News
NDDC Crisis: Youth Council Alleges Plot to discredit Buhari’s Integrity
As allegations and counter allegations of corruption continue to trail the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has raised alarm of possible alliance from enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to discredit his impeccable personality and administration.
The NYCN led by its President, Solomon Adodo at a solidarity rally held at the Unity Fountain, Abuja on Monday argued that the President’s insistence on ridding the NDDC of corruption has irked those who hitherto converted the Commission to their private estate whom he said have embarked on all manner of smear campaign against his administration.
Recall that the sacked former MD of NDDC, Ms. Joy Nunieh had alleged that Mr. Goodwill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affair, repeatedly pressured her to take “an oath of secrecy” that was meant to keep her from exposing fraud at the Commission during her brief tenure. According to her, the Minister had in one instance, asked her to raise a memo to fraudulently award emergency contracts for flood victims in the Niger Delta.
But the youths in their hundred carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “No one loves Niger Delta more than PMB”, “NDDC must be freed from corruption”, NDDC Probe must go on” amongst others maintained that the Nigerian youth would stand by the President to succeed in his effort to rid the nation of corruption and enthrone good governance.
“We know that hell has been let lose because of your insistence that the quantum corruption in the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) must be thoroughly investigated. This is the first time a Nigerian President is committed to saving the Niger-Delta people through Probity. All the culprits and opposition have aligned to deceive the country, malign your person and criticize the Government. But the Nigerian Youths are with you. We shall win those detractors and punish them under our law for their crimes.
The coming of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, several monies have been recovered from projects not executed. Projects execution that took flight many years ago in the Commission began to spring up here and there for all to see. This is why we find it expedient to speak up as a group that has carried out thorough investigation on the activities of the Commission”, the group noted.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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