News

Anger Greets Presidential Wing’s N9.8bn Rehabilitation Vote

Published

10 months ago

November 2, 2024

Some civil society organisations have condemned the N9.8bn contract for the rehabilitation of link roads and other facilities at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The Executive Council of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Friday, awarded the contract to Julius Berger Plc.

The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Shehu Ahmad, who briefed the press after the 9th Executive Council meeting held at the FCT Secretariat in Abuja, explained that the contractor had six months to complete the project.

Ahmad added that the contract included the rehabilitation of the link road, access road to the presidential kitchen, rehabilitation of the hangar housing the presidential aircraft, and the holding centre for visiting presidents.

“The second memo presented from the side of the FCDA has to do with some rehabilitation, the construction of the existing link road from Bill Clinton Drive to the Presidential Wing. If you have plied that road, you know that that road is in a state of disrepair, and then there are other facilities within the Presidential Wing.

“These have shown signs of distress and dilapidation, so they are going to be rehabilitated. There is a presidential kitchen, which is founded within the Presidential Wing. There is no access from the road that is coming from the main road into that place. We will rehabilitate that road.

“These are some of the facilities that are to be done, and then there are some lights, the runway lights, on the side of the presidential wing. And then there’s a guest house, a holding center, we call it, for visiting presidents, and of course, for the other usage”, he said.

Reacting to the award, a civil society organisation, the Democratic Socialist Movement, described it as frivolous and insensitive.

According to DSM, the award is another pointer to President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s insincerity in reducing the cost of governance.

The National Secretary of the group, Peluola Adewale, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said, “It is generally about Tinubu’s government. While he has Nigerians to tighten our belts, he does not care about us as he continues to live in opulence. He does not reduce his luxury lifestyle.

“We should not forget the billions of naira spent on the rehabilitation of the vice presidential villa, and the purchase of a new jet among other luxurious lifestyles, when the majority of the people are languishing in poverty and hunger. Tinubu don’t care about the people, we can see that in his anti-poor, pro-rich policies.

“The N9.8bn presidential wing rehabilitation contract is a misplacement of priority, frivolous and insensitive.”

Also, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights questioned the necessity for the project, describing it as another ‘unnecessary project’.

“People are hungry and dying because they don’t have money to buy food and drugs, yet, the Tinubu’s government prioritises a luxurious lifestyle against the welfare of the people,” said the CDHR Chairman in Osun State, Emmanuel Olowu.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

16 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

16 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

16 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.