The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved a three-month grace period for 189 titleholders, who have obtained building plan approvals but are yet to commence development of on their property. The Price Of a Home Security Camera May Surprise You (Search Here For Options) Security Camera Deals | SponsoredThe Price Of a Home Security Camera May Surprise You (Search Here For Options)Jubna Ads Choice Accordingly, the affected property owners are to do so within the stipulated period or have their title revoked in line with the provisions of the law. This gesture has only been extended to both individuals and corporate organizations who have shown desire to develop their property by obtaining Building Plan approvals but are yet to start proper development on their property situated within the Federal Capital City (FCC). Director of Information and Communication, FCT, Muhammad Sule in a statement said: “Similarly, public institutions that have land titles within the Federal Capital City but are yet to develop same, have also been given a grace period of three months to commence development in order to avoid sanction. “Thus, the Minister has extended this gesture to 189 property owners due to their desire to develop the property by obtaining Building Plan Approvals which is a prerequisite for development of any property in the Federal Capital Territory. “The notification in the Newspapers states: “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), has graciously approved a grace period of three-months from the date of this publication for the underlisted titleholders who have obtained building plan approvals to commence development of their plots; failure of which their titles shall be revoked for continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right- of-Occupancy. The owners of these plots were exempted from revocation because they have already demonstrated firm commitment towards developing their property by obtaining necessary documents from the FCT Administration.” Sule urged the affected property owners to take advantage of the Minister’s gesture and develop their plots as published in some National Dailies, in line with the terms of Offer of the Right- Of- Occupancy. He said: “The FCT Administration, therefore, appealed to the affected Public Institutions who have been allocated plots within the FCC to commence development of their plots, failure of which their titles shall be revoked for continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right of Occupancy. “The plots in these categories belong to individuals and corporate organizations, as well as Public Institutions who have continually failed to keep to the terms of agreement as contained in Section 28(5) (a) & (b) of the Land Use Act offering and conveying of the Right of Occupancy.”

  Former President of the Senate, Senate David Mark, has revealed that the 2023 general elections remains the most controversial since the beginning of the 4th Republic in 1999, a development he said led to the emergence of new parties against the hitherto dominant two. He said the interest and enthusiasm displayed by the youths were a direct disapproval and dissatisfaction with the old brigade, insisting that Nigerians expect the 10th Assembly to legislate to ensure a better or less controversial elections in future He has also called on the 10th National Assembly to prioritise its legislative agenda that will address national malaise to forestall controversial or inconclusive elections in the future . Mark listed some of the problems facing the nation to include deteriorating economic situation, high crime rate, unemployment, farmers/ herders clashes, banditry, terrorism, food shortage , insufficient and decaying infrastructure, out of school children and poor health facilities among others. Addressing principal officers of the 10th National Assembly at a two day retreat in Ikot Ekpene,Akwa Ibom state at the weekend, Mark noted that though the problems were primarily not the creation of the legislators, but Nigerians elected them to proffer solutions . Mark who was the president of the Senate for eight uninterrupted years ( 2007-2011 & 2011- 2015) spoke on the theme “ improving legislative effectiveness in a multi -party legislature through committees & Caucuses”. To address the myriad of problems, he told principal officers of the National Assembly to be innovative, think and act outside the box pointing out that “it cannot be business as usual. “You must therefore design a legislative agenda that can provide a legal and regulatory framework that will support government initiatives and policies. The agenda must show in clear and concrete terms how to address the issues facing nation. “It must respond to critical national issues like growing the economy, job creation, tackling insecurity, anti-corruption and show synergy between the legislative agenda and the executive programmes . “You must honestly debate government policies to ascertain the merits and demerits without party sentiments saying that standing committees must be properly equipped in its composition to vigorously oversight Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).” Mark opined that committee systems and caucuses are essential mechanisms for balancing diversity and promoting effective representation in legislative houses . He added: “By fostering inclusivity, encouraging dialogue and providing platforms for diverse voices to be heard , you can strengthen legislative effectiveness and ensure that the laws and policies you make truly reflect the needs and aspirations of all citizens for the good of all.”

  ANAMBRA State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has warned Nigerians to be wary of purveyors of fake news. Speaking during a special church service as part of activities to mark this year’s Independence anniversary celebration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, Soludo said those who spread false information in social media platforms only intended to create fear or panic in the society. According to the governor, some people have been taking advantage of the current security situation in the country to spread fake news and misinformation, thereby causing unnecessary anxiety and fear among the people. He urged the people to always be vigilant and to verify any information they receive before sharing it. He said that the state government has deployed security personnel to strategic locations across the state, adding that greater efforts were being made to improve intelligence gathering and sharing. “My government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all. “We are working hard to address the security challenges in the state, and we are confident that we will overcome them soon,” the governor added. In a homily during the Mass, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi described Nigeria as a sick, corrupt and broken country in dire need of healing. He, however, believed that the country would one day get it right to take its place of pride as a giant in Africa. The cleric also believed that Governor Soludo has demonstrated commitment to the vision of building a liveable and a prosperous homeland, assuring that the church would continue to support his vision.

  A commercial bus (better known as danfo) driver stripped naked to evade arrest after stabbing a Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) official, the agency said Sunday. The incident happened in the Constain area of Lagos after the driver committed a traffic offence. “Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) today arrested a driver of a painted Volkswagen ‘T4’ commercial bus (LSR 966 YE) for stabbing a LASTMA Officers after being apprehended for serious traffic obstruction around Costain r/about, Lagos,” LASTMA said in a Sunday statement. “LASTMA Officer Olajide Olukoga ‘Bravo’ who led the enforcement team disclosed that the Volkswagen commercial ‘T4’ bus was apprehended for picking up passengers on the main expressway thereby causing serious traffic obstructions to other road users around Costain inward Iponri.” According to the agency, the operation was undertaken after repeated warnings to drivers to use designated bus stops before picking up or dropping people. “Our enforcement team had successfully apprehended the driver despite dangerous driving attempts to escape before he brought out a knife and stabbed me. “After seeing the deep cut he had inflicted with the knife, he decided to strip himself naked and caused serious commotion before he was eventually arrested by policemen from Iponri Police Station. “After his arrest, dangerous weapons ‘cutlass and knife’ were recovered inside his commercial Volkswagen ‘T4’ bus by security officers,” the statement added.

  President Bola Tinubu has mandated security agencies to rescue the female students abducted in Zamfara. Bandits last week attacked the Sabon-Gida community, Bungudu Local Government Area, kidnapping over 24 students of the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara. While six of them were later rescued, President Tinubu has ordered security operatives to ensure those still in captivity are freed. “President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to rescue the remaining female students of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, who were recently abducted by terrorists,” presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said in a Sunday statement. “Condemning the reprehensible act of abduction, the President says there is no moral justification for such heinous crimes against innocent victims whose only ‘offense’ was their pursuit of quality education.” The presidential aide quoted Tinubu as condoling with the families of those affected, reiterated his government’s resolve to “protect every Nigerian citizen, and in line with this commitment, assures the families of the abducted students that no effort will be spared in ensuring their safe return”. Tinubu has also vowed to “ensure that educational institutions remain sanctuaries of knowledge, growth, and opportunity, and totally free from the menacing acts of terrorists,” the statement added.

