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Tag: Wike

  • Wike gives Abuja land owners fresh two-week ultimatum to settle C-of-O bills

    Wike gives Abuja land owners fresh two-week ultimatum to settle C-of-O bills

    • I am not indebted to FCDA, says Speaker

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocation.

    According to a statement yesterday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.

     The statement read; “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.

    “Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.

     “Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.

    “Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.

    Read Also: Wike’s aide tackles APP, CUPP over alleged plan to arrest federal lawmaker

    “After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”

     Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen yesterday  denied being  indebted to the Federal Capital Development Authority.

     The Speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi said he paid all his obligation to the FCDA since October, 2024.

     Media reports had listed the Speaker and former President Muhammadu Buhari among those whose land had been revoked for non-payment of the accrued fees.

     The statement reads: “The attention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has been drawn to reports in both the print and electronic media to the effect that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) revoked land titles in the FCT, belonging to certain individuals, including the Speaker, due to non-settlement of outstanding payments.

    “For the record, His Excellency, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has only one land allocated to him in the FCT, and has since settled his outstanding payment in October 2024, following the FCTA’s newspapers’ publications to that effect.

    “It is, therefore, an error for the FCTA to include his name among those having outstanding payments, leading to the revocation of the land titles. The FCTA is advised to be more circumspect in handling such issues.

    “The Speaker cautions the media to always verify their facts before going to press with such issues.

    “The media are, therefore, urged to desist from further publishing or spreading such misleading information about the person of the Speaker.”

  • Abbas, Akume, Okorocha affected as Wike revokes allocations of 762 landowners

    Abbas, Akume, Okorocha affected as Wike revokes allocations of 762 landowners

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the ownership of 762 plots of land in the Maitama 1 District of Abuja due to the non-payment of statutory fees.

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has also issued a two-week ultimatum to 614 other individuals and organizations, demanding that they settle outstanding Rights of Occupancy, R-of-O, fees or face the risk of losing their plots.

    “The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee(s)/title holder(s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy, C-of-O, bills that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn,” the FCTA notice stated.

    Read Also: Wike not fighting Fubara, says Bob

    Prominent names on the list include Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and former governors Rochas Okorocha and Ben Ayade.

    Others affected include Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen.

    This revocation by the minister comes months after he made several pleas to residents of the FCT, particularly those residing in hybrid areas of the nation’s capital, to pay outstanding fees owed to the FCTA or risk revocation of their lands.

  • Wike not fighting Fubara, says Bob

    Wike not fighting Fubara, says Bob

    Solomon Bob is a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State. He represents Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency. In this interview with NICHOLAS KALU, he discusses the feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, and other issues

    There appears to be a turf war between Governor Siminalayi Fubura and his predecessor, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. What is your take on the situation?

    First, there’s no turf war. The governor’s behaviour is outrageous; he is promoting division and primordial ethnic sentiments. Then, it seems that maybe his entire article of faith in government is to destroy his benefactor. There’s no turf war. Nyesom Wike, is a politician. He didn’t make Fubara governor to have himself annihilated. He didn’t make this man governor to be killed thereafter. He’s taking steps to protect himself from being killed. This one looks like Frankenstein’s monster that wants to devour his maker. So, there’s no turf war. Nyesom Wike is a man of extreme generosity. And you saw that in making this man governor. A key part of integrity is gratitude. You cannot go after anyone who has helped you in life with a kind of mysterious animosity. We have seen what Fubara demonstrated against Nyesom Wike. What you are seeing today all over the country in terms of people saying negative things about Nyesom Wike are elements sponsored by him. No turf war. He did not make him governor to retire from politics. Nyesom Wike is a young man. He’s 57. How old is Fubara? Fubara is nearly 50. About seven years between them. So, Nyesom Wike is too old to leave the government? Why is Fubara who is almost 50 still in government? So, he didn’t make him governor to be killed or to exit politics. No. To make somebody governor of a state like Rivers, you would have entered into enormous IOUs, because it is a herculean task. We all know the trouble he went through because Fubara was essentially an unsellable, unmarketable kind of guy. You guys have seen that. You’ve seen the meaning of his life. I’m sure you’ve seen that. You’ve seen his attitude, body language, ability to express himself, and the way he conducts himself. Nobody saw this. Nyesom Wike is a man of extreme generosity. People going after him in the media are doing so for reasons that, if you let me, I can explain to you. Okay, so, If Wike doesn’t want him, why would he make him governor? It’s just that the man, as I told you, has engaged in outrageous behaviour. Nobody ever imagined that. Have you ever seen a governor come into office, and then within two weeks or a month, start to go after? And he’s not somebody who has any kind of political stature. If he had a political stature of your own, maybe you can say, okay, maybe he’s trying to protect what he had before. But he has zero political stature. He could never have won a local government chairmanship, even from a small local government chairmanship. He could not have won. It’s not possible. Then they exhume you from that kind of anonymity, and obscurity, and then put you, thrust you in a big place in the limelight. And the first thing you do is to say, I want to kill this man. The man has the right, like I said, self-preservation is everyone’s right. He has the right to protect himself. So it’s not a turf war.

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    Besides the Rivers State crisis, Wike is also involved in what is happening in the PDP. Though he belongs to the PDP, he is in alliance with the APC and has been accused of perpetrating a crisis in the party. What’s your comment on this?

    No, Wike is not perpetrating a crisis in the PDP. He is a firefighter. Let me use the definition of an arsonist. He’s a firefighter, not an arsonist. He puts out fire. He doesn’t burn down places. He’s a builder, not a destroyer. That’s my point to you. Nigerians like to latch on to mere symbols and symptoms. They don’t like to go deep. Wike has been the mainstay, the builder, the protector, and the power behind PDP all these years. If you want to look at recent events that led to where we are now, you cannot overlook the events leading up to the 2023 elections and immediately thereafter. You cannot go beyond that. The party led by Dr Iyorchia Ayu at that time was engaged in an egregious and daring display of disobedience to the party’s own rules. Many things happened. This includes what happened before the primaries, after the primaries and the election. Who gives that? Who gives that point? You have obstructed the party zoning its presidential ticket to the south. You have manipulated the primaries to an outcome that you wanted. No problem. But party chairmanship, which had been agreed previously before the primaries, that if the candidate emerges from the North, party chairmanship at the national level would go to the South. They are aware of that agreement. They said no. These are absolutists, these maximalists. People who don’t want to do that. They have no policy about negotiation. Wike’s demand was the bare minimum. Let’s go back to the agreement we had. Hasn’t the ticket emerged from the North? What should have happened? Let’s go back to what we agreed upon. The party’s chairmanship position was supposed to go to the South. They said no; it’s not going to happen. All of them, all of these things that they were doing were just to get at one man: Wike. The entire crisis in the PDP is about how just to deal with Wike. You can’t set up a structure to deal with one man alone. All their hirelings are everywhere in the media and the so-called civil society groups. They are all there. When they speak, we know where they are coming from. A lot of them have met me. You see, Wike is a force of nature. Let me tell you. Wike has done a lot for this country; there are not many people in this country who can match his ability to see far ahead.

    We have seen the manifestation of the Rivers crisis, even in the House of Representatives because we have a group of lawmakers that are pro-Fubara. Don’t you think so?

    Who are the lawmakers? There is only one; one person. I can tell you that.

    What about its effect on the Rivers State’s Caucus in the House of Reps?

    Yes, of course. It’s normal. In politics, generally, there will only be a few persons. For some reasons. I don’t want to deprecate or insult anyone. But they follow their mind to do what they want to do. All of them, by exception, were all beneficiaries of Wike’s enormous generosity. This is because they would not have got their ticket without his assistance. I can assure you that some of them have broken so many rules. Wike is a man of extraordinary generosity. But, I’m telling you; he doesn’t know how to keep enemies. Maybe that’s his fault. Maybe that’s his fault in his character. He doesn’t keep enemies. You fight him to the death the next day. If the next day he survives you, then he calls you. You don’t have enemies. In politics, it’s not always like that. But sometimes, don’t get me wrong. I’m not going to be kidding about enemies. I’m a very easygoing person. But as I said, if you cross the Rubicon, I’m not going to get you back to my innermost recesses. Wike will take you right down to the innermost recesses. That’s who he is. He’s a man of extremely generous spirits. You guys have seen him from afar. We know him. He’s a man who is always forgiving. He’s forgiving, always, and forbearing. So that’s the point. Back to your point; in the House of Reps, if you have people that are somewhere else, of course, we are with Wike. The majority of us are with Wike. We are about 27 or 28 now. Then one moved to become the governor’s chief of staff. I have only three. It’s not a turf war. No one can contest with him in River State, as I speak to you. Wike has been a grassroots man all his life. He is one person who will stay here and name all the major components in all the wards in the River States. All the wards. He will name them. He knows everybody. He knows everybody.

    What is your assessment of Wike’s stewardship as the minister of FCT, against the background that critics have accused him of grabbing land, and destroying properties?

    You see, these are populist arguments by self-appointed activists, civil rights activists, who rather than chasing substance are chasing shadows. Whose land has he grabbed? Has he told you whose land he has grabbed? For himself or for whom? No. He has come here to bring order and sanity. Within eight, or nine months of the appointment, he turned Abuja around. Everybody can see it. Before Wike, who had the guts to do what, I mean, not just the guts, and the know-how to do what he had done? This is concerning both internal infrastructure and administration. Since FCT’s inception, do we have FCT civil service? Was there an FCT civil service? They had none. He came and within a short time, he did it. You have your own now. You have civil servants. You can rise to the highest level. And then internal infrastructure, it has just been unbelievable. What he had done, he has revolutionized the entire landscape in Abuja. All through his life, Wike doesn’t deal with so-called civil activism. No. He’s a man who goes after his heart. He wears his heart on his sleeves. He goes after what he wants to do. Okay? As once somebody said, I think it was this lady, Condoleezza Rice, former American Secretary of State. She said, today’s headlines, she said today’s headlines and judgments of history are the same. So if you pay attention to today’s headlines, you will not have the courage to do what you need to do to secure a place in history. Everything is fueled by sources outside of what you are seeing. These so-called activists; don’t mind them. I tell you, nobody can hold Wike, and he doesn’t need their validation to win approval. The anger is that Wike doesn’t bow to them, or pamper them, the way some political figures do. He has gone far beyond that level. He doesn’t need activists to show him he is right.

  • Dignitaries gather in Rivers for public lecture to honour Wike 

    Dignitaries gather in Rivers for public lecture to honour Wike 

    Prominent personalities from across Nigeria and abroad converged in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for a public lecture in honor of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, to celebrate his birthday.

    Read Also: Wike decries activities of land grabbers in FCT

    The event was graced by key figures, including the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio; members of the National Assembly; ministers; royal fathers; captains of industry; members of the Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly; and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.

    Details shortly… 

  • Wike threatens revocation of defaulters’ land

    Wike threatens revocation of defaulters’ land

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has threatened to revoke the titles issued to property owners in the FCT yet to pay ground rents.

    He also warned construction companies in the territory against land grabbing.

    Also yesterday Senate advised  Wike to halt ongoing demolitions of properties in the  FCT. 

    The minister, while presenting 50 Hilux vehicles to security agencies in the FCT, said it was inexplicable that some property owners in the territory were not ready to pay ground rents despite several notices being served on them.  

    He also said that it was funny that some construction companies that were permitted to use some plots of land to house their equipment now believe that they own the plots. 

    Wike stated that he would not be moved by sentiments or blackmail in his bid to get those who have yet to pay ground rent to do what is necessary and to retrieve all plots of land being used illegally by construction companies in the FCT.

    He revealed that construction giant, Julius Berger, was recently asked to quit a site it was permitted to use for construction in the Abuja Central Business District.   

    Read Also: Wike knocks AMAC chairman over comment on inability provide security vehicles  

    The minister was reacting to the controversy trailing his decision to revoke a plot of land in which a Niger Delta activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor,  has an interest.

    He challenged anyone laying claim to land that has been revoked to produce documents to back their claims.

     He said: “Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja that we are not afraid of blackmail.

    ‘’ Some of us have come to put our foot down. We will stop anybody who thinks that they can obtain government land without formal approval. We will not look at their face.

     “If you like, you can be a civil rights activist. If you like, you can be a television talker. What is wrong is wrong.

    “You go behind to ask people to beg me and then you go on television to tell people that we came to take your land. 

     ‘’ If you want land, you know the right thing to do. You know the right step to take. Through blackmail, you won’t get it. 

     “No amount of blackmail can stop us. People take government property without approval, without documents.    I tell people that the fact that the government yesterday did not take any step does not mean that the government of today will not take a step. 

    ‘’Even if this government does not today, tomorrow another government will do.

    ‘’That you did something 15 years ago does not mean it is right.  You cannot take blackmail to get something from the government.    

    ‘’Recently, we told Julius Berger to quit the Central Business District. When Julius Berger came to Abuja, they asked for a site for them to do their construction. That site does not mean it belongs to Julius Berger. Julius Berger has finished their job. They have to quit the land.

     “I am not the kind of person you can think you will shake when you go on television and you have lived on the land for over 20 years. And so, what? You are a squatter. If you like, go and carry everybody. What is wrong is wrong.’’

    In what appeared a direct reference to Lori-Ogbebor,  Wike said:   ‘’If you have a problem, come to us. We will know how to solve the problem.

    ‘’Let anybody tell them to bring their documents to show that the property is theirs.

    ‘’ I have published  those involved  in newspapers to show that we are not joking.” 

     But at its plenary yesterday, the Senate called on the minister to stop further demolitions in the FCT pending the outcome of a probe by its ad hoc committee.

    The committee chaired by Deputy Senate President,   Barau Jibrin was constituted after contributions by members to a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe. Senator Natasha Akpabio-Uduaghan seconded the motion.

    The committee which has Deputy Senate Leader  Yisa Ashiru;  Chief Whip   Mohammed  Monguno;  Yahaya Abdullahi,   Sahabi Ya’u,  Victor Umeh,  Jimoh Ibrahim,  Idiat   Adebule, and Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as members has two weeks to complete its assignment.

     Kingibe had in her lead debate, said that in recent times, the demolitions in the FCT were no longer based on reasons that necessitated them.

     She said: “A cross-section of individuals has suffered untold hardship occasioned by massive demolitions, which have led to loss of properties worth billions of naira.

    “At the moment, an Estate – Messrs Paulosa – for which the late Col. Paul Osakpawan Ogbebor, is the chairman, is currently under revocation and demolition.

    “ And from reliable information, the said plot of land was allocated to him in 1984 with the requisite title document.

    “The owner of the estate was a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation meritoriously and one of the first intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, with registration Number 001. ” 

    She urged the Senate to request the FCDA  to halt the  revocation and demolition of the said property, “as it does not fall within the purview of the reasons for the massive demolition being carried by the FCDA.”

    The Senator advocated that all demolitions should follow due process.

    However,  Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) said the Senate needed to hear from FCT Minister  Wike, before ordering a halt to the demolitions.

    He said: “If you look at this motion, the presenter said, a specific land allocation was mentioned belonging to one Paul Ogbebor.

    “We don’t know anything about this thing and we are just coming because of this to tell the minister to stop?”

    “There is a need to investigate this matter before giving any directive. We must hear from the minister. But we have to hear before we say stop the demolition.

    “Let’s hear from the Minister. You cannot shave a man’s head at his back. We need to hear from the Minister.’’ 

     Akpabio thereafter read the resolution of the Senate calling on the FCT minister to halt further demolitions of properties in the FCT. 

     The resolution reads partly: “The Senate urges the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to stop further demolitions of structures, except those ordered by courts of competent jurisdictions, until the Ad hoc committee constituted by the Senate to ascertain the propriety or otherwise of the exercise concludes its investigation and interfaced with the Federal Capital Territory Administration within the next two weeks.”

  • Wike knocks AMAC chairman over comment on inability provide security vehicles  

    Wike knocks AMAC chairman over comment on inability provide security vehicles  

    …donates 50 vehicles to security agencies

    Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Thursday, expressed displeasure over comment by the chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, that he lacks capacity to provide security vehicles for police.

    Wike questioned Maikalangu over the use of allocation meant for the council.

    The minister, who spoke while presenting 50 operational vehicles to security agencies in the nation’s capital, described Maikalangu’s comment as emberassing.

    Maikalangu had said people have been writing letters to him for the provision of security vehicles, adding that he does not have the capacity to provide security vehicles as council chairman.

    Read Also: Sustenance of constitutional democracy depends on judicial independence – Wike  

    Wike said: “I find it very disturbing that a chairman of a council will appear in public and say he has no capacity to give vehicles to security agencies. And then you answer the chief security of your local government. As chairman, every time you go and collect revenue where is the money going?

    “It is very embarrassing to hear you say you cannot build a police station. Security is for all of us. You have a role to play as the chairman of the council.

    “When I was chairman of council I built police stations, I bought vehicles for them, I provided water for them. Security is the key. So, if you have no capacity, then what are you doing as council chairman. Thank God, you have told us you have no capacity, we will see what will happen in the next election. You are the one who said so, not me. And Luckily this is a live coverage.”

  • Sustenance of constitutional democracy depends on judicial independence – Wike  

    Sustenance of constitutional democracy depends on judicial independence – Wike  

    • …praises Tinubu for approving enhanced salary structure, pension for judicial officials

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Wednesday said the stability of the country and the suitability of its constitutional democracy rests largely on the independence of the judiciary.

    Wike said this while delivering a paper on judicial Independence at the 2024 annual Court of Appeal Justices conference held in Abuja.

    He said the judiciary, as an arm of government, must be free from interference, either by the legislative and executive arms of government or other individuals, to guarantee its integrity and independence. 

    The minister added that the judiciary, as recognized in the principle of separation of powers, should be able to perform its adjudicatory role based on the law and facts presented before it in individual cases without any external influence or interference from the executive or legislature.

    He said: “The court can neither safeguard the personal liberties of the citizens nor protect and defend the constitution against infractions unless it is independent of the legislative and the executive arms of government, including other individuals, groups, and institutions in the performance of its onerous duty to administer justice to all manner of persons without fear or favor, affection or ill will”.

    Highlighting other vital roles of the judiciary, including its function of ensuring that the legislature and Executive arms of government act within their constitutional limits, the Minister said the need to ensure judicial independence cannot be overemphasized.

    Read Also: Why inter-agency collaboration is key to security, by Tinubu

     To preserve the judiciary’s independence, Wike called for appropriate machinery for appointing judges, security of tenure of office for Judges, and financial autonomy for the judiciary, among others.

    The minister also said Judges must be courageous in discharging their duties without fear of criticism or intimidation.

    He said: “You cannot do your work without people criticizing you. We have all kinds of strategies to do anything to make sure that cases do not go on. But you must be a courageous judge to stand firm”.

    Wike, who also noted that housing and remuneration for judicial officials have a direct bearing on the independence of the judges, said the provision of decent accommodation for judicial officers on an owner-occupier basis will go a long way in preserving the independence and integrity of the judiciary.

    He said: “When a Judge is retiring, and he has no home, that judge will be tempted to do one or two things. But if a Judge is retiring today and has a home, he has a shelter; it will make that Judge independent”.

    “That’s why when I was Governor of Rivers State, I made it mandatory that at least no judge would say I would retire tomorrow without having decent accommodation, those who wanted the house and those who wanted it to be monetized.

    “It’s a factor, and I recommend this to the States and Federal Government, and that’s what we have started to do now in the FCT by making sure that every FCT Judge, on retirement, has a home”.

    According to a statement issued by the Director Press, Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, the minister praised President Bola Tinubu for approving an enhanced salary structure and pension for judicial officials and expressed confidence that it will encourage them to guard their independence.

    He added that the judiciary equally owes itself the responsibility of guarding its independence by standing up to those who trample on it.

