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Land grabbing allegations: Njoku Family accuses minister, brother of peddling falsehood

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The Njoku Chita Family of Umuchima has said the press statement issued by the elder brother to the works minister Engr Dave Umahi , Eze Laz Umahi Nweze was face-saving , irresponsible , distractive and not in sync with the allegations and petitions of land grabbing and threat to lives against the minister .

The family in a statement said it is not against the expansion of the Dave Umahi University of Health Sciences and called on the Minister of works Engr Dave Umahi , his elder brother Laz Umahi and the former Health Commissioner in Ebonyi state, Dr Umezurike Akuma to address the issues and stop playing to the gallery .

In a statement entitled : RE: Community Backs Expansion of David Umahi University, Clears Minister of Land Grabbing Allegations”, the Njoku family said the publication was an orchestrated plan to change the narrative and create misinformation , adding that the works minister has a responsibility to defend himself and clear the air on the various allegations contained in their petition before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Director of Department of State Services , the Inspector General of Police as well as the National Security Adviser .

The statement said : “The attention of Njoku Chita family have been drawn to the face-saving press release organized by the elder brother Minister David Umahi – Eze Laz Umahi Nweze, claiming that the community was responsible for securing lands in favour of the University.

“As a case in point, we are not against the University expanding its lands, but wonder what interest any group of individuals operating under the guise of community leaders will have in using their personal money to pay for land and give to a federal university.”

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The family also accused the works minister of forcefully acquiring the land on which the university was first built , “Even at the onset when the University was conceived and built, the land upon which it was built was forcefully taken by then Governor Umahi.

“Another question to ask the elder brother of Minister Umahi and his former Commissioner for health – Umezurike, including his benefactor Nicholas Odii, is when did the Njoku Chita family ever claimed that their complaint against Umahi was for or on behalf of Umuchima village or Uburu Community? The complaint through our lawyer is personal to us, as the land Umahi is grabbing belongs to us, not Umuchima or Uburu. Anyone can plant their family members and loyalist in places of traditional influence for a time like this and it is obvious that they are all working hard to shield the Minister from his own actions that led to our petition.”

“In any case, we have him on audio where he threatened our family of consequence for not allowing him into our land. We can share this audio with the world.

“Apparently, the Police are incapable of securing our lives as our petition has been abandoned because Umahi is a big man, but we will not give up an inch of our land, unless we are all killed as they apparently plan to do. We are aware of the threat issued by Dr. Umezurike during a meeting they called on Monday and his subsequent trespass into our home that night in an apparent show of force.

“It is a shame that those who claim to be community leaders are all out in defense of a big man who placed them there to do his bidding. Shouldn’t a community leadership aim to embark on customary arbitration to resolve the impasse and ensure that no one losses their ancestral land to an insatiable individual? No, this ones are out to defend the offender.”

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It continued ,” If the Umuchima village or Uburu as a Community, under this leadership appointed by Umahi has any land to give to the University, they are free to do so. Instead of deceiving people into giving up their lands and giving them stipends through a privately owned company named Black Legend Technologies Ltd. Why should a community buy land in the name of a private company?

“All the people cannot be stupid at the same time.

“Finally, none of us is a politician and we have no political interest whatsoever. Therefore, attempting to paint our legitimate concern as “politically motivated” is disingenuous as our land is not a political property.”

The family further accused Eze Laz Umahi, elder brother to the works minister , the former Health Commissioner Dr Umezurike Akuma and their Kinsmen of plots hatched at a meeting convened by the Eze to use thugs and take over their ancestral land .

They particularly accused Dr Umezurike of providing the strategies and volunteering to lead the mop operation on their ancestral land .

In his response over the alleged invasion , the former Health Commissioner during the Dave Umahi reign as Ebonyi state Governor denied leading thugs to the Njoku family land saying ,” I was there personally . What happened was we want to start clearing the areas that are not in contention and I was there to show them these areas and not to take their land”.

On his part , Engr Umahi’s elder brother , Eze Laz Umahi Nweze earlier turned down a request for his response as the convener of the meeting where strategies were allegedly mapped out against the Njoku family land but moments after he replied through WhatsApp : ” Good morning dear. I am HRH Eze Laz Umahi. I am from Uburu Ancient Kingdom in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State.

