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Obajana: Kogi drags Dangote to court as FG orders plant’s reopening

Published

4 years ago

October 15, 2022

Gov. Yahaya Bello and Alhaji Aliko Dangote

The Kogi State Government is resorting to litigation over its dispute with Dangote Cement Plc over the ownership of the Obajana Cement Plant in the state.

The state’s position followed on the heels of the peace talks brokered between Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and the chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

The peace talks informed the position of the National Security Council yesterday that an agreement had been reached between the two sides to re-open the plant in the interest of the workers.

Kogi State Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement yesterday that the state government and stakeholders representing the different ethnic groups in the state resolved at an emergency meeting on Thursday night to go to court on the matter.

This, according to him, was “in the interest of the people and generations to come.”

Fanwo said the Governor made it clear during the Thursday night meeting that there was no going back on the state’s resolve to reclaim its asset, even while he sued for calm in the interest of peace.

He said: “This struggle is not about Governor Yahaya Bello or his administration. It is about the people of Kogi State.

“In the last 72 hours, well-meaning Nigerians, leaders and government officials have waded in and have pleaded with the Governor to consider reopening of the plant while discussions are ongoing.

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“The expectations of the over 4 million Kogites are clear and high and we want to assure them that the Governor and the Government of Kogi State will not compromise the interest of the people of the state to reclaim their rights in the cement company.

Dangote Cement Obajana

“There were series of high-powered meetings to resolve the impasse, including meetings having the Governor and Alhaji Aliko Dangote in attendance. Discussions were held and statements of interest were established.

“But there was no agreement yet as some desperate parties are trying to promote in the media to mislead the public. We shall be non-violent in our approach as we are sure of green pathways to success for the people in this battle for the economic future of our dear state.

“However, we maintain that the collective asset of the people of Kogi State must be protected and reclaimed in this instance. And that is the process the government has started.

“We will fight this battle to the end until we get justice from the courts. No committee can resolve this dispute.”

The plant must reopen, says FG

The matter was discussed yesterday by the National Security Council (NSC) which said the disputed plant should be re-opened in the interest of the workers.

Police Affairs Minister Maigari Dingyadi told reporters at the end of the NSC meeting that an agreement had been reached to ensure the re-opening of the plant to give room for peace on the matter.

His words: “An agreement has been reached between the Kogi State Government and the Dangote Cement in Kogi on the need to re-open the factory and ensure that there is peace in the state. “Government is committed to the provision of employment to its citizens rather than closing factories that will make people unemployed, and we do hope that the parties involved will respect this agreement and come to terms with the memorandum of understanding signed by the parties involved.”

Dingyadi said the agreement was brokered by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

Speaking on same matter, Aregbesola said: “The council noted the development in Kogi and has ordered the reopening of the cement factory that is closed down; has advised that all issues relating to that industry or factory be resolved legally; nobody must take the law into their hands, either as a government or an individual.

“We are committed to guaranteeing and providing employment for Nigerians, so whatever will, in any way, hinder that must be discouraged. So, in that regard, the cement industry in Obajana must be reopened and all issues that are in dispute should be resolved legally.”

The Nation

Related Topics:court Dangote Featured FG Obajana

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Breaking: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom In Imo

Published

1 hour ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Breaking: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom In Imo

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another person abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State have regained their freedom.

The abducted corps members were reportedly rescued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, bringing relief to their families after days in captivity.

The victims are currently receiving medical treatment at the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri, according to a report confirming their release. (NPO Reports)

The prospective corps members were among passengers travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South when gunmen attacked vehicles conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State on October 1.

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The incident triggered a major security operation involving the police, military, DSS and other security agencies as efforts intensified to locate and rescue those taken into captivity.

Earlier reports said the abductors had demanded ransom from the families of the victims, while relatives raised concerns about the safety and wellbeing of the kidnapped graduates.

Security agencies had also deployed additional personnel and operational assets to Imo State as pressure mounted for the safe recovery of the NYSC members.

The latest development means the 20 prospective corps members and another abducted person are now out of captivity and receiving medical attention.

Details of the circumstances surrounding their rescue, including whether any arrests were made or ransom was paid, were not immediately available.

The development is expected to bring significant relief to the families who had spent days seeking the safe return of their loved ones.

Breaking: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom In Imo

metro

Mystery As AAU Lecturer Dies In Hotel After Meeting 21-Year-Old Woman

Published

1 hour ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Mystery As AAU Lecturer Dies In Hotel After Meeting 21-Year-Old Woman

A senior lecturer at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, Dr Matthew Uwuigbe, has died in a hotel room after meeting a 21-year-old woman, with police detaining three people as they investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Uwuigbe, a lecturer in the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, reportedly died at a hotel in the Mosco area of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, on Monday, October 5.

The Edo State Police Command said it received a report concerning the incident at about 8pm.

According to the police, Uwuigbe had lodged at the hotel and engaged the services of the 21-year-old woman, identified as Angela Defa Jacob.

The police said the lecturer later asked the woman to leave the room and buy water for him.

When she returned, she reportedly found Uwuigbe lying lifeless inside the room and raised an alarm, prompting the hotel management to contact the authorities.

The hotel owner, manager and the woman were subsequently detained to assist the police with their investigation.

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Uwuigbe’s remains were deposited at the Oriaifo Memorial Hospital mortuary, while detectives began investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

The police have not disclosed the cause of death and have not accused the woman or any of the other persons detained of causing the lecturer’s death.

AAU confirmed that Uwuigbe was a member of its academic staff but clarified that the incident occurred outside the university and was unrelated to the institution’s official activities.

The university also clarified that the 21-year-old woman involved in the incident was not an AAU student.

The university’s spokesperson, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, described the incident as a private matter that occurred outside the institution.

The police are expected to establish what happened in the hotel room before the lecturer’s death and determine whether any criminal offence was committed.

For now, the circumstances surrounding the AAU lecturer’s death remain under investigation, while the three detained persons are assisting the authorities with inquiries.

Mystery As AAU Lecturer Dies In Hotel After Meeting 21-Year-Old Woman

metro

Abuja: 33-Year-Old Nabbed While Writing FCT Promotion Exam For Father

Published

1 hour ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Abuja: 33-Year-Old Nabbed While Writing FCT Promotion Exam For Father

A 33-year-old man, Monsuru Musa, has been arrested in Abuja after allegedly impersonating his father and sitting for a Federal Capital Territory Civil Service promotion examination on his behalf.

Musa was reportedly caught on Wednesday, October 7, during the third day of the examination organised by the FCT Civil Service Commission at an examination centre within the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) premises.

Security personnel monitoring the exercise reportedly apprehended him during the test as part of efforts to prevent examination malpractice and impersonation.

During questioning, Musa allegedly admitted that he was not the registered candidate and said he had taken the examination because his father, Musa Mohammed, was unwell.

Mohammed is an employee of the FCT Fire Service.

The younger Musa reportedly told officials that his father was between 67 and 68 years old. However, when questioned separately, Mohammed reportedly said he would turn 60 in February 2027.

The discrepancy prompted further questions from the authorities.

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Mohammed reportedly confirmed that Musa was his biological son and admitted that he had asked him to sit for the examination because of his health condition.

During the questioning, the father reportedly said he completed primary school in 1977 and secondary school in 1982. He also said he travelled to Portugal in 1991 and started working in 2007.

Both father and son were subsequently taken through further questioning and made statements to Department of State Services (DSS) operatives before being handed over to the police for investigation.

The authorities are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged examination impersonation, including whether anyone else was involved and what action should be taken against the individuals.

The incident has renewed attention on efforts to protect the integrity of FCT civil service promotion examinations, particularly as the administration continues to adopt measures aimed at reducing malpractice.

The FCT Civil Service Commission has introduced computer-based testing for promotion exercises as part of efforts to improve transparency and strengthen the assessment process.

The latest incident highlights the authorities’ scrutiny of candidates appearing for promotion examinations and the requirement that registered candidates personally participate in the assessments.

The police investigation is ongoing, and no final decision has been announced on the case.