Abule Egba flyover: Lagos denies plan to demolish 1,000 building

                           
The Lagos State government has denied plan to demolish about 1,000 buildings, saying only structures illegally built would be affected by the ongoing construction of Abule- Egba flyover.
The government which regretted that formal institutions such as banks and eateries would engage in illegal development without valid C of O or Planning Permits, said that most of the structures to be affected in the demolition exercise were fences, building on Right of Way and illegal constructions and attachments to build-ings.
Speaking on the demolition exercise in Abule- Egba, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development said that the government was only implementing existing provisions of Federal Highway Regulations as contained in the Public Land Acquisition Act and gazetted by the Federal Government for Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway Right of Way.
The ministry, in a statement signed by its Head, Public Affairs, Shina Odunuga, said it was untrue that the state government unilaterally extended portions for removal from the agreed 32 metres from the existing electricity poles to 91.44metres.
The ministry added that the Right of Way was to be established for the construction of a Reinforced Concrete Dual Carriage Flyover Bridge at Abule Egba junction, describing the allegation by some residents as unfounded.

Raila endorses candidate for Nyacheki ward position

                           
Preparations for the by-election in Kisii are afoot as contesters continued to rally support in the last campaign day.

Returning Officer Jackeline Osiemo told the Nation that election materials have been dispatched and that 51 presiding officers, their deputies and 74 clerks will be man the exercise.

"We have also made arrangements to ensure that there will be two police officers in each polling station. An additional 10 officers will be stationed at Isena tallying centre to provide additional security," Ms Osiemo said.

Cord leader Raila Odinga arrived in Kisii to urge residents to vote for the coalition's candidate, Mr Naftali Onkoba, for the Nyacheki Ward seat.

Mr Odinga was welcomed by Governor James Ongwae who asked voters to be alert to those "who might want to rig the elections".

The seat was left vacant following the death of ODM’s Peter Ongeri four months ago.

BREAKING NEWS:Obanikoro Agrees To Refund N785million

              
Embattled former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro has offered to refund N785 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) according to The Nation.
The Commission accused him of collecting N785 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Nation reports that his friends and associates are understood to be rallying around him to raise the funds as a first step to secure his bail.
Obanikoro is understood to be targeting  N100 million as first installment  of the refund.
Obanikoro has been in detention with the EFCC since voluntarily accepting the invitation of the anti-graft body last week for interrogation.
It was reported last week that Obanikoro confessed to funding the election of Ayo Fayose in 2014 as Ekiti Governor through funds gotten from the office of the National Security Adviser. The amount was said to be  N4.685 billion. Of the amount stated, Obanikoro told the EFCC that N3.880billion was allocated to Governor Ayo Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore.
He also said he handed over $5.377 million (about N60 million then) cash to Fayose at Spotless Hotel, Ado-Ekiti in the presence of the former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Dr. Tope Aluko and other party stalwarts.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ex-minister has been cooperating with detectives and he appears willing to refund some cash out of the N785 million traced to Sylvan McNamara.

Buhari wants to develop the Niger Delta – MEND

                                    

Defunct militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, says the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is interested in the sustainable peace and development of the Niger Delta region which was neglected by previous administrations.

MEND’s remark is coming ahead of the President’s meeting with leaders of the oil rich region on October 31.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, the defunct militant group said the October 31 meeting between the President and leaders of the region is an indication that Buhari means well for the region.

MEND, however, said despite working hard with other militant groups to bring about ceasefire which has led to an increase in the production of crude oil and gas for the country, the government has failed to keep up with its own bargain of releasing its incarcerated leaders, Charles and Henry Okah.

According to the statement, “MEND hereby welcomes and endorses the forthcoming meeting aimed at finding solutions to the current Niger Delta crisis to be held between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Pan Niger Delta Group (PNDG) led by Ijaw National Leader, Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark on Monday, October 31, 2016.

“The forthcoming meeting vindicates MEND and federal government’s continued insistence and belief, ab initio, that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari meant well for the sustainable peace and development of the hitherto neglected Niger Delta region.

“MEND reiterates that we were the first and only militant group in the Niger Delta region who were meaningfully and constructively engaged in talks with the federal government with a view to resolving the Niger Delta crisis; as duly confirmed by no less a person than President Muhammadu Buhari sometime in July 2016 in his farewell remarks to the outgoing German Ambassador, Mr. Michael Zinner.