General
Kwara Govt Explains Truck Deliveries to Government House
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Additional facts have emerged on how Dangote Industries trucks delivered food items to the Kwara State Government House on May 9th, 10th, 12th and 18th, 2019 as part of annual support by Dangote Foundation for state government efforts to provide food for the needy during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Details of the deliveries including correspondence between the Dangote Foundation and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, on the delivery of the food items, were made available by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr. Muyideen Akorede on Monday.
In a letter written to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed on May 2, 2019 and signed by the Managing Director, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mrs. Zouera Youssoufou, the foundation informed Governor Ahmed that philanthropist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote had directed the delivery of food items in support of the government’s 2019 Ramadan programs.
The Foundation’s letter to the state governor read in part, “In our bid to support your government’s efforts in providing foods for the indigent and vulnerable households during the Holy Month of Ramadan, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has directed that we deliver the under-listed food items to your state in support of your 2019 Ramadan Programmes”.
“Dangote Sugar……..200 Bundles of 10kg
Dangote Salt………..50 bags of 20kg
Dangote Spaghetti… 1,000 cartons
Semolina ……………500 Bags of 10kg bags
Wheat Meal……….500 Bags of 10kg Bags”.
The State Governor, Mr Abdulfatah Ahmed, in his response dated May 16, 2019, confirmed the receipt of the food items and appreciated the foundation on behalf of the people of the state, saying that the process of distributing the items to the needy had been mapped out.
”I recall that same gesture by your foundation was conveyed to us last year, which impacted positively on its beneficiaries. Therefore, I urge you to keep the spirit aflame”, said the Governor.
Providing further clarification, Mr Akorede confirmed the items were delivered to Government House, Ilorin on the above-listed dates by Dangote Industries trucks carrying different food items on separate days as part of general deliveries by the company.
Mr Akorede said following the individual deliveries, the trucks left Government House with the rest of their consignment to other destinations unknown to the state government.
He said the donated items are distributed by the state government through Muslim groups and stakeholders across the 193 wards in the state every year.
The statement reiterated that in keeping with the due process, an inventory of government properties located in every office and building in Government House has been compiled and kept in respective offices including the Store Department and the Government Asset Management Unit. It, therefore, urged the public to disregard the attempt to misrepresent an obviously well-intentioned charity effort by a private individual as wrongdoing by the administration or any of its officials.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Tony Elumelu, expressed his displeasure over the way he was addressed by one of the company’s graduate trainees at an interactive session in a viral video.
The financial institution organised a Graduate Management Accelerated Programme graduation ceremony on Thursday, and the former banker was in attendance.
During a question-and-answer session, one of the graduating trainees stood and called Mr Elumelu by his first name, Tony.
“Good morning, Tony,” she said.
Mr Elumelu initially thought the lady meant to say Toyin, but she repeated “Good morning, Tony,” a development the UBA chairman was not happy about.
He quickly responded by saying, “No, you won’t call me Tony. You’ll call me Mr Elumelu or TOE. You won’t call me Tony, or Chairman. I don’t subscribe to that kind of… Oyinbo life, okay?”
Though without offering any apology for the error, the female graduate trainee subsequently corrected herself, saying, “Good morning, Mr Elumelu,” before proceeding with her question.
The video clip from the event has already generated mixed reactions, with many happy that the business mogul quickly rebuffed the lady.
They described her as rude, fearing she could lose her job for being disrespectful to the chairman of the organisation.
However, some others said calling colleagues by their first names in a corporate ecosystem is not new, as such happens in the banking sector.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has promised to return the payment of subsidies for premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, if he is elected President in 2027.
Mr Atiku is seeking to become Nigeria’s President next year. He is contesting for the position under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The presidential election is slated for January 16, 2027.
Answering questions in a trending interview on social media, the former second citizen of the country said the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 has not done Nigerians any good.
According to him, the economy has been in shambles, noting that the subsidy removal is responsible for high living costs in Nigeria.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that the nation saved about N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025 from the policy, noting that over N10 trillion was made available to the 36 state governments and the 774 local government areas from the savings.
But the ADC presidential candidate was not impressed with this explanation, stressing that there is nothing to show for the purported gains of the policy.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” he queried.
“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money,” he declared.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Army has arrested 18 suspected illegal miners at a mining site in Izom, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, recovering equipment and N2.47 million in cash from the operation.
The suspects were arrested by troops of the 102 Guard Battalion during a routine operation in the area, where the soldiers reportedly discovered unauthorised mining activities.
Following the arrests, the army handed over the suspects and recovered items to the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals in Sauka, Abuja, in line with established inter-agency procedures.
The operation is part of intensified efforts by security and regulatory agencies to curb illegal mining, which has been linked to revenue losses, environmental degradation and the unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Reacting to the development, the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, commended the Nigerian Army for what he described as a strong demonstration of professionalism and commitment to protecting the country’s mineral wealth.
“The Nigerian Army has once again distinguished itself through professionalism, discipline and patriotism. The swift arrest of the suspects and their prompt handover to the Mining Marshals reflect a commendable commitment to the rule of law and the protection of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources,” he said.
Preliminary investigations by the Mining Marshals indicated that the suspects allegedly operated without licences, permits or any affiliation with a registered mining company. Investigators also said they could not produce evidence of valid mineral titles or authorisation from the relevant regulatory authorities.
Items recovered from the mining site included motorcycles, pumping machines, crusher engines, communication devices and cash totalling N2,468,750.
Mr Attah said the Mining Marshals would continue to pursue individuals involved in illegal mining and strengthen intelligence-led operations against activities that undermine the formal mining industry and deprive government of legitimate revenue.
He added that the Corps, under its Commandant-General, Mr Ahmed Audi, remained committed to enforcing the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources from unlawful exploitation.
The Mining Marshals said the investigation had been concluded and that the 18 suspects were being processed for prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
