The Federal Government on Wednesday, said it would take about 30 years of consistent investment to be able to control the current flood menace in different parts of the country.
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Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
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The Minister, who said he made a presentation to the Council jointly with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, also noted that this sort of disaster cannot be prevented but the government can only minimise its impact.
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He said despite the early warning system in place, a lot of capital-intensive initiatives still need to be done in the future to avert the consequences of flood disasters, noting it is not something that can be achieved under one administration.
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He said the present administration was already working on a flood management masterplan that will take at least three years to complete. While noting that flood victims ignored warnings to evacuate, Suleiman also blamed tree felling and degraded soil for the massive impact of this year’s floods in the country.
Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has hailed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its sudden move to redesign high denominations of Naira notes, including N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes.
The CNPP in a statement issued in Abuja by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, noted that “only politicians who intended to buy votes and financially induce electoral officials, the ignorant of the import of the policy or beneficiaries of proceeds of crimes, including drug barons and kidnappers, will kick against the move by the CBN
According to the umbrella association of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria, “the effort of the CBN to control the amount of money in circulation, where N2.7 trillion out of the N3.3 trillion currency in circulation was said to be outside the vault of commercial banks across the country, and are found to supposedly be held by members of the public, is of high risk for the country’s economy and her internal security.
“It is therefore obvious that many politicians, especially since 2015, amassed illicit wealth and deplated the national commonwealth to the extent that the currency in circulation has more than doubled since 2015, rising from N1.46 trillion in December 2015 to N3.2 trillion as of September 2022, according to the CBN data.
Certainly, this is unacceptable in any economy controlled by sane financial experts.
“The CNPP is glad that the timing for this Naira notes redesign is right as there is no better time than in an election year, especially where politicians have made vote-buying an alternative to convincing the electorates through their track records and capacity to govern beyond rhetoric as well as a commitment to selling the manifestos of their political parties during campaigns.
“In recent times, rather than candidates and their supporters work towards convincing electorates to vote for their preferred political parties, they resort to use of derogatory words against the opposition or fan the embers of ethnicity and religion.
So, as dramatic as the move may seem, the CNPP is totally in support of the CBN and the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele on this policy initiative and hereby call on all security agencies, including the Directorate of State Services (DSS), the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ICPC to redouble efforts to reduce insecurity and electoral corruption by placing all politicians contesting in the 2023 general elections on perpetual surveillance.
“We urge the anti-graft units of all security agencies and commissions to use the opportunity created by the new and existing currencies exchange window from December to January 31, 2023 when the existing currencies shall cease to be a legal tender, to monitor illicit campaign financing, money laundering, terror financing, rasom to hostage takers and drug barons.
In the same vein, bank managers should be banned by the CBN from any form of home delivery of cash to citizens and corporate organizations until after February 1, 2023 to ensure that the country reaps the gains of the CBN monetary policy.
“We urge the CBN to ensure that all exchanges of old notes with new notes should go through the bank accounts of the individuals exchanging large sums of money to as part of efforts to track illicit funds as such individuals and corporations can be made to explain how they came about the large sums of monies to security operatives, especially the EFCC.
We therefore call on all well-meaning Nigerians, patriotic Whistleblowers and security agencies to ensure that this lifetime opportunities leads to sanity in the Nigerian economy and the political arena as part of efforts in deepening democracy and reduced the number of drug lords and corrupt politicians in office from 2023 general elections.
“We equally commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his approval of the planned redesign of the currency notes, especially at this time”, the CNPP stated.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned Bureau de Change (BDC) operators to be wary of currency hoarders who would be offloading money illegally stashed.
The development is currently generating mixed reactions from concerned Nigerians.
Speaking on the matter, the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa in a statement commended the move by the apex bank, saying it is “a well-considered and timely response” to the challenges of currency management in the country.
He said, “It is pertinent to issue this stern warning to Bureau de Change operators to be wary of currency hoarders who would attempt to use this opportunity to offload the currencies they had illegally stashed away.”
According to the EFCC boss, the Commission would spare no effort to arrest and prosecute any financial services operator who violates extant laws and regulations.
Two terror suspects have been arrested by the Department of State Services operatives who stormed the Trademore Estate in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday.
The security operatives were said to have shut the entrance and exit gates of the estate while the operation lasted.
Our correspondent gathered that the two suspects said to be siblings were taken into custody on an allegation of terrorism.
This happened less than 24 hours after the United States and the United Kingdom warned of a possible terror attack in Abuja, especially targeted at government buildings, places of worship and schools, among others.
Following this development, the US government has authorised the departure of its non-essential employees and their families from Nigeria.
The US State Department announced this in its updated Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening.
Residents of Trademore Estate who spoke to The PUNCH on Wednesday claimed the operation was carried out by the DSS and some foreign security operatives.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a resident disclosed that residents of the estate were practically held hostage during the operation.
He stated, “We were in our houses when our estate was locked up. They did not allow us to go out and they didn’t allow people to come in. Those that came for the operation were DSS and some American soldiers. What I heard was that they were looking for some suspected terrorists. When they finished what they were doing, all we saw was that they drove away with some people from the estate.”
Also, a message on the estate’s Whatsapp platform sighted on Wednesday by one of our correspondents urged residents to be vigilant and ensure they know their neighbours.
It partly read, “It’s no longer news that there was a high-powered sting operation in Phase 3 this afternoon, culminating in a complete shutdown of our estate. A combination of the American Army and our DSS team were responsible.
“We are unable to give full details of the reason(s) behind the operation; however, we can confirm that there was an allegation of terrorist activities. It is therefore desperately incumbent on every resident to remain vigilant, know your neighbours and report any suspicious movement, person or activities to the exco, street reps and/or the police.
‘’We will continue to do our utmost best to keep the estate safe for all of us. Everyone is responsible for security and there should be no iota of abdication of this responsibility.”
When contacted, the Chairman of the Estate, Adewale Adenaike, confirmed the security operation but declined further comment.
He said, “I can confirm to you that DSS personnel and foreign soldiers visited our estate. You can contact them to get the details of what happened. Let me, however, use this medium to urge residents to be calm and vigilant. The rumours of a planned attack on the estate are not true.”
Calls to the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, were not answered. He has yet to respond to a text message sent to him on the matter.
Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told one of our correspondents that, “All diplomatic corps in Nigeria are protected by the police, and operatives also protect the embassies. In fact, before now, we have deployed armoured personnel carriers to protect the US Embassy and others. Interestingly, the embassies are strategically located in the Diplomatic Drive and well-fortified.”
Meanwhile, the US in an advisory on Tuesday said, “On October 25, 2022, the Department authorised the departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.
“The US Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to US citizens in Nigeria. The US Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to US citizens in Nigeria.”
Despite the security concerns, schools in Abuja have not been shut down, the Publicity Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Paul Edoh, has confirmed.
It was learnt that some parents had requested the immediate closure of schools in Abuja until the situation was brought under control.
However, Edoh explained, “Schools have not been closed down, except for schools within areas like Bwari; not all schools, but schools in the hinterland. But the Federal Government has been able to see how to curtail that and the employment of local vigilante groups has also helped in stamping out the situation.
‘’Private schools within that area are always living in fear. Public schools are more prone to attack. The security beef-up around the schools in Abuja is at zero level. I can boldly tell you that you will hardly see security patrol in some local areas.”
‘’Given the current security situation, and the foreign embassies’ declaration, or perhaps order, it has adversely affected private schools within the Abuja environs. Now some staff of these embassies have withdrawn their children from the top big schools in Abuja here,’’ he disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Wednesday said citizens and non-citizens alike are safe in Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this in response to questions from correspondents on the security advisories at the Presidential Villa.
Mohammed said “Now, of course, this so-called travel advisory as far as we are concerned as a government, we have in the last few months, taken a firm handle on security.
“But I want to reassure citizens, non-Nigerians and Nigerians living in this country, that security agencies are on top of this matter. Of course, the terrorists would not stop to try to embarrass or intimidate the government but what I am saying is that this country is safe and there is no cause for alarm. No cause to panic.”
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to apologise for lying against him.
Mr Ortom said this when he received a group, under the aegis of Jemgbagh Youths, on a protest at the Government House, Makurdi, over alleged lies against Mr Ortom by the PDP presidential candidate.
He stated that Mr Atiku should make a public apology for alleging that his brothers were stealing herdsmen’s cattle in the state.
Immediately I heard the news, I sent him a message on WhatsApp and he apologised to me.
“I told him to make the apology public but he declined, and I am saying he cannot undress an elder like me in public and then come back to dress me in a room.
He lied against me and I take exception to that because what he said is hate speech,” Mr Ortom said.
The governor faulted Mr Atiku’s claim that he issued a blanket condemnation of all Fulani people as bad, saying he never said that.
Some Fulani people are my friends, I trust them to a point of even taking them to my bedroom and I have not sent any Fulani man away from Benue.
“It is only the foreign ones that came from Mali, Mauritania among others that are terrorising our people.
“Atiku, you have been very unfair to Benue people and Fulani people alone cannot make you the president,” he said.
