FGGC Gboko alumni seek IGP’s help on alleged rapist
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has said that with the Federal Government’s commitment to the renewal of infrastructure across the country, Nigeria would ‘sing a new song soon’ in terms of ease of movement and doing business.
He made the statement while hosting United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) delegation led by the Representative to ECOWAS and Regional Director, Nigeria Regional Hub, Mr. Jean Bakole, who paid a courtesy visit to him.
In a press statement, Fashola said the massive renewal of the nation’s roads, bridges, rails, airports and seaports, saying that: “in the shortest possible Nigerians will sing a new song”.
The Minister said, with the increase in food production, Nigeria was now supplying not only to local markets but to international markets such as the North and Central African sub-regions.
He, however, advocated reform in the United Nations rules and regulations pointing out that the existing rules and regulations have become obsolete and could no longer meet the present challenges. “Everybody knows that the UN has come a long way and many of its foundational rules and regulations and development programmes need an upgrade.”
The minister expressed happiness of the UNIDO’s plan to invest $60m however, suggested that the amount be channelled into fewer meaningful projects, instead, stating, “Sixty million USD is a huge amount of money. But it is not the money that is the issue but how it is being used. My thoughts are that instead of spreading this money thin over a large area, as you said, why not use it on one or two projects that could be impactful to the people.”
According to the release, UNIDO planned to invest about $60 Million in Nigeria in nine critical areas including Agriculture and Agrobased businesses, Trade and Capacity Building, Housing and Construction, Infrastructure Development, Energy and the Environment, among others. The president, Federal Government Girls College Old Girls Association, Mrs. Tonia EdiLawani, has urged the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to declare an alleged child rapist, Victor Ogbuja, wanted over the abuse and subsequent death of Ochanya Ogbanje, a former student of the college.
The association at a media briefing held at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the end of a peaceful march yesterday in remembrance of Ochanya, said justice would be seen as done when Victor, who is now at large, is apprehended and charged to court for the rape of Ochanya which led to health complications and her death.
Mrs. Edi-Lawanu said while her association welcomed the arraignment of Andrew Ogbuja at a Makurdi High Court, they were demanding a timely trial and the arrest of Victor.
“The cry for justice for our late school girl, Ochanya is on, and it is something we will continue to do until justice is done to the convincing of Nigerians.
“We are appealing to the Nigeria Police, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to please see to the arrest and trial of Victor Ogbuja, the other person who has been at large,” she said.
Edi-Lawani explained that Friday’s walk to the NHRC formed part of the advocacy being carried out through association’s Speak Up/Cry Out against child molestation, which was created to prevent any other student in her alma-mater from suffering a similar fate as the late Ochanya.
The Executive-Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, who received members of the association, restated the commitment of the agency to protecting children from sexual predators.