Tag Archives: Decries

UNIABUJA VC Decries Activities Of Herdsmen, Land Speculators

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The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Micheal Umale Adikwu, yesterday, in Abuja condemned the activities of herdsmen and land poachers whom he accused of constituting a threat to the security of students, stable academic activities, and the overall growth and development of the university

Adikwu, who stated this in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammadu Bello, said students in the university campus are virtually struggling for space with their cattle which also pollutes the environment and makes it difficult for virile academic activity,

His words: “We were informed that the university land was given to the herdsmen after some fight that earlier took place elsewhere and the herdsmen were displaced. Today, they constitute a threat to our students. Our campus is littered with cattle all day long.”

The VC also solicited for assistance in addressing the issue of massive encroachment on the institution’s 11,000 hectares of land.

He said, “The university land is being encroached on massively in Angwan Dodo, Gwako I and II, Giri village and in Sauka and Sabon-Iddo on the Gwagwalada-Abuja highway.

“The Gwagwalada Area Council is not helping matters as it was providing amenities in the villages, thereby attracting more settlers. The possibility of fencing the university’s land and compensation for the original inhabitants may stem the tide of encroachment.”

Responding, the minister emphasized the need to set up a joint team to identify the areas that belong to the university and promised to issue the Certificate of Occupancy after all proper documentations and relevant payments are made.

The minister however said that the university land was too big for a single institution, saying that land was no longer available in Abuja.

He said “Do you really need 11,000 hectares? Because the reality is that land is no longer available in Abuja and the reality is that no institution will be able to develop the land, and as long as the land is not developed, encroachment will happen,” .

Credit:

http://dailytimes.ng/uniabuja-vc-decries-activities-herdsmen-land-poachers/

Buhari Decries Blackmail Of Senior Government Officials

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President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to discerning Nigerians to ignore orchestrated attempts to sully the integrity of senior government officials, who are being tarred with the brush of corruption without any concrete evidence.

The president made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

Buhari, according to the statement, was reacting to online media reports, alleging that the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, is being investigated over crude oil swap deals and gas lifting during his tenure as GMD of the petroleum corporation.

The statement quoted President Buhari as appealing for decent and civilised comments, “particularly when it has to do with the integrity of those who are serving the country.

“Terrible and unfounded comments about other people’s integrity are not good.

“We are not going to spare anybody who soils his hands, but people should please wait till such individuals are indicted.”

Buhari reiterated the administration’s commitment to probity, accountability and integrity, promising that transparency remained a watchword, which would never be trifled with.

Credit: Guardian

Adamawa Govt Decries Injustice In Federal Appointments

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The Adamawa State Government has expressed concern over injustice in appointments in the Federal Civil Service.

Governor Jibrilla Bindow made this known, on Monday, while receiving members of the Adamawa State Investment and Inter-governmental Affairs Committee at Government House Yola.

He said that his administration would work hard with a view to correcting the injustice.

He noted that the state did not meet up its statutory quarter in the federal civil service, expressing hope that the APC-led federal government would, henceforth, ensure fairness in appointments.

“I will pursue this injustice meted out on our state, especially in the area of appointments in the Federal Civil Service. I will draw the attention of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to correct the anomalies.

“I strongly believe that the APC-led federal government will be fair to Adamawa in subsequent appointments in the federal service,” Bindow said.

Credit: DailyTimes

NDLEA Decries Death Sentence On Nigerian In Malaysia

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The acting Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Roli Bode-George, has decried the death sentence passed on a Nigerian, Ekene Collins Isaac, by a Malaysian High Court.

Ekene, 37, was found guilty of smuggling 915.6g of methamphetamine, commonly known as ecstasy or MDMA, into Malaysia three years ago.

The High Court judge, Datuk Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim, said the prosecution had proven Isaac’s guilt beyond doubt as she passed down the death sentence.

A statement by the Head, Public Affairs of the agency, Ofoyeju Mitchell, said Roli, however, promised that diplomatic efforts would be explored to save the convict and assured Nigerians that the agency would maintain total alertness in drug detection operation all through the year.

She gave the assurance while speaking on the discovery of drugs in tin packs and arrest of a suspected drug trafficker on Boxing Day at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos with substances that tested positive to cocaine on his way from Brazil. The drug packed in six wraps weighing 120 grammes was inserted into his anus.

The second suspect wanted to export a consignment containing 1.860kg of methamphetamine sealed in tin tomato paste to South Africa when he was arrested.

“The Nigerian government will work to protect every citizen from untimely death resulting from drug trafficking and drug abuse. We shall remain vigilant at all times and prevent drug trafficking syndicates from smuggling narcotic drugs in and out of the country. While respecting the laws of other countries, the federal government will explore diplomatic means to prevent capital punishment on citizens,” George said.

Credit: Thisday

NUPENG Decries Lingering Fuel Crisis, Kicks Against Subsidy Removal

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NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has reaffirmed its aversion to oil subsidy removal, insisting that such a move can only be carried out when government has fully effected the complete turn around maintenance of four refineries to enable them produce optimally.

While vowing that the union would resist anti-people policies from the Federal Government, President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, said, the refineries when put in use would cushion the hardship subsidy removal would have on the people.

In a related development, oil workers have alleged that the revised Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) due for presentation to the National Assembly contains anti-labour provisions.

President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Francis Johnson, who stated this yesterday at the union’s 4th triennial delegates’ conference, explained that oil workers will resist any provision that promotes job losses.

In a 10-point communique issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC), meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NUPENG attributed the cause of the perennial fuel scarcity to the manner the Federal Government managed the subsidy, stressing that the union was watching how the policies were implemented.

He said: “The union condemned in its entirety the perennial and persistent fuel scarcity in the country and the hardship imposed on the masses, especially at this festive period.

In the circumstance, the NEC in session calls on the Federal Government and NNPC to flood the market with petroleum products to arrest the current prevalent fuel scarcity in the country.
“The current way and manner the subsidy issue is being managed is responsible for the fuel scarcity experienced across the country”, he added.

Credit: Guardian

Ribadu Decries Yola Bomb Attack

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The losing governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has expressed sadness at the death of 13 people after a bomb attack in Yola.

Several others were injured on Thursday following an explosion that ripped through the Jimeta main market in the capital of the state.

“I just got the heart-wrenching news of a terrible bomb blast near the popular Jimeta market in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State. I am in utter shock and state of devastation.  I find it quite saddening that for the first time since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency the murderous terrorists have succeeded in shattering the peace of Yola,” Ribadu said.

Ribadu said several attempts by terrorists to penetrate Yola in the past were foiled through efficient government-citizen mechanism of alertness.

He thus encouraged the people of the stated not be discouraged by the latest attack. “Though the terrorists have gotten away with their plan this time, we should not allow them to tear our spirit. Several of their attempts to penetrate Yola in the past were foiled through efficient government-citizen mechanism of alertness. It can still be done. The people must not be cowered,” he said.

Ribadu extended his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the attack and pray for the quick healing of those injured in the attack.

“Though I am presently far away from home, my thoughts and prayers are with the people at this trying time,” he said.

“Let me use this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the attack. May the lost of the departed find repose in the nicest of places and may God almighty provide quick healing for the injured victims and recompense those who lost their means of livelihood,” Ribadu added.

Adamawa, alongside Borno and Yobe, are worst affected by attacks by the outlawed Boko Haram sect.

Credit: CAJ News