News
Work Resumes Today After Moslems Holidays
Major motor parks in Port Harcourt metropolis, including the popular Abali Park and the Mile Three Motor Park, came alive yesterday as citizens who travelled to the countryside to celebrate the Moslems Sallah holidays started returning to Port Harcourt.
At the Abali Park, a civil servant, told The Tide that the Sallah celebration was without colour as he did not receive his October salary before travelling to his village for the Sallah.
However, he gave kudos to the Federal Government for stabiling the price of petroleum products which help to ensure there was no transport fare hike during the Sallah period.
Also speaking to The Tide, Miss Mary Adam said the Sallah holidays were a period of sober reflection for Nigerians, saying, it was not a mere coincidence that the Sallah fell on a Sunday, the day of worship for Christians.
She said the coincidence provided both Moslems and Christians in the country an opportunity to reflect on their relationship and live as brother and sisters.
But Mr Christopher Amadi was of the opinion that the Federal Government should take proactive measures to checkmate the Boko Haram Islamic sect that is unleashing terror in some parts of Nigeria.
He said this was necessary as the sect had gone haywire, destroying valuable lives and property without any hindrance.
The Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, yesterday saw a huge number of passengers returning from the Eid-El-Kabir holidays across the nation.
Our correspondent recalls that the Federal Government had declared November 7 and November 8 as public holidays for the celebration of Eid-El-Kabir.
The Tide correspondent, who was at the airport, reported seeing hundreds of passengers exiting the arrival hall of terminal 2 of the MMA and the General Aviation Terminal of the airport.
Two of them told our correspondent that they were Lagos-based and hoped to resume work on Wednesday.
Mr Segun Atobatele, who works with an oil company on Lagos Island, said: “My family is in Abuja. I went to spend the holidays with them; it is great to be with one’s family and have fun with them.
“My flight was very smooth and there was a lot of passengers in the aircraft.’’.
A female civil servant, who pleaded anonymity, said that she had to come back to resume work on Wednesday at the state secretariat, Alausa.
She commended the government for the holidays, noting that it allowed some workers to have enough rest and take care of their health condition.
A businesswoman, Mrs Fatimah Jimoh, told newsmen that she had to come back to supervise her fashion and eatery business in Surulere.
Jimoh, who came back with her two kids, said that the holidays had given workers the opportunity to relax with their families.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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