triplechoice:




Babies can never be born atheist or anything else..The reason is very simple. A new born is yet to display the kind of brain activity needed to hold or lack any kind of believe.

Saying that babies are born atheist is as silly as saying that they can also be born with common sense or without it. A new born baby not developed the neural development to have or lack common. And who is that fool that would accuse a new born baby of lacking common sense or having it?

So my friend , your claim that babies are born atheist doesn't find any scientific support. .

I already told you that such talk of babies being born this or that is psychological gimmick to brainwash the gullible into accepting as true something that's not true.

Christians are claiming that babies are born sinners, while Muslims are also claiming that every baby is born a Muslim, why? The answer should be obvious to anyone who can really think with their brains.

It's the same tactics hawkings wanted to employ to get people into accepting atheism as the default position. When he came up with silly idea, some atheist even mocked him by labelling him an atheist crusader trying to convert the whole world into atheism.

You not aware of this if not you won't be here mentioning it or even trying to defend it. It's very clear to me you became an atheist just yesterday. You will learn very soon and calm down.

You unfortunately allowed yourself to be brainwashed by something that's not true and because of that can't see how you're not making sense defending it.

A brainwashed person is never aware of their brainswashing and that's a proven psychological fact. The only way to know you're not brainwashed by something is when you're not afraid or unwilling to question it.

You're not questioning what hawkings claimed but defending it because you believe he's above deception

Please understand I'm not judging you as a brainwashed, but saying that you have allowed yourself to be brainwashed .

Visit the site " Psychology Today" and learn more about what hawkings wanted to do with that very silly claim of his. This is the third time I have asked you to research it , but you're not listening. It's your cup of tea .

Good evening. I'm done with you for now.

The post was supposed to be for KnownUnknown but since you are here. Enchanté.

If you don't get it now, then I'm sorry. Peace and love.

Just make use of your dictionary for once and we are ait.

Atheism is simply the lack of believe in the existence of deities, period.

It doesn't say anything about why(reasons)/when you do not believe in the existence of deities. (Why you do not believe is your own cup of tea, it doesn't concern atheism. The same way why anyone would follow Jesus is not a concern of christianity)
Just don't believe in deities, that's all you need to be an atheist.

Again! Atheism is not about the reason you are an atheist. Just don't believe in the existence of deities. Then you are an atheist. Once we understand this English grammar, life is easy and sweet.

Babies do not understand the concept of deities(which is a reason atheism isn't concerned about), but as long as we can't rule out the fact that they do not believe in the existence of deities(Non-thiest) . They are simply atheists.

Atheism is what you are and not why you are what you are.

I don't know where many of you get this misinformed opinion that atheism has to be a kind of choice being made. Religious indoctrination has eaten deep into most of you. But that is not how reality operates.

Sometimes atheism is basically what you are not. And not what you are. I guess many of you don't really understand what atheism is. That's the reason you argue unnecessarily.

Lemme school you a lil bit.

In a probability event of a coin.

When a coin is tossed, There are only two possible outcomes.

It's either it's the Head or the Tail.

The outcome can only be a Tail if it is not a Head. i.e T= not H
And the outcome can only be a Head if it is not a Tail. i.e not Tail.

It's the same in digital circuits for the Truth Table NOT Gate, that uses 0 and 1, for ON and OFF respectively.

Your power outlet socket at home is either Off or On. For whatever reason your socket doesn't have power, it is off. Even if the switch is on.

Even in BOOLEAN Algebra and programming.

It is 1, when it is not 0. And it is 0, when it is not 1.

Also with one of Aristotle's Laws of Logic known as:
•The Law of Noncontradiction
Either x or not x is true and there is no other possibility. There is no third ground.

Either Thiests or Non-Thiests.

In electricity, it's either the electrons are flowing or not.

Lemme use something you can take with.
Here in naija. When there is H.E.P, whether the voltage is good or bad. We say there is light. The opposite of that is No Light.


That's how reality works. If you are not a good person, then you are a bad person. There is no middle ground.

Whether you know it's an offense or not. Once you commit and the law gets it's grip on you. You are a goner. (ignorance is not an excuse)

Using the law of Logic.

•The Law of Identity
Two entities x and y are identical if they share the same properties.

Babies do not believe in the existence of deities. Atheists do not believe in the existence of deities.

•The Law of Noncontradiction
Either x or not x is true and there is no other possibility.

Either you are a Theist or a Non-Thiest (atheists).
Babies are not theists. Therefore, atheists.

•The Law of the Excluded Middle
An entity x has or does not have a property P

Atheism has nothin in common with theism likewise theism doesn't have any property of atheism.

Babies show no features of theism, therefore atheism.

