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Reps Issue 14-Day Ultimatum For Dangote, Lafarge, Bua, Eagle, Asaka Cement Companies To Appear

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…say no receipt of court order restraining it from inviting organisations, individuals
…as Deputy Speaker assure House is working to establish appropriate legislation for industrialization, SMEs
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Dangote Cement, Bua Cement, Lafarge Cement, Asaka Cement and Eagle Cement to appear before its joint committee and make their submissions on the arbitrary increment of Cement prices in Nigeria.
The Chairman House Committee on Solid Minerals, Rep. Gaza Gbefwi, gave the summon at a public hearing to Investigate the Arbitrary Increase in the price of cement in Nigeria by cement manufacturers, organised by House Joint Committees on Commerce, Industry, Special Duties and Solid Minerals on Tuesday in Abuja.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that on March 13, 2024, the House moved a motion on the “arbitrary increase in the price of cement by cement manufacturers in Nigeria”, and constituted the Joint Committee to investigate and report back.
But the five cement manufacturers in Nigeria namely Dangote Cement, Bua Cement, Lafarge Cement, Asaka Cement and Eagle Cement failed to appear and did not send any representative to make their submissions.
Speaking about the non appearance of all the cement manufacturers, Rep. Gbefwi said th House and National Assembly is not in receipt of any court order restraining it from inviting anybody for an investigation.
He said: “We are trying to see to the development of our country. Just as it was emphasized in the opening remarks cement to building is what air is to each and every human being. Let me sound this warning the House of Representatives and the National Assembly is not in receipt of any court order restraining us from inviting anybody.
“And to this end, in the human nature of the House, because we owe them a duty of care, because they are equally Nigerians we are giving them 14 days in which to make their submissions if not, as we have sworn to uphold the constitution we will use everything within our powers to make sure that Nigerians, number one: are not taken for granted and number two are not exploited. We will not sit back while some companies everyday declare billions in naira and dollars and our people can barely afford to get a decent roof over their heads.
“We saw in Lagos where you have Nigerians under the bridge and paying rent. Why? If this products were available, I do not believe we’d gave to go to those lengths. Moreover, that God gas blessed us with this resources in abundance.
So, as it is the resolution of this joint committee, we are giving them 14 days from now, and not 14 working days, 14 effective days to make sure that they make their submissions and appear before this House”.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, assured that the House is actively working to establish appropriate legislation that promotes and encourages industrialization, as well as supports small and medium enterprises.
Kalu explained that the hearing is as a result of the deep concern of the House for the people it represents and the need for transparent engagement with key stakeholders in the cement industry, particularly the manufacturers.
According to Kalu, the persistent increase in cement prices has had detrimental effect on the ‘built environment’ and Nigeria at large, which is evident in a huge housing deficit presently in Nigeria.
He said: “We are committed to collaborating with both cement manufacturers and end-users, believing this is the most effective way to improve the quality of life and standard of living for our citizens. We are
also dedicated to enacting laws that prevent a recurrence of the factors
that led to the current situation.
“Our goal is to inform Nigerians about the industry’s current state and collaboratively find solutions to navigate the challenges. The persistent rise in cement prices has had a detrimental impact not only on the built environment but also on the entire economy. Cement is a fundamental component used in construction projects like bridges, dams, houses, waterworks, and road infrastructure. This makes addressing this issue paramount.
“According to a study by researchers at the African Development Bank in the ‘Housing Market Dynamics in Africa’ book, there
is a housing deficit of up to 16.9 million units. According to the World Bank,
Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, and Abuja, have a 20 percent rise in housing needs yearly. The current total output in the formal housing sector is estimated at no more than 100,000 units”.
Deputy Speaker asserted that bridging this gap requires affordable and accessible cement prices for both the government and the private sector.
“While factors like exchange rates have contributed to the price increases
across various commodities, it is encouraging to see the positive results of
the “renewed hope” administration’s policies under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Notably, the Naira has shown remarkable strength against the dollar in recent weeks, and Fitch Ratings, a global credit rating agency, recently revised Nigeria’s credit outlook to positive
from stable”, he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, Rep.  Gbefwi said that Nigeria has high housing deficit of about 3 million houses and a huge  infrastructural deficit.
He said that the issue of cement prices increase is an all important issue that affects not just the building and construction industry but the economy and the generality of our citizens, .
He stated: “Indeed the recent events that led to the skyrocketing of the price of cement in Nigeria has been  worrisome and   of great  concern as its inflicting untold hardship on  Nigerians.
“To close this gab, both  Government and the private sector must be articulate and deliberate in puting the right policies and parameters in place that can help promote, induce and or encourage development.
Therefore, should price of cement which is a major component of our infrastructural development continues to soar uncontrollably, the tendency to stifle life out of that sector is high and the consequences are  dare and detrimental.
“It is in the light of this, that the parliament resolved to have critical stake holders like you to discuss elaborately on the causes for the high increase and the possible ways we can collectively navigate out to bring succor to our people.
“The Right Hon speaker in his wisdom did not only declare this event open but assured that this is not in anyway a whitch-hunt but an open discuss with a view to finding lasting solutions to our problem within the built environment. Permit me to emphasize on  the importance of this public hearing and the need to  de- emphasize  the notion created by some Companies relevant to this Investigation under the guise that committees of Parliament has no Powers to invite Private outfits to appear before it. It is on record that there is no Order of the Courts presented restraining the Committee from exercising its functions under section 88(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as Ammended.
“Our review of cement prices in other countries like Kenya, India and Zambia for 2021 alone shows that Nigeria has the highest price of cement using the official exchange rates for each Country. Nigeria’s price of cement doubles that of India at a difference of 69%, similarily the price is 29% higher than that in Kenya and 39% higher in Zambia.  Hence the need for us to come together and find out why.  In order to bring succor to our citizens while protecting investors alike”, the committee chairman said.
He said the concern of the House is for all legitimate businesses especially cement production Companies in Nigeria  to thrive and deliver their objective and services to  the people in such a manner that can foster development.
Other ministries, organisations expected to appear are the ministry of solid minerals, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs Service, ministry of trade and Investment, ministry of Petroleum Resources, ministry of Environment, Bureau for Statistics, Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority, Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers,  Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Cement manufacturers association of Nigeria, Nigeria building research institute, mines cadastral office, COREN and NJSC
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Political Party Pulls Out Of 2027 Presidential Race, Gives Reasons

