Connect with us

News

NYSC, Veritable Tool To Build Strong, United Nation – Gov. Mohammed

Published

on

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Friday, says that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) remains a veritable tool in the country’s quest to build a strong, united and indivisible entity.

He stated this during the official swearing in ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘A’ stream II corps members posted to Bauchi state at the permanent orientation camp, Wailo in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.

Advertisement

Mohammed, who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Ibrahim Kashim, added that the scheme, which was established about 50 years ago had demonstrated its ability to remain relevant in the life cycle of the nation.

READ ALSO: NYSC Excites Bauchi Community With Medical Outreach

He, however, urged the corps members to be patriotic and selfless in all their activities both in camp and at their places of primary assignment, adding that this would forge the ties of brotherhood based on trust, hopes and aspirations for a greater Nigeria.

Advertisement

“Given the strategic utility value of the youth as imperative for nation building, our government will spare no effort in strengthening and empowering youth related programmes and would also make adequate provision towards the realization of this objective.

“My dear compatriots, the success or otherwise of your service year is to a large extent dependent on the foundation laid during the orientation course.

“I enjoin you to participate actively in all camp activities so as to adequately equip yourselves for the challenges ahead.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Flood Takes Over NPC, NYSC Premises, As Heavy Downpour Wrecks Havoc in Lagos

“We are committed to supporting the NYSC scheme in the state and shall continue to ensure that necessary appropriation will continue to be provided to sustain the gains of the service corps,” he said.

The governor further reiterated his administration’s commitment to provide for the welfare and security needs of all corps members deployed to the state.

Advertisement

Also speaking, the state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, lauded the governor for the support the scheme had been enjoying in the state over time.

Yakubu was particular about the prompt mobilization of resources to rebuild the orientation camp’s perimeter fence that was destroyed by a rainstorm during the last rainy season.

“Sir, your unquantifiable love for the NYSC scheme is highly appreciated.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: NYSC Tasks Police On Protection Of Corps Members At Orientation Camps

“May I at this juncture, make a passionate appeal to Your Excellency to please assist in reconnecting the orientation camp to the national grid.

“I equally wish to reiterate our early appeal for expansion of the Camp multipurpose hall to 5000 capacity and additional hostel accommodation so as to meet up with the growing population of Corps members,” she said.

Advertisement

2,300 corps members were posted to the state for the one year compulsory exercise, however, 1,200 comprising 680 males and 520 females had been registered so far.

Advertisement

News

Firm Wants Attorney-General Investigate Court Ruling On Breach Of Contract

Published

on

The management of Fidken Multi Services Ltd., has called on the Attorney-General and Minister Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to intervene on alleged judicial manipulation and connivance in a case between the firm and Togo Oil & Marine Ltd, also known as TOM, owneriof Vessel MV MONTY J & ANOR.

Fidken Multi Services Ltd. also called on the Chief of Naval Staff,
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, to investigate and bring to justice their men who allegedly aided the escape of the vessel owned by a foreign firms despite a restraining order from the Court of Appeal Lagos.

Advertisement

The Managing Director, Fidken Multi Services Ltd., Engr. Kennedy Fidelis, made the call on Wednesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State.

According to him, his company, Fidken Multi Services hired the vessel for a period of Six (6) Months with a renewable agreement but unfortunately the vessel broke down after two weeks of delivery to Nigeria from Lome, Togo.

He named Socemet as Ship Brokers, that is, the company that connected his company with the ship owners.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:

He noted that, rather than the owner-company to take up the responsibility of repairs as per contract agreement, TOM sent representatives to plead with the management of Fidken Multi Services Ltd to assist in fixing the vessel.

He said TOM, m during the plea, said that the company was bankrupt to foot the bill of the repair, just as the company promised to make a refund of any amount spent on the repair or make deduction during execution of the contract.

Advertisement

The MD added that, the promise of refund or deduction during execution of the contract prompted his company to show concern and consequently took full responsibility of the repair.

According to him the breakdown of the vessel was already causing a lot of down time and draw back to his business.

READ ALSO: US Court Sentences Osun Monarch To Prison Over $4.2m Fraud

Advertisement

He lamented that, however, immediately after the repair, the management of TOM first attempt was to put up the vessel for sale without his knowledge or any of his management staff.

Engr. Fidelis said this single act by TOM to sell out the vessel he repaired when it was down without his knowledge was a complete breach of the existing contract.

According to him, after several attempts to take away the vessel from him, they finally escaped with the vessel back to Lome, Togo, in spite of a restraining order by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/LAG/CV/991/2024.

Advertisement

He narrated: “We approached the court to demand a full Bank guarantee of USD380,729.00 ,USD 1.080,000.00 and USD 659,555.00 to cover our total claims as pre Bond condition ordered by Appeal Court should they go away with the vessel. But surprisingly, the Federal High Court in its judgement awarded the Sum of USD380,729.00 only as a guarantee for the release of the vessel. This sum can only cater for a part of the expenses we have incurred in maintaining the vessel, so we approached the Court of Appeal, and a restraining order was immediately placed on the release of the vessel.

“But this foreign company, in connivance with security agents jettisoned the order and moved the vessel out of the country.

READ ALSO: FG Security Agency, Nigerian Army Move To Tackle Illicit Small Arms, Light Weapons

Advertisement

“The judgment by the Federal High Court, was a surprise to us. We couldn’t believe that in spite of the evidence our legal team presented, the presiding judge could give such a judgement. And this is why we are calling on the Attorney-General to investigate this. Also, some security agents aided this company to escape with the vessel.”

