Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The decision of the Acting governor of Adamawa State,
Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, to seek for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the October 11 governorship by-election has attracted mixed reactions around the state.
Fintiri had on Friday told newsmen in Yola that he had picked PDP’s “Expression of Intent” form for the by-election.
A PDP chieftain in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Kari, told newsmen that the development was welcome as the acting governor would be a popular candidate, if picked by the party.
Also commenting on the development, some civil servants, including Bello Abubakar, Janet Ibrahim and Emmanuel Danlami, lauded the development and called for support for the acting governor’s ambition.
Borno
The All Progressives Youth Forum has said it is plan
ning a nationwide thanksgiving with a special Sunday church service and Jumma’at prayers over the planned defection of former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Its Chairman, Barrister Ismail Ahmed, said the forum received the news with so much joy as it considers his exit as the best thing that would ever happen to the life of the party, due to what it calls “strategic blackmail” of the APC by the PDP, using Sheriff’s alleged links with the Boko Haram sect.
The forum noted that it had conducted very serious investigations about all the games in trying to attach a bad name to the APC locally and internationally.
“We found out that the PDP uses sponsored commentators in Nigeria to link Sheriff with Boko Haram, rightly or wrongly, and because he was a chieftain of the APC, it was easy to sell that to Nigerians using the media,” it said.
Ekiti
Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr Ayodele Fayose and Min
ister for State of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye have reiterated their determination to work together to ensure rapid and sustained development for Ekiti State.
Fayose and Adeyeye, who spoke during the thanksgiving service in honour of Adeyeye at St Mark Anglican church, Odo Ise, Ise Ekiti on Saturday, said the only way to appreciate God for what He had done for them was to use their positions for the betterment of the people.
Fayose, who described the appointment of Adeyeye as a minister as “well deserved” said; “I will join hands with Adeyeye to promote the interest of every Ekiti indigene at the Federal level.
“We will work very closely for the betterment of Ekiti and its people and I want to assure you that my minister will not be that minister that won’t be readily available to his people.
FCT
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has called on
Federal Government to provide adequate infrastructure for the service to enhance its productivity.
In an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the Deputy Postmaster-General, Counter Operation, Mr Emem Samuel, said some capital projects were being done by the service alone.
“We need capital investments from the Federal Government to upgrade NIPOST as this will attract investors to invest in the service.
“Britain drove the Royal Mail to its present enviable position and the British government is still investing in it because of the importance of postal service as employer of labour.
Kaduna
There are allegations that several road projects awarded
by the administration of the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State in 2012 have been abandoned.
Some of the projects are said to have been abandoned by the contractors at early stages after collecting mobilisation fees.
Government sources alleged that most of the contracts were awarded to politicians and friends of policymakers without adherence to due process. Such contractors deliberately refused to fulfill their promises, the source said, adding, however, that some of them were not given enough money to complete the projects.
Kano
The Emir of Kano, His Eminence, Muhammad Sanusi II,
has turbaned his uncle, Munir Sanusi as Danmaje and Yahaya Inuwa Abbas as Dokaji of Kano emirate respectively.
The ceremony took place at Soron Nadi, the emir’s palace.
Munir Sanusi is among the sons of the grandfather of the present Kano emir, the 54th emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi and was turbaned Danmaje of Kano emirate; the traditional title held by Emir Sanusi before he became Emir of Kano.
While Yahaya Inuwa Abbas who is the son of the 56th emir of Kano, the late Muhammad Inuwa was turbaned Dokaji of Kano emirate.
In his remarks shortly after turbaning, Sanusi prayed that they would work diligently for the sake of the uplifting of the Kano emirate.
Kebbi
First Military Governor of Kebbi State and second term
serving President-General of Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) worldwide, Major General Patrick Aziza (rtd) is dead.
Aziza died early last Saturday morning after a protracted illness in Abuja hospital. He was aged 66 years.
The late Gen. Aziza will always be remembered as the chairman of the Special Military Tribunal that convicted and jailed former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and late former Chief of Staff, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Ádua, over an alleged 1995 phantom coup during regime of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
Kwara
Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State,
Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN) and Senator Gbemisola Saraki have canvassed for peaceful and active participation of eligible voters during the ongoing permanent voter cards issuance and the forthcoming continuous voter registration in Kwara State.
Claiming that the PDP will defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in presidential election and all elections in Kwara State in the 2015 general elections, they enjoined eligible voters to take the exercises seriously so as to qualify to choose their leaders.
There had been pockets of violence in some areas in Ilorin during the PVC issuance. A corps member was injured during one of the fracas while some people and groups including the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) had alleged that some of the thugs involved in the violence were suspected supporters of Belgore.
Lagos
One of the passengers who were involved in a boat
explosion last Friday in Lagos is yet to be found two days later.
Emmanuel Onu was involved in the accident which injured several passengers who were immediately rescued and taken to different hospitals in Lagos Island.
“The boat which was said to belong to Aquitien Oil and Gas, took off from V-Craft Jetty, Lekki Phase One, and while trying to refill gasoline at Capital Oil Jetty at Victoria Island, the engine exploded,” Ibrahim Farinloye, Spokesperson, South-West, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.
Nasarawa
Nigeria’s main opposition party, All Progressives Congress
(APC) has condemned the renewed plan by the Nasarawa House of Assembly to impeach Governor Tanko Al-Makura, saying the state lawmakers are bent on thumbing their nose at the constitution in their desperation to remove the governor, who has been cleared of the charges against him by a duly constituted impeachment panel.
The party said that the illegality is being “contemplated under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan and is clear for all to see.”
The party said the position of the constitution is clear that only the Chief Judge of the state can set up such a panel, upon receiving a request from the Speaker of the House of Assembly, hence any attempt to draft a Vacation Judge to set up another panel will mean working against the spirit and letter of the same Constitution that gave the legislature the impeachment power in the first instance.
Ogun
Given the intervention by the National Chairman, Labour Party,
Chief Dan Nwanyanwu and a national leader of the party and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the suit against a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel by a factional state executive of the party led by Mr. Bode Simeon, would be withdrawn anytime from now.
A pointer to this was contained in a statement jointly signed by the state Secretary, Mr. Sunday Oginni and state Financial Secretary, Mr. Abayomi Arabambi, and the national leadership of the party.
The party had been enmeshed in leadership crisis between Daniel and the Mr. Olabode Simeon-led executive, which polarised the party into two factions in the state.
In the statement, the party said it has commenced a move to discontinue with the suit filed against Daniel challenging his authority in the party before a Federal High Court, Ikeja, Lagos.
Osun
The governors of the 36 states of the federation under the
auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have urged all national institutions and security agencies to emulate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), eschew partisanship and learn to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism.
“They should put their services at the disposal of all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations. Our security agencies are important national assets in which all Nigerians have stakes and must not only be fair to all parties during elections, but must be seen to be so,” the governors advised in a congratulatory message issued by the NGF Director General Asishana Okauru.
The governors congratulated Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor-elect of Osun State on his re-election at the just concluded gubernatorial election and urged all the other 19 candidates to work with the Governor to take Osun State forward.
Oyo
The popular Alesinloye market in Ibadan was in the early
hours of yesterday gutted by fire, which destroyed several shops and goods estimated at millions of naira.
The fire was reportedly caused by surge in electricity. Goods were burnt or looted as touts pounced on the shops under the guise of helping to put out the fire.
One of the affected traders was said to have just stocked up her shop on Friday before the incident.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (right) registering for National Identity Card in Ibadan, recently. Photo: NAN
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor