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“In Enugu There is No Honour Among Political Thieves”, Say State Stakeholders

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Enugu State stakeholders have described the absence of erstwhile Governor Chimaroke Nnamani at the inauguration on Monday of Peter Mbah as the new state governor as a manifestation that there is no honour among those they call political brigands in the state.

“There is honour even among thieves, but it is not so among the swindlers in our state who robbed the people of the mandate they freely gave the Labour Party on March 18”, declared the Enugu State Stakeholders Forum (ESSF) in a statement today signed by its president, Professor Joseph Aneke, and the secretary, Dr Ifeanyi Agbo.

Outgoing Senator Nnamani brought out the “purported governor-elect from nothing and placed him on a high pedestal”, observed the stakeholders,“ yet he did not find it worthy of attending Mbah’s swearing-in as governor because they could not keep their agreement to shortchange the Enugu people”.

The stakeholders recalled how the then-governor made Mbah his Chief of Staff fresh from school and later appointed him the Commissioner for Finance.

The statement alleged that Mbah and Nnamani, both from the Nkanu sub-ethnic group, parted ways even before the conclusion of the 2023 general elections because of their “crass selfish interests which turned out to be mutually exclusive”.

The former governor has publicly been accusing fellow PDP leaders in the state of betrayal since he lost the Enugu East senatorial race on March 18 to little-known Sir Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party, a younger brother of Chief Oyibo Chukwu of Labour Party who was assassinated three days to the National Assembly poll, a development which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Enugu East senatorial election to three weeks later.

Dr Nnamani has in a series of statements accused the immediate past governor, The Right Honorable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Mbah of masterminding the rigging of the gubernatorial poll in favour of their party but refused to rig for him during the senatorial election for fear that the reaction of the people would be too severe for the PDP to bear.

“It was Senator Nnamani who convinced Ugwuanyi that Mbah is the right person to protect his interests after leaving office on May 29 as governor and should, therefore, anoint him as his successor”, claimed the stakeholders.

“Still, both Mbah and Ugwuanyi had no scruples in ditching him when it mattered most because there is no honour among the political scavengers of our state”.

The ESSF described the parting of ways between Mbah and Nnamani as paradoxical because Mbah stoutly refused to betray him when he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after serving as the finance commissioner.

Though a lot of assets including a number of properties, a radio station and a telecommunications company belonging to Dr Nnamani were confiscated by the EFCC which told the court that they were acquired with proceeds from corruption, Mbah is reputed to have done well to avoid implicating his former boss.

“His performance at the EFCC impressed Nnamani so much that he decided to reward him with a higher political position at the right time”, said the stakeholders.

“He had no difficulty convincing the then governor to adopt Mbah as his candidate in the PDP primaries, all the more so since Mbah has made so much money through his Pinnacle Oil and Gas Company and was eager to spend a lot of it in order to become the Enugu State governor”.

With Ugwuanyi’s support, Mbah secured the PDP gubernatorial ticket by a landslide on May 26, 2022, at Nnamadi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, scoring 790 out of the 807 votes.

The ESSF advised Senator Nnamani to testify honestly at the Enugu State Election Petitions Tribunal where Chijioke Edeoga, the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, is contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) declaration of Mbah as the elected governor.

“The testimony will not be borne out of vengeance against his party but to free his conscience and help liberate the state from brigandage”, stated the stakeholders.

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BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Set to Dominate Global Oil Production with Massive Capacity Boost

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In a stunning development that’s sending ripples through the global energy market, the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria is dramatically expanding its production capacity.

Originally designed to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the refinery is now slated to reach a staggering 1.4 million barrels per day, making it, by far, the largest refinery in the world.

This ambitious expansion marks a significant milestone for the African continent and promises to reshape the landscape of oil refining.

The increased capacity is expected to:

***Boost Nigeria’s Economy

***Generate substantial revenue and create numerous jobs.

***Reduce Reliance on Imports

***Significantly decrease Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products, saving billions of dollars

***Impact Global Oil Supply

***Contribute significantly to the global supply of refined products, potentially influencing prices and market dynamics

***Catalyze Industrial Growth

***Spur further industrial development and investment in related sectors.

The announcement has been met with excitement and anticipation, as the world watches the Dangote Refinery solidify its position as a key player in the global energy arena.

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Ododo Reassures Takete-Ide Community of Road Reconstruction (Photos)

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… Promises more Development Projects

The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development and rural transformation across the state, assuring the people of Takete-Ide community in Mopamuro Local Government Area of immediate intervention on the Takete-Ide–Amuro–Ayede Amuro road.

Governor Ododo gave the assurance during the 2025 Takete-Ide Day Celebration, where he was represented by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo.

The Governor described Takete-Ide as a land rich in culture, human resources, and heritage, commending the community for its unity and commitment to self-help development initiatives.

“It is a great honor to stand before you, my good people of Takete-Ide.

This land is rich in culture, rich in human resources, and rich in heritage. You have produced great men and women who have distinguished themselves in different walks of life,” Governor Ododo stated.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the community for producing the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who he described as a “committed, visionary, and loyal son” of Kogi State.

“Under our leader, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, I worked closely with your son, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, for eight years.

Today, we are still working together in my administration. Kogi State is grateful to Takete-Ide for giving us such a dedicated and dependable son,” the Governor said.

On the state of the Takete-Ide–Amuro–Ayede Amuro road, Governor Ododo announced that the Ministry of Works had completed all necessary assessments and that major construction work would soon commence.

