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  • Sanwo-Olu to eliminate delay in building plan approval

    The Lagos State Government says it is set to eliminate delays in the issuance of building plan approvals to curb illegal developments.

    Dr Idris Salako, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, said in a statement on Tuesday that there was the need to ensure harmonious development of the physical environment of Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Salako spoke during a working visit to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Agency (LASPPA) and the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA).

    The commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mr Kabir Abdullahi and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Foluso Dipe.

    The Commissioner said that factors causing delays in issuing building plan approvals would be examined thoroughly, with a view to easing the process and eliminating the delays.

    ”We are determined to streamline the process and enhance inter-agency collaboration where necessary to eliminate delays in issuing building plan approvals.

    ”Bottlenecks create unnecessary backlogs and encourage illegal developments,” he said.

    Salako said that it had become incumbent upon officers in the Ministry to deliver effective and efficient service to the people in the most expedient manner, since their services directly impacted on the well being of the people.

    He urged staff of the ministry to support government’s initiatives and be true ambassadors of the Lagos State Government in words and deeds.

    The Commissioner said that as professionals involved in regulating the built environment, the staff played critical role in the harmonious development of the physical environment of Lagos State.

    Salami said that he had set to work in earnest and would leave no stone unturned to actualise the mandate of the present administration in the built environment sector.

    He urged Lagosians to cooperate with the government by sharing its vision of building right.

    The Commissioner urged enforcement officers to always endeavour to monitor the process of building from the infant stage, as this would help developers build right and save Lagosians from the agony of demolitions and building collapse.

    Also speaking at the tour, the Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mr Kabir Abdullahi, acknowledged efforts of LASURA on slum upgrade.

    Abdullahi urged the agency to produce iconic designs for Lagos State as the state was known for its excellence.

    (NAN)

  • Be transparent in defence budget, ex-NDC chief tells minister

    A former Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade (rtd.), has advised Defence Minister Bashir Magashi to ensure accountability in the utilisation and spending of defence budget.

    Alade also advised him to implement the National Defence Policy.

    The former NDC commandant, who spoke with The Nation in Lagos, noted that accountability would rebuild public trust in the Armed Forces and win the masses’ support in counter-insurgency warfare.

    He also urged the minister to understudy the various threats plaguing the country.

    Alade said about 80 per cent of the nation’s security challenges was internal, which requires thorough understanding to confront.

    The ex-NDC commandant noted that the implementation of the National Defence Policy would make positive changes in the Armed Forces and fast-track the rehabilitation of the Defence Industry, a key driver of innovation and job opportunities.

    Read Also: Defence Minister: we’ll overhaul security architecture

    He said: “The Defence Minister should study the current threat assessment of the country, both internal and external. Everybody knows our major problem is internal. So, the security and military architecture should be essentially geared towards solving our internal security problems.

    “The Defence Minister must, as much as possible, implement the harmonised policy of the Armed Forces – Army, Navy and Air Force. The National Defence Policy, which was approved, should be implemented. There will be a lot of differences in our security architecture if that policy is implemented.”

    “The policy takes care of everything, including strengthening of the Defence Industry.

    The policy is key and they should not pay lip service to it. The defence institutions must be properly funded. The minister should ensure accountability in the utilisation of defence budget and spending.”

  • Fed Govt joins forces with U.S. to track FBI 77 suspects

    THERE is no respite for the 63 Nigerians on the United States (U.S.) watch list.

    Seventy seven Nigerians were among 80 suspects named by the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California Mr Nick Hanna on August 22 for conniving with others to dupe unsuspecting victims.

    The Federal Government on Monday pledged to support the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to bring the suspects to justice.

    A 252-count U.S. federal grand jury unsealed by Mr. Hanna, charged the 77 Nigerians with participating in a massive conspiracy to steal millions of dollars.

    It accused the suspects of taking the funds through a Los Angeles-based money laundering network.

    The indictment was unsealed after law enforcement authorities, led by the FBI, arrested 14 suspects across the United States. Eleven of the arrests took place in the Los Angeles region. The FBI has declared a manhunt for those at large.

    Since the news broke, Nigerians have condemned the activities of the cybercrime suspects, for dragging the name of Nigeria in the mud.

    The Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC on Monday said the Federal Government “condemns such criminal acts in all ramifications”.

    The statement signed by Senior Counsellor/Head of Chancery, Mr Mohammed Suleiman, on behalf of Ambassador Sylvanus Nsofor, expressed the government’s “willingness to cooperate with the government of the U.S. in accordance with the laid-down universal human rights and due legal processes in the interest of our nation.”

    It however added that “the Embassy wishes to reaffirm that Nigerians are a generally law-abiding and hardworking people wherever they are, including in the U.S.

    It appealed to Nigerian citizens in the U.S.  ”to remain calm and continue to observe the laws of the host country at all times.”

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had promised to fish out the suspects. EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu said he suspected that the number of Nigerian suspects would be more than 77 going by the joint operation of the EFCC and the FBI in the past few months.

    He said the EFCC would watch developments and cooperate with the U.S agency on cybercrimes.

    Magu added “We’ll cooperate with other stakeholders and other law enforcement agencies in this country and outside the country like the FBI and the NCA and other law enforcement agencies in the neigbouring countries to make sure we deal with this issue.

    “We’ll also deal with all Nigerians who connive with other Nigerians just like the one that just happened where want to do everything to defraud this country.

    Read Also: US massive wire frauds: EFCC’ll fish out suspects, Magu vows

    “I told you that it was a joint operation here in Nigeria. I don’t have the details now and we have not been contacted but they’ve acknowledged our participation in their release but I do not have the details because what we have is even more than 77 maybe we must have screened some out.

    “Maybe the information they’ve given us did not include the operations they’ve carried both here and America. We need to go through the record to give you the exact figures.

    “When you go outside this country, the search exercise they subject you to the moment they realise you are a Nigerian is humiliating. So if we don’t address this and allow the activities of the 419ers to resume, it will be bad.

    “For us at the EFCC, we’ll continue to cooperate with both within and outside Nigeria to stop this menace. I want you to give us information and we’ll raid all their hideouts.”

    He described the indictment of 77 Nigerians as very sad and unfortunate.

    “It is very sad that the era of this 419ers is coming back. I remember we worked with the American FBI particularly in Lagos and its environment in an operation tagged ‘Wire-Wire’. They (FBI) mentioned that we are one of the agencies that actually participated in the operation and it was very successful.

    “But only to come out with the list of this 77 Nigerians is very unfortunate,”he said.

     

  • Kyari didn’t influence Oyo-Ita’s investigation, says EFCC 

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday said the ongoing probe of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita was not instigated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

    It said its investigation has always been evidence-based and most often triggered by petitions or intelligence.

    The agency said it is an independent agency created by law to fight corruption without fear or favour.

    The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren against the backdrop of the ongoing investigation of a N3billion fraud in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to reports by a section of the media, insinuating that the ongoing investigation of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita by the commission was instigated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam  Abba Kyari.

    “The commission wishes to state that there is no truth in these claims, and urges the general public to disregard the reports as the handiwork of mischief makers.

    Read Also: Oyo-Ita makes surprise appearance at Aso Villa

    “For the avoidance of doubt, investigation by the EFCC is evidence-based. Most often, they  are triggered by petitions or intelligence.

    “In the case of the HoS, Oyo- Ita’s investigation, it was prompted by intelligence received by the Commission.

    “The EFCC is an independent agency created by law to fight corruption without fear or favour. In the discharge of its mandate, the commission does not take instructions from extraneous bodies neither will it lend itself to be used to settle scores by anyone.

    “The commission again wishes to appeal to the media to be circumspect in their reportage and not lend themselves to actions that could befuddle the activities of the commission.”

  • APC panel disqualifies Jibrin, Audu, Lulu, Irukera, others

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee for the Kogi State governorship primary has disqualified 12 of the 16 aspirants from running for the party’s ticket.

    The party generated about N363 million from the 16 aspirants, including  Governor Yahaya Bello and three members of the Prince Abubakar Audu family.

    In the report signed by the six members of the screening committee headed by Senator Hope Uzodinma and submitted to the National Working Committee, a copy of which was obtained by The Nation, only four of the 16 aspirants were cleared.

    Apart from Bello, who was cleared by the committee, other aspirants that got the nod are Abubakar Bashir, Ekele Aishat Blessing and a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hassan Abdullahi

    Each of the aspirants paid N20 million for nomination form and N2.5 million for expression of interest form to contest the primary.

    The four-page document states the reasons why each of the aspirants were disqualified are ranging from non-membership of the party, discrepancies in age, invalid nomination among others.

    Among those disqualified are former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Usman Jibrin, former President of the Nigeria Football Federation Sani Lulu Abdullahi and former Director-General of the Consumer Protection Council, Babatunde Irukera.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Court dismisses suits over Kogi APC’s leadership dispute, choice of primary

    Three members of the Prince Abubakar Audu family, Mohammed Abubakar Audu, Mustapha Mona Audu and their uncle, Prince Yahaya Audu were barred.

