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Beware Of Fake News And Fraudulent People At WACSOF Secretariat

Published

3 years ago

October 23, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) has called on the general public to beware of Fake WACSOF parading themselves as a new executive that does not even exist to defraud innocent citizens in Nigeria and beyond.

In a statement issued by the board of directors of WACSOF led by the chair BUBA KHAN, supported by the Coordinators of the National Platforms of WACSOF in all West African countries, except the one from Nigeria who is part of these xenophobic, illegal, and terrorist activities with some staff members like Ebele Agbata said that the fake group in the recent time has used xenophobic practices in Nigeria to intimidate and threaten with death the legitimate representatives of WACSOF.

According to the Press statement, It has been brought to the attention of WACSOF that certain ill-intentioned individuals are sending and publishing messages referring to a supposed new Secretary General at WACSOF from a so-called executive committee that does not even exist anymore.

“We wish to bring to the attention of the public and members that these messages come from individuals who, in disregard of legality and legitimacy, have voluntarily taken the side to destabilize WACSOF for personal interests.

“This is a group of individuals who deceive the public, notably Ms. MARGARET UDOH who wants to employ her son at WACSOF and who uses xenophobic practices in Nigeria to intimidate and threaten with death the legitimate representatives of WACSOF.

“She is helped in this task, among others by Mr. DIONISIO PEREIRA, a member of the defunct executive committee. These individuals who claim to act on behalf of a defunct “executive committee” were elected in August 2016 for a mandate of two (02) years, renewable once.

“Their mandate has ended since 2018, but they are striving to force a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th mandate, by creating crises not to leave, thus wanting to take FOSCAO hostage, strangely in a period where Civil Society is fighting for a term limit for heads of state in Africa.

“In its quest to work with everyone, WACSOF has always favored dialogue. It is important to remember that all attempts to discuss with these individuals, to find a peaceful solution to the crisis which safeguards the best interests of our organization, have ended in failure.

“Faced with such actions which seriously harm the interests and image of our organization, WACSOF calls on the public to be vigilant in relation to these FAKE NEWS and invites them, in the most solemn way, not to take these confusing messages into account and would like to remind you of the following points.

“In scrupulous compliance with its statutory and regulatory texts, after the renewal of all WACSOF national platforms in all countries, and following the General Assembly of June 30, 2022, in Benin, WACSOF now has a new legitimate and legal Board of Directors chaired by Mr. BUBA KHAN (Chair@WacsofFoscao.Org / 220 345 4716), solidly supported in the ECOWAS countries with competent coordinators and coordination teams. This new Board is a balanced team of men and women, recognized for their experience, commitment, professionalism, sense of duty, and moral values.

“MR. BUBA KHAN, President, Consultant, Ex Coordinator, ActionAid advocacy, GAMBIA; MRS JOSEPHINE ALABI, 1st Vice-President, Activist, Peace & Security, KEEN & CARE INITIATIVE, NIGERIA; MR. ANDRE AFANOU KANGNI, 2nd Vice-President, lawyer, & journalist, regional coordinator CCPR TOGO; DR PENDA MBOW, activist, Former minister. University professor, president, of the citizen movement, SENEGAL; DR. HUCO MONTEIRO, Secretary, Former ECOWAS Commissioner, GUINEA BISSAU And MR. JEDLEE KINNI, Treasurer, Coordinator Liberian African Youth Peer Review Committee, LIBERIA”

The Statement added that; “This board confirmed Mr. KOMLAN MESSIE, Eng., M.SC., MBA (km@Wacsof-Foscao.Org, +234 814 438 0226 (WhatsApp)), continuing his role as the REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WACSOF. It is useful to remember that, socially involved, Mr. Komlan Messie is an Engineer (from the École Polytechnique de Thies), holds a Master’s degree (M. Sc) in Computer Science (from the École Polytechnique de Montréal,

Canada), an MBA from HEC Montréal (Canada), and a PMP certification. After more than 20 years with distinctions in Canada developing businesses, getting involved socially, and creating NGOs, he joined WACSOF with the mandate and ambition to restructure the ailing organization. With his team, he transformed WACSOF, bringing more opportunities and impactful projects for citizens.

“At a time when African youth are fighting for their liberation and to escape, among other things, constitutional manipulations for a 3rd mandate of heads of state in several countries, Civil Society must be exemplary in its governance from all points of view.

“WACSOF invites these ill-intentioned individuals and their acolytes to cease their harmful actions, in order to turn the page on this unfortunate crisis created and maintained to build instead of destroy, and to focus together on the issues of the day in our region and in Africa in a worrying global context.

“WACSOF would like to apologize to the public for the confusion created by some very ill-intentioned individuals. In view of the problems caused by these individuals, guided solely by crypto-personal interests, who are using xenophobic methods from another era, WACSOF would also like to reassure the public that it is working responsibly to overcome this deliberately created crisis and to reposition the organization on the path mapped out for it by its governing bodies.”

The statement added that, “On the eve of the general assembly which should renew the former executive committee, with the sole aim of remaining in office, these individuals from the defunct executive committee created an artificial crisis by accusing, curiously without audit, with methods terrorists and xenophobes, by making unjustified accusations against the executive director.

“The WACSOF board of directors and the national platforms renewed their confidence in Mr. KOMLAN MESSIE

“The national WACSOF platforms do not, under any circumstances, recognize the opportunistic and ill-intentioned individuals like KOPEP DABUGAT, known to have always created and entertained crises with former secretaries-general of the WACSOF. WACSOF invites these ill-intentioned individuals including MARGARET UDOH, DIONISIO PEREIRA, KPOEP DABUGAT as well as their acolytes to stop their harmful actions, in order to turn the page on this unfortunate crisis created and maintained, to concentrate together on the issues of hour in our sub-region and in Africa, in a worrying global context (multidimensional crisis almost everywhere).

“An audit will very soon be carried out by a reputable firm in order to verify these serious allegations which have very seriously damaged the reputation of WACSOF and negatively impacted its operation and activities.”

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FG Commits To National Development With Major Contract Agreements — Umahi

Published

19 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has again signed landmark contract agreements with four (4) construction firms to execute critical road projects across the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The contract signing ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, marks another major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable, sustainable road infrastructure that enhances connectivity, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.

The four contractors and their respective projects are as follows:

1. Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited – Reconstruction of Mando (Kaduna) – Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State,

2. Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited – Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun States,

3. Messrs Truecrete Solutions Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun State and

4. Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun and Oyo States.

Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the projects as strategic national infrastructure designed to boost economic activities, improve transportation efficiency, and strengthen national integration. He noted that the reconstruction of the Mando (Kaduna) –Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State holds special significance, as it was one of the key infrastructure development commitments made by His Excellency, President Tinubu during the 2022/2023 electioneering campaigns. According to the Minister, the present administration remains resolute in its determination to deliver world-class infrastructure that will stand the test of time. “Our vision is to build roads that will last for generations. Under the Renewed Hope administration, we are determined to deliver infrastructure that can serve Nigerians for up to 100 years through the adoption of rigid pavement (concrete) technology,” Umahi stated.

The Minister commended the selected contractors for their competence, track records, and proven capacity, emphasising the Federal Government’s confidence in indigenous contractors. He particularly praised Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited, Truecrete Solutions Limited, and other indigenous firms for their commendable performances on previous projects across the country.

Umahi charged all contractors to mobilise to their respective project sites immediately and commence work without delay, stressing that the Ministry expects measurable progress within the stipulated timelines.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, who formally signed the contract agreements, described the occasion as the successful completion of the procurement process and the official commencement of project implementation.

He commended the leadership of the Ministry for its commitment to ensuring that projects reached the execution stage and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to effective monitoring, quality assurance, and timely delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr. Clement Ogbuagu, presented details of the awarded contracts as follows:

1. Reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna State

Contractor: Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited

Contract Sum: ₦178,116,787,162.00

Length: 122 Kilometres

2. Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, Oyo and Ogun States

Contractor: JRB Construction Company Limited,

Contract Sum: ₦295,996,609,992.77

Length: 114.5 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent)

3. Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road, Osun State

Contractor: Truecrete Solutions Limited

Contract Sum: ₦101,806,585,825.90

Length: 70 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent) and

4. Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road, Osun State

Contractor: Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited

Contract Sum: ₦114,854,477,607.93

Length: 73 Kilometres

All the projects will be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to building durable, cost-effective, and sustainable road infrastructure nationwide.

The ceremony represents another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road network and accelerate national economic development.

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