News
Adamant Suleja Council Chair insists on ban of alcohol sales, consumption in his domain
***Says, the Council is merely enforcing existing law in the state
As the controversy over the ban of sales and consumption of alcohol in Suleja local government area of Niger State rages on, the Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ishaku Bawa, has reiterated his resolved to continue to enforce the law banning the sales and consumption of beer and other related brewages in the area.
The Chairman said his Council is merely enforcing an existing law which has been in operation before the coming of the present administration in the state as he vowed to enforce it.
According to him, the law banning the sales and consumption of alcohol in the state had been in existence since 2001 during the administration of the late former governor of the state, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, adding that “Suleja local government did not ban the sales of alcohol, the law banning sales of alcohol has been in existence before now.
“We are therefore only working within the ambit of the law and what we are saying is that, those selling alcohol should operate within the ambit of the law,” he said.
The Chairman’s position is contrary to the directives of the state Governor Umar Mohammed Bago who on the heels of the controversy sorrounding the council’s position denied authorizing the ban on the sales of alcohol in any part of the state.
The Governor had through a statement made it Categorically clear that the government did not order any ban on the sales and consumption of alcohol in the state as that was not the immediate priority of his administration.
The State Government in a statement in Minna denied that the Governor had not imposed any ban on alcoholic sales and consumption in any specific area in the state, especially Suleja local government area as such decision will amount to a distraction to his administration’s renewed hope agenda.
The government dismissed as baseless such assertions, saying that the Governor never issued any directive nor ordered any of its agencies to enforce the ban of alcoholic drinks in any part of the state.
The governor further pointed out that the statement attributed to the Secretary of the Niger State Liquor and Licensing Board, Ibrahim Mohammed, did not emanate from the government, adding that no such board has been formed under his administration.
The Governor had in addition to the denial, instructed security agents to apprehend the author of the statement, Mohammed Ibrahim, the self-appointed Secretary of the non-existent board, to investigate the motives behind the false pronouncement.
while Emphasizing the commitment of his administration to safeguarding citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of religion, the governor assuresld residents that such misleading information holds no merit in the policies of his government as he urged citizens to continue their lawful activities without undue concern.
“The public and media are urged to disregard such announcements and seek clarification from authorized government officials for accurate information”, the statement added.
But the Council Chairman while meeting with hotels and beer parlour operators at the council secretariat on Tuesday made it clear that his council was going ahead with the enforcement of the ban on the sales of alcohol in his council.
The Suleja Council Chairman while justifying his actions, argued that the council is guided by law, insisting that “we would continue to operate within the ambit of the law”.
Meanwhile the state liquor and license board, has denied authorizing the collection of N1million from beer parlour operators in Suleja local government area of the state to enable them operate.
The Secretary of the state liquor and license board, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed in an interview with our correspondent in Minna on Friday said the clarification had become necessary following reports that beer parlour operators in Suleja have been levied N1million each for them to resume the sales and consumption of alcohol in the area.
He pointed out that neither the board nor any of its staff is involved in the illegal N1million levy being imposed on beer parlour operators in the area, adding that “the liquor board is not involve in any collection of N1million levy from beer parlour operators either in Suleja or any part of the state.
“The renewal of liquor license is usually done through payment to designated government banks and receipt issued to the operators. More so license fee is not N1million”.
He therefore urged the public and beer parlour operators in the state to disregard any individual or group parading themselves as the agent of the board with a view to extorting money from them.
To educate citizens on the economic interventions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has commenced a public awareness campaign in Jigawa State.
The ministry urged the public, especially the youth, to take advantage of the opportunities for self-reliance, with the initiative highlighting various job creation and poverty alleviation programs.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, represented by Mala Bashir Dahiru Galadanci, Head of the Federal Information Center in Dutse, highlighted the government’s “Renewed Hope” initiatives.
He emphasized that the interventions were designed to change the narratives in the economic wellbeing of Nigerians and provide job and skill opportunities, particularly for the youth, to encourage self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
According to Mr. Galadanci, the administration is committed to addressing poverty and unemployment by introducing accessible programs that benefit citizens at the federal, state, and local levels. He called on the people of Jigawa State to explore these opportunities and support government efforts in transforming the country’s economy.
Jigawa State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Ahmad Tijjani, also called for public support of the government’s policies. He acknowledged that while some recent policy changes have impacted citizens’ living standards, these new interventions are a proactive step toward alleviating poverty and economic hardship.
In a presentation, Professor Ali Siro of the Sociology Department at the Federal University Dutse detailed various federal interventions, including the Student Loan Program, Consumer Credit Corporation, Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, National Youth Talent Export Program, National Housing Initiative, and several small business loan schemes.
He explained the eligibility criteria, repayment terms, and benefits of the initiatives to encourage public participation.
In his goodwill message, the Emir of Dutse, Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, commended the federal government for introducing multiple economic interventions to cushion the impact of new policies.
Represented by Senior Counsellor Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, the Emir suggested a review of civil service rules, urging the government to adjust workers’ salaries and make loan terms more flexible to prevent financial strain on the workforce.
This campaign marked the beginning of a nationwide effort to educate citizens on government interventions aimed at creating socio-economic opportunities and improving the overall welfare of Nigerians.
***Bello leaves EFCC without interogation
The Economic ane Financial ctimes Commisaion has discredited reports that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello is in its custody .
Head, Media and Publicity of the anti graft agency, Dele Oyewale in a terse statement on Wednesday indicated that Media reports earlier in the day that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. “The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.
Bello’s media team had sent out a statement earlier indicating that the former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello had turned himself in to
honor the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, following allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities during his tenure.
Their statement confirmed that the former Governor appeared before the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
In another twist, indications emerged that Bello, who had initially claimed to have voluntarily honoured the commission’s invitation, was trailed and arrested by EFCC operatives in Lokoja at midnight.
In yet another twist, Bello’s Director of Media, Ohiare Michael said, “Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alh. Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that, all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear. “
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has honored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, following allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities during his tenure.
Bello’s media team in a statement confirmed that he appeared before the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
The former governor had been declared wanted by the EFCC over alleged money laundering and corrupt enrichment amounting to N80.2 billion.
The statement reads: “The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians.
“It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.”
-
Crime11 months agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News8 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi10 months agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News12 months agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro6 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News8 months agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu