News From Nigeria
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has approved the assignment of portfolios to newly sworn-in Commissioners in the state.
The approval for the assignment of portfolios was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu on Tuesday evening.
The statement listed the Commissioners and their portfolios as follows:
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
President Bola Tinubu on Monday charged the 45 newly inaugurated Ministers of the Federal Republic to prioritize the interests and welfare of the entire nation and its diverse population, above any regional or state-specific considerations.
Speaking at the inauguration of new members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House Conference Centre, the President underscored the immense responsibility the ministers now bear in shaping policies that will significantly influence the lives of hundreds of millions of Nigerians.
“You are not a minister of a particular state, colony, region, or ethnic nationality. You are a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” President Tinubu declared, setting the tone for his directive to the new ministers.
“This is all about the cohesion and work of a great team, and I believe we now have it. It is an honour to be chosen to serve as a minister in the Federal Executive Council, and such a high honour comes with tremendous responsibility. In this moment of abundant promise and peril in equal measure, all of you that have been sworn in have been called to distinguish yourselves. Nigerians are highly expectant of excellence in service delivery, accountability, and transparency,” he said.
The President also reminded the new ministers that they can not disappoint Nigerians, who expect them to serve with integrity, dignity and competence to actualize the Renewed Hope manifesto of the administration—failing which he will not hesitate to take necessary remedial measures.
“As your country honours you today, you must each work to make yourselves worthy in the eyes of God and our entire nation’s people. Your highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that our people can once again believe that government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for collective progress of all citizens of this great country,” President Tinubu said, while congratulating each of the ministers and welcoming them to “the Administration of Renewed Hope.”
He further affirmed that the newly appointed ministers were selected based on their track records of excellence in both the public and private sectors, noting their effective representation of the rich diversity present within Nigeria.
Expressing his wishes for the success of the cabinet members in the discharge of their duties, the President invoked a metaphor of a journey, in which he is the driver of a vehicle, along with all Nigerians as passengers.
“In this new assignment, we are in this boat together, even if it is a vehicle, I am the driver. The entire nation sits watchful, as you and I navigate this vehicle. We must hold each other responsible. We have to do the job to meet the expectations of all Nigerians. God be with you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 21, 2023
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Sanwo-Olu, blessing to Lagos State, says Adeyinka Adedoyin
Lagos leader, Adeyinka Adedoyin, on Tuesday applauded the leadership qualities of the member representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Desmond Olushola Elliot, describing him as an inspiring leader.
“Honourable Desmond Olushola Elliot has become the standard yardstick to measure performance of politicians in Surulere”
He also heaped praise on the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for translating the hopes and dreams of the people into reality and creating for Lagos State an environment of good order and civilization.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deserves credit for addressing challenging issues facing Lagos State, protecting the interests of the people and channelling his energies towards executing projects that ameliorate the suffering of the people.
Adedoyin spoke on the prospect of re-electing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Desmond Elliot during catch the vote rally in Alaka, Surulere Local Government Area.
He commended Sanwo-Olu for articulating a clear, compelling and attainable vision for the people, developing the state and empowering the people.
Particularly, the Lagos APC leader extolled the leadership qualities and proven records of service of Sanwo-Olu, urging the good people of the state to reject other parties in the March 11 governorship elections. ”We are on track. The process of re-electing Sanwo-Olu and Desmond Olushola Elliot is expected to be a formality”.
He eulogized the Lagos lawmaker for his vision, maturity, leadership style and his service to the wonderful people of Surulere Constituency 1.
“A change is not on the cards. The result of the House of Assembly election won’t surprise anyone. Desmond Elliot deserves another term”
Adedoyin said Elliot’s opponents would suffer a humiliating electoral defeat.
“The choice of the people is not in doubt. The people have confidence in Desmond Olushola Elliot” the Lagos leader said.
He lauded the member representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly for delivering verifiable and functional projects in the constituency, raising the standard of living through his poverty alleviation programs, electrification and water schemes, construction and rehabilitation of schools across the constituency and facilitating employment and admission for a lot of people in the constituency.
“Even acknowledged authorities in the field of politics and government recognize the efforts of Elliot in the development of the constituency. He is an outstanding lawmaker and deserves re-election”.
The Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain also praised Desmond Elliot for initiating free health care for the people.
“Hon Desmond Olushola Elliot has done a good job. He richly deserves re-election”.
. We will deliver the project, and in due time, assures JBN MD, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed implicit confidence in the ability of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to deliver on critical construction works even as he enjoined the country’s leading construction company to once again prove its historically established, trusted and reliable engineering construction competence.
Represented by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the President spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre and the Local Content Conference Hotel both in Bayelsa state Tuesday just as former President, Goodluck Jonathan among other guests at the event lauded the award of the construction contract to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc saying that the project is in safe professional hands.
According to the President, “I trust Julius Berger will deliver the project in due time and according to specifications and timeline meant for its completion.”
He encouraged Julius Berger to, in its usual operational practice, carry their host communities along in executing the projects. Noting that the Federal Government has put needed machinery in place, including funding arrangements to ensure hitch-free delivery of the project, President Buhari urged the communities to own and protect the projects, he emphasized the need for the contractors to comply with the Community Content Guidelines of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB Act.
Said Buhari, “I hereby direct the contractors to integrate the host communities and their traditional institutions and skilled youths in the various scopes of the projects.
He further added that, “I also expect that you will build capacities where necessary to ensure a hitch-free project delivery. Specifically, I recommend that the contractors should study the Community Content Guidelines issued by the NCDMB.”
For the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Waribote, “Julius Berger is a reputable construction company in Nigeria and it is not a stranger to this terrain. I have no doubt it will put up a befitting edifice here for this project.”
Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Samuel Ogboku and the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, His Majesty, King Charles Owaba and a representative of Otuabagi, Prof. Teddy Adias expressed similar confidence in Julius Berger to do the needful on the project even as they respectively pledged their cooperation for the success of the project.
Tracing the history of Nigeria’s oil industry and its developmental impact on the country to the discovery of petroleum in commercial quantities in Oloibiri in 1956, Julius Berger’s Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, in his speech at the event stated that, “the Oloibiri Museum will showcase the history of the oil industry in Nigeria and the region, providing a platform to reflect on the past, present and the future of the industry. ” Richter added that the Oloibiri museum will also be “an essential center for education and research, providing a valuable resource of scholars, students and researchers. ”
In his now widely acknowledged proactive interest in the well-being of Julius Berger’s host communities, the company’s MD, Engr.Dr. Lars Richter also said that, “…the (Oloibiri) museum will also celebrate the unique cultural heritage of the people of Oloibiri, showcasing their life, traditions and contributions to Nigeria’s development.” He further added that “…this museum will become a source of inspiration, a place to learn and reflect, a platform for dialogue and engagement. ”
Dr. Richter thanked the Project Shareholders, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the iconic project, and for choosing Julius Berger as the prefered contractor to deliver the Olibiri Museum. Pledging the company’s professionalism and proven track records in project accomplishment, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter said, “I am confident, and without doubt, that with the strong commitment of our client and the project shareholders, Julius Berger will unfailingly deliver on the project requirements, and on time.”
Other important dignitaries at the ceremony included His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, His Excellency Timipre Sylva, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau, the Chairman of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mutiu Sunmonu, CON; and the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Osagie Okunbor.
The Oloibiri Museum and Research Center is being erected at the location where commercial quantities of oil was first discovered in 1957 by Royal Dutch Shell.
The historical museum is coming sixty-six years after the epochal discovery of hydrocarbon resources, which became a strategic and positive turning point for the Nigerian economy.
Furthermore, the Centre is being developed as a collaboration between the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and the Bayelsa State Government (BYSG).
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on February 8, 2023 awarded the contract for the Phase-1 Engineering, Procurement & Construction of the OMRC to Julius Berger. When completed, the Centre will aid the retention of historical artefacts of Nigeria’s oil and gas journey, dissemination of knowledge across generations, creation of an attractive destination for tourists, and the restoration of the image of the Oloibiri community among other numerous benefits.
Mr President, on behalf of the honourable Minister of State, Works and Housing, the Permanent Secretary and all the directors and members of staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing, I welcome you to the site of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Lafia, Nasarawa State and say with pride that we delivered on your mandate.
I also wish to state that we did not do it alone. It has taken the effort of an entire village to complete this project.
Members of this village include my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council, who voted for this project to be resurrected and completed, the Chairmen of the Senate and House committees on Housing and their members who oversighted the project and the National Assembly as a whole who approved the budget.
Other prominent members of that village include various permanent secretaries and directors of public building in a ministry who kept faith and pushed against the odds.
The village was large enough to accommodate the state Government actors to work with Federal Government actors; and the Governors of Nasarawa State from H.E Tanko Almakura and later, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the incumbent Governor, deserve acknowledgement and commendation for their contributions and support.
The peaceful environment provided by the people of Nasarawa enabled the private sector, through our contractor, Messrs Faplins Nigeria Limited to operate within our village of development.
Interestingly, the Company is owned by one Chief Linus Ukachukwu, M.O.N, a leading light of the main opposition party in Anambra State.
Although your emergence as President threw Chief Ukachukwu’s party out of Government, you did not throw Chief Ukachukwu out of business.
Mr. President, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the fulfilment of your mandate has delivered, a built-up area of 6,756 m2 of 402 offices, 300parking spaces on 10.9 hectares of land.
In the process, 172 persons were indirectly employed and engaged during the construction process. The furniture was produced in Nigeria by an indigenous contractor in conformity with your Executive Order No. 5 aimed at promoting local content.
Since the completion, we have engaged a firm of facility managers to undertake scheduled and preventive maintenance in the spirit of Executive Order No.11 for the promotion and development of the maintenance economy, as part of our job creation and prosperity initiative to lift people out of poverty.
I am able to report that the maintenance economy is also spreading across Nigeria because we have, in addition to rehabilitating 28 existing federal secretariats, employed facility managers for them and each facility manager now employs at least 40 members in sustainable long-term jobs which were not available before the maintenance programme commenced.
Mr. President, my team and I are grateful for the privilege and opportunity to serve in this capacity and for your support throughout the period.
Thank you.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing
PRESS RELEASE
LAGOS, FIRS SIGN JOINT TAX AUDIT AGREEMENT
Lagos State Government has sealed a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government to harmonise tax administration, raise system efficiency and proffer solution to challenges of multiple taxation.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, presided over a ceremony where Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint tax audit system that will address duplication of efforts and facilitate exchange of data that are relevant to enforcement of extant tax laws.
Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Clem Agba, witnessed the agreement signing event held the State House in Marina, which also had Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, Lagos Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Hon. Sam Egube, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, in attendance.
Aside from offering joint jurisdiction in tax audit and bringing about an integrated system of tax compliance, the scope of the MoU also empowered both tax authorities to exchange information sourced under International Tax Treaties in line with global protocols, while creating a common tax collection platform to eliminate double taxation.
Sanwo-Olu described the collaboration as “epoch-making”, noting that the conversation for the harmonization of the two agencies’ mandates started about a year ago, based on the need to forge a common front in widening the tax net to raise the country’s tax to GDP ratio.
The Governor observed that Nigeria had maintained an unimpressive tax to GDP ratio of between 6 to 8 per cent, despite the yearly record-breaking turnovers by both FIRS and LIRS. This, he said, has mounted pressure on the nation’s resources and created an imbalance in Government’s expenditure. Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria must operate at the same level with other nations within sub-Saharan Africa doing between 14 and 15 per cent in tax to GDP ratio in order to support the Government’s development programmes and improve accountability.
He said: “We have just witnessed an epoch-making ceremony between the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Lagos Inland Revenue Service. This collaboration did not just happen by chance; it is a conversation we started about a year ago with the chairman of FIRS when both parties reviewed their successes and limitations. It was clear there was a need for a relationship to be consummated. Both FIRS and LIRS have been breaking records of their tax collection and administration yearly, but this is not enough. We have an unimpressive tax to GDP ratio, which ranges between six and eight per cent; this is totally unacceptable.
“Studies have shown that there would be better service delivery to the citizens and improvement in efficiency of tax collection when the two agencies work together. The cost of tax collection would be reduced, we would see better customer satisfaction and more resources would be generated for the Government to deliver more dividends of democracy. For us as a State, we are humble by this collaborative effort and we believe our citizens will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this initiative. The MoU is in the best interest of the public, as it affirms the reason why we need to come together and strengthen the cordial working relationship between the two agencies.”
Sanwo-Olu said the bilateral agreement was initiated not to overburden tax-paying citizens, stressing that the objective was to widen the tax base and bring more people to equitability. With a sustainable tax administration system, the Governor said more resources would accrue to the Government to reduce social burden and take care of the vulnerable.
The Governor observed that the sizes of Lagos’s budget were significantly lesser than what the State should be appropriating. He said the market study indicated a N5 trillion budget benchmark for the State, given the size of the State economy’s GDP. With the collaborative effort, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos may have been on the right track to raise its budget level to what it should be.
He said: “Our Government will continue to raise the bar, so that we can do a lot more with more resources. This collaboration is not to overburden our citizens; it is to widen the tax base and bring people to equitability. This will reduce social burden, because we would have enough resources to take care of the vulnerable.
“This collaboration is a win-win for both agencies and our citizens. It means the Government can do a lot more for the residents and provide resources to take care of their needs in health, in education, safety and security, and in everything that makes life meaningful to our people. We are set to remove red tape in the entire tax administration. This is another beginning for a mutually beneficial relationship between FIRS and LIRS.”
Agba said the dwindling oil revenue necessitated the need to expand the nation’s tax base to fund development projects. The minister said duplication of efforts by both agencies would lower the efficiency of both Lagos and Federal governments in resource generation, while limiting both parties to collect tax.
The collaboration, the minister said, would not short-change each party, but rather bolster the parties to raise finance to bridge infrastructure gap in their respective domains.
FIRS chairman, Mr. Mohammed Nami, said the MoU would help both agencies to build capacity in respective areas of specialisation while helping Lagos and Federal governments to raise revenues for projects and development programmes.
“We will work together as a team during the investigation and have an automatic exchange of information. With this, we will be able to carry out our mandate seamlessly. As part of the joint operation, we will be able to implement presumptive tax as far as issues of tax administration are concerned,” Nami said.
LIRS chairman, Mr. Ayo Subair, said the collaboration would bring about quick solutions to tax disputes and incidents, thereby creating seamless reconciliation of issues. He listed other expectations to include reduced administration costs for both tax authorities and the elimination of hiding places for recalcitrant taxable persons and entities.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
06 FEBRUARY 2023
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU COMMISERATES WITH FUNKE AKINDELE OVER MOTHER’S DEATH
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sympathized with the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos, Ms Funke Akindele over the death of her beloved mother, Dr. RB Adebanjo-Akindele.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile on Tuesday said it is often hard to find the right words at a time like this for someone who has lost a beloved person, noting that losing mothers is one of the deepest sorrows for man.
The Governor prayed for peace, comfort, courage and love for Funke, his immediate siblings, the Adebanjo and Akindele families as they go through a most difficult period of mourning of the dead.
He said: “My heart goes out to Funke, friends of the Adebanjo and Akindele families on the demise of their daughter, mother and grandmother, Dr. RB Adebanjo-Akindele who answered the ultimate call today, Tuesday 7th of February, 2023.
“Death of loved ones, whenever it happens, is usually a very painful episode but we must be consoled by the good life lived by the deceased person. We should relish in the beautiful memories the dead left behind for us.
The Governor urged the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, to be comforted by the good life that her late mother lived and continue to pray for the repose of Dr. RB Adebanjo-Akindele.
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Lagos State, I hereby express my heartfelt condolences to the entire families and friends of Adebanjo and Akindele.
May God grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
TO THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE
7TH FEBRUARY, 2023
Rivers PDP 2023 Election Campaign Council Faults Allegation By Atiku’s Supporters
The Director-General of Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Campaign Council, Bro Felix Obuah has dismissed as hollow and baseless the allegation by Atiku’s supporters in the state against Governor Nyesom Wike as the mastermind of the arrest of some members of the group by the police.
Bro. Obuah who picked holes in the allegation said the statement contradicted itself with the differing positions of the spokesman for the group, Victor Moses and the spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in the State, Leloonu Nwibubasa who denied knowledge of the incident to a news outlet in Port Harcourt.
This shows, according to the PDP 2023 Election Campaign Council that the reason for the police arrest if there was any arrest at all, could be personal and had nothing to do with politics let alone involving the Executive Governor of the State who could not descend so low to get involved in infantile campaign groups.
Bro. Obuah, the immediate State PDP Chairman and frontline politician in Rivers State described as unfortunate the evolving culture of drawing attention to unfounded issues and inconsequential persons by mentioning the name, and pointing accusing fingers at the person of the Governor simply to make news.
He however, expressed joy that the security operatives and law enforcement agencies are not lost to this misnomer and will always bring their professional expertise to bear in handling such matters.
Bro. Obuah also warned those in this habit of fomenting trouble in the state for whatever motives to note that misinformation and disinformation remain a serious offence and breach of the Nigerian law.
The PDP Campaign Council DG, appealed to the supporters of the Rivers PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and all the other PDP candidates in the state to disregard such insinuations meant to distract their attention and remain vigilant and steadfast in their support for Governor Nyesom Wike and the State PDP-led government.
Signed
Jerry Needam
Secretary,
Directorate of Publicity & Communication
Rivers State PDP Campaign Council
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
A firm of legal practitioners, Demaki & Demaki, on Wednesday clarified its petition to President Muhammadu Bubari
‘’Our petition to the President was evidently laced with proofs on the modus operandi of the said Navy Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi in taking out political opponents of the Governor of Kogi State.
The legal firm also said an offence was committed by the Commander of Navy Special Forces; Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi and the families of the victims of Commander Akalezi’s brutality, killings, kidnappings and maiming in exercising their constitutional rights engaged the services of law firm which in turn petitioned the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to investigate the atrocities committed by Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi and bring him to justice.
‘’There was never a place in our petition to the President or the Chief of Naval Staff where the Nigeria Military was berated; rather we informed Mr. President that the actions of Navy Commander Uchendu Akalezi were denting the image of the disciplined members of the Nigeria Armed Forces. We refer members of the public to paragraph 12 of our open petition to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 29th day of January, 2023’’.
In another petition to President Buhari, the law firm said its earlier petitions stated the names of the victims of Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi, the dates and time these persons were either kidnapped, killed and molested by Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi’.
Entitled ‘’ The urgent need to arrest and prosecute politicians trying to scuttle the 2023 elections by blackmailing our military, the legal firm said those who signed the said petition by the Coalition of the United Political Parties to President Muhammadu Buhari do not know the meaning of a Petition and the difference between a petition and blackmail.
‘’That if the said undersigned to the said petition of the Coalition of United Political Parties painstakingly read through our law firm’s petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, they would have seen that we were briefed by the families of the victims of the abductions, killings and intimidation of Navy Commander Charles Akalezi who is the personal hitman of the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to take out perceived political opponents of the Governor’’.
The legal practitioners emphasized the purpose for responding to the CUPP petition.
‘’As a firm of Legal Practitioners; we would not have replied the vexatious, monetary induced and biased petition by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) written to President Muhammadu Buhari on the 31st of January, 2023 but for the sake of posterity and to further set the records straight ‘’
Calling the Coalition of United Political Parties a tool being used by the Government of Kogi State to further frustrate and truncate our petitions to the President and Chief of Naval of Staff to investigate Navy Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi and bring him to justice, the law firm said every right thinking person or organization who goes through its petitions to the President and that of the Chief of Naval Staff will support it and call for the investigation of Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi and if found culpable be brought to justice.
“ A Petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or a public entity. It is evident that the undersigned of the CUPP petition are meddlesome interlopers who have no business in the petition our law firm wrote to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and they have no right in berating our law firm in carrying out its constitutional duties as lawyers and solicitors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’’.
They described CUPP leaders as halfwits.
‘’That if we are sure of our claims, the proper channel to bring Commander Akalezi to justice is through Fundamental Rights Application. It clearly shows that CUPP despite boasting of having Professionals and Intellectuals in their Midst are halfwits and clearly don’t understand our claims. Our claim and accusations against Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi is criminal in nature to wit Kidnappings, killings and maiming of our Clients and it is in that regards we have petitioned the President, The Chief of Naval Staff and the Inspector General of Police whom are empowered by law to investigate Crimes committed against the Citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’’.
The letter signed by the firm’s Principal partner, Shedrack M. Demaki ESQ urged Nigerians to ask the members of the Coalition of United Political Parties the interest they are serving.
‘’Why is CUPP crying more than the accused? The ball is now in your court; Coalition of United Political Parties. We wish to state if the Governor of kogi State and Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi hands are clean and our accusations are frivolous let them come out and defend same instead of hiding under CUPP who have clearly shown their bias and are only interested in their selfish gains’’
The legal practitioners called on the President to use his good Office to call the Chief of Naval Staff to order the investigation, arrest of Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi for him to be brought to justice for all his crimes and atrocities.
‘’One begins to wonder when the Coalition of United Political Parties became the mouthpiece of Mr. President and the Chief of Naval Staff or that of the Governor of Kogi State.
……………………………………………………………………………….
1 st February, 2023
HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,
STATE HOUSE,
FCT ABUJA
SIR, RE:THE URGENT NEED TO ARREST AND PROSECUTE POLITICIANS TRYING TO SCUTTLE THE 2023 ELECTIONS BY BLACKMAILING OUR MILITARY. The above subject matter refers.
As a firm of Legal Practitioners; we would not have replied the vexatious, monetary induced and biased petition by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) written to President Muhammadu Buhari on the 31st of January, 2023 but for the sake of posterity and to further set the records straight hence this rejoinder and we state as follows;
Flowing from the above indices, one begins to wonder when the Coalition of United Political Parties became the mouthpiece of Mr. President and the Chief of Naval Staff or that of the Governor of Kogi State.
It clearly shows that the Coalition of United Political Parties is now also a tool being used by the Government of Kogi State to further frustrate and truncate our petitions to the President and Chief of Naval of Staff to investigate Navy Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi and bring him to justice.
Every right thinking person or organization who goes through our petitions to the President and that of the Chief of Naval Staff will support it and call for the investigation of Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi and if found culpable be brought to justice.
We further wish to correct an impression CUPP is trying to create that if we are sure of our claims, the proper channel to bring Commander Akalezi to justice is through Fundamental Rights Application. It clearly shows that CUPP despite boasting of having Professionals and Intellectuals in their Midst are halfwits and clearly don’t understand our claims. Our claim and accusations against Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi is criminal in nature to wit Kidnappings, killings and maiming of our Clients and it is in that regards we have petitioned the President, The Chief of Naval Staff and the Inspector General of Police whom are empowered by law to investigate Crimes committed against the Citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The question Nigerians need to ask the undersigned of the Coalition of United Political Parties is whose interest are they serving?
Why is CUPP crying more than the accused? All these questions are begging for answers. The ball is now in your court; Coalition of United Political Parties. We also wish to state if the Governor of kogi State and Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi hands are clean and our accusations are frivolous, let them come out and defend the same instead of hiding under CUPP who have clearly shown their bias and are only interested in their selfish gains. Finally, we call on the President to use his good Office to call the Chief of Naval Staff to order the investigation, arrest of Commander Uchendu Nicholas Akalezi for him to be brought to justice for all his crimes and atrocities.
Yours Faithfully
For: DEMAKI & DEMAKI
SHEDRACK .M. DEMAKI ESQ
(PRINCIPAL PARTNER)
Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-olu has commended Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the quality and progress of the ongoing works being executed on the Opebi-Mende-Ojota link bridges and roads project. The project is conceived by the Lagos State Government to ease the flow of traffic on the critical axis from Ikeja as well as to mitigate the intense inbound traffic from Ibadan into Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu announced the commencement of the construction of the project January 26, 2022 revealing that it was conceived over 20 years ago. He thus described the project as a legacy of his administration to ease the burden of commuters.
Months into the project, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructures, Engr. Mrs Aramide Adeyoye recalled that with a total length of 3.9 kilometres, the project was designed to provide direct link between Opebi, Mende, Maryland and Ojota to Ikorodu road. Adding that the bridge would reduce the perennial traffic on Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, and traffic on other roads around the environment, Aramide said the project, designed in conjunction with the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, will not only provide infrastructure solution, but also a transport solution that ensures value and relief for the motoring public.
During his assessment visit to the site Monday, the Governor inspected the precast site and the site of the major bridge where tremendous progress has been accomplished in the laying of beams on the pillar frameworks of the bridges being constructed.
On completion of the inspection, the Governor told Julius Berger engineers on site: ‘‘I thank you very much. It is great to see this vision coming to such good reality. Keep it up. I thank the staff of the state ministry of works too.‘‘
Project Manager, Engr. Dennysenko later said: ‘‘…we are aware of the importance and relevance of this project to the economy and ease of life for the people of Lagos State. So we will not fail in doing what we are expected to do to put in place the much- needed relief to commuters and residents in the affected areas.‘‘ Engr. Dennysenko, with profound professional confidence, added that‚ ‘‘…Julius Berger is committed to join the government in its efforts to provide infrastructure that would be complemented by decent inter-modal transportation system, befitting of a mega city like Lagos.‘‘
On the governor’s entourage were the State Commissioners for Budget, Sam Egube, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde and the Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructures Engr. Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, among others.
Julius Berger- NSE news
–Nigerian Society of Engineers at Lagos Awards Ceremony
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has been described as a company habitually, brilliantly benchmarking engineering professionalism in the country; always intentional and progressive in its policy to make life comfortable and easy for the Nigerian people through its project implementation plans, works and ancilary initiatives.
Speaking at its 2023 Annual Public Lecture, Awards Ceremony and General Meeting in Lagos Thursday, Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Highways and Transportation Engineers, NIHTE, Engr. Adenuga Opanuga, Mnse said, Julius Berger among others is full of wisdom to make life comfortable for all by the way they professionally discharge their contractual responsibilities in their sector. We have been on with Julius Berger in the past three years and we have all along worked together for good.‘
Adding that the frontline engineering construction company has made so much positive impact on lives in Nigeria, Engr. Opanuga said, ‘that is why they are deserving of the unique Award The Company for Engineering Construction of Highways in Nigeria.‘
He praised the widening landscape for Nigerian professionals in engineering construction practice, saying that the pioneering, sustained and enduring efforts of Julius Berger largely accounted for the positive development.
Our awardees are well respected, experienced, professionals, individuals, agents, companies and organisations who have made vital and important contributions in various fields of engineering, most especially, on highway and transportation engineering in Nigeria, he concluded.
The Lagos Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Adekunle Bello, Mnse, in his welcome address said that the Awards ceremony was ‘a recognition for professionals and corporate organisations who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the engineering profession in different areas of the society.‘
In all, 15 individual and three corporate Awards were given at the event jointly organised by the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE and the Nigerian Institution of Highways and Transportation Engineers, NIHTE.
Speaking after receiving the award on behalf of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, leader of the company’s team to the event, Engr. Adegbenga Osunlana expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, and the Nigerian Institution of Highways and Transportation Engineers, NIHTE, for deeming the company worthy of the award saying that, ‘…we are appreciative of this award and we thank you for it.‘ Emphasising that Julius Berger has produced and continues to produce good and productive engineers, he said, ‘…thankfully, they are making their marks in their endeavours.‘ He mentioned the current Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructures, Engr. (Mrs) Aramide Adeyoye and the Managing Director of Prodeco Engineering Services, Engr. Simeon Olayemi Alabi, both former staff of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc making their marks in the larger society.
Besides Engr. Osunlana, other members of the Julius Berger team at the event were Engr. Rasheedat Anifowoshe and Emmanuel Isibor.
19th January, 2023.
OKPE UNION NEC PRESS RELEASE ON THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGEMENT ON THE OKPE UNION SUIT
Earlier today, the Lead Counsel in our substantive case at the Federal High Court, Lagos, Barr. Victor Ogude, SAN, informed the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union that the judgement has been delivered in favour of the Okpe Union led by Prof Igho Natufe.
Recall that the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union had approached the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to, among other reliefs:
Since the purported dissolution, the democratically elected leadership of the Okpe Union sought avenues for a peaceful resolution of the conflict with HRM Orhue l to no avail. Believing in the righteousness of our position, anchored on the imperative of democratic practice and the need to enthrone and sustain democracy in Okpe Nation, we sued the leadership of the illegal interim regime and prayed the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to prohibit them from parading themselves as leaders of the Okpe Union. In his judgement today, January 19, 2023, Hon. Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa ruled in our favour as all our reliefs against the illegal interim regime were granted. In the view of a highly respected Okpe elder, this was “an avoidable” conflict if only reason had prevailed on October 3, 2020.
While the judgement is a huge victory for the Okpe Union, we strongly emphasize that it is primarily a victory for the entire Okpe Nation as it establishes a solid base for the building of democratic institutions in Okpe Kingdom. It is a victory for pluralism in Okpe Nation and respect for the Constitution and autonomy of the Okpe Union.
Thus, this is a victory for ALL Okpe, including our brothers and sisters that participated in or supported the purported interim regime. They are welcome to any of the branches of Okpe Union. The Okpe Union tent is big enough to accommodate all Okpe that are genuinely interested and committed to the articulation and recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, and not a sub-group of any ethnic nationality. It remains our firm belief that the growth and development of Okpe Nation can only be achieved via a successful pursuit of the Okpe Identity agenda.
In conclusion, we thank members of the Okpe Union in Nigeria, and in the Diaspora as well as other Okpe nationals for their steadfast support of the Union. Let us continue this exceptional spirit of unity that has defined the trajectory of Okpe Union since its inception in 1930.
God Bless the Okpe Union!
God Bless the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom!
God Bless the Okpe Nation!
Signed:
*Prof. O. Igho Natufe,*
President General.
*Akpederin Kingsley Ehensiri Esq.,*
General Secretary.