>>> CRIME NEWS <<<

>>> Crime news 1 <<<

Gunmen abduct 10 Nasarawa varsity students

No fewer than 10 students of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, were in the early hours of
Thursday, kidnapped by bandits in the Gandu community located about two kilometres away from the
institution.

A resident of the area who pleaded anonymity told The Informant that the gunmen invaded the student
community opposite the permanent site of the university at about 2 am on Thursday while shooting
sporadically into the air which made the students scamper for safety.

The source who was emotional while narrating the ordeal, explained that the operation took about two
hours.

When speaking to journalists in Lafia on the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the University,
Abubakar Ibrahim, said the total number of students abducted had yet to be ascertained.

He said, “It is too early to ascertain the exact number of students because those affected are not living
within the school, but off campus.”

Meanwhile, students of the university had embarked on a peaceful protest demanding an end to the
incessant kidnapping of their colleagues.

He said, “It is too early to ascertain the exact number of students because those affected are not living
within the school, but off campus.”

Meanwhile, students of the university had embarked on a peaceful protest demanding an end to the
incessant kidnapping of their colleagues.

It would be noted that in recent time, there had been frequent abductions of students of the university.

The state government in collaboration with the security agencies had on several times planned to
forestall further attacks in the institution but until now, the kidnappers still carried out their activities
unhindered.

When contacted, the state Police command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said
the details of the kidnap were still sketchy.

“This kidnapping details are sketchy.

The command has tried to get facts and identity of the victims but to no avail, thus we are finding it
difficult to authenticate,” he said.
>>> Crime News 2 <<<

Family demands justice for man allegedly killed by landgrabbers

The family of the late Sheriff Salami, who was killed by suspected landgrabbers at Ajiran in the Eti-Osa
Local Government Area of Lagos State embarked on a protest on Thursday, to demand justice for the
deceased.

Informant Online learnt that Salami, while alive, was opposed to land-grabbing activities in the
community.

He was, however, attacked and shot dead on April 18, while attending a function close to his residence.

A coalition of Civil Society organisations, while leading the protest alongside members of the late
Salami’s family, called on the police to investigate the circumstances that led to his death.

The protesters who besieged the State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja around 11am also
accused officers attached to a police division in the community of unwillingness to investigate the
incident and arrest the perpetrators.

The Acting Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, who later attended to them, received their petition
and promised to investigate the matter.

Ayilara also urged those wishing to provide information regarding the incident to visit the headquarters.

>>> GENERAL NEWS <<<

>>> General news 1 <<<

Sanusi carpets NNPCL, doubts dollar remittance after subsidy removal

•Ex-emir entitled to his opinion, NNPCL remains focused, says spokesman

A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has advised President Bola
Tinubu against occupying the office of the Minister for Petroleum Resources, saying such arrangement
will make it difficult for the country to hold the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited
accountable.

He made this known while delivering his remarks at the Bank Directors Summit organised by the Bank
Directors Association of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
Sanusi who was the CBN governor from June 2009 to February 2014, also adjudged the NNPC as the
“most opaque oil company in the world.”

The vocal economist slammed the NNPCL for allegedly failing to remit enough foreign exchange into the
government coffers despite the removal of fuel subsidy by the current administration.

The former Emir of Kano also stressing the need to stabilise the foreign exchange market, noting that
monetary policies in the last eight years had led to rising inflation and economic downturn in the
country.

According to him, the idea of the president occupying the petroleum minister office will make it difficult
for anyone to raise the question of accountability.

He said, “The exchange rate needs to be stabilised and we have to address the fundamental question,
why is there no money coming in? Why is the NNPCL not able to bring in dollars? Am sorry this is the
question that cost me my job and I will continue asking this question until NNPCL fixes it up or until I die.
Where are the dollars? We need to shine a light on the NNPCL. The finance minister cannot tell you
because he doesn’t have a monitoring system that reports to him. The finance minister can’t tell you
how many barrels of petrol we produce and export. It is only the NNPCL that can give those figures. The
finance ministry needs to know how much oil we produce daily, how much we sell, and where the
money is going.

“We are no longer paying subsidies so where are the dollars? It was under recovery during the subsidy
era and that has been stopped, so where is the money? This was the issue I raised for which I was
suspended, well you can suspend me again. The NNPCL is the most opaque oil company in the world.
When I was in the central bank for 15 years, they had not been audited. We have to follow the money
from production to export to return, where is the money going? We paid N11tn in subsidy and there is
no accountability up till now. The National Assembly called the NNPCL to bring the documents, but they
refused.

He added, “By the way, let me advise that the idea of the President becoming a petroleum minister is
not a good idea. The last president was the minister of petroleum for eight years. When I was governor
of the central bank we had a minister of petroleum so when I talk about the NNPCL, I could attack
Diezani Madueke. Now, nobody can talk about petroleum because for eight years if you talk, you are
attacking the president. We need that buffer, somebody has to be there, so a minister has to be there
who is held accountable by Nigerians.”

In August, about three months after his inauguration, President Bola Tinubu split the Ministry of
Petroleum Resources with the appointment of Ekperipe Ekpo as Minister of State, Gas Resources; and
Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State, Petroleum Resources.

However, President Tinubu, in an apparent tradition of his predecessor, ex-President Muhammadu

Buhari, kept the position of the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources to himself.

CBN Act amendment

Sanusi also called for a proper audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to unravel the
country’s daily oil production, export and the accrued revenue, noting that this call was what cost him
his job at the apex bank.

He maintained that the banking sector must shore up its trust deficit in the eyes of the public and that
there is no need to amend the CBN Act to keep the apex bank free of political influences.

He stated, “It is important to talk about the current conversation emanating especially from the National
Assembly, to amend the Central Bank Act. Let me add my voice to those who have said there is nothing
wrong with the Central Bank of Nigeria Act. There is nothing wrong with BOFIA. The CBN Act is one of
the best central banking laws in the world. In fact when we reviewed central bank laws, the only laws we
saw that we would learn a few things from was Bank Negara of Malaysia.

“Now if people who are supposed to implement a law don’t implement it, the solution is not to change
the law, and this reaction is kneejerk if you take away the independence of the central bank and bring it
under political control. You would hurt the system and on long-term, you are institutionalising the lack
of autonomy. The reality is, you have an independent autonomous central bank whose independence
was undermined by a combination of politicians and central bank actors. It is time to go back to what
the central bank is supposed to do and implement the law.”

The ex-CBN governor also spoke about the use of Ways and Means and how resisted the pressure to go
beyond the limit requited by the law.

He said, “Look at the example of Ways and Means. That scenario only happened because, along the line,
all checks and balances collapsed. When the National Assembly talks about Ways and Means, the
question is: where were the oversight committees of the National Assembly? We were all asked when
we were in position as governor to bring money, on several occasions. There was a day I was called by
the finance minister that they needed N100bn. I told them they had reached the limit and we had to
find other solutions to raise funds for the government without breaking the law.

“If this tells anything, it is that when people start to complain about too many regulations, they need to
think about when regulation was rolled back in America. Regulations are dynamic and can change. We
have to ensure that banks are well-managed and that banks understand the risks that they run. Now,
regulations are one thing of course and the actual doing of the regulations is another thing.”

President Bola Tinubu, while reiterating the vision to drive financial access and impose a culture of
integrity and innovative technology, vowed to ensure the CBN under his watch follows all regulations.

He also revealed plans to develop a financial regulatory framework to develop the country’s economy.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,
Wale Edun, said, “All issues raised from regulations, short-term liquidity in the foreign exchange market
to long-term structural change, I can say that all those issues are been dealt with in the policies of the
current administration. We will ensure to follow the law and do the right thing but it won’t all be done in
one day. It is a direction of travel but it will take time to adjust.
“Finance banking is inherently risky and the dynamic nature of the challenges we face makes it
imperative for us to collectively address them together, balancing the complexities of regulation and
compliance in order to build the type of resilient system that would underpin the eventual rule to rapid,
sustained and inclusive economic growth.”

On ongoing efforts to boost liquidity, the minister said, “All efforts are being made to bring in funds that
will shore up the liquidity of the financial system of the foreign exchange system.”

