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Agba Disclaims “Responses” ‘To Fatherly Guidance By Benin Monarch,’ Says ‘Oba Remains My Father’

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Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, the immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, has distanced himself from some articles purportedly written by some individuals as responses to Oba of Benin’s enquiries about his (Agba) stewardship as a minister.

He said those writing such articles that have been trending online were not known to him (Agba), nor did he sponsor any article or commission anyone to reply to the Oba whom he described as his father.

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Ewuare II had, during Agba’s visit to the Benin throne on June 15, questioned the former minister about his stewardship in the state.

Agba, in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Benin, Thursday evening entitled: “Disclaimer Notice”, said: “I do not, I repeat, I do not, and I will not have any disagreements with His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom, on any matter whatsoever.”

Agba’s statement read in part: “I would like to address some commentaries and articles that have come to my attention, purportedly in response to the questions I received from our esteemed Royal Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin Kingdom about my stewardship.”

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He continued: “Let me make it clear, without any doubt, that the commentaries and articles that have surfaced are neither sought nor sponsored by me. It is not my nature to join issues in public. He is not only my father but also the father of all of us in Edo State.”

READ ALSO: Neymar Faces Possible $1m Fine Over Brazil Property Work

According to the former minister, unaware to the public, after the public meeting where the Monarch raised some questions about his stewardship, he later met with the Oba in private wherein he (Agba) clarified some of the issues raised by the Oba.

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“However, unaware to most, later that evening, His Royal Majesty graciously granted me an opportunity to privately discuss and address those concerns, allowing me to provide clarifications and answers. Especially regarding how the provision for the storage of the artefacts was captured in the Budget, for which I apologized and clarified that was not my intention,” he stated.

He, therefore, advised “those who insist on writing articles and commentaries, attempting to politicize the situation” to “discontinue this fruitless pursuit.”

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‘Nigeria Proud Way Tinubu Was Buried’ – Akpabio Goofs

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday goofed while commending President Bola Tinubu over his role in the burial of his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio said Nigeria is proud of the way “Tinubu was honored and buried.”

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Buhari died in London on July 13 and was flown back to Daura, Katsina State, where he was buried on July 15.

Upon arrival in Daura, Tinubu had led a federal government delegation to receive Buhari’s corpse at the airport. The president was present during the state burial accorded to Buhari.

READ ALSO:Meta Cracks Down On Fake Accounts, Deletes 10 Million Profiles

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Speaking, Akpabio said: “The whole country is very proud of what this administration has done in the way and manner President Bola Tinubu was honoured and was buried. President Buhari was honoured and buried rather.

“Distinguish Senator Ningi, you also observed that President Bola Tinubu will not be forgotten for what he did during the burial ceremony of Buhari.

“In the Senate, we are also determined to ensure that in our books, the records say he should also have this valedictory, despite all said and done.”

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NAFDAC Uncovers Warehouse Loaded With Explosive Chemicals In Kano

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A massive cache of industrial chemicals believed to be capable of producing explosives has been discovered and sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kano State.

The facility, located in Kwakwachi within Fagge Local Government Area, reportedly housed 88,560 litres of hazardous substances—including highly concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids.

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Speaking to journalists during an inspection of the site on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the discovery as deeply alarming.

Prof. Adeyeye was represented at the scene by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement.

READ ALSO:NAFDAC Shuts Over 11,000 Shops Selling Illicit Drugs, Arrests 40 Suspects

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According to Iluyomade, the warehouse was holding 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid (at 90.5% concentration) and 28,560 litres of nitric acid (at 68% concentration). Also discovered were 330 empty jerricans—evidence that some of the chemicals had already been distributed to unknown individuals.

What we have seen here is mind-boggling, I don’t think I have ever seen this quantity of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid together in one place like this before,” Adeyeye said.

She explained that it was NAFDAC officials who, acting on a tip-off, traced the warehouse and found it operational. However, only a single staff member—the warehouse manager—was present at the time of the raid. He was immediately taken into custody.

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NAFDAC said the person listed as the warehouse’s owner is not recognized as a licensed chemical marketer, which raises further red flags about the nature of the business being conducted.

READ ALSO:NAFDAC Seizes 140 Tonnes Of Expired Drugs, Uncovers Warehouses In Aba

“The owner is not listed as a chemical marketer. We keep a database to monitor the importation, use, and disposal of such chemicals. These acids are controlled chemicals that are not to be handled by just anybody,” she said.

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Adeyeye stressed that importing this category of chemicals is a highly regulated process. It requires security clearance and permits, none of which were available in this case.

Importing such chemicals requires clearance from the National Security Adviser and permits, none of which the owner possessed.”

“Permit and clearance is important because these chemicals are used to manufacture explosives.”

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READ ALSO:NAFDAC Destroys Fake, Expired Drugs Worth ₦4.7bn In Rivers

The volume of substances found in the warehouse, she noted, posed a grave threat to public safety.

“The volume we have here is enough to destroy the whole of Kano if mishandled,” she warned.

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With the prime suspect still at large, NAFDAC said it has begun interrogating the arrested warehouse manager to uncover the chain of custody and determine the final destination of the chemicals.

Prof. Adeyeye further assured the public that the seized chemicals would be destroyed in accordance with environmental and safety regulations to prevent any misuse.

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Nigerians Can Vote You Out In 2027 – Baba-Ahmed Warns Tinubu

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Former presidential aide, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that Nigerians have the power to vote out President Bola Tinubu in 2027 if the election is free and fair.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said the President should focus less on political calculations and more on governance, noting that the electorate will ultimately judge him based on his performance in office.

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“The bottom line is that Nigerians are going to say, ‘What have you done with the first four years we gave you?’” he said. “Don’t take us for granted. We can vote you out if the election is free and fair. So show us what you’ve done.”

READ ALSO:No Patriotic Nigerian Will Support Tinubu In 2027 – PDP

Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from his government appointment about three months ago, made the remarks while reacting to speculation about a plan to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.

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He criticised the President’s silence on the rumours, arguing that Tinubu should have personally addressed the issue if it were truly baseless.

If all these stories about dropping the Vice President have absolutely no iota of truth, it would have taken just one thing: the President directly and personally saying, ‘Stop this nonsense. I have confidence in my Vice President. I work well with him. I am happy with him. And I want this nonsense about me dropping him, now or in the future, to stop,’” he said.

READ ALSO:Lawyers Drag Tinubu To Court, Seek Emergency Rule In Zamfara

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According to Baba-Ahmed, Tinubu’s failure to make such a declaration leaves room for suspicion. “His people didn’t say that. He didn’t say that. So, I would be very curious to find out what it is that makes all these stories about dropping him,” he added.

He concluded by stressing that leadership must be accountable and measurable. “It’s a governance thing that you will take to the electorate at the end. It doesn’t matter what you think you’ve done—all the defections to your party. Nigerians will decide.”

 

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