NEWS
June 12: Abiodun Commutes Death Sentences for 45 Inmates, Pardons 41 Others
From Kunle Idowu, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has commuted the death sentence of 45 condemned prisoners to prison terms.
The governor also granted pardon to 41 other inmates serving in different Correctional Centres across the state.
Speaking at the 2024 Democracy Day, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Abiodun said the decision was in exercising his prerogative of mercy as the governor of the state.
He said: “Government has a duty to uphold democratic values by consistently applying principles of mercy, justice, and the rule of law. In this vein, the Nigerian Constitution empowers me to exercise a prerogative of mercy to anyone convicted of an offense in Ogun State.
“Having received the guidance of the Ogun State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, I have signed the appropriate warrants ordering the release of 41 convicts currently imprisoned across different correctional facilities in Ogun State. I have also signed warrants converting the death sentences of 45 inmates to prison sentences.
“This gesture signals a break from past grievances and a move towards a more inclusive and compassionate society where merciful second chances are granted to deserving offenders.
“All convicts who have received this gesture have shown remorse for their crimes, acquired skills and certifications in prison, with several of them receiving university degrees from the National Open University of Nigeria. They have also demonstrated verified good conduct during their imprisonment.”
He said the celebration holds immense significance as it marks the triumph of democracy, the power of the people, and the pursuit of justice and freedom, observing that the history of Nigeria’s democracy is one of struggle and perseverance.
“June 12, 1993, stands as a watershed moment in this journey. On that particular day, Nigerians transcended differences of tribe, gender, and even the unique joint Muslim-Muslim ticket to speak unanimously through the ballot.
“They elected the late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola and Babagana Kingibe of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) as President and Vice-President, respectively.
Although the election was globally acclaimed as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, the military annulled its results, dashing the hopes raised by this democratic exercise.
“That election remains a pivotal moment in our country’s democratic history. It has become the benchmark against which the successes of subsequent elections are measured. For all its import, it reminds us of the power of unity, resilience, and the collective determination to uphold the principles of democracy.
“It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Nigerian people, who have shown unwavering commitment to democracy and the belief in a better future,” the governor added.
He said the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola stands as one of the finest trailblazers from Ogun State just as his courage and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals remain an inspiration to the people adding that his campaign slogan, “Hope ’93,” was a national reawakening rooted in faith and the limitless ability of Nigerians to face their challenges and solve the problems of nation-building.
While noting that the celebration signifies the commitment to continue the journey towards a better Nigeria, building on the sacrifices made by Chief MKO Abiola and countless others who fought for democracy and paid the ultimate price, Prince Abiodun said the courage and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals serve as a reminder of the power of the people and the importance of upholding the principles of justice, freedom, and equality laid by our forefathers.
In a lecture titled: “June 12: Defining Moment in the Democratic Development of Nigeria,” the guest lecturer, Mr. Richard Akinnola, while giving a background to what led to the crisis, chided the nation’s judiciary for being a tool in the hands of the military government to annul the June 12 elections.
He condemned those who have been calling for the return of the military as the result of the hardship in the country.
“In fact, June 12 stands as a defining moment and a watershed in our quest for democracy. That is why we should be very careful. Some people who did not experience what we went through are not subtly calling for the military. We must say no, never do we call for military again. Whatever the challenges we are having, let’s fight, let us argue, let us disagree, let us abuse each other, but never should we be tempted to invite the military,” he advised.
Akinnola who described the June 12 elections as the best in the history of the nation, noting that the aftermath of the annulment led to killings of pro-democracy activists just as it ushered in mutual mistrust among the citizens.
The guest lecturer said for democracy to thrive in the country, Nigerians must keep their leaders on their toes, saying though it is necessary to celebrate the day, people should not forget those who sacrificed their lives for the democracy being enjoyed in the country now.
In his goodwill message, a pro-democracy activist and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Ogun State, Dr. Niran Malaolu, eulogied Chief Abiola for paying the supreme prize for the nation to experience democracy, noting that several Nigerians also suffered in the course of returning the country to democratic rule.
In his welcome address, the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) to the governor, Dr. Toyin Taiwo, said the celebration symbolizes the collective will of Nigerians to chose their leaders in a free and fair elections as witnessed on June 12 1993, just as it demonstrated the power of the people in bringing about change.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has began a post-development audit of buildings in the FCT.
Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinato of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC),made this known while inaugurating a Ministerial Committee on Post-Development Audit of Buildings in the FCT.
Obuah explained while inaugurating the committee in Abuja on Thursday that the Abuja Master Plan, developed in 1979 provides the roadmap for the orderly development of the nation’s capital city, Abuja.
According to him, the overarching goal is to build one of the most prestigious and modernist cities in the world.
He pointed out that over the years, the FCTA has been able to develop many phases of the city, districts and neighbourhoods.
“We have equally been able to develop critical infrastructures that provide circulatory road systems, metro lines and stations, sewer lines and drainages, among others.
“Today the city can boast of many iconic landmark developments such as the National Mosque, the National Christian Center, the National Assembly Complex, and the Supreme Court Complex.
“Others are the World Trade Centre, Abuja – the tallest building in the city with 22 floors, the CBN Complex, and many other iconic buildings of international repute and reference points for tourists.
“All these attests to the fact that our city has come to stay; our city has developed substantially from Phase 1 through Phase 3 while the other phases are equally being developed.
“Nonetheless, it becomes imperative too, that at this juncture of the city’s development, we take a cursory look at our journey in terms of what we have so far developed, the trend and chart a more robust course for the city’s development,” he said.
He said that it was on these grounds that the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike approved the constitution of the committee to audit the post- development of the city’s buildings.
He said that the committee, which would be chaired by Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, would be expected to provide accurate records of all development permits issued.
This, he said, would reduce the cases of unapproved development, illegal conversion of land use, and land grabbing.
He added that the committee would also provide data on the consumption of the city’s utilities and services such as water, electricity and connectivity to sewer lines.
This, according to him, will expose illegal connections to the facilities which is denying the government its due revenues.
“The committee will also provide data for accurate taxation and enhanced revenue generation by bringing all buildings and properties to the FCT Internal Revenue Tax Net.
“This will generate billions of Naira for the FCT Administration.
“Another task for the committee is the provision of data on research on city planning, development and management.
“Some of the buildings will be subjected to integrity tests to reduce cases of building collapse and hazards,” he said.
The coordinator said that members of the committee were drawn from all the departments in the FCTA and expected to conclude the tasks in six months.
He assured the committee members of the FCT Minister’s commitment to providing the necessary logistics to ensure the success of the exercise.
Speaking on behalf of the committee members, Galadima noted the need for the FCTA to document all activities, in terms of structures, services, and facilities.
He said that the committee would deliver on its mandate as expected. (NAN)
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the average price of 5kg of cooking gas increased from N6,430.02 recorded in August to N6,699.63 in September 2024
This is contained in the Bureau’s “Cooking Gas Price Watch’’ for September 2024 released on Friday in Abuja.
The report said the September price represented a 4.
19 per cent increase, compared to what was obtained in August.The NBS said the average price of 5kg of cooking gas increased on a year-on-year basis by 59.
90 per cent from N4,189.96 in September 2023 to N6,699.63 in September 2024.On state profile analysis, the report showed that Rivers recorded the highest average price at N7,285.
71, followed by Gombe at N7,271.88, and Borno at N7,089.72.It said on the other hand, Kebbi recorded the lowest price at N5,950.00, followed by Kano and Benue at N6,133.33 and N6,143.52, respectively.
Analysis according to the six zones, showed that the North-East recorded the highest average retail price at N6,929.02 for 5kg cooking gas, followed by the South-East at N6,893.47.
“The North-West recorded the lowest average retail price at NN6,382.30,” the NBS said.
Also, the NBS said the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cooking gas increased by 4.89 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N15,552.56 in August 2024 to N16,313.43 in September.
The report said the average retail price for 12.5kg cooking gas rose by 76.41 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N9,247.40 recorded in September 2023 to N16,313.43 in September 2024.
State profile analysis showed that Rivers recorded the highest average retail price of N17,992.86 followed by Gombe at N17,942.86 and Zamfara at N17,475.00.
On the other hand, the report showed that the lowest average price for 12.5kg of cooking gas was recorded in Adamawa at N13,983.33, followed by Nassarawa and Bauchi with N14,938.50 and N15,000.00, respectively.
Analysis by zone showed that the South-East recorded the highest average retail price of N16,957.29, followed by the South-West at N16,665.45.
The report said the North-East recorded the lowest price at N15,770.75
Similarly, the NBS said the average retail price per litre of kerosene increased to N1,957.44, in September 2024 on a month-on-month basis, showing an increase of 5.97 per cent, compared to the N1,847.59 recorded in August 2024.
According to its National Kerosene Price Watch for September 2024 on a year-on-year basis, the average retail price per litre of kerosene rose by 50.68 per cent from N1,299.03 in September 2023.
On state profile analysis, the report showed that Abuja recorded the highest average price at N2,816.67 per litre of kerosene in August, followed by Kaduna at N2,437.50 and Akwa Ibom at N2,411.11.
“On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Bayelsa at N1,416.67, followed by Borno at N1,477.83 and Ekiti at N1,635.00.”
The NBS said the analysis further showed that the North Central recorded the highest average retail price per litre of Kerosene at N2,194.05, followed by the North-West at N2,092.92.
It said the South -East recorded the lowest average retail price per litre of kerosene at N1,718.89.
The report said the average retail price per gallon of Kerosene paid by consumers in September 2024 was N6,818.1, indicating an increase of 5.84 per cent increase from N6,441.94 recorded in August 2024.
“On a year-on-year basis, the average price per gallon of kerosene increased by 55.69 per cent from N4,379.31 in September 2023.
On state profile analysis, it showed that Katsina recorded the highest average retail price at N8,400 per gallon of kerosene, followed by Jigawa at N8,100.00 and Kebbi and Ogun at N8,000.00.
The report said Nasarawa recorded the lowest price at N5,250.00, followed by Adamawa and Niger at N5,281.25 and N5,291.67, respectively.
Analysis by zone showed that the North-West recorded the highest average price per gallon of Kerosene at N7,809.52, followed by the South-East at N7,700.19.
“North-Central recorded the lowest average price per gallon of Kerosene at N6,092.77,” the NBS said. (NAN)
The Federal Government has revoked a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway contract being handled by Julius Berger over irregularities.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this known during the inauguration of the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road on Thursday in Abuja.
Umahi said that the road contract was awarded to Julius Berger in 2018 under former President Muhammadu Buhari for N391 billion.
The minister said that the Kaduna-Zaria section has been completed and the Zaria-Kano section is almost completed, however, the Abuja-Kaduna section has witnessed slow completion rate in six years.
“We inherited about 240km in the section I and we extended another two kilometres towards Kogi state to repair the road because it is an eye saw.
“So we have additional 7.5km added to the original 750km, the cost that we gave to Julius Berger for this section is N349 billion or N2.03 billion per kilometer and it is on flexible pavement.
“The section one is 38km or 76 single carriageways when you multiply it by two.”
According to Umahi, the cost is N145 billion or N1.9 billion per kilometer adding that the section one and three are being done under tax credit.
He said that the road project needed to be divided into three sections because Julius Berger was demanding a total of 1.5 trillion for the entire road project to be completed in four years.
“However, we do not want that, president Bola Tinubu does not want that, so we predicted the option of balkanising the road into three, which we have done, and he approved it.
“When we did that by writing, Julius Berger accepted it with the rates but we did not know that they would play games by continuing to play delayed tactics.
“At that time, their own section was 710 billion, both what was done and the new thing to be done,so they started in the first section.”
He said that the Ministry of Finance promised to be paying N20 billion every month to get the job done, but Julius Berger asked for an increase which the ministry obliged from N710 to N740 billion.
Umahi said Julius Berger again wrote to the ministry last week asking for a raise from N740 to N903 billion to complete the project, a condition not favourable to the government.
“We decided to go for about four billion naira per kilometer for an existing road we are rehabilitating on asphalt, so our position is that we are not increasing this contract for Julius Berger beyond N740 billion.
“This game must be over. I have invited them for a meeting tomorrow. We cannot do what they want. They have been pushing us around. In Bodo Boni, they got what they wanted.
“They have put the project into politics. So they are using it to demarcate our administration and we think enough should be enough,”he said
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport , Adamu Aliero, commended the President for taking the bold initiative in approving the revocation of the contract and re-awarding it to competent contractors.
Aliero said that the Abuja-Kaduna road has been a thorny issue as far back as 2021, 2022, 2023.
“The governors, the senators, front-line politicians have been complaining on the slow pace of this road. They have been talking about how many people have died because of the deplorable condition of the road.
“Let me say that there is no road in Northern Nigeria that is as important as this road but Julius Berger kept bringing all kinds of excuses.
“This road is a vital link. It connects the northeast, northwest, southeast, south-south, and southwest, the road is very important, it is a national asset.”
Aliero therefore, urged the contractors that have won the award to please speed up and complete the road to ease movement of goods and services to every part of Nigeria.
He also appealed to Julius Berger to restore the confidence Nigerians have in them by completing other section of the road contract they are handling that has not been revoked.(NAN)
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