News
I’ll Stop Ex-Govs’ Jumbo Pensions, Guber Candidate Vows
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, has vowed to repeal the law granting jumbo pensions to former governors and deputies in the state, if elected.
Abdulrasak said this yesterday at the party’s campaign in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, saying payment of pension to these former political office holders was detrimental to the socio-economic development of the state.
He said that his administration, if elected in the March 9 governorship election, would also put a stop to building of houses for past governors and their deputies.
“We need to change some terrible laws. We’ll repeal that obnoxious pension law when we get to office.
“It’s a privilege to become a governor of a state. It is dubious for anyone to become governor and then earn a pension more than the people who served the state for their entire lives.
“We cannot take that any more. But we need enough lawmakers to push through the repeal of the offensive law,” AbdulRazaq said.
He then urged the people to not only vote for him, but to also vote for all the APC candidates for the House of Assembly in the March 9 elections in Kwara.
“We need to bring jobs to our people. We need to address the security issues. Instead of funding Police, they arm thugs.
“We will help the Police by offering assistance they need to secure our communities,” he added.
He also promised to grant full autonomy to the local government councils, adding that this would grow the local economy and halt the unhealthy drift of people to the cities.
“We will put up a bill and send to the House of Assembly for immediate stoppage of pensions and building houses for past governors and their deputies.
“In as much as the constitution has ensured adequate wellbeing and remunerations for the governors and their deputies, such gesture is a rip-off, selfish, wastage and undue application of scarce resources.
“We will not allow such ungodly exercise to continue, and such money will be channeled into improvement of social services and other developmental projects,” he said.
The APC candidate also promised to ensure that the self-autonomy being agitated for by the 16 local government areas in the state is granted as a way of reinvigorating and revitalizing the councils’ resources.
“Most of the councils presently have been crippled financially and in a state of comatose, courtesy of those saddled with the responsibility of managing and safeguarding our state resources.
“The councils are vital arm of government that should not be starved of adequate funds at every point in time for the overall benefit of our people, especially at the grassroots.
“We will ensure that funds allocated to the councils are delivered without any interference in order to achieve the desired aims and objectives,” he said.
Also, the APC State Chairman, Mr. Bashir Bolarinwa, thanked the people for their support that ensured the emergence of all the party’s candidates in the National Assembly and presidential elections held on February 23.
He urged them to maintain the same spirit during the coming gubernatorial elections.
The newly re-elected member of the House of Representatives for Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, Hon. Raheem Olawuyi, on his part, dedicated his re-election to God and the support of party members.
He promised to be a good ambassador of the constituency by promoting legislation that would make meaningful impact on the living standards of the people of the constituency and the state at large.
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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