News
Seek Foreign Help To End Insecurity, Christian Elders Tell Buhari
The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to be shy in seeking foreign help in ending insecurity in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by NOSCEF’s Chairman, Engineer Ejoga Oyinehi Inalegwu, made available to newsmen in Kaduna, yesterday, the Christian elders said, “there is nothing to be ashamed of now, seeking external assistance to end the insecurity.
“With attacks on military institutions, killings and burning of houses in villages with boundary with an Army Divisional Headquarters unchecked and killing in tens and burning of houses when the military is enforcing a curfew, what other shame are we running from?
“We urge the Federal Government to seek every aid and help from everyone needed to bring this insecurity to an end before the people begin to believe there is more than meets the eyes in the spread of the insecurity.
“We again want to express our concerns over the deteriorating security condition in the North West and North Central of Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Zamfara and Katsina.
“We are shocked that the killings in Zango Kataf have continued unabated in spite of all the peace meetings and we have not heard of any arrests or prosecution.
“We condemn the killing of the Irigwes just next to the Army Divisional Headquarters in Jos without intervention, the killing of travellers along the same axis and the killing of 35 people, as well as burning of houses when security is expected to be enforcing a curfew.
“We expect the same zeal and vigour in the arrest of perpetrators of these dastardly acts against humanity as we saw when the travellers were murdered.
“When that fails, people are left in disbelief and justifiably question the sincerity or fair-mindedness on the part of the government in ensuring justice is served from those that have the responsibility to decisively deal with the situations without bias,” it said.
“The government must not be seen to have become unconcerned about a section of those they govern. We appeal to the government to take the revelations of the retired Navy General seriously and muster the courage to deal with the militias in government whose identities are known before we end up like Afghanistan.”
“Now the war has been taken to Nigeria’s prime military institution, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to instil fear in the hearts of the young officer cadets in training and the leaders of Nigeria’s Armed Forces of tomorrow.”
“It will be unfortunate if nothing comes out of the initial outcry and it is allowed to pass like the other incidents before it, while we await the next incident.”
The elders urged the Federal Government to urgently facilitate the modernization of agriculture by encouraging ranching than open grazing, which state governments across the nation on behalf of the people have made pronouncements against.
“The land use act has placed ownership of land in the custody of governors in trust for the people.
“The government should desist from heating up the polity by taking us to the controversy of grazing reserves and cattle routes.
“To superimpose that on the current wave of insecurity being spearheaded by foreign herdsmen would be most insensitive.
“The government cannot act in any way to embolden killer herdsmen, by creating safe havens for them in the name of grazing reserves across the country,” it advised.
The elders said that Nigeria must go the way of ranching where there is ownership and responsibility.
They, however, commiserated with the families of those who lost lives and property in recent wanton destruction and solicit prayers for Nigeria.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
?
?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
?
?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
?
?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
?
?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
?
?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
?
?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
?
?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
?