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“You called me on phone earlier this morning, making inquiry about a meeting Ndi-Uburu held in its Multipurpose Hall few days ago. I have drawn the attention of my Attorney to the interaction I had with you and he asked me to go ahead and help you with whatever information you need regarding the referenced meeting.

“Let’s do it either of these two ways to avoid misrepresentation: Send a questionnaire to me on the information you need.
“Alternatively, if you’d prefer I provide a written statement, that too can works.

“Please let me know how you’d like us to proceed.

Best Regards.”

Barely hours after the Eze addressed a press conference which read in parts: “The people of Uburu community, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have supported the acquisition of more lands for the expansion of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Science(DUFUHS).

“In a communique signed by leaders of the host community, HRH Lazarus Umahi, Chief Shedrack Onu and Chief Odi Nicholas Enyi, the community said the expansion of the university was a collective agreement of the host community which was endorsed by the Uburu traditional rulers council.”

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Naira for crude probe: House threaten defaulting stakeholders with arrest warrant…Postpones investigations to Dec 2

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By Saint Mugaga

The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Implementation and Oversight of the Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy has issues a 7-day ultimatum to invited agencies to furnish it with requested documents on or before the 27th November 2025 or face Parliamentary sanctions.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Boniface Emerengwa, who issued the threat on Thursday in Abuja after agencies invites for the investigation failed to show up and refused to submit relevant documents requested by the committee.

He announced that “The investigative hearing scheduled for today, 20th November 2025, has been adjourned due to the gross negligence and lack of seriousness displayed by relevant stakeholders”.

The chairman expressed dismay that “Despite ample notice, the majority of stakeholders failed to recognize the role of the legislative arm in working with the Executive for the effective implementation of the Policy, by their failure to submit their required documents within the stipulated timeframe.

“This dereliction of duty has not only undermined the integrity of the committee’s work but has also cast a shadow of unseriousness over a matter of national importance.

“The committee views this conduct as a blatant disregard for the legislative process and a disrespect to the Nigerian people whose interests we are mandated to protect. Let it be unequivocally stated: the committee is deeply disappointed”.

According to the chairman, “The failure to submit documents on time has impeded our ability to conduct proper vetting and due diligence, thereby frustrating the investigative process.
This committee was constituted to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective oversight of the Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy, a policy with far-reaching implications for our economy and national development.

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He warned that “Any attempt to frustrate this process will be met with firm legislative consequences. In the spirit of magnanimity and in recognition of the gravity of this investigation, the committee has resolved to extend the deadline for document submission to 27th November 2025.

“This extension is a final opportunity for stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to transparency and cooperation. Furthermore, the investigative hearing has been rescheduled to 2nd December 2025, 12:00 AM, Conference Room 440. This date is final and non-negotiable.

“Let it be known to all stakeholders that failure to comply with this extended deadline will attract severe sanctions. The committee will not hesitate to invoke its full legislative powers, including but not limited to: Issuance of summons and subpoenas, public naming and shaming of non-compliant entities, recommendation of sanctions to relevant regulatory and executive bodies and escalation to plenary for further disciplinary action

“This committee will not be made to appear unserious or ineffective due to the indifference of stakeholders. We are determined to carry out our mandate with diligence, and we expect full cooperation from all parties involved.

“Stakeholders are hereby advised to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. The Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy is not a peripheral issue it is central to our economic sovereignty and fiscal accountability. The Nigerian people are watching, and history will judge our actions.

“We urge all stakeholders to submit their documents by the new deadline and prepare to appear before the committee on the rescheduled hearing date. The time for excuses is over. The time for accountability is now”

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LGA chairman releases full list of 25 abducted Kebbi school girls

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Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi state, Hon. Hussaini Aliyu,
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By Aliyu Musa

The Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi state, Hon. Hussaini Aliyu, has refuted the claim by US lawmaker Riley Moore alleging that the abduction of the Maga schoolgirls occurred in a Christian enclave.

In a statement, the Chairman stated that, all the abducted schoolgirls are Muslims and urged the lawmaker to desist from making unverifiable statements capable of dividing Nigeria along religious or ethnic lines at a time when government efforts are focused on rescuing the abducted girls.

The statement noted that, Zuru Emirate, under which the Maga community falls, had never experienced a religious crisis. He wondered why the US lawmaker chose to make comments that portray Nigeria in a negative light.

It’s also releases the names of the abducted girls as follows:

Senior Secondary School 2A

  1. Fatima Sani Zimri
  2. Hafsat Ibrahim
  3. Nana Firdausi Jibril
  4. Masauda Yakubu Romo

Senior Secondary School 2B

  1. Hauwa Saleh
  2. Hauwau Umar Imam

Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B

  1. Salima Garba Umar
  2. Salima Sani Zimri
  3. Amina G. Umar
  4. Rashida Muhammad Dingu
  5. Saliha Umar
  6. Aisha Usman
  7. Jamila Iliyasu
  8. Maryam Illiyasu
  9. Najaatu Abdullahi
  10. Zainab Kolo

Junior Secondary School 3A

  1. Surraya Tukur
  2. Hafsat Umar Yalmo
  3. Maryam Usman
  4. Amina Illiyasu
  5. Ikilima Suleman

Junior Secondary School 2

  1. Khadija Nazifi
  2. Hauwa’u Iliyasu
  3. Hauwa’u Lawali
  4. Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
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Children are Nigeria’s future, says President Tinubu

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By Saint Mugaga

President Bola Tinubu Thursday expressed his commitment to the development of children, saying they are the future of the nation.

He stated this at the launching and public presentation of a book titled “The Power of a Teenager: 50 Ways to Inspire Change”, written by Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, House of Representatives, and Founder of the Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV), Rep. Bamidele Salam on Thursday.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the National Assembly, House of Representatives Liaison, Dr. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, commended Salam for his dedication to youth development.

“You may not fully understand the impact of what you are receiving now, but tomorrow you will see what. Hon. Bamidele Salam has done in your lives,” he said.

He urged all attendees to make a personal commitment to shaping the minds of young Nigerians, stressing that while Salam funded the initiative personally, the greater task lies in mentoring and guiding the nation’s youth.

Also speaking at the launch, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the launch as a clear demonstration of the potential of Nigerian children.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, the vice president praised Salam for aligning his work with the administration’s vision for youth empowerment.

“This initiative speaks directly to the leaders of tomorrow,” he added, commending both the organisation and the children participating in the programme.

In his remarks, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila also lauded Salam’s efforts.

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“Nigerian children are the future of this nation. Even though they are young, we are looking to them to take this country to where it should be,” he said.

Gbajabiamila commended Salam for consistently producing the book annually, calling it a testament to leadership and commitment.

“Leadership may be inborn or thrust upon you, but there must be someone to guide you. That is what this book is doing—it provides the guidance our young people need,” he said, urging children to read and internalise its lessons.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Bamidele Salam shared the story of how CALDEV was founded in 2015 to fill a gap in Nigeria’s educational system.

Unlike in other countries, he said, leadership training is rarely embedded in the curriculum. Through CALDEV and its flagship National Children’s Leadership Conference, children gain practical exposure to leadership, public speaking, and community service.

Many past participants have gone on to start NGOs, run radio programmes, and lead campaigns addressing early marriage, child labour, and other social issues.

“This year, about 400 children are participating, and the impact has been phenomenal,” Salam said. He urged state governments to replicate the initiative at the state level to provide young people across Nigeria with intensive leadership training. Highlighting the large participation from Borno State, Salam said that properly trained and nurtured children could become agents of change, promoting peace, tolerance, education, and societal development.

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, lauded the author for his dedication to youth development through the newly launched book.

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Chinda expressed pride that a member of the House is actively shaping the future of Nigerian children.

“As members of the House of Representatives, we hold our heads high today that one of us is doing this. We are very, very proud, and we pray that this inspiration should flow through every other member of the House,” he said.

Chinda noted that the legacy of leaders and thinkers, is remembered not for wealth but for wisdom and the knowledge they left behind.

“When we see initiatives like this, these are the things worthy of celebration,” he said.

Member of the House from Borno State, Hon. Zainab Gimba, said,”We have come because we are celebrating not just a book today when they had an imagination behind it. I actually commend for shining a compassionate and bright lights of our teenagers.

“He has given our young people a voice that others will also step on the same foot, so that our teenagers will be empowered, not in this generation, but in future generations to come.”

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