My Refinery To Commence Operations Before September, Says Dangote

-

January 24, 2022

Ex-Niger Delta militants have urged companies and businesses that left the region following the era of militancy to return because they have resolved to ensure uninterrupted peace in the region henceforth.

The former militant warlords, who also called on interventionist agencies to work together with them to sustain the peace and ensure the development of the region, condemned the proliferation of illegal refineries and lamented its adverse effects on the health of the people.

Speaking in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital over the weekend during a regional peace summit to sensitise people on the need to advance the peace currently enjoyed in the region, the ex-militants said that peace was very vital in bringing back investors to the region.

One of the participants at the summit and ex-freedom fighter, Pastor Nature Dumale Kieghe, said as ex-agitators, who keyed into the vision of the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), they had resolved to work for a new and better Niger Delta.

I Didn’t Market Buhari To Nigerians, It Was Only His Pictures I Posted — Dele Momodu

By

-

January 24, 2022

Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, has said he never campaigned for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Momodu said in an interview: “I actually like the man personally but his politics, no way.”

The 2023 presidential aspirant denied allegations that he promoted Buhari’s campaign for the presidency.

“I didn’t sell Buhari to you. All I did was post his pictures. There is no way anyone can say, I said you must go and vote for Buhari.

“The mess in Nigeria today is because Nigerians find it difficult to detach themselves from career politicians.

“But Nigeria cannot continue in this madness. Why we lack progress is because we are too embittered, too enraged, it is unbelievable.”

Momodu also spoke about how he lived in fear in London after fleeing from the military government of Sani Abacha, former head of state.

He narrated how an explosion shocked him and his staff while at their office space close to the Canary Wharf in London.

“So, we got an office and second-hand furniture. We decided to get a bottle of cognac and celebrate because we got an office not minding how we were going to pay printers,” he said.

“Then boom! There was a bomb next to our building. A massive explosion with over 100 houses blown apart.

“We started running, and I started shouting Abacha! Abacha! I thought Abacha had discovered where I was. So, we ran, and we saw police dogs everywhere. Apparently, they had evacuated the area, and we didn’t know because we were busy celebrating.

“But we were lucky the building was bombproof, and our building was able to withstand the impact,’’ he said.

Vanguard

Sir Udensi Carpets Abia Govt Over Lack Of Transparency In Contract Awards, Says N6bn For Faulks Road Too High

By

-

January 24, 2022

A stalwart of APGA in Abia State, Sir Chikwe Udensi has condemned what he described as lack of transparency in the award by the PDP led government in the state, saying it gives room for suspicion.

According to Sir Udensi, Interpol Systems Consultant the award of about 4 kilometre Faulks Road in Aba, commercial capital of the state at the cost of N6bn is on the high side.

He spoke on a radio programme Open Parliament on Family Love FM Umuahia streamed live on ABN TV and Radio on Wednesday.

While expressing concern over the development, he faulted the due diligence and costing process applied by the state government in award of contracts.

He also said a reliable source at the Ministry of Works in the state informed him that they as officials of the ministry are not aware of contracts being awarded, the process and when they are awarded to contractors, insisting that they have no input in it.

“N6bn for Faulks Road is completely out of the way especially when the recognised benchmark for highways is N218m or N220m per kilometre. How can we now spend that kind of money for less than 4 kilometres. It is unfortunate.

“My higher understanding of what the problem of Abia is is not just about the higher cost of the construction but the quality of work done is very substandard”, he said.

The governorship aspirant said his investigations from notable construction firms in the country indicate that the cost being bandied by the state government for the award of Osisioma flyover at the cost of N4.4bn is outrageous.

He said his due diligence shows that the cost of the flyover ought to be about N850m to N900m for the construction, raising concern about the quality of asphalting of Faulks Road and other projects in the state.

Super Eagles Lose 1-0 To Tunisia, Crash Out Of AFCON

By

-

January 24, 2022

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will not get the chance to win their fourth title, just yet, after a 47th minute Youssef Msakni strike sent them out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

A cagey first half had it highlights the first of which arrived when Wilfred Ndidi flashed an overhead kick wide as early as the second minute as Nigeria looked to open the scoring.

The first real chance of the evening fell to the Tunisians, but Wilfred Ndidi came to the rescue with a goal-line clearance.

Nigeria responded almost instantly through Joe Aribo, but the Rangers man, after receiving a decent ball from Moses Simon, saw his shot blocked at the last second.

The Carthage Eagles were rattled and could have conceded just past the quarter of the hour, but Taiwo Awoniyi could not get his head to make contact with a side-footed Samuel Chukwueze cross.

The Villarreal winger and Aina combined well on the right flank before the Chelsea academy product sent a low cross into the box which arrived behind Awoniyi.

The rest of the half fizzled out without much Falmouth action as both teams were content keeping the ball away from their area as much as possible.

Moments into the second half, Tunisia broke the deadlock after a fierce Youssef Msakni drive left Okoye with egg on his face.

It was the first time the Augustine Eguavoen-led side would concede the first goal at the Afcon in Cameroon.

The Super Eagles reacted well, raising the tempo, but the ball did not fall kindly to any of Awoniyi or Iheanacho as they pressed for an equaliser.

The evening turned for the worst for Nigeria when the Eagles were reduced to ten men. Alex Iwobi, minutes after coming off the bench, was shown a straight red card for a rash stamp.

Still, Simon should have equalised for Nigeria after a Peter Olayinka cross found him in the box. But goalkeeper Ben Said kept out the Nantes man’s shot.

Okoye saved a fierce Tunisian drive as the North Africans exploited the spaces left behind by the attacking Nigerians.

The Super Eagles were relentless, though, and Simon flashed a free-kick just wide after good work from Umar Sadiq.

Ndidi sent another shot wide when well-placed and Sadiq missed another sitter late on as the crucial equaliser eluded the Super Eagles.

Nigeria’s 100% record in Cameroon ends on a sad note. The Super Eagles leave Cameroon with Tunisia processing to face Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.

Report On Minimum Wage Receiving Attention In Kogi, Letter For Impending Strike Unnecessary — Head of Service

By

-

January 23, 2022

Following a publication by organised labour in Kogi State about non-implementation of minimum wage in the state, the Head of Service Kogi State, Mrs, Hannah Onyinoyi Odiyo has said there is no need for such publication, stating that the issue is currently receiving attention.

While stating that a committee set up to this effect is not stalled against the claim of NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Onuh Edoka, the Head of Service categorically stated that the Committee has concluded its assignment, a report of which was earlier this year submitted to the Governor, Yahaya Bello for action.

“My attention has been drawn to the above – named publication by the Kogi State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress Comrade, Onuh Edoka over the non implementation of the minimum wage in Kogi State .

“I wish to make it categorically clear that the Minimum Wage Committee set up by the State Government on this issue is not stalled as alleged. Rather, the Committee had concluded her assignment before the end of year 2021 and report was submitted to His Excellecy, Alhaji Yahaya Bello this year.

“The report is presently receiving Government attention and the the Leadership of the Organized Labour in the State is aware of this development. As such, a warning letter for an impending strike is uncalled for at this point,” she stated.

Mrs. Odiyo therefore reiterated that the welfare of Kogi workers is of utmost importance to the state governor, Yahaya Bello, appealing for patience for implementation of the minimum wage.

She appealed to organised labour to maintain the existing harmonious relationship with the government while efforts are on the reach a compromise with the workers.

ABN TV To Stream Super Eagles Match Against Tunisia 7:45pm Sunday Live

By

-

January 23, 2022

As the Eagles continue to fly high at the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON 2021 in Cameroon, ABN TV will on Sunday evening stream the Nigeria’s Super Eagles knockout stage match against Tunisia live commencing 7:45pm to its teeming followers.

The management of ABN TV had earlier announced that the medium will continue to stream all matches of the Super Eagles live 15 minutes before the game.

Super Eagles of Nigeria had headed into the knockout rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations full of confidence after a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau to keep their perfect run going.

WATCH THE MATCH HERE> https://web.facebook.com/abnonlinetv

Umar Sadiq’s second-half strike put Nigeria in front, before captain William Troost-Ekong doubled the lead after a long VAR review.

The win means the Super Eagles are the only team to secure maximum points from the group stage.

Eagles will this night face one of the best third-placed teams in the last 16 as their search for a fourth AFCON title continues.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in a zoom call urged the Super Eagles to keep on winning, making the country proud.

He also assured them that the Federal Government will support them within the resources available.

Austin Eguavoen, the coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles had assured that the team will do the country proud at the game and subsequent ones.

Buhari In Zoom Call With Super Eagles, Charges Players To Maintain Winning Streak, Assures Support (Photos, Video)

By

-

January 23, 2022

Buhari In Zoom Call With Super Eagles, Charges Players To Maintain Winning Streak, Assures Support — Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to maintain a winning streak as they face Tunisia tonight in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 tournament in Cameroon.

Speaking with the team on Sunday morning from the Presidential Villa in Abuja via Zoom with the Minister of Youth and Sports beside him , President Buhari thanked the players and their coaches for doing the nation proud.

His words: “I want to thank you for what you have done for the nation so far. You have to keep winning. Nigerians are proud of you.

“You have demonstrated patriotic zeal and a high level of discipline, determination and commitment in all the games you have played so far and that is why we all are happy with you.

“The Government will continue to support you within available resources at our disposal.”

The coach, Austin Eguavoen and captain, Ahmed Musa in their responses promised that the team will not rest on their oars but will face their Round of 16 game tonight with the same attitude displayed during the group phase.

Also present at the Zoom meeting were the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, the Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin and the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.

Watch The Video Below……

Property Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Guts Shops, Homes In Umuahia (Photos, Video)

By

-

January 23, 2022

Fire on Saturday night gutted some residential buildings and shops along old Timber market Road, World Bank Housing estate Umuahia, Abia State, destroying property worth millions of Naira.

The fire incident occurred around 11pm on Saturday night after the EEDC restored power to the area, ABN TV gathered.

Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, the caretaker of the affected buildings, James Chinkwe Awom gave the number of affected shops as 4 including his two-bedroom apartment which was also razed down by the fire, destroying property worth three million Naira.

According to him, efforts by neighbours and passers-by to bring the fire under control was unsuccessful before the arrival of men of Abia State Fire Service.

One of the owners of the affected shops, a tailor who gave his name as Friday said he lost about six sewing machines which costs N150,000 each, two generators, customers’ cloths, and other valuables in the shop.

A worker in a pool office affected by the fire, Mrs. Honour said cash and other valuables which were in the shop, including her school certificates were affected by the fire.

The victims, therefore, appeal to the state government, good-spirited Nigerians, and the general public to come to their aid to enable them return to business again.

The Director of Abia State Fire Service, Mr. Arua Nnanna expressed regret over the incident.

He said the quick intervention of his men saved other nearby buildings from being affected by the fire incident.

Mr. Nnanna said poor building plans which did not allow for enough space between the buildings posed a challenge inadequately responding to the development.

He advised Abians to always switch off their appliances while leaving home, even as he maintains that the cause of the fire remains unknown till the proper investigation is concluded.

While thanking the neighbours for their intervention, he appealed to Abians to get fire extinguishers at their homes in cases of fire outbreaks.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW…..

Fuel Subsidy Removal: TUC Begins Nationwide Mobilisation Of Members For Strike

By

-

January 23, 2022