist the Commission in guiding some of its forfeited assets spread across the three States under the Command.

Responding, the Kwara NSCDC Commandant Ibrahim, commended EFCC for promoting inter-agency synergy in the fight against corruption.

He said the visit was to familiarize with the military and para-military formations following his recent transfer to Kwara State.

While calling for further ties between the EFCC and the NSCDC, he said the collaboration became imperative as “no agency can do it alone”.

SOURCE: https://matrixliveng.com/efcc-warns-illegal-miners-to-pay-royalty-to-fg-or/

2021 Europa league finalists, Manchester United, have been seeded to face Real Sociedad, Moldovan club outfit FC Sheriff and Cypriot team Omononia in the group stage of the 2022/23 tournament.

On the other hand, Arsenal face a tricky test in Group A of the tournament, when they lock horns with, Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s PSV Eindhoven and they also have Zurich and then a 3061km trip to Norway to face Bodo/Glimt.

Meanwhile, Mourinho’s AS Roma are drawn in Group C and will face Ludogorets, Spanish side Real Betis, HJK Helsinki

Monaco will take on Red Star Belgrade, Ferencvaros and Turkish champions Trabzonspor in Group H.

Dynamo Kyiv, who lost to Benfica in the Champions League play-offs, will face Rennes, Fenerbahce and AEK Larnaca of Cyprus in Group B.

Lazio and Feyenoord were drawn together in Group F, while French Cup holders Nantes — in their first European campaign in two decades — will play Olympiakos, Freiburg and Qarabag of Azerbaijan.

The group stage will begin on September 8 and concludes on November 3, earlier than usual due to the World Cup in Qatar.

This season’s Europa League final will be played at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 31, next year.

Europa League Group Stage in full SEE FULL LIST

SOURCE: https://matrixliveng.com/europa-league-arsenal-get-tricky-ties-as-man-utd-draw-real-sociedad-omonia-fc-sherrif-full-list/

At least one person has been confirmed dead after a three-storey building collapsed in Kubwa Satellite Town, Abuja.

The building, which was still under construction, collapsed at Hamza Abdullahi Street Off Gado Nasco Road.

According to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday.

While some persons have been rescued with serious injuries and taken to the General Hospital, the number of casualties is yet unknown.

As of the time of this reporting, security agencies and National Emergency Management Agency officials were on the ground trying to rescue those trapped in the rubble.

One Mr Emmanuel Omeke, who said he lives beside the building, claimed the collapsed structure was initially a shopping mall but recently converted into residential apartments.

He suggested the addition of extra blocks to the structure may have led to the collapse.

SOURCE: https://matrixliveng.com/one-confirmed-dead-another-trapped-in-another-abuja-building-collapse/