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NMDPRA: Thugs Infiltrate Ahmed-Must-Go Protest

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NMDPRA: Thugs Infiltrate Ahmed-Must-Go Protest

Some hired hoodlums on Tuesday, attacked young protesters in Abuja after infiltrating the peaceful sit-out around the head office of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in the Central Business District.

The group, under the aegis of Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria, in the series of the week-long rally in Abuja, had converged close to the NMDPRA office, demanding that the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPR, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, be suspended over alleged financial scandal.

The group and several others have consistently accused the NMDPRA boss of diverting over $5 million, allegedly using the same to sponsor four of his children in luxurious foreign schools across different countries.

But no sooner had the protesters successfully addressed the press, than some hoodlums, tripping from the opposite direction of the NMDPRA office, infiltrated the young protesters and wanted to turn the peaceful sit-out to a commotion; but for the wisdom of the leaders of the group, which insisted members should not react but quietly dismiss, to reconvene another day.

Comrade Emmanuel Ogwuche, who addressed the press shortly before the infiltration of the hoodlums, said the youths would continue their peaceful protests until the needful was done.

The group also hammered on allegations of abuse of power and regulatory compromise by Ahmed.

“Engr. Ahmed is at the centre of a massive financial scandal involving the alleged diversion of over $5 million in public funds to bankroll the luxurious foreign education of his children. While millions of Nigerians cannot afford to send their children to basic public schools; while university students in Nigeria face strikes, dilapidated hostels, and unpaid lecturers; one public servant is alleged to have spent our commonwealth to secure elite education for his family in Switzerland and India.

“His four children — Faisal, Farouk Jr., Ashraf, and Farhana — were enrolled in some of the most expensive schools in the world. Institutions with fees that range from $80,000 to $140,000 per year. Schools that only royalty and billionaires can afford. Schools that are as far removed from the average Nigerian reality as the moon is from the earth.

“Schools like Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, European University Montreux, and La Garenne International School. In all, over $5 million is alleged to have been spent over the years on tuition, accommodation, upkeep, and flights. These payments were routed through undisclosed accounts, proxy relatives, and unreported assets — none of which appeared in Mr. Ahmed’s mandatory asset declaration forms.

“This is not just unethical. It is potentially criminal. The law is clear. Public officials must declare all assets. Public officials must not benefit from any advantage that compromises their impartiality. Public officials must not divert public funds or use the privileges of office to enrich themselves or their families. And yet, here we are, faced with overwhelming evidence that points to exactly that.

“We are also aware that Mr. Ahmed’s son, Faisal, was recruited into Oando PLC — a company directly under the regulatory jurisdiction of the NMDPRA. This is a clear conflict of interest. Oando is a regulated entity. Engr. Ahmed is the regulator. His son has no business working in a company whose regulatory fate lies in his father’s hands. The circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that this employment was not accidental. It was likely facilitated by undue influence. This is not acceptable. This is not excusable. This is not defensible,” Ogwuche stressed.

He vowed that the group would not back out until President Bola Tinubu suspends Ahmed, adding that various groups have drawn the attention of the president and all relevant authorities to bring the NMDPRA boss to account, but to no avail.

According to the group, “His (Ahmed) continued presence in office is a threat to reform. A threat to transparency. A threat to every effort to clean up the Nigerian oil and gas sector. His name is now synonymous with allegations of embezzlement, regulatory compromise and abuse of office.

“We say this to Mr. Ahmed directly: you may still have the title, but you have lost the moral mandate. If you believe in integrity, you should resign today. If you believe in justice, you should subject yourself to investigation. If you believe in Nigeria, you should step aside and allow the truth to come out.

“But if you do not resign, then we, the Nigerian people, must make it clear: we will not accept your continued stay. We will not allow the NMDPRA to become a haven for elite impunity. We will not let this matter die in silence.”

Although no serious injury was recorded, the group said some of its members were wounded, adding that no amount of intimidation could deter the youth from asking questions about what befalls their common patrimony.

