Nation

Elumelu Tasks PDP Leaders On Unity In S/West

Published

4 years ago

December 10, 2021

The Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Mr Ndudi Elumelu, has called for urgent steps to reunite the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the South West ahead of upcoming governorship elections in the region.
Elumelu made the call at a special inauguration dinner organised in honour of the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, on Wednesday night in Abuja.
He urged Arapaja to use his office to foster inclusiveness in the South West and reconcile aggrieved members ahead of Osun and Ekiti Governorship elections.
This, he said, would also boost the party’s chances of victory in the 2023 general elections.
“Come 2023, we want to see the Southwest takeover by PDP.
“How are we going to get that done? It is for you to take an urgent step toward uniting Southern PDP.
“It is a good assignment and it will be rigorous, but God that gave you this position knows that you have all that it takes to accomplish it.
“Any time you call us, we’ll be there to see that unity that is required from southern Nigeria is attained during your leadership,” Elumelu said.
The minority leader also advised Arapaja to ensure that popular candidates, truly loved by people of the states, emerged for the party to win the state elections.
He said that such measure must also be extended to all Southern state chapters of the party and across the country for PDP to be victorious in 2023.
In his remarks, Arapaja pledged that the incoming leaders would be selfless and meticulous to present flag-bearers that could win in all the elections both in 2022 in Osun and Ekiti States, and the 2023 general elections.
“The power at the centre belongs to us. Nigerians are looking up to us as credible alternative to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We have started the journey to the villa on a good note, and I beseech each and everyone of us to be more dedicated to this course of winning back Nigeria for the betterment of Nigerians.
“This is a task that is worthy of a pledge from us all.”
He said that his leadership in the Southern Nigeria would always maintain tripod policy for stabilizing the party and moving it forward .
He listed the policies to include sincerity of purpose; guide through the constitution; Justice and fairness.
“The most important thing to me is winning in our elections; not just being there as figurehead officer.
“To this end, I shall dispense all weapons at my disposal to justify the confidence reposed in me,” he said.
The convener New Nigeria Group (NNG), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, described Arapaja as a competent man that would work for the success of the party.
Ohuabunwa, who had earlier declared his interest for the party’s presidential ticket, said he had always known Arapaja to be a man of the people and a humble person.
“I believe Arapaja has what it takes to do this job.
“I believe he has the competence and the courage to do justice to all the party stakeholders,” Ohuabunwa said.

Nation

Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.

The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.

According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.

The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.

Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.

While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.

Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.

“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.

The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.

He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.

Nation

Enugu North LG chairman presents ?10.8bn 2026 Budget, prioritises roads …Security, Healthcare, Human Capital Development

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh, has presented a Ten Billion Eight Hundred Million Naira (?10.8bn) 2026 budget to the legislative council of the local government.

The budget, tagged “Budget of Continued Growth and Consolidation,” was presented on Wednesday during a plenary session attended by councillors, department heads, and other stakeholders.

Dr. Onoh explained that the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate achievements recorded in 2025 while scaling up development across the council’s 13 wards. Priority areas include road infrastructure, grassroots security, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, and digital governance.

He also reviewed the 2025 budget performance, highlighting significant revenue growth and successful completion of key projects. Notably, the council’s internally generated revenue more than doubled, attributed to the introduction of digital revenue collection platforms and other innovative measures.

Among the 2025 achievements, Dr. Onoh mentioned the reconstruction of major roads at European Quarters, Hilltop, Coal Camp, and Ukwa Street, Ihewuishi, as well as the upgrade of the local security architecture through the reorganisation of the neighbourhood watch into “The City Watch.”

On the 2026 budget, the chairman stated that projected revenue would come from statutory allocations, VAT, internally generated revenue, and counterpart funding through public-private partnerships.

He noted that capital expenditure would take the larger share of the budget, with over half allocated to the economic sector. Planned projects include:

Completion of transport terminals at Aria Market

Construction and reconstruction of urban roads

Establishment of two sports centres

Healthcare interventions

Youth skills development programmes.

Dr. Onoh emphasised that the projects, policies, and programmes outlined in the budget are aimed at complementing the initiatives of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, who is setting standards for local government councils to follow.

Responding, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Chizoba Nnamani, said the budget would be carefully scrutinised in the interest of residents before its passage.

Nation

Christians Convert To Islam or die As ISWAP burns down Christian village

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Christians in Adamawa have been asked to Convert to Islam or die as commanded by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

.The ISWAP forcedly burnt down Christian village in Adamawa Nigeria as reported on January 1, 2026.

The Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, has continued to wreak havoc on Christian communities in the Northeast, Nigeria.

This comes as ISWAP burned down a Christian village in Adamawa State.

A security expert, Brant Philip, disclosed this on Thursday in a viral video released by the terrorists.

“ISWAP released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to “spare their blood” by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP,” Brant Philip wrote on X.

The move is perceived as retaliation for recent joint airstrikes by the Nigerian and United States military against a terrorist enclave in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Recall that five days ago, United States President Donald Trump announced that the US military launched airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State.