Wike approves N30bn to rehabilitate schools in FCT.

Wike approves N30bn to rehabilitate schools in FCT.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, January 30, approved N30.9 billion for massive rehabilitation of schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCT Administration, Danlami Hayyo, disclosed this while briefing reporters in Abuja.

Hayyo said the approval of the funds was a testament to the priority the minister placed on the education sector.

He said out of the fund, N13.3 billion was approved for the renovation and rehabilitation of 40 schools, which would be completed in 100 days.

Hayyo added that N13.1 billion was also approved for an accelerated whole-school rehabilitation approach, beginning with 18 schools.

He explained that the whole school rehabilitation approach was designed to rehabilitate the entire school infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, hostels, dining and provision of furniture and water.

He further said four schools would also be renovated in the second batch of the whole-school rehabilitation approach at the cost of N4.5 billion.

He identified the schools as Government Science Technical College Kwali, Government Science Technical College Maitama, Government Secondary School Kuje and Government Secondary School Wuse II.

The mandate secretary said all the projects would be completed before May 2024 and would be part of the project that would be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu to mark his one year in office.

The mandate secretary also commended the minister for addressing the lingering crisis between primary school teachers and the Area Council Secretariat.

He explained that the minister has committed to settle 40 percent of the N7 billion minimum wage arrears owed to the primary school teachers by the six area councils.

Hayyo further said the area councils would settle the remaining 60 percent of the amount, which would be paid within the next three months.

He said the amount to be paid by the area councils would be deducted from the source to ensure compliance.

Hayyo, who assured that all necessary procurement procedures would be followed, complained that the renovations were massive because the previous administration did not do much in the sector.

“The previous administration neglected the education sector. No meaningful intervention by the previous administration in the education sector of the FCT.

“That is why a huge work is going to be done by the current administration. That is why the minister took education as a serious matter and earmarked about N30 billion,” he said.

Wizkid, Tems excluded as Grammy releases African award winners’ list.

Wizkid, Tems excluded as Grammy releases African award winners’ list.

The organisers of the prominent Grammy Awards have put forward a list of African musicians who have gone home with a golden gramophone.

This move is done ahead of the 66th Grammy Awards which will be happening on February 4, 2023.

The ceremony would stream live on CBS and on-demand on Paramount +

In the list, the late South African singer, Miriam Makeba, came first as the first African to win a Grammy award in 1966 for ‘Best Folk Recording(with Harry Belafonte) followed by Nigerian pop singer, Sade Adu, who became the first Nigerian to bag the award in 1986 for ‘Best New Artist’.

The second to last name on its list was Burna Boy, who won the award for ‘Best Global Music Album’ in 2021. 

The list of only 10 names, however, did not carry Nigerian singers, Wizkid and Tems which has caused a stir online.

Wizkid in 2021, won his first-ever Grammy award for his role in ‘Brown Skin Girl’, a 2019 song by Beyonce in the ‘Best Music Video’ category while in 2022 Tems won her first-ever Grammy award in the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category for her role in ‘Wait for U’, the hit song by Future featuring Drake.

Below is the full list:

1. Miriam Makeba (South Africa) — Best Folk Recording (with Harry Belafonte) – 1966

2. Sade Adu (Nigeria/UK) — Best New Artist – 1986

3. Ali Farka Touré (Mali) — Best World Music Album – 1994

4. Cesária Évora (Cape Verde) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2004

5. Youssou N’Dour (Senegal) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2005

6. Angélique Kidjo (Benin/France) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2008

7. RedOne (Morocco) — Best Dance/Electronic Album – 2010

8. Tinariwen (Mali/Algeria/Libya) — Best World Music Album – 2012

Read Also: Burna Boy to perform at 2024 Grammy Awards

9. Burna Boy (Nigeria) — Best Global Music Album – 2021

10. Black Coffee (South Africa) – Best Dance/ Electronic Album — 2022

Speaking on Burna Boy, the award organisers wrote: “Femi Kuti, King Sunny Adé, Babatunde Olatunji, and his rival WizKid had all received GRAMMY nods before Burna Boy became the first Nigerian male artist to grab a golden gramophone for original work. The Afrobeats megastar earned the prize for Best World Music Album in 2021 for his album Twice as Tall.”

The Nation reported that Burna Boy aside from being a nominee, would be performing on stage on Sunday in Los Angeles during the show alongside other artists including Luke Combs, Travis Scott, Billie Eillish, Dua Lipa, and Olivia Rodrigo amongst others.

Akpabio tasks senators to collaborate with executive.

Akpabio tasks senators to collaborate with executive.

Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, January 30, urged his colleagues at the red chamber to continue to work and collaborate with the executive arm of the governor without compromising their independence.

Akpabio made this call in his address of welcome to senators from their break to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities.

He urged his colleagues to approach imminent challenges with the spirit of collaboration and patriotism.

Akpabio said: “In the coming months, we will face a multitude of challenges, from economic recovery and healthcare reform to national security and social justice.

“It is imperative that we approach these issues with a spirit of collaboration and a commitment to finding common ground.

“Let us rise above partisan divides and work together, transcending party lines, for the greater good of our nation.

“Our patriotism demands that we heed no other call except Nigeria’s call—the call echoed in our National Anthem.

“Let us continue to work and collaborate with the Executive Arm under His Excellency President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, without compromising our independence as enshrined in our constitution.

“I urge every one of us to embrace the power of dialogue and the importance of compromise. Let us listen to one another with open hearts and open minds, guided by reason and evidence in our decision-making.

“Let us be champions for the marginalized and the voiceless, advocates of justice and equality.

“Our purpose should be twofold: to do as much good as we can to all the people we can, and to prevent any injustices from befalling anyone in our great nation, for injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

“As we embark on this new legislative session, let us be inspired by the limitless potential of what we can achieve together.

“Let us remember that the work we do here has the power to transform lives, uplift communities, and shape the destiny of our great nation and the fortunes of our continent.

“We must be bold in our vision, unwavering in our commitment, and steadfast in our dedication to the principles of democracy and good governance.

“Let us embark on this new chapter with a sense of purpose and a determination to make a difference.

“Together, let us strive for excellence, serve with integrity, and leave a lasting legacy of progress for future generations.

“Let this Tenth Assembly be a reference point in legislation, a testament to our collective dedication and vision.”

Read Also: AFCON 2023: Akpabio urges Super Eagles to conquer Africa, bring home trophy

He also urged senators to use the opportunity afforded them as members of parliament to positively transform the country and the lives of their constituents.

He said: “It is our duty to justify the trust vested in us by diligently addressing the challenges facing our nation and striving for the betterment of society.

“We have a unique platform to effect change and advocate for our constituents’ interests.

“History and future generations will not forgive us if we squander this opportunity or fail to leave our mark on the annals of time.

“Let us use our time in this revered chamber to delve into pressing issues, engage in passionate and respectful debates, and craft legislation that reflects the needs and aspirations of the people we represent.”

Reps to investigate Plateau killings, set up ad hoc committee.

Reps to investigate Plateau killings, set up ad hoc committee.

The House of Representatives has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the cause of the incessant terrorist attacks in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas of Plateau state.

The speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, said the committee led by Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), can co-opt chairmen of security-related committees of the House has one member each from the six geopolitical zones.

Several persons have been killed in several attacks on communities in Plateau.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ishaya Lalu, the House asked the chief of defence staff to establish a civilian joint task force in Plateau state to work hand in hand with the security agencies to curtail the attacks in the state.

Lalu briefed the House regarding the assaults on the residents of Mangu local government areas in Plateau state.

He said the attacks resulted in the deaths of over 50 individuals, with many others sustaining severe injuries.

The lawmaker added that more than 1,000 houses and other properties, valued at billions of naira, were destroyed.

Approximately 20,000 people have been displaced and are currently residing in various internally displaced persons (IDP) camps within and outside the local government area.

According to Lalu most of the victims who sustained various degrees of injuries are currently receiving medical attention at different hospitals within the State.

He said the continuous attacks by the terrorists in said Local Government Area need to be addressed immediately.

I am not running for APC chairman, says Yahaya Bello.

I am not running for APC chairman, says Yahaya Bello.

Former Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has refuted the report that he was running for the position of the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He described the publications as the antics of opposition leaders, mischief makers and fifth columnists bent on creating confusion within the hierarchy of the party.

Bello said the insinuation of party chairmanship ambition through some posters in Abuja “is infantile, false and should be disregarded.”

He said in a statement that APC “is not in the process of conducting congresses or a convention, therefore, there is absolutely no basis for anyone to circulate any posters for party offices.”

Urging members of the public to disregard the false impression, the former governor said he never authorised anyone to circulate any posters on his behalf as he remains a loyal party man who is committed to the leadership of Abdullahi Ganduje.

In the same vein, the Kogi state government said the report on the creation of the office of the immediate past governor is false.

Governor Usman Ododo said in a statement that the report was fake, adding that it is the handiwork of psychotic mischief makers, who have been thrown into confusion by the unprecedented achievements of the former governor.

He said: The laughable report was concocted to create disaffection and mislead the public but the authors failed woefully to confuse intelligent Nigerians.

“We thank the media for exercising restraint and detecting, on their own, that the report was fake. We, however, urge the general public to always fact-check before spreading fake news.”

Reps spokesman weeps publicly at plenary, demand action over murder of Ekiti monarchs.

Reps spokesman weeps publicly at plenary, demand action over murder of Ekiti monarchs.

Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akintunde Rotimi on Tuesday, January 30, broke down in tears while presenting an urgent motion on the killing of two traditional rulers in his constituency in Ekiti state and the abduction of some school children by gunmen.

Presenting his motion in an emotion-laden voice interrupted intermittently by free-flowing tears, Rotimi told the House how the two traditional rulers were killed by bandits while leaving several others with life-threatening injuries.

Another member approached the Ekiti lawmaker to console him, while the speaker, Abbas Tajudeen said to him “Take it easy honourable”

He told his colleagues that “there has been an increase in criminal activities in Ekiti North 1 (Ikole /Oye) federal constituency in recent times resulting in the lost lives and properties.

Rotimi said: “The constituency is exposed to peculiar security challenges due to the nature of our forests and topography, and more painfully because Ekiti federal roads are some of the most dilapidated in the entire country.

“On Monday, January 29, 2024, these criminals carried out a dastardly attack in the Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government Area resulting in the death of two traditional rulers: the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti Oba Olatunji Samuel Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola and leaving a host of others with life-threatening injuries.

“This is not an isolated event, as in the past few days alone, a commercial driver was killed between Ayedun and Ayebode by armed bandits, and just yesterday, a school bus load of students were abducted in Emure Ekiti and their whereabouts is still unknown.

“The late Onimojo was an intellectual and highly intelligent historian and orator who always spoke truth to power. The late Elesun was a peace-loving king who was very hands-on in the development of Esun-Ayedun communities.

He further stated: “Because of the topography of the area and the bad roads, there has been an incursion of murderous elements who parade themselves as herdsmen leading to heightened insecurity. The entire people of Imojo in Oye local government and Esun in Ikole Local Government and the entire state have been thrown into mourning on account of the loss of our highly revered traditional rulers who were forces for community development, peace, and stability in the constituency and the entire state.

“The Nigeria Army has a military outpost on the road, which has been non-functional, as they only patrol on Tuesdays, leaving the communities exposed for the rest of the days”.

Following his motion, the House asked the Chief of Army Staff to redeploy military personnel to the outpost along the Oke-Ako area to enhance security and forestall a repeat of these beastly acts.

The House also asked the Inspector General of Police, the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, and other security agencies to deploy more men to Ekiti North 1 and ensure that those who carried out that dastardly acts are fished out and brought to justice.

It asked the Ministry of Works and FERMA to immediately rehabilitate the Ayedun to Irele road, and other roads in the federal constituency, while asking security agencies to put all measures in place to rescue the school children and teachers in Emure Ekiti.

Ekiti attacks: President Tinubu condoles Oyebanji, Ekiti people.

Ekiti attacks: President Tinubu condoles Oyebanji, Ekiti people.                                ......Governor visits bereaved communities.        ......We shall go after the criminals, get and deal with them, says Oyebanji.

President Tinubu has condoled the Governor of Ekiti State and the people of the state over Monday’s attacks that led to the gruesome killing of two traditional rulers by armed men and abduction of six school pupils and their teachers.

The President who spoke with Governor Oyebanji on telephone from France, assured Ekiti people that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.

The President's message was conveyed to the people of Esun-Ekiti and Imojo-Ekiti by Governor Oyebanji when he visited the two communities on Tuesday morning. 

The Governor who also held an emergency meeting with heads of security agencies in the state very early in the morning, was accompanied on the visit by the security chiefs in the state.

Governor Oyebanji, sympathised with leaders and indigenes of the two communities, whom he addressed at their respective palaces during the visit.

Stressing that the two murdered monarchs were respected traditional rulers who had record of selfless service to their respective towns, Oyebanji said the state government would collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure that their killers pay dearly for the heinous crime.

The Governor also thanked the people of the towns for refraining from violence, assuring them that everything would be done to ensure justice for the slain monarchs, whom he said fought till they breathed their last, having taken the security of their people.

“I can assure you that the death of these monarchs would not be in vain. The perpetrators would be apprehended and made to face the maximum punishment

“The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, spoke with me from France and expressed his condolences to you as well as the government of the state. The President is with us on this and has given specific instructions to relevant authorities.

“He asked me to tell you that the perpetrators of the crime will not go unpunished. He gave assurance that security agencies would free the abducted school pupils.

“On our part, we shall collaborate with relevant agencies and the traditional institution to make the state too hot for criminals.”, Oyebanji said.

He also directed that the third monarch, Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, who escaped narrowly during attack be given adequate security protection.

Community leaders who spoke during the Governor’s visit to Esun Ekiti alleged that the killing of their monarch, Oba David Babtunde Ogunsola might be an assassination, following the manner of the gruesome murder.

They urged the Governor to ensure that justice was served in the case, describing the late Oba as a great lover of his people, who prioritised the security and development of his people.

Community leaders in Imojo Ekiti, hailed the Governor for his timely response and for the visit. They said the late monarch Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola championed the development of the town and was concerned about the safety of his people.  

They also thanked Governor Oyebode for his decision to take over the education and upbringing of the late monarch’s five young children, who were also present during the Governor’s visit.

Governor Oyebanji who later visited the Chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers/ the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori Faboro at his palace in Ido-Ekiti, scheduled a major meeting with all traditional rulers for their council chamber in Ado-Ekiti for Wednesday morning.