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Diezani’s Loot Can Build 6 World Class Airports In Nigeria -Pro Buhari Group
The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has expressed outrage on the huge volumes of stolen funds traced to former Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke, stating that the monies if judiciously used could funds major capital projects in Nigeria.
The group said speficially that the monies allegedly looted by Diezani are enough to fund the construction of world class airports in each geo-political zone of the federation.
In a statement issued today in Abuja, the group said that the sum of N47.2 billion and $487.5 million in cash and property traced to Mrs. Madueke by the EFCC is also enough to complete the Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail lines for which the federal government has been borrowing monies.
The statement signed by BMSG Chairman, Hon Austin Braimoh and its Secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke said that the recovered loot is also enough to fund agriculture projects that could have generated employment for Nigerian youths.
Based on the development, the group called on Nigerians join hands to condemn the massive looting of the nation’s treasury by officials of previous administrations.
According to the statement, BMSG believes that the loot traced to the former Minister of Petroleum is a far cry from what she and others in the past governments pilfered from the national treasury and stashed in foreign accounts, thereby forcing the Nigerian economy to suffer instant depression.
The group recalled that Diezani and her cronies including Mr. Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore and others are currently being tried by the US government for money laundering running to over $1.7 billion.
BMSG opined that a collective resolve by Nigerians to fight what it described as “psychotic and mindless’’ type of looting as exhibited by Diezani and others in their hey days in government, can halt the crave for looting by government officials.
It reminded Nigerians that although the fight against corruption is the foremost policy trust of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, the fight may not attain a maximum result unless Nigerians willingly resolved to join hands with the government to fight the art of lootings and other forms of mismanagement in government.
BMSG, however, expressed dismay that rather than organizing widespread protest to condemn looting and stealing of government funds by officials, past and present as often revealed by the anti-graft agencies, some Nigerians are only dissipating energies on attacking President Buhari, the main fighter of corruption on health matters.
It said that if Nigerians fail to collectively address the problem of corruption by offering practicable solutions and logistics supports for the institutions fighting the scourge, the future of the nation and the general wellbeing of its citizens will constantly be repressed and made forlorn.
The Group commended the anti-graft agencies, in particular the EFCC, for their sustained efforts in exposing corruption in Nigeria, appealing to the agencies not to give up, while ensuring prosecution of culprits of mindless looting of the Nigerian treasury
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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