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Dogara Commends Ugwuanyi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has extolled the leadership virtues of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, describing him as “an established leader” who is being celebrated widely because of his closeness to the people and effective delivery of dividends of democracy in spite of the nation’s economic challenges.
Mr Dogara, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), added that Mr Ugwuanyi is “a very nice man to a fault”, who “wants to please everybody”, saying that he has “done exceptionally well” in office that members of the National Assembly in particular and the people of Enugu State “are exceedingly proud of what you have achieved.”
The speaker, who spoke during the grand reception for Mr Ugwuanyi by members of the Enugu State National Assembly Caucus, said he was delighted at the governor’s popularity and humility “when I went to Enugu and I saw market women, I saw so many indigenes of that state coming to the Government House, dancing and singing.”
He disclosed that the people he saw were not rented crowds but those who were speaking from the bottom of their hearts, applauding Mr Ugwuanyi for “investing in people”.
According to him, “Governor Ugwuanyi is such a person that you will never meet in mansions when you go to Enugu. You will meet him among his people and that is where his heart is. And that is where the heart of a leader should be”.
Speaking on Mr Ugwuanyi’s unprecedented achievements in spite of the state’s lean resources, Mr Dogara while recalling the governor’s firm belief in the miracle of “five loaves and two fish” stated that “our brother (Ugwuanyi) who is a true leader is performing beyond expectation with the very little resources that he has”.
“Your Excellency, now that you have done exceptionally well, all the Enugu people are happy and they have decided to endorse you for a second term. When the people of Enugu State say that we are celebrating you, we are appreciating you; it means they are applying for more. So I wish you well. I know that you will continue to distinguish yourself creditably and define leadership in Enugu State,” the speaker added.
In his remark, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Bala Na’allah, who represented the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, also eulogised Gov. Ugwuanyi for his outstanding leadership qualities, saying that he “is one of the most decent and honest person I have worked closely with”.
He said: “I was with him in the Committee on Marine Transport and then he was with me when I chaired the Committee on Judiciary in the House of Representatives and then we developed a concept on how to deliver on our responsibilities transparently and efficiently.
“So I am not surprised when I hear the positive comments being showered on him in his duty as Governor of Enugu State. It is very rare and lucky to have someone like Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi superintending over the affairs of men more especially in this present day Nigeria.
“So, it is not for nothing that God gave you Ugwuanyi. Your responsibility is to ensure that you continue to sustain the 100 percent support that you have been giving him,” Mr Na’allah noted.
At the event, the Enugu NASS caucus unanimously endorsed Mr Ugwuanyi for a second term in office for his effective leadership and entrenchment of peace and good governance in the state.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, on behalf of all the federal lawmakers from Enugu State, said the endorsement was predicated on the governor’s development strides and his leadership style characterized by justice, equity, and peace.
He said: “Governor Ugwuanyi has connected with the people of Enugu State in a very peculiar way. Today, communities have their Liaison Officers, and they execute projects. Everybody is part and parcel of government.
“Since 1999, we usually had crisis, troubles, and major misunderstandings any year preceding general elections. At times, we wondered if we would survive it. It happened in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and it happened in 2014. But today, we are in 2018, and Enugu has been adjudged the most peaceful state.
“If you look around here, there are people from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu, and those from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That is how we live in Enugu State. There is no discrimination, no division. We have 17 Local Government Areas in Enugu State. None of them is complaining of marginalization.
“There is also freedom in Enugu State. Governor Ugwuanyi does not take offence when people have cause to criticize him. He learns from the criticisms and he dialogues a lot. The judiciary is free and independent, working without fear or favour. That is what democracy is all about.
“Therefore, I have the mandate of the members of the Enugu State caucus at the National Assembly, and I also believe all our people who live in Abuja, to say that on account of the peace you have brought and all the work you have done for the last three years, we have no hesitation whatsoever in endorsing you for one more term in 2019”.
Responding, Mr Ugwuanyi, who appreciated the Enugu caucus of the National Assembly for their show of love and support, noted that the prevailing peace and cooperation between the federal lawmakers and his administration have resulted in numerous constituency projects and Federal Government interventions in the State.
He assured that the years of dichotomy now belonged to the past.
“We have become one people united by the determination to develop our State and we will continue to remain one family. With your support and prayers, I will continue to lead an Enugu State where peace, justice, and equitable development remain the watchword. We will continue to work together to build that same united, prosperous, and great Enugu State envisioned by our fathers”, he added
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.
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