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FG Orders Reopening Of Universities, Commencement Of Lectures

By
Akinwale Kasali
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ASUU Meeting

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has ordered public University Vice Chancellors to re-open schools and allow students resume lectures.

This was made known in a letter signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.

The letter which was made  available to The Puncch on Monday was addressed to all Vice Chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Universities.

“Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses”, the letter partly reads.

It would be recalled that last week, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off its ongoing nationwide strike.

ASUU had been on strike since February 14 to press home the demand for improved funding for Universities, a review of salaries for Lecturers, among other issues.

Several meetings between ASUU and the Federal Government ended in a deadlock.

Consequently, the Federal Government went to court to challenge the strike.

The Government through its Counsel, James Igwe, prayed the Court for an interlocutory injunction restraining ASUU from taking further steps as regards the strike, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

 Igwe on Wednesday prayed the Court to order the striking Varsity Lecturers to, in the interim, return to work, pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Court.

He maintained that the matter was not only urgent, but of great national interest as millions of students have been at home for over seven months.

“Sections 47 of the Trade Dispute Act, TDA, gives your lordship the power to direct that no worker should continue to embark on strike pending when the applications are heard and determined,”,

Igwe argued.

Igwe said there was need for the matter to be expeditiously determined to enable university students to return to school, adding that failure to call off the strike would cause irreparable damage to not only the students but also to the nation.

According to him, since the dispute between FG and lectures was already before the court for adjudication, it would be proper and in the interest of justice for the strike to be suspended.

In his ruling, Justice Hamman held that the application was meritorious and deserved to be granted by the court.

Igwe told the Court that the strike action was detrimental to Public University students that cannot afford to attend private tertiary institutions.

“The balance of convenience tilts in favour of the applicant.

“I hold that this application is meritorious and this application is granted”, Justice Hamman ruled.

The court, thereafter, issued an order, restraining ASUU, “whether by themselves, members, agents, privies or howsoever called, from taking further steps and doing any act in continuance of the strike action, pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed.”

ASUU had since filed 14 grounds of appeal to challenge the order through its Counsel, Femi Falana, SAN.

APC Presidential Campaign Council Defends Inclusion Of Nnamani As Member,  Promises More Members

By
Ayodele Oni
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Chimaroke Nnamani

By Ayodele Oni

More members are to be appointed into the Presidential Campaign Council of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC), apparently following complains and protests, especially from Governors.

Some Governors have protested that names of their nominees were not included in the list containing over 400 members released last week.

The Council also clarified the inclusion of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani’s, a member of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) name in the list, saying it is not a mistake.

Director Media of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga explained in a statement on Monday that the current list is a partial one.

According to him, “The Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress hereby clarifies that the list of members of the campaign council released at the weekend, is a partial list.

“It contains only the directors, deputy directors, secretaries of directorates and key stakeholders.

“The council also assures our esteemed governors that the secretariat  of the council has not jettisoned the names  submitted by them.

“Some of the nominees of our governors have emerged as part of the leadership, while others will soon emerge as members of the various directorates.”

Onanuga quoted PCC Secretary, James Faleke as saying that “No name is left out of the lists.”

Onanuga pointed out that “The PCC will also want to clarify that the appearance of the name of HE Chimaroke Nnamani, a distinguished senator from Enugu State, was not a mistake.

“He is on the list in his own right as a supporter of our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Distinguished Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, who is still away in the United States,  is a very close  friend of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“He may not be on the field with us as a PDP senatorial candidate in Enugu East, but his presence is indicative that he may have chosen to give  ‘moral support’  to his old-time friend and brother.

“In any case, the PCC cannot dictate the extent of Senator Nnamani’s support for his friend and brother. That is part of his fundamental human right which supersedes any provision in a Party Constitution.

“His position and allegiance to his party is self-defining and does not need any qualifying by us.

“Any explanation as to his status should be coming from the other party and not from us who are very proud to be associated with him.”

N48bn Contract: Clark Backs Tompolo

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Edwin Clark, Ijaw National Leader and elder statesman has slapped those opposed to the N48 billion oil pipeline protection awarded to repentant militant, Government Ekpemepulo aka Tompolo.
The multi-billion contract was awarded to a company in which Tompolo has interest, and has equally generated mixed feelings from not a few Nigerians.
Apart from the opposition coming from other militants in the oil-bearing region such as Asari Dokubo, leader of Defunct Niger Delta Volunteer Force, that the contract should be shared, not a few Nigerians have slammed the federal government for awarding a very sensitive contract of protecting the nation’s oil assets to a private firm.
The federal government in its response to the criticisms said the firm will complement the efforts of security agencies in the country to end oil theft and pipeline vandalization in the country.
Clark said in a statement on Sunday, that pipeline protection contact should not be subjected to bickering, particularly as its affects the indigenes of the Niger Delta region, saying his peoples have the capacity to protect the oil assets in the region.
According to him,“The unpatriotic elements should realize that there is nothing wrong in awarding contracts to any capable Niger Deltan, especially to protect oil and gas assets that are situated in their backyards,” he said.
“Similar contracts have been awarded in the past to individuals, I do not understand, therefore, why the Tompolo case is made to look as if it is the only one.”
“The beneficiaries of the contract are bonafide sons of the Niger Delta, who are committed to the peace and stability of the region and the country.”

The elder statesman praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for trying to find an amicable resolution among the militants to the surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo.

Meanwhile, Governor Diri and the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress jointly resolved the disagreement among Ijaw sons over the oil pipeline surveillance contract.

A peace meeting to settle the feuding parties was convened at the instance of Diri, who presided over the parley alongside the President of the INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, in Yenagoa at the weekend.

The meeting also constituted a five-member monitoring committee to follow up on the successes of the parley in the interest of peace, unity and stability of the Ijaw nation and indeed the Niger Delta.

Last week, the chief executive of the Nigerian National Oil Company, NNPC Mele Kyari said over 700,000 barrels of crude oil is stolen in the country daily.
The value of the stolen crude is estimated at over $7 million, experts say.

SEC Proposes 10yrs Imprisonment For Ponzi Schemes Operators

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Proposed bill against Ponzi schemes in the country by the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC prescribes a 10-year jail term for operators, the magazine has learned.

If passed by the National Assembly, the Investments and Security Bills, ISB will also reduce the activities of Ponzi schemes operators, SEC, has said.

“Ponