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Zamfara APC Exposes State Govt’s Fertiliser Scandal

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has blown the lid off a fertiliser scandal involving the state government, alleging that it purchased the commodity at an inflated price.

According to a statement signed by Yusuf Idris Gusau, its Publicity Secretary, the government bought 75 trailer loads of fertiliser for N38.5 billion, translating to N855,000 per bag.

The APC claimed that this is a clear case of contract inflation and that the supplying company, Zam Agro Chemicals, is owned by Governor Dauda Lawal.

The party alleged that the company was awarded a similar contract in 2020 but failed to deliver the fertiliser after collecting the money.

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The APC also accused the government of giving conflicting figures regarding the number of trailers purchased, with the governor stating 135 trailers and the PDP claiming 145 trailers.

The party demanded that the government provide accurate figures and explain the discrepancy.

“We understand that these PDP charlatans want to open up their own can of worms by themselves, especially on this topical issue of fertiliser, which the state government is trying to share and take the credit against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s agricultural policies by refusing to disclose the 70 trailer load of fertiliser given to the people of the state until when we raised the alarm on the issue that they acknowledged the receipt of 70 trailers and the purchase 75 trailers totalling 145 trailers as stated by the PDP in the state,” Gusau said.

“While the party gave a different figure of the fertilizer bought by the government, the governor also gave a varying one but be that as it is, after buying the commodity, we calculated that at N38.5 billion, the government purchased it at a stupendous N855,000 per bag because 38,500,000,000 if divided into 75 trailers it will be that the government purchased each trailer at the cost of N513,000,000 which will give a price of each bag costing N855,000 and giving monumental contract inflation.

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“However, if it goes according to the statement or the PDP rejoinder that on the 17th of June, 2024 the Zamfara State executive council approved the procurement of 120 trucks of fertilizer at the cost of N38,500,000,000 if divided into 120 trailers, it means that each trailer was purchased at the cost N320,000,000 and each bag cost Zamfara State government N534,722 Naira which is also outrageous.”

The APC stated that the government’s actions are a clear case of exploitation and that the records of the 2020 contract are still available to prove the company’s failure to deliver.

The party called on the government to provide transparency and accountability in the fertiliser deal.

Gusau noted that the governor’s silence on the issue is deafening, especially considering that his company is allegedly involved in the scandal. He accused the governor of using his position to enrich himself and his associates at the expense of the people of Zamfara State.

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The APC called on the anti-graft agencies to investigate the fertiliser deal and bring those involved to justice. The party also demanded that the government refund the excess money paid for the fertiliser to the state treasury.

The statement added: “Let PDP or Zamfara State government provide citizens of the State with accurate figures of the fertiliser because governor Dauda Lawal on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024 at the state Ministry of Agriculture gave a total figure of 135 trailers which was widely reported by the media and even the governor’s spokesperson’s statement confirmed it but in contradiction, the PDP issued a statement disputing what the governor said and gave a figure of 145 trailers, so we want to know the correct figure.

“So, while the government is beating its chest for buying 75 trailer loads of fertiliser, we need to query it, at what cost, who the contractor is and why.”

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NNPC Carries Out Leadership Shakeup, Appoints Adedapo Segun As New CFO

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The Board of Directors at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a leadership shakeup, appointing key executives to strengthen corporate governance and operational efficiency.

This was made known in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.

In the series of new appointments, Mr. Adedapo A. Segun has been named as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding his prior role as Executive Vice President of the Downstream sector, where he contributed significantly to NNPC’s downstream operations.

Segun replaced the outgoing CFO, Umar Ajiya.

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Joining him in newly appointed roles, Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi has been promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP), Downstream.

Udobong Ntia has also been appointed as the Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream, replacing the outgoing EVP Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.

The statement read, “These appointments align with NNPC Limited’s commitment to building a unified and competent leadership team to drive operational excellence and support the organisation’s strategic objectives.

“The Board and Management also extend their deepest appreciation to Mr. Umar Ajiya and Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa A. Eyesan for their outstanding dedication and service to NNPC Limited.

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NNPC Limited remains committed to achieving operational excellence, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring financial sustainability, while prioritising the interests of the Nigerian public in the petroleum industry.”

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1,172 Nigerians Killed, Over 1,000 Kidnapped In Nine Months – NHRC

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says a total of 1,463 people were killed by non-state actors while 1,172 Nigerians were kidnapped between January to September 2024.

According to the data from the commission, the month of May recorded the highest number of persons killed with 298 while March recorded the highest number of abductions with 499 kidnappings.

These figures were presented on Wednesday at a workshop on the state of human rights in Nigeria by the commission and the European Union, in Abuja.

In his remarks, NHRC Senior Human Rights Adviser, Hillary Ogbonna, gave a breakdown of the alarming rise in human rights abuses, including kidnappings, killings and child abandonment.

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“By January 2024, we already had 150 kidnappings and 55 killings associated mainly with non-state actors. What has become the norm is the killing of law enforcement officers,” he said.

“We started with seven policemen killed in January. From victims’ perspectives, we had quite a number of victims for human rights violations for January.”

The NHRC attributed the rise in kidnappings, killings and child abandonment to the negligence of the state tom protect its citizens.

“In recent years, we have witnessed alarming trends and threats against those who dare to speak the truth to power.

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“It serves as a stark reminder that the protection of human rights is an ongoing struggle that requires continuous vigilance, action and cooperation from all sectors of the society,” Tony Ojukwu, NHRC Executive Secretary said.

The delegation from the EU reiterates its commitment to support Nigeria to overcome these challenges. It also urged the Federal Government to work with the armed forces to end this trend.

“The European Union will continue to work around the world through diplomacy,” the Head of EU Delegation, Zissimos Vergos, said.

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Trump picks ex-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as US Intel Chief

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Donald Trump on Wednesday named former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, who has opposed US support for Ukraine and met Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad, as his incoming Director of National Intelligence.

The Republican president-elect said Gabbard, a veteran and one-time Democratic White House contender, would “bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community.”

Gabbard thanked Trump “for the opportunity to serve as a member of your cabinet to defend the safety, security and freedom of the American people. I look forward to getting to work.”

The former Hawaii congresswoman switched sides from the Democrats and backed Trump earlier this year, helping him during his debate preparations against Kamala Harris, and had been expecting a reward for lining up behind the former president.

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She has long held isolationist foreign policy views and embraced a number of conspiracy theories.

Gabbard made false claims in 2022 about there being US-sponsored biolabs in Ukraine — a key trope of Russian propaganda justifying Moscow’s invasion that year.

She demanded US military withdrawal from Iraq and Syria during her 2020 presidential run.

In 2019, Hillary Clinton said that Russia was grooming a US Democratic candidate for a third-party run, in comments that were apparently directed at Gabbard — and strongly rejected by her.

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Gabbard also had a controversial 2017 meeting with Syria’s Assad at the height of the country’s bloody civil war.

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