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Reps Propose 5% Mining Revenue For Host Communities

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The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has said it is proposing five per cent of revenues on solid minerals to host communities.

The chairman of the committee,  Jonathan Gaza, disclosed this on Monday at a public policy dialogue on Nigeria’s minerals and mining legislation, organised by the committee at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Gaza said the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) Bill being considered would give five per cent of the total revenue of all minerals mined to the host communities.

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He said the bill, when passed, would allow for the establishment of a Mines Inspection and Environmental Agency to provide improved and deeper oversight of mining activities and bridge the gap between the Federal and State Governments to empower the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee for effective and joint oversight.

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He said, “The establishment bill for a Solid Minerals Development Company allocates 75 per cent ownership to the private sector and 25 per cent to the federation of Nigeria. Community Development and the Environment are prioritised in the bill. The Petroleum Industry Act sets aside three per cent of their annual operational expenditure for host communities.

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“In the bill, we have set aside five per cent of the revenue for all minerals mined to the host communities, and this is due to the informality of the sector. We believe that it can be reviewed and improved through this programme.”

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, who attended the session, said non-Nigerians operating in the nation’s solid minerals sector were earning big, leaving the citizens with peanuts.

He called for institutional reforms to turn around the fortunes of the sector for the benefit of Nigerians.

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Sule said, “One community in Nasarawa got some kind of compensation of a very small amount of N700m. They were so excited but this was nothing compared to the time when lithium was running roughly about $76,000  per metric ton.

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“If we are serious about the future of the economic situation of Nigeria, we must reform what we call the solid mineral sector and if we must reform, we must come up with policies and reform them to benefit Nigerians. If we don’t do that, we will just be joking.”

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Earlier while declaring the dialogue open, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said the bill if passed, would mark a turning point for the nation’s mineral wealth, stressing that the nation’s vast mineral resources had remained largely untapped, and undeservedly ignored by reliance on oil.

Kalu pointed out that the challenges of insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of skilled manpower had continued to work against the development of the solid mineral sector, adding that the challenges would be addressed by the proposed amendment bill.

Despite boasting over 40 commercially viable minerals, the mining sector contributes a mere 0.3 per cent to our Gross Domestic Product. Our duty call today is to turn the tide. There are indications of a renewed vigour in our mining industry, fueled by a collective will to diversify our economy, create jobs, and unlock the immense potential that lies beneath our soil.

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“The 2016-2025 Mining Industry Development Roadmap, aiming to increase the sector’s GDP contribution to three per cent by 2025, is already showing progress. Projects like the Segilola Gold Project in Osun State governed by a private-sector-led lens are injecting millions of dollars into our economy and attracting much-needed investment,” he stressed.

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Drama As Kwara Housewife Faints In Court After Husband Insists On Divorce

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There was drama at the Area Court Centre, Igboro, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday, after a woman, identified as Mulikat Yusuf, fainted when her husband, Ishaq Abdulganiyu, rejected her plea for reconciliation and insisted on ending their marriage.

According to The PUNCH, the incident happened during proceedings before Judge Toyin Aluko, where Abdulganiyu told the court that he was no longer interested in remaining married to his wife.

“I’m tired of the marriage, My Lord,” Abdulganiyu reportedly said. “We’ve had several misunderstandings, and I don’t see any reason to continue.”

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But in a tearful plea, Mulikat appealed to the court to intervene, saying she was not ready to accept a divorce.

READ ALSO:My Wife Is Cheating On Me, I Want Divorce —Husband

My Lord, please help me talk to him,” she said. “I have nowhere to go. I have given birth to six children for him, and I still want the marriage to work.”

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However, her plea did little to change her husband’s mind, as he restated his decision to proceed with the separation.

Moments later, the distraught woman left the courtroom in tears but suddenly slumped outside, causing panic among court officials and onlookers.

Sympathisers quickly rushed to her aid and revived her by pouring water on her face.

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A court official, who did not want to be named, told The PUNCH on Thursday that Mulikat regained consciousness after a few minutes and was later assisted to a bench to rest.

She fainted immediately after the man confirmed he would not change his decision,” the official said. “People quickly gathered around her, and she was revived with water.”

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Presiding judge, Toyin Aluko, advised Mulikat to make every effort to reconcile with her husband and resolve their differences amicably.

The matter was adjourned till December 10, 2025, for a report on the reconciliation or continuation of the hearing.

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Tragedy In The Sky As Pilot Dies Mid-air

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What began as a routine trip from Seattle to Istanbul turned tragic. Turkish Airlines Flight 204 was cruising normally when one of the captains, 59-year-old İlçehin Pehlivan, suddenly collapsed.

Despite the crew’s efforts, he sadly passed away mid-flight a veteran aviator lost among the skies he loved.

Over the radio, the co-pilot’s voice trembled: “Initially we had three pilots, but we lost one of our captains today.

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That’s why we’re diverting to JFK.” Air traffic controllers responded with compassion, arranging medical help on the ground.

READ ALSO:Travel Chaos: Air Canada Shut Down By Flight Attendant Strike

The aircraft landed at New York’s JFK Airport at dawn, met by emergency teams and a heavy silence. Turkish Airlines later paid tribute to Captain Pehlivan, who had passed medical checks just months earlier and spent nearly two decades flying safely around the world.

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Passengers continued to Istanbul, but the memory of this flight endures a reminder of the resilience of aviators, the fragility of life, and the bond shared by those who soar through the skies.

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Foundation Engages Traditional Leaders To Curb GBV In Bauchi

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The Iqra Foundation for Women and Youth Development (IKFWYD) has engaged traditional leaders across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Bauchi State to promote male involvement in efforts to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The intervention is being implemented in Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro Local Government Areas.

Speaking during an advocacy visit, Mr. Ismail Umar, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the foundation, said the role of traditional institutions in influencing positive behavioural change could not be overstated.

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 “The programme is designed to engage men on issues related to protecting the rights of women and girls.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

“Family wellbeing and social harmony cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of men.”

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Umar noted that challenges such as gender-based misunderstandings, domestic tensions, poor communication between spouses, and limited awareness of shared responsibilities often contribute to family instability.

By focusing on men as partners in promoting peace and wellbeing, this programme aims to reinforce their positive influence within families and communities.

We are piloting the initiative in Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro LGAs, and are engaging respected community members to support and guide male involvement in promoting peace, family wellbeing, and the dignity of women.”

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He further explained that the initiative would foster unity and cooperation between men and women as partners in building stable and peaceful homes.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Begins Production Of Exercise Books, Chalks For Schools

Also speaking, Mr. Bamidele Jacobs, Director of Legal at Lawyers Alert, an implementing partner of the project, said the engagement of men was crucial to ensuring sustained support and protection for women in the state.

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In their separate remarks, traditional rulers expressed their support and commitments to the programme.

Alhaji Yusuf Danyaya, the District Head of Ningi, pledged to mobilise men for the initiative, noting that “a violence-free home leads to a peaceful society.”

Similarly, Alhaji Hussaini Uthman, District Head of Miri in Bauchi metropolis, said the mission of the programme aligns with the traditional role of community leaders in fostering reconciliation between couples.

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On his part, Alhaji Umar Adamu, the District Head of Toro, said addressing GBV is a collective responsibility to ensure that communities remain safe and peaceful.

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