    Those disqualified and reasons for their disqualification are listed below:

    • Prof. Mohammed Seidu Onailu for parading two different dates of birth. The aspirant admits to it and has no reasonable explanation to give; not a financial member of the party and incomplete nomination form;
    • Usman Oyibe Jibrin: Discrepancy in the date of birth. One, 16/09/1959 and on his passport, 16/09/1960. The aspirants admitted the error and apologised; not a financial member of the party, no evidence of support to the party and invalid membership card;
    • Mustapha Mona Audu: Invalid nomination process; not a financial member of the party. No evidence of financial contribution to the party, certificate of birth or declaration of age not attached;
    • Hadiza Iyoma Ibrahim: No supporting document/credentials, buy only police extract, invalid nomination by members of the party and not a financial member of the party;
    • Yahaya Odidi Audu: Invalid declaration of age and not a financial member of the party;
    • Sani Lulu Abdullahi: Not a financial member of the party and not registered in his ward;
    • Gen. Patrick AAdenu Akpa: Unsigned and invalid nomination form and not a financial member of the party;
    • Engr. Danlami Umar Mohammed: Not a financial member of the party, invalid party membership card and invalid nomination;
    • Yakubu Mohammed: He was disqualified for not being a financial member of the party and invalid nomination;
    • Babatunde Ayo Kunle Irukera: Invalid declaration of age, spent less than one year in the party and without a waiver, academic credentials and supporting documents not attached, a committed party member and nomination form not duly signed;
    • Rukkaya Ibrahim: Incomplete nomination form, no PVC, invalid declaration of age and not a committed party member; and
    • Mohammed Abubakar Audu: Invalid nomination form, not a financial member.

    The report added that “the committee received separate sets of petitions against some of the aspirants and are hereby attached. The screening was concluded at about 9.30pm.

    “We thank and appreciate the APC National Working Committee led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the confidence reposed on the chairman and member of the committee and hope that the committee’s recommendations will bring peace, harmony and unity that will ensure the victory of the party at the November 16 general election.”

    The report was signed by Uzodinma Senator Abdullahi Gumel, Bernard Mikko, Stella Okotete, Major-General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd) and Dr. Adamu Abba, who served as the committee secretary.

  • Buratai assures oil firms of safe environment

    THE Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has reiterated the Army’s commitment to ensuring safe and secure environment for oil companies to operate in the country.

    Gen. Buratai gave the assurance when the Managing Director of Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mike Sangster, led the management team to visit him in Abuja on Monday.

    According to him, the Army would continue to collaborate with and support the oil companies to ensure smooth operations in the country, especially in the Niger Delta.

    He said: “We know that your work is key to our economy and development, and we will do everything possible to ensure that lives and property of all the oil companies in the Niger Delta are protected. We are working on our updated strategy to ensure that we provide the needed security.

    “We will continue to support each other to provide an enabling environment for you to operate, not only in Port Harcourt, but any part of the country. The partnership which we have established, we will ensure that we make it work stronger.”

    Read Also: Burutai asked to account for spendings on military operations

    The COAS also praised Total for its support through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in terms of interventions in the barracks in Port Harcourt. He noted that the Army had maintained a long standing relationship with the company, saying such interventions had greatly imparted the troops’ morale in uplifting the standard of living with adequate accommodation.

    Sangster said the purpose was to introduce himself and appreciate the support and cooperation of the Army to Total’s business operations in Nigeria. Sangster hailed Gen. Buratai for the feat the Army had achieved in its fight against insurgency and other forms of insecurity in the country.

    He added that he also came to extend the company’s goodwill to the soldiers who daily risk their lives for the security of Nigerians and the country’s territorial integrity.

    “Our hearts are with the families of the soldiers who have paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” he added.

    The Total boss pledged that the company would sustain the cordial relationship it had maintained with the army, noting that in spite of the security challenges in the country, Total’s downstream sector had 576 service stations across Nigeria.

     

  • Youth development: Minister lays agenda for effective engagement

    The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has said that the ministry will collaborate with the stakeholders for effective Nigerian youths development.

    In his keynote address at the launch of the 2019 Future Awards Africa in Abuja, Dare said that the ministry will push for establishment and institutionalisation of the Nigerian National Youth and Sports Award.

    He said the awards, which would become operational in 2020, would motivate Nigerian youths and encourage them to embrace hard work, healthy work ethics and community development.

    ”Recently, the National Council on Youth Development adopted and approved the observance of a National Youth Day for Nigerian youths to commemorate and celebrate their achievements and contributions to the nation’s development.

    ”During the 2019 International Youth Day celebration, I made a commitment to get the necessary Federal Executive Council approvals as well as the legislation to actualise this.

    “Further to this, we will push for the establishment and institutionalisation of the Nigerian national youth and sports award, which we hope will commence in 2020.

    Read Also: Youth development: Expert calls for more investment

    “The award seeks to recognise and honour youths who have made astounding contributions in the areas of youths and sports development,” Dare said.

    He said the idea was to help project national icons that would inspire their peers and also motivate and breed patriotism among them.

    He noted that awards, as recognition, had the potential to motivate people to excel in what they do.

    “Reward and recognition are some of the primary needs of man and it is the key to human or personal fulfilment.

    “When persons are recognised and rewarded for their accomplishments, they feel a sense of fulfilment, which remains with them and continues to inspire them to achieve more.

    “It also impacts on those around them, who are inspired to strive towards success and excellence.

    “This is hugely important because today, Nigeria, like many nations, is grappling with issues such as insecurity, corruption, disorientation

    “These are traceable to breakdown or total loss of societal values as well as a lack of a coordinated and structured reward system,” Dare said. (NAN)

  • 12th African Games: Nigeria win 6 gold medals in weightlifting

    Team Nigeria has won six gold medals in weightlifting and three silver at the ongoing African Games in Morocco.

    The weightlifting event was held at the Nahda Arena in Salle Nahda.

    A former national junior lifter, Emmanuel Appah, won three gold medals in the men’s 61kg, having lifted a total of 271kg, with 120kg in snatch. He also lifted 151kg in Clean and Jerk.

    Adijat Olarinoye also won two gold and one silver in the women’s -55kg, while former national champion, Chika Amalaho won 1 gold and 2 silver medals in the women’s -55kg.

    Read Also: 12th African Games: Table tennis wins first gold medal

    It was all Team Nigeria in the final of table tennis women’s double with Cecilia Akpan and Edem Offiong defeating Funke Oshonaike and Fatimo Bello 3-2 (7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-2, 13-11).

    In track and field, Grace Anigbata claimed the gold medal in the women’s Triple Jump with 13.75m jump, while Dotun Ogundeji clinched silver medal with his last throw in the men’s Discus event.

    Nigerian gymnasts won bronze medal in the women’s team Artistic event at the Ibn Rochd Centre.

    Nigeria currently have 12 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze medals at the Games. (NAN)

  • 2019 Africa Games: Blessing Okagbare disqualified

    NIGERIA’S prospect of winning a medal in the Women’s 100m at the 12th Africa Games, was thwarted after two-time Commonwealth champion, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor was disqualified in the semi-final for a false start on Monday at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, venue of the track and field event of the ongoing Africa Games in Rabat Morocco.

    NationSport reports that African Queen of the Tracks had given the country the hope after finishing with a time of 11.53s in the 1st round Heat 3 earlier in the day. But the hope of the 30-year-old winning her first gold medal in 100m event in her fourth appearance at the Africa Games went up in smoke after she was disqualified in the heat 1 of the semi-final race for beating the gun.

    Marie Ta Lou of Cote d’ Ivoire went on to win the race with a time of 11.36s andKenya’s Ismali Maxmila finished second as both book their place in the final event of the Women’s 100m.

    Nigeria will now bank on other athletes including Alphonsus Aniekeme, Udo-Gabriel and Abejoye Oyeniyi who will be competing in the final of their various events.

    Joy Udo-Gabriel clocked 11.47s to win the heat 3 of the women’s 100m semi-final race ahead of South Africa’s Mamathu Tebogo (11.63s) Nigeria will parade two athletes Itsekiri Usheoritse Ese and Ekevwo Raymond in the final of the men’s 100m.

    Itsekiri won the men’s 100m semi-final heat 2 with a time of 10.25s ahead of Ghana’s Azamati Kwaku (10.36s), while Ekevwo won in Heat 3 with a time of 10.26s, ahead of Ghana’s Safo-Antwi Sean (10.41).

    Abejoye Oyeniyi will be competing in the men’s 110m Hurdles after finishing 3rd clocking a time of 13.93s in heat 1 of the semi-final on Monday. Burkina Faso’s Francois Mendy won the race in 13.70s and Algeria’s Amine Bouanani 2nd in 13.74s.

  • Anigbata wins Triple Jump gold

    NIGERIAN triple jumper Grace Anigbata has won a gold medal for Nigeria in the triple jump event at the ongoing Africa Games, NationSport reports.

    The 20-year-old jumped 13.75m to win Team Nigeria’s first gold in the track and field events, leaping to a distance of 13.75m ahead of 14 other contestants.

    Jama Chnaik of Morocco came second with 13.69m, while Patience Ntshingila of South Africa won the bronze medal with a leap of 13.59.

    In a chat with NationSport shortly after the jump, a visibly excited Anigbata said she has now fulfilled one of her dreams in athletics.

    “I am so excited about winning the medal for my country. It has not been easy but I thank God I can fulfil one of my long-time dream of winning a gold medal at the games,” she told NationSport.

    Dotun Ogundeji saved his best for last, clinching the silver medal with his last throw of 57.82m in the men’s Discus to move from 3rd to 2nd place. Egypt’s Ahmed Shehab won the gold medal with a throw of 59.29m, while Mbarki Elbachir of Morocco got the bronze medal with a throw of 56.92m.