News
NDDC Contract: Akpabio, Senator Nwaoboshi Trade Words
Published
5 years agoon
By
Editor
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has refuted allegations by the Senate Committee Chairman on Niger Delta Affairs, Peter Nwaoboshi, on claims that he wrote personal letters to him as Senate Minority Leader, requesting for Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) intervention projects in his senatorial district.
Nwaoboshi, at a press briefing last week, brandished some letters purportedly written to him by Akpabio, that his projects should be included in the budget of the NDDC.
The former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, through his Chief Press Secretary, Anietie Ekong, however, dismissed the allegations, explaining that the said letters were addressed to the leadership of the Senate, contrary to Nwaoboshi’s claims.
READ ALSO: Ijaw Religious Group Accuses Akpabio Of Working Against NDDC Act, Berates Avengers Over Silence
In reaction Ekong, “Senator Peter Nwaboshi’s press briefing in which he alleged that my boss had written to him as a member of the Committee on Niger Delta to request for NDDC contracts to the tune of N500 million is false. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Explaining further, Akpabio’s media aide said the “truth is that the letters he was brandishing were addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly at the time to make recommendations for zonal intervention projects as requested by the leadership.
“On what basis would Senator Akpabio have written to Senator Nwaboshi to be awarded NDDC contract? Is he the Managing Director of the NDDC? Senator Akpabio never requested for NDDC contracts from Senator Peter Nwaboshi as he is claiming. He’s lying and no one should take him serious.”
READ ALSO: House Of Reps Insists Threats, Blackmail Won’t Stop NDDC Probe
Instead, he urged Nwaoboshi to respond to some of the grievous allegations made against him by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of NDDC, that he wrecked the Commission’s budget apart for his personal benefits.
“We understand that people are getting hysterical because of the ongoing forensic audit because of what had happened in the past. Making spurious allegations against Senator Akpabio cannot stop the probe.
“Rather than seek for straws to cling on, Senator Nwaoboshi should address the grievous allegations of the NDDC that he mindlessly wrecked the NDDC budget for his personal benefits, a practice that has been perpetrated over the years and throwing the Commission into near insolvency which the present management is trying to clean up.
READ ALSO: IYC, NDDC Disagree Over N3.8bn Non-existing Contracts
“With the present Interim Management Committee led by Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei and the NDDC under the supervision of Senator Godswill Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, it can no longer be business as usual as the wanton rape of the Niger Delta region must stop.”
(SUN)
(PHOTO: File)
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News
Indecent Dressing Punishable Offence, Attracts N50,000 Fine In Delta — Police Warns
Published
36 minutes agoon
June 29, 2025By
Editor
The Delta State Police Command has warned that indecent dressing in Delta is now a punishable offence under the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, attracting a fine of N50,000 or community service.
The warning on indecent dressing in Delta was issued in a post shared via the Command’s official X handle on Saturday.
The police noted that many residents may be unaware of certain state laws, adding that it would begin a weekly sensitisation campaign to educate the public.
READ ALSO:Operatives Storm Kidnappers’ Hideout In Delta, Kill Five
“There are some laws that you don’t know the state frowns against.
“So, every weekend, we will be dropping some of these laws so that you will be aware,” the post read.
Addressing indecent dressing in Delta specifically, the Command stated: “As you no like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well, and you prefer dey waka go work, school, or anywhere with clothes wey dey show everywhere for your body, make you hear am – Delta state government nor dey smile for that kain dressing. VAAP law don ready to punish anybody wey no dress well.”
Under Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law, anyone who intentionally exposes their private parts, wholly or partially, in public is guilty of indecent exposure.
READ ALSO:Police Arrest Eight Suspected Kidnappers, Recover N4m Ransom In Delta
Upon conviction, offenders may be ordered to perform community service, pay a fine not exceeding N50,000, or both.
The law, originally passed at the federal level in 2015 and domesticated in Delta State in 2020, seeks to address all forms of violence against persons in both public and private life, and to protect vulnerable groups within the state.
It states: “(1) A person who intentionally exposes any of his or her private parts wholly or partly in public commits the offence of indecent exposure.
(2) “A person who commits the offence provided for in subsection (1) of this Section is liable on conviction to perform such community service as the court may order or to pay a fine not exceeding N50,000.00 or both.”
News
Security Votes: SERAP Gives Governors Seven Days To Explain Spending
Published
57 minutes agoon
June 29, 2025By
Editor
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 36 state governors across Nigeria, demanding immediate disclosure of how security votes have been spent since May 29, 2023.
In letters dated June 28, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged state governors to not only make public the details of their security vote expenditures but also to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate and monitor the funds disbursed under this opaque category of spending.
“The escalating insecurity in several states is taking a devastating toll on socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians, driving up extreme poverty, intensifying hunger, and leading to other grave human rights violations,” SERAP stated.
The organisation referenced the recent massacre in Benue State and broader national insecurity as a compelling justification for their demand.
