News
Amaechi Tasks Leaders On Boko Haram… Woos: German Investors To Nigeria
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi says the
security challenges faced in the northern parts of the country and the Boko
Haram insurgency can be halted if the leaders of the north would rise up to
their responsibilities.
Governor Amaechi said this yesterday when the Flag Officer
Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Nigerian Navy (NN), Rear Admiral
Olufemi Ogunjimi visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, Governor
Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum called on
leaders in the north to stand up to the demand of the times, urging them to respond
to the issues of security and wanton destruction of lives and property.
Somebody has to stand up for the North, somebody has to give
up himself to restore peace in the north, somebody has to take responsibility,
the state Chief executive said, noting that it takes a lot of commitment,
sacrifice and courage to address security issues, thanking the Nigerian Navy
for their efforts at restoring peace and order across the state.
Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval
Command (ENC), Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi, thanked Governor
Amaechi and the state government for the support the Nigerian Navy has received
so far, noting that it has enhanced their operational capabilities, expressing
its readiness to continue to collaborate with the state government.
Rear Admiral Ogunjimi tasked the judiciary and other law
enforcement agencies on the speedy prosecution of criminals arrested, and
handed over to them by the Navy, assuring Nigerians on its commitment to secure
the nation’s waterways and resources.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi had called on German investors
to take advantage of the vast area of land in Nigeria and invest in
agriculture.
Amaechi, who is the
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) made the call on Wednesday
in Berlin, the German capital.
Amaechi and five other governors are on a tour of Germany to
understudy its federal system of government with a view to replicate its best
practices in their states.
Our correspondent covering the visit reports that the tour
was the result of the collaborative effort between the NGF and the German
Agency for International Cooperation (GAIC).
The governors, from Enugu, Niger, Plateau, Borno and Katsina
states, are paying special attention on Germany’s administrative system, fiscal
policy and the establishment and sustenance of small and medium scale
enterprises.
They are also expected to meet and woo prospective European
investors to their respective states.
“I will urge you to please come to Nigeria because of its
vast land and invest in agriculture and your return will be quick.
“ I am sure that if you do the computation, you will see
that it will be cheaper to invest in agriculture.
This he said would not only help boost the economy of the
country, but would reduce the number of unemployed youths in the country.
He added that there were other areas of investment in
Nigeria that could guarantee quick returns because of its large population
backed by purchasing power of the citizens.
Such areas, he said, include electricity, education and
transportation among others.
Our correspondent reports that GAIC was presently helping to
grow small businesses in some states in Nigeria.
The German government had also entered an agreement with the
Federal Government to help strengthen the country’s institutions as well as
provide managerial training in Nigeria’s energy sector to help address the
challenges in that sector.
However, the German Agency for International Cooperation
(GAIC) has said that the development of economic potentials was the biggest
challenge faced by governments across the world.
Director of the Agency, Mr Kians Bruckner, said this in Berlin on Wednesday while
welcoming six Nigerian Governors who are in Germany to understudy its federal
system of government.
Bruckner, who said that the responsibility of developing SME
was enormous, urged the governors to use the opportunity of their visit to
Germany to interact effectively with German government officials and business
owners.
He welcomed the decision of the governors to visit Germany
and commended the effort of the various governments in Nigeria at developing
SMEs.
“I encourage you to not only listen but to talk about your
experiences and expectations so that we would have a better understanding of
your challenges.“ Bruckner said.
This, he stressed would enable the governors to get
appropriate advice and support from German officials.
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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