We’ll Ensure Even Distribution Of Roads Rehabilitation,Oyo Govt. Assures Residents

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  Residents of Oyo State have been assured of even distribution of rehabilitation, as the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency, OYSROMA, continues to make efforts to rehabilitate roads in the State. The Chairman, OYSROMA, Mr. Raphael Ogunlade gave the assurance in Ibadan while inspecting some ongoing rehabilitation projects on Thursday. There have been numerous concerns from Oyo residents in other zones regarding the ongoing rehabilitation in the state, if it will be extended to all zones in Oyo state. Responding to the enquiries, Ogunlade said “Governor Seyi Makinde has assured the residents of Oyo state that this rehabilitation process is not only going to be done in Ibadan but will definitely extend to other zones till the whole Oyo state is covered.” Ogunlade, quoting the governor said, “he re-emphasised this at the Mobil – Akala road commissioning some months ago where he categorically mentioned that rehabilitation process like this will also be extended to Oyo, Ogbomosho and other zones, and he pleaded with Oyo state residents to exercise more patience as their convenience is him and his cabinets’ top priority.” The OYSROMA Chairman while inspecting a just concluded project, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his diligent efforts towards giving Oyo state the best road network and for giving listening ears and support to OYSROMA in making these projects a success. The chairman also assured the people that the rehabilitation exercise involves all the bridges damaged by the recent heavy rainfall, adding that they will be reconstructed as directed by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde “We are grateful to our Governor for his consistent effort in giving Oyo state the best in every sector and his commitment to this dream of making Oyo state roads the best in the country. We will also appreciate the residents of Oyo state for their continuous understanding and appreciate if they can be a bit more patient as every demand concerning Oyo state roads will be attended to as soon as possible”, he said.

Ondo Guber: I’ll Deliver My Best If Elected, Aiyedatiwa Vows

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  Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has vowed to give his best, if elected in the November 16 governorship election. Aiyedatiwa also pledged his unwavering commitment to improving residents’ quality of life. Speaking during his campaign tour to Ifedore Local Government Area, the All Progressives Congress, APC, the candidate said his administration would not deviate from giving the people the best. He added that his administration will continue to prioritise healthcare and Infrastructure development. The governor, who noted the demands of the people of Ifedore in healthcare facilities, road construction and infrastructural development, pledged that the right steps were being taken to address the situation. Ifedore needs The traditional ruler of Igbaraoke, Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Oba Adefarakanmi Agbede, listed the needs of the community to include rehabilitation of roads, which he described as “the lifeline of our community, connecting our people to opportunities. Its rehabilitation will greatly enhance economic activities.” He noted the challenges with healthcare, revealing that the community’s basic Healthcare centre lacked resident doctors and personnel. “Your swift intervention in matters affecting our traditional institution shows your respect for us. This is why you have earned our trust. “The road network across this local government requires urgent attention to improve access and facilitate development “We need access to reliable healthcare. The absence of a resident doctor has left us vulnerable for too long. “We are in dire need of water, while flooding has been a recurring problem. We seek your intervention to address these concerns.” Aiyedatiwa, however, expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers for their blessings and support, emphasizing the importance of traditional rulers in shaping public opinion. Aiyedatiwa’s pledge He said: “Your endorsement carries great weight with the people. When you speak, they listen and follow. We will double our efforts to ensure that all your requests are addressed promptly, our government remains focused on delivering lasting infrastructure and improved services that benefit every citizen. “I am assuring you that we will address them promptly. We remain committed to improving infrastructure and delivering projects that will uplift every corner of this state.” The governor said that his administration’s development agenda is people-centred and promised that all ongoing projects across all sectors will continue to reflect the priorities of the people. “Our government belongs to all of you, and your welfare is our priority. Together, we will achieve more, I urge the whole local government to stay united and maintain their support throughout the campaign and beyond.”  

Binance Executive Gambaryan Leaves Nigeria After Eight Months Of Detention.

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  The world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange made the disclosure in a statement shared with The PUNCH on Thursday. “Today, American citizen Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family after eight months of unlawful detention. “Gambaryan was allowed to leave Kuje prison last night. His health has suffered significantly while in prison. He will now be able to finally receive the medical attention he desperately requires,” the exchange said. The development followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, which dismissed the money laundering charges brought against Gambaryan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. During the court session, the EFCC explained that the case could not proceed at the last adjourned date due to Gambaryan’s declining health. A review by the Nigerian Correctional Service, supported by the Office of the National Security Adviser, indicated that Gambaryan’s condition had worsened to the extent that he could hardly walk without the aid of a wheelchair. The development followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, which dismissed the money laundering charges brought against Gambaryan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. During the court session, the EFCC explained that the case could not proceed at the last adjourned date due to Gambaryan’s declining health. A review by the Nigerian Correctional Service, supported by the Office of the National Security Adviser, indicated that Gambaryan’s condition had worsened to the extent that he could hardly walk without the aid of a wheelchair. Binance prosecution continues as court frees executive on health grounds FG drops money laundering charges against Binance executive Gambaryan Court adjourns Binance executive Gambaryan trial till October 25 Reacting to the development, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, expressed her relief at his release. “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the US government for their efforts in securing his release. I also want to thank everyone who helped us throughout this ordeal. There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength. “The road ahead for Tigran’s recovery is going to be difficult, and I appreciate being given the time and space to focus on that. Our children cannot wait to see their dad again,” she stated. In February, Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British-Kenyan who serves as the regional manager for Africa at Binance. Both were charged with money laundering involving $35m, as initiated by the anti-graft agency. While Anjarwalla managed to escape custody on March 22, 2024, Gambaryan was arraigned in court on April 8.  

Withdraw Old Notes Before December Deadline, Reps Tell CBN

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  The House of Representatives has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to begin the gradual withdrawal of old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes from circulation ahead of the December 31, 2024 deadline. During a plenary session on Thursday, lawmakers also urged the CBN to increase the issuance of the new banknotes to ensure a smooth transition. This resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Rep Afam Ogene, who expressed concern over the lack of public awareness on the looming deadline. Ogene noted that with less than two months to go, the CBN has not initiated any meaningful public sensitization on the change, a crucial step to avoid a repeat of the 2023 chaos when the currency switch caused widespread hardship. Ogene further emphasized that if the CBN does not act promptly, Nigerians may face severe difficulties as the old notes cease to be legal tender on January 1, 2025. He recalled the litigation and public frustration during the 2023 currency transition and stressed that proactive public awareness campaigns, such as jingles, radio, television, and social media postings, should have commenced months ago. The House also directed the CBN to order commercial banks to stop disbursing old notes and only release the new currency, urging a gradual phase-out of the old notes. The House Committee on Banking Regulations was instructed to ensure compliance and report back within 21 days.  

Three Dead In Helicopter Accident In Port Harcourt.

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  Three persons have been confirmed dead after a helicopter ditched into the waters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Channels Television reports that the accident occurred at 11:22 am on Thursday, along the waterways in Port Harcourt. The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig. A total of eight persons were on board, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi. The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, the authorities said, adding that rescue efforts have been activated.

Ondo Assembly Approves N96 Billion Supplementary Budget For 2024

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  Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently forwarded to the lawmakers, a bill for a supplementary appropriation, increasing the initial N395billion 2024 budget to N487 billion. Aiyedatiwa had anchored his request for a supplementary budget on the effects of petrol subsidy removal and to enable implementation of N73, 000 minimum wage recently announced for the state’s workforce. The House of the Assembly in its discretion increased the governor’s proposal to N492billion, amounting to increase of N96billion. Speaking after submitting the report of the House’s Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Owo 1/APC, said there was need for additional funds for target goals of the government. Ogunmolasuyi, the House Majority Leader and Chairman of the committee, said funds allocated to some government’s ministries, departments and agencies had been exhausted because of inflationary pressure on the signed 2024 budget. He added that the revised budget would give a clear expression for rapid development in the state.

Dangote Refinery Starts Direct Petrol Sales To Marketers

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  The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has started supplying Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, to some oil marketers directly without recourse to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. It was gathered that while more oil marketers were intensifying efforts to buy the product directly from the plant, others were importing the commodity, as hundreds of millions of litres of imported PMS should hit Nigeria’s shores in two weeks’ time. Recall that The PUNCH exclusively reported on Monday that no fewer than four vessels carrying imported PMS arrived at seaports situated along the nation’s borders between Friday, October 18, and Sunday, October 20. The report cited a document obtained from the Nigerian Port Authority, which showed that about 123.4 million litres of PMS were berthed at two seaports to improve fuel supply nationwide. The development confirmed an earlier exclusive report by The PUNCH, which disclosed that oil dealers intend to import the commodity to supplement the supply from the $20bn Dangote refinery. Meanwhile, as major oil marketers import the commodity, their counterparts have started lifting PMS directly from the Lekki-based plant. A senior official at the refinery said marketers are now allowed to approach the company for direct business transactions on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis. “Marketers are already coming to the refinery to lift PMS. They are lifting directly from the refinery, not through a third party,” the reliable official, who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated. The source, who could not tell the price at which marketers were lifting the product, noted that the oil dealers would not come if the price was not favourable to them. “We have reached agreements with some of the marketers and more are still ongoing. I don’t know the exact price, but if the price is not good, the marketers would not be coming to us,” the official stated. He maintained that things are improving, especially as the Federal Government commenced the supply of crude to the facility. Another official at the facility showed one of our correspondents the trucks of some marketers loading the product directly from the plant without going through NNPC. “Some of the trucks you saw there today were from marketers purchasing the product directly from Dangote, without recourse to NNPC. So the direct sale has started,” the source stated. The official explained that due to the high demand for petrol in Nigeria and other countries, the refinery had focused on ensuring 53 per cent of PMS production from its crude oil supplies. “This could be reviewed in future if the demand for other finished products increases more than the demand for petrol, but right now about 53 per cent of our crude is used for petrol production, while other products account for the remaining percentage,” the official stated. When asked if marketers had started the direct purchase of petrol from Dangote without recourse to NNPC, one of the notable major marketers in the country replied in the affirmative. “Yes, everyone is in the process. This was advised that it would happen soon and is a normal business transaction,” the source stated. But this is contrary to claims from some quarters that the refinery would not be able to sell petrol to marketers unless the deal between it and the NNPC is terminated. The PUNCH recalls the company had initially announced that the NNPC would be the sole off-taker of its petrol from September 15. A source at the refinery said this was as decided by the Federal Government. The source said he was taken aback when the Technical Subcommittee on Domestic Sale of Crude Oil in Local Currency announced on October 11 that marketers should now lift petrol directly from the refinery. “Moving forward, petroleum product marketers are now able to purchase PMS directly from local refineries without the intermediary role of NNPC. Marketers are encouraged to initiate direct purchases from refineries on mutually negotiated commercial terms, which will promote competition and improve market efficiency,” the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who heads the committee stated in a statement. As the committee made the announcement, operators said the market had been fully deregulated and they would approach the refinery to apply for PMS lifting. The PUNCH recalls that the Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, recently led other officials of the association to a meeting with the Vice President of the Dangote Industries, Devakumar Edwin, in Lagos. Though Fashola did not give much updates about the meeting with Edwin, he appreciated him for the roles he had been playing. “Edwin received us very well and promised to make things easier for IPMAN to do business with Dangote,” he said. Fashola added, “We had a fruitful discussion with the group. We have started discussing modalities and other logistics. IPMAN has agreed to work with Dangote. We hope very soon we will start lifting products from the facility.” However, IPMAN said it could not commence the immediate off-take of the product unless the refinery ends its contract with the NNPC. But officials at the refinery stated that the refinery was now selling PMS to some marketers. When the Dangote refinery began the sale of PMS on September 15, the NNPC said it bought the product at the rate of N898/litre; a claim the refinery described as mischievous. The refinery said the naira-for-crude committee would be the one to announce the price of its PMS. The committee has yet to do so as of October 22.  

Clark – We’ll Not Allow Scrapping Of Niger Delta Affairs Ministry.

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  FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu for scrapping the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, saying the people of the region will not allow that. Reacting to the scrapping of the Niger Delta Affairs yesterday in Abuja, the Elderstatesman who noted that there was no basis for the scrapping of the Ministry, accused the Federal government of plans to use the money from the South-South geo-political zones to develop the various development Commissions from the geo-political zones that have been established. According to the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, President Tinubu has no good plans for the people of Niger, just as he said that late President Umaru Yar’Adua created the ministry for the development of the Zone, ensure permanent peace as well as the nip in the bud, cases of pipeline vandalisation. The Leader of the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF said, “The news came to me as a surprise There’s no basis for scrapping it now, Yar’Adua had a poised for creating it, to develop the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria, to bring peace to the region. “What I have noted so far is that there is no basis for scrapping it. Yar’Adua had a clear purpose to address the security situation in the Niger Delta, which led to the creation of the Ministry to focus on the development of that area. We have been working for some time now, managing our commissions. “It is not about that; it is the administrative structure created by the President. Unfortunately, it was misunderstood by Nigerians due to its complexity. “Why would you take over a Ministry without any development plans, funding, or concrete actions? Even the East-West Road, which was meant to be under the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is not being addressed; it has been handed back to the Ministry of Works. “What I am saying is that the federal government lacks special arrangements for this region. When I saw that every region was establishing its development centres or Commissions, I anticipated these issues would arise. “Are there going to be multiple ministries within one region? One would expect that 30 or 40 people would have walked out to share the details. “I remember during the national conference in 2014, it was decided to increase the revenue allocation to the regions from 13% to 25%. Ultimately, it was settled at 18%, but we disagreed, which led to further discussions about a separate fund to support development post-Boko Haram. “There was also an agreement that 5% of the federation account would be allocated annually to support regions affected by the conflict. Unfortunately, this has not been implemented. “We also agreed that 5% of the revenue account should be dedicated to developing mineral resources and other industries to enhance local capacity. I was pleased with these discussions, but they haven’t translated into action, which is disturbing. “The government needs to consult with the leaders of the Niger Delta and the South-South region. What we ate saying is that these unresolved issues cannot be overlooked by the government.” Clark further said, “The government must explain why they decided to halt critical legislation. This raises concerns about how the benefits of regional developments are being managed. Many people feel disconnected from the process, and it seems resources are being diverted from local needs. “We need to ensure that regional development isn’t scrapped without a clear plan for its replacement. We will not allow it to be scrapped, the government wants to use South South money to develop other Development Commissions. “In a democratic system, the government should be created for the people, by the people, and for their benefit. It shouldn’t operate as a one-man show.” In an unexpected turn of events, President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council yesterday announced the scrapping of the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development. In a tweet by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, the decision was reached during the FEC meeting.  

Bobrisky Falls Ill In Police Custody, Rushed To Hospital

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  Controversial crossdresser, Okuneye Idris, popularly known as Bobrisky, has reportedly fallen ill while in detention at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. After spending the night in a police cell, Bobrisky was rushed to Falomo Police Hospital for medical attention. A source confirmed the development, stating that he was transferred from the FCID to the hospital for treatment. The source said, “Bobrisky complained of ‘breast’ pain and was rushed to the Police Hospital in the Falomo area of Lagos around 2:00 p.m. in an ambulance with the plate number LND 339L. He wore a black gown, covered his face with a shawl, and lay down in the ambulance.” Bobrisky was taken into custody on Monday night by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) following his arrest at the Seme border in Lagos during an alleged attempt to leave the country. There are indications that he may remain in detention as detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his arrest. The FCID is expected to obtain a remand order for his continued detention. A statement from the FCID regarding Bobrisky’s situation is expected later today. NIS spokesperson, Kenneth Udo, confirmed the arrest, describing Bobrisky as “a person of interest.” He further stated that the NIS had intercepted him at the Seme border as part of their efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders.

Police To Train Recruits On Sex Education, Others

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  Recruits of the Nigeria Police Force will now receive training on topics such as sex education, anti-corruption laws, harassment and gender-based crimes, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, and election security. Other subjects include the core principles of public relations and public speaking, cartography, map reading, human relations, report writing, the Cybercrime Act 2015, combat skills, artificial intelligence, attitudinal and behavioural changes, and public conduct. These topics are part of the new training curriculum approved for all recruits by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. In a statement on Wednesday, the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the new curriculum aims to enhance the professionalism and operational effectiveness of the service. He said, “The IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has approved the implementation of a revised training curriculum for all police recruits, a significant step towards enhancing the professionalism and operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force. This new training curriculum, when fully implemented, will prepare the recruits for the challenges they will face while policing a complex society like Nigeria, and how to best perform their duties in line with international best practices. “The revised curriculum introduces a comprehensive range of training topics, which includes: The Police Act 2020, to familiarise trainees with the latest legal framework guiding police operations; The Nigeria Police Force Social Media Policy, to help trainees understand appropriate social media conduct and the role of social media in policing and communication; computer studies, gender mainstreaming and education, sex education, anti-corruption laws, training on harassment and gender-based crimes, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, election security (Electoral Act 2022), the core principles of public relations and public speaking, cartography, map reading, human relations, report writing, the Cybercrime Act 2015, combat skills, artificial intelligence, attitudinal and behavioural changes, and public conduct.” Adejobi added that the implementation of this revised curriculum aligns with the IGP’s commitment to intellectual and capacity building within the Nigeria Police Force. “By addressing critical areas of training, the IGP aims to improve the recruits’ performance, professionalism, and community-oriented approach, preparing them to effectively discharge their duties within the bounds of the law. “The Nigeria Police Force is committed to continuous improvement and sensitization of its officers, ensuring that they are not only well-trained but also equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the high demands of policing, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to achieve the crime-free society we deserve,” he added. PUNCH

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