Mr Ortom said however, that in spite of the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would work toward its victory at all levels in the state.
He stated that no matter what happened, a baby cannot be thrown away with the birth water.
I am committed to the victory of the party at all levels in the state,” he said.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for condemning the attacks by suspected herdsmen in Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of Gboko LGA, Isaac Mtom, said the group visited the governor to identify with him over his developmental strides as well condemn Mr Atiku’s outburst.
Mr Mtom said Atiku’s statement clearly showed that he did not mean well for Benue people.
Ahead of the 2023 general election, a stanch supporter of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has undertaken a remarkable task to declare his strong belief in their aspiration to bring change and transformation to the nation.
The Nigerian man with Twitter handle @OGersh, on Friday, October 20, climbed the tallest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, to hang a Labour Party flag at the peak of the mountain.
Speaking on the motive behind the astounding move, the man said there was no better place to announce the coming of a new Nigeria than the rooftop of Africa. He added that it took him over 10 hours to get to the top of the mountain, which is 5,895 metres above sea level,
He shared a picture of the flag hanging on the Uhuru Peak signpost and wrote,
On Fri, 20/10/2022 after 10½ hrs of climbing, hiking and trekking, I made it to the Uhuru Peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, 5,895m above sea level. There is no better place to announce the coming of a New Nigeria than the Rooftop of Africa.
@NGRLabourParty @firstladyship @ObiDientTvHQ”
Justice E. Anyadike of a federal high court, Umuahia, Abia state, has ordered the federal government to return Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to Kenya from where he was extradited to Nigeria in June 2021.
The court also ordered the government to pay Kanu the sum of N500 million as damages for his illegal abduction and violation of his fundamental human rights.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on October 11, declared his extraordinary rendition illegal and dismissed the charges against him.
Dele Momodu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential campaign council, has described Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as a potential dictator.
Momodu disclosed this on Tuesday while fielding questions on the Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
Recall that Momodu had criticized Tinubu’s manifestoes in his article ‘APC: Renewed hope or forlorn hope?’, alleging that his (Tinubu) document was filled with “half-thoughts, poor reasoning, and copied notes” from Abiola’s ‘Hope’ 93′ manifesto.
But APC, through Festus Keyamo, reacted to Momodu’s statement, describing him as the hireling of the PDP, who believed in Tinubu’s ability and capacity to deliver on his promises but has decided to play politics this time around.
However, Momodu appeared not ready to let down the gauntlet as he said:
I will never support dictatorship.”
“I suffered under dictatorship. I was in detention; I was in exile for three years. Dictatorship has no way in my books.
So once you begin to demonstrate dictatorship, I will move back. He (Tinubu) is a potential dictator,” he said.
Once a new face emerges on the global stage, I would quickly research about their rising and try to figure out what code they used to emerge…
People rise majorly through 3 codes – who you marry, who you know that knows you and what you know.
TD Jakes said “nothing just happens” which means greatness is not accidental.
Let’s talk about the 3 codes:
First code is the strongest – if you miss it here, you may struggle for the rest of your life. You must be intentional with choosing Who to marry. My father said to me “Son, don’t marry because she satisfies you. You are not looking for a sex machine – anyone can satisfy a man in bed. Look for the seed of greatness, sound mind, good upbringing and potentials for growth. That’s what a wise person looks for in a spouse – not boobs, yansh, 6 packs, Gucci or ability to do 69 etc.”
The second code is Who You Know – that’s the power of Networking. Your network will definitely affect your networth. And it’s not just about Who You Know but Who knows you. You must find a way to make those you know to also know you. That’s how they can recommend you.
The last is What You Know – the code of Knowledge. This code attracts people to you because of your special abilities, gifts or skills. This too is a powerful code. Men and women of knowledge will always dominate.
#RishiSunak was helped by the woman he married….
Rishi’s parents, originally from humble Kenyan backgrounds Kenya but of Indian roots migrated to UK in search of greener pasture. Rishi was born in Southampton. He was a student when he met his wife, Akshata Murty, the daughter of India’s Top Tech billionaire – Mr. Murty of Infosys.
After their marriage, Rishi was given shares in infoSys and a franchise of the company for the UK market. The combined value of his shares with his wife is currently worth over £730 Million – over 823 Million Dollars.
Rishi’s life has never been the same after 2009 when he stepped into marriage with Akshata.
And they love each other.
Rishi and his wife are both 42 years old. His wife is just 1 month older than him.
In my mentorship programs, I emphasize on INTENTIONAL MARRIAGE. Your marriage can either Build you or destroy you. Stop looking for a partner everyone will APPROVE OF, look for a partner who will be your partner on your journey to greatness.
Rishi has expanded the business of the Murtys. Rishi is a trained financial guru. He brought his expertise to the table of those who own the table – it’s a symbiotic relationship. infoSys UK, the branch of his father in law’s tech business was single handedly built by him while his wife focused on her passion for fashion designing.
Rishi is going to be one of UK’s best PM. He has been groomed since 2015. He is young – just 42 and has experience in wealth creation and government.
It’s a win win for the people of the United Kingdom.
And to you, anytime you see a new face emerge suddenly on the global stage, know that they have spent their entire life intentionally building towards their defining moment.
The illegal waste management fee imposed on ndi-anambra by the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) has been suspended with immediate effect and the MD invited to appear at plenary on Thursday 27th October 2022.
Anambra State House of Assembly made the resolution at plenary in a motion of urgent public importance titled “Suspension of the illegal waste management fee imposed by ASWAMA” moved by the member representing Nnewi North constituency Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor. The house noted that an existing law tagged “Anambra Waste Management Law 2015” stipulates various fees payable by various groups for waste management.
The lawmakers frowned at the complains coming from the general public because of these illegal release signed by the ASWAMA MD directing the public to pay various sums of money in total disregard to the existing law.
Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor in his submission said the release by ASWAMA caused tension in the state. According to him, “Anambra State House of Assembly in 2015 passed the law guiding ASWAMA and in that law, section six (6) sub-section one (1) clearly specified the functions of the agency and no section of that gave the MD of ASWAMA the authority or right to fix rates ndi-anambra will pay.
“Section twenty-five (25) of that law sub-section two (2) specified the amounts to be paid which was listed in schedule one (1). The MD of ASWAMA in his release, made it clear that they have categorized the urban and rural areas.
“Schedule one (1) of this law clearly stipulates as follows: duplex in urban areas is to pay twelve thousand naira (12,000) annually, but the rate released by ASWAMA stipulates twenty four thousand (24).
“According to the law, detached bungalows is to pay six thousand naira (6,000) but in the rate released by ASWAMA, it’s twelve thousand (12,000). Three bedroom flat is to pay three thousand naira (3,000) but in the ASAWAMA rate, it’s seven thousand two hundred (7,200).
‘One bedroom flat is two thousand four hundred (2,400), but in the ASAWAMA law, it’s four thousand eight hundred (4,800). For commercial category, small restaurant according to the law is to pay twenty four thousand (24,000), but that of ASWAMA is forty-eight thousand (48,000).
‘Hotels of two hundred rooms and above is four hundred and eighty thousand naira (480,000) but that of ASWAMA is to pay nine hundred and sixty thousand naira (960,000). Fast food is to pay one hundred and eighty thousand (180,000) naira in the law, but it’s three hundred and sixty (360) in ASAWAMA’s release. It is very clear that the agency is aware of this law because their rate follows the sequence of the law. Where did the MD get the right to review the already existing law? Okafor asked.
“There’s already a serious hardship in the country and to compound already rotten situation with this kind of levy is very unfortunate and will cause a serious embarrassment to the Governor of Anambra state who swore to protect and uphold the laws of the state which this law is part of it.
“As representatives of the people, the onus is on us to do the needful and save ndi-anambra from this administrative rascality and tension.
Hon. Lawrence Ezeudu. Ejike Okechukwu, Pete Ibida, Chidi Udemadu, Emeka Aforka and Nobel Igwe, in their separate submissions supported that the fee be suspended and that the MD of ASWAMA must appear and explain to ndi-Anambra the reason behind the act.
” We represent ndi-anambra and our job is to give all necessary protection when the need arises. It’s good to increase the IGR of the state but we should not over -tax our people. We are looking at a situation where we will have tax relief so that businesses will flow well.
“The governor appointed the ASAWAMA MD knowing fully well and convinced that he has the capacity to deliver. The primary thing an appointee is supposed to do is to look into the law guilding the agency he is to head. This should not be encouraged. The only thing constant in Anambra State is the salary of the civil servant because they are still being paid thirty thousand naira (30,000) minimum wage.
The law is meant to be obeyed. This is a show of incompetency. Nobody is above the law.
Speaking to correspondents after plenary in an interview, the member representing Dunukofia constituency Hon. Lawrence Ezeudu said the idea of inviting the ASWAMA MD is good so that he will have the opportunity to explain to ndi-Anambra the reasons behind the act and where he got such power and authority because there’s a loud cry that the charges is on the high side despite the hardship being faced by our people.