READ ALSO:SERAP Kicks As Bill To Jail Nigerians Who Don’t Vote Is Proposed
According to SERAP, despite billions of naira being allocated annually for security votes, many governors are failing to uphold their constitutional duty to ensure the security and welfare of the people.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, SERAP emphasised that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” warning that the persistent secrecy surrounding these funds has enabled widespread misuse and undermined public trust.
“In 2021 alone, state governors and local government chairmen reportedly collected over N375 billion in security votes.
“Yet, insecurity continues to spiral out of control in many states, highlighting a dangerous disconnect between allocated resources and actual results.”
Security votes—typically large, discretionary funds allocated to state executives ostensibly for improving security—are widely criticised for their lack of transparency and accountability. While governments often cite national security as a reason for nondisclosure, SERAP argues there is no legal basis for hiding public spending under this guise.
READ ALSO:SERAP Drags Tinubu To Court Over Fubara, Deputy, Lawmakers’ Suspension
“While authorities may keep certain matters of operational secrecy from the public, there is no constitutional or legal justification for withholding basic information on how public funds are spent,” the letter read.
Referring to a landmark Supreme Court ruling, SERAP reminded governors that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all levels of government, including states.
“The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend security votes,” the group added.
SERAP warned that failure to respond within seven days of the receipt or publication of the FoI request would prompt legal action to compel compliance.
“The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold it,” SERAP stated. “The people have a right to know how their money is being used, especially in matters as crucial as security.”
READ ALSO:‘It’s Patently Unlawful,’ SERAP Sues Akpabio Over Natasha’s Suspension
The group further argued that the misuse and secrecy around security votes have hindered meaningful oversight and contributed to a culture of impunity, where governors view these funds as personal entitlements rather than tools to enhance public safety.
“Years of secrecy in the spending of security votes have limited the ability of Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable,” the statement continued.
“This is a grave violation of public trust and a breach of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and international obligations,” SERAP noted.
Quoting Section 15(5) of the Constitution, SERAP reminded governors that they are mandated to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.”
It added that proper use of security votes should be directed at improving the security situation or returned to the public treasury.
READ ALSO:SERAP To Court: Stop CBN From ‘Implementing ‘Unlawful, Unjust ATM Fee Hike’
SERAP’s position came as a result of the recent assessments from international organisations.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria has been listed among 39 countries classified as being in “fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS).”
“The World Bank noted that insecurity is contributing to extreme poverty in Nigeria.
“Millions are experiencing acute food insecurity, while severe gaps in education and healthcare undermine national development,” SERAP said.
The organisation concluded by urging governors to lead a transparent and honest national dialogue about the security crisis and the real impact of security vote expenditures.
“Disclosing these details will not only build public trust but also catalyse more effective, collective responses to the worsening security challenges across the country,” SERAP stated.
News
10 Things To Know About Late Kano-born Business Mogul, Aminu Dantata
Published
1 hour agoon
June 29, 2025By
Editor
Renowned Kano-born business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, has passed on at the age of 94 after a prolonged illness associated with old age.
The news of billionaire businessman’s demise was disclosed via a social media post on Saturday by the Deputy National Treasurer of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Uba Tanko Mijinyawa.
Here are 10 things to know about the late icon:
1.Alhaji Aminu Dantata was born on May 19, 1931, into the prominent Dantata family of Kano. He was the son of Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, one of West Africa’s most successful merchants and a pioneer in long-distance trade and commerce in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air MD In N1.3bn Fraud Case
2.He began his business career as a produce buyer at Alhassan Dantata and Sons Limited. Over time, he built an empire with vast investments in finance, real estate, agriculture, construction, and the petroleum sector.
3.In 1962, Dantata became a member of the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank and was later appointed as one of its directors, playing a key role in Nigeria’s early industrial development.
4.He was elected into the Northern House of Assembly in 1966. In 1967, he was appointed as a Commissioner in the Kano State Government, a position he held until 1973. He also contributed to Nigeria’s democratic evolution as a member of the 1979 Constitution Drafting Committee.
5.Dantata led several trade missions abroad, representing Nigeria’s private sector on the global stage. He was known for promoting international partnerships and strengthening commercial ties between Nigeria and other countries.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Dana Air Staff Protest Mass Sacking, Non-payment Of Salaries
6.He was honoured with several academic accolades, receiving honorary doctorate degrees from top Nigerian universities such as Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Abia State University, Imo State University, and Usman Danfodio University.
7.A recipient of two prestigious national honours — Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the National Republic of Niger (CONN) — Dantata was widely recognized for his contributions to national development.
8.He was deeply involved in philanthropy, investing heavily in education, youth empowerment, and skills acquisition. His efforts supported thousands of Nigerians in accessing better opportunities and improving their livelihoods.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: Renowned Businessman, Aminu Dantata, Is Dead
9.He was a patron and life member of various business and industry organizations, including the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Kano Chamber of Commerce, the National Council of Farmers, and the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industries.
10.Alhaji Aminu Dantata married Hajiya Rabi Aminu Dantata, who conducted all his business dealings with women. He later married Maimuna, and between both wives, he had many children. He was also Chancellor of Al-Qalam University and served as a Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank Plc, continuing his legacy in both education and Islamic finance.
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