₦airaland Forum

Eriokanmi:
They say kano pillars ranks above Messi's celebrated inter miami, true or false ?

HitRun:
This man is deluded.

KingLennon:
I prefer the private jet to donkey o. Nobody go see Rolls Royce go chose Golf na ....

beerfraud:
why did he not tender his University certificate if it is genuine?

AntiBalaka:
A bigot Catholic who never hid his disdain for non Catholics suddenly found Christian brotherhood during the last presidential campaign.

When last did you see him attend church service outside a Catholic occasion/mass?

Acekidc4:
It's time to inject fresh new blood to take over.

It's time for FFK to Chop!!
Mr Tableshaker Reno too should come and eat. It's time for food!!

Why I have a fleet of private jets, Bishop Oyedepo reveals



Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide AKA Winners Chapel has opened up on why he acquired a fleet of private jets.

According to him, the reason is because God has blessed him richly.

In a recent sermon at his church, also known as Winners Chapel, Oyedepo stated his church is now changing planes like bicycles because of God’s blessings.

The popular pastor disclosed that when God first told him that he was going to fly, he and his church never pursued it with human energy.

He said: ”God told us we are going to fly; if He left us to plan to fly, it won’t enter our budget in the next ten years. We are just changing planes like we change bicycles because His blessings make us rich and add no sorrow.

“We didn’t confess; we didn’t pray, pray for the plane to do what? They asked me, which kind of plane and I said any kind. I don’t know the name of any because I wasn’t shopping for it.”

On the Ark Project, Oyedepo said the church had not announced any offering in Canaanland or branches of the church.

The bishop said: ”The dollar-to-naira rate has tumbled and tumbled, but the blessings have tumbled too. There is no forex input from outside Nigeria on the Ark Project, yet there is no pressure on anybody.”

On tithes, the Bishop said people who pay their tithes don’t lack, stressing that tithe payment is biblical.

He said ”John D. Rockefeller was a tither, and he ended up the first American billionaire in history. People don’t lack what they give; they only lack what they keep. He was tithe raised, tithe groomed and tithe sustained.”

FG targets domiciliary accounts, Diaspora Nigerians’ funds


The administration of President Bola Tinubu is looking to attract funds held in domiciliary accounts and funds held by Nigerians abroad into massive investments in various sectors of the economy.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.

He said that Nigerians had huge funds in domiciliary accounts and held large sums abroad which could be deployed to rejuvenate the economy and that his team was working to provide the needed environment to attract such funds into the Nigerian economy.

According to the minister, Nigerians in the Diaspora were also expected to play a significant role in the fresh move to take the economy to a position of high growth, through productivity and efficient management of resources.

His words: “What we can see is that really, there is quite substantial sources of foreign exchange in Nigeria.

“There is a lot of cash outside the system, which if brought into the system, increases the money supply of dollars, increases in reserves and so forth.

“There are funds in domiciliary accounts, which if you give people the incentives they will utilize those for investment in Nigeria.

“Nigerians in Nigeria have huge holdings of foreign currency in banks abroad in financial institutions abroad.

“We need to provide the environment that brings those funds home to choose to invest in Nigerian economy rather than foreign economies, which is what they are doing right now.

“If you place money in a bank abroad, you’re investing in a foreign economy. Finally, we also have huge source of funds from the diaspora.

“Nigerians living and working abroad, who of course, have their families here and who are interested in keeping a presence here; we have to encourage them to be willing to save in Nigeria, perhaps by improving payment mechanisms and so on and so forth; so we have do a lot to aim at them.

“There is plenty of hope and it is our determination to put in place the kind of structures and incentive framework that brings Nigeria money abroad and even Nigeria money outside the system into the financial and economic system to work, to create jobs for Nigerians.

“Mr. President believes in fiscal federalism.”

He added that while the federal government was taking steps to ameliorate the effects of the reform decisions, states and local governments, and indeed, wealthy Nigerians and corporate entities should help the poor out of the present challenges.


N5bn palliative

The minister disclosed that N2 billion, out of the N5 billion, palliative funds to states have been released.

He explained that the money was both grant from the federal government as well as borrowing by the state government, without specifying how much would be grant and what percentage was loan to states.

Mr. Edun admitted that Nigerians were passing through challenges due to the fiscal reforms embarked upon by the present administration but insisted that it would be temporary and necessary steps were being taken by the government to ease the pains of the people.

“Until benefits of removal of subsidy feeds through, and until the NNPCL’s revenue from oil production going up feeds through, there is a challenge to balance the books, particularly in terms of foreign exchange,” he said.

The minister stated that the present administration would eliminate borrowing to finance recurrent and that any borrowing to be undertaken would be to finance capital projects.

Fuel consumption falls to 30%

Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari, disclosed that the nation’s fuel consumption has declined by 30 percent, following the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.

According to Mr. Kyari, the reduction in fuel demand from about 66.7 million litres daily before the removal of subsidy to about 46 million currently, also meant a 30 percent reduction in NNPCL’s demand for foreign exchange to import fuel.

An elated GMD also disclosed that oil production has ramped up to 1.6 million barrels by Wednesday from a very poor position of less than 1 million a year and some months ago.

The GMD also explained that the $3 billion deal with the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) was not a loan but a forward sale arrangement.

Chinese secretly mining titanium ore in Nigeria intercepted; Ruitai firm shut

Ruitai’s board of directors are all Chinese nationals not eligible to acquire a small-scale mining licence as claimed.

The Akwa Ibom government has closed down a Chinese mining firm, Ruitai Mining Company, for failing to produce an operation licence.

Uno Etim Eno, the commissioner for environment and mineral resources, disclosed this to journalists in Uyo.

Mr Eno said the firm could not provide authorisation documents for titanium ore mining in Ibeno.

He said the Chinese company had been mining titanium ore secretly in the area, before it was intercepted and ordered to produce relevant documents.

Mr Eno added that during inspection, it was discovered that the firm could not produce a mining licence as well as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to show impact of its operations on the host community.

“The joint ministerial inspection team included the permanent secretary, Mrs Iquo Abia, on arrival at Ibeno community, were conducted round the mining site by the chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, High Chief Williams Mkpa. The team discovered black clay-like minerals contained in sacks of 50kg, which was identified by the miners as titanium ore,” said the commissioner.

Mr Eno added, “On critical examination of the site amidst tight security, the managing director and director of the company, Zeng Zhonghuan and Huang Ying, were not available at the site. The available staff members could not provide any information or documents.”

Mr Uno said that the ministry of environment discovered that the company was an exploration company while the board of directors are all Chinese nationals not eligible to acquire the small-scale mining licence as claimed.

“Ruitai mining company should terminate its mining operations forthwith, until due clearance legitimising its operation is completed with the state government,” said Mr Eno.

taylor89:
I will choose Portable over Tinubu



Any day any time

IconicR:
He simply dislike his arrogance
Truly Burner can be arrogant sha but I'm so blinded to see any of all his faults.

Lawyers stage walkout at NBA’s ‘Unbarred’ concert over guest ‘performer’ Portable


Lawyers stage walkout at NBA’s ‘Unbarred’ concert over guest ‘performer’ Portable

In the wee hours of Thursday, August 31, some lawyers left an event that was being held in Abuja as part of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual general conference.

The programme tagged “Unbarred” was held at the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Federal Capital Territory.

According to the event’s poster, the host was Timi Agbaje, DJ Skillz and Veentage Band were billed to man the Music Policy and it promised a surprise act.

Time to unveil the surprise act and lawyers who had waited several hours for the programme to start were stunned to see Portable being announced as the guest performer.

The president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau gave a brief speech, followed by a brief entertainment by the DJ before Portable’s ‘shocking’ appearance on stage.

A significant number of the attorneys chose to leave after raising concerns about the choice of the self-styled ‘wahala’ musician for the event.

The protesting solicitors were seen leaving the stadium on foot and others in their vehicles.

A lawyer said: “They spoiled my day with this Zazu. He couldn’t even wear a shirt.”

A viral video from the event showed shirtless Portable scaling portions of the stadium’s infrastructure.

Another fuming during the walkout, noted: “How dare they call Portable to come and play for lawyers at the conference? Can you imagine? Normally, Unbarred doesn’t end till 3 am or 4 am but we are leaving for our hotels. We are so upset.”

Another lawyer stated: “I also left but it was largely due to the fact that I was tired. Many of the conferees were unhappy that Portable was invited.”

However, some other attorneys stayed back to ‘enjoy’ the ‘Zazu’ crooner’s energetic performance.

As part of the yearly NBA conference, a live entertainment event called “Unbarred” is organised for attorneys.

It is held the day before the association’s annual general meeting and serves as the grand conference’s closing celebration.

Previous editions have featured performances by 2baba, Olamide, Wande Coal, Teni, Brymo, Falz, Ruger, Nini and Bez.

Vacate site now, FG orders illegal miners


….graduates 30 trainees on gemstone, jewelry production

….solid minerals to become Nigeria’s ‘crude oil’ – Alake


….says no more exporting of raw solid minerals

…as MinDiver assures of supporting value addition



THE Federal Government, Thursday, fumed and ordered all illegal miners across the country to immediately vacate sites or will be seriously dealt with.

The stern warning was given by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, during the graduation ceremony and presentation of starter-packs to 30 graduating trainees under Batch 3 of the Ministry’s Programme on ‘Gemstone and Jewellery Master Training and Empowerment’ under the Mineral Support for Economic Diversification, MinDiver, a World Bank assisted project.

Alake said the skill acquisition programme is part of the ‘Renewed Hope’agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which Tinubu during his presidential campaign promised to create jobs massively for the youth, and this graduation is a fulfilment to it.

He also commended MinDiver for the efforts made so far to add value to the lives of Nigerians via the intensive training which was done by dedicated, experienced and committed experts for the days and weeks spent to transfer the knowledge and skills into young Nigerians who also will in turn train other Nigerians and create jobs for them in all the 774 Local Government Areas of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in order to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the economy.

He also acknowledged that the programme had earlier produced 40 Master Jewellers who were trained between 2021 and 2022, and today (Thursday) additional 30 jewellers are graduating.

He said the pioneer set of 70 Master Jewellers will be a faculty that would train would-be jewellers in the 774 local governments of Nigeria.

However, the Minister called on state governments to partner with the Ministry by sponsoring at least 10 youths per local government for training to acquire this highly profitable skills.

he also assured them that the faculty will be mobilised to any state that is ready to empower their youths to impart their technical knowledge and demonstrate the procedures for using solid minerals to embelish the beauty of our people.

He said: “Looking at the result of this seemingly small but extremely significant gesture of graduating students that have gone through the crucibles of learning the art of skill acquisition.

“It give rebuilds hope for our country Nigeria. I commend your efforts, initiatives, focus, and sense of responsibility. You have gone through the process of skill acquisition in this very critical sector.

“Nigeria with its large population has appetite for jewelry and it is imperative to create a local jewelry industry to meet substantially local demands, for quality jewelry products, to increase import substitution, create jobs and boost the export value of Nigeria’s gemstones and jewellery.

“Nigeria is abundantly blessed with variety of mineral resources, among the minerals identified are varieties of precious and semi-precious stones. Some of the most popular Nigeria gemstones include the more limited to sapphire, aquamarine, beryl, emerald, tourmaline, ruby, garnet, amethyst , and zircon, which are located across the length and breadth of Nigeria and are used during to adorn designs but are sadly illegal exported.

“Now let me use this opportunity to send a very stern and strong warning to the entire nation that with Mr President there is a new sheriff in town and illegal mining would be curbed.

“Illegal exportation of our gemstones, critical minerals would no longer be tolerated by this administration.

“My Ministry is currently putting in place strategies, tactics and logistics, and we are working very assiduously and closely with the security agencies with the view of designing a very solid and enduring formula for combating illegal mining and illegal exportation of all our critical minerals in this country. In due course the details would be unfolded to the public. But I am just using this opportunity to send a strong warning to those currently engaged in illegal mining in Nigeria that henceforth it would be no longer be business as usual.

“We must harness all our critical resources for the benefits of our nation. Today, it is a known fact all over the world that hydrocarbons are on the downward trend in the global international trade meaning all that are contingent to our development, GDP substantially is no longer what it used to beans is on the decline.

So what do we do? We have to shift attention to non-oil exports, and believe me, Nigeria is sitting on one of the most enormous amount of mineral resources in the world. There is virtually there is no state that does not have one mineral resources or the other that is sought after in the global international market.

He also lamented that Nigerians have neglected these resources that would have tremendously transformed the economy for oil.

“Necessarily and compulsorily attention is now focused on the non-oi exports, particularly, solid minerals and that is why the Ministry is now the focal point of generating substantial revenue and making contribution to the GDP of our country.”

He further stated, “In fact, I say with all emphasis, I say with all sense of responsibility that solid Minerals is the next petroleum in Nigeria and that underscores the significance of today’s occasion.

He added that, “We are not going to be exporting, exploring, excavating and carting away our solid minerals abroad.

“We are going to be adding local value and we are going to attract foreign investors into this industry and sector.

“However, one of the salient conditions is going to be that the foreign investors will not just come and excavate our resources and minerals away, they must also do backward integration in terms of establishing the industries and factories that would add local value to our natural resources before been taken out and that would create more jobs, resources and revenue that is our main objectives of this Ministry moving ahead.”

He also pointed out that, “The value of gemstones increases when it is cut and polished, however, majority of gemstones are being exported without any value addition since the technical know-how and machinery required in cutting, polishing and finishing jewelry are generally lacking in the country.

To bridge these gaps it became necessary to build capacity in jewelry making and design and that capacity would be extended to other mineral resources like gold, lithium and all other critical mineral resources that we have in abundance in our nation.”

Meanwhile, the Minister acknowledged the supportive role played by the MinDiver Project in galvanizing the sector, “Accordingly, the Ministry through a roadmap for the development of Nigeria’s mineral resources and the MinDiver Project has been supportive in its implementation as part of its efforts and facilitating downstream development aimed at enhancing value addition to mineral products.

“This Master training on jewelry and design is one of such initiatives. With the intensive jewelry making Programme and the startup kits you are receiving today, you have all it takes to make the sector proud, become job creators, facilitate small and medium scale enterprises on the jewelry industry value chain.

He also counseled the graduands, “As beneficiaries of this initiative, I enjoin you to form the new multitude of jewellers who will create spectacular products with great aesthetics of commercial value of the mineral resources available in Nigeria for jewelry making. Let me congratulate all of you for successfully completing this Master training.

“I urge you on behalf of the President and all Nigerians to work very hard to achieve the aims and objectives of this Programme as the industry is versatile and has a great future for Nigeria.”

He also expressed optimism that with the jewelry industry there will be significant growth of the economy by creating massive job opportunities along its value chain, increase standard of living, unlock creativity, and provide opportunity for import substitution.

He maintained that Nigeria has no business of importing jewelries based on the products of the graduands, and can be exported, which also can compete globally.

He added that the Tinubu-led administration is going to change the trajectory of the industry therefore making it a major foreign exchange revenue earner and significantly contribute to the GDP.

He said all illegal mining activities must stop, and called for every Nigerian to support what government is doing to change the narrative.

Earlier, in an address of welcome, the Project Coordinator, MinDiver, Engr Sallim Salaam, said value addition has been a critical aspect of solid minerals sector.

Salaam said with the support of the World Bank through the MinDiver Project graciously approved additional 30 trainees which are the graduands passing out of the intensive training on gemstone jewelry production apart from the initiative 41 that was trained which were drawn from all the States in the country.

He said the 30 graduands are to be awarded their certificates upon completion of their training including their starter packs, wherefore they will proceed to train more people with support by their State Governments so that there will be a multiplier effect.

“Nowadays, certificate alone cannot help in this country. What we are doing in the Ministry with the support of the management of the Ministry is to make sure that we spread the gospel of value addition in all aspects of mining endeavour”, he said.

