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More Funds Released, ₦152bn Added to Contractor Payments, Says BAVCCA

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The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) has revealed that ₦152 billion was paid yesterday to contractors with verified contracts, as part of efforts to resolve a protest that disrupted activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance on Monday, January 19.

The protest, staged by indigenous contractors over outstanding payments for executed contracts, prevented access to the ministry’s premises and briefly blocked Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka Anite, from entering her office.

BAVCCA, in a press conference addressed in Abuja by its National Secretary, Tabuko Kennedy on Thursday, January 22, clarified that the issue predated Anite’s assumption of office and was already being addressed by relevant government structures. The association’s independent panel of enquiry found the contractors’ grievances genuine, with many facing financial difficulties due to delayed payments.

According to BAVCCA, about 80% of verified obligations have been processed and paid, with the balance at various stages of reconciliation and documentation. The Federal Government has agreed to convene roundtable discussions with contractor representatives to harmonize records and expedite outstanding payments.

BAVCCA commended Anite’s commitment to resolving the issue, emphasizing that she had appealed for patience and requested time to understand the issues. The association urged contractors to pursue grievances through lawful and structured engagement, while calling on the media to report responsibly and avoid inflammatory narratives.

The incident has highlighted systemic administrative challenges, rather than personal failure or negligence by the Minister of State for Finance, BAVCCA noted.

The association urged, “the Federal Government to conclude outstanding verified payments.
“Contractors to embrace dialogue and documentation driven resolution.
“The media to report responsibly and avoid inflammatory narratives.
“Constructive engagement, transparency, and respect for institutions remain the best path forward.

PART OF THE STATEMENT READS
It is important to state that Doris Uzoka Anite has held the office of Minister of State for Finance for less than one month at the time of this incident. Our findings confirm that the contractors’ protest predated her assumption of office and was already being handled under the supervision of the Coordinating Minister and relevant government structures. Personalising the issue against her was therefore unfair and misleading.

Upon assuming office, the Minister appealed to contractors for patience, requested time to fully understand the issues, and committed to working with all relevant institutions to achieve a sustainable resolution, demonstrating good faith and empathy.

BAVCCA Panel of Enquiry
BAVCCA constituted an independent Panel of Enquiry comprising experienced content creators, investigative journalists, civil society observers, and policy analysts. The panel engaged contractors, Ministry officials, and independent observers to establish facts and assess responsibility.

Our Findings
The grievances of contractors are genuine. Many have executed verified projects and are experiencing financial difficulties due to delayed payments.

Status of Payments
Payments have commenced and are ongoing. Several contractors confirmed receipt of payments or partial settlements. The Federal Government has stated that about 80 percent of verified obligations have been processed and paid, with the balance at various stages of reconciliation and documentation. We urge completion of the remaining verified payments.

Dialogue and Resolution
Engagements between contractor representatives and government officials have resulted in an agreement to convene round table discussions to harmonise records and expedite outstanding payments.

Ministerial Responsibility
Our findings confirm that the Minister of State for Finance does not unilaterally control payment execution, which involves multiple agencies and statutory processes. We found no evidence of bad faith, obstruction, or personal misconduct by the Minister.

Rule of Law and Conduct
While protest is a democratic right, blocking public offices and preventing officials from performing their duties undermines governance and public safety. Grievances must be pursued through lawful and structured engagement, the statement concludes.

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Hon. Hafiz Kawu Calls for Unity, Highlights Tinubu and Governor Yusuf’s Achievements in Kano

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Hon. Hafiz Kawu, Honourable Commissioner at PENCOM, has urged APC supporters and faithfuls in Kano State to rally behind the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Speaking live during a radio program in Kano, Hon. Kawu OON, MNI delivered a compelling message of reconciliation and renewed commitment to the ruling party’s vision for development.

In his remarks, Hon. Kawu emphasized the importance of President Tinubu’s administration to Kano’s progress, pointing to several landmark projects that have reshaped the state’s infrastructure and economic outlook. He cited the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway reconstruction and the dualization of the Kano–Kongolom Road as evidence of federal commitment to easing transportation and boosting trade. He also highlighted the modernization of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and the approval of the Kano Light Rail project as transformative investments in transportation.

Hon. Kawu further pointed to the AKK Gas Pipeline as a strategic investment that will power industries, create jobs, and strengthen Kano’s role as a commercial hub. He noted that the appointments of Kano indigenes into key federal positions demonstrate the President’s recognition of Kano’s strategic importance in national politics.

Turning to state-level initiatives, Hon. Kawu praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s urban renewal and rural connectivity projects, including the construction of the Dan Agundi Interchange, the Tal’udu Cloverleaf Overpass, and the revival of 5KM roads across 44 local governments. He described these projects as complementary to federal efforts, ensuring that both urban and rural communities benefit from development.

Addressing internal party divisions, Hon. Kawu noted: “This is the time to set aside differences and return to the fold. The projects we see today are only the beginning of greater things to come under APC leadership. Unity is the key to victory, and victory is the key to sustaining development.”

His live radio broadcast blended detailed references to federal achievements under President Tinubu with state-level initiatives under Governor Yusuf, leaving listeners with a clear message: Kano’s future is tied to APC’s success, and every supporter has a role to play in securing that future.

As the broadcast concluded, Hon. Kawu emphasized that cohesion across the APC structure remains the decisive factor in the political contest ahead. He stressed that only a united APC — working seamlessly from the grassroots to the national stage — can secure victories across all levels of governance and sustain the momentum of development. His words positioned unity not as a plea, but as a strategic imperative for the party’s continued dominance and for the progress of Kano and Nigeria at large.

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Nigeria Is Not a Muslim Country — Rev Dachomo Counters Sheikh Jingir

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The Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has rejected comments by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, that Nigeria is a Muslim country.

Jingir had reportedly made the remarks during a programme in Kano State over the weekend while expressing support for the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim political arrangement.

The cleric argued that Muslims constitute the majority in Nigeria and should therefore have the opportunity to lead the country. He also reportedly referred to Christians as infidels and suggested that Christians who were unhappy with the arrangement could leave the country.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Dachomo strongly opposed the comments, insisting that Nigeria is a multi-religious nation and “is not and can never be a Muslim country.”

The COCIN chairman cautioned Jingir and other religious leaders against making statements capable of deepening religious divisions or creating hostility between Christians and Muslims.

Dachomo argued that political leadership should not be determined by religious numerical strength but by competence, justice, good governance and the ability to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Nigeria is a multi-religious country in which Muslims and Christians have historically participated in the political process and contributed to the development of the nation,” he said.

He urged religious leaders to exercise caution when commenting on political matters, particularly issues capable of affecting relations between religious communities.

According to him, linking political leadership to religious majority could create the impression that one faith has greater ownership of Nigeria than another.

“I urge religious leaders to be mindful of their public statements, particularly when discussing politics and issues capable of affecting relations between different religious communities,” Dachomo added.

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Muslim-Muslim ticket: No regret over my statement – Sheikh Jingir

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Islamic cleric and leader of the Izala Scholars Council, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has stood his ground over his Muslim-Muslim ticket comments and description of Christians as “infidels.”

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Jingir said he had no regrets over his recent declaration of support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, despite the criticism trailing the statement.

He said his position was not politically motivated or intended to campaign for President Bola Tinubu, but was based on what he described as his responsibility as a Muslim.

According to the Islamic cleric, he would continue to support and encourage Muslims to back a Muslim-Muslim ticket, regardless of the criticism his position might attract.

“I have no regrets. I will continue to support and encourage the Muslim-Muslim ticket. What they say will not stop me. They started it; at a point, we suffered in their hands,” he alleged.

DAILY POST recalls that Jingir, during a mass wedding organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, declared his support for the Muslim-Muslim arrangement and urged Muslims to vote in a manner that would demonstrate their numerical strength in the country.

He further stated that, as a Muslim preacher, he had the right to advocate a political arrangement that was consistent with his religious convictions.

The cleric also challenged claims that Christians or other religious groups constituted a larger proportion of Nigeria’s population than Muslims.

His remarks have continued to generate reactions, with some commentators describing them as divisive, while others have defended his right to express his religious and political views.

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