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I’ll Only Visit Kaduna If It Becomes Necessary After Leaving Office — El-Rufai

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The executive governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, says after he leaves office, he’ll only visit the state if it becomes necessary.

Speaking at a policy conversation and book launch in Abuja on Tuesday, el-Rufai said he would not return as the minister of the federal capital territory even if offered.

The event, with the theme “How Nigeria can build a post-oil economic future”, was organized by the Carnegie Africa Program in partnership with Agora Policy.

But the governor did not say if he would be part of the new government or retire into private life, though he said he would not accept the job the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

El-Rufai was the FCT minister under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, during which he undertook radical policies including the demolition of illegal structures in Abuja.

“I have done my job, I’m done, I don’t look back. In fact, when I left FCT, the only time I visited FCT was in 2016 when my secondary school classmate was appointed the minister and he said he wanted to see me, so I went there,” el-Rufai said.

“Once I leave a job, I don’t look back. If I leave Kaduna in 19 days, I will only visit if it becomes necessary.

“So, I don’t think about the FCT. I’ve done my bit. I don’t comment on the performance of those that came after me.

“Even if offered, I’m not coming to Abuja. As I say, I never repeat class and there are many young people I know that I can recommend that would do even better job than I did as minister of FCT.

“I’m too old for this. I’m too old for demolition, get a young man with blood in his veins or a young woman.”

The Kaduna governor called on workers in the private sector to pass through the public sector to contribute to turning the country around.

“If you are in the private sector and you have met your basic financial needs, you have your own house, come through the public service and contribute so that you turn around the country, otherwise whatever you have in the private sector can be destroyed by a consistently bad government. It is only a matter of time,” he said.

“If good people that have an independent mind and a voice can stand up and say we must do the right thing and nobody can intimidate him are not in government, please don’t complain that things are not working well.

“And do not complain when you wake up one morning, all your money has been wiped out or a government says take your money to the bank, we are doing currency redesign and they keep it and say we are not giving you, don’t complain because that is what you get when you allow scumbags to be in government.”

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Italian Bags 24 Years Jail Term For Beating Physically Challenged Nigerian To Death

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Filippo Ferlazzo, the Italian who beat Italy-based Nigerian man Alika Ogorchukwu to death in July 2022, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.

The 39-year-old Nigerian who was beaten to death in the Italian city of Civitanova Marche in the Marche Region in the Province of Macerata has finally received justice.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), made the announcement in a statement signed by NIDCOM spokesperson Gabriel Odu on Thursday.

Dabiri-Erewa who expressed satisfaction over the justice meted out to Ferlazzo commended the Nigerian Mission in Rome for following through with the case and other cases involving Nigerians.

“I am glad that this case finally got justice. Like I always say, there has to be consequences for actions”.

The NIDCOM boss also urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain law-abiding, excel in what they do, and never forget home by giving back to their homeland.

She also exhorted Nigerians living abroad to uphold the law, be the best at what they do, and never forget their roots by supporting their home country.

According to the Italian police, Ogorchukwu was assaulted while strolling in broad daylight, after the Nigerian asked Ferlazzo’s fiancée to buy him a handkerchief.

With the use of Ogorchukwu’s crutches, the attacker battered the victim to death in front of multiple witnesses, some of whom made videos on their smartphones.

On July 30, 2022, Ferlazzo was detained and arrested on charges of having murdered Ogorchukwu and having stolen Ogorchukwu’s phone.

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Lagos Government Implements Total Ban On Street Trading, Hawking To Improve Safety And Sanitation

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In a bid to create a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment, the Lagos State government, under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, has implemented a comprehensive ban on street trading, hawking, and related illegal activities.

This landmark decision aims to address the rising concerns over public safety, traffic congestion, and the preservation of vital infrastructure.

Led by the dynamic Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the state government has assigned the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (commonly known as KAI) with the responsibility of ensuring strict compliance with the newly enforced environmental sanitation laws.

One of the primary reasons driving this ban is the need to curb the nefarious activities of hawkers who have increasingly resorted to disguising themselves as vendors while preying on unsuspecting motorists. These incidents of theft and robbery have not only threatened the safety of commuters but have also contributed to the disruption of traffic flow on major highways and streets.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, with its T.H.E.M.E Plus Agenda, is exhibiting a zero-tolerance approach towards street trading, hawking, and other illicit practices. By intensifying efforts to enforce these regulations, the government aims to foster a more conducive and orderly business environment while addressing the concerns of the general public.

The ban extends to the construction of illegal structures on drainage systems, as they pose significant risks to the local water management infrastructure. Additionally, the prohibition encompasses the display of wares on walkways, a practice that not only obstructs pedestrian movement but also contributes to unsightly and cluttered public spaces.

Citizens and traders are urged to cooperate fully with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, adhering to the newly implemented regulations in order to promote a more organized and hygienic society. The government’s commitment to ensuring the health and safety of its residents remains resolute, and these measures signify a significant step towards achieving that goal.

As the Lagos State government takes proactive steps towards creating a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable urban environment, the hope is that this ban will not only elevate the quality of life for all residents but also serve as a model for other regions to follow suit.

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Marketers Urge Federal Government To Address Rising Gas Prices

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The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has urged the Federal Government to develop measures to keep gas prices stable and make it available to ordinary Nigerians.

The NALPGAM National President, Abideen Olatunbosun, made this plea during the association’s 36th annual general meeting/conference on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, with the theme “Expanding gas utilisation beyond imagination.”

He added that if nothing was done to stop the price growth, petrol will soon become a commodity for the few wealthy.

Olatunbosun said, “It is very vital for me to say that the galloping hike in the price of gas in recent times stands as a big challenge to LPG marketers. The government need to find ways to ensure the stability of gas price as well as make gas available to the common Nigerians. If nothing is done to the increase in price, gas will soon be a commodity for the few rich in our society.”

“As a country, we need to improve on our gas utilisation level. If we adopt gas, it will save our forest, improve quality of our lifestyle and the economy will grow. The hike in price of gas is a concern to all.”

In his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Prof Sunday Isehunwa of the Department of Petroluem Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, identified changes in demand, changes in supply, natural gas production and consumption, changes in price and electricity pricing as some challenges facing LPG market in the country.

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