  President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has sued for peace, describing the level of insecurity and unimaginable extra-judicial killings in Igbo land as horrendous. Insisting that this has to stop, Iwuanyanwu, vowed that if it will take his life to restore peace in the southeast he was ready to do so. Ohanaeze President General, spoke on Saturday night while addressing journalists on the 2023 Igbo Day celebration coming up on September 28 and 29 with the church service held on Sunday at the Cathedral Church of Good Shepherd. The octogenarian who spoke on various efforts and strategies his leadership has decided to take to restore peace, however, explained that each time he hears that one person is killed in Igboland, it diminishes his person. He said that as father of all Igbos, he would use his exalted position as the President General to pursue peace at all costs, adding that he would go as far as Finland and other parts of the world to discuss with Biafran agitators. “I’ll take a kinetic approach that will require the cooperation of everybody. I’ll talk peace. I am ready to lay down my life to see that there is peace in Igboland. “I’ll go to Finland and everywhere to see that there is peace in Igboland. I’ll go and cry to them. I pray to God that I achieve success. He said: “I have decided that as a father, I am tired of the death of my children. Ndigbo have given me the responsibility of leading them at this time. Each time I hear anybody killed I feel very sad. feel very sad too because those of them who are joining whatever it is are doing it because some of them are hungry. Some of them are unemployed. I am not saying that hunger and unemployment should make somebody become a criminal but not everyone has the capacity to endure hardship or hunger. “We have been using a kinetic approach, I think I’m going to advise, I am going to discuss as part of the Igbo day celebration, I’m likely to announce a non-kinetic approach. I will as a father now call everybody. It is my duty to call everybody for peace. On the 29th of this month during my address, I will initiate a non-kinetic approach. “I will appeal to our people because we have these programmes we have started so that when people leave school here they will have opportunities. So this non-kinetic approach will require everybody’s support. It will require the support of the state governors and the federal government. “It is good for the federal government to have peace in the South East. It won’t pay them to have bloodshed. Because you see, bloodshed doesn’t pay anybody. So whatever sacrifices they make to bring the non-kinetic approach which saves killings and bloodshed will be useful and that is what I want to do. “I am going to reach all these people by any means and I will talk for peace. I will beg them. I will even give them my life. If they want to take my life I am ready to surrender. I will set up a committee. I will send people abroad. They have mentioned some names of people abroad who feel are doing this. I am going to set up a committee. “I don’t want to kill any of my children. All these people, the gunmen are my children. We are going there to beg them and to appeal to them. Tell them please, tell us what you want us to do and we are doing it already. I am sure that even those who are hungry will find something for them to do to keep them happy. But the shedding of blood should stop.” Iwuanyanwu said that he has resolved to transform Ndigbo to create employment opportunities, saying however that could be achieved with the cooperation of the South East Governors. He said that Ndigbo were not out for war but opportunities to better their lots and sued the Federal Government to see that International Airports in Igboland work as well as the rail transport so that Ndigbo as business entrepreneurs would carry on their enterprise unhindered.

  A 70-year-old Fulani leader of Panyam District in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Adamu Idris Gabdo, has been killed by yet-to-be-identified criminals. The state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Nuru Abdullahi, who confirmed the killing said the incident happened Saturday evening when the deceased was returning from a visit to the district head of Panyam. The MACBAN chairman accused Mwaghavul youths in the area of the killing, but the spokesperson for Mwaghavul Development Association, Mr. Lawrence Kyarshik, denied the allegation. Kyarshik said, “I have not heard this until now and I believe our people won’t go to this level of attacking and killing the Ardo (Fulani leader). The allegation is baseless. Meanwhile, the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Mangu LGA, Hon Markus Artu, has condemned the killing. The council chairman in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Sunday, described the killing as barbaric and an act of criminality by enemies of Plateau who were against the peace enjoyed in the state. Hon. Artu while condemning the act assured the people of Mangu that the security operatives were on the trail of the perpetrators of the evil act and would soon be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law. He said, “The entire Mangu Council authority has distanced itself from the incident. The people of Mangu have since resolved to live in peace with each other, irrespective of tribe or religion and would not allow anyone to come between them. “The incident was a deliberate act by hoodlums who are bent on throwing the council area into another round of chaos at a time when relative peace has been achieved and the people are returning to their ancestral homes due to many efforts made by the state government under the leadership of state Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang,” the council chairman added. While urging the Fulani herders to remain calm, the MACBAN chairman called on the security agencies to ensure the recovery of Ardo’s corpse. Daily Trust reports that more than 300 people have been killed in various villages of Mangu LGA in recent times.