News
Bomb Blasts British Govt Pledges To Support FG
The British Government has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government in bringing the October 1 bombers in Abuja to justice.
The British Minister for Africa and the United Nations, Mr Henry Bellingham,, gave the pledge during a presentation on Nigeria by the All Parties Parliamentary Group (APPG) at the London Parliament.
The Tide correspondent who covered the event, quotes Bellingham as saying that the British Government would also cooperate with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism in any form.
“We will support the Nigerian Government to bring to justice the bombers of October1. We know what it is like, to be on the receiving end of terror attack,” he said.
The minister explained that Britain believed strongly in values and was passionate about human rights, pointing out that the intention was not to lecture any country on human rights, rather “we will work as friends”.
He said further that the people would be included as part of the ongoing review of bilateral agreements between the two countries.
Bellingham said Britain intended to intensify its bilateral relations with Nigeria and expressed delight at the volume of trade between the two countries.
He, however, noted that trade was a two-way phenomenon and for it to prosper and succeed, relations must be bright.
Bellingham suggested that the Federal Government should utilise its nationals in the Diaspora to boost the trade relations.
He commended Nigeria on its achievements so far, noting that the two countries had always been on the same pace on several issues at the UN Security Council.
The minister also applauded Nigeria for its contribution to global peace, especially in countries such as Somalia, Zimbabwe and Sudan.
He expressed hope that Nigeria, being the largest democracy in Africa, would set an example by conducting free and fair elections in 2011.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Amb. Dozie Nwanna (OON), had given assurance that the Abuja bombings would not affect the electoral processes.
He reiterated government’s commitment to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections next year.
To achieve this, he said all tiers of government must collaborate, institutions strengthened and opposing views tolerated.
Nwanna noted that the country had survived a civil war and a series of military interventions, hence the resolve by Nigerians “never again to go down the unfortunate path”.
He said that though critics had expressed the view that the country should have achieved more in the past 50 years with its abundant human and natural resources, “development goes with several factors, including discipline and ideological orientation”.
The envoy explained further that the country’s overdependence on oil had led to the non-sustenance of previous economic development, especially in the agricultural sector.
“Nigeria’s economy experienced an economic boom in the 1960s and 70s but by the 80s, the country experienced economic problems which stemmed largely from two main factors.
“Firstly, the oil boom of the 1970s and early 80s brought an early financial windfall for the country.
“Secondly, it brought about an unjustified neglect of the agricultural sector which was then the strongest and most viable sector of the economy,” he said.
Nwanna, however, said that the present administration was willing to attain and sustain a high rate of economic growth.
On the country’s foreign policy, the high commissioner reiterated government’s commitment to national interest, regional stability, global peace and security.
News
Mba Seeks Closer Synergy To Check Road Accidents
Worried over the high rate of accidents on Nigerian roads, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of people, the Governor of Enugu State, Barr Peter Mbah, has called for closer synergy and cooperation among security agencies to check the ugly trend and ensure safety on all the roads within the country.
Governor Mbah, made the call in an address at the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Course 2 of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command and Staff College, Udi near Enugu.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Chief Aka Eze Aka, governor Mbah noted that closer security and intelligence sharing on incidents on roads within the country by various security formations and agencies both military and para-military would lead to greater security and safety of lives and property on roads.
He stated that the state government had keyed into the FRSC vision of reduction in road crashes and fatalities, adding that it had equipped the state traffic officers with the same set targets.
“As an administration, we are making all efforts to fix and improve on all roads and road infrastructure within the state; while we are calling on the Federal Government to do the same.
“Our partnership with the FRSC for training and retraining of our road traffic officers will continue and be strengthened so that as a state it will also build its own capacity to deal with road traffic issues and challenges,” he said.
Governor Mbah, however, congratulated the graduating participants of the course, while commending the FRSC management for being in the forefront of raising the standard and quality of its staff.
According to him, “my administration will continue to partner with the FRSC and strengthen existing engagements of mutual benefits”.
Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, said that the event was significant to the Corps as it marked its commitment to continuously improve its educational and operational standard and capacity.
Biu, represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) Bisi Kazeem, who is in-charge of FRSC Training, said that the Corps was building resiliency and increasing its service delivery capacity by equipping its officers with quality and international standard training.
By: Canice Amadi Enugu
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
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