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Lagbo Dam Not Responsible For Massive Flooding In Nigeria, Says FG

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Lagbo Dam Not Responsible For Massive Flooding In Nigeria, Says FG

Lagbo Dam Not Responsible For Massive Flooding In Nigeria, Says FG

THE Federal Government on Wednesday, October 19, clarified that, contrary to the widely held insinuation, release of water from the Lagbo Dam in Cameroun was not responsible for the flooding currently ravaging many parts of the country,

  The Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, speaking while defending next year’s budget of his ministry before the Senate Committee on Water Resources, explained that most of the water that caused flooding was not from the Lagbo Dam, as the contribution from the dam to Nigeria was only one per cent.

  He stated: “The dam releases water; sometimes it releases water without notice and when they do that, it impacts on communities downstream. It is not the main reason you have flood in this country; the tributaries of River Benue are the main cause. And this year, the rains have been unprecedented.   

  “The trans-boundary waters that even come into this country from Rivers Niger and Benue constitute only 20 per cent of the fresh water that flows into the country. Eighty per cent of the flood is water we are blessed with from the sky falling on Mambila and Jos Plateau. Most of this flow is from Nigeria.”

  Adamu disclosed that the Federal Government was not informed by the Camerounian Government on the yearly release of water from Lagbo Dam, adding: “It took a lot of effort from us for them to sign a MoU for them to be informing Nigeria about releases.

  “It was signed in 2016 and since then, every year, when the flood season comes, it is the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency that calls them to know their level of water.

  “We cannot blame the flood this year on Cameroun; we can only blame them for violating the terms of the MoU.”

  He further said the government would call for a review of the MoU to abate the flood.

  On the Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State that could serve as a solution to flooding, Adamu said: “Whether we are able to do the dam or not, we will continue to have floods on the Rivers Niger and Benue Basins.

  “There was a consultant that had been appointed by the previous administration to work on this dam. When I came into office, I checked the scope of work and the terms of reference. I was not satisfied that justice will be done to that design. You cannot build a dam as important and strategic as Dasin Hausa on River Benue without a detailed feasibility and engineering design.

  “I disengaged the consultant in 2016. It was one of the 116 projects that we had. In our roadmap, we made a decision that going forward, we have enough dams, 37 ongoing. We cannot take any new dam, let’s complete what is ongoing.

  “We appointed a consultant to do the required diligent feasibility study and engineering design for the project.”

He expressed optimism that by March next year, the dam would be completed.

  Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bello Mandiya, urged the ministry to find lasting solution to flooding.

PDP Crisis: You’re Crying When You’ve Seen Nothing Yet, Wike To Ayu’s Followers

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PDP Crisis: You’re Crying When You’ve Seen Nothing Yet, Wike To Ayu’s Followers

PDP Crisis: You’re Crying When You’ve Seen Nothing Yet, Wike To Ayu’s Followers

AS the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said those backing the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, have not seen anything, adding that they have witnessed nothing compared to what is next to come from him.

  Wike, speaking at the birthday celebration of his Abia State counterpart, Okezie Ikpeazu, said: “You go and march soldier ant, anything you see, you take. All these things they are talking, we are just peaceful, they came to march us, then the soldier ant has entered everywhere and now they are crying, they have not seen anything.

  “People see problems and cause it for themselves. All I have said is, ‘live and let live.”

‘I Have Been Sidelined’

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‘I Have Been Sidelined’

‘I Have Been Sidelined’

THE crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be worsening, with its National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe, raising the alarm that she had been sidelined and her office undermined.

  The allegation came as the party battled to wriggle out of crises that erupted since its presidential primary.

  Recall that some members of its National Working Committee (NWC) opposed to the National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, have accused the party leadership of marginalising them in the ongoing presidential campaigns.

  A few weeks ago, some NWC members, including Effah-Attoe; Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih; National Vice Chairman (Southeast), Alli Odefa; National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Olasoji Adagunobi-Oluwatukesi; and Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, returned millions of naira into the party’s coffers, questioning Ayu’s powers to approve funds above N10million cap.

  While Arapaja returned N36million, the others returned N28.8million each, citing a report in the media alleging that they had been bribed by Ayu to silence them on questions bordering on his financial accountability.

  Although the party, in a statement, absolved Ayu of any wrongdoing, noting that the disbursement of the controversial housing allowance passed through due process, the NWC members insisted that at no point were they part of a meeting where the issue was tabled for deliberations.

https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.539.0_en.html#goog_1249569910   But even as it moves to form a united front during the campaigns and ahead of the elections, Effah-Attoe, in a leaked memo she sent to the NWC, said there was a deliberate plot to undermine her office in the ongoing campaigns, citing two detailed instances to back her claim.

  The memo, titled, ‘Deliberate attempts to undermine my office, office of the national woman leader and to sideline my humble person: An unacceptable hindrance,’ she stated that it had become very clear that over time, there had been “several attempts made at undermining my office.”

  She wrote: “The most recent attempts were as follows: At the flag off ceremony of the PDP campaigns in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on October 10, 2022, here, serious attempts were made to prevent me from addressing the PDP audience at the Uyo stadium. It must be stated here that it is a customary tradition in our party for the National Woman Leader and the National Youth Leader, to address rallies in conjunction with party candidates, party chairmen et al.

  “Unfortunately, in Uyo, every attempt was made to prevent me from addressing party faithful. I was told that there was a clear directive not to allow me to speak to the crowd. It got to the ridiculous extent of these agents, calling on Senator Uche Ekwunife, to speak to the audience, on behalf of PDP women.

  “Ekwunife was very embarrassed, but she was prodded to do it. Iyom Josephine Anenih, a former PDP National Woman Leader, drew the attention of some party leaders to this anomaly. It was then that I was reluctantly called to address the audience on behalf of the PDP women.

  “This unfortunate development did not go unnoticed by party faithful, who found the whole drama very embarrassing and childish.

  “At the PDP Kaduna rally on Monday, October 7, 2022, the National Youth Leader was called upon to address the crowd on behalf of the PDP youths, which he did perfectly well, to the admiration of the populace. I was physically present at the event in Kaduna. I was even seated beside the National Youth Leader. But nobody called me to address the audience on behalf of the PDP women.

  “Rather, the spectacle was a very ridiculous announcement calling on Dr. Baraka Sani (Director of the PDP Support Groups in the Campaign Council) to address the crowd on behalf of the PDP women. The entire audience was surprised, mesmerised and confused. People started asking questions there and then.

  “Many wondered why the National Youth Leader was called upon to perform his traditional and official role, while the National Woman Leader was deliberately prevented from doing hers. There and then, some people tried to explain that unfortunate scenario in different colourations.   

  “While a lot of people found the occurrence very offensive, I smiled over the unfortunate incident in total sympathy with the perpetrators of such childish display of character.

  “It may interest you to know that the happening has gone viral, to the disgust of many Nigerians. Specifically, the Kaduna occurrence has seriously painted our great party in a negative light.

  “Well, on this note, it has become very obvious that there are some distracting elements within our great party who are determined to frustrate me in the performance of my statutory duties as the PDP National Woman Leader. This is very unacceptable. May I state clearly here that I cannot and will never succumb to any unnecessary attempt to frustrate me in the performance of my official duties. I will continue to perform my duties to the best of my ability and to the benefit of our esteemed party within the confines of my safety and the tolerance level around me.

   “The purpose of this elaborate analysis is to bring the attention of the members of the PDP NWC to these strange developments happening around my office and by extension, my humble person. May God Almighty touch our dear hearts in order to enable us critically assess and act upon this unholy and isolated attempt at massive victimisation and marginalisation of my office and my humble self. Thank you and God bless us all.”

I’m Not Surprised By Wike’s Endorsement Of Sanwo-Olu, Says Jandor

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I’m Not Surprised By Wike’s Endorsement Of Sanwo-Olu, Says Jandor

Lagos PDP Kicks Over Wike’s Endorsement Of Sanwo-Olu

* I’m Not Surprised By Wike’s Action, Says Jandor

THE Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the endorsement of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu by his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, during the 22nd Conference Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, held in the state on Tuesday, October 18.

  Wike had, while speaking at the event, said he decided to grace the occasion despite Sanwo-Olu belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding: “If Sanwo-Olu is not doing well, even if he belongs to my party, I will not come here. If you belong to my party and you are not doing well in governance, you won’t see me. If you don’t belong to my party and you are doing well, you will see me.

  “Good governance is what I stand for. I will not regret to say that I am in support of you (Sanwo-Olu) for second term. Others should not waste their time.”

  But in a swift reaction, the State PDP Chairman, Philip Aivoji, said Wike’s action was condemnable, adding: “It is not a welcomed development at all and it is not expected of a governor of that stature, a serving governor under PDP.

  “No matter the quarrel, whether you want Ayu to be removed, I don’t think that is the best way to handle it. As for me and all the leaders in Lagos State, we query such utterances. It is uncalled-for and unnecessary. When you are in PDP, you stand by the party.”

  The party’s Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, said in a statement: “I would have expressed disappointment if Wike had attended any event with a speaking role without his usual rant of a drowning man who will clutch at straw.”

  On his part, PDP’s governorship candidate in the state, Jide Adeniran, said he was not surprised by Wike’s action, saying the Rivers governor had never supported his governorship ambition.  

  Adeniran, who is popularly known as Jandor, stated during a television programme: “As a matter of fact, what happened should not surprise anyone but, in my case, I am not surprised because it is Wike. No one will express shock over what he said except you are not in this country.

  “But for me, just like the party put in their statement, how can someone who didn’t support me with all his might within the PDP while seeking the party ticket feel he has the magic wand to take a decision for Lagosians?

  “I became the governorship candidate without any dime from him, although he has supported Lagos PDP in the past. He supported someone else and I remember telling Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that his friend is not supporting me and I still picked that ticket.

  “Nobody expects that a party man, a national leader will do that for any reason at all, but it has happened and there is nothing we can do about it.

  “My worry is this, he should be our role model at his level, as a governor, his office should come with a symbol of decorum.”

Ogun 2023: Court Dismisses APC Suit Against Adebutu, Akinlade, Awards Costs

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Ogun 2023: Court Dismisses APC Suit Against Adebutu, Akinlade, Awards Costs

Ogun 2023: Court Dismisses APC Suit Against Adebutu, Akinlade, Awards Costs

THE Federal High Court in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Wednesday, October 19, dismissed a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Adekunle Akinlade, Ladi Adebutu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  The APC in Ogun State had approached the court, seeking the disqualification of Adebutu and Akinlade as governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the PDP in the state, claiming that Akinlade did not resign his membership of the APC before he became the running mate to Adebutu of the PDP.

  The APC also said that Akinlade, having contested the governorship ticket of the APC, was not qualified to be the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in next year’s election and prayed the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the PDP from presenting a candidate for the election.

  At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the APC made a U-turn, as its Counsel told the court that the applicant wanted to withdraw the case.

  Lead Counsel to the defendants, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had, in his argument, prayed the court to dismiss the suit despite what it called “the hurried notice of discontinuance filed by the APC when it knew it has lost the case.”

  In her ruling, Justice Joyce Malik, dismissed the suit and awarded N2million cost each in favour of all the defendants – Adebutu, Akinlade and the PDP, totalling of N6 million.

  The court warned parties to desist from approaching the court with frivolous matters.

Umuahia Court Delivers Judgment In Nnamdi Kanu’s Case October 27

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Umuahia Court Delivers Judgment In Nnamdi Kanu’s Case October 27

Umuahia Court Delivers Judgment In Nnamdi Kanu’s Case October 27

THE Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, would on Thursday, October 27, deliver judgment on the case of the extraordinary rendition of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

  Kanu’s Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, who disclosed this following the Court of Appeal ruling discharging and acquitting Kanu, explained that the higher court ruling would not stop the lower court judgment.

  According to a statement by Ejimakor: “This press release is compelled by the avalanche of inquiries I have been receiving from the media and others on whether the judgment set for October 27 at the Federal High Court, Umuahia on the suit I filed on extraordinary rendition will still hold. The answer is, yes, it will still hold.

  “The inquiries are apparently necessitated by the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on October 13. Despite this Court of Appeal judgment, the Federal High Court, Umuahia will still proceed with its own judgment on October 27, 2022, as was previously scheduled.

  “My office has not received, and we do not expect to receive any notice from the court that the judgment has been adjourned. In my awareness that these inquiries mostly emanated from the major and significant impact extraordinary rendition had on the Court of Appeal judgment, I will hasten to add that despite the common presence of extraordinary rendition, the issues and reliefs before the Court of Appeals in Abuja are markedly different from the issues and reliefs pending judgment before the Federal High Court, Umuahia.

  “To be sure, the sole reason for the common presence of extraordinary rendition in both cases is because I had, as far back as August 2021, taken it before the State High Court in Umuahia and later to the Federal High court.

  “In summary, the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja considered the narrow issue of the impact of extraordinary rendition on the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to subject Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to trial.