Corroborating this, Comrade Omentan Parson, a human rights activist who said he has been following up the case since inception, said this was the fifth time the company attempted to escape with the vessel, lamenting that they eventually succeeded.

He alleged that this same foreign company, in order to escape with the vessel, used Nigerian security personnel to kidnap the security man in charge of the vessel, saying this matter of kidnap is about to be filed in the court too.

Advertisement

It’s quite unfortunate that Nigerian security agents whose monthly pay is from tax payers (Nigerians) could be used by a foreign company against fellow Nigerians. This is very bad. They (security agents) aided every step of the vessel in making sure it escape from this country.

“I was by the Jetty in Port Harcourt where I saw security agents supervise the bunkering the vessel and provide an escort Gunboat with personnel in making sure she left the shores of Nigeria.”

Calls put across to the foreign contact of the Managing Director of TOM, Mrs Jessica Jones, by our correspondent did not connect neither did she reply to the SMS sent to her cellphone.

Advertisement

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

FCT Court Summons Dino Melaye For Non-payment Of Over N500m Tax

Published

on

Former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has been summoned to the Federal Capital Territory Magistrate Court over alleged failure to pay his mandatory Personal Income Tax for 2023 and 2024.

The summons dated August 21, 2025, also included that an underpayment of taxes in 2020, 2021, and 2022 owed by Melaye requires him to appear before the Magistrate Court at Wuse Zone II, Abuja, on September 5, 2025.

Advertisement

According to the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Melaye only paid N85,000.08 in 2019, N100,000.08 in 2020, N120,000 in 2021, and N1,000,000 in 2022, despite declaring much higher annual incomes.

It revealed that, for instance, in 2022, he declared an annual income of over N6.5 million.

READ ALSO:FCT Police Arrest Man Over Death Of 3-year-old Boy Who Drowned In Uncovered Septic Tank

Advertisement

It was revealed that an administrative assessment for 2023 and 2024 was issued on May 23, 2025, but when Melaye failed to respond within 30 days, a notice of best judgment assessment was issued on June 23, 2025.

The notice outlined that Melaye’s total tax liabilities for 2023 and 2024 were assessed at N234,896,000.00 and N274,712,000.00, respectively.

The notice read, “Despite reminders and ample time provided, your non-compliance with Section 41 of the Act constitutes a breach of your obligations.

Advertisement

“Consequently, the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has, in accordance with Section 54(3) of the Personal Income Tax Act, proceeded to raise a Best of Judgment Assessment in respect of your tax liabilities for the years under review.

READ ALSO:FCTA Local Contractors Protest Non-payment Of N5.2bn Bills

Accordingly, your tax liability has been assessed in the sum of N234,896,000.00 and N274,712,000.00 for the period of 2023 and 2024, respectively. The computation and assessment are attached for your action.

Advertisement

“Please note that the Service has also identified income under declaration and under payment for the 2020, 2021 and 2022 years of assessment, during which payment of N1,000,000.00, N120,000.00 and N100,000.00 were made respectively. Notices of additional will be issued upon the conclusion of our review.

“Your are hereby informed that you have the right to object to this assessment within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of this notice. Any objection must clearly state the grounds of your objection and be substantiated with relevant supporting documents.

“Failure to make payment or file objection within the stipulated period will result in the assessment being deemed final and conclusive, and recovery proceedings will be initiated without further notice,” the FCT-IRS said.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

FG Shuts Illegal Gold Mining Site In Abuja

Published

on

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has directed mining marshals to seal an illegal gold mining site in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, to avert potential environmental hazards.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Segun Tomori, on Wednesday.

Advertisement

This follows an earlier operation on August 16, 2025, which led to the recovery and sealing of another site around the District 2 Extension layout in Gwagwalada, where 16 suspects were arrested.

Authorities confirmed that the suspects will be prosecuted soon.

READ ALSO:FG Shuts 22 Illegal Tertiary Institutions

Advertisement

He said, “Following reports of illegal gold mining in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has directed the mining marshals to seal off the site to mitigate potential environmental hazards.”

Preliminary findings revealed that artisanal miners invaded the Gwagwalada area after a gold vein was accidentally discovered during the digging of a soakaway pit near a residential property.

The latest incident occurred on farmland behind CKC in Gwagwalada.

Advertisement

Upon receiving intelligence on renewed unlawful mining activity, “Alake promptly ordered the deployment of mining marshals to secure the site,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:FG Security Agency, Nigerian Army Move To Tackle Illicit Small Arms, Light Weapons

During an on-the-spot assessment on Wednesday, officials of the ministry led by the Director of Mines Inspectorate, represented by the Deputy Director, Sunday Okhuoya, “expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with the minister’s directive, disclosing that relevant departments of the ministry have launched a thorough investigation to unravel the root of these incidents whilst recommending measures to prevent a recurrence.”

Advertisement

Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja, confirmed that “his team has established 24-hour surveillance over both affected sites, pending the outcome of the Federal Government’s ongoing inquiry.”

Alake, cautioning residents to steer clear of the areas, reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to eradicate illegal mining activities nationwide.

He also disclosed that the ministry was fast-tracking the deployment of satellite surveillance technology to monitor mining operations and strengthen enforcement capacity.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending