Zamfara govt to reconstruct 5 broken bridges in 4 LGAs for N700m

The Zamfara state government has disclosed that it would reconstruct five broken bridges linking four local government areas of the state.

The Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Alhaji Abdullahi Gurbin Bore, made the disclosure while fielding questions from newsmen during an inspection of the One Brigade cantonment access road project embarked upon by the state government through his ministry in Gusau on Friday.

“The aim of the quick response by the state government is to ease transportation among the benefitting communities,” he said.

He added that already the state government under the leadership of Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle had approved the release of over N700 million for the commencement of the whole project through direct labour by the ministry.

The affected bridges, according to him, are two bridges at Dansadau in Maru local government; one bridge at Gayari village in Gummi local government; one bridge at Gurusu in Bukkuyum local government; one bridge at Ruwan Gora in Ruwan Gora village under Talata Mafara local government and a 500-metre inaccessible road at one brigade cantonment, Gusau.

(Blueprint)

EFCC busts Yahoo hideouts, arrests 18 in Lokoja

As part of efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to curb the rising wave of internet related fraud otherwise known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Commission has again extended its dragnet to Kogi State leading to the arrest of 18 suspected ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’ in Lokoja, the state capital.

This is the second such operation in the State within the last two months.

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, had in June 2022 arrested 19 suspected fraudsters at different locations in Lokoja.

The latest arrest, which was made on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 followed actionable intelligence received by the Commission.

Among the suspects are two siblings – Bala Caleb Abdulkarim and Ayuba Bala. Others are Adebayo Olubunmi, Yusuf Salawu, Victor Yakubu, Victor Udeh, Abutu Francis, Moses Akeji, Aiyegbe ThankGod, Eniola Adeniji, Abraham Ayodele, Julius Omowale, Samuel Onojah, Saka Usman Ojo, Isaac Emmanuel, Yusuf Mohammed, Ibrahim Musa and Omaonu Ojochenemi Victor.

Preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects operate as a syndicate to scam unsuspecting victims.

The suspected ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’, had incriminating items in their possession including five different brands of exotic cars, phones and laptops. They have volunteered statements to the Commission and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.

(Blueprint)

Monitor constituency projects’ implementation, expert advises journalists

A media consultant, Mr. Stephen Salawu, has urged journalists to ensure constant monitoring and tracking of constituency projects by the executive and legislators to ensure proper delivery of such projects.

Salawu gave the charge in Lokoja on Friday at a training workshop organised by Stallion Times.

He said the real reason growth and development had been eluding most communities in the country was because the media and citizens cared less about budget implementation.

“Unless journalists and the public begin to ask questions as to who is doing what project, in which community and how it’s started and completed, development in our communities will remain a mirage.

“We must keep monitoring, tracking with probing questions and reporting exactly what we saw, no matter who is involved, to get things done in the right way,” he said.

Salawu advised participants to do more of investigative stories that would create awareness with the intention of provoking positive reactions from the public.

According to him, the executive and legislative arms of government must be hold accountable to the people on the resources entrusted in them in accordance with the law.

Also speaking, the Editor-in-Chief, Stallion Times, Mr. Isiyaku Ahmed, expressed optimism on the impact of the training workshop on the 30 journalists in Kogi, for beautiful investigative stories on the status of constituency projects in the state.

Ahmed reminded journalists of the high expectations the public had on the media on correcting the ills of the Nigerian society with their write ups.

“Stallion Times expects you to go all out there to monitor and report exactly what’s happening with the projects of both federal and state constituencies.

“I believe that as we keep the tempo, corruption and levity will be checkmated and our communities will begin to witness some levels of growth and development,” he said.

(Blueprint)

Plateau State Govt to construct 844 housing units for workers

The Plateau government has inaugurated the construction of 844 housing units at Zanwra in Miango District of Bassa Local Government Area of the state
for workers.

Speaking while performing the ground-breaking ceremony, Gov. Simon Lalong of the state
described the housing unit as “a dividend of peace in the area”.

He said the project would bring succour to workers by enabling them to have access to modern affordable housing, with flexible payment system.

He commended Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for prioritising access to affordable housing for civil servants, through its collaboration with the Federal Housing Authority and the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB).

“Through the Workers Housing Estate, our civil servants will no longer have cause to worry about owning a house or renting accommodation since there is a mechanism for them to own one under very friendly terms,” he said.

He said the state government in collaboration with FMB has provided home renovation loans worth N2 billion to more than 2, 500 civil servants to assist them address housing challenges.

The governor said tha a committee headed by the Head Of Service had been constituted to establish the residential houses, offices, farms lands and all assets owned by the state.

“The committee will also advise government on which of the property could be given out on owner occupier and those to be redeveloped under public private partnership,” he said.

He urged the developer of the housing units to ensure compliance to development control standards, adding that the houses should be constructed according to approved plans to prevent building collapse.

(NAN)

I’ll defend my mandate at tribunal — Adeleke

Osun’s governor-elect, People Democratic Party’s (PDP) Sen. Ademola Adeleke, has said that he is ready to defend his victory at the election petition tribunal and retain his mandate.

Adeleke said his emergence as governor-elect was entrenched in total compliance with the law and in the will of the people.

His declaration is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Osogbo by his spokesman, Malam Olawale Rasheed.

Sitting Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was defeated at the July 16 election and his party, filed a petition before an election tribunal on Friday challenging the election’s outcome.

Adeleke, however, claimed that the election was one of the most transparent in recent history in Nigeria, adding that the people’s mandate, freely given against overwhelming odds, would be defended and validated.

He said in the statement that PDP’s Legal Department was taking appropriate action on the petition and called on his supporters to remain calm.

“This divine victory cannot be stolen through the backdoor.

“I urge the good people of Osun who voted massively to reject bad governance to remain calm.

“We are doing the needful to defend their mandate.

“We will do all within our powers to ensure judicial validation of our victory as this is an election globally certified as a great advancement in electoral transparency and integrity.

“We also want to reaffirm our faith in the judiciary as a bastion of hope and justice.

“We have unshakeable trust in God that this election petition shall end in another landmark victory for us and the resilient people of Osun,’’ he said.

INEC declared Adeleke winner of the election on July 17 with 403,371 votes to Gov. Oyetola’s 375,027 votes.

(Vanguard)