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HYPPADEC holds stakeholders forum on strategic medium term plan

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By Abubakar Hassan

The Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has held a stakeholders forum on strategic medium term plan of the commission, covering five years period (2022-2027).

Addressing the participants, the Governor of Niger State, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello expressed happiness that the commission had continue to strategically pursue its mandate since its official take off by impacting positively on communities affected by the activities of the Hydro Electric Dams.
The governor indicated Niger State being the host had unrelentingly enjoyed harmonious relationship with the commission.

He observed that the stakeholders forum will help to link the policy of the commission with its planning and required budgets for ease of implementation.
Bello added that he was convinced that the medium term strategy will help set out specific inputs and activities to deliver specific outputs in the medium term.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Alh. Ahmed Mohammed Ketso at the occasion held at Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, called on the management of the commission to put the beneficiaries of their planned projects and programmes in focus, saying people of the HYPPADEC states need to be taken along in all the planning stages in order for the commission to have smooth implementation.

He further stated that it was heart-warming that the Federal government of Nigeria through HYPPADEC was supporting communities proned to perennial disaster on the corridors of the electricity generating dams.

The governor added that the commitment of the commission to expand its support to cover education, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, water resources, entrepreneur and environment was a welcome development which will support HYPPADEC state governments to effectively provide basic necessities of life for their people

He also stated that the event of the day was very significant to the critical stakeholders inthe sense that the commission is one of the newest in the country and was already making the desired impact in the HYPPADEC states.
He urged the participants to make useful contribution towards pursuing the core mandate of the commission and provide succour to the communities affected by the activities of the hydro electricity generating dams.

While commending the Federal government for demonstrating resilience in tackling the plight of the people living on the banks of River Niger, Kaduna and Benue, the Governor also congratulated HYPPADEC for what they have accomplished within a short period of its establishment.
He promised that Niger state government will continue to support all Federal government agencies and commissions in the state to achieve their mandate.

In his goodwill message at the event, member representing Chanchaga federal constituency at the national assembly and gubernatorial candidate of APC, Rt. Hon Umar Mohammed Bago observed that the commission was doing well stressing the need to appreciate the APC led government for making the commission a reality.

He said the state government will streamline some of its policies toward same direction with the HYPPADEC, adding that the state will collaborate with the commission to maximize its potentials, particularly in the area of agriculture.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Alh. Sadiq Yelwa said the commission had achieved a lot in terms of providing support to the benefiting communities adding that it us committed to do more.

He disclosed that the commission will train 10 people from each local government in Health line and will also donate diagnostic centre and equipment to the HYPPADEC states.

He also disclosed that the commission had approved N200 million for the extension of drainages in Kontagora and its environs, adding that the governing council of the commission had also approved the management request to provide shelter for the people of Ketso community in Mokwa local government, ravaged by flooding.

Yelwa also expressed appreciation for the support the commission received from the host state, particularly the Governor and his Deputy, saying all that the commission had accomplished within the period of its existence would not have been possible without the support of the HYPPADEC state governments.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, HYPPADEC governing council, Hon. Barr. Joseph Terfa Ityav disclosed that the mandate of the commission was to formulate policies and programmes that will improve on the livelihood of the people in various HYPPADEC communities.

He disclosed that the occasion was to work on the medium term plan of the commission, saying they cannot produce a document and make it working document without the inputs of other critical stakeholders, hence the reason for the event of the day.
He added that they were enjoying their stay in Minna due to the warmth reception accorded them by Niger State government and appreciated the government for the gesture.

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Deji Adeyanju fires back at Wike over Comments, Labels Him a “Bully and a Coward”

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Deji Adeyanju and Nyesom Wike

Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has issued a scathing response to comments made against him by Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister and former Rivers State governor. Wike had recently accused Adeyanju of being jobless, noting that the activist once sought his support in a bid to become the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Adeyanju didn’t hold back, describing Wike as “a bully and a coward.”
He went on to criticize Wike’s character and political approach, saying, “Wike has never worked anywhere in his life. He is a serial betrayer. The only difference between Wike and Portable is that Portable does not betray people who have helped him.”

Adeyanju praised Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his recent actions against Wike, saying, “I commend Governor Fubara for dealing decisively with him. That’s how to deal with tyrants. Wike is nothing without politics.”

He further expressed his concerns over Wike’s influence, stating, “The reason why he is making so much noise and constituting a nuisance all over the place is because of our political patrimony that he loots. Clowns and charlatans like Nyesom Wike will open their mouths and criticize true activists.”

Adeyanju also highlighted the importance of citizens participating in politics, saying, “Wike wants everyone to leave politics to rogues like him. His idea of nation-building is where people like him control everything. All citizens of conscience should get involved in politics.”

