Female officers of the Nigeria Police Force have condemned what they described as targeted and misogynistic attacks on some of their colleagues recently promoted by the Police Service Commission, following the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Omoyele Sowore had in a Facebook post, alleged preferential promotion of one Bukola Kuti and other female officers.

In a separate interview with our correspondent, he also claimed that if the IGP had nothing to hide, he would have released the complete list of promotions, “like the 29,000 officers elevated after the #PoliceProtest, but he can’t because of exposing his secret upgrades of loyalists like Muyiwa Adejobi and sidekicks like Bukola Yemisi Kuti and Yemisi Ademosu.”

READ ALSO:Why Sowore Is Being Detained – Police

However, in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Force Gender Advisor to the Inspector-General of Police, Aishatu Abubakar Baju, the female officers voiced deep shock and disappointment at what they described as recent unwarranted attacks on their colleagues.

The statement alleged that the criticism, led by Sowore and his associates, singled out female officers for criticism, ignoring their male counterparts promoted under the same process and criteria

“Female police officers are integral to the maintenance of law and order, and as dedicated public servants as well as mothers, sisters, and wives, they deserve the utmost respect and dignity,” it stated.

READ ALSO:Pension Protest: Sowore Leads Retired Policemen To Force HQ

They maintained that promotions in the Force are earned strictly on merit, whether through years of exemplary service or exceptional performance.

Baju added “Women who meet these standards are equally entitled to recognition and career advancement as their male colleagues.

“The insinuation that female officers’ promotions are unmerited or based on gender bias is not only unfounded but also reflects deep-seated misogyny.

READ ALSO:Our Children Wrote A Letter Disowning Me After My Husband Accused Me Of Dating Another Man —Wife

“Such remarks undermine the sacrifices, professionalism, and hard work of women in uniform who risk their lives daily in service to our nation.”

The officers demanded that Sowore retract his statement and apologise to them for the perceived gender attack and ridicule.

“We therefore demand the immediate retraction of these derogatory statements and a formal public apology to the women of the Nigeria Police Force.

“We reaffirm that no amount of intimidation or smear campaigns will deter us from discharging our duties with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to national security,” the statement concluded.

The Federal Government on Wednesday approved N142bn for the construction of modern bus terminals across the country.

The government also ordered all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies still processing contracts under the 2024 Appropriation to complete their procurement activities by the end of September 2025.

The approval for the N142bn and the deadline for the conclusion of the 2024 project procurement were made during the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking with State House Correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Transportation, Sai’du Alkali, confirmed that the bus terminals will be constructed in the six geopolitical zones across the country.

READ ALSO:Why FG Named KWAM 1 Aviation Security Ambassador — Keyamo

Alkali noted that the terminals will be sited in Abeokuta (South-West), Gombe (North-East), Kano (North-West), Lokoja (North-Central), Onitsha (South-East), and Ewu in Edo State (South-South).

He said the sum of “₦142,028,576,008.17” was approved for the construction of the terminals.

The minister identified that the lack of major bus terminals contributes to crime, road accidents, and illegal arms proliferation, which prompted them to seek presidential and Federal Executive Council approval for the project.

“This is the first time the government is having intervention in or road infrastructure apart from road construction. The idea of these terminals was chosen based on the choice of their economic viability.

“It has come to the notice of the ministry that in spite of the significance of road transportation in Nigeria, there are no bus terminals to address the interests of millions of Nigerian commuters. As a result, we have a lot of crime, road traffic accidents, and proliferation of arms and ammunition on our highways.

READ ALSO:FG Bans Creation Of New Tertiary Institutions For Seven Years

“So, that is what informed the ministry to approach Mr. President and indeed the Federal Executive Council to seek the approval of the construction of these bus terminals,” he said.

The directive for the September deadline for MDAs to conclude 2024 project procurement was contained in a brief from the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Adebowale Adedokun, made to President Bola Tinubu.

According to the directive, which was presented to journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the FEC meeting, by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the BPP said over 70 MDAs are yet to conclude procurement for 2024 projects, even though the budget year should have ended in December 2024.

While the law was extended to allow for full implementation, the bureau noted that it has now been more than 20 months since passage, warning that prolonged delays could result in avoidable liabilities for the government.

READ ALSO:FG Unveils New Counter-terrorism Strategy

The brief by the BPP recommended that President Tinubu obtain a full account of all projects awarded by ministers and their ministries, with each ministry and its parastatals directed to submit lists of projects for both the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

This aligns with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s circular on project reporting.

Reaffirming the administration’s Nigeria First policy, the BPP urged MDAs to give priority to locally made goods and services in project execution, provided they meet international standards and are certified by relevant government authorities.

The bureau, working alongside the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, will monitor compliance and forward reports to the Presidency for further action.

READ ALSO:FG Unveils Four Water Projects In Ogoni, Commits To Implementing UNEP Report

On the 2025 budget cycle, the BPP advised that a significant share of projects be procured through open competitive bidding to stimulate job creation and reduce poverty.

It also recommended that the BPP Director-General be included in all bilateral loan negotiations for infrastructure projects, ensuring professional oversight of procurement decisions and cost assessments.

The bureau further expressed concern over persistent non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act by some government-owned companies and enterprises, despite the Finance Act 2020 mandating adherence.

It warned that such disregard has fostered financial recklessness in certain entities and called for strict enforcement to bring all procurement activities in line with the law.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has explained the reasons behind the Federal Government’s decision to name Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol.

The development followed public outcry about the stance of the FG’s resolutions to recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports involving KWAM 1 and the Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmason’s unruly behaviour towards the airline’s air hostess.

Keyamo had earlier outlined that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and would work with the musician to promote awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation space.

READ ALSO:FG Gives KWAM 1 Aviation Appointment, After Airport Incident

The minister maintained that there were appeals from well-meaning individuals, as well as KWAM 1’s public show of penitence over the August 5 incident in which he allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft’s movement.

However, Nigerians on various social media platforms had ‎adjudged the decision to be double-standard and uncalled for.

Justifying the decision on his official X handle on Wednesday, Keyamo wrote, “For further clarification, it is common practice all over the world that a repentant offender is made to preach publicly against the exact conduct from which he has repented. It is akin to Community Service. It is not paid for, and it is a voluntary service.

READ ALSO:NCAA Petitions IGP Over KWAM 1’s Unruly Conduct In Abuja Airport

“Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some would assume that once you hear the word ‘Ambassador’, it is a big position that comes with the perquisites of office.

“No, it is not. It is free. It is not the first time it has happened in Nigeria, and it will not be the last. Examples abound of such roles given to repentant persons by previous governments in Nigeria.”

He stressed that the Airline Operators of Nigeria are also looking at the option of using Emmanson, who has also shown remorse, as their own Ambassador for good passenger conduct.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Three Over Murder Of FCT Radio Station Worker

“Whilst the Aviation agencies are considering using KWAM 1 for such a role, in my discussion last night with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), they are also looking at the option of using Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who has also shown remorse, as their own Ambassador for good passenger conduct.

“It is left for the AON to work out those details since she was actually released from prison custody today based on my earlier statement,” he added.

He further said that his ministry has been fair to all the people concerned in both incidents.