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SNM Lauds Umahi’s Reforms in Ministry of Works

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….. Urges stakeholders to embrace reforms for better economy

A pro- democracy group, Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), has thrown it’s weight behind the Minister of Works Engr. Dave Umahi following his pragmatic and courageous reforms in the Ministry aimed at addressing road infrastructural deficit in Nigeria using locally sourced materials such as cement for road construction.

The CSO, dedicated to building a culture of transparency and due process in Nigeria
in a press release made available to journalists in Abuja by its convener Rev Solomon Semaka over the weekend expressed optimism that with the current reforms spearheaded by the Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, Nigeria’s prospect in building sustainable and cost efficient and effective roads will soon become a reality as roads built with cement concrete are less expensive and more durable than those built with asphalt in our part of the world.

According to the statement, “the group maintained that it solidly commends Engr. Dave Umahi for his unwavering stance in promoting the use of cement concrete for road construction in Nigeria” This initiative will empower local cement manufacturers, drastically reduce capital flight, stabilise the dollar and address balance of payment deficit as the shift from importing asphalt to utilising locally produced cement will reduce the high demand for foreign exchange especially the dollar. This will also eliminate excessive variations caused by fluctuations in dollar rates, providing a more stable economic environment especially for the naira to regain strength against the dollar”.

As a country plagued by crippling unemployment, SNM equally anticipates a boost in employment opportunities for Nigerian youth as a direct consequence of increased demand for cement and other locally sourced materials which will invariably lead to the establishment of more cement production plants across the country and the expansion of already existing plants to meet up with the local demand bearing in mind Nigeria’s vast limestone deposits.

“Engr. Dave Umahi has won our trust and confidence as an Engr., politician and great administrator per excellence. He is not afraid of any cabal as they want to be called. His patriotic decision to end the exploitation of the Nigerian government in the area of road construction and stimulate the local economy is highly commendable. We stand shoulder to shoulder with him as he stives to confronts attacks from some dubious contractors and corrupt civil servants within the ministry who are bent on undermining the reform efforts especially those who prefer the use of asphalt in order to continue to fleece the country of scarce resources . Our position is clear, Nigeria is bigger than any individual and whatever will benefit Nigeria and the general public is what we will support”, the statement noted.

Expressing their unalloyed support for President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, the group insisted on monitoring the implementation of directives as driven by the Honorable Minister to ensure compliance with Mr President directive, stressing that while the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aims to inherit and complete ongoing projects unlike what used to happen before, it will not tolerate corruption and sabotage in the process. “The renewed hope agenda of Mr President has no room for saboteurs.

“Mr. President deserves to be appreciated by Nigerians for his ingenuity in appointing a credible hand in the Ministry of Works and also securing funding for ongoing road projects, amounting to over 5 trillion Naira. ” Mr President ingenuity must be encouraged”

“It is important for us as a frontline civil society organisation to urge Nigerians to disregard the actions of contractors with self-serving interests who are opposed to this laudable initiative and encourage local contractors to express interest to minimize the monopoly held by so called big contractors who are mostly foreigners”. With more local contractors, the multiplier effect of local content in the road construction sub-sector on unemployment and the economy at large will be huge “, the statement added.

While suing for unity of purpose, SNM also issued a stern warning to civil servants who are being used by contractors to destabilise the reform agenda of the Hon. Minister, adding that, “any civil servant found distorting the system will face dire consequences and that contractors who are uncomfortable with the country’s progress under President Tinubu should step aside immediately to pave way for patriotic firms to come in and drive Nigeria’s new infrastructural blueprint and roadmap aimed at boosting local production, stabilizing the Naira as well as creating millions of jobs for Nigerians”.

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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.

PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.

Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.

In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.

Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”

His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.

“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.

“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.

“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.

“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.

On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.

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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court

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The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.

“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.

He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.

Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.

“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.

While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.

He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.

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Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism

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The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.

However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.

“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.

He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.

Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.

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