    The minister said: “I was glad when one of your leaders, Chief Kanu Agabi said don’t allow people to write history for you. You write your history. Yes, you may not be able to talk, but you have an administrative department that should, from time to time, respond to some of these attacks.

    “You must have a public relations department. Since you can’t speak, others can speak on your behalf.  But just folding your arms and people will begin to attack you is not the best. We think that you should do something about it. In that way, you will guarantee your independence”.

    He, however, stated that judicial independence does not imply that judges are above the law or at liberty to disregard applicable rules or judicial precedent in exercising their judicial powers, adding that it is mainly independence within the framework of the constitution and law.

  • Alleged land grabbing: Wike’s aide challenges critics to provide evidence

    Alleged land grabbing: Wike’s aide challenges critics to provide evidence

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday challenged those using social media to circulate falsehoods about their lands being grabbed by the FCTA to provide genuine evidence that they owned such land.

    Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant (SSA), on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, cautioned self-appointed social media activists to be mindful of being used to promote false claims.  

    Olayinka in a statement said: “The most reasonable thing for anyone to do is to find out from both sides before going public with any issue”.

    Referring to a recent video being circulated on a land located Life Camp, particularly Plot No. 2241, Gwarimpa District, Cadastral Zone C02, Abuja, the FCT Minister’s Spokesperson challenged those claiming ownership of the land to provide Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy granted by the FCTA.

    He said: “A construction company, Paulosa Nigeria Limited occupied the land as a temporary office, under a Temporary Right of Occupancy arrangement granted in 1984 (40 years ago).

    “For 36 years, the company occupied the land, built permanent structures on it and rented them out without any approval from the government.

    “On November 18, 2020, after occupying the land for 36 years without approval, Paulosa Nigeria Limited applied to the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for the conversion of the Temporary Right of Occupancy to a Statutory Right of Occupancy.

    “On February 1, 2023, approval was granted to Paulosa Nigeria Limited for a Statutory Right of Occupancy, subject to certain terms and conditions.

    “Some of the terms and conditions are; payment of Ground Rent Per Square Meter Per Annum, which was N50K/m² from 2022 to 2023, amounting to N2,332,143; payment of Premium of N500/m², amounting to N11,660,715 and payment of Ground Rent from 1984 to 2021 (37 years), amounting to N43,144,645.

    “However, for 20 months, Paulosa Nigeria Limited refused to comply with the terms and conditions for the approval.

    “Consequent upon the failure of Paulosa Nigeria Limited to comply with the terms and conditions for approval granted for a Right of Occupancy on the said land, the approval was revoked on October 10, 2024, more than 20 months after it was given.

    Read Also: Wike praises Tinubu for support in discharging ministerial duties

    “From the above, it should be clear that Paulosa Nigeria Limited never at any time owned the land.

    “For instance, if a student who was offered an admission to a university, refused to pay the fees stipulated in the offer of admission, and fulfil other terms and conditions for the admission, can the student have any claim to the studentship of the university?”

    While counseling those who are desirous of doing human rights activism to be mindful of being used to peddle falsehood, Olayinka said: “My advice to our social media emergency human rights advocates is that they should always endeavor to investigate claims by whoever that is seeking their service.

    “For instance, if the person who took his time to do that video had taken a simple step of investigating further, he would have been well informed, such that he won’t be used to mislead the public.

    “The other time, a certain character who went to school at night to study Baseless Black-market Law, was on social media, ranting that the FCT Minister grabbed someone’s land.

    “If he had studied law properly, he would have taken the proper step of approaching relevant government agencies for information on the said land.

    “Our online lawyer would have been properly schooled that when you get allocation for a recreation park, building a school and a church on the land is a clear contravention of the condition for which the land was allocated.”

  • Loyalists, associates, friends plan to shut down Rivers on Wike’s birthday

    Loyalists, associates, friends plan to shut down Rivers on Wike’s birthday

    Staunch loyalists, associates, and friends of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, are reportedly planning to shut down Rivers State, particularly Port Harcourt, in a grand celebration of his birthday. 

    The occasion is being organized to make a bold statement about Wike’s undisputed political leadership in Rivers amidst the ongoing political crisis in the state. 

    Sources revealed that new political groups and movements will take centre stage on Friday at various locations across the state to mark the former governor’s birth anniversary.

    Leading the preparations is the NEW Associates, a political movement derived from the initials of Wike’s names: Nyesom, Ezenwo, and Wike. 

    Other groups such as Wikematic Youths, Wikematic Women, and the Rivers Ijaw Progressive Congress (RIPCO) are also mobilising for the event.

    Wike’s political allies and supporters, both within Nigeria and abroad, are expected to converge in Rivers to participate in the celebrations.

    The Convener of the New Associates, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, said numerous supporters of the minister were excitedly waiting to mark the day.

    Sekibo said a public lecture titled, Pragmatic Strides of a Visionary Leader and Contemporary Issues of Society would herald the celebration.

    Read Also: Wike praises Tinubu for support in discharging ministerial duties

    The former senator said the day would also be used to unveil the footprints of the minister in various political positions he had occupied from the state to the national level.

    He identified the Senate President as the Special Guest of Honour; a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), OCJ Okocha as the Special Guest of Honour and Guest Lecturer as Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

    He said: “The forthcoming birthday is unique in the sense that despite all efforts of the betrayers, the minister has been able to keep our political family in Rivers intact. He remains the indisputable leader of Rivers politics.

    “He has survived all the machinations of the devil and our leader by the grace of God continues to wax strong. We are calling on the numerous supporters of our leader to attend the event”.

  • Wike advocates TETFund support for law schools

    Wike advocates TETFund support for law schools

    •••approves two hostels for Abuja Law School

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on the federal government to amend laws to allow law schools to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    Wike made this appeal on Monday at the Nigeria Law School in Bwari, Abuja, during the flag-off ceremony for the design and construction of 10 staff quarters for the institution.

    He emphasised that the inclusion of law schools in TETFund funding would significantly enhance the development and maintenance of the schools across the country.

    The minister also announced the approval for the construction of new hostel buildings for male and female students, reiterating the importance of adequate facilities in promoting quality education.

    Wike dismissed his critics, asserting that their opinions would not deter his commitment to improving the judiciary. 

    He stressed that it is the federal government’s responsibility to provide the necessary infrastructure for institutions like the law school.

    Wike said: “This school is owned by the federal government. There’s nothing wrong with the federal government trying to provide facilities for the school. Mr. President mandated me to provide these facilities. 

    “When I came for the last call to the bar, I saw very bad buildings, I couldn’t believe that this is where lawyers are being trained? We have included funds in the 2025 budget for two hostels in the Law School, one for males and another for females, anybody angry with what I am doing for the judiciary should wait for their turn to do for their profession.

    “It’s getting too late for the Nigeria Law School to be added to benefit from TETFund. 

    Wike assured that there was funds for the contractor, to facilitate the completion of the project without delay.

     “I believe contracts should be awarded and finished, not to abandon it, waste government money and suffer the people”, he added.

    Read Also: Farotimi: Steer clear of Ekiti, Group warns organisers of planned protest

    Wike reiterated National Assembly’s readiness to help in executing FCT Administration’s budgets. 

    Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) thanked Wike for making President Bola Tinubu approve the project. 

    He said: “Whether you like him or not you like him (Wike), you can’t dispute the fact that he is performing. Mr. Project does not embark on projects he does not have money for. He is a crusader of “if you do not have money don’t award contract”.

    He also noted that it was unfortunate that TETFund cannot capture the Law School for funding. 

    Fagbemi said: “Hon. Minister, we appreciate you. Nobody can take this away from you. You are an achiever. Your worth is not in the figure in the bank, but how much you touch lives.”

    Also, chairman of the Body of Benchers, Adegboyega Awomolo thanked Wike for the good gesture he has been extending to the judiciary. 

    He said: “History will write your name in gold at the appropriate time. Wike will be one of those who will never be forgotten in the FACT for what he’s doing.”

    The acting Executive Secretary, FCDA, Richard Unana explained that 10 blocks of four-bedroom structures as staff quarters would be fully furnished with other necessary supplies.