I just explained a concept of the Logic table in statistics. You should pay me for the free lecture.
Budaatum was very right and will be forever right to say "She was born an atheist"

Also I'm less concerned about your religion or "non religion". It's non' my business. It's not like my name is in your will.

By the way. I've been an atheist prolly since when you were still being dressed up for school by your guardian.

Shikena:
Bro, you are too dull abeg... that's why you get slapped around. Spare part apprentice level of reasoning is you operating at your best

Yeye boy, shame no fit let am talk reasonable thing again.


I have given you bitter Yorubas link from Forbes that stated that Louis Ojukwu was the first recorded richest person in Nigeria, una say na Igbo man working with Forbes write am, but when the same Forbes published a recent dollar billionaire list for 2024 and no Igbo man was on the list, Yorubas celebrated it like they discovered the cure for breast cancer


Now I gave you another link from punch newspaper and you start to throw insult as a typical Yoruba you are who lack respect for elders but disguise and cover it with prostrating for elders while plotting evil against same elder, ndi mgbu, ndi ofe

Good evening my fellow Nairalanders.....Hope y'all are doing just great?

Omoh,I just came back from my tonight hustle and something really made me laugh...While I was battling with a flat tyre,So there was this female passenger who boarded my keke after I was through with fixing up the tyre this evening...Then, other passengers joined her on our way......Along the line,she told me to drop her by opposite the 'BROTHEL' that was along the road ....At first,I kept quiet because truth be told,I didn't know if there was any brothel around that road ......Na once she repeat am,--"oga na you I dey talk to.....I say you go stop me for opposite that ashawwo quarter '. ....It was then I had to reply her--"Madam,I no know where ashawwo quarter dey for this road oh'. At this point,the other passengers were already laughing. She then asked me again --"why you go say you know where ashawwo quarter dey for this road? You no be transporter? Abi no be this road you dey run everyday? .
. Like WTF . Who told these people that it's everywhere that a transporter will know?

I couldn't take it any longer...So I replied her angrily --'madam why you go talk like that....If to say my woman dey here now, chebi she go begin dey think say I dey go that kind place?". . Other passengers were still laughing.

Finally,she alighted and went away...... the other woman who was sitting close to her had to praise me for shunning her because she would have put me into trouble had it been my woman was with me.....

The thing really touched me tonight . Why do passengers think it's everywhere that a transporter will know? Like say we get map or GPRS for our brains?


Mynd44
Nlfpmod

windvane:
800k

Chat me for WhatsApp make we talk well
08027401958

Caleb15:
Na why i like benin boys sho

The overhype is getting obsolete already.


talk about blood in veins.

helinues:


Toh, more years of wailing loading.

We no just dey talk, we dey always act the talk.

Those who refused to learn a thing from history aren't interested in moving forward

Lol at act the talk..u mean grab the election boxes and run away with it?? This time evidence go full ground like water.go tell ur masters!😹😹

ProjectsCityNG:
If we truly follow the cyber crime act as last modified 2015, many of these youths behind social media anonymity, would be in jail.

The rule is clear and simple, do not make comments about issues you can't defend in person online. Misinformation causes substantial and significant damage.


Freedom has limits, where one personal freedom ends is where another individual rights begins and people reserve the right to their personal liberty and freedom.



You can't just go online and talk sheet about people just because you can buy data. It's hi time we begin to sanitize the society. Unsolicited and unverified Intel and personal attacks is fast taking over social media.


Do not make claims about people you can't defend

May God punish you and people like you everyday of your miserable lives

ProjectsCityNG:
If we truly follow the cyber crane act as last modified 2015, many of these youths behind social media anonymity, would be in jail.

The rule is clear and simple, do not make comments about issues you can't defend in person online. Misinformation causes substantial and significant damage.


Freedom has limits, where one personal freedom ends is where another individual rights begins and people reserve the right to their personal liberty and freedom.



You can't just go online and talk sheet about people just because you can buy data. It's hi time we begin to sanitize the society. Unsolicited and unverified Intel and personal attacks is fast taking over social media.


Do not make claims about people you can't defend

Tell me

I worked in a government agency where a was privileged to see the highest level of corruption and noticing how this is done and I am not allowed to touched documents... But the corruption is real.

Should a person raise awareness for government to take actions or keep quiet?

Assuming I raise awareness and the officials gets bribed and the stories changed....and I get arrested and asked to show documents...

Look, the cybercrime act is to shut people up when the whistle-blowing was gaining momentum against corruption officials....

ProjectsCityNG:
If we truly follow the cyber crane act as last modified 2015, many of these youths behind social media anonymity, would be in jail.

The rule is clear and simple, do not make comments about issues you can't defend in person online. Misinformation causes substantial and significant damage.


