NEWS
Powerful Figures Back Illegal Mining, Banditry, Terrorism – Dele Alake
Mr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, claims that influential Nigerians engaged in unlawful mining activities are linked to various criminal actions, including support for banditry and terrorism within the country.
He mentioned that many instances of banditry and terrorism are financially supported by illegal miners, emphasizing that these individuals aren’t mere gold pickers but influential figures within the country.
Alake made these statement during his appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals for the 2024 budget defense in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, most illegal miners aren’t foreigners, though he acknowledged that foreigners could be seen as symptomatic of the issue.
He said “Nigerians are those powerful people behind them; we are identifying them with both kynetic and non-kynetic means. We have encouraged those petty illegal miners to form cooperatives.”
He expressed concern that many foreign individuals involved in illegal mining lack proper immigration documentation.
He emphasized the necessity of creating a structured framework for mining operations, comparable to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, to optimize revenue generation and facilitate multinational collaboration.
He clarified that the approach of the ministry under his leadership would diverge from that of NNPCL. He highlighted that the structure proposed for the Nigeria Mining Cooperation would primarily be driven by the private sector.
He further mentioned that Nigeria would hold its equity, ensuring stability within the structure.
Emphasizing the vast mineral reserves exceeding $700 billion, he noted that only a fraction had been tapped, urging committee support to revolutionize the mining sector.
He stressed engaging host communities in mining areas to uphold law and order, preventing any breakdown in these regions.
He earnestly appealed to the committee to give due consideration to the allocated budget for the ministry in the 2024 budget proposal.
He said “If we are given that amount of money, I can tell you that what the ministry will contribute will outweigh other ministries, including what we are deriving from oil.
“We can return trillions to the coffers of this country as revenue if we are given such a budget as proposed.”
He outlined that while 44 minerals are in high demand, six are globally sought-after.
He expressed Nigeria’s potential to emerge as a pivotal hub in the global economy through its solid mineral resources.
He stressed the necessity of cleaning up the investment environment to attract more investors.
Rep. Gaza Gbefwi, the committee chairman, highlighted the solid minerals sector as crucial for achieving the needed economic diversity in the country.
However, he expressed concern about the inadequacy of funds allocated to the sector in the 2024 budget.
He further mentioned the committee’s proactive measures, intending to introduce motions and bills aimed at reinforcing and restructuring the sector.
Young C, a Nigerian man, has been buried alive in a coffin for twenty-three hours.
On Thursday, he posted an update on his Instagram account saying, “Guys, I am still alive, I am still fine, I am okay. A lot of you might think something has happened, but nothing has happened, I am fine.
Breathing heavily he said, “My problem is just that I have run out of water, I might be forced to drink this (my urine). Guys, I am fine.”
Young C had embarked on this daring challenge on Wednesday, announcing his intention to be buried alive for 24 hours.
He shared a video on his Instagram account, emphasizing that the stunt was genuine and not a hoax. He also announced his plan to broadcast live footage from the coffin at night.
In an earlier update, Young C revealed that he had been buried for over 8 hours and was experiencing physical discomfort, including excessive sweating.
He shared a video from the coffin, showing his camera and light still functioning, and expressed his determination to complete the challenge.
This accomplishment brings to mind another challenge that American YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) undertook two years ago to raise awareness about deforestation. In that challenge, he buried himself alive for fifty hours.
He overcame both physical and mental obstacles to finish the task and was ultimately exhumed, warning onlookers not to attempt such exploits since they could be dangerous.
Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatimah Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma, secured bail from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
This follows their indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their alleged involvement in a N2.7bn fraud tied to the Nigerian Air project.
The defendants, including Sirika and his family members, vehemently denied the charges during their appearance before Justice Sylvanus Orji, who granted them bail pending further legal proceedings.
Recall that Sirika faces a 6-count amended criminal charge before Justice Oriji, where the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, presented an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7 and filed on May 8.
This amendment was unopposed by the defendants’ counsel. Lead counsel Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing Sirika, submitted his client’s bail application dated May 6 during the proceedings.
The remaining defendants also filed their bail applications, urging the court for leniency in setting the bail terms.
Prosecutor Jacobs highlighted that all defendants were on administrative bail and requested bail conditions ensuring their presence for trial.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Orji granted bail to each defendant in the amount of ₦100 million, requiring two sureties for each.
Furthermore, the judge stipulated that one surety must possess a landed property with valid land titles within the Federal Capital Territory.
Additionally, the sureties must provide an affidavit of means..
The defendants were restricted from leaving the country without the court’s permission, with the consequence of non-compliance being detention in a correctional facility.
He said, “I admit the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendant to bail in the sum of 100 million each with 2 sureties of like sum.
“One of the sureties must have a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory. The defendants must not travel outside the country.
“Any of them who is unable to fulfil the bail conditions will be remanded in the correctional centre.” he added
The trial dates were set for June 10th, 11th, and 20th, marking the next steps in the legal proceedings.
In a decisive move, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has enacted a prohibition preventing all heads and officials from the 23 local government areas in the state from participating in Rivers Assembly sessions, specifically targeting lawmakers aligned with the Pro-Wike faction.
The governor cautioned that any individual who attends sessions convened by lawmakers supportive of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, will face dismissal.
Recall that Governor Fubara reiterated that the state currently lacks recognized lawmakers in the eyes of the law, citing the defection of 27 legislators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the governor’s statement, this move has invalidated their mandate as outlined in the constitution.
It was however gathered that the governor’s directive was communicated via an online circular signed by Ebirieneuket Nteile C, Director of Information and Communications for Chairman Local Government Service Commission, dated Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
The circular reads “I am directed to inform you/ all officers of the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State, not to honour/appear before the Members of Assembly or any purported invitation by anybody or group of persons in any guise without the permission of the Acting Chairman- Local Government Service Commission.
“Any staff who disobeys or violates this instruction will be dismissed accordingly from service. Treat as very important, please.”
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