Abia

Two soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force South-East Operation in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State have been killed by unidentified gunmen.

 Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South-East Operation confirmed the attack in a statement to newsmen.

However, the military blamed the attack on the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network, ESN.

 SANWO-OLU

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on Lagosians to be safety conscious to avoid fire incidents which had become a regular occurrence in the state. The Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, and the permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Sesan Ogundeko, respectively represented the Governor at the opening of the new fire stations at Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu.

The governor in his address said the new stations were sited where they were needed the most, adding that they had been equipped to handle domestic fires, industrial accidents, and any other emergencies.

Sanwo-Olu assured the people that his administration was committed to prioritizing their safety and urged the residents of Ijegun and its surrounding areas to see the station as a community asset, a lifeline in times of crisis, and an assurance that government is here to serve and protect.

 NSA

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that obstructing security under President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not be tolerated.

While speaking at the Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Abuja, on Wednesday, Ribadu noted that the government’s high-level strategies had led to the killing of hundreds of bandits daily, forcing many to flee to Chad.

The NSA urged Nigerians to be patient in the face of the current challenges, as the government’s policies were designed to sanitize the system and improve the economy, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria was being reformed and that Naira would be stabilized.

FALANA

Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, has condemned the gifting of houses to judges by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

 Speaking during a Television program, Falana argued that it is wrong for the executive to give gifts to the members of the judiciary, especially judges, adding that the Constitution has granted financial autonomy to the judiciary which gives it authority to manage its own budget. As you may know, the minister had in October flagged off the Design and Construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District in Abuja, which generated controversy.

WIKE

In similar  news, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has denied claims that the building of homes for judges in Abuja is for the purpose of pocketing the judges for political gains.

 Wike made the clarification during a media chat on Wednesday, insisting that the project was approved in the 2024 budget, and he is only performing his duty of implementing it.

 According to him, the construction of homes for judges is not his policy, but part of welfare packages President Bola Tinubu designed for the judges to promote the independence of the judiciary.

SSANU

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged labour unions, especially the Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and others to prioritize the welfare and education of Nigerian students over strikes.

Alausa speaking at the opening of the 359th Quadrennial National delegates conference of SSANU held in Abuja, on Wednesday noted that industrial action should not be the first line of defence in seeking governmental attention to the union’s demands.

He acknowledged the frustrations experienced by the unions over unfulfilled government agreements in the past but assured that the Tinubu-led administration remained committed to delivering on promises and agreements as well as making tough, long-term decisions for the betterment of the nation.

UMAHI

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, during his address at the stakeholders’ meeting in Minna, has decried the deplorable condition of the Abuja-Minna federal road, saying he did not see any work done by Salini Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project.

This statement follows after the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, asked that the Minna-Suleja road contract awarded to Salini Nigeria Ltd be revoked due to the firm’s lack of capacity, adding that he recommends HiTech and CCEC contractors, who successfully handled the Abuja-Kaduna road project, demonstrating proven capabilities in delivering quality work.

Umahi however stated that the infrastructure project initiated by President Bola Tinubu, prioritized investment over mere legacy, aiming to stimulate growth and development across multiple sectors.