Freedom has limits, where one personal freedom ends is where another individual rights begins and people reserve the right to their personal liberty and freedom.



You can't just go online and talk sheet about people just because you can buy data. It's hi time we begin to sanitize the society. Unsolicited and unverified Intel and personal attacks is fast taking over social media.


Do not make claims about people you can't defend

Freedom has its limit??
You can't realize how stupid this sounds huh

This Reno juz dey confuse..,baba no even know watin to chuck mouth talk again,rith now any anywhere belle face,....but on a crios note,what's the essence of diz post ??

ProjectsCityNG:
If we truly follow the cyber crane act as last modified 2015, many of these youths behind social media anonymity, would be in jail.

The rule is clear and simple, do not make comments about issues you can't defend in person online. Misinformation causes substantial and significant damage.


Freedom has limits, where one personal freedom ends is where another individual rights begins and people reserve the right to their personal liberty and freedom.



You can't just go online and talk sheet about people just because you can buy data. It's hi time we begin to sanitize the society. Unsolicited and unverified Intel and personal attacks is fast taking over social media.


Do not make claims about people you can't defend

criminals and government officials are also using that act to suppress the press and muzzle investigative journalism.

HighQue007:


The way una dey talk wetin una no know with confidence baffles me. What do you understand they are talking about ? 😂

abeg get out. Are u a staff there? Is dat not trial and error? People like u suppose get serious beating. People no get light u dey yarn rubbish

Ijobaorun:
She should seek admission abroad. It will pay her than in Nigeria.

Easier than done. Does she have $60k for Medical school abroad? That is one of the cheapest in US.
Una go just talk abroad like say na free dem dey enter

FRANCISTOWN:




Babies can't be born indifferent and they can't be born neutral. Babies are born fully equipped with all the necessary senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

Since they are not born with any belief, they only make sense of their environment using their senses. And that's how they build their understanding right from small, a kind of believe.

When a child cries and you put a mother's nipple in the baby's mouth, at that time . The baby believes anything that comes into the mouth should quench the feeling of hunger.

To say babies are born neutral or indifferent is a total error. I might agree with "babies are born innocent".

I've told you. It's in your dictionary. I can't be sorry because you refuse to read it.

Anyone or anything that doesn't have even the littlest form of belief in the existence of deities is an atheist.
A baby is non-religious or Igtheist at best. Therefore, an atheist by proximity.

Lemme ask a question .

If you raised a child in an environment where no one mentions anything about deities. By that time the child is 20. When anyone tells him anything about God.

What will be the response of the child?


Now back to the point. If tzizi was a word and people who understand tzizi are called theists.
What will be called of people who don't understand the word "tzizi"?

•Atheists are people who do not believe in the existence of deities.
•Babies do not have the ability to believe in the existence of deities.
Therefore,
•Babies are atheists.

That is abductive reasoning in critical thinking.
It's a very intriguing topic in psychology and philosophy.

Babies can never be born atheist or anything else..The reason is very simple. A new born is yet to display the kind of brain activity needed to hold or lack any kind of believe.

Saying that babies are born atheist is as silly as saying that they can also be born with common sense or without it. A new born baby not developed the neural development to have or lack common. And who is that fool that would accuse a new born baby of lacking common sense or having it?

So my friend , your claim that babies are born atheist doesn't find any scientific support. .

I already told you that such talk of babies being born this or that is psychological gimmick to brainwash the gullible into accepting as true something that's not true.

Christians are claiming that babies are born sinners, while Muslims are also claiming that every baby is born a Muslim, why? The answer should be obvious to anyone who can really think with their brains.

It's the same tactics hawkings wanted to employ to get people into accepting atheism as the default position. When he came up with silly idea, some atheist even mocked him by labelling him an atheist crusader trying to convert the whole world into atheism.

You not aware of this if not you won't be here mentioning it or even trying to defend it. It's very clear to me you became an atheist just yesterday. You will learn very soon and calm down.

You unfortunately allowed yourself to be brainwashed by something that's not true and because of that can't see how you're not making sense defending it.

A brainwashed person is never aware of their brainswashing and that's a proven psychological fact. The only way to know you're not brainwashed by something is when you're not afraid or unwilling to question it.

You're not questioning what hawkings claimed but defending it because you believe he's above deception

Please understand I'm not judging you as a brainwashed, but saying that you have allowed yourself to be brainwashed .

Visit the site " Psychology Today" and learn more about what hawkings wanted to do with that very silly claim of his. This is the third time I have asked you to research it , but you're not listening. It's your cup of tea .

Good evening. I'm done with you for now.

Donsheddy:


💯💯💯

You will go places in this business....
I love how you roll...

We will my broda.. All the struggles will be over one day I believe... And congratulations on getting to the last phase of your nostro challenge, anybody wey talk say he easy make he go run am too... Pls stay disciplined till you make it to funded and withdrawal. If you've experienced any DD, you ll surely come back again...

Bongadu:
Wetin she go find for man's house??


One 17yo yahoo boy don use am come dump am

must u always talk rubbish

ProjectsCityNG:
If we truly follow the cyber crane act as last modified 2015, many of these youths behind social media anonymity, would be in jail.

The rule is clear and simple, do not make comments about issues you can't defend in person online. Misinformation causes substantial and significant damage.


Freedom has limits, where one personal freedom ends is where another individual rights begins and people reserve the right to their personal liberty and freedom.



You can't just go online and talk sheet about people just because you can buy data. It's hi time we begin to sanitize the society. Unsolicited and unverified Intel and personal attacks is fast taking over social media.

Gibberish, always quick to defend the criminals you called leaders, please stop

It no longer news that MTN has activated it 5G service in Nigeria that is Active in most cities and been deployed to other cities.
I am one of the Field Sales Reps in charge of Broadband service with MTN (MTN Fiber Squad). Please feel free to ask questions or contact me on any issues regarding MTN broadband and I will happily do my best to provide you satisfaction feedback.
MTN Broadband is designed to offer stable and reliable internet access with amazing speeds ideal for both home and office. Whether you are uploading/downloading large files, video streaming, online gaming, holding online meetings or connecting to your smart home, MTN Broadband makes the experience seamless.
Mtn has 3 broadband services and products.
1. Hynet
2. Mifi
3 fiber.
I will provide details on Hynet and Mifi devices on demand but in particular I will like to talk about Fiber to home and offices.
It already active in Lagos, Abuja Ilorin etc.
And current it been deployed to Asaba, Benin, PH, Enugu Eboyi etc and if you are interested you can reach out to me and I will share with you the contact person to reach to indicate interest which is totally free and MTN will bore the cost of installation to you house all you have to do is pay for router and subscribe as low as 7500 for Unlimited data service no data throttling.
It depends on your usuage you can pay for higher bandwidth. Bit be rest assured that this means of connection is Faster more cost efficient for you and reliable, than what you are used to. You can always confirm.

Summary if you are interested in having a cable run to your home of which with the help of a router, you will be able to browse unlimited and pay as low as 7500 contact me Installation is free and if you are in Edo state Benin I can come visit you and explain better reach me at 08068413545. From any part of the above mentioned cities contact me also for information thanks.
If you wish to purchase any of this broadband service reach me also for assistance and directions thanks.
Please feel free to ask any questions regarding MTN Broadband Service thanks

.

BitterTruth01:


It’s called forte not fourth . This okoro go school your ass . So the free education you get still never reach

Okay so now you’re agreeing that the SW is gas dependent. So what’s the fuss all about ? Why didn’t you just agree initially ? Instead you became defensive and tried to trash talk . Of course you can import but it’s far easier to just pipe it from the SE/SS using already existing facilities.

typography error, Okoro feeling funky don’t you depend on the Sw for your import? Or don’t you depend on north for food? Or do you have a seaport in Alaibo? Because you sound like you really independent in your dot nation …You really were been mischievous and you can pretend all you want,but we know Una well

ProjectsCityNG:
If we truly follow the cyber crane act as last modified 2015, many of these youths behind social media anonymity, would be in jail.

The rule is clear and simple, do not make comments about issues you can't defend in person online. Misinformation causes substantial and significant damage.


Freedom has limits, where one personal freedom ends is where another individual rights begins and people reserve the right to their personal liberty and freedom.



You can't just go online and talk sheet about people just because you can buy data. It's hi time we begin to sanitize the society. Unsolicited and unverified Intel and personal attacks is fast taking over social media.

That means even, Buhari, Tinubu, Ajuri, Onanuga, APC as a party and their supporters on Nairaland will all be in jail, all the LIES they have been saying since 2015 till date that they cannot defend today both online and offline is enough to land all of them in jail....

You people just like the law to be used to oppress the people, If you were fighting against both sides( government and the people) it would have been different, but you chose to fight the people and left the government out....

ProjectsCityNG:
If we truly follow the cyber crane act as last modified 2015, many of these youths behind social media anonymity, would be in jail.

The rule is clear and simple, do not make comments about issues you can't defend in person online. Misinformation causes substantial and significant damage.


Freedom has limits, where one personal freedom ends is where another individual rights begins and people reserve the right to their personal liberty and freedom.



You can't just go online and talk sheet about people just because you can buy data. It's hi time we begin to sanitize the society. Unsolicited and unverified Intel and personal attacks is fast taking over social media.

even many of the current political class will be arrested too because they have all made some untrue of false statement during that period.

Map1:
Then is there any difference between you and your friend? you advise your friend he no listen, people advice you here you say you don't give up on friend, learn from others don't let people learn from your mistake

na him join the cult....he just wan dey sure say him never make mistake....na why him come up with this talk

If we truly follow the cyber crime act as last modified 2015, many of these youths behind social media anonymity, would be in jail.

The rule is clear and simple, do not make comments about issues you can't defend in person online. Misinformation causes substantial and significant damage.


Freedom has limits, where one personal freedom ends is where another individual rights begins and people reserve the right to their personal liberty and freedom.



You can't just go online and talk sheet about people just because you can buy data. It's hi time we begin to sanitize the society. Unsolicited and unverified Intel and personal attacks is fast taking over social media.


Do not make claims about people you can't defend

Orch1981:

Very stupid culture and useless one why must I prostate for my fellow human is he a God mumu culture

Bro u talk shit here

SonofLagos:
ipob miscreant we are in a global village, we don’t have to buy from you, we can import from any part of the world even Nigeria is still importing fuel, so what’s the fuss all about? Every country is dependent on each other for something, but here you are disgracing your ancestors…after Una go talk say school na scam, just focus on your container business, because that seem to be the fourth of an average Okoro…Otondo

It’s called forte not fourth . This okoro go school your ass . So the free education you get still never reach

Okay so now you’re agreeing that the SW is gas dependent. So what’s the fuss all about ? Why didn’t you just agree initially ? Instead you became defensive and tried to trash talk . Of course you can import but it’s far easier to just pipe it from the SE/SS using already existing facilities.

Roland17:
@A40 Bosita!!!

Come and tell us how Giannis is better than Embiid, Kawhi, Zion and AD when it comes to injuries and not being available.

At least Kawhi, Zion and AD played through injuries this post season. Consecutive seasons where your MCM has missed the playoffs because of injuries.

talk about the most shielded superstar in the NBA!

Bosita!!!!!

Are we talking about same Giannis that hyperextended his knee and still played the conference Finals

This is only his second season missing the playoffs through injuries. Don't compare him to guys in their 4th year of service please

ddippset:
What is good about a man increasing wages only in the final 6 months of a 96 months tenure?

Are you thinking straight at all??


It is okay to conclude that if you give the man another 4 years tenure, he will reverse the increment and wait till he has 6 months to go to do it, so that another governor will carry the burden.

I sense you have trust issues when it comes to politicians in Nigeria. You are not alone there, but try and be a little rational & logical in your observations so that your opinions aren't coloured by bias....

The increment is good for the workers, I don't expect you to appreciate it because you are not working in the civil service in Edo state....

Implementation is from May 1, which means from May 28th he will start paying.

Obaseki will be out by January, so he will be carrying the burden of paying till then...

He isn’t transferring anything, if he had copied Oshiomole's style and set implementation to after he has left office, I will definitely join you in condemning Obaseki.

Go & check my posts on Nairaland, when Oyetola (Former Governor of Osun) of the APC increased the Salaries of workers & employed thousands of new workers and made changes to his cabinet after APC lost to PDP at the election, I condemned it. Especially when the state was owing backlog and couldn't afford to pay the existing wage then. They did it to punish Governor Adeleke, even NLC (state and National) condemned Oyetola.....

Remember, the current increment became necessary after the removal of subsidy by the FG on May 1 2023, that pushed up the pump price of fuel & subsequently sent the nation into spiralling inflation....

Between May 29, 2023 when Tinubu ended subsidy and inadvertently increased cost of living and May 1, 2024 when Obaseki increased salary is 11 months.....

My question is this, is it awkward for a governor to use 11 months to prepare to increase minimum wage in the state by 75%?

Must he revert the minimum wage increment in the state to satisfy the opposition at the expense of the workers welfare?

Shouldn't he be commended for increasing minimum to #70,000 from #40,000 as opposed to FG that gave a maximum increase of just 35% from #30,000 across all salary scales?

Mind you he took minimum wage from #30,000 to #40,000 and he paid it promptly without owing once (keep in mind that his predecessor, Adams Oshiomole was owing almost 2years salary when obaseki took over. He paid backlogs and increased it to #40,000 and still yet), opposition said don't mind him, he is a useless man, he thinks he can deceive the people ( It wasnt even election season when he increased it).

He has now increased it to #70,000, "don't mind him, he thinks he can deceive the people".....when will the people be eventually convinced that workers welfare is a priority for him....

And who are the people by the way? The workers he is paying? He wants to deceive the workers by paying them a higher wage?

He introduced Contributory pension system & ever since Edo state has never owed gratuity, "don't mind Obaseki, he think he can deceive the people"....


Chaai! Nigerians dey forbid better thing, that is why God allowed Buhari enter power.

If not, we for still dey talk say PDP na the problem for this country

Benzigler:







You think his APC 30K monthly stipends is enough for him talk less of another person, those agbado miscreants are so funny

Who be this one again...

Just shut up and get lost!

brain54:

Person wey no get work Wan feed person...

Person wey dey struggle to chop!

You think his APC 30K monthly stipends is enough for him talk less of another person, those agbado miscreants are so funny

EXCLUSIVE: How Forensic Audit Report Indicted Ex-Governor Ikpeazu, Ferotex Construction Company In N10bn ‘Non-Existent’ Abia Airport Project (PART I)

…Ex-Governor Secured Lawmakers Approval Within 24 Hours To Borrow N10bn From UBA For Airport Project, 3 Weeks After Funds Were Disbursed To Ferotex

…Ferotex Fails To Respond To THE WHISTLER’s FOI Request On Involvement In Abia Airport Contract Saga

…We Are Studying Forensic Audit Report From Abia Govt – EFCC

Facts have emerged as to how the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu claimed to have paid the sum of N10bn to Ferotex Construction Company for the execution of the controversial ‘non-existent’ Abia Airport Project.

Details of the alleged payment are contained in the forensic audit report on the eight-year administration of the former governor of Abia State, exclusively obtained by THE WHISTLER.

The Abia Airport project has become an issue of controversy following revelation by the administration of Governor Alex Otti that funds were collected for several projects which were never executed.

The collection of funds for various projects without evidence of execution is a reflection of the huge corruption that has characterized the tenure of public officeholders in Nigeria.

How Ferotex Raised N10bn Loan From UBA For Abia Airport Project Execution

An investigation by THE WHISTLER has uncovered how the sum of N10bn was secured by Ferotex Construction Company for the construction of Abia Airport project through a term loan.

THE WHISTLER gathered that through a letter dated September 25, 2020, Ferotex had requested a term loan of N10bn (which is 80 per cent contract amount) to continue the execution of the contract awarded to them during that period by the state government for the construction of Abia State Airport.

Two weeks later, specifically by October, 8 2020, records available to THE WHISTLER revealed that the Abia State Government, under Ikpeazu, issued an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order to United Bank of Africa confirming the purpose of Ferotex’s request for the construction of Abia State Airport.
An Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) is an order issued by a state government requesting a bank to deduct funds from its accounts and credit a nominated party, usually a contractor or creditor.

Findings revealed that the ISPO instructed United Bank for Africa to debit its ABSG Federation Account Allocation Committee/Value Added Tax Accounts with a repayment amount of ₦406,620,817.24 for a period of 30 months, and credit the contractor’s account domiciled with UBA the ₦10bn term loan.

According to investigations, UBA was said to have disbursed the ₦10bn term loan to the contractor on September 25, 2020, which was before the October 8, 2020 date that Abia State Government sent the ISPO to UBA.

A Forensic Audit Report commissioned by the administration of Governor Alex Otti which was conducted by KPMG Advisory Services revealed that the schedule of the contract awarded by the state government under Ikpeazu’s watch does not include any contract for the Abia Airport project as the project was confirmed to be non existent by the Ministry of Works.

“The schedule of contract awarded by ABSG during the period under review, does not include any records of the contracts, and upon enquiry the Government Officials in the Ministry of Works stated that the Contract does not exist,” the audit report reads in part.

How Ex-Governor Requested Lawmakers To Approve N10bn Loan From UBA For Airport Project.

In a bid to get the Abia State House of Assembly to appropriate funding for the Abia Airport project, investigations by THE WHISTLER showed that the immediate past Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu wrote a letter to the Speaker to achieve his objective.

Specifically, it was gathered from documents obtained by THE WHISTLER that the ex-governor, through a letter dated October 13, 2020, addressed to the then Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji, had requested for approval for his administration to use the FAAC/VAT Accounts to guarantee a loan of N10bn.

In the letter to the Speaker which was also exclusively obtained by THE WHISTLER, Ikpeazu explained that the funding would enable the state to “start and complete on time, an international airport for the state.”

The letter to the House of Assembly Speaker, was personally signed by Ikpeazu, dated October 13, 2020 and titled “Request for approval for Abia State Government to use the FAAC/VAT accounts of the state to guarantee a loan of N10,000,000,000.00 (TEN BILLION NAIRA).”

It reads, “In a bid to start and complete on time, an International Airport for the State, the State Government is requesting the House Authorization to use the State FAAC & VAT Accounts to guarantee a loan of N10,000,000,000.00 from UBA Plc to the contractor handling the Project.”

Abia House Of Assembly Approves Ikpeazu’s N10bn Loan Request For Airport Project

Abia State House Of Assembly quickly approved and appropriated N10bn to Ikpeazu within 24 Hours of the receipt of the request vide its letter dated October 14, 2020.

Further investigations by THE WHISTLER revealed that the request of the former governor to the lawmakers was approved and communicated through a resolution dated October 14,2020.

The resolution which was jointly signed by the then Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji, and the Clerk of the House, JohnPedro Irokansi, authorized the former governor to proceed with the N10bn loan request for the airport project.

The implication of this approval is that the N10bn appropriated by the State Assembly cannot be used to finance any project other than the airport project without a virement which must be duly approved by the lawmakers.

Budget Virement means the process of transferring budgeted funds from one line item to another, with the approval of the lawmakers, to enable budget managers to amend budgets in the light of experience or to reflect anticipated changes.

There are no records from the administration of Ikpeazu that the N10bn funds were reallocated to another project as no virement request was received by the lawmakers for that purpose.
The lawmakers’ resolution approving the N10bn request from the ex-governor reads, “Pursuant to His Excellency’s letter of October 13, 2020 on the above subject matter, the Abia state House of Assembly sitting in an Executive session on Tuesday 13th October 2020 considered the said letter and agreed that there is need for the state to use the FAAC/VAT accounts to guarantee a loan of N10,000,000,000.00 only from the UBA PLC to the contractor handling the International Airport project.

“Consequently, the House unanimously resolved as follows: That the Abia State Government is hereby authorized to use the FAAC/VAT accounts to guarantee a loan of N10,000,000,000.00 from UBA PLC.”

Ferotex Fails To Respond To THE WHISTLER’s FOI Request On Involvement In Controversial Abia Airport Contract

THE WHISTLER confronted the Managing Director of Ferotex Construction Company, Mr Festus Onu through a Freedom of Information request dated April 30, 2024, containing details of our findings.

In the FOI request sent to him, he was asked to state how much has so far been released by the Abia State Government for the implementation of the project to his company, the level of implementation/execution of the project, and when the project will be delivered and handed over to Abia State Government.

The letter was delivered on Wednesday, May 2 to the Managing Director in the headquarters of the company located in Port Harcourt.

We rejected Airport Project From Ex-Governor Ikpeazu – Ferotex MD

Upon receipt of the letter, the Managing Director, who was in his office with the Company’s Legal Adviser told THE WHISTLER that the company rejected the contract from Abia State Government.

He said the reason for the rejection of the contract was because Ferotex Construction Company specializes in road construction projects and does not have the needed expertise to handle airport projects.

He said, “Our company is majorly into road construction. We don’t handle airport projects.

“So, when the government of Ikpeazu brought the airport project to our company, we rejected it and told the Governor that we don’t handle such project.

“Our company did some road constructions and supervised some other projects in Abia during the last administration.

“There’s no contract agreement between the company and the Abia State concerning any airport.

“We don’t have any information regarding the Abia airport project by the Ikpeazu administration.

“Our company is a reputable construction company. We deliver in all our projects to the standard stipulated in our contract agreement.”

Conspiracy Of Silence: No Evidence From Ferotex That Airport Project Contract Was Rejected

Not satisfied with the explanation of the MD that the company rejected the contract from the ex-governor, THE WHISTLER probed further by requesting that the company provide the following information to support its claims.

Letter of contract award sent to Ferotex Construction Company by the Abia State Government for the award of Abia Airport Project.

Acknowledgement copy of Ferotex letter to Abia State Government rejecting the contract.

Evidence that Ferotex Construction Company returned the term loan of N10bn that it took from the bank for the project given the fact that the money was withdrawn from Abia State Account all through the period.

Letter from Abia State Government confirming that it accepted Ferotex’s rejection of the Abia Airport Contract project

Any other supporting document(s) to substantiate the fact that the contract was rejected by Ferotex Construction Company and monies returned to the coffers of Abia State Government.

But the request by THE WHISTLER for the above information to support the company’s claim that it rejected the contract was ignored and not responded to as of the time of going to press.

The Managing Director did not also pick up repeated calls to his mobile phone number.

Ex-Governor Ikpeazu Should Be Investigated, Prosecuted By EFCC, ICPC For Misappropriating N10bn For Airport Project- Lawyers

Lawyers who spoke to THE WHISTLER during separate interviews are demanding a probe and prosecution of the former governor and officials of Ferotex by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

They said those Indicted in the contract saga can be prosecuted for various offences ranging from money laundering, obtaining money under pretense, fraud, stealing, conversion of public funds, breach of public trust and misappropriation among others.

