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FG threatens to sanction Chinese firm over slow pace of rail project

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The federal government has threatened to mete out a stiff sanction to the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) over the firm’s alleged failure to provide 85 per cent counterpart fund for the the rail project in some parts of the country.

The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, decried the slow pace of work in the Kanu-Kaduna and Maiduguri-Port Harcourt rail lines.

Sambo gave the warning on Saturday while briefing journalists in Lagos at the end of a tour of the Lekki Deep Seaport to ascertain the level of work done so far.

Sambo, who frowned at the attitude of the Chinese firm, said two years after the agreement was signed, CCECC had not provided any of its 85 per cent counterpart fund.

According to him, the agreement stipulates that CCECC is to provide 85 per cent of the project cost while the federal government provides the remaining 15 per cent.

He said, “I have given them till October 2022 to fulfill their own part of the agreement or stiff sanction would be meted out to them.

“How could it be said that two years after the agreement was signed, CCECC is yet to provide a dollar?”

Recall that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, had in March accused the firm of playing politics with the Kanu-Kaduna rail project, urging the contractor to provide funding for the project.

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Amaechi had said, “The pace is extremely slow, the equipments are supposed to be 2,000 plus, but what they (CCECC) have brought so far is 541, they claim that 300 and something equipment are in Kaduna. I will send people to check. Even if you add that all together, you will have 800 and something equipment in place of 2,000 equipment that they are supposed to bring. That means something is wrong somewhere.

“I know they (CCECC) claim that there is no money, that we have not funded them. But what of their responsibility in the contract that they will look for the money?

“CCECC has not brought money, the Chinese are no longer giving us money for more than three to four years now. So CCECC can’t afford to delay in their responsibility to look for money for the project. That is what the Chinese must do.”

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JUST IN: Nigeria’s inflation rate drops to 23.7%

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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a slight decline in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate, which eased to 23.71 percent in April 2025 from 24.23 percent recorded in March.

The Bureau released the latest figures in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) update on Thursday.

According to the agency, the movement for April 2025 “headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 0.52% compared to the March 2025 Headline inflation rate”.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in April 2025 was 1.86%, which was 2.04% lower than the rate recorded in March 2025 (3.90%),” NBS said.

“This means that in April 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level is lower than the rate of increase in the average price level in March 2025.”

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Anambra govt bans public almsgiving, street begging

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The Aroma Junction in Awka
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The Anambra State Government has banned the distribution of food items and other gifts to street beggars in public spaces, particularly under the Aroma Bridge in Awka, the state capital, and other locations.

The state government also banned all forms of public begging, loitering, and street trading beneath the bridges in Awka, insisting that the move became necessary to uphold the dignity and order of the capital city, which is the face of the state.

A statement released by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Capital Territory Development Authority, Ossy Onuko, on Thursday, stated that the directive is part of the state government’s efforts to sanitise the capital city and maintain public order.

Onuko said anyone found violating this new directive will be arrested and prosecuted.

He, however, cautioned content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups against distributing food, cash, or any form of alms to street children and beggars in public spaces, particularly.

While acknowledging that some of the “charitable acts” were for good intentions, he expressed concerns that they are inadvertently contributing to the continued loitering and congregation of destitute individuals in dangerous locations.

He said, “The government has closely observed the activities of some content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups who encourage and sustain the indiscriminate roaming of children under the Aroma Bridge by consistently giving out food, drinks, and cash gifts to these kids.

“Although their intentions may be noble, they ultimately contribute to the degradation of the capital city and put the lives of these children at risk. These children are exposed to potential harm, such as being knocked down by vehicles, abused by unruly adults, or even recruited into criminal activities.

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“Such actions are illegal and we hereby warn that any individual or group found engaging in them will be seen as promoting civil disorder and will face legal action.”

He also advised that all charitable activities be conducted through accredited institutions, such as orphanages, care homes, and registered non-governmental organisations, where support can be provided in a more structured and secure manner.

Onuko further urged the general public to work with the state government to uphold the dignity and order of the capital city, which represents the face of Anambra State.

“Charitable acts should be channeled through accredited organisations such as orphanages, care homes, and registered NGOs, where support can be professionally administered to those in need.

“Alternatively, donations can be made to private homes and spaces that do not create public nuisances,” he added.

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Police re-arraign VeryDarkMan over cyberbullying of Nollywood actresses, others

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The Police on Thursday re-arraigned controversial social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly cyberbullying Nollywood actresses, Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.

The social activist is also accused of cyberbullying Nigerian producer and singer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly called Samklef, among others.

VDM was re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge to which he pleaded not guilty.

Recall that VDM was first arraigned on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon for the same offences, which are contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

He was remanded in custody but later granted bail of ₦10 million on June 10, 2024. The bail conditions required two sureties who must either be employees of a reputable company or Level 17 officers in the federal civil service with evidence of three years’ tax clearance.

The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024, dated and filed on March 28, 2024, were re-assigned to Justice Liman following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the Federal High Court.

In the first count, VDM is alleged to have, on or about October 13, 2023, intentionally published a video on his Instagram handle (@verydarkblackman) containing threatening and bullying remarks aimed at Samuel Oguachuba.

The second count accuses him of intentionally posting videos on or about October 29, 2023, via his Instagram handle, which contained grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing information against Iyabo Ojo.

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In the video, VDM allegedly claimed that “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”

In the third count, VDM is accused of knowingly publishing a false claim on January 19, 2024, that “King Tonto Dikeh is involved in the criminal conversion of the proceeds from the crowdfunding for the Justice for Mobbad Movement and is the person behind the Gistlover blog.”

The fourth count alleges that on March 19, 2024, the defendant intentionally posted videos on his Instagram handle containing insulting and annoying remarks about the Deputy Inspectors General of Police and lawmakers in the National Assembly.

After his re-arraignment before Justice Liman, VDM’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, requested that his client be allowed to remain on the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Olajuwon.

Police counsel Victor Okoye did not oppose the request.

Justice Liman upheld the earlier bail terms and adjourned the matter until July 24, 2025, for trial.

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One Year of the Tinubu Administration: Building a safer, stronger, and prosperous Nigeria
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