Alake to security agencies: provide a work plan to secure mine sites in two weeks.

Alake to security agencies: provide a work plan to secure mine sites in two weeks.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake had told security agencies in the country that they have two weeks to provide a work plan for securing mining sites in the country.

He said the work plan should include the formation of whatever outfits would be proposed, the modalities, execution, funding, and all details associated with the security outfits that are proposed.

Alake said this yesterday in Abuja at a press briefing following the end of a security meeting held by the Minister and representatives of all the security agencies in the country.

He said the meeting was a result of the committee set up by the President to address issues surrounding the security of natural resources and to fashion out strategies to completely curb the menace.

He noted: “Now, the Committee set up the president to address issues surrounding the security of natural resources and to fashion out strategies to completely curb the menace that is making Nigeria bleed. After the meeting, the decision was to expand it to include the service chiefs and their representatives who form the critical security arms of the country.

“Following up on the first meeting that we had amongst the ministers. It was decided that we should expand the scope to incorporate the critical security agencies and that’s why the security agencies are here represented.

“All the critical stakeholders, security stakeholders that are relevant to this issue of securing Natural Resources are present here and we have deliberated exhaustively, like I said, and “It’s decided that the security agencies that constitute the experts in this particular venture should meet and give us a work plan of execution of that mandate, and what is the mandate?  To secure our natural resources, mineral sites, the forest and the marine economy and everyone agrees here.

“Now we’ll meet in a fortnight and deliberate on the work plan submitted by the security agencies and that work plan simply includes the formation of whatever outfits that we propose the modalities, execution, funding, and all details associated with the security outfits that we propose.

“I want to use this opportunity to let you know that what happened in the Ibadan, even though we’re expecting like I said in the Ibadan, the final forensic analysis report from the various security agencies, intelligence agencies, and the technical experts, even some from the Mines Inspectorate Division of this ministry of solid minerals.

“So we have the solid intelligence agencies working on unraveling the situation. And don’t forget that shrapnel or fragments, documents, and a lot of items constituting evidence were obtained from the site. And some of these things have to be scientifically analysed before an authentic report will be given. I did say at the time that the government would not be able to make a categorical statement until we have seen or received the report, studied, and come up with informed decisions.”

FG inaugurates handbook on citizenship administration.

FG inaugurates handbook on citizenship administration.

The federal government (FG) on Thursday, January 25, inaugurated a new handbook on Citizenship Administration in Nigeria. 

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the document would put Tinubu’s administration on the positive side of history. 

The handbook prescribed conditions for acquisition of Citizenship by foreigners and citizens born outside Nigeria by Nigerian parents, amongst others. 

It also prescribed conditions for “Citizenship by investment”, amongst which is “evidence of required amount for investment”, pegged at a minimum of one million United States dollars. 

According to the minister what was codified in the document if implemented seamlessly would transform management of Citizenship and business administration in Nigeria as never before. 

He praised President Bola Tinubu for his vision, saying what the president has brought to the table in his Renewed Hope Agenda would bridge the gap between the strong and the weak, between the rich and the poor. 

Tunji-Ojo said: “A greater Nigeria is here. You and me are here for a Nigeria that will work for all of us, both the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor. With the Renewed Hope Agenda, what Nigerians are yearning for has come to stay. There is no need for anybody to shake hands before you can do business here. 

“If we practicalise what has been codified in the handbook, Nigeria will grow at the rate that’s proportionate with its rich human and materials resources”.

“We have taken critical look at the Citizenship Administration in Nigeria together with major stakeholders especially the Ministry of Justice and made far reaching amendments to the document in a way that the country would become better in all aspects of life. 

“It is therefore our hope that what has been codified in the handbook will be a reality to enhance internal security in terms of entrance and exiting, granting of business permit, naturalisation and the protection of marriage institutions in Nigeria,” Dr Tunji-Ojo added. 

He said the handbook covered granting of Citizenship and Residence permit, establishment and maintenance of federal marriage registries, licensing and renewal of public places of worship for celebrations of marriages and issuance of secured federal marriage certificates in federal marriage registries. 

The Minister said the government had grappled over the years with institutionalising the process of Citizenship Administration, but with different challenges. 

“These challenges range from processes beyond the Ministry such as security reports and response from state governments in respect of applicants, to legal/jurisdiction disputes from local government authorities.

“There were also other ad-hoc administrative/operational hiccups in the form of insufficient funding and capacity development gaps “, the Minister said. 

Tinubu approves funding for Second Niger bridge, Abuja-Kano, Lagos-Ibadan highway.

Tinubu approves funding for Second Niger bridge, Abuja-Kano, Lagos-Ibadan highway.

The minister of works, David Umahi, said President Bola Tinubu has approved funding for the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Lagos-Ibadan highway and the Second Niger two bypass projects. 

Umahi said the approval would remove the financial constraints hindering the three projects while asserting federal government’s commitment to eliminating all obstacles hindering the road infrastructure revolution it has initiated.

The minister made the disclosure during the inspection of the Lafia Bypass Road and dualisation of the 9th Mile (Enugu)-Otukpo-Makurdi road project in Makurdi, Benue State.

He was accompanied to the project site by the governor of Benue State, Father Hyacinth Alia.

The 260-kilometer project, examined during the inspection, is managed by China Harbour Nigeria Limited and financed jointly by the Export-Import Bank of Nigeria (85%) and the Federal Government (15%) traversing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Benue Logo, and Enugu States.

The project is expected to be delivered in 48 months. 

The Minister said: “I want to thank Mr. President that about three days ago, he approved work should immediately commence in many sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano.

“it is cheering news for me, we were having some problems with funding but the President has solved the problem and directed for the immediate release of funds so that the road will continue.

“The same thing with the Lagos-Ibadan highway and the second Niger bridge two bypasses”. 

The Minister, who had earlier inspected the Mararaba-Keffi reconstruction and expansion project, commended the Benue and Enugu State Governors, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and Peter Mbah respectively for setting up taskforce committees to provide security on the sites of the project.

He also disclosed that the request for certain inclusion in the road project by the Governor of Benue State, Fr. Alia would be accommodated, saying, We are from Abuja to Mararaba to Keffi, that is an ongoing project of dualization and it is 43km.

“It is being done with NNPC funding, whatever impeded the funding, graciously, God lifted it and the President has approved in all zones of the country, that the job should go ahead. 

“We noticed that there is a lot of hold-up around the beginning of the project, so I have asked them to study it because the essence of governance is for the convenience of the people. 

“So, if we have a lot of hold-ups there, people can’t plan. So we have directed that we should have a flyover at the location to ease it. 

“So, the road from Keffi to Makurdi has been completed and we are going to toll it. 

“But for some modifications, we have asked the China Harbour Engineering Company to provide the service station, where we can have our trailers parked, vehicles parked, you can go for snacks, fuelling and so on but they are not there and they must be there before we start tolling the road. 

“The plazas are not beautiful and I told them to make them beautiful like we have in China. 

“This one is 260km and that is 229km completed, some sections are not good and I have directed them to go back to work, the first 5km, but the rest are beautiful. 

“Where a job is not good, you must go back and where it is good, we commend you. 

“This route is to be done on asphalt but what I prefer is concrete all through but it is like they are defeating me. 

“The flyover you are requesting, we are going to incorporate it. 

“If you are building a road and the people are being inconvenienced or we finished it and it does not solve the problems, we have done nothing.  

“So that flyover is very critical and it is very good that we are here. We had to do that because of the passion for your people and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

“From the beginning of the road to here, it must be done on concrete. So anywhere we have bad terrain we will scope it for concrete. We will put the middle of the divide of the two carriageways in the middle of the existing route.  

“So, we will minimize a lot of compensations.

I would like to thank you and the Enugu State Governor for setting up a task force to assist them in terms of security and other things.

“The project is financed by China Exim Bank, so the money is there and the project is in dollars, so it will not vary that much.

“We want to assure you that from today, things will be happening, you will be happy with the progress. 

Governor Alia, in his remarks, commended the President for the people-centered policies and programmes he has embarked on since he assumed office.

He said: “We are pleased that you are beginning the second phase of Abuja-Keffi-Lafia-Ninth Mile road. We are very excited that you have already incorporated the prayers we presented to you. We thank Mr President for his thoughtfulness and good heart for the common masses. 

“He is someone who doesn’t want to see people suffer. From Abuja to Makurdi, the journey was four and a half hours but with this new road, it takes us three hours. That is going to help our business and help us to plan on plying on the route.

“We thank you for the pains you take for being here yourself.

“From this axis to Otupko, instead of taking one hour it will take you two hours, be rest assured of our continued support and collaboration which we need to do for the smooth running of the project will be done”. 

Earlier, while inspecting the Mararaba-Keffi highway, the Minister urged the contractor to redesign the project to accommodate a flyover at the Mararaba corridor.

According to him, the flyover would ease the movement of citizens that reside along the corridor.

Crude oil theft ends soon – Uzodinma.

Crude oil theft ends soon – Uzodinma.

Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma has assured the Federal Government is doing everything possible to bring the menace of crude oil theft and its attendant ills on the nation’s economy, to an end.

Uzodinma spoke to journalists at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima. 

He informed he discussed progresses being made on the fight against oil theft with Shettima.

Uzodinma is the Chairman of the National Economic Council’s (NEC) sub-committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention, set up in 2023 to review the existing architecture and make recommendations to stop oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

Over many years, Nigeria has lost billions of dollars in revenue to crude oil theft, which has thrived despite measures introduced by the government.

The Governor said: “I came to give him an interim briefing arising from the subcommittee on crude oil theft that I am chairing on behalf of NEC. So we had a very positive discussion. It’s still a work in progress.

“We are addressing it. At the end of the day, we are going to bring a final solution to this monster called crude oil theft.”

He also spoke on the importance of reconciliation efforts within the APC, citing the ongoing rapprochement between the party and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State.

He said the most important thing is the interest of Nigeria and the people, irrespective of political affiliations.

Asked how important Kano is to APC, he said “Kano is not only important to APC but to Nigeria, so it’s an important state for all of us.

“NNPP is a political party, APC is a political party. The most important thing is the interest of Nigerians and the people,” he added .

Ifedara LCDA Chairman, Hon. Ogunsanya Drives Community Development Through Engagements in Orun Ekiti.

Ifedara LCDA Chairman, Hon. Ogunsanya Drives Community Development Through Engagements in Orun Ekiti.

....Direct Interaction with Stakeholders to Shape LCDA Projects.

By Comr Olamide Akinwumi.

In a strategic move geared toward advancing community development, Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence, Chairman of Ifadara Local Council Development Area (LCDA), actively engaged with the community in Orun Ekiti on Thursday. This extensive interaction involved key stakeholders such as Kabiyesis, chiefs, iyalojas, Iyalodes, youth representatives, CAN members, artisans, the driver union, Okada Union association, and others.

The primary goal of this community visitation was to establish direct communication channels between the LCDA and the people, seeking to comprehend their developmental needs and preferences for potential projects. Chairman Ogunsanya Lawrence expressed a strong commitment to executing projects that will positively impact the lives of Ifadara residents.

Addressing the communities of Orun Ekiti, Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence reaffirmed his administration's dedication to elevating the living standards of Ifadara citizens through impactful projects. He encouraged community members to continue offering prayers for the success of his administration while emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order.

Furthermore, the Chairman urged the people of Orun Ekiti to be law-abiding and emphasized the need for prayers for the success of Governor Oyebanji's administration. He took the opportunity to advocate for tolerance among the people of Orun Ekiti, promising a leadership style that values brainstorming and community engagement to drive communal development.

The ongoing community engagement showcases the proactive approach of Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence's administration, ensuring that developmental initiatives align with the expressed needs and aspirations of the Ifadara community. Subsequent updates on the outcomes of these engagements are anticipated in the coming days.

Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence Enhances Community Engagement in Igbemo-Ekiti.

Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence Enhances Community Engagement in Igbemo-Ekiti.

By Olamide Akinwumi James.

In a continued effort to strengthen community ties and advance development, Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence, Chairman of Ifedara Local Council Development Area (LCDA), engaged in community interactions in Igbemo-Ekiti on Thursday, 25th January 2024. This inclusive interaction involved key community stakeholders, including Kabiyesis, chiefs, iyalojas, Iyalodes, youth representatives, CAN members, artisans, the driver union, Okada Union association, and others.

Welcomed warmly by the enthusiastic people of Igbemo-Ekiti, the Chairman highlighted the primary objective of this visitation – to establish direct communication between the LCDA and the people. The aim is to comprehend their developmental needs and preferences for potential projects. Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence expressed a strong commitment to implementing projects that would have a direct and positive impact on the residents of Ifadara.

Addressing the citizens of Igbemo-Ekiti, the Chairman reiterated his administration's dedication to enhancing the living standards of Ifadara citizens through impactful projects. He encouraged community members to continue offering prayers for the success of his administration while underscoring the importance of maintaining law and order.

Furthermore, the Chairman emphasized the crucial role of regular tax payments from residents, stating that the realization of outlined developments in the manifesto hinges on consistent tax contributions from the community. He promised to always involve the people of Igbemo-Ekiti in his administration, fostering inclusivity and shared responsibility.

This ongoing community engagement exemplifies Chairman Ogunsanya Lawrence's commitment to fostering direct communication channels and ensuring that developmental initiatives align with the expressed needs and aspirations of the Ifadara community. Subsequent updates on the outcomes of these engagements are expected in the coming days.

Governor Oyebanji Engages with Ekiti State University's New Chancellor, Dr Tunji Olowolafe.

Governor Oyebanji Engages with Ekiti State University's New Chancellor, Dr Tunji Olowolafe.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In a significant development, Governor Biodun Oyebanji held a strategic meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, on Thursday 25th January. The meeting aimed to initiate collaboration and harness the vast experience, extensive contacts, and wealth of knowledge that Dr Olowolafe, a prominent Medical Doctor turned Businessman from Are-Ekiti, is poised to bring to the institution.

The engagement underscores Governor Oyebanji's commitment to strengthening Ekiti State University's leadership with individuals who possess a wealth of expertise and influence in their respective fields. Dr Tunji Olowolafe's background in both medicine and business positions him as a valuable asset in advancing the university's goals and contributing to its overall growth.

Governor Oyebanji expressed optimism about the positive impact Dr Olowolafe's appointment would have on the institution, highlighting the need for collaboration between the state government and the university to foster academic excellence, research, and community development.

As Ekiti State University looks forward to a new phase under the leadership of its recently appointed Chancellor, the meeting signals a proactive approach by the state government to enhance the overall educational landscape in the state.