On his part, the Chairman, Bank Directors Association of Nigeria, Mustafa Chike-Obi, said “The summit
was focused on advocating for the banks’ interests and making sure they are willing partners.”

“This summit is a good platform to advocate for the interest of the banks, to make sure the banks are
doing the right things and make sure they are a willing partner. The banks will be willing and able to
partner with the government on these agendas of growth and reforms. We will work with you but we
ask that you should please consult with us. The era of regulations without consultations should end. We
are partners and if you consult with us, we will tell you how to accomplish the objectives more smoothly
and cleanly.”

NNPC replies Sanusi

Meanwhile, the NNPC said it was focused at the moment on delivering the task that had been set for the
national oil company, stressing that everyone was free to air their opinion.

NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, told one of our correspondent that
there would be no need for an official response to the claims made by the ex-CBN boss.

He explained that constant responses could hinder the enormous task before the oil company, adding
that NNPC would rather concentrate in handling the work that it was established to deliver.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Constant responses to every individual can hinder our work. Our
focus remains on delivering energy security, managing ongoing projects, and implementing reforms,”
Soneye stated.

>>> General news 2 <<<

Forex inflow hits $11bn in two months – CBN

Nigeria recorded $11.11bn aggregate foreign exchange inflow in July and August, figures obtained from
the Central Bank of Nigeria revealed.

According to figures obtained from the CBN’s August economic report on foreign exchange flows
through the economy, August’s figure rose by of 5.8 per cent from July.
The report said, “The economy recorded a higher net foreign exchange inflow in August 2023, driven,
mainly, by increased inflow from autonomous sources. Foreign exchange flows through the economy
recorded a net inflow of $2.33bn, an increase of 2.9 per cent, relative to the $2.27bn in July 2023.

‘Aggregate foreign exchange inflow into the economy increased by 5.8 per cent to $5.71bn in August,
compared with the $5.40bn, in the preceding month.”

According to the report, foreign exchange outflows also rose by 8.0 per cent to $3.38bn, in August, from
$3.13bn in the preceding month.

It added that foreign exchange inflow through the Bank declined by 5.9 per cent to $2.44bn in August
2023, from $2.59bn in July 2023.

Outflow through the Bank, however, rose by 6.3 per cent to $2.98bn, from $2.80bn in the preceding
month.

Autonomous inflow rose by 16.6 per cent to $3.28bn, from $2.80bn in the previous month.

Similarly, autonomous outflow increased by 22.3 per cent to $0.40bn in August 2023, from $0.32bn in
July 2023.

A net inflow of $2.88bn was recorded through autonomous sources, compared with the $2.48bn in July
2023.

The CBN recorded a net outflow of $0.55bn, compared with the $0.22bn in the preceding month.

>>> General news 3 <<<

Africa’s annual loss to carbon tax may hit $25bn – AfDB

African Development Bank Group President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has warned that a new EU carbon
border tax could significantly constrain Africa’s trade and industrialisation progress by penalising value-
added exports including steel, cement, iron, aluminium and fertilizers.

While addressing delegates at the Sustainable Trade Africa Conference held at the UAE Trade Centre in
Dubai, Adesina said, “With Africa’s energy deficit and reliance mainly on fossil fuels, especially diesel,
the implication is that Africa will be forced to export raw commodities again into Europe, which will
further cause the de-industrialisation of Africa.

“Africa could lose up to $25bn per annum as a direct result of the EU carbon border tax adjustment
mechanism.”
He added, “Africa has been short-changed by climate change; now it will be short-changed in global
trade.

Adesina stressed that Africa was already being overlooked in the global energy transition, according to
data from the International Renewable Energy Agency.

“Africa received just $60bn or two per cent of the $3tn of global investments in renewable energy in the
past two decades, a trend that will now impact negatively on its ability to export competitively into
Europe,” he said.

Adesina called for what he termed the Just Trade-for-Energy Transition policies, which would enable
Africa’s renewable ambitions without restricting its trade prospects.

Africa would need to use natural gas as a transition fuel to reduce the variability of renewable energy
and stabilise its energy systems in support of its industrialisation, Adesina said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Trade Centre, Walid Alfalahi, said Africa is the new frontier for
investment contrary to widespread perception that the continent is a dangerous and difficult place to do
business.