He also commended the Minister and Permanent Secretary for their support and believing in the project, and added that the consultants have done enormously.

He also urged graduands not to ‘Japa’ after acquiring this knowledge and skills.

Also, in a goodwill message, the President, Women In Mining, Nigeria, WIMN, Hon Janet Adeyemi, commended the impact of the training on gemstones jewelry production, especially women inclusion, and the support of the Ministry.

The Class Rep of Batch 3 trainees, Emmanuel Emeka, on behalf of his colleagues appreciated the Ministry for initiating the programme as it has paved way for them to be trained with world class skills.

Emeka also commended the World Bank through the MinDiver Project for sponsorship of the programme, which has equipped them ahead in the industry, and promised to sustain the skills acquired and assured that they will use the opportunity optimally.

Avoid ‘Yurubanisation’ of your gov’t, Arewa Economic Forum charges Tinubu


The Arewa Economic Forum (AEF), has charged President Bola Tinubu not to “Yorubanise” his government.

Addressing the media in Abuja, today, the Chairman of AEF, Alh Ibrahim Dandakata, said that President Tinubu has been replacing Northerners with Yorubas in his appointment into key positions in his government.

The Chairman cited the removal of the Ag. Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr Aliyu Abubakar Aziz, who was sent on retirement leave and replaced with Engr Bisoye Coker-Odusote.

She was asked to act as D-G for three months before commencing her substantive appointment as D-G for a full tenure.

According to Alh. Dandakata, “This is curious and unprecedented. If the President could not allow the most senior director in the Commission to act for some time, he should have instructed Madam Coker-Odusote to resume her four-year tenure immediately instead of making her enjoy extra three months. This is capable of setting a bad precedent in public service appointments.

“There is palpable fear that more Northerners may be recommended for removal and their replacements may take a similar pattern.

“We are afraid to state that a situation whereby the appointees in crucial economic sectors are not only from the southwest but also connected to the Lagos axis suggests a deliberate ‘Yorubanisation’ and ‘Lagoslisation’ of the polity.”

The forum said that the president still has the privilege of other appointments and should not allow sectional pressure to mislead him.

The Chairman’s words, “It is not too late for Mr. President to turn the corner and do the needful in upcoming appointments and crucial decisions.

“We believe firmly that this President means well for our dear nation but he and his lieutenants need to understand optics as perception is reality.

“We urge Mr. President not to yield to sectional pressure for parochial appointments and patronage on the critical sectors of our economy.

“In his appointments, changes and replacements, we call on the President to be wary of actions that can send a wrong signal on his true intentions or the agenda of some of his key lieutenants.

“We expect President Tinubu to be fair, just and equitable in his decisions not only because the Northerners overwhelmingly voted for him but because that is the right thing to do.”

Asked why the Forum did not raise objections to the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments which were said to favour a section of the country, Alh. Dandakata said that AEF was not in existence under Buhari.

Putin a 'dead man walking' and warned 'to be very careful' when he jets off to China



EXCLUSIVE: Vladimir Putin should be 'very careful' on his trip to China as the Russian president was labelled a 'dead man walking' following the death of Prigozhin
Putin may be a 'dead man walking' after the death of Prigozhin, according to expert Professor
Vladimir Putin has been labelled a "dead man walking" who should be "very careful" on his upcoming jet trip to China.

News of the Russian president's trip to China comes just a week after the death of Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a fireball plane crash with nine other people.

Rumours over Putin arranging Prigozhin's untimely demise have become widespread - and although the despot has declared those a "complete lie", the Wagner Group may not care.

Professor Anthony Glees believes the president is a "dead man walking" as he boasts of playing a powerful poker hand, when the reality is a much bleaker, weaker future for Putin.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star, Professor Glees said: "Putin the ex-KGB Officer is playing poker, as he always does, pretending his hand is far stronger than it actually is, that every defeat was in fact all part of a carefully worked-out plan.

Putin's time running out as Russian secret service pinpoint presidential successor

"It does not exist. He's a dead man walking."

Professor Glees believs the Russian leader is "weak" after not claiming the death as his own order.

He added: "In other words, Putin was too frightened and too weak to claim the credit for the killing whilst cynically hinting that it was bound to happen."

It comes as Putin's aims change and he turns his attention to NATO relations, which, according to Professor Glees, comes from visiting China.

He said: "What Putin wants now, just a few days after arranging for Prigozhin to meet his maker on 23 August, is for the world and especially NATO to see him as supremely powerful, calm and in full control of events.

"Going to China would send a signal that all was well for him in Russia."

But concerning developments over the death of Prigozhin could mean Putin is particularly wary of air travel.

Professor Glees added: "Putin will of course worry, desperately, about two things if he does go: first, that in his absence in Bejing, an opposing member of the Russian mafia will simply move into the Kremlin (after all, when the cat's away, the mice will play).

"Second, that his presidential jet could be shot down over the steppes of eastern Russia by Wagner group members who may have access to a Buk missile system amongst their arsenal.

"It was a Buk surface to air missile that shot down Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, having been given the order to fire by Putin himself on 17 July 2014."

IconicR:
Asiwaju Giddem
Evidence everywhere
Obi graduated with third class in a cheap course like philosophy and I ask how can such person handle Nigeria? No wonder he failed woefully as a governor but suddenly became an overnight messiah.
I can't type long abegi, so before you quote me do yourself some good by visiting this thread below 👇
https://www.nairaland.com/870945/what-exactly-peter-obi-doing

Chunedujohnson6:
Good morning

Anitatunde:
Part 5 and Final.




1 week to my release date, I received various death threats from all corners. The prison warden which I slept with also started acting crazy.

The guy think say prison na my house because he was sad and convinced me to stay back, abi you Dey mad ni Omo prison warden.

How do you expect me to give up my freedom and chose to stay in prison. Since the threats was coming left and right, I had to personally request to be moved to a different prison. But it was bounced.

The night to my release was the longest night. I couldn’t sleep all night because I don’t know what’s next for me. I stayed up all night.

Finally it was day break, 6am sharp, I was called up after doing all paper works and stuff. I booked a flight straight to MMIA Lagos from my savings in prison + other money at hand.

I was to be deported immediately. Police men took me to the airport like a celebrity, stayed with me till my flight was due.

They watched me enter the ✈️. I smiled and told one of the guys “I will be back”.

The story is longer than this but I had to summarize everything. I learnt a lot of lessons in my time in Tanzania, nobody loves Nigerians. They might like our music and movies but the hatred for Nigerians is very real.

Stay safe, stay blessed and be wise. Thanks for reading. Feel free to tag nairaland mods.

Beverlyjean:
Nope...you should not cheat on your partner. If you are tired you leave...

FG to close Third Mainland Bridge for emergency maintenance


The Federal Government said it has embarked on an underwater investigation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos as it works toward an emergency maintenance closure of the bridge.

The Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, who disclosed this on Wednesday during the second day of his tour of Lagos/Ogun State ongoing road projects, said the federal government would resurface the Third Mainland Bridge.

According to him, N60 billion had already been approved for the maintenance of the top and underneath.

Umahi, a team of engineers and top directors of the Federal Ministry of Works took a boat from Ebute Ero Jetty to see structural members of bridges on the Lagoon.

The boat took Umahi who is a civil engineer and his team to inspect the Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Eko Bridge, the oldest of the three bridges linking the Lagos Island to the Mainland.

The minister also inspected the top of the Third Mainland Bridge.

Need for emergency intervention

Addressing journalists, the minister gave technical details of the deterioration of various underwater structural members of all the bridges and the need for emergency intervention to save them.

The minister said the government was concerned about the structural integrity of components underneath the three bridges linking the mainland and the Island.

He announced plans for another round of emergency repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge due to the level of deterioration. Umahi said that a contractor would soon be mobilized to the site, to work between midnight and 4.00 a.m. in the morning on top of the Third Mainland Bridge for minimal stress on motorists.

He said that a comprehensive report for all the bridges in Lagos would be made to also include a proposal for security infrastructure and surveillance to prevent vandalism.

The minister said the proposal, through a consultant, would be presented to the Federal Executive Council within 30 days for consideration.

Ikorodu-Sagamu Way
The Minister also inspected the Ikorodu – Sagamu dual carriageway which links Lagos and Ogun States and expressed satisfaction with the project. Umahi said the 30.5km Ikorodu-Sagamu Road was about 85% completed, adding that the Ikorodu axis of the project would be redesigned.

He commended Arab Contractors handling the project for observing construction standards and terms of contractual agreement with the government.

However, while inspecting the Ikorodu-Itoikin road, Umahi urged the Lagos government to take responsibility for maintenance while the federal government rehabilitates and makes the 34km single-lane road a dual carriageway.

Edo Federal roads
While responding to the dilapidation of federal roads in Edo State, Umahi said the ministry was willing to speed up approval for the state government to carry out rehabilitation of bad portions.

“If he (Edo State Gov. Godwin Obaseki) approaches me, the minister of works, and seeks permission, even if he sends me requests by WhatsApp or whatever, I will give him approval within two hours so that he can start; but I’m going to visit Edo State and I am going to look at those roads,” he said.

On his entourage were the Director, of Federal Highways, South West, Mr Adedamola Kuti; Director, of Highways Bridges and Designs, Mr Omotayo Awosanya; Lagos Controller of Works, Mrs Olukorede Kesha; and her Ogun counterpart, Mrs Forosola Oloyede.

Police parade suspected fake engineer over building collapse in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Wednesday paraded a fake Engineer, one Felix Anietie Udoh, the site engineer who supervised the construction of a collapsed four-storey building located at No. 3 Imam Street, behind Zenith Bank, Uyo, the state capital.

Speaking while parading the suspect along with others arrested for various crimes including kidnapping, and murder, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durusinmi, said the fake engineer, the proprietor of Felixzity High Technology Limited, was arrested by operatives of the anti-robbery squad of the command on August 7, 2023, while trying to flee the scene.

The commissioner who noted that the collapsed building led to the death of one Favour Chukwuemeka Okoro ‘m’, while five persons were rescued said the suspect and others would have their day in court.

“Recall that on the 17th of September 2022, a four storey building situated at No. 3 Iman Street, behind Zenith Bank off Aka Road, Uyo collapsed leading to the death of one Favour Chukwuemeka Okoro ‘m’ while five persons were rescued.

“The alleged site engineer, one Felix Anietie Udoh, of Felixzity High Technology Limited fled. On 7/8/2023, the suspect was arrested by the Anti-Robbery Squad of the command.

“On interrogation, suspect confessed not to be an engineer but a builder. The above suspect and others will have their day in court”, the commissioner said.

Building collapse: Again, Wike vows to demolish unapproved buildings
The commissioner also said three suspected child trafficking syndicate were arrested on August 9, 2023, and the stolen babies recovered by operatives of Anti-Child Theft unit of the command.

He said, “On the 9th August, 2023, operatives of Anti-Child Theft of the Command, in a rigorous investigation, arrested one Peace Patrick Paul who deceived one Utibeabasi Monday Enang, both of Obot Akara L.G.Area and stole her two children, aged three and five in the month of May, 2023.

“The said Peace Patrick Paul sold the two children to one Mary Eunice in Aba, Abia State who in turn sold them to one Bella Uko in Asaba, Delta State.

“Similarly, one Alayodi Paul Onyekwere of Abuloma, Rivers State was arrested for stealing an 11-year-old daughter of one Emmanuel Macaulay Daniel of Ikot Ikot Village in Obot Akara Local Government Area.

“Suspect alleged to have been sent by her grandmother to steal the child which she led operatives to recover from Rivers State. The children are here today and will be reunited to their families, the command appreciates the collaboration of Yak Iyamma and Arise the Frontline of Abolition of Trafficking in Person Project.”

The commissioner assured the people that his the command would remain committed to the provision of top-notch security in Akwa Ibom State and on indigenes of the state to volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements.