Columns
Atiku Reveals Why Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Is Done In Hurry POLITICS

Published
10 months agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
By Samuel Ogidan On May 5, 2024
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has revealed why Lagos-Calabar Coaster Highway is being done in a hurry by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that criticism has been trailing this administration over this project since it was revealed by this administration.
Atiku, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, revealed that Tinubu’s son, Seyi, is a director on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, which manufactures ceramic tiles and sanitary towels.
Citing a report by Paris-based Africa Intelligence News Agency where it was revealed by the Corporate Affairs Commission that Seyi is officially a business associate of Chagoury, the former Vice President said it was not surprising that the Chagoury Group had become the biggest beneficiary of the Tinubu largesse.
Atiku advised Tinubu to focus more on attracting real investors than adopting propaganda as a state policy.
The former Vice President said: “Thanks to quality reporting by Africa Intelligence, our suspicions have been confirmed that Chagoury and Tinubu are indeed business partners and it has been formalized with Seyi on the board of one of Chagoury’s firms.”
Atiku restated that it has become obvious even to the undiscerning that the purely because of the business relationship between Tinubu and Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of Hitech, the contractor that was awarded the contract for the highway project in contravention of the procurement laws.
“It is on record that this project is the most expensive single project ever embarked upon by the Nigerian government. The fact that it is happening at a time Nigeria is facing its worst economic crisis ever is a red flag.
“To add insult to injury, this project that is being done in excess of $13bn was awarded without a competitive bidding. From all indications, the so-called Badagry-Sokoto highway would be awarded in a similar fashion at an enormous cost to taxpayers purely because Tinubu has put his personal interest ahead of the Nigerian people,” Atiku said.
Atiku further said that the demolition of tourist and recreational facilities and other properties within the Oniru corridor, including parts of Landmark, without ample notice, is one of the reasons foreign direct investments continue to elude the country.
He argued that rather than improving the ease of doing business, the Tinubu administration had shown to the world that his personal business interest and that of his family would always be prioritised over and above national interest.
According to the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, “Tinubu has been globetrotting in search of foreign direct investments. He claims to have secured over $30 billion from various companies, but none has been forthcoming. Rather, all manufacturing firms have been posting heavy losses while some are exiting due to his poorly implemented exchange rate unification policy with even Aliko Dangote describing it as a huge mess at the recent annual general meeting of Dangote Sugar Refinery.
“The IMF in its latest report stated that Nigeria will by the end of the year become the 4th largest economy in Africa behind South Africa, Egypt and Algeria, a disgraceful development for a nation which was the largest in Africa by a mile when the PDP left the stage in 2015.
“Investors are seeing how local businesses are being treated and will not come to a place where their investments will not be protected. In saner climes, businesses such as Landmark would have been given at least two years’ notice in order for effective planning. But Tinubu’s eagerness to satisfy his business partners impaired his ability to coordinate the project properly.
“The awarding of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway was rushed; the environmental impact assessment report was not even completed; the right of way for the 700 km stretch of the highway project was not secured; it was converted from a PPP to a government funded project within the twinkle of an eye. The N500m that was approved by the National Assembly for the project was ignored, while over N1tn was released by Tinubu’s administration without approval from the National Assembly.
“From falsely claiming to have removed subsidies to secretly paying billions monthly based on the revelation of Nasir el-Rufai, the Tinubu administration has shown a lack of coordination and transparency, failing to even explain to Nigerians why there is petrol scarcity across the country.”
The former Vice President advised Tinubu and his economic team to do less of propaganda and focus on improving the ease of doing business as this remained the surest path to sustainability.
You may like
FCTA begins e-ticketing, central booking of traffic offenders
APGA announces re-commencement of membership registration, revalidation
BASEPA arrests four for illegal tree felling
OSUN LG SAGA: POLICE CONDEMNS VIOLENCE, VOWS TO DEAL WITH PERPETRATORS. As IGP Orders Deployment of Additional Tactical Squads to Restore Normalcy in Osun
‘Stop bloodshed’ – Gov Adeleke issues directive over Osun LG violence
Chief Judge establishes ‘family court’ in Taraba
Columns
Binance’s Gambaryan one of those who used USAID money to fund Boko Haram – Fani-Kayode

Published
17 hours agoon
February 17, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday described Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, as a conduit used by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, to fund Boko Haram.
Fani-Kayode described Gambaryan as a terrorism enabler and an economic saboteur.
He dismissed Gambaryan’s allegations against Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of demanding funds for his political ambition.
Gambaryan also accused some lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe.
These allegations have since been dismissed by the lawmakers and the Nigerian government.
However, Fani-Kayode said Gambaryan should prepare for divine retribution.
Posting on X, Fani-Kayode wrote:
“One @TigranGambaryan, a foreign national and an executive of @binance, has made grave allegations against @NuhuRibadu, @OfficialDSSNG & some legislators. Take him seriously at your own peril.
“I know a CIA operative, a terrorism enabler, a fiscal bandit, a criminal, a leech, a vampire, and an economic saboteur when I see one.
“He is one of those who used @USAID money to fund Boko Haram. Prepare for divine retribution, Tigran.
“The long arm of justice will eventually get you for the atrocities you committed in our country.”
Columns
Investigate claims of USAID funding Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda – Ndume to Nigerian govt

Published
19 hours agoon
February 17, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has called on the Nigerian government to thoroughly investigate the claims of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, funding Boko Haram and other terrorists organizations.
Ndume’s call came against the backdrop of an allegation made by Pennsylvanian Republican lawmaker, Scot Perry that USAID was funding terrorists organizations.
Perry disclosed this during an inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last Thursday.
Speaking during the session tagged: “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” focused on alleged misuse of taxpayer funds, the Congress man alleged that $697 million in aid was being funnelled to Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda through USAID.
Perry claimed that there is no record of USAID using $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan.
However, appearing on Channels Television, Sunday Politics, Ndume said Perry’s allegations should be seriously looked into.
According to Ndume: “You can’t say it’s just an allegation; it’s more than that.
“That’s why the Nigerian government and the National Assembly, especially, need to look into it to investigate and verify the veracity of such a very weighty allegation.
“This development is very worrisome, especially because one of the terrorist organisations mentioned by Scott Perry is Boko Haram, and Boko Haram has ravaged not only the North-East but even other parts of Nigeria.
“You can remember Boko Haram bombed the police headquarters and the UN office in Abuja, and the casualties were enormous. So, the Nigerian government must be interested.
“I’m worried, but the Nigerian security agencies have raised this indirectly several times. Even the Borno State government was wary of the operations of the NGOs.
“We have been wondering for all these years where these people are getting money.”
Columns
Police kill nine terrorists, recover 23 weapons in nationwide raids

Published
1 day agoon
February 16, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intensified its crackdown on violent and organized crime, eliminating nine terrorists and recovering 23 firearms in a series of operations across the country.
In a statement released on Friday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi reaffirmed the police’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks that threaten national security.
One of the key operations took place on February 14, when armed men kidnapped a 60-year-old man, Umaru Bawa, from Gobiraje Village in Suru Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Acting on intelligence, police operatives pursued the suspects to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari area.
A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the neutralization of four kidnappers and the arrest of another, who later succumbed to his injuries. The victim was rescued unharmed, and the police recovered ₦3 million that had been paid as ransom.
In another operation on February 8, security forces, including operatives from the Imo State Police Command, raided a suspected hideout of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Ezioha Mbaitolu, Umuele Umuaka Njaba LGA.
Two ESN commanders were neutralized, and authorities seized seven AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action shotguns, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
A follow-up operation on February 9 at Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli LGA, near Ubachima Forest in Awomama Oru West LGA, led to another armed confrontation.
Three more terrorist leaders were taken down, and security forces recovered additional weapons, including two AK-47 rifles loaded with 36 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action shotgun, a cutlass, four motorcycles, and various charms used for criminal activities.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun praised the operatives for their bravery and underscored the need for continuous intelligence gathering and community cooperation.
He reassured Nigerians of the police’s commitment to ensuring national security and urged the public to report any suspicious activities.

FCTA begins e-ticketing, central booking of traffic offenders

APGA announces re-commencement of membership registration, revalidation

BASEPA arrests four for illegal tree felling
Trending
- Politics12 months ago
Nigerian Senate passes Bill seeking the establishment of the South East Development Commission.
- Business1 year ago
Inflation hits record high of 29.90% on naira weakness
- Politics9 months ago
BREAKING: Federal Gov’t Offers To Pay Above N60,000, Reaches Agreement With Labour
- Trending4 months ago
NYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
- Business4 months ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
- Politics4 months ago
Mexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
- Entertainment4 months ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
- Entertainment4 months ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital