Nation
Benue Massacre: Attackers Must Be Found, Dealt With-Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the use of terrorism as a tool in inter communal conflicts, urging that the attackers of innocent citizens in Benue must be found and dealt with swiftly under the law.
The Tide source reports that the Nigerian leader gave the order while condemning the recent bout of killings in Benue, in which tens of people were killed in Umogidi community, Entekpa-Adoka in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The President urged that all efforts be made to end the “extreme violence”.
He also directed the secret services, police and military commanders to enhance surveillance on every front and to immediately review the security management in the affected areas.
President Buhari and King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan had earlier held a telephonic conversation yesterday, with both leaders expressing the satisfaction on security matters.
The two leaders had expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the Nigeria-Jordan strategic partnership in matters of security and other global issues.
In the conversation, the Jordanian leader called to wish the President a happy and successful Ramadan and to thank him especially for naming the auditorium in the newly-inaugurated National Counter Terrorism Center in Abuja after him.
The facility is named “King Abdullah Bin Hussein II Auditorium.”
Also yesterday, Sen. Osita Izunaso (APC- Imo West) met with President Buhari in Abuja to intimate the President with his interest in the seat of the Senate President.
He told newsmen after the meeting that there was the need to zone the Senate Presidency to the Southeast geopolitical zone.
Izunaso said he is the most suited for the position as he remains the highest ranking senator from the Southeast.
President Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship with the mandate to guide implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) 2022.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 14-member Council, chaired by him, the president directed the Secretariat, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to ensure implementation of the Act.
According to him, the Act provides incentives and support for start-ups, including tax breaks and access to funding.
The inauguration preceded the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting and had members of the Digital Innovation Council in attendance.
The President presided over the meeting on Wednesday where the Council approved two contracts, worth N15.3 billion, for the supply and installation of information and communication technology (ICT) components and digital assistance devices for the 2023 population census.
The council awarded the construction of 283.4km roads to BUA Cement company under the Federal Government’s tax credit scheme at the cost of N328 billion.
The Council also approved a new bill, known as Nigeria Mining and Mineral Act, 2023, to replace the Nigerian mining law and update the law.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, also revealed that the Federal Government secured a World Bank facility worth US$800 million.
It will be used to attend to a segment of post-petroleum subsidy palliatives requirement in the country.
According to her, the US$ 800 million is the first tranche of palliatives to be disbursed through cash transfers to about 50 million Nigerians, who belong to the most vulnerable category of society.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
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