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Ministerial scorecard: Groups score Water Resources Minister, Prof Utsev high

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The Empowerment for Unemployed Initiative and the Society for Open Governance and Transparency have scored the Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev high for his dedicated efforts in developing and sustainably managing surface and groundwater resources in the country since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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During a joint press conference in Abuja, Comrade Igwe Umanta and Danelson Momoh, speaking on behalf of the two groups, highlighted Utsev’s impactful stewardship, which has led to socio-economic growth and prosperity in the water sector.

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They noted that the Minister’s achievements in just one year “affirmed his suitability and competence to occupy this critical role, rendering any deliberation on his worthiness moot.”

The groups said, “The Honorable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has exhibited an unwavering dedication to the implementation of governance indices that foster efficient management and development in the water sector. He undertook a comprehensive nationwide tour of the twelve River Basins, aimed at assessing their operational efficacy and commitment to achieving food security and ensuring access to safe water for all citizens. During this extensive tour, he conducted thorough inspections of ongoing water projects, engaging with contractors to emphasize the imperative of delivering high-quality work and meeting project deadlines. Moreover, he unequivocally conveyed the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on sabotage and subpar performance, thereby instilling a culture of accountability. This fruitful tour gave rise to several key governance indices, including:

“Food Security through Irrigated Agriculture:
Priority has been accorded to food security by the Minister, who has championed the cause of irrigated agriculture, thereby optimizing water resources to bolster agricultural productivity and meet the nation’s food requirements.

“Accessible Water for All Citizens:
The Minister has made concerted efforts to ensure that access to clean water is universal, with a particular focus on marginalized communities in rural and underserved areas, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.1 and 6.2, which emphasize the imperative of ensuring global access to clean water and sanitation.

“Effective Management of River Basin Development Authorities:
Through visionary leadership, the Minister has demonstrated exemplary management of the River Basin Development Authorities, ensuring their optimal functioning in delivering on their multifaceted mandates, encompassing irrigation, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation, thereby maximizing their impact on the nation’s water sector.

“Quality Work and Timely Completion of Projects:
The Minister has consistently stressed the paramount importance of delivering high-quality work and ensuring the timely completion of projects, thereby guaranteeing that contractors adhere to the requisite standards and meet the stipulated deadlines, culminating in the successful execution of projects that meet the desired benchmarks.

“Community Involvement in WASH Facility Management:
By acknowledging the vital role that community involvement plays in the effective management of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, the Minister has promoted a culture of ownership and sustainability through the development of a comprehensive Framework for WASHCOM formation and management, thereby empowering communities to take an active role in maintaining these critical facilities.

“Accountability and Transparency:
The Minister has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of water resources, ensuring that projects are executed with the highest level of integrity, and resources are utilized in a manner that maximizes efficiency, thereby fostering trust and confidence in the stewardship of the water sector.

“Collaboration and Partnerships:
Through a collaborative approach, the Minister has cultivated strategic partnerships with development partners, stakeholders, and state governments, leveraging resources, expertise, and funding to achieve common goals in the water sector, thereby harnessing the collective strengths of all stakeholders to drive progress and development in the sector.”

The Empowerment for Unemployed Initiative and the Society for Open Governance and Transparency noted that Prof Utsev has made significant strides in the area of project delivery.

They pointed out that many water schemes and dam projects, which were abandoned for years without genuine excuses, have been completed and commissioned by the minister, while others are at different stages of completion.

The groups listed some of the notable projects commissioned and ongoing to include:

“Water Schemes and Dam Projects:
The Minister has inaugurated a plethora of water schemes and dam projects across various states, including Kano, Jigawa, Kogi, Benue, and Niger, with the primary objective of providing access to clean water and irrigation facilities for marginalized communities, thereby bolstering food security and socio-economic development.

“Hadejia Jam’are River Basin Development Authority Projects:
In Kano and Jigawa States, the Minister commissioned water projects executed by the Hadejia Jam’are River Basin Development Authority, including a 200,000-liter corrugated surface steel water tank, a serviced borehole powered by a hybrid solar inverter, and a 135-kilowatt capacity solar panel installation at Birnin-Kudu water works, all of which are designed to enhance water availability and quality in the region.

“Water Bottling Factory:
The Minister also inaugurated a state-of-the-art water bottling factory at the headquarters of the Hadejia Jam’are River Basin Development Authority in Kano, which provides potable water on a commercial basis, generating revenue and creating employment opportunities for youths in the area.

“Kabba Bunnu, Lessel, and Rafin Yashin Multipurpose Dam Projects:
Furthermore, the Minister commissioned multipurpose dam projects in Kogi, Benue, and Niger States, including Kabba Bunnu, Lessel, and Rafin Yashin Dams, aimed at providing water for irrigation farming and scaling up food security, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting socio-economic growth.

“Framework for WASHCOM Formation and Management:
To ensure the judicious utilization and management of water schemes provided to communities across the country, Professor Utsev, along with his team in the ministry, the African Development Bank, and other critical stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector across the thirty-six states and FCT, developed a Framework for WASHCOM formation and management in Nigeria. This framework aims to involve community members in the management of WASH facilities in their areas to addressing the perennial challenges of frequent breakdowns and abandonment of water and sanitation facilities in communities, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.1 and 6.2.”

The groups praised Prof Utsev for his accomplishments so far and encouraged him to continue making progress.

They advised Nigerians to show understanding and support for the Tinubu administration’s dedicated efforts to tackle the pressing water challenges confronting the nation.

They also urged state governors to work with the Federal Government to invest in water infrastructure for the benefit of all citizens.

The groups appealed to development partners to increase their support to help Nigeria achieve the lofty goal of providing 100% access to sustainable water and improved sanitation by the year 2030.

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‘Your malicious campaign of calumny against me will not work’ – Akpabio blasts Senator Abbo

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The President of the Nigerian Senate Godswill Obot Akpabio said, he will not be distracted by the baseless allegation and antics of Elisha Abbo who formerly represented Adamawa North Senatorial District in the Senate, stating that it was unfortunate that the ex-lawmaker has started another round of malicious campaign against him.

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This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, declaring that Elisha Abbo’s outbursts are those of a failed politician who fraudulently represented Adamawa North Senatorial District before the Court intervention cleared him out of way.

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Akpabio through his aide was reacting to Elisha Abbo’s blame on Akpabio, suggesting that he was responsible for his electoral woes in an interview he granted on Arise Television on Wednesday while he featured on politics today.

Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to another round of spurious and malicious accusations by Mr. Elisha Abbo, who unlawfully represented Adamawa North Senatorial District save a judicial intervention.

“He has again sought to blame the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, for the travail of his judicial sanction that occasioned his ouster from the Senate.”

Akpabio said he was perturbed the more over Elisha’s outburst on him over an issue he has regretted and apologized to him publicly in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was “premature and based on the available information at his disposal.

He noted further that Abbo had once discussed with him last year and acknowledge that “he was not involved in the judicial process that led to his ouster from the Senate.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was in error. The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed.

“The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes.”

Given that Abbo has exonerated him, Akpabio said he found it illogical and irresponsible for him to now turn around and heap blames on him.

“Mr. Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster. He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio.”

Akpabio noted that he has no executive fiat to approve finances, except such has been duly vetted and forwarded to him by the appropriate administrative units in line with the public finance guidelines.

If any of Mr. Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards—not because of any personal or political vendetta.

It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr. Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing. Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja—an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay N50 million in damages. This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition.

His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant. These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust.

Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions—especially the independence of the judiciary. He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.
We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life. Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth.

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Caveat Emptor: Firm Issues warning against Hampton Harbour property transactions

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Structured HQ Legal, (SHQ) has issued a public notice warning against any transactions involving the buying, selling, leasing, or letting of the Hampton Harbour landed property.

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The landed property measuring at 19.5 hectares is located at Elegushi Royal Family Land, Ikate Ancient City, Eti Osa, Local Government Area, Lagos State with reference number 376/376/2777GC and belongs to the Baggeren International Company.

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In an official press statement issued to the news men, the firm disclosed that the property is currently under legal scrutiny, cautioning that any individual or entity engaging in transactions related to Hampton Harbour does so at their own risk. They also emphasized that unauthorized dealings could lead to significant financial loss and expose parties involved to legal consequences.

SHQ further noted that any person(s) who proceeds with any dealings in relation to the Hampton Harbour property risks both financial loss and potential legal actions noting that such transactions may result in criminal and civil liabilities for trespass or fraud.

The public is strongly advised to exercise caution and ensure due diligence before engaging in any transactions concerning Hampton Harbour. Prospective buyers, investors, or stakeholders must seek formal confirmation and approval from Structured HQ Legal or Baggeren International Company Limited to avoid financial and legal risks.

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BREAKING: INEC rejects recall petition against Natasha for lack of requirements

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday said, requirements for recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District were lacking in the petition.

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In a statement to update circumstances surrounding a purported petition against Natasha, the INEC said, it has rejected the petition.

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The Commission said, Natasha is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and there are requirements to recall her or any other Senator, but it cannot consider the petitions that lack merits.

Earlier the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, acknowledged receipt of petition against the embattled lawmaker from her constituents after submitting it to the INEC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District was the former Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Contents, but was suspended from the Senate over alleged breach of Senate Standing Rules.
Natasha disclosed that she has approached the Court to quash her suspension which she claimed was illegal.

According to the petitioners, over 250,000 constituents’ signed the petition, out of about 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district.

The petition was titled Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’.

In a brief statement on Thursday, the Commission said, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

The female lawmaker also on Tuesday defied ban by Kogi State Government and visited her Senatorial District in what she said, was a Sallah visit to felicitate with those who gave her their mandate.

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