News

Pipeline Contract: Akeredolu Knocks FG On State Security

Published

3 years ago

August 31, 2022

Editor

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has condemned the alleged refusal of the Federal Government to strengthen the security of the states of the federation.

Akeredolu alleged that the Federal Government was playing the ostrich by abandoning states to their fates concerning the security of lives and property of the people but rather empowering some private security outfits in the country.

The governor stated this in a statement he issued through his Chief Press Secretary on Wednesday, in reaction to the recent purported award of contracts by the Federal Government to some private security outfits to protect the pipelines from being vandalised.

According to the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, the action of the FG has implied that it permitted private security outfits “to bear heavy assault weapons while denying the same privilege to the states, the federating units,” to tackle insecurity.

The statement read in part, “The news concerning the purported award of pipeline contracts to some individuals and private organisations by the Federal Government has been unsettling. More disquieting is the barely disguised hostility displayed against either the idea or the actual establishment of security outfits by some State Governments to fill the widening gaps in the scope of security coverage noticeable nationally.

“The Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, has been consistent in its refusal to accede to the request by some states in the Federation to strengthen the complementary initiatives adopted to protect lives and property. This is done in spite of the knowledge that the very issues which necessitated the creation of these outfits support providing adequate weaponry. All attempts to persuade the Federal Government to look critically into the current security architecture have been rebuffed despite the manifest fundamental defects engendered by over-centralisation.

“It is, therefore, shocking to read that the Federal Government has maintained the award of the contract to ‘protect’ the country’s pipeline from vandals to private organisations. This story, if true, leaves a sour taste in the mouth. The NSA will, obviously, not advise the President to approve the award of a contract of such magnitude if the operators have not displayed sufficient capacity to checkmate the criminal activities of equally powerful groups. Consequently, it is safe to conclude that the Federal Government has, impliedly, permitted non-state actors to bear heavy assault weapons while denying the same privilege to the states, the federating units.”

The governor added, “The award of contract to private organisations to protect pipelines raise fundamental questions on the sincerity of the advisers of the government on security issues. The open and seeming enthusiastic embrace of this oddity, despite the constant and consistent avowal of the readiness by the security agencies, in particular, the navy to contain the pervasive and deepening crises of breaches and threats to lives and property, attracts the charge of insincerity bordering, deplorably, on dubiety.

“If the state governments, which are keenly desirous of protecting their citizens, establish ancillary security outfits and there has been pronounced reluctance, if not outright refusal, to consider permitting them to bear arms for the sole purpose of defence, granting private individuals and or organisations unfettered access to assault weapons suggests, curiously, deep-seated suspicion and distrust between the Federal Government and the presumed federating units.

“The engagement of private organisations to handle serious security challenges reinforces the belief that the whole defence architecture in the country needs an urgent overhaul. The Federal Government cannot be seen to be playing the ostrich in this regard.”

PUNCH.

News

Why New Lagos Tenancy Bill – Lawmaker

Published

3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, says the new Tenancy Bill of the House aims to protect tenants against exploitation by estate agents.

Ogundipe, Chairman, House Committee on Information, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the House had on Wednesday organised a public hearing on the bill.

Ogundipe said the bill contains provisions designed to reduce financial burden on accommodation seekers in the state.

He added that the bill was a direct response to public complaints regarding high fees charged by agents.
According to him, a salient provision of the bill is the reduction of agency fees on annual rents from 10 per cent to five per cent.

Ogundipe expressed optimism that the bill would foster harmony in landlord-tenant relations and stimulate real estate investment in the state.

According to him, the bill will not only restore the confidence of real estate investors but also open opportunities for new financiers to enter the market.

“The new bill currently under consideration by the House is designed to protect the rights of both tenants and landlords.

“It will also reduce disputes and remove barriers to large-scale housing development by private investors.

“If the bill is passed into law, it will put an end to many of the recurring controversies between landlords and tenants.

“This bill will promote mutual understanding, clearly define rights and obligations, and ensure peaceful co-existence,” he said.

Ogundipe appreciated all stakeholders for their participation in the public hearing, highlighting that their contributions would help in shaping a progressive and balanced law.

He also emphasised the need to review the existing legal requirements for landlords to insure their premises against loss or damage.

The lawmaker also said the proposed law gives landlords the right to inspect and maintain their property upon giving prior notice to tenants.

NAN reports that Wednesday’s hearing was attended by the Chairman, House Committee on Housing, Mr Olusegun Ege; House Majority Leader, Mr Noheem Adams and Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai.

Also in attendance were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Housing, Mr Ayodeji Amodu and representatives from key real estate bodies, including the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

Others included representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Association of Realtors, and the Real Estate Agents Association of Nigeria, among others.

NAN

News

Delta Gov’s Aide Offers Freed Ibom Air Passenger N500,000 Job, Luxury Trip

Published

3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Success, has offered a paid job and an all-expenses paid trip to Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger recently released from Kirikiri prison.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Ossai announced that a monthly salary of N500,000 had been secured for Emmanson in Delta State.

The package also includes flight tickets, accommodation in a five-star hotel, a guided tour, and a ticket to the Delta Social Media Summit scheduled for August 28 in Asaba.

“I’m offering Comfort Emmanson a complimentary trip to Delta State, known as the Big Heart and Home of Global Tourism Hub.

“Additionally, a job opportunity with a monthly salary of N500,000 has been secured for her in Delta State.

“All expenses, including flight tickets, accommodation in a five star hotel, and tour costs, will be fully covered,” he wrote.

Ossai added that the trip was to help her relax after her release, saying, “I’d like to extend an invitation for her to visit Delta State and unwind after her release from Kirikiri prison.

“She won’t be disappointed as I will be giving her a good time.”

The governor’s aide urged anyone in contact with Emmanson to ask her to reach out to him directly on Instagram.

News

FULL LIST: FG Approves Nine New Private Varsities

Published

4 hours ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has approved the establishment of nine new private universities across the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the approval on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

He said the newly approved institutions are Tazkiyah University, Kaduna State; Leadership University, Abuja; Jimoh Babalola University, Kwara State; Bridget University, Mbaise, Imo State; Greenland University, Jigawa State; JEFAP University, Niger State; Azione Verde University, Imo State; Unique Open University, Lagos State; and American Open University, Ogun State.

Alausa disclosed that the Tinubu administration inherited 551 pending requests for the establishment of tertiary institutions, which were subjected to stricter approval guidelines.

This, he said, reduced the list to 79 active applications, out of which nine were cleared on Wednesday.

He explained that many of the approved universities had been awaiting accreditation for over six years, with their promoters having already built campuses and invested billions of naira.

“Due to inefficiencies within the NUC, approvals were delayed. We have since introduced reforms to streamline these processes, and today’s approvals are a result of clearing this backlog,” Alausa said.

The minister added that the Federal Government had placed a moratorium on new applications for private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, except those meeting the new operational standards.