Wike made the remarks during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday while responding to an emotional appeal by Serah Omaku, Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja.

According to Daily Trust, the pastor had earlier knelt during a church service, pleading with the minister not to repossess the land. A video of the appeal subsequently went viral on social media.

However, Wike dismissed the plea, stressing that the enforcement action at Jabi Lake is guided strictly by law and not sentiment.

“You talk about the woman kneeling down and begging. I’m not carried away by such emotions. Begging to do what? Who owns Jabi Lake?” he said.

The minister explained that the land was originally allocated to a company for the development of a recreational facility but had instead been turned into makeshift structures.

“That place was given to a company that said they wanted to turn it into an entertainment hub, but it has been converted into shanties. You don’t even know if criminals are operating there,” he added.

Wike disclosed that the allocation has been revoked and that the land will be reassigned to investors capable of developing it according to approved plans.

“We have revoked it. We will reallocate the land with clear conditions. If there is no development within the specified time, we will take it back,” he stated.

Reacting further to the pastor’s plea, the minister maintained that emotional appeals would not influence government decisions.

“To the woman who was crying, if she likes, let her call God to come down. What is my business? We are acting in the interest of the public,” he said.

He noted that several plots around the lake, initially designated for high-end developments, had remained undeveloped for years and had deteriorated into informal settlements.

Wike confirmed that the FCT Administration has begun revoking such allocations as part of efforts to curb land speculation and enforce proper land use in the capital.

He also dismissed claims that the exercise is aimed at restricting public access to Jabi Lake, clarifying that the focus is on reclaiming misused or abandoned land.

“We are not taking anything from the public. We are reclaiming land from those who failed to develop it or converted it to unauthorised uses,” he said.

The minister reiterated that all land allocations going forward will come with strict development timelines, warning that failure to comply would result in revocation.

The bank announced the development in a corporate notice issued in Lagos on May 5, 2026, stating that Ovia had completed the mandatory 12-year tenure stipulated under corporate governance guidelines for financial holding companies, non-interest banks, and payment service banks in Nigeria.

As the founder of Zenith Bank, Ovia played a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s growth and development. The Board commended his leadership, strategic direction, and commitment to strong corporate governance, noting that his tenure significantly enhanced the bank’s reputation and positioning within the financial services sector.Until he was appointed Chairman, Engr. Mustafa Bello was a non-executive director in the bank.Bello holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1978 with Second Class Upper Division. He also received the Shell Prize for the best project and thesis in the Faculty of Engineering that same year.

He began his career with the Nigerian Army, serving in the Directorate of Quartering and Engineering Services between 1978 and 1979, before moving to the Niger State Housing Corporation as a Senior Civil Engineer from 1980 to 1983.

Bello later served as Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Commerce between 1999 and 2002. He was subsequently appointed Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, where he served from 2003 to 2014.

He is currently the Chairman of Invest-in-Northern Nigeria Limited, a special purpose vehicle focused on driving economic and social transformation in Northern Nigeria.

Throughout his career, Bello has been involved in several national projects and has represented Nigeria at various international conferences and engagements.

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Albanese announced the step after meeting with the leaders of Australia’s states and territories on Monday, agreeing on a plan to tackle fuel shortages as the war in the Middle East continues.

Australia charges a sales tax of 52 cents on each litre of petrol sold at the pump, which will be halved for three months.

The measure will cost the government $1.75 billion (Aus$2.55 billion), officials said.

“We are making fuel cheaper today because we understand that Australians are under serious pressure,” Albanese said.

Albanese’s government has sought to reassure motorists that shipments of fuel continue to arrive in Australia, and petrol shortages in rural towns stem from panic buying and distribution bottlenecks.

Victoria and Tasmania states have made travel on public transport free, and Albanese urged motorists nationally to do what they can to conserve petrol by driving less.

“The less fuel we use in the cities, obviously, the more we can redirect to regional areas that are under pressure,” he told reporters in Canberra.

In New South Wales, state Premier Chris Minns said there were scores of petrol stations without any fuel, and the focus was on helping rural towns.

“If the situation gets worse, we will take extra measures,” he said.

Australia’s national parliament on Monday introduced a bill to give powers to the government to underwrite the purchase of shiploads of fuel that will add to supply in Australia.

Weekly data released by the government showed Australia has 39 days of petrol, a small increase on the previous week, and 30 days of diesel supply.

The government will also reduce costs for trucks by cutting the heavy vehicle road user charge.

The Fuel Check monitor showed average petrol prices had leapt from Aus$1.82 in February to Aus$2.48 on Monday in New South Wales, with diesel reaching Aus$3.

AFP

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According to a new pricing template released by the refinery on March 10, 2026, the gantry price of petrol has been reduced by ₦100, dropping from ₦1,175 to ₦1,075 per litre.

The refinery also disclosed that the price of PMS for coastal supply has been set at ₦1,050 per litre, noting that the difference in pricing reflects additional costs associated with maritime distribution.

Similarly, the price of Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, has been reduced to ₦1,430 per litre at the gantry, down from the previous ₦1,620 per litre. The adjustment represents a decrease of ₦190 per litre.

The refinery explained that the gantry prices do not include regulatory charges imposed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

Meanwhile, Tribune Online had earlier reported on Monday that Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals increased its gantry price for PMS to ₦1,175 per litre — marking the third upward adjustment within seven days.

The refinery had communicated the revised ex-depot price to marketers and depot operators, reflecting an increase of ₦180 from the ₦995 per litre announced the previous Friday, representing an 18.1 per cent rise within three days.

The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow two weeks later, on March 6, 2027.

The announcement was made in Abuja on Friday during a press briefing by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. According to the commission, preparations for the 2027 general elections are already underway, including the completion of the election timetable and schedule of activities.

INEC had earlier disclosed on February 4 that it had finalized its timetable, despite ongoing delays surrounding the amendment of the Electoral Act at the National Assembly. The commission confirmed that the proposed schedule has been forwarded to lawmakers.

However, INEC cautioned that certain aspects of the timetable may be subject to adjustments depending on when the amended Electoral Act is eventually passed into law.

The development comes amid public concerns over the pace of legislative action on electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 polls.

Source: Punch

In a statement issued on Friday by the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, the leadership of both chambers of the parliament directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to re-gazette the Acts and issue Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the versions “duly passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.”

The directive follows growing public commentary surrounding the passage, presidential assent and publication in the Federal Government’s Official Gazette of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

According to the House, the concerns raised touch on “the harmonisation of Bills passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the documentation transmitted for Presidential assent, and the versions of the Acts subsequently published in the Official Gazette.”

The House Spokesman, Rotimi, said the legislature was already handling the matter strictly within its constitutional powers.

“The House of Representatives wishes to assure the public that these matters are being addressed strictly within the constitutional and statutory remit of the National Assembly,” he said.

Rotimi disclosed that only last week, the House constituted a seven-man Ad Hoc Committee after the issue was raised on the floor through a Point of Order (Privileges).

“The Ad Hoc Committee, alongside other relevant Committees of the National Assembly, working in collaboration with the management of the National Assembly, is undertaking an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and to identify any factors that may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the legislative and administrative handling of the Acts,” the statement said.

He explained that the review would include “a careful examination of any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established,” stressing that the exercise is being conducted “in full conformity with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts Authentication Act, the Standing Orders of both Chambers, and established parliamentary practice.”

He said as part of the process, the leadership of the National Assembly, under Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen, directed the re-gazetting to clear any ambiguity.

“This administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly,” the House said.

The statement noted that the review did not amount to an admission of wrongdoing.

“This review is strictly confined to institutional processes and procedures. It does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by the House of Representatives or the Senate,” the statement read.

It further clarified that the action was taken “without prejudice to the powers, functions, or actions of any other arm or agency of government” and would not affect “any rights, obligations, or legal processes arising under the Constitution or any other applicable law.”

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic norms, the House said it remains “firmly committed to the principles of constitutionalism, separation of powers, due process, and the supremacy of the rule of law.”

“Where procedural or administrative refinements are identified, appropriate corrective measures will be taken in accordance with the law and established parliamentary conventions,” Rotimi added.

The House also appealed to the public to exercise restraint.

“Members of the public are respectfully urged to allow the National Assembly’s institutional processes to proceed without speculation or conjecture,” the statement said, assuring that the leadership of the House remains committed to “transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The House said further details would be provided as the review progresses.

DAILY TRUST

The chancellor of Zaria Diocese, Reverend Father Isek Augustine, confirmed the incident in a letter addressed to all priests and faithful.

According to the diocese chancellor, Mr Ezema was kidnapped at his residence, situated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Rumi, on Tuesday, December 2 at around 11:30 p.m.

The chancellor stated, “We call on all men and women of goodwill to pray for the safe and quick release of our Priest and others from the hands of their abductors.”

“Through the intercession of our Lady, the Mother of all Priests, and our mother, may our brother, and others return to us safe and sound.”

IGP Egbetokun disclosed this during a strategic meeting with senior police officers from the rank of Commissioner and above.

He stated that the action was in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is already being implemented accordingly.

The IGP explained that the affected personnel had been debriefed and redeployed to areas where they would be more useful for effective operations.

He further noted that about 120,000 police personnel are currently attached to private individuals as security escorts.

In a statement by the Diocese of Kaduna, the church confirmed his demise and prayed for the release of his wife and daughter.

“With heavy hearts and deep sorrow, the Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, announces the passing unto glory of The Venerable Edwin Achi, Priest-in-Charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan Maijero.”

“Ven. Edwin Achi, who was kidnapped alongside his wife on 28th October, 2025, has been confirmed dead. His transition is a painful loss to the entire Diocese, the clergy, the Church family, and all who were blessed by his faithful ministry, humble spirit, and unwavering devotion to the service of God.

“We continue to pray for the release of his wife and daughter who are still in the hands of the kidnappers.”

Ven. Achi was kidnapped alongside his wife and daughter when bandits broke into his house in Nissi community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna, on October 28, 2025.

The family had just relocated to the community when bandits struck.

The kidnappers had contacted the family to demand N600 million ransom.

The development comes after 24 school girls, kidnapped in Kebbi State, had been released from captivity.

it was disclosed that the assailants raided the village between 11pm and 12 midnight, on Monday.

He said, “They came as usual, and from our findings so far, two males and six females were taken away by the bandits. Up till now, there is no news on their whereabouts.”

One of the relatives of some of the victims, Kabiru Usman, said the attackers came in through neighbouring Tsundu village.

“They came on foot, armed with guns. They kidnapped my wife, Umma; my 17-year-old daughter, Fati; my brother’s wife, and two other women,” Usman said.

“We tried to stop them, but our weapons were no match for them as they were carrying guns”.

He added that residents had alerted the police and military after receiving prior warnings that the bandits were heading toward the villages.

“Before the attack occurred, we got a report that they were heading towards us, and we notified the security agencies, including the police and military, ahead of time because they gave us their numbers and asked us to call if we got any information.”

Another person stated that the communities attacked were Sarmawa village, Yan Chibi village and Gano village all in Tsanyawa local government area of Kano state.

“About 50 bandits riding motorcycles came into our community Yan Chibi shooting in the air, we all ran for safety and later we discovered that they have abducted some people, mostly women, though I can’t tell you how many people they have abducted. We later learnt that they have also visited other communities and have also abducted some people there. As I speak with you, no life is reported to have been lost, but I can confirm to you that they have abducted over 10 people,” the source revealed.

Another source within the vigilante outfit in the area also revealed that the communities around the area have reported suspected movement of strange faces in the area and the vigilante was mobilized.

They further stated that after the reported abduction the vigilante and some members of the community tried to put a hot pursuit, but lost trail of the bandits when they entered Katsina state.

He said members of the communities have been living in fear ever since the attack in neighboring Shanono and Bagwai local government areas started.

He disclosed that many families had adopted the strategy of not sleeping in their homes at night.

This is not the first time that bandits would strike in that part of Kano.

Weeks ago, bandits attacked Yan Kwada village in Faruruwa community of Shanono Local Government Area of Kano, abducting five women, including nursing mothers.

The incident happened a week after a joint military operation engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle in the area, killing 19 of them.

DAILY TRUST