Speaking to THE WHISTLER, Barrister Maxwell Okpara said the ex-governor Ikpeazu and Ferotex Construction Company can be prosecuted by the EFCC for obtaining money under pretense,

He said, “The EFCC can handle that. The EFCC can charge them for advanced fee fraud. They can charge them for obtaining money by false pretence.

“They can charge them for fraud. The EFCC can even claim that the money was used for funding terrorism and even money laundering.”

Also speaking, another Legal Practitioner based in Gombe State, John Wunfe Nimfas, said a charge under the Money Laundering Prohibition Act can be brought against the former Governor and Ferotex Construction if the company truly benefited from the proceed of the said loan.

He said, “Based on the fact as reflected above, a charge under Money Laundry (Prohibition) Act (As Amended) can be brought against the former Governor and the company, that is if the company truly benefited from the proceed of the said loan.

“But for the offense to be charged, one need to peruse through the provision of the Act to know under which section the duo can be properly changed. Thus, the former Governor and the company can be charged for money Laundering.

“With regard to which Agency can change them to court, the law by virtue of Economic and Financial Crimes Act vested EFCC with the powers to prosecute for any financial crime of which, money Laundering is one of them.

“Again, if the investigation reveals that the Governor used his position while in office to confer or gives undue advantage to the said company or perhaps, the Governor has a stake in the company, the ICPC can frame a charge pursuant to Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offices Act.

“However, the particular offence to be charged or the section of the law to frame the charge depends on the facts revealed by the investigation.”

In her reaction to the controversial contract, an Abuja-based Legal Practitioner Blessing Ogbu, told THE WHISTLER that the Appropriation Law of the State – just as the Appropriation Act at the Federal level – forbids monies that have been appropriated to be used for another purpose.

She added that a “breach of this law is what we call misappropriation.”

The legal practitioner said, “The EFCC and ICPC can prosecute, though EFCC is more suited for the prosecution since it may be argued that the ex-governor, no longer in service, cannot be prosecuted by ICPC. But, it is debatable since the criminal act was done when the ex-governor was in service.

She listed some of the offences which the ex-governor could be charged for to include stealing, conversion of public funds, breach of public trust

“To be charged for stealing, a person must have taken a property that belongs to another person, without that other person’s consent, with the intention of depriving that other person it’s use, possession and ownership permanently.

“Conversion of public funds happens when someone takes a property belonging to another person and begins to use the property as if it is his own. The difference between conversion and stealing is that while in the case of stealing, the thief takes the property without the consent of the owner, in the case of conversion, the property must have come into the person’s possession legally. But, instead of keeping it or using it for the purpose for which it was delivered to the person, this person, that is, the criminal, begins to use the property for his own benefit and enjoyment.

“Beach of public trust. The money is meant for the people of Abia State in order to construct an airport for them. They are the beneficiaries. The House of Assembly approved the fund. The governor holds it in trust. So, we have the House of Assembly as the settlor, the governor as the trustee and the people of Abia State as the beneficiaries.

“Now, the governor, instead of using the money for the purpose for which it was approved for him, now squandered it or turn it into his personal property. That is criminal breach of trust. He can be charged for a range of offences.”

For Barrister Nelson Kebordih, he said the former governor could be prosecuted by either the EFCC or ICPC depending on the way the alleged offences are approached by the law enforcement agencies.

He said, “The offence can be embezzlement, self-aggrandizement and even corruption. So, if its corruption that deals with economic and financial crimes, then the EFCC Act provides that the commission can prosecute on that.

“Now, if you talk of embezzlement and undue enrichment, diversion of contract using his position as a public servant, then the ICPC can also deal with him depending on how they want to approach the case.

“So, both the ICPC and EFCC can prosecute him. But based on the activities so far, the EFCC has been forward in prosecuting people that are political exposed who use their office for undue enrichment to the detriment of the state.

“So, EFCC will actually be in the front burner to start the prosecution against him. Being abuse of office, in his capacity as a public officer, the ICPC Act empowers the commission to also investigate and prosecute him.

“If found culpable, he could get between three and seven years in prison. That is the range of the punishment for the offences.”

We Are Studying Forensic Audit Report From Abia Govt – EFCC

When THE WHISTLER contacted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Commission confirmed that it had received the entire audit report and was studying the contents of the report.

– The second part of this story will explain how the funds for the Abia airport project were disbursed by the Ikpeazu administration.

Culled from The Whistler

Asari sef don talk tire. The thing be say this elders dey find their belle too and nothing come out for them. Na envy them dey envy this guy.