NEWS
COREN sets up Monitoring Teams to Prevent Building Collapse

Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has set up project monitoring teams, as part of efforts to curb building collapse in the country.
President of the council, Mr Ali Rabiu, who disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday in Kano, said the measure had become necessary in view of rampant cases of building collapse, resulting in loss of lives and property.
The president noted that one of the council’s mandates was to ensure proper monitoring of projects to safeguard lives and property.
“We will not relent in ensuring strict compliance with the rules and regulations, while people were constructing projects,” he said.
Rabiu explained that before 2019, the council lacked powers to punish any violator except those on their register, adding that the punishment was only suspension from practice.
“But today, the law has been amended to allow us to sanction any Nigerian, whether engineer or not, who commits infraction in engineering practice.
“And, the punishments include prosecution of offenders that may lead to imprisonment and withdrawal of licences,” he said. (NAN)
NEWS
AIG Warns Personnel against Unprofessional Conducts, Colluding with Criminals

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police for Zone 13, Abayomi Oladipo has warned police personnel against unprofessional conducts and colluding with criminals within their duty areas.Oladipo, whose Zone 13 covers Anambra and Enugu States, gave the warning on Wednesday in Enugu while delivering a lecture to senior police officers in Enugu State as part of his one-day official working visit to the state.
He noted that wearing a face mask under any guise is never part of a police uniform, adding that on no account should a superior or supervising officer allow anyone under them to dress in an unauthorised way. The AIG also urged officers and men to ensure proper dismantling of materials placed on the road while on stop-and-search duty, adding that leaving them could cause accidents at night or criminals taking over such spots pretending to be police personnel.According to him, you must be alert at your duty post and do not lose guard about your surroundings as the possibility of being attacked is there; and your families loved ones and Nigeria Police Force needed you to be alive.On welfare, Oladipo urged all personnel to ensure that their records are duly filled and confirmed, adding that issues of next-of-kin should be sorted out and clearly spelt out by all personnel.The AIG commended the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, and the Command for diligence and proactiveness in ensuring the state remained safe and secured for residents and investors.Earlier, the commissioner said that the major challenges of the Command were inadequate manpower and limited logistics.He noted that in spite of all diligent and dedicated efforts to bring about lasting peace and safety in the state, there are still challenges of farmers/herders clashes, irredentist group attack and sporadic criminal activities among others.Oladipo, who is the supervisory AIG for the Police Command in Enugu State, toured various mobile police formations, tactical formations, some police area commands, Police College, Oji River and Police Detective College, Enugu within the state.NEWS
Ododo Hails Ex-Kogi Governor, Bello @ 50

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo has extended heartfelt felicitations to his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.Ododo, in his tribute to the former Governor, described his 50th birthday anniversary as a milestone worthy of honour and reflection in celebration of a man whose journey in leadership has been defined by courage, transformation, and lasting impact on the lives of many individuals and communities across Kogi State and Nigeria.
He recalled that Yahaya Bello made history in 2016 as the youngest Governor in Nigeria and the youngest to lead Kogi State, ushering in what has become a model for building a new generation of leadership in Kogi politics.“Our leader, Governor Yahaya Bello, came as the pathfinder of the future. He built a system where sons and daughters of anybody could aspire for positions of influence; where streets once forgotten became pathways to leadership; I am here today as the Chief Servant of Kogi State and a living testament to that philosophy,” he said.According to him, Bello’s administration shattered traditional political glass ceilings by offering opportunities to youth and women across wards and local government areas, regardless of status or background.He restated that the former Kogi State Governor built men and women of value not just with titles, but with purpose and raised individuals from different backgrounds to the corridors of public service and turned loyal followers into shining lights.Ododo emphasized that Bello’s philosophy of governance was to serve as a bridge for ordinary people to access opportunities, and he ensured that those who served in his administration remained accessible to the people in their new roles at both state and federal levels.He acknowledged that Bello’s strides in civil service reform, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security laid a foundation that continues to guide the present administration to succeed in the state.“With over 30% of the state’s annual budget invested in education, two new universities established within four years, safer communities and many lives transformed, the results are there and we are consolidating on them.“His commitment to promoting women in leadership with 35% affirmative action became a signature of inclusive governance, setting the standard for what we are now doing in Kogi State,” he stated.Ododo said his emergence as a successor to the former Governor is a testament to Bello’s belief in grooming new generations of leaders, stressing that his legacy is manifest in the performance of the present administration, having built a system that is sustainable and worthy of emulation.He prayed for God’s continued guidance for the former governor in all his future endeavours as he celebrates the momentous anniversary of his 50th birthday.NEWS
FG Orders Contract Termination with Levant Construction Company

From Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki
The federal government has ordered the immediate termination of contract with Levant Construction Ltd on the reconstruction of Benin-Sapele-Warri Road.Minister of works, David Umahi made this known in a statement on Wednesday.The statement reads in part: “I have ordered the termination of the contract with Levant Construction Ltd on the reconstruction of Benin-Sapele-Warri Road (Section 1: Benin – Imasabor) being executed under Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, due to non-performance.
“I had during a meeting with the Chief Executives of GELD Construction Ltd and SKECC Nigeria Ltd, expressed disapproval over the failure and/or neglect of Messrs Levant to live up to expectation in their contractual duties.”Despite warnings and notices, Levant Construction Ltd failed to respond, leading to the decision to terminate the contract.”I have directed the Permanent Secretary to get the job properly terminated and write a letter for joint measurement. Additionally, we will request repayment of the APG, and if necessary, the matter will be taken to EFCC.”Conversely, I expressed satisfaction with the outcome of discussions with SKECC Nigeria Ltd and Geld Construction Ltd, who have agreed to step up work on their respective sections of the road project.”I commend the Governors of Delta State and Edo State for their interventions on some kilometers of the road project.Regarding allegations of marginalization in road infrastructure development, he said “I want to assure Nigerians that the Renewed Hope administration is committed to inclusive development across the six geo-political zones.”We are executing numerous road projects in the North, including the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna road, and Kano Northern Bypass, among others.”In fact, the North has 52% of the four legacy projects of Mr. President, while the South has 48%. I urge Nigerians to see these projects as national endeavors, benefiting the entire country.”I remain committed to the Ministry’s mission of restoring confidence in Nigeria’s road infrastructure and showcasing the transformational power of the Renewed Hope administration” the works minister, Umahi stressed.