Home Blog Page 1257

Obi Celebrates Obasanjo at 87, Says He Is True Patriot

By
The Source
-
0
Peter Obi and Olusegun Obasanjo

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has felicitated Nigeria’s Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on his 87th birthday. Obi who joined President Obasanjo in his Birthday Thanksgiving Service at The Chapel of Christ The Glorious King, OOPL, Abeokuta to mark the Commencement of his 87th birthday celebrations, described Obasanjo as a true patriot whose ultimate desire is the development and progress of our nation.

He stated that he was delighted to celebrate the revered Nigerian leader due to his many contributions to the nation.

“I was delighted to celebrate with this very revered Nigerian who has contributed immeasurably to the growth of our nation. His love for the nation is very evident in his firm commitment to the unity and peace of our dear nation.

“President Obasanjo remains a true leader who not only engineered so many positive transformations in our nation but left behind a sound economic foundation, which if we have followed, we would not be in the sorry state we are today,” Obi said.

Obi eulogised Obasanjo forever remaining active in the collective work of nation-building. He noted that Obasanjo has continued to contribute, by words and actions, to the struggle for good governance in Nigeria.

“With our dear nation, going through very challenging times, occasioned by leadership failure, President Obasanjo has continued to courageously add his voice to demand good governance in the country. He not only speaks, but he takes action to ensure that our nation is saved from further chaos.

“As a father figure, he has continued to inspire and mentor the younger generation in transformational leadership. I am delighted to celebrate him today,” Obi enthused.

He prayed to God to grant Obasanjo more healthy and fruitful years, as he continues to play his part in the development of the nation, through his immeasurable contributions, while wishing him a happy 87th birthday.

PDP Set For Ondo Gov Election; Releases Schedule Of Activities

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Ahead of the November governorship election in Ondo state, the National Working Committee, (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has released its schedule of activities.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) had set November 16, as the date for the Ondo State Governorship election. Winner of the election will be sworn in February, next year.

The schedule, signed by the PDP National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature, was displayed on Monday on a notice board at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja.

According to the timetable, the party’s congress where its governorship candidate will emerge will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

As per the schedule of events, the interactive meeting between critical stakeholders and the National Working Committee is scheduled for March 5, 2024.

“The sale of expression of interest, nomination forms, and Ad-hoc forms is slated for March 7 – March 21. March 25 is the deadline for submitting a completed expression of interest and Ad-hoc forms,” the timetable partly stated.

As outlined in the PDP timetable, governorship aspirants will undergo screening at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on March 27. The screening reports are scheduled to be submitted on March 29.

It also scheduled the appeals on the screening exercise for April 2, 2024. The ward Congress to elect 3-man Ad-hoc Ward Delegates will take place between April 6 – April 7, with the ward Congress appeals scheduled for April 10.

The guideline also indicates that the certification of the deputy governorship candidate by the NWC of the party will occur on May 9, while May 20 is the deadline for submitting the name of the governorship candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

According to the timetable, the final date for withdrawal and replacement of candidates is June 10.

Kebbi Offers Support To Distribution Company To Ensure Regular Power Supply

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Concerned by the epileptic power supply to Kebbi State, government has offered to support electricity Distribution Company in the state to ensure 24 hours power supply during the month of Ramadan.

Governor  Nasir Idris, who dangled the olive branch, said effort has been step-up to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the state  even after the holy month.

A statement on Monday by Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the governor stated that Idris announced this while fielding questions from Newsmen shortly after inspection tour of ongoing projects in the state.

He assured that he had already invited the Managing Director, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAECO) for a round table discussion on how to salvage his people to enjoy 24 hours power supply in the coming month.

The governor, who expressed dissatisfaction over the electricity challenges being experienced across the state, insisted that he wanted to see improved electricity supply in the holy month of Ramadan.

“I have already invited the Managing Director of KAECO for a round table discussion on how to put smile on the faces of good people of Kebbi State.

“My ambition is to ensure 24 hours of electricity supply especially in the holy month of Ramadan.

“In view of this, I am ready to support the company in any ramification to achieve this objective In-Sha-Allah.”

The governor promised to look into the possibility of sustaining the improved supply even after Ramadan period.

He also promised to fulfil his campaign promises, adding that his administration was not only geared towards transforming the state to an enviable position, but also promoting peace and unity amongst the citizenry.

Commenting on the projects inspected, Gov. Idris commended the contractors handling the ongoing projects in the state for doing good work as well as relevant ministries supervising the projects.

He promised to initiate and execute more quality projects that have direct bearing to the lives of generality.

Establish Health Status Before Embarking On Pilgrimage – Kano Warns Intending Pilgrims

By
The Source
-
0

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Intending Muslim pilgrims have been urged to ascertain their health status before embarking on the trip to the Holy Land.

Similarly ,the importance of submitting their international passports and other relevant documents before approved datelines have been stressed.

The Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Laminu Rabiu Danbappa, who made the appeal ,said with adequate information about pilgrims health conditions ,medical personnel can make informed decisions on the medications required for the Pilgrims during their stay in Saudi Arabia.

Alhaji Danbappa spoke through one of the Board’s members,and chairman of Hajj Induction Course Teachers Sheikh Tijjani  Shall Maihula,on Sunday March 3 2024 during the ongoing Induction Course for intending Pilgrims held at the Conference Hall of the School of Arabic Studies in Kano.

A statement issued by the Pilgrims welfare Board Spokesperson Suleiman Dederi ,noted that the Board is set to provide all  healthcare facilities needed to ensure a successful Hajji exercise .

“Through medical checkups ,the medical team can determine the appropriate level of medication needed for the benefits of the Pilgrims during their time in Saudi Arabia.”the statement emphasized.

The Source reports that ,it is not uncommon for some  Pilgrims to develop health crisis while observing the holy pilgrimage,with some also losing their lives in the process due to improper medication, resulting from most times zero knowledge of their health status.

Food Crisis: No Way Out, We Must Fix The Country, Says Shettima

By
James Orji
-
0

Kahsim Shettima, Nigeria’s Vice President has urged Nigerians to be responsible while protesting the current economic crisis, saying the current hardship was part of the government’s efforts to fix the country.

“We have to fix this country, and failure to do this is not an option,” Shettima said as many Nigerians endure excruciating economic pains.

The nation’s number two citizen made the remark on Sunday in Lagos during a Ramadan lecture organized by the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni.

Shettima spoke few hours after a warehouse belonging to the FCTA was looted in Abuja.

The current economic crisis has sparked protests in some part of the country, as hungry Nigerians attack public and private facilities in search of food.

The Organised Labour in the country has just ended a one-day protest in solidarity with Nigerians over the severe economic crisis rocking the country.

Speaking yesterday, Shettima said the country is passing through a difficult situation, adding that the citizens must endure as the government is trying to fix the country.

He said Nigerians should “express their feelings over our circumstances in a responsible and mature manner.”

According to him, “The leadership of President Tinubu recognizes that this Ramadan will come with severe challenges for most Nigerians.

“The road to where we are today was long and full of missed opportunities and tragic failures to build on our great potential.

“The consequences of our past are the stark realities we face today, such as rising cost of living and pessimism over our prospect to turn round our economy in the direction of growth and inclusive development

“We have to fix this country, and failure to do this is not an option. All the options we have are difficult and challenging, and they are, without a doubt, more telling on the poor. If there were easier and reliable alternatives to the policy choices we have adopted, we would have adopted them.”

Shettima was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

Abuja Looting: Police Arrests Suspects, Recovers Stolen Goods

By
James Orji
-
0

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, command of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, has disclosed that 15 suspects involved in the looting of the FCTA warehouse has been arrested.

The revelation was made in a statement on Sunday by Josephine Adeh, the police command’s Public Relations Officer, PRO.

The magazine reports that some suspected hoodlums looted and vandalized the Agric Department Strategic food store located at Tasha area of Abuja, on Sunday.

The looting was one among the recent attacks on private and government facilities by hungry Nigerians looking for food to eat due to the current hardship in the country.

According to the police spokesman, those arrested included two security guards employed by the warehouse management.

Adeh, a superintendent of police said 26 bags of maize, five motorcycles and some vandalised aluminium roofing sheets have so far being recovered from the suspects.

Part of the statement said: “The Police Command in the FCT is fully informed about the impulsive attack on the Agric Department Strategic food store located at Tasha area of Abuja, on March 3.

“The attack has resulted in the vandalism and looting of the warehouse.

“The command wishes to state that normalcy has since, been restored to the area and the situation, under control.”

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to be responsible while  protesting the current economic crisis. He said the government was doing its best to solve the problems.

Hardship: Umahi backs Ohanaeze, Says No Reason For Igbo To Protest

By
James Orji
-
0

Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works says Igbo has no reason to protest against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu due to the current economic hardship in the country.

Works Minister David Umahi has said residents of the Southeast have no reason to join other regions to protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the rising cost of living in the country.

Umahi made the remark while addressing journalist at his Uburu hometown in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The high cost of living has sparked protests across major cities in the country with Nigerians demanding immediate action of the part of the government to arrest the hunger in the land.

Some parts of the country have also experience looting by hungry and angry Nigerians who blamed the government for the current economic crisis.

In spite of this, the minister said the region has been mostly favoured by President Tinubu, and so the residents have no reason to protest against his government.

Umahi’s remarks comes a few days after the Igbo apex social, cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said the people of the region will not join any protest against Tinubu.

The position of the Ndigbo was made known by Ohanaeze President General, Emmanuel Iwuanyawu.

Speaking yesterday, Umahi said the president has been able to resolve some crisis in the region, including farmers/ herders clashes, adding that most of the problems ravaging the country presently were inherited by President Tinubu.

According to him, the residents of the south east should not allow themselves to be drawn into the protest, saying Tinubu has favoured the region by making him one of the most influential ministers in his cabinet.

He explained that the current economic crisis cannot be solve within a short time, that President Tinubu  came into office barely nine months ago.

He said: “The present hunger that everybody is talking about didn’t start today. It’s a built-up to a number of factors. Before the past administration and present administration, we had been having a build-up of insecurity. We had farmers/herders clashes over a number of years…

“At a time, I was the Chairman of NEC committee on resolving farmers/herders clashes. So, I went through a number of states, especially the northern states, settling the farmers/herders clashes, and it yielded a number of fruits.

“That problem dealt a huge blow to food production. The issue of kidnapping and the issue of insecurity prevented farmers from going to their farms because here we are talking about hunger.

“And so, you expect the administration of President Tinubu to fix all those things within nine months? It’s not possible. It’s a cumulative effect of the past, like I have mentioned. We should be asking ourselves: how do we solve these problems? That’s what the President has started doing. When something has got to the climax, you don’t expect to resolve it overnight.

“If you check very well, especially in the Southeast, you will know that we no longer have incessant farmers/herders clashes. So, why should we join the protest when the President has solved our major problem? The problem we now have in the Southeast is self-inflicted. That is the issue of unknown but known gunmen.

“So, if we are protesting, who are we protesting against? We are protesting against a President that has solved herders/farmers clashes. If you remove the issue of unknown gunmen, the Southeast will be completely safe and farmers can work. So, we can’t go and join anybody to protest.”

CBN’s N1trn OMO Mops Up Excess Notes

By
James Orji
-
0

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, says it has successfully sold over N1 trillion government security to investors through the Open Market Operations, OMO, instrument.

The CBN normally used the OMO as one of the instruments to mop up excess cash in the economy.

According to the apex bank, there are signs that its monetary tightening measures are beginning to yield positive results considering that N500 billion worth of OMO securities were offered but investors oversubscribed to the tune of N1.053 trillion, with 79 per cent of the total bids, or the equivalent of US$530 million, purchased by foreign investors.

in a statement issued on Sunday by the CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi, the apex bank said investors now have high confidence in the nation’s economy.

The former administration of Muhammadu Buhari reportedly printed close to N30 trillion in local currency which analysts blamed for the spiraling inflation in the country.

The printed notes were partly through the Ways and Means instrument from the CBN.

Uzodimma Tinkers With Request to Establish Government Colleges at Okigwe, Orlu

By
The Source
-
0

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is weighing the possibility of government establishing two other Government Secondary Schools at Okigwe and Orlu zones to complement the already existing Government College Owerri with a view to deepening education in the State.

He gave the assurance to examine the pros and cons of having two Government Colleges at Okigwe and Orlu following the request made by members of the Old Boys Association of Government Secondary School, Owerri who paid a courtesy call on him at Government House Owerri, weekend.

The Old Boys Association was led by Dr. Etofolam Osuji who said the members were in Owerri for their Annual General meeting.

Governor Uzodimma had warmly welcomed the members and commended their contributions to the advancement of education and moral moulding of our youths.

He assured that he will look into their request for the establishment of Orlu and Okigwe versions of the Government Secondary School Owerri.

The Governor expressed gratitude for their solidarity and urged them to sustain their efforts “because my administration remains steadfast in transforming our State for the better.”

He commended them on their interest in having their alma mater regain her lost glory and assert it’s pride of place in the education sector in the country.

Assuring them of government’s willingness to support and partner them on their aspiration, the Governor however decried what he called “lack of monitoring and supervision of the schools as the bane of dilapidation and loss of glory.”

Earlier, the leader of the group and National President of Government Secondary School Old Boys Association, Dr. Etofolam Osuji informed that they were in Owerri for their Annual general meeting and found it important to pay a courtesy call on the Governor as a mark of respect and solidarity.

He congratulated the Governor on his reelection and inauguration for a second tenure and wished him well.

Dr. Osuji appealed to Governor Uzodimma to assist them in improving the security situation in the school, noting that the perimeter fence in the school has been breached.

He regretted that a former Governor of Imo State annexed part of the school’s premises, a situation he said defaced the compound and pleaded that something be done about it.

Dr Osuji also asked for partnership with the Government to address the various challenges plaguing the school so that it will regain it’s pride of place as the best in the South East.

Finally,  he requested the Governor to deepen the legacy he is already leaving behind in Imo State by taking steps to establish two new Government Secondary Schools in the other two zones of Okigwe and Orlu.

“The feat will help decongest the Government College Owerri and create more opportunities for Imo children seeking better and quality secondary education,” he suggested.

Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and other top government officials were in attendance at the meeting.

You Didn’t Disappoint Us, Imo Economic Development Initiative Tells Uzodinma

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma

Satisfied with what they agree is the excellent outing of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State in his first four years in office, the Imo  Economic Development Initiative (IEDI) has said that the Governor did not disappoint their reasonable expectations as private sector enthusiasts.

The body, an assemblage of professionals cutting across socioeconomic divide, passed the verdict weekend when the members visited Governor Uzodimma in his office at Government House Owerri to brief him on their readiness to continue to support his administration as his second term commences.

Led by Chairman of the group, Prof Maurice Iwu, a former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the IEDI team said the visit was a follow up to their zoom meeting on Friday, March 1, 2024,  where all the members, both within and outside the country, had the opportunity to evaluate the first four years of Governor Uzodimma’s administration and suggested other measures to be considered that would help to deepen the foundation the Governor laid in his first tenure.

Prof Iwu thanked Governor Uzodimma on behalf of all their 40 members of different professional persuasions for finding time to receive the 10-member delegation detailed to interface and brief the Governor on the outcome of their expanded meeting as it concerns Governor Uzodimma’s second term socioeconomic policies.

Prof. Iwu spoke passionately on the readiness of IEDI to continuously partner with the State Government, for the overall economic development of Imo.

He described the body as a think tank of Imo citizens, drawn mainly from the private sector, businessmen and women, academia and technocrats who, at one time or the other, were in government.

Prof. Iwu said during the zoom meeting the body identified about nine policy parameters of Governor Uzodimma’s administration which they believe, the private sector could play some roles in helping to actualise them for the good of Imo State.

His words: “We are also here to show appreciation for the past four years of your first tenure, and we want to also ensure we can work with you for the next four years of your second tenure.

“That is why we have come early, like we did four years ago, to review some outstanding issues that we feel will be of  interest for the State. We are here with 10- man delegation, from a group of only 40 people, who have been working, not as a government agency, but as private sector-driven and whose interest is the furtherance of  governance in the State and helping, so our people will be able to appreciate the dividends of democracy, especially in this period.”

In his response, Governor Uzodimma expressed  gratitude to the group for the continuous support of the members to his administration and also his willingness to work in tandem with them to actualise the desired economic growth of Imo State.

The Governor said he was privileged to meet again with members of the body for coming to extend their congratulations on the commencement of his second term as Governor of Imo State.

Governor Uzodimma said “their commitment to fostering a prosperous society aligns perfectly with our goals in the State,” noting that, “listening to their annual economic plan was truly impressive and heartening, as it resonated deeply with my vision to fortify our State’s economy.”

He further commended their dedication and partnership towards building an economically robust society and expressed his commitment to continually collaborate with the body “in our collective pursuit of economic prosperity for all.”

Governor Uzodimma said: “I will continue to solicit your opinion and contributions, to analyse my policies from time to time and suggest ways we can do better to achieve a better result. Feel free to criticise and suggest ways to achieve result.”

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, immediate past Secretary to Government of Imo State and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Cosmos Iwu and Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie respectively as well as the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Irene Chima, joined the Governor to receive the group.

1...1,2561,2571,258...2,966Page 1,257 of 2,966