Month: March 2025

CHUKS OKOH, The Managing Director the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku has joined Muslim brothers and sisters in the airport community  to continue to uphold the tenets of their religion to promote unity and peaceful co-existence in order to build a peaceful airport environment and the nation at large. Mrs. Kuku spoke when she hosted muslim ummahs at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and those within the airport environs for an Iftar dinner at the FAAN corporate headquarters, admonished Muslims to be model of good morals in their dealings both in private and public life. The historic event drew over 300 muslim men and women who broke their fast with the FAAN MD and thereafter observed the Maghrib prayer where they prayed for  Mrs. Kuku, FAAN and the entire nation Kuku said the country is blessed with God fearing people in  different religious bodies, adding that the fear of God among the citizens has ensured the country make giant progress in all spheres. She recalled that having been raised in a muslim home under her grandmother, she appreciated the critical role a good religious upbringing help in shaping the growth and development of individuals and the country. Kuku said “My grandmother is a Muslim. I was raised with her in a muslim family, but religion does not define us. It doesn’t divide us and it doesn’t defile us. it is our hearts as peoples that shows the posterity and the importance. It is indeed a thing of joy that this is also the time of lent. and that is to show us that, despite our religions, we’re all one.” “So, I want to use this time to appreciate the leaders here, thank you for your prayers, they are indeed working for the growth of the airports. The development we have seen since we took over are partly due to your continuous prayers and supplications. I want you to take everybody as one, look back on your journey and use this time to think about how you can hold and take people with you on your journey going forward.” “I pray that the Lord and the Almighty Allah answer all of our prayers. I pray that the Almighty Allah looks down upon us. I pray that the Almighty Allah heals us. And I pray that the way that we leave during this holy month is how we continue to live, going forward.” Also speaking on the significance of the occasion, FAAN Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Abdullahi Zubeir Mahmood said the MD was passionate about extending her hand of fellowship to the various religious bodies in the airport community and had chosen to have the Iftar dinner with the muslim faithfuls. Mahmood said “You know this month is the holy month of Ramadan, it is a month of prayers, a month of giving, a month of extending gestures to all families, irrespective of whether somebody is a Muslim or Christian or whatever. Once you have your neighbors, your families, your friends, your coworkers, this is the time for supplication, time for sending gifts. So, the MD considered it of great significance to call on the Muslim community that are literally under her, and even the Muslim community that are within the neighborhood of FAAN, to come and sit down and have Iftar dinner with her.” “You know, the Holy Prophet Mohhamed told us that the best food that you will eat is the food you eat in a gathering with people, that’s when you have the blessing. What you give to somebody is what is your own, but what you eat is just a waste. He added that “Anytime you invite somebody to your place, to come, whatever it is, even if that person is your enemy. By extending that invitation, the person accepts it, there is a blessing in an invitation. You could see how the people are, how passionate they are, and they are looking at this as something that is different, something that is different from its kind. People leave their houses, people that are supposed to have their Iftar with their family, and they all rush. You could see how the FAAN brings families and communities together. So, it’s part of the thing that the MD is initiating, a kind of extending her hand of friendship to people, letting people know that, okay, you are my people. You are my team. Come together. Come to me. Let’s dine together.” The event marked the first time a managing director of FAAN was hosting the Muslim community at the headquarters.

Th Nigeria national petroleum Company limited (NNPC) has refuted reports of an  explosion at the Port Harcourt refining company (PHRC) in Rivers State. According to a press statement issued by the company’s Chief coperate communication officer, Mr Olufemi Soneye, he clarified that what occurred was a flare of incident which has since been contained. “There is no danger ot health hazard to staff , surrounding communities or the environment. NNPC urges the media and the public to disregard any report suggesting explosion at the refinery.  

sacks Governor Fubara, deputy and House of Assembly Text of the Broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, declaring State of Emergency in Rivers state on Tuesday 18 March 2025 Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis. With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years, can thrive in a way that will redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy. Also, it is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them. On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms: “a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.” The above pronouncement came after a catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Going Forward in their judgment, and having found and held that 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected “are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members” The Supreme Court then made some orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly which up till now has not been facilitated. Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them. Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together. Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state. The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines. With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security. In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do. By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months. In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate. The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state. This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole. Long live a united, peaceful, secure and democratic Rivers

Says :”The Recovery Of Stolen Assets Is Only One Step In The Long Journey Toward Justice And Development” By Igbotako Nowinta Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice (ANEEJ), has declared that Nigeria has made significant strides in assets recovery. The prominent environmental activist made this assertion on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, in Abuja, in his welcome address at the Validation Meeting of ANEEJ Research Report On Assessing The Implementation Of Key GFAR Principles In Asset Return And Management In Nigeria, held at Hawthorn Suites And Hotels. Rev. Ugolor said ANEEJ received support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Nigeria, to carry out this important research and assess how well Nigeria has implemented the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles with respect to asset recovery and management. According to him: “During this period, ANEEJ worked with researchers and international experts to deliver on this task. In the course of our work, we engaged key stakeholders, including international development partners, government institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), project beneficiaries and the media, through consultation meetings, focus group discussion (FGD), field visits, and other activities to gather factual data and ensure the success of this research. Through this initiative, we have remained committed to advancing accountability and good governance in the return and utilization of recovered assets, in line with the GFAR principles, which emphasize transparency, accountability, citizen engagement, beneficial ownership disclosure and the use of recovered assets for sustainable development”. Rev. Ugolor expansiated further:” As we all know, the recovery of stolen assets is only one step in the long journey toward justice and development. The real impact lies in how these assets are effectively utilized to improve lives, reduce poverty, and strengthen trust in governance. Nigeria has made significant strides in asset recovery, including landmark repatriations such as: $322.5 million Abacha loot in 2017, allocated to social investment programs. $311.8 million recovered in 2020, earmarked for key infrastructure projects. Additional funds retrieved from corrupt public officials. This research, therefore, seeks to assess the level of compliance with GFAR principles in Nigeria’s asset return and management framework. Our goal is to provide evidence-based insights that will inform policy reforms and ensure greater public participation in the return, and utilization of recovered assets”. The celebrated human right advocate hit the nail on the head : “The findings of this research will refine our recommendations and strengthen the advocacy for a more transparent and accountable asset management system in Nigeria. The outcome of this meeting will not only validate our research but also serve as a guide for strategic engagements with policymakers and stakeholders in asset recovery. The report will be transmitted to FCDO and adopted as a working document for evidence-based advocacy in the fight against Illicit Financial Flows”. ANEEJ has been working with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to undertake the research on the review of the implementation of Key GFAR Principles in Asset Return Nigeria. The research has evaluated the implementation of the Global Forum for Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles in the recovery and management of stolen assets, such as the $311.8 million recovered loot from the Bailiwick of Jersey used for legacy projects and the $954,807.40 recovered Alamieyesiegha loot from the United States of America, for Bayelsa State. The key GFAR Principles in focus were those relating to transparency and accountability; inclusion of non-government stakeholders; return of funds to beneficiaries; and the preclusion of benefit to offenders. The research also identified gaps in the current asset recovery process in Nigeria and provided recommendations for improving future asset return agreements.