Dons EzeSENATE CAN’T PROBE NATASHA’S ALLEGATION AGAINST AKPABIO BECAUSE THERE’S NO PETITION – AIDE
SENATE CAN’T PROBE NATASHA’S ALLEGATION AGAINST AKPABIO BECAUSE THERE’S NO PETITION – AIDE Eseme Eyiboh, special adviser on media to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, says the senate cannot investigate the allegations levelled against his principal by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Sunday, Eyiboh said Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi central senator, has not submitted any petition about the alleged sexual harassment to the national assembly. He added that the Kogi senator did not mention sexual harassment in her suit filed against the senate president BACKGROUND On Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom. The allegation spurred reactions from notable Nigerians, including a lawsuit against the Kogi senator by Ekaette Akpabio, the senate president’s wife. Others have called for an investigation into the claims made by the Kogi senator. Bukola Saraki, former senate president, had advised the leadership of the 10th senate to follow the precedent laid when he was accused of an importing official car without paying customs duty at the 8th senate. ‘NO CONTEMPLATION FOR SARAKI’S SUGGESTION’ Asked during the interview if Saraki’s suggestion would be followed, Eyiboh said the ex-senate president’s suggestion has no place in the current conversation. The media aide said what happened at the 8th senate when Saraki was accused of importing a car without paying customs duty is different from the sexual allegations levelled against Akpabio. Akpabio’s aide added that the upper chamber cannot institute a panel to probe the Kogi senator’s allegations because there is no petition to that effect. “What Bukola Saraki said has no place for contemplation at this level,” he said. “There is no petition, either to the police, court or senate regarding sexual harassment. It is just somebody exercising the right to public communication, that is freedom of expression. “She went to a public television platform another person could have gone to Wuse market to lay an allegation. And you are asking the institution to investigate. “It is a different thing that happened to Senator Saraki during his time on the car issue. “In this case, there is no petition anywhere. There is no petition on sexual harassment. “So from where will the senate as an institution going to set up a panel? Who is the complainant? There is no complainant. “What he (referring to Saraki) is saying has no place in the conversation.”
HOW BIAFRAN OGBUNIGWE SHELL NEARLY TOOK MY LIFE – IBB RECOUNTS WAR EXPERIENCE
HOW BIAFRAN OGBUNIGWE SHELL NEARLY TOOK MY LIFE – IBB RECOUNTS WAR EXPERIENCE Former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, IBB, has recounted a civil war experience that nearly took his life after his command, 82 Battalion, came under heavy bombardment from Biafran forces on March 27, 1969. IBB stated that the Biafran artillery began an uninterrupted bombardment of their positions, noting that not even Nigerian troops’ aggressive response to those attacks deterred Biafran troops. In his just launched book, ‘A Journey in Service’, the former military Head of State recounted that it was during that fierce fighting that a Biafran Ogbunigwe shell wounded him. IBB’ss words: “Now, the attention of federal troops shifted to Umuahia. After the first attempt to take Umuahia by the Third Marine Commando failed, Colonel Shuwa gave that task to Lt-Col. Danjuma, who commenced the invasion of Umuahia just days before March 27, 1969. That attack would go on until April 24, 1969. “As a Major, I was Commander of the 82 Battalion, one of the seven Battalions deployed by Lt-Col. Danjuma to invade and capture Umuahia. “But to get to Umuahia, we had to first go through Uzuakoli, a mere 13 kilometres away. On March 27, we came under heavy bombardment from Biafran forces. But somehow, we held our ground and bulldozed our way to the outskirts of Uzuakoli. “Then, under my command, on April 1, the 82nd Battalion attacked and captured Uzuakoli. But as it turned out, our victory came with severe costs. “Now acutely aware that from our position in Uzuakoli, we were only a few kilometres away from Umuahia, the Biafran artillery began an uninterrupted bombardment of our positions. “Not even our aggressive response to these attacks deterred them. It was during that fierce fighting that a Biafran Ogbunigwe shell wounded me. The shrapnel landed on the left side of my chest and came close, we would later find out, to affecting my lung. I was fortunate.” The former head of state continued: “Initially, I wasn’t aware that I had taken a hit. Partly because of the intense and prolonged firefight, I never heard a shot or felt the impact. I smelled some burning human flesh. “In those brief seconds, the wound didn’t hurt. Then suddenly, as I grabbed my chest and felt blood oozing out, I felt like a kick in the trunk had left me with a numb, throbbing pain. And then, my feet started to gradually go numb, first above the knee, then below it. At that point, I think I fell and had to be moved, and one of the other commanders, Mamman Vatsa, took over the command of my battalion. “My casualty evacuation process was slower than my colleagues would have wanted. It was getting past dusk, and since the available makeshift runway lacked take-off and landing gears, an improvised runway had to be created from a convoy of military vehicles with their full lights on! Once that was done, I was promptly evacuated to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos. “Surprisingly, despite the throbbing pain, I remained alert and conscious from the moment I took the hit through the period of my evacuation. “Even though I wasn’t sure of the nature of my injury, my spirit was upbeat. While I didn’t think I was about to die, I knew this would be a life-changing experience.”
FEC APPROVES N4.7TRN FOR MAJOR ROADS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
FEC APPROVES N4.2TRN FOR MAJOR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved road infrastructure contracts worth N4.2 trillion, covering key highways and bridges across Nigeria. This was announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, at the end of the council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu on Monday in Abuja. According to Umahi, the projects span several states, with a focus on enhancing connectivity, improving road safety, and supporting economic growth. The contracts include new constructions, rehabilitation of deteriorating sections, and expansion of critical routes, with many projects shifting towards concrete pavement for durability. The largest allocation went to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with FEC approving N1.334 trillion for the construction of a 130-kilometer dual carriageway. This covers 65 kilometres in Lagos and Ogun states and an additional stretch starting from Calabar through Akwa Ibom. The project will be executed under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) framework with a 10-year maintenance plan. FEC approved N470.9 billion for the Delta State access road and N148 billion for the Anambra State access road to the Second Niger Bridge. According to Umahi, both roads will be constructed using concrete to ensure long-term resilience. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase 2, Section 1) got N195 billion approval to undergo reconstruction under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), focusing on improving traffic flow and reducing congestion along the busy corridor. The Abuja-Kano road project, previously handled by Julius Berger, has been restructured into two lots following contract termination including Lot 1 (FCT-Niger boundary): Expanded by 5.71 km towards Kogi State and Lot 3 (Kano section): extended by 17 km. The minister said the total length of the project is now 118 km, with solar street lighting planned throughout. Section 1 will be built with concrete, while Section 3 will use asphalt. The reconstruction of three sections of the Lokoja-Benin road will be done entirely with concrete for durability at N305 Billion including Obajana to Benin (Section I): N64 billion; Auchi to Edo (Section II): N110 billion and Benin Airport area (Section III): N131 billion. A contract worth N3.571 billion was approved for an extensive structural assessment of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge in Lagos. He said this evaluation aims to prevent further deterioration, building on findings from assessments conducted in 2009 and 2013, which identified progressive structural decay. FEC also approved the Ado-Ekiti–Igede Road Project (N5.4 Billion) as part of a series of smaller road upgrades in Ekiti State to improve local connectivity and reduce travel time. The Onitsha-Owerri Expressway – N22 billion. The expressway will undergo rehabilitation to ease movement between Anambra and Imo States, fostering trade within the southeastern region. Musasa-Jos Route (Kaduna State) was approved at N18 Billion to enhance road safety and reduce travel time between Kaduna and Plateau States. Abia and Enugu State Road Project got N12.75 Billion in a joint project in Abia and Enugu states that will focus on key sections within the budget limits, addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps. Umahi emphasised that most new projects, including the Lokoja-Benin and Abuja-Kano roads, will be constructed using reinforced concrete pavement instead of traditional asphalt. “Concrete roads are not only more durable but also cost-effective in the long run,” Umahi stated. “In fact, the cost of these concrete projects is significantly cheaper than previous asphalt-based contracts rejected by some contractors.” The minister addressed concerns about terminated contracts, particularly with Julius Berger, clarifying that the government has negotiated cost-saving measures. Equipment from previous contractors will be repurposed, avoiding unnecessary mobilization costs. Umahi also dismissed recent media reports about fake companies being awarded contracts, assuring Nigerians that due diligence was followed in selecting credible contractors. “We’ve resolved misunderstandings with key stakeholders, including media organizations, to ensure transparency. The companies handling these…
OBASANJO, IMF SLAM TINUBU GOVT, PRESIDENCY KEEP MUM
OBASANJO, IMF SLAM TINUBU GOVT, PRESIDENCY KEEP MUM The Presidency has kept silent on the criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).Obasanjo had, according to a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, alleged that Nigeria is currently under a state capture and that the country’s situation is bad.The former president was quoted to have said this while delivering in his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum, Yale University New Haven Connecticut, United States.On the other side, the IMF, in its latest outlook report for sub-Sahara Africa, said Nigeria is one of the Resource Intensive Countries (RICs) in Sub-Sahara Africa struggling to realise gains of its reforms.It said while it is cheery news in some countries within the region, it is not looking good yet in Nigeria.Attempts by to get reactions from the Presidency met a brick wall as Tinubu’s media aides declined comment.The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, could not be reached on their mobile telephone lines and did not reply to text messages sent to them.The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, also neither answered calls nor replied messages sent to their phone lines.However, a source at the State House told Daily Trust on condition of anonymity that Obasanjo is a statesman and that the Presidency “will not want to join issues with him.”The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had, last Wednesday, said President Tinubu’s administration had achieved significant progress in tackling insecurity and creating conducive environment for business.Obasanjo, in his address titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria”, described Nigeria’s situation as bad.The former leader also alleged that Nigeria’s failing status under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was “confirmed and glaringly indicated and manifested for every honest person to see.”He alluded to a World Bank and Transparency International’s definition of what a state capture was, saying it was described, “as one of the most pervasive forms of corruption, “a situation where powerful individuals, institutions, companies, or groups within or outside a country use corruption to shape a nation’s policies, legal environment, and economy, to benefit their own private interests.”He noted that state capture is not always overt and obvious as it can also arise from the more subtle close alignment of interests between specific business and political elites through family ties, friendships, and the intertwined ownership of economic assets.He said: “What is happening in Nigeria – right before our eyes – is state capture: The purchase of national assets by political elites – and their family members – at bargain prices, the allocation of national resources – minerals, land, and even human resources – to local, regional, and international actors. It must be prohibited and prevented through local and international laws.“Public institutions such as the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, and regulatory agencies both at the federal and local levels are subject to capture. As such, state capture can broadly be understood as the disproportionate and unregulated influence of interest groups or decision-making processes, where special interest groups manage to bend state laws, policies, and regulations.“They do so through practices such as illicit contributions paid by private interests to political parties, and for election campaigns, vote-buying, buying of presidential decrees or court decisions, as well as through illegitimate lobbying and revolving door appointments.“The main risk of state capture is that decisions no longer take into consideration the public interest, but instead favour a specific special interest group or individual. Laws, policies, and regulations are designed to benefit a specific interest group, often times to the detriment of smaller firms and groups and…