Connect with us

Nation

WTO: Lawan, Ekweremadu, Ayade, Ikpeazu Congratulate Okonjo-Iweala

Published

on

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has congratulated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her emergence as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Lawan, in a congratulatory message issued by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Ola Awoniyi, in Abuja on Monday, also congratulated Nigeria on her latest feat on the international stage.
“I heartily rejoice with Dr Okonjo-Iweala on this well-deserved victory.
“With her latest feat, the former Nigerian Minister of Finance and Managing Director of the World Bank, has again brought honour to Nigeria, Africa and women everywhere,” he said.
The Senate President urged the new Director-General to deploy her intellect, experience, energy and integrity in leading the WTO to promote global prosperity through fair trade.
According to Lawan, her task has been made even more onerous by the havoc that the COVID-19 had wrecked on economies across the world.
He prayed Almighty God to imbue her with good health and wisdom to succeed in the task.
Similarly, a former Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, has described the emergence of Okonjo-Iweala as “historic and momentous’’.
Ekweremadu’s Media Aide, Mr Uche Anichukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
He said: “I join the rest of the world to congratulate our sister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her well deserved emergence as the DG of the WTO.
“This is a historic and momentous achievement, not only for Nigeria, but also for the entire Africa.
“No doubt she has the poise, experience, flair, pedigree, reach, and global acceptance to excel in her new office.
“With her emergence, the much needed transformation and democratisation of the WTO to play its expected role in the 21st century global economy is imminent.”
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has also congratulated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the confirmation of her appointment as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The governor’s goodwill message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, on Tuesday in Calabar.
Ayade described the new WTO D-G as the “poster girl of unassailable attainments and a record breaker who has continually proved her mettle and brought honour to the country’’.
“We are extremely proud of one of our very best; our own dear Ngozi who has just emerged the first African, first woman and the first black Director-General of WTO.
“As Finance Minister, Foreign Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Okonjo-Iweala brilliantly distinguished herself to the applause of her countrymen and women and to the admiration of the world.
“It is not therefore, a surprise that the international community found her suitable for the exalted office of the WTO,’’ the statement said.
On his part, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State described the emergence of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as “historic’’.
Ikpeazu stated this late Monday in Umuahia in a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Onyebuchi Ememanka.
Ikpeazu said the new Director-General had a track record and pedigree that had made her a history maker, pace-setter and powerful pathfinder for the women on the global scene.

Continue Reading

Nation

Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

Published

on

The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

Continue Reading

Nation

Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

Published

on

Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

Continue Reading

Nation

Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

Published

on

The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

Continue Reading

Trending