>>> POLITICS NEWS <<<

>>> Politics news 1 <<<

In crowded race, 68 aspirants jostle for Edo gov seat

For the first time in the history of the governorship election in Edo State, the aspirants are over 68 in the
three big political parties, with more expected to join the race before the sales of forms begin.
ADEYINKA ADEDIPE writes on the return of the seasoned campaigners and the new aspirants who are
hoping to upset the old order

Politicians are die-hard optimists. Even when the odds are stacked against them and their chances look
slim, the belief that they will win every contest is unshaken. One cannot blame them for this in a country
where a candidate who finished third in an election was eventually sworn in after a court adjudged that
he scored the “highest valid vote”.

It is such optimism that is driving the old guards and the new aspirants in Edo State as they continue to
declare their intention to run for the governorship seat in 2024. As of Monday, the intending aspirants
from the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and the Labour Party are 68 with more
expected to join the race. The LP has 28 aspirants, the APC has 29, and the PDP has 11, while it is certain
that more aspirants will join the race from other smaller parties.

The aspirants are made up of old guards and new entrants while the decision by the APC not to heed the
clamour to zone the ticket to Edo Central may see more aspirants joining the race.

Unexpectedly, the state APC chairman, Col. David Imuse (retd) has also thrown his heart in the ring with
serving senators and members of the House of Representatives also joining. Spokesman to General
Ibrahim Babangida (retd) and former Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua; Pastor Osagie Ize-
Iyamu, who was the APC candidate in 2020 are also said to be in the race.

Battling for the APC ticket too is Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd), a former Accountant General of the
Nigeria Army and Director of Finance administration of NDDC.

One of the seasoned campaigners, Kenneth Imasuagbon, who has aspired most (four times), under
different political parties is now gunning for the seat for the fifth time under the LP. He caused a stir last
week when he urged party faithful not to give the ticket to political neophytes while on a visit to Igarra
in Akoko Edo Local government.

Imasuagbon said people should not compare him to a former Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata
or the first member House of Representatives, Dorry Okogie, both of whom, he described as ‘newbies in
politics,” adding, “don’t make a mistake of giving your vote to unpopular candidates. We need a popular
candidate that can take on the PDP and APC.”

Okojie, in a statement over the weekend, had urged Imasuangbon to focus on promoting a culture of
respect and professionalism in political discourse.

He advised Imasuangbon to promote inclusive politics rather than personal attacks and innuendos.

Okojie said, “I strongly believe that it is essential to promote a culture of respect and professionalism in
political discourse. I acknowledge the passion and dedication of all individuals involved in the political
landscape, and I firmly believe in the importance of maintaining a respectful and constructive dialogue.

“As such, I advise we foster unity and mutual understanding rather than resort to personal attacks or
divisive language.

I hope that we can collectively work towards a future that prioritizes healthy and respectful interactions,
enabling us to focus on the issues that truly matter to the people,” he added.

Apart from Imasuagbon, the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu who is at loggerheads with
Governor Godwin Obaseki over his ambition to succeed his principal, declared his intention last week
Monday. He said he had been in politics for 30 years and was ready to continue the giant stride taken by
his boss.

An ally of the deputy governor, Immam Babangida said that Shaibu had the chance to pick the PDP ticket
if the party provided a level playing ground for all the aspirants.
He said: “I am happy that the governor said that it is the members of the party that will determine
Shaibu’s fate. But Governor Obaseki and the PDP must ensure there is a level playing ground for
everyone to operate. Shaibu has the pedigree to win the ticket at the primaries.

“He has done well throughout his career and he is the only one who can help the PDP to remain in the
saddle in the state. Without him, the PDP cannot win the election.

In all of this, Governor Obaseki has thrown his weight behind the Chairman, Sterling Bank, Asuen
Ighodalo, whom he had introduced to leaders of the party in the three senatorial districts.

Though Ighodalo has yet to make a formal declaration, he has been consulting with leaders in Edo
Central where he hails from as a springboard to realise his ambition. His plans, according to his close
aides, is to visit all stakeholders in the three political zones, before he makes a formal declaration. He is
a technocrat with a national reach who can also ensure the state moves on the part of development.

Among the first timers, Dennis Idahosa, the member representing Ovia Federal Constituency at the
National Assembly, stands out on account of his popularity, vibrancy, and youthfulness. He is also
believed to be in the good books of the party leaders to clinch the APC ticket. He battled the
Igbinedion’s political dynasty, won the election twice, and with projects he brought to his constituency
he has warmed himself into the heart of the electorate.

Another contender, Johnson Agbonayinma, a former Senior Special Adviser to Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole, a former member of the House of Representatives, a former member of the Board of the
Nigerian Railway Corporation, and acting chairman, the Code of Conduct Bureau.

The women are also not left out in the jostle for the state’s top seat as Dr Angela Ason-Aburime, Dr
Loretta Ogboror-Okor, and Dr Emily Okojie are pulling their weights in the LP.

Speaking on the high number of aspirants and what this means for the fight to succeed Governor
Obaseki, the state PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi said it is good for democracy as many people are
getting more involved in politics either as aspirants or electorate.

He said, “I imagine that people are taking that conscious step to be aspirants in a political party. In the
PDP, we are excited that we have aspirants with capacity, character and content. Right now, we have 11
aspirants, nine from Edo Central, and one each from Edo South and Edo North. There was a Special Edo
Central Committee meeting on Sunday with the aspirants and out of the nine that have expressed
interest in the contest, seven showed up and two sent in apologies. This shows that people want to
identify with a successful party.

“The high number is good for democracy, people believe in the system the PDP has put in place, they
believe the party will organise a credible congress and primaries and that is why they are showing
interest. So we are excited that there are many aspirants. We are not worried that there are so many
aspirants as we still expect more people to join the race.
“All the aspirants in PDP have content and are credible. Anyone who emerges as the candidate of the
party can win the governorship election, he added.

Aziegbemi also noted that the registration of new members currently ongoing in the state would
strengthen the party.

He added, “We don’t have a target for new members. We feel that many people are excited, they are
happy with what the governor has done for Edo State so they want to join the party the governor is in.
We are the ruling party, the party you have to beat in Edo State, which gives us some edge so you
expect many people to gravitate towards success.”

Publicity Secretary of the state LP, Sam Uroupa also said that the high number is a good one, noting that
his party is the only one that can bring succour to citizens of the state.

He said, “The high number of aspirants in our party is a good one. When people are fed up with what
they have been experiencing, they seek something new and fulfilling. It is only mad people that do the
same thing over and over again and expect a different result. The Edo people are fed up with insecurity,
decaying infrastructure, and economic downturn brought about by the misrule of PDP and APC in the
state over the years.

“So the LP seems to be the only party that can reverse this ugly trend. Our logo depicts the family and
when the family is taken care of, then the larger society will benefit. So the aspirants see the LP as a
place where their plans for Edo State can come to light hence the high number of aspirants.

“There will be no confusion in getting a suitable aspirant as we are going to provide a level playing
ground. Confusion can only erupt when the process of selecting a candidate is not transparent. We are
going to carry out a primary election that is devoid of rancour. The party will set up a screening
committee that will look at those who are qualified to take part in the primaries. They are all aspirant for
now as the purchase of forms, meeting, and all other criteria will also determine those ready to
contest,” he added.

The APC publicity secretary, Peter Uwadiae, noted that the level playing ground the party has was
pulling aspirants towards it.

He said, “I believe the level playing ground our party provides is the reason there are so many aspirants
in the race. By the time we come out with guidelines, the serious contenders will emerge. It has also
been made clear that there is no zoning. So members who feel they have the requisite capacity and
credentials to lead Edo are indicating their interest.

“The reason we also have so many aspirants is because the party has become attractive in Edo. It is the
belief that anyone who picks the ticket will eventually become the governor after the polls because of
what transpired in recent elections.

“The APC has put a machinery in place for a smooth primary election. We have assured all intending
aspirants who buy the governorship form that due process will be followed in electing the party’s
standard bearer. What I am saying in essence is that Edo people should not be worried about the high
number of persons who are indicating interest. It shows that Edo people are becoming more politically
aware which they will benefit from in the end,” he added.

>>> Politics news 2 <<<

Power minister, Adelabu dumps Accord Party, returns to APC

Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has announced his intention to return to the All Progressives
Congress.

The minister, prelude to the 2023 governorship elections in Oyo State dumped the APC to contest on
the platform of the Accord Party.

However, in a letter dated December 6, and addressed to the state chairman and leaders of the party in
Oyo State, Adelabu stated that he will officially announce his return at a ceremony to be held at the APC
Secretariat in Oke Ado on December 15, 2023.

The letter read in part, “I hereby write to notify the State Executive and leaders of All Progressive Party
Congress (APC), Oyo State, of my intention to officially announce my return to our Great Party at a
ceremony to be held at the Party Office in Oke-Ado on 15th December, 2023. I want this ceremony to be
anchored by the State Executive with all Local Government Party Chairmen and Leaders in attendance.

“You will recall that I left the party alongside my faithful and loyal followers at the peak of the crisis
rocking the party emanating from the manner the state congress and consequently the primary
elections were administered. However, having consulted with our National Leaders and National
Executive, I have decided to return to the Party. My first demonstration of this was a courtesy visit to
the Party National Chairman where we agreed on the imperatives of my return to the party.

“As a serving Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under President Tinubu led
Administration, I look forward to a robust working relationship with the State Executive, Party Leaders
and entire party members towards achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President and the party
at large, and in particular, in installing an APC-led Government at the state level in 2027 for an
unprecedented development of Oyo State.”

>>> Politics news 3 <<<

PDP, NNPP, five others form coalition

A group of seven opposition political parties on Wednesday formed a new coalition in a bid to
strengthen democracy in the country.

The movement tagged the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties was formed in Abuja at a meeting
attended by leaders of the political parties at the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party.

The coalition comprised the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, Social Democratic
Party, Peoples Allied Movement, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith
Labour Party.

The Informant reports that the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, while hosting a delegation
of the Inter-party Advisory Council in November, expressed fears of the country falling into a one-state
party, urging the opposition to see the need for unity.

The coalition while expressing worry about the level of instability the country is going through, urged the
judicial system to save Nigeria’s democracy and rid itself of political and executive interference..

Speaking on the essence of the coalition, the National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Gabam said, “We
looked into the issue of the judiciary. The judiciary is the last hope of the common man if it still stands.

“We are worried about the level of instability the country is going through. If you look at recent
developments in Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kano, and Plateau states, it is very clear that the judiciary must
exercise extreme caution with some of its decisions.

“The judiciary should strengthen their conviction towards delivering judgments that can stand the test
of time. They should not allow we politicians to infiltrate their rank, sanity, and capacity to deliver
judgments that are internationally sound and can be recognised.”.

The SDP Chairman, however, said that the coalition is not for a merger or against the Inter-Party
Advisory Council.

Also speaking at the meeting, the acting National Secretary of the PDP, Setonji Koshoedo, who
represented the acting party’s national chairman, Umar Damagum, stated that the coalition will offer a
strong opposition.

On his part, the national chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, said the idea behind the coalition “is
to strengthen our democracy. We have seen that people in government are trying to stiffen viable
opposition.

>>> METRO NEWS <<<

>>> Metro news 1 <<<
Workers panic as Lagos waterworks sacks 450

Employees of the Lagos State Water Corporation are currently in a state of anxiety as the state
government sacked 450 casual workers last week Thursday.

Informant correspondent learnt on Thursday that the affected staff members were shocked when they
were served with sack letters on Tuesday and given an ultimatum to surrender all the government
property in their care.

The Informant learnt that the decision to sack the workers jolted some of the staff members who were
not affected by the exercise.

Some of the workers who spoke with our correspondent who visited one of the state waterworks on
Thursday expressed fear that they might suffer a similar fate.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a staff member told The informant that many of the laid-off
staff members had spent several years working with the corporation.

She said, “Nobody knew this was going to happen. We were all shocked that a large number of people
could be sacked in a day. Currently, these waterworks no longer have casual workers.

“One of my friends was affected by the decision. She has a family she is taking care of. She doesn’t even
know where to start. She left the office weeping last week. Even if they are going to sack anyone, they
should have given people more time to find alternatives.”

Meanwhile, The Informant further probe showed that the workers were laid off due to a claim that the
state government wanted to undergo restructuring despite the current shortage of staff.

“We don’t have enough staff. As big as this place is, only one person is left to clean it. There were many
of us at the maintenance units before. But now there are just the three of us left,” one employee said on
condition of anonymity.

“They said they are restructuring, but how many staff will need to be sacked before this is
accomplished?” another source queried in a separate interview with The Informant .

However, when contacted for his reaction, the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Water Corporation,
Kehinde Fashola, confirmed some workers were laid off because they breached the contract of
agreement.

“The government found out that the Lagos Water management contract staff members have not been
in accordance with the contract appointment law. Some of them have been contract staff for 10 years
and some for five years, which is not in accordance with the country’s labour law.

“The normal time is two years. So, the government is trying to correct any abnormality without any
bias,” she said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
>>> Metro News 2 <<<

Occupants of Ogun shanties seek resettlement

Following the recent demolitions of shanties along the Ogun Sate corridor of the Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway, some occupants of the shanties under some sections of the bridge have appealed to the
government to assist them in resettling to a more conducive and convenient location.

The occupants, who spoke with The Informant on Thursday, lamented that the poor economic situation
of the country had forced them to take shelter under the bridges.

They noted that while they understood the dangers of living under the bridges, the poor financial
conditions they were faced with left them with no option.

The Ogun State Government had on November 21 started demolishing shanties and makeshift
structures in Kara on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

According to the task force, the shanties and illegal structures disfigured the corridor and were
considered to be hideouts for criminals in the area.

The Informant reports that the operation was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor
on Environment, Farouq Akintunde, who noted that the exercise was meant to reposition the state as
the industrial hub of Nigeria.

An occupant identified as Husseni noted that he was willing to relocate if the government could provide
a suitable accommodation for them.

He said, “It is not a thing of joy that we are living under the bridge but the economic situation of the
country warranted it. If the government can help us with better alternatives, we will definitely relocate.”

Another occupant, Muhammed Rabiu, expressed fears that the demolition embarked upon by the state
government might force them out of the bridge which they had used as an abode for a while.

Rabiu said, “We are aware that there is an ongoing demolition and we understand that it is necessary
but we are appealing to them to provide alternatives for us. I know that very soon the government will
come for us here. That is why we are appealing to them.”

When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, noted that there were
plans to remove all illegal structures that might not align with the plans of the state in beautification
including illegal structures under the bridges. He however stressed that it was not within his jurisdiction
to provide alternative resettlement option for the occupants of the shanties.
“What we are doing in the Ministry of Environment is in the interest of the environment. A resettlement
plan has to do with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Social Welfare.

“What we are concerned with is public hygiene as we cannot open our eyes and see human values
degraded where people who stay under the bridge, men, women and children defecate openly under
the bridge. That is dehumanising and this is a state where we place high premium on human lives and
social values. We are going to demolish everything under the bridge so they better be aware,” Oresanya
concluded.

>>> Metro News 3 <<<

Cops filmed demanding money from foreign biker arrested – Oyo police

The Oyo State Police Command said it has apprehended the policemen sighted in a now-viral video
demanding money from a female biker who was on a tour of Nigeria from the Netherlands.

The command, in a post on X on Thurday, said the operatives will face disciplinary actions.

“Viral video portraying the regrettable misconduct of certain policemen along Moniya-Iseyin Road has
been accessed. All those involved have been apprehended for immediate disciplinary actions.
Supervision will be increased. Please report any misconduct to Xsquad on +2348023535470,” the post
read.

In the video, the officers had flagged down the biker, asking her where she was from and where she was
heading.

The Dutch replied that she was from the Netherlands and she was on her way to Abuja, apparently
surprising the two officers.

Interacting with the biker further in pidgin, the officers said: “Wetin you bring come? Wetin you won
give me. O yah give me something nah.”

The tourist appeared not to comprehend the officers’ message until they clearly said, “Give me money,
money,” to which she asked, “Why?”

The 1:26-minute video drew reactions from Nigerians who felt embarrassed by the policemen’s actions.