Connect with us

Nation

FG Seeks Mutual Synergy With Oyo On Mining Dev

Published

on

The Federal Government has sought a collaborative partnership with the Oyo State Government for the development of the mining sector. The Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, made the remarks when he visited Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State yesterday in Ibadan.
Ogah is on a working visit to attend the 56th Annual International Conference and Exhibitions on mining, holding in Ibadan.
He said the courtesy visit was to share with the governor some worthwhile thoughts that impact positively on the mutual interests of his government and the Ministry of Mines and Steel.
He said that Oyo state “is richly endowed with different mineral resources in commercial quantities and grade in several locations across the state’’.
According to him, these minerals, which are being exploited by different mining companies include; precious stones such as tourmaline, aquamarine, amethyst, agate, garnet and crystal quartz among others.
“There are industrial minerals such as marble, talc, kaolin, clay and feldspar; construction minerals such as granitic rocks, dimension stone, sand and laterite.
“Also available are Metallic Minerals such as columbite-tantalite (Coltan), cassiterite (tin ore) and gold among others,’’ he listed.
The minister said that the partnership would enhance the transformation of the rich minerals endowment of Oyo state into wealth for the peace and prosperity of the good people of the state in particular and Nigerians at large.
He added that sustaining the mutual synergy would pave way for an increase in revenue and the creation of employment opportunities for teeming unemployed youths.
Other benefits of such partnership, according to the minister, is the economic empowerment of the host mining communities “which will lead to a reduction in poverty levels of our rural communities’’.
Ogah informed Gov. Makinde about the Federal Government’s vision to build a prosperous economy, eradicating corruption and provide security for all.
“In pursuing this vision, the Federal Government is implementing policies aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy, away from dependence on.
“Today, the Federal Government is committed to growing the minerals and metals sector to an optimal production level.
“Our primary goal is to use the industry as a springboard for the generation of well-paying jobs for our teeming unemployed youth population, create wealth and empowerment for our rural community dwellers,’’ the minister said.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Nation

Lawmaker Charges Politicians On Electoral Promises

Published

on

A Lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland, Federal House of Representatives, Mr Olanrewaju Oshun, on Saturday charged politicians to fulfil their electoral promises to the masses, to continually gain their trust.
Oshun said this in an interview with The Tide’s source after casting his vote at PU 03, Ward 008, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, for the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in Lagos.
According to him, Nigeria’s politics has changed to an era where electorate expect that only politicians who deliver on their mandate should be voted for.
“At this era, politicians must understand the fact that they need to fulfil their electoral promises and be close to the people.
“The masses are more conscious that it is only politicians who perform well that should earn their vote”, he said.
Oshun expressed optimism that the will of the people would prevail in the elections, having voted for their choices.
On his assessment of the election, he lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improving on the conduct of the election, compared to the performance of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
According to him, the INEC officials arrived early at most polling units across the state, the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned effectively, while the overall process of the election was seamless.
“There is a great improvement in the conduct of the election, compared to the hitches we had at the last election.
“People have voted and made their opinion known, so it should be counted and let the best candidate win”. he said.
The lawmaker noted that the turnout for the election was impressive.
Oshun said, “one cannot say there is voter apathy as such, as reported in some quarters because people cast their votes in few minutes and left almost immediately.
The source reports that Oshun was re-elected during the Feb. 25 National Assembly Election to represent his constituency.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Nation

ICPC Arrests Four Vote-Buyers In Sokoto, Katsina

Published

on

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested four vote-buyers in Sokoto and Katsina states during the just-concluded Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections last Saturday.
In its election monitoring operations across the states of the federation, officers of the anti-corruption agency encountered some vote-buyers at Kauran Miyo Primary School in Bodingo Town of Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The Spokesperson, ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, revealed this on Saturday night in a statement obtained by The Tide source.
She noted that the Sokoto State monitoring team of the commission arrested three male vote-buyers; Mahe Bello, Musa Adamu and Mustapha Mohammed, all of Kauran Miyo Bodinga.
Ogugua said, “Mahe Bello was caught in possession of a cash sum of N38,000, two PVCs, one ATM card and an Infinix phone, while Musa Adamu had CFA228,000 in his possession which was being offered to voters. The third suspect, Mustapha Mohammed, was arrested with some PVCs in his possession”.
According to her, the ICPC monitoring team, however, came under attack while carrying out the arrest of the three vote-buyers.
This was as she noted that an officer of the commission, Rabiu Ibrahim, suffered a head injury from being hit by stones, and has been admitted into a hospital and he is in a stable condition.
She added that the three alleged vote-buyers were kept in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps before being conveyed to ICPC’s detention facility in Sokoto.
In a related development, the ICPC election monitoring team in Katsina State arrested one Tanimu Tabale for vote-buying at Tashar Yamma Polling Unit in Zango Local Government Area of the State.
Tabale, a 35-year-old man, claimed he was an observer in Makama Polling Unit but was arrested at Tashar Yamma Polling Unit with the sum of N20,000 in different denominations attempting to buy the votes and was apprehended.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Nation

Elections: LG Chairman Lauds Officials … Says No Security Breach In Keffi

Published

on

Chairman of Keffi Local Government Area (LGA), Nasarawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Baba-Shehu, has lauded concerned officials for ensuring the absence of security breach during Saturday’s elections in the area.
Baba-Shehu gave the commendation while speaking with Newsmen shortly after the State’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Keffi.
Baba-shehu noted that the success recorded was as a result of the zeal and commitment of security agencies in the area.
According to him, officers of the concerned security agencies worked hard to ensure no one carried out any act that would destabilise the peace being enjoyed in the area.
“So far, as the Chief Security Officer of the area, I have not received any report of any breach in security and that is because our security personnel are up and doing.
“All the security agencies in Keffi LG did what they know best and what was expected of them. They were in every corner of the community”, he said.
Baba-Shehu who stated that the peaceful conduct of the elections in the area was commendable, and lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ensuring the process met Nigerians’ expectations.
“I also have to commend INEC officials because the electoral materials reached polling units in good time and the election process also started early. So, there was no complaint of delay of accreditation or voting in Keffi”, he said.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Trending