News
INEC Distributes Sensitive Materials to 13 Local Governments In Nasarawa
…As 4, 202 police personnel deployed to man collation centres, PU, others
Solomon Attah ,Lafia
Two days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) has begun the distribution of sensitive materials ahead of the exercise to the 13 Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State.
Uthman Ajidagba, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, who Briefed newsmen after inspecting the materials at the Lafia office of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said the items were adequate and sorted out according to the various local government areas of the state.
The REC explained that, the materials are comprising of ballot papers, result sheets and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and was customized according to each of the 3245 polling units in the state.
“We are 100 per cent ready administratively to conduct the election across over 3, 245 polling units in the state.
“The sensitive materials would be delivered to INEC local government offices, where they would be moved to the various Registration Areas ahead of the Saturday, February 25 general election.”
“The headquarters of INEC had already sent all the materials needed for the conduct of the election to us in the state.
“We are not lacking any material as they were already supplied to us and we started distributing them to headquarters of Local Government Areas today,” Ajidagba added.
The INEC Resident Commissioner in the state also reassured that the election would hold as scheduled.
He disabused the mind of those thinking the election would not hold as day dreaming and advised them wake up and face reality.
He however assured that, INEC would deliver a credible, free, fair and the most transparent election that would reflect the choice of the people in the election.
Maiyaki Muhammad-Baba, the state Commissioner of Police said, his men as well as personnel of other sister agencies are fully ready to ensure that the election hold in all parts of the state as scheduled.
The CP added that, the police in particular had deploy personnel to all the 3, 245 Polling units in the state to ensure that the exercise witness hitch free.
According to Muhammad-Baba, 4, 202 personnel have been deployed to man INEC offices, collection centres and polling units against those who want to cause problem.
He therefore warned hoodlums planning to disrupt the election to stay clear or risk the full wrath of the law.
The distribution of the sensitive materials was done in the presence of security agencies, officials of the various political parties, election observers and some of the candidates participating in the elections.
Already, security personnel deployed to ensure no break of law and order before, during and after the election have barricaded the road leading to the State Headquarters of the Commission in an effort to restrict people’s movement before the D-Day.
By Our Reporter
The Management of Federal Housing Authority FHA, under the leadership of Hon Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo has asked residents of its estates in Abuja to provide approvals and approved documents and building plans for commercial purposes to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority FHA, Abuja forthwith.
A Press statement issued by the management and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Chigelu on behalf of the authority directed the submission to be carried out at the Authority’s Head office, Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro , Abuja beginning from Wednesday , 3rd April , 2025.
The directives covers all buildings irrespective of the approval dates , that became expedient , following management discovery of sharp practices by commercial outlets ,as most of this buildings are built either without approval and or in contravention to the granted approval.
Chigelu stated that management discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of approval granted them, through alterations in total contravention to the development control regulations of the Authority.
Following the danger posed , management will not allow such negative consequences that will pave way for indiscriminate building collapse, therefore, a controlled demolition was carried out by the authority, with a building with structural defects in March , 2025, on 5th Avenue, Gwarimpa Estate.
Consequently, owners of commercial apartments, which included Hotels , Supermarkets, Hospitals, Schools and Banks including shopping malls through this announcement are expected to submit their approved plans for revalidation.
Management expect strict compliance to this directive, as violators will attract heavy sanctions with authority’s non negotiable stance .
The release further said ..
SPECIAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
“The Management of Federal Housing Authority, FHA hereby calls on all owners of commercial properties in FHA Estates in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory to submit their approved building plans to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, at the Authority’s head office, No 26 Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro Abuja from Wednesday, April 3rd, 2025.
“This directive which covers all buildings irrespective of when the approval was given, has become expedient following Management’s discovery that most commercial outlets in these Estates are built without approvals, or developed outside the granted approval.”
” Management has also discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of the approval granted them for alteration, in total contravention and disregard to Development Control regulations. ”
“Following the dangers posed by this development, the Management of FHA would not fold its hand to allow this looming disaster to happen. It is to avert the ugly incidence of building collapse that the Authority carried out a controlled demolition exercise of one of its buildings with structural defect on Monday, 24th March. 2025 in 5th Avenue. Gwarinpa estate.”
“Consequently, all owners of commercial outlets: hotels, supermarkets, hospitals, schools, banks, shopping malls etc through this announcement are requested to submit their building approved plans for revalidation. All such buildings must undergo an integrity test.
Strict compliance to this directive is not negotiable as severe sanctions await defaulters. “
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government, in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has successfully intercepted eight trafficked children who were en route to the South East and Cameroon.
In a statement to journalists in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, Mrs. Mary Sinjen, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, revealed that the children had been deceived and transported to various southeastern states in Nigeria.
According to her, the children were trafficked to locations such as Aba, Onitsha, and Imo State under the false pretence that they were orphans.
The interception took place in Gembu, the headquarters of the Sardauna Local Government Area, where it was reported that the traffickers were seeking additional children to abduct.
Mrs. Sinjen affirmed, “Thanks to the prompt response from the Ministry and NAPTIP, eight of the children have been safely returned to Taraba State.
“The primary suspect, Mrs. Patience, along with several of her accomplices, has been apprehended and is currently in custody as legal proceedings commence.
“Search and rescue operations for other trafficked children are ongoing.”
She further emphasised that the state government will not tolerate any unscrupulous individuals who exploit children’s rights for illicit gain.
“This administration is wholly committed to ensuring justice, rehabilitating victims, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration to combat child trafficking,” she stated.
“We urge all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as the welfare and protection of our children is a collective responsibility.”
In the meantime, authorities in Taraba have reiterated the importance of community vigilance and reporting any suspicious activities, stressing that safeguarding children requires a unified effort.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.