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P&ID Contract : FG investigate Contracts signed in Breach of Due Process by Previous Administrations

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Min of Justice Abubakar Malami and Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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…as Senate Laments Soaring Judgement Debts

The Nigerian government has to constitute panel that will investigate nine contracts signed by previous administrations which were in breach of due process and procedure which has the capacity to undermine nation’s economy.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami who made this known while appearing before Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed that the P$ID contract that was signed without due process and procedure has the capacity to rip off $10 billion from Nigeria.

In 2017, the tribunal awarded P&ID $6.6 billion as damages. But, the amount grew to the about $8.9billion with an additional $2.3 billion in accumulated interest at 7 per cent rate per annum following Nigerian government’s refusal to enter an appeal for over five years.

Malami while responding to questions from the members of the Committee explained that the P$ID contract was never ever allowed to pass through the office of the Attorney General and the account of that there are embedded in the contract clauses that inimical to Nigeria’s interest.

He said that Taskforce set for that purpose will spent N1.1 billion in 2022 to carry out holistic Investigation on nine other contracts signed against the interest of the country by previous administrations.

He said, “It is the Taskforce that is intended to review the existing problematic contracts that have the capacity to undermine the economy in line with the P & ID; a kind of lessons and experience.

In the office of the Attorney General, there exists two fundamental departments relating to getting of contracts. Solicitor Department is charged with vetting any governmental contract and they have lived up to expectations over time.

“But the major problem with P & ID is that contract was never ever allowed to pass through the Office of the Attorney General for getting. So, on the account of that there are embedded in the contract clause that inimical to the interest of the nation.

“Because of the fact that there is a preliminary conspiracy among the key promoters of the contract, the contract was never allowed to pass through the Federal Executive Council, FEC for its approval, neither was it allowed to pass through the Federal Ministry of Justice for vetting.

“The existing structures are there, but they can only act in respect of contracts that are referred to the department. For example, as it is now, even though in respect of government contracts, arising from the fact that China is involving certain clauses regarding immunity which some ministries and departments are willing to compromise, they are not allowed to pass.

“We have developed need for other circulars that these are intended clauses that could be tolerated in public interest and the interest of the nation in mind were attached.

“What I’m saying in essence is that the Taskforce is poised at looking at it.
In respect of P&ID, there were about nine contracts that were signed at the same time in breach of due processes and procedures. ”
In his opening remarks, The Chairman lamented soaring Judgement Debts which has become National embarrassment demanding urgent action about the development from the Ministry of Justice.

Bamidele said, “;It is also pertinent to state that the judgement debt progile of the country keeps soaring without corresponding response from government in order to address the situation.

“This development is now viewed as a national embarrassment and necessary action must be taken to ensure that the image of the country is protected .

” In this regard , I implore you prioritize your budget and make a case for legislative intervention where necessary, in order to ensure that this area of concern is critically looked into, with a view to proffering the much needed solution.”

The Ministry proposed N11.8 billion for 2022 budget . The Personel cost – N3.9 billion, overhead cost (exclusive of Legal Services) – N2.4bn , Legal Services – M2 billion , Capital budget- N3.5 billion.

All parastatals and agencies under the Ministry of Justice also appeared before Bamidele led Committee to defend 2022 budget.

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Education

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu Commissions ICT Centre at EKSU, Reaffirms Commitment to Digital Empowerment

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Nigeria’s First Lady and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday commissioned a state-of-the-art ICT Experience Centre at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, describing the facility as a strategic investment in digital education, innovation and youth empowerment.

 

The ICT centre, which was facilitated through her Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with Tetfund was part of efforts to expand access to technology and digital opportunities for young Nigerians.

 

Dignitaries at the event include, Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, his Ondo State Counterpart, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele among others.

 

Speaking while commissioning the ICT centre, Senator Tinubu said the facility would provide students and other beneficiaries with the skills and tools required to thrive in the digital economy and compete favorably in the global digital stage.

 

Stressing the importance of equipping young people with relevant technological knowledge to enhance innovation, entrepreneurship and national development, the First Lady noted that the ICT Experience Centre represents another milestone in the Renewed Hope Initiative’s interventions aimed at empowering women, youths and students across the country.

 

She expressed confidence that the facility would serve as a hub for learning, creativity and technological advancement within the university community and beyond.

 

“I’m really happy to be in Ekiti, this is part of the programme that the Tinubu administration is rendering in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative which I chair, and Tetfund, we were able to give this center to you and I pray that more will come to the state. We have done a lot of work in Ekiti State though the office of the First Lady”, the First Lady asserted.

 

 

Earlier in their separate remarks, the Chancellor of the University, Dr Tunji Olowolafe and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Babatola Ayodele, expressed profound gratitude to the First Lady for facilitating the project. They described the centre as a valuable addition to the state’s educational infrastructure and a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to human capital development.

 

They maintained that the facility would significantly enhance digital learning, research and innovation and pledged to make effective use of the centre in advancing academic excellence and technological development at the university.

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EKITI 2026: TINUBU’S WIFE RALLIES SUPPORT FOR OYEBANJI, FLAGS OFF APC WOMEN CAMPAIGN 

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The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and National Chairman, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the electorate to re-elect Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

 

Senator Tinubu said Governor Oyebanji deserves to be re-elected by the people of Ekiti State on the strength of what she described as “commendable and sterling performance and evidence of good governance.”

 

The First Lady who spoke on Saturday at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Campaign Rally for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election which was witnessed by a mammoth crowd at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, stressed that Oyebanji has done enough to justify re-election because the fortune of the state has changed for better in over three years in governance.

 

The First Lady who said she was in Ekiti just to appreciate the people of the state for their support for the Governor and his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, also canvassed support for her husband, President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

 

She said: “We came here just to appreciate Ekiti Kete for the support given to BAO (Oyebanji) and his wife so far. I want to plead with you, help me vote for BAO in the coming governorship election in Ekiti and in 2027, vote for Mr President (Tinubu) because things are changing for better.

 

“You have seen more money given to the states for them to work more for the people. The states no longer owe salaries. In Ekiti Stete things are going on fine here and you governor is doing a good job and should be voted in for a second term in office. I am very grateful to you for your support sir fat. Pls continue to support him so he can do more.”

 

 

Senator Tinubu particularly appreciated APC women in Ekiti for trooping out in large numbers to welcome her saying she was impressed with the reception accorded her at every place visited during her one-day working visit to the Land of Honour.

 

A major highlight of the event was a symbolic presentation of cheques of N50,000 to 2,000 women to support small scale businesses. The First Lady said the Wife of the Governor will supervise the disbursement.

 

Governor Oyebanji in his remarks pledged a tally of 700,000 votes from the people of Ekiti State for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election in appreciation of what he described as “unprecedented support the state had so far received from the President” which has positive changes the face of the state and bettered the standard of living of its people.

 

Earlier in the day, Senator Tinubu, who was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima and other national APC women top shots, was treated to an impressive reception at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Airport shortly after the presidential jet that conveyed her from Abuja touched down.

 

The First Lady also commissioned the newly built ICT Centre at the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, which was facilitated by her Renewed Hope Initiative. She equally held a meeting with Ekiti Obas under the aegis of the Ekiti State Traditional Rulers’ Councila t Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado Ekiti before attending the rally at the pavilion.

 

He also had a meeting with all Ekiti Obas at the Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado Ekiti where they robbed minds on national issues.

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Oyebanji Deserves Second Term Over Outstanding Performance — Outreach Team

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The Special Outreach Team led by the Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Mrs. Tosin Aluko, has joined their counterparts in the Ekiti South Senatorial District for a mobilisation campaign in support of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s second term bid in Ise/Orun Local Government Area of the state.

 

The campaign, which took place in Ise-Ekiti, attracted party supporters, women leaders and stakeholders from the local government area, all expressing support for Governor Oyebanji ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

 

Speaking on behalf of the outreach team in Ise/Orun, Hon. Mrs. Oluremi Ajayi Babinton said the group had continued to work tirelessly across Ekiti State under the leadership of Chief Mrs. Tosin Aluko to canvass support for the governor.

 

Babinton explained that although the group was not politically motivated, members had resolved to support Governor Oyebanji because of what she described as his outstanding performance in office.

 

She assured that the people of Ise/Orun were fully prepared to vote massively for the governor’s second term, expressing confidence that the local government would deliver overwhelming support for the All Progressives Congress candidate.

 

Responding, Chief Mrs. Tosin Aluko appreciated the leaders, women and supporters present at the gathering for their unwavering commitment to Governor Oyebanji’s administration.

 

She also conveyed the appreciation of the wife of the governor to the people for their continued love and support for the administration.

 

The commissioner further urged residents to come out in large numbers to welcome Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her scheduled visit to the state on Saturday.

 

She also sensitised the people on the need to vote for Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the forthcoming June 20 election.

 

Among dignitaries present at the event were Hon. Mrs. Omolayo Fayose and Hon. Bukola Olowolaju.

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