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Groups apologize, renounce corruption allegation against former NEDC boss, Alkali

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Two groups called the Trustfield Empowerment Initiative, TTAI, and Centre For Public Accountability (CPA), respectively, Friday, withdrew corruption petitions against immediate past Managing Director, MD, North East Development Commission, NEDC, Mohammed Alkali, following discovery of the truth and apologized over their unfounded allegations.

This was contained in their separate letters dated June 8, 2023 and presented to journalists during a press conference in abuja.

The letter by Trustfield Empowerment Initiative, TTAI and signed by one Charles Oriasoti for the Trustees reads, ‘Withdrawal of The Letter, Re-Notice of Our Intention to Commence Legal Action Against Mohammed Alkali’ addressed to Mohammed Alkali.

It will be recalled the group in a letter dated 2nd of May, 2023 requested for publication corruption allegation and misappropriation of N246 billion against former NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali.

The letter reads: “After an extensive investigation and having been satisfied with the available information within our disposal, we hereby withdraw our letter by ANIWTIE ITUEN LAW PRACTICE of PLOT 430 AHMADU BELLO WAY, MABUSHI, ABUJA titled RE: NOTICE OF INTENTION TO COMMENCE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MOHAMMED ALKALI and dated 13th March, 2023.

“We were desirous of instituting an action with a view to unravelling the allegations of mismanagement of about N146.19 Billion of public funds and issues of corruption, financial misappropriation and impropriety as well as abuse of office but after our investigation, we are satisfied that Me Alkali is innocent of all allegations hence the withdrawal.

“Please accept our assurances.”

Similarly, the group called Centre For Public Accountability (CPA) wrote a letter dated June 8, 2023, to a media organization, Aljazirah Nigeria Newspaper, Abuja, notifying it of their earlier publication on corruption petition against immediate past Managing Director, North East Development Commission, NEDC, Ibrahim Alkali, which were all false and the letter which was signed by Secretary, Centre For Public Accountability (CPA), Emanuel Senuga.

The letter with subject ‘Withdrawal of Request for Petition Publication and Unreserved Apology To Ibrahim Alkali, the Immediate Past Managing Director of NEDC’ reads, “Refer to our letter dated 2nd of May, 2023 where-in we request for publication of alleged corruption allegation and mis appropriation of N246BN against former NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed ALKALI.

“We write after due diligence and further investigation on the sad allegation to withdraw the petition and hence the publication should be discontinued. This is coming on the heels of reports we further got from anti-corruption agencies and after findings carried out by our organisation wherein he was given clean slate of bill and that the allegation of mis appropriation was not correct and he has been cleared long before now.

“We hereby use this medium to tender our unreserved apology for wrongfully alleging the former NEDC boss and pledge to ensure that such won’t happen again and henceforth will be involved in propagating his good deeds and inputs while he was at helms of affairs in NEDC with the master plan transformation we later learnt happened under his tenure.

“Thank you.”

Meanwhile, the impact of Alkali as former MD of NEDC is undoubtedly seen visibly, because his development strides across the North East region still resonate and had left indelible footprints in the lives of the people.

Alkali’s interventions and achievements cut across human, agricultural, infrastructural development.

Some of the projects are the provision of 1000 housing units in Borno State, food provision and distribution to the people of Borno State; 10,000 housing programme -four blocks of well-furnished 2-bedroom detachable flats with verandas and a courtyard in a cluster arrangement in order to resettle families who have been displaced due to terrorism.

Under the Alkali-led NEDC, 500 were houses were built in Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi States apart from the 1000 houses built in Borno State.

He awarded contracts to install solar-powered street lights and boreholes, constructed a police station and a motor park including school buildings.

In order to boost food security among the people, the Alkali-led Commission deemed it fit to empower farmers by providing them with agricultural machinery and equipment, seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals and extension services logistics vehicles annually under the Integrated Agriculture Programme (IAP).

Also as a passionate and patriotic Nigeria, he was able to lead an empowerment programme in each of the 1,028 wards of the Northeast region, which NEDC empowered women and youth in order to divert attention from enlisting with into Boko Haram.

His outstanding performance to add value to millions of lives in the North East region made the leaders and people to call for a second term to serve and continue his great work. And that Alkali’s tenure is in the best interest of the country.

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Dangote Refinery, national asset every Nigerian must defend — BAVCCA President declares

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President of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA), Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has charged Nigerians on the need to protect Dangote Refinery, describing it as a “national asset that every citizen must protect, nurture, and defend against any form of sabotage or doubt.”

Chukwunyere made this declaration on Wednesday at BAVCCA’s National Secretariat in Abuja, following a visit by a 15-man delegation of the association to Dangote Industries in Lagos.

Adding that the visit to the Dangote Refinery was more than a familiarization tour but “a pilgrimage to witness firsthand the embodiment of Nigerian ingenuity, resilience, and vision.”

According to him, the team’s interaction with Dangote Industries’ Vice President, Mr. Edwin Devakumar, provided deep insight into the sacrifices and determination behind what he described as one of Nigeria’s greatest industrial achievements.

While recalling Devakumar’s powerful testimony about believing in Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision for the refinery, even when many investors doubted its feasibility.

“Despite the doubts from potential backers, Mr. Devakumar provided crucial support, backing Alhaji Dangote’s dream every step of the way,”

Chukwunyere said. “Alhaji Dangote himself made extraordinary sacrifices, selling most of his assets to fund the project amid those investor doubts.”

He said the refinery, valued at over $20 billion, was “a testament to this unyielding faith” and a model of how personal commitment can turn vision into reality.

Quoting Devakumar, he said Aliko Dangote’s motivation was rooted not only in business ambition but in a “deep prioritization of Nigerians’ well-being.”

“This passion fuels his endeavors, placing the welfare of our people at the heart of every decision,” he added.

The BAVCCA President noted that despite setbacks such as the closure of the Arewa Textile Industry in Kaduna, Dangote “persevered, keeping his vision alive against all odds.”

He described the refinery as the largest in the world, with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, set to expand to 1.4 million barrels daily. The project, he said, has created over 65,000 jobs, saved billions in foreign exchange, and generated an estimated $55 billion in annual revenue potential.

Chukwunyere also highlighted the achievements of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant, which he said has “an impressive production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum of urea,” positioning Nigeria as a key player in global agriculture.

During the visit, Chukwunyere said he personally expressed appreciation to the Dangote Group on behalf of BAVCCA and recounted the association’s efforts in defending the refinery against social media misinformation.

“We amplified the truth, countered misinformation, and rallied public support to ensure this vital project was not undermined,” he stated.

In response, he said, the Dangote Vice President “expressed his pleasure with the bloggers’ efforts and commended the good work being done by our community.”

The BAVCCA leader also announced that the association’s forthcoming national conference, scheduled for October 31 in Abuja, would highlight “the achievements of the Dangote Refinery, showcase the visionary behind it—Alhaji Dangote—and celebrate the transformative role of such initiatives in Nigeria’s development.”

He emphasized that content creators have a patriotic role to play in defending national investments.

“Dangote Industries is not just about refining petroleum; it’s about refining our nation’s future—creating jobs, boosting our economy, and reducing dependency on imports,” he said. “Every Nigerian—bloggers, vloggers, content creators, citizens—must rise to protect Dangote Industries.”

Chukwunyere reaffirmed BAVCCA’s commitment to “lead this charge, using our platforms to educate, inspire, and unite,” while calling on Nigerians to honor the sacrifices of Alhaji Dangote and the faith of leaders like Devakumar.

“Join us at our conference on 31st October, and let’s build a Nigeria where national assets like Dangote Industries thrive unhindered,” Chukwunyere concluded.

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Hon. Munira Applauds Governor Uba Sani for Signing Bill Establishing New College in Lere

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By: Fabian Apechihin

In a major educational breakthrough for Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani has signed into law a bill establishing the Kaduna State College of Agricultural Technology and Environmental Sciences in Lere Local Government Area.

The landmark bill was sponsored by Hon. Munira Suleiman Tanimu, the member representing Lere East Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The new institution aims to equip young people with modern skills in agriculture, technology, and environmental management — key areas for the state’s sustainable development.

Expressing her delight, Hon. Munira said:

“I am overjoyed to announce that Governor Uba Sani has signed my bill into law. This college in Lere will empower our youth with practical knowledge in agriculture and environmental protection. It will open doors to innovation and help our communities thrive.”

She noted that the college will serve as a hub for research and practical training, boosting agricultural productivity and addressing pressing environmental challenges in the region.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of Kaduna’s economy, and this institution will help modernize the sector while creating new opportunities for our young people,” she added.

Hon. Munira also reaffirmed her commitment to effective representation and progressive legislation:

“We will continue to champion laws that make real, positive impacts in people’s lives. The future is bright, and together, we will build a better, stronger Kaduna State.”

She extended her appreciation to Governor Uba Sani for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for education and rural development.

Residents of Lere and across Kaduna have welcomed the development with excitement, describing the new college as a beacon of hope for the youth and a catalyst for growth in the state’s agricultural and environmental sectors.

With the creation of this new college, Kaduna State takes another bold step toward improving education, empowering its citizens, and building a greener, more prosperous future.

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Soludo’s Alleged Threat to Jail Catholic Clergy After Re-election Sparks Controversy in Anambra

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By Fabian Apechihin

A report claiming that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, plans to jail Catholic bishops, priests, and other clergymen after his re-election has stirred heated debate across the state.

However, Rev. Fr. Raphael Onyekwelu, PhD, Chaplain to the Governor, has dismissed the report as “baseless, ridiculous, and malicious,” describing it as the work of desperate political opponents trying to pit Soludo against the Church.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Fr. Onyekwelu said:

“Our attention has been drawn to a fabricated, malicious, and unsigned piece currently circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms, falsely alleging that His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, intends to ‘take on the hierarchy of the Church, especially the Catholic Church,’ after winning the forthcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election.”

He said while such falsehoods would normally be ignored, the campaign season had created fertile ground for misinformation and propaganda.

“This is an election period, and desperate politicians are churning out fake news to deceive the public and cause division. It is laughable that they first admit Soludo is likely to win, and then try to manufacture lies to undermine his relationship with his Church — the Catholic Church,” he stated.

Fr. Onyekwelu noted that the alleged statement did not specify any wrongdoing by the Church to warrant such “imaginary arrests,” calling the entire report “a pitiable fabrication.”

He reaffirmed that Governor Soludo, a devout Catholic, holds the Church in the highest regard and recognizes its crucial role in promoting moral values, education, healthcare, and community development.

“Governor Soludo is a proud and practicing Catholic who cherishes the Church’s partnership in governance and social transformation, in line with Catholic Social Teaching. He deeply appreciates the clergy and their contributions to the moral and socio-economic progress of Anambra State,” he added.

Fr. Onyekwelu emphasized that the governor remains committed to working closely with all religious bodies to advance peace, development, and good governance in the state.

“Under Soludo’s leadership, Anambra continues to experience transparent, people-centered governance anchored on faith, service, and shared values. As the governor often says, ‘Government, Church, and People — together we shall continue to build a peaceful, prosperous, livable, and God-fearing Anambra State,’” he concluded.

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