He further directed the Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA) to immediately make the road motorable through grading and filling of critical portions with laterite as a temporary measure.

Governor Ododo also pledged government support for the completion of the Traditional Ruler’s Palace Project, stating that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development would be engaged to ensure progress on the project.

While commending the community for its communal development efforts, the Governor highlighted several ongoing projects in Takete-Ide, including the remodelling of the Government Day Secondary School and the GYB Health Centre.

He announced that furniture had been approved for the school and assured that work would continue on the health facility as part of the over 200 primary healthcare centres being remodelled across the state.

Governor Ododo thanked the people of Takete-Ide for their consistent support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the party had maintained its dominance in the ward since 2019.

He also acknowledged the impact of the AGILE programme in the community, through which many schoolgirls had benefitted from cash grants, and youths trained in modern agricultural techniques and agribusiness.

“We will continue to empower our youths, helping them move from the streets of idleness to the fields of productivity,” he assured.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s resolve to strengthen security at the grassroots through the recruitment of local hunters and the pensionable appointment of members of the Vigilante Service, many of whom are indigenes of Takete-Ide.

Governor Ododo commended the people for promoting their cultural heritage, describing culture as “our identity, our pride, and a unifying force,” and urged them to continue to pass down traditional values to the younger generation.

He further called for continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that the President’s reforms have opened more financial opportunities for subnational governments to deliver meaningful projects to their people.

“We were able to remodel your school and health centre because we have access to more resources, thanks to the President’s reforms,” he said.

Governor Ododo concluded by extending warm greetings to the people of Takete-Ide and promising that his administration would not forget the community, adding that his personal donation to the Palace and the Youth Entrepreneurial Centre would be communicated through Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo.

The 2025 Takete-Ide Day Celebration, organized by a Central Planning Committee chaired by Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, had in attendance top government officials, traditional rulers, and sons and daughters of the community both at home and in the diaspora.

Other dignitaries who accompanied the Deputy Governor to the event included the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe; Special Advisers to the Governor, Hon. Aboh Ibrahim and Hon. Alilu Yakubu Erosion; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hilary Ojoma Egwudah; Executive Chairman of Lokoja LGA, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu; State Coordinator, AGILE Project, Hon. Tijani Oricha, among others.

The Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Bello; House of Assembly Member representing Mopamuro Constituency, Hon. Olawumi Jacob; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cultural Integration, Hon. Sunday Moses David Alumo, also graced the occasion.

In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, and the National President of the Takete-Ide Progressive Union, Prince Richard Dare Fiki, thanked the State Government for the ongoing infrastructural development in the community and appealed for the rehabilitation of the Orokere Amuro–Takete-Ide Amuro road to ease transportation.

The event featured colourful cultural performances, traditional displays, and warm receptions for dignitaries.

The invited guests also donated money towards the construction of the Palace.

The highest donors were the Senator Representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi and the Chief Launcher and Philanthropist, Prince Olatunji Olusoji who donated 5 million naira each.

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FATF Delist Nigeria From List of Global Financial Crime Countries

Bakari, who led the implementation of the reform plan, described the delisting as “a true test of Nigeria’s resilience, coordination, and unwavering commitment to reform.

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The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), has officially removed Nigeria from its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, also known as the grey list.

Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and South Africa were also removed from the grey list at the FATF October 2025 Plenary in Paris, France, following the countries’ successful implementation of a 19-point action plan aimed at strengthening their Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks.

The Director/CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit , NFIU, Hafsat Bakar , announced the development on Friday.

She disclosed that Nigeria was placed on the grey list in February 2023 after the FATF identified strategic deficiencies in its AML/CFT systems.

Over the past two years, the Federal Government worked with the FATF and the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa to address the identified gaps through legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, and enhanced inter-agency coordination.

Key reforms cited by the FATF include the enactment and enforcement of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; the operationalisation of the Beneficial Ownership Register; and improved supervision of designated non-financial businesses and professions.

She emphasised that Nigeria had enhanced the capacity of its intelligence and law enforcement agencies to detect, investigate, and prosecute financial crimes, while deepening international cooperation and intelligence sharing.

“The NFIU is pleased to announce that the FATF, at its October 2025 Plenary in Paris, France, has officially removed Nigeria from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, commonly known as the grey list.

This milestone marks a historic moment in Nigeria’s fight against serious financial crimes.

The delisting of Nigeria underscores the country’s commitment to global standards in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.

“Nigeria has demonstrated a sustained commitment to financial transparency and integrity.

Key milestones include the enactment and enforcement of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; the operationalisation of the Beneficial Ownership Register, improving corporate transparency and accountability; implementation of stronger supervisory and preventive measures by public and private sector authorities to prevent abuse of Nigeria’s financial system; increased international cooperation and cross-border intelligence exchange with regional and global partners; and improved supervision of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions.”

She noted that a high-level Nigerian delegation — including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Ministers of Finance and Interior, and the Director of the NFIU — represented the country at the plenary.

Bakari, who led the implementation of the reform plan, described the delisting as “a true test of Nigeria’s resilience, coordination, and unwavering commitment to reform.”

She commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and thanked key government institutions, the National Assembly, the judiciary, and the private sector for their roles in achieving the milestone.

Bakari urged all stakeholders to sustain the reform momentum to ensure Nigeria maintains compliance with global financial integrity standards.

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