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I will not be intimidated by military – Wike

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By Wumi Tewogbade

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, said he will not be intimidated or blackmailed by any military personnel from doing his job.

Wike stated this when he went on an unscheduled visit on a plot of land that was allegedly being illegally developed in Gaduwa, Abuja.

According to the Minister, he had earlier instructed the Director Development Control, Muktir Galadima, to go and demolish an alleged illegal development ongoing in plot 1946, Gaduwa district, Abuja, owned by the former Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Awaul Zubairu Gambo.

But when the staff of Development control got to the property to effect the directive of the FCT Minister, they were forcefully driven out of the property by security acting on the former Chief of Naval staff, directives.

So the Director of Development control went to report back to the FCT Minister, who immediately came to see what was going on.

Wike while speaking to journalists said, “You are aware that the land departments and the development control have been mandated to see where the illegal development is going on and land grabbing. And when this was brought to my attention, I did instruct them to make sure that nothing takes place in as much as they did not have any legal paper in terms of regional approval or even the acquisition of the land. And when they came here, I was informed that the soldiers of the former Naval Chief, chase them away and I thought probably they would be acting illegally.

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“And so today while I was in the office, while they came to implement the directive that was given to them by myself, I was called that the military have taken over the place and I have to come by myself to see things for myself. It’s really unfortunate. And you heard what the officers said, he was sent by the former chief of Naval Staff”.

The FCT Minister noted that the Naval Chief, shoukd have approached him for discussion instead of taking law into his handa, “And I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position and he said that he has a problem cannot approach my office to say, look, this is what is going on, this is what is going on. But simply because he’s a military man, he could use that to intimidate Nigerians. I’m not one of those kind of persons that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation”.

He said there is no documents to prove, the Former Chief of Naval staff is actually the owner of the property in question.

“And where are the documents. And the Director of Development Control said, look, I was here. I said bring the documents, you don’t have the documents.

“Bring the approval for building, you don’t have it. And how can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail in this country? What about those who don’t have the military? What about those who don’t have security? It has gotten to a level where when government officials are doing, carrying out their job, you go and bring security to intimidate them. And this government official, I will not accept that”.

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He said, “I’ve spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and I’ve spoken to the Chief of Naval Staff and they have assured me that, please, they have to resolve the matter. And we’re not coming here to have a shootout with anybody to cause chaos and all. But what I can say, I would not allow it to happen.

“The way we have done and carried out our jobs in other areas is the same way it will be done here. We will not allow this illegal development, simply because he was a former Chief of Naval Staff. I would not allow that”.

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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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