The back-and-forth between Adeyanju and Wike highlights ongoing tensions within Nigerian political circles and has sparked discussions about the role of activists and the nature of leadership in the country.

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Late COAS Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja Laid to Rest in Abuja Amid Tears, Tributes

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***Emotional Farewell as Nigeria Mourns a Dedicated Military Leader

Amid deep sorrow and heartfelt tributes, the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest on Friday at the National Cemetery in Abuja.
His burial concluded two days of solemn funeral rites that began in Lagos, marking the end of an impactful military career.

The casket bearing Lagbaja, draped in Nigeria’s green and white, arrived at the cemetery around 3 pm following a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
His body was lowered into the earth at 4:41 pm after a ceremony lasting over two hours.

The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Acting Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, and other high-ranking officials.

President Tinubu, paying tribute, called Lagbaja’s appointment one of his most significant decisions and announced a posthumous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) for the late COAS. He urged the military not to lose hope: “Please, do not let death defeat us, and as Commander-in-Chief, I renew my pledge that the country will always support you and your families.”
General Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, echoed this sentiment, calling Lagbaja’s passing a call to strengthen the military’s resolve.
“Let us ensure his sacrifice continues to guide us as we defend this nation. We are resolved to defeat all enemies of the state, whether within or outside,” he stated.
Acting COAS Oluyede expressed personal gratitude for Lagbaja’s mentorship, sharing that he had nominated him for a national honor even while facing illness.

Lagbaja’s funeral rites began with a service of songs at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, on Thursday, following the arrival of his body at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Lagos.

Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff for over a year, having been appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023. He passed away on November 5 after a brief illness, leaving a legacy of dedication and patriotism.

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Group Raises Alarm Over Lagos Task Force’s Invasion of Ex-Minister’s Lekki Property

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A civil society group, Good Governance Alliance – Nigeria (GGA-N), has condemned the Lagos State government following an alleged invasion of former Transportation Minister Admiral Festus Porbeni’s Lekki property by state officials on Friday morning.
They called for immediate action against alleged breach of court order on Admiral Festus Porbeni’s property.

According to the group, the invasion is in direct violation of a Federal High Court order and sets a dangerous precedent for lawlessness.

In a statement issued by GGA-N representative Nathaniel Obasi, the group reported that officials from the Lagos State Special Task Force forcefully entered Admiral Porbeni’s property at Wole Olateju Crescent around 7:30 am, accompanied by heavily-armed mobile policemen.
Obasi noted that the task force allegedly beat, arrested, and detained several individuals on the premises, placing them in a police vehicle known as ‘Black Maria.’

The statement emphasized that this raid contradicts a Federal High Court injunction prohibiting any disruption at the property and disregards a recent Supreme Court ruling granting federal control over inland waterways and adjacent lands within 100 meters.
Despite Porbeni’s possession of a Federal Certificate of Occupancy, the Lagos State Task Force allegedly threatened to bulldoze structures on the property, sparking concerns over escalating conflicts between state and federal jurisdiction.

GGA-N therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and federal agencies overseeing waterways to intervene, asserting that the Lagos State government’s actions could lead to “lawlessness and chaos.”

According to him, the disputed property was previously invaded in 2021.

Obasi claimed that at about 7:30am this Friday, officials from the Lagos State Special Task Force, illegally forced their way into Admiral Porbeni’s property at Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki, despite the Federal High Court order, which barred any agent from entering the premises or harassing any person at the premises.

It added the Lagos State Special Task Force accompanied by heavily-armed mobile policemen, beat up, arrested and threw staff and other people met on the property into a police vehicle called ‘Black Maria’, which they brought “for the illegal raid”.
“The officials who cordoned off the area are now threatening to bulldoze all structures on the property, in brazen breach of the Federal High Court order (FHC/L/CS/1384/21).

“The actions of the Task Force is also in disregard of the landmark ruling of the Supreme Court in January which affirmed the federal government’s exclusive control of the country’s inland waterways and all lands within 100 meters of all declared federal waterways in Nigeria.

“The question is despite Admiral Porbeni being in possession of a Federal Certificate of Occupancy (CofO), how is the Lagos State Government allowed to flout not only an injunction from the Federal High Court but also a ruling from the Supreme Court?

“The Lagos state government’s brazen disobedience of court orders is a recipe for lawlessness and chaos. We draw the urgent attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Inspector General of Police, the Governor of Lagos State and relevant federal government agencies in charge of federal waterways in the country to the illegal raid and occupation by the Lagos State Special Task Force,” Obasi stated

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