  “Conversely, the issues or prayers before the Federal High Court, Umuahia are many and different from the narrow issue of jurisdiction decided in the Abuja judgment.

  “In summary, the case in Umuahia is sui generis, as it borders on fundamental rights, whereas the judgment in Abuja bordered on jurisdiction.

  “In conclusion, as the public has been previously informed by my clients, there is no sit-at-home on the judgment day of October 27, 2022. Please be guided accordingly.”

IPOB: FG Appeals Judgment Freeing Kanu

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IPOB: FG Appeals Judgment Freeing Kanu

IPOB: FG Appeals Judgment Freeing Kanu

THE Federal Government has appealled the judgment freeing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to the Supreme Court.

  The government also asked the apex court to stay the execution of the October 13 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted Kanu, as part of the reliefs in a motion for a stay of execution filed on Wednesday, October 19 before the Supreme Court by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

  In the motion contained a seven-ground notice of appeal, in which the government faulted the lower court’s decision and prayed that it be set aside, the government also argued that the Court of Appeal erred when it faulted the manner Kanu was brought back to face trial after he jumped bail and fled the country.

  It contended that the Court of Appeal erred when it struck out the pending charge against Kanu on the ground that the trial court no longer possessed the requisite jurisdiction to continue the trial because of the manner Kanu was returned to the country upon allegedly jumping bail.

  A date for the hearing of the motion for the stay of execution was being awaited.

  On Thursday, October 13, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, declared as unlawful, Kanu’s repatriation to Nigeria from Kenya and his subsequent arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja for the continuation of his trial on pending terrorism charges.

  The three-man panel of the court also quashed the terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, holding that the Nigerian government breached all known local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria, thereby making the terrorism charge against him incompetent and unlawful.

  The judgment was based on an appeal filed by Kanu against an earlier ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

  In the lead judgment, Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie declared as illegal and unlawful Kanu’s abduction from Kenya and his subsequent return to Nigeria and subsequently quashed the remaining seven counts in the 15-count charge filed by the Federal Government.

  Recall that Justice Nyako had, in an earlier ruling, quashed eight out of the 15 counts.

Tompolo Disagrees With Falana Over Burning Of Crude Oil Vessel

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Tompolo Disagrees With Falana Over Burning Of Crude Oil Vessel

Tompolo Disagrees With Falana Over Burning Of Crude Oil Vessel

*Defends CDS, Navy

TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), the private security company operated by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and engaged by the Federal Government to keep surveillance on the country’s crude oil export pipelines, has dismissed the claim by human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor and Nigerian Navy were wrong in the burning the crude oil vessel recently apprehended by his company over crude oil theft.

  The lead legal consultant to TSSNL, Emmanuel Jakpa, in a statement on Tuesday, October 18, said: “Mr. Femi Falana had opined that based on Section 111 of the Armed Forces Act, scuttling the ship was arson and that the naval authorities breached the rule of law and the CDS ought to resign for backing them. However, is this so?”

  Jakpa stated that Falana and those opposed to the CDS incorrectly relied on the Armed Forces Act, but the applicable law in the case in question is the Hydrocarbon Oils Refining Act, adding: “Care must be taken not to provide unwarranted solace to the people who destroy our environment, rape our commonwealth and cheat our nation of the resources necessary for schools and hospitals.”

  TSSNL wondered if Falana was attacking the company for accepting a government contract to stop crude oil stealing, saying it was necessary to separate the issues, “because it would seem these attacks have a common purpose to dislodge or disparage the good work by a private security company.

  “The Armed Forces Act is certainly good law, no doubt, but it is inapplicable to facts of this circumstance. The circumstance of this matter is that somebody using the instrumentality of a ship had interfered with Nigeria’s ownership rights to produce hydrocarbon oils for refining.

  “Unquestionably, the ship had crude oil in its cargo holds, but lacked the authority to take it. The ship captain made a confessional statement admitting he lacked authority to take crude, after which they ordered the ship sunk.

  “Many well-meaning lawyers quickly seized upon the rule of law issue and asked why the order to scuttle the vessel could not await legal proceedings in court. Some other well-meaning people, lawyers included, went as far as suggesting that it was all meant to cover evidence of complicity.

  “Let us take the legal issues first. Was there a breach of the rule of law or were the CDS right to say that the action taken by naval authorities was within their rules of engagement?

  “While Falana relies on the Armed forces Act, it is our humble opinion that the applicable law is the Hydrocarbon Oils Refining Act. Section 15 of the Hydrocarbons Oil Refining Act provides as follows: ‘If any officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that any refining of hydrocarbon oils, contrary to the provisions of this Act, is being carried out, on any land or premises, he may enter thereon if need be by force, and dismantle or seize any apparatus and equipment used for or in connection with such unlawful refining.’ The purpose of taking the crude from the wellhead was certainly for illegal refining, whether here or abroad. This clearly brings the vessel within the ambit of this law.

  “In addition, this law permits the dismantling of the apparatus or equipment used for illegal refining. Scuttling the ship was to dismantle it.

  “Section 1 of the Act already outlawed any act connected with refining without a licence when it provided that, ‘Subject to the provisions of this Act, no person shall refine any hydrocarbon oils save in a refinery and under a license issued under the Act.’

  “So, any person taking hydrocarbon oils without a refiners’ licence or permission to carry hydrocarbon oils is in breach of the law.

  “Section 18(1)(b) of the law gives the power to the government to levy distress (seizure) on all equipment, plants, tools, ships, vehicles, animals or other goods or effects whatsoever used in the refining, sale or distribution, sale of hydrocarbon oils found in any premises or any land… etc used in violation of the Act.

  “Some would argue that levying distress is not destruction, but apparently the Act contemplates that destruction is included in the case. See Section 25 of the Act.

  “Importantly, Section 18(5) of the Act places the burden of proof that the action of such an officer (acting on behalf of the government) is wrong on the person claiming that they wrongly their property.

   “Section 25 provides that where the person claiming ownership of the property is able to satisfy the court, whether in a civil or criminal proceeding, brought against a person authorised by the Act to seize or detain anything, that the government is liable…

  “Nothing in the Act shall affect the right of that person to the return or the thing seized or detained or to compensation in respect to any damage to the thing or in respect of the destruction thereof. This is the proviso to S.25 (2) of the Act.

  “This clearly supports the rules of engagement cited by the CDS, a seizure may result in destruction, and where the owner is able to prove that the officer was wrong to detain or destroy his property, he will be entitled to compensation in full.

  “Therefore, the CDS was right, and a person cannot be liable for an offence if he was authorised by law to do the act complained of. Reprising it all, an officer has the right to detain or dismantle anything used in connection with illegal refining, including a ship.

  “In detaining it, it could be destroyed. Any person who claims that they destroyed his property can go to court to seek redress. The burden of proof is on him. If he succeeds, he will get compensation. In other words, it is the Hydrocarbons Oil Refining Act and not the Armed Forces Act that meets the peculiar circumstances of this case.

  “As for those worried about the rule of law or the destruction of evidence, while it is conceded that their concerns are genuine and germane, it is equally clear that the best evidence for the prosecution of a crime is a confessional statement. This is the best evidence rule in law. It is also the law that no crime will go unpunished simply because the instrument by which the crime was committed is not produced in court.

  “The ship cannot tell us who owns it, nor can it tell us how many times it has been used to commit a crime; it is the people who were caught on the ship that can tell us this, and to the best of my knowledge, none of them died with the scuttling of the vessel.

  “So, no evidence has been lost and people alarmed at the possible loss of evidence can rest that prosecution can still take place against all persons who may have been involved with this nefarious trade.”

  He went further: “I presume that the naval authorities wanted to send a clear message that those who can afford a couple of million dollars to buy pre-owned ships for purposes connected with illegal refining will lose their capital and the tools of their trade, as the hammer falls swiftly.

  “By that singular act, it has raised the risk for all those who wish to enter the trade or remain in it. I do not see why anyone should complain if the ends of the law can still be met by the best evidence rule.

  “Equally genuine and germane are the concerns of those who are appalled by the further degradation of our already painfully disfigured Niger Delta environment. We agree that this is one more act that further damages the delicate Niger Delta environment.

  “However, it is my personal belief that if this act will deter the sponsors of illegal bunkering from putting so many million dollars into acts that will only degrade the Delta further, then it is a hard, but necessary choice to make.

  “It is a difficult choice, but we know that many ships seized by law enforcement agents lying at various ports across the country have sunk and discharged their cargo into the territorial waters of Nigeria polluting the environment, while lawyers fought over injunctions and counter-injunctions and argued themselves hoarse sometimes for the better part of a decade.

  “No lawyer or environmentalist, to the best of my knowledge, has raised a hue or cry over the harm done to our environment by such unintended, but avoidable judicial mishaps.

  “My clarion call is to all well-meaning Nigerians to support the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to find credible partners to rid our country of the menace of illegal bunkering once and for all.”

Confusion Over Atiku’s Health As Aide Insists He Travelled Abroad Over Personal Business

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Confusion Over Atiku’s Health As Aide Insists He Travelled Abroad Over Personal Business

Confusion Over Atiku’s Health As Aide Insists He Travelled Abroad Over Personal Business

THERE was panic and confusion on Tuesday, October 18, over the actual state of health and the real reason for the sudden trip of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, to Europe.

  While a statement by his media aide, Mr. Paul Ibe, insisted he travelled abroad for business purposes in the middle of his campaigns, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the former vice president actually collapsed after his trip to Kaduna and had to be hurriedly flown out.

  In the claim on his Twitter handle, Fani-Kayode, one of the APC presidential campaign spokesmen, tweeted: “After his outing in Kaduna yesterday @atiku fell ill.

  “He complained of dizzy spells & severe pains in his head & all over his body throughout the flight to Abuja.

  “After landing at Abuja airport he collapsed, he was flown to Paris for medical attention immediately. God be with him.

https://d-1173693283756475400.ampproject.net/2209142312000/frame.html   “For the purposes of damage control, they took pictures of him with others the following morning from Paris, but please do not be fooled. There is something very wrong with the PDP presidential candidate, in terms of his health & they don’t want the Nigerian public to know. Pray for him.”

Marriott, Capital Hotel Tango Over Abuja Sheraton Hotel Closure

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Marriott, Capital Hotel Tango Over Abuja Sheraton Hotel Closure

Marriott, Capital Hotel Tango Over Abuja Sheraton Hotel Closure

MANAGERS of Sheraton Hotel Abuja, Marriott International, have expressed displeasure over the closure of the hotel’s operations by its owners, Capital Hotels Plc.

  Marriott International’s Area Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Richard Collins, in a statement on Tuesday, October 18 in Abuja, regretted the inconveniences occasioned by the closure, reiterating its commitment to the wellbeing of its staff.

  According to the statement: “We are deeply concerned with the decision taken by the owners of the Sheraton Abuja Hotel to close the hotel within a short time frame, causing unnecessary distress to employees and significant disruption to guests, suppliers and other partners.

  “We disagree with the manner in which the owners, Capital Hotels Plc, have hurried the decision to close the hotel without making sufficient arrangements for the 291 hotel employees, some of who have worked at this iconic property for many decades.

  “The wellbeing of hotel employees is our first priority and we will continue to do our best to support them during this difficult period.”

  But a statement by the management of Capital Hotels Plc stated that the hotel union members protested against Marriott over the non-payment of their severance packages, as agreed, as well as other issues bordering on safety standards due to the degraded state of the hotel, which endangered the lives of employees, guests and the public.

  This, it stated, led the management of Capital Hotel Plc to temporarily shut down operations to enable them carry out renovations on the hotel, adding that the new owners had communicated the decision to temporarily shut down the hotel to Marriott since September this year.

https://d-16391478973268729720.ampproject.net/2209142312000/frame.html   “The management of the hotel also assured that most of the employees would be reabsorbed upon reopening of the hotel, dowsing the fears of job loss.

  “This commitment from the management is in addition to the mouth-watering severance package that the employees would be receiving as a consequence of the temporary closure.

  “This development is coming in the wake of the acquisition of majority stake in Capital Hotel Plc, owners of the hotel, by 22 Hospitality Limited,’’ the statement said.

  In the same vein, the Group Executive Director of NIPCO, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir, expressed the company’s desire to restore the hotel to its former glory as “first-choice luxury hotel,” in Abuja.

  Abdulkadir, in an earlier statement by NIPCO’s spokesman, Alhaji Lawal Taofeek, said the strategic drive was targeted towards making the hotel a leading hospitality firm, offering premium services to customers in accordance with global standards, saying: “The hotel is currently managed by Starwood/Marriott under various system licence agreements with CHP.

  “In the past, Starwood had acknowledged in various reports that the hotel was in a much degraded state and would require hard renovations to make it brand compliant.

  “However, despite the hotel’s poor condition and non-compliance with its brand standards, Marriot/Starwood has continued to manage the Sheraton Abuja Hotel, which is currently in a dilapidated and deplorable state.”

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