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The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has has given reasons why it failed not to upload the name of a presidential candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) nomination portal for the 2027 general election followed its endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

The party said the absence of a presidential candidate on the portal was not the result of an administrative failure or inability to meet INEC’s requirements, but a deliberate political decision taken by its National Executive Committee.

APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, disclosed this while speaking with Vanguard amid growing public interest over the party’s position ahead of the 2027 election.

According to him, the party’s NEC reached the decision after extensive consultations and resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, which it described as being in the national interest.

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“We have not uploaded a presidential candidate because the National Executive Committee of the party has already taken a decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027,” Opara said.

The publicity secretary, however, clarified that APGA remained fully involved in the electoral process and had successfully submitted the names of all its candidates for the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly elections.

“However, I can confirm that APGA has successfully uploaded all its candidates for the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly elections to the INEC portal,” he added.

Opara said all the required documentation for APGA candidates seeking seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and state legislatures had been submitted within the period stipulated by the electoral commission.

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He stressed that the party’s alliance with the ruling All Progressives Congress at the presidential level should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from the 2027 general election.

According to him, APGA intends to contest legislative elections across the country and strengthen its representation at both the federal and state levels.

Opara maintained that the absence of an APGA presidential candidate from INEC’s nomination portal should not be misconstrued as a failure by the party to fulfil electoral obligations.

He explained that it was a calculated political decision arising from the party’s earlier endorsement of the President.

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The spokesman said APGA believed that supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition at the presidential level would not affect its identity or its determination to expand its influence in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.

He added that the party remained committed to deepening Nigeria’s democracy by presenting candidates capable of providing quality representation.

Opara said APGA’s immediate political focus was to win more legislative seats and build a stronger presence in the Senate, House of Representatives and state assemblies.

He noted that legislative representation remained critical to advancing the party’s programmes, protecting the interests of its supporters and contributing meaningfully to national development.

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The party, he said, would continue to mobilise Nigerians around its candidates and promote its political agenda despite its decision not to contest the presidential election.

The APGA spokesman urged members and supporters of the party to remain united and intensify mobilisation for its legislative candidates ahead of the elections.

He also called on them to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in line with the decision of the party’s National Executive Committee.

The clarification followed questions over why APGA had no presidential candidate listed on INEC’s nomination portal despite submitting candidates for other elective positions.

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Opara insisted that the omission was intentional and reflected the party’s adopted strategy for the 2027 elections rather than any problem with the nomination process.

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Angry Wife Bites Husband’s Manhood After Filing Her Teeth To Make It Sharper

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A jealous wife bit off her husband’s manhood after sharpening her own teeth in what medics described as a “guaranteed” act of revenge.

The horror reportedly happened in Moscow, Russia, after the 39-year-old wife found a message on her 41-year-old husband’s phone from another woman.

The text from the woman described an explicit erotic dream about having s£x with him on a beach.

Instead of confronting her husband, the wife is said to have meticulously planned her attack.

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Medical professional Dr Artur Valvachev, who commented on the case, said she even filed down her teeth to make them sharper and “guarantee her plan would work”.

He described how she set a trap by cooking dinner for her husband before the pair drank alcohol together.

“His wife cooked dinner, they sat down, drank, ate, drank some more, and then went to the bed, where she started giving him oral s£x,” Dr Valvachev said.

He added, as reported by the Sun: “And at that moment, she bit off his penis with her teeth.”
He said she then spat it out and told him: “It’s your own fault, now you can’t do it with anyone else.”

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The husband briefly lost consciousness from the pain and hypovolemic shock. When he came round, he was bleeding heavily.

Dr Valvachev said the man managed to place the severed organ into a glass, added saline solution he had at home, and called an ambulance. Paramedics attempted to reattach it, but Dr Valvachev said they were unable to restore any functionality.

The husband has reportedly been left unable to achieve an erection.

“He hasn’t been able to find a new partner yet,” the doctor said, adding that the only remaining option is “a penile prosthesis – an internal penile prosthesis with a pump”, the Sun reported.

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The husband has strongly denied ever being unfaithful.

Under Russian privacy laws, the couple’s names have not been released due to the sensitive medical details and the criminal case.

This month – July 2026 – the woman was sentenced to five years in a Russian women’s penal colony for intentional grievous bodily harm.

The husband is now raising their seven-year-old child alone.

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In a final twist, the woman is reportedly now suffering from rotten teeth which her estranged husband believes is “karma”.

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Judges’ Welfare Key to Judicial Independence, Says FCT Chief Judge

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The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has described the welfare of judicial officers as an institutional necessity rather than a privilege, saying improved living and working conditions are essential for an independent and effective judiciary.

He spoke on Wednesday at the presidential commissioning of the newly completed 20-unit Judges’ Quarters in Abuja, where he said the project represents a strategic investment in the administration of justice and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

Justice Baba-Yusuf noted that the housing project, which was flagged off less than two years ago, was completed within record time, describing it as a demonstration of purposeful leadership and commitment to judicial reforms.

“What started as a vision, nurtured and driven by the relentless dedication of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has finally unfolded into something extraordinary,” he said.

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According to him, the commissioning goes beyond the unveiling of residential buildings, as it reflects deliberate efforts to preserve the dignity of judicial office and reduce the anxieties associated with poor living conditions and post-service welfare.

“The welfare of judicial officers is not a privilege. It is an institutional necessity that promotes stability, enhances productivity, safeguards personal security and preserves the dignity that must accompany judicial office,” he stated.

The Chief Judge said a strong judiciary remains central to democratic governance, noting that judges can only discharge their constitutional responsibilities with courage, independence and impartiality when provided with adequate institutional support.

He stressed that judicial independence cannot be guaranteed solely through constitutional provisions but must also be reinforced through quality infrastructure, proper welfare arrangements and conducive working conditions.

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“The provision of these quarters is a significant contribution to judicial independence. Judicial officers require adequate infrastructure and dignified welfare arrangements to perform their adjudicative responsibilities efficiently, courageously and with complete fidelity to the rule of law,” he added.

Justice Baba-Yusuf expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the project, saying the initiative demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to justice sector reforms and institutional strengthening.

He also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for conceiving and delivering the project, describing it as a landmark intervention in the nation’s judicial infrastructure.

On behalf of judges and staff of the FCT Judiciary, he pledged continued commitment to upholding the Constitution and dispensing justice without fear or favour.

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The Chief Judge, however, appealed to the FCT Minister to extend similar housing projects to the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal, noting that both institutions are integral components of the FCT judiciary.

He observed that similar projects had already been inaugurated for the National Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal, while housing initiatives had also benefited the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, Body of Benchers and the Nigerian Law School.

Justice Baba-Yusuf said the commissioning comes at a time when the FCT High Court is facing increasing responsibilities as Abuja continues to expand as Nigeria’s political, administrative and commercial hub.

He assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the judiciary would remain steadfast in protecting the rule of law and delivering justice fairly and impartially despite the growing demands on the courts.

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