Thisdaylive.com

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Atiba Varsity Tasks New Staff, Places Premium On Academic Excellence

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The Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo, Professor Sunday Okeniyi, has enjoined the newly employed staff of the institution to develop the spirit of teamwork, respect, and discipline, which are the hallmarks of every successful institution.

Okeniyi disclosed this during the orientation programme for the newly employed staff of the institution.

While welcoming the newly employed staff, he also congratulated them on their successful appointment into the fast-rising institution. “Your joining us today is not by chance, but by merit, commitment, and the will of God. Atiba University is a citadel of learning and character formation, envisioned to nurture and produce men and women of excellence, integrity, and service. By becoming part of this family, you are now co-builders of this noble vision.”

The V-C said the orientation programme was a deliberate initiative of the management to formally integrate the new staff into the University system. “It is designed to give you a clear understanding of our mission, vision, core values, rules, and operational culture. Our goal is not just for you to work here, but for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and leave an indelible mark on the growth and transformation of this University.”

He explained that the university places a premium on academic excellence, innovative research, moral uprightness, and community development. These values define the identity and are the standards the staff must all uphold in their respective assignments—whether as academic staff shaping young minds or as non-teaching staff providing essential support services that make our work possible.

While admitting much needed to be done, Okeniyi said the institution has recorded remarkable progress within a short time. “The future we envision—a future of global competitiveness, leadership in innovation and knowledge, and impact within and beyond Nigeria—requires the collective commitment of every member of staff. That includes you. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism are needed to propel us forward,” he said.

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This Is War, Kill Every Single One Of Them – Fani-Kayode Blows Hot Over Zamfara Mosque Massacre

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Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the gruesome murder of five worshippers during an early morning prayer in Yandoto village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
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Speaking via his 𝕏 account, he insisted that the killers should be wiped out, adding that there should be no room for discussions or negotiations.

Fani-Kayode asserted that the killers are terrorists not bandits and described their actions as an act of war.

He wrote: “These are not bandits. Pls stop calling them bandits. They are bloodthirsty killers and terrorists and every single one of them should be wiped off the face of the earth.

“If our people cannot worship God in peace then we have nothing. No negotiation, no discussion, no ransom payments, no rehabilitation.

“This is WAR. Kill every single one of them, wipe out their blood line and decimate their communities and abodes. There is no place on earth for those that slaughter innocent civilians.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to address the escalating banditry crisis in the state.

Naija News reports that a deadly attack occurred on Sunday in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left several residents and vigilante members dead.

Speaking via a statement on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the massacre as “a despicable and senseless act.”

He blamed the governor for the insecurity situation in the state, noting that it is a monumental leadership failure.

Adewara said, “The gruesome videos of the casualties circulating online make it look like Kwara is now at war. Under AbdulRahman’s watch, terror is reigning, kidnappers are taking over rural villages, and nowhere is safe again.”

The opposition party faulted AbdulRazaq’s alleged silence and absence from the affected community, insisting that a responsible leader should have personally visited Oke-Ode to commiserate with victims’ families and give assurances of decisive action.

It further accused the governor of neglecting local vigilantes and security personnel “battling criminals in the bush,” while diverting funds to “footballers and entertainers outside the state.”

The PDP’s criticism comes amid rising concern in Kwara North, where repeated bandit attacks have forced residents to abandon farms, schools, and businesses.

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Nigeria @65: Atiku Knocks Tinubu’s Government In Strongly-Worded Independence Day Message; Details Emerge

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised Nigerians for what he described as “uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions”

In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had abandoned Nigerians to their fate

Atiku lamented that Nigerians were enduring pains from “raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness all “compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration

Tinubu Chairs ECOWAS 67th Session

In an Independence Day message released by his media office, obtained by Legit.ng, Atiku lamented that Nigerians are enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness.

The presidential hopeful accused the Tinubu administration of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

Atiku declared: “It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”

Furthermore, Atiku called on citizens not to lose faith, reminding Nigerians that the 2027 election provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.

He said: “The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”

At 65, Atiku noted, Nigeria remains “a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay”.

The 78-year-old blamed Nigeria’s condition on “a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.”

He bemoaned: “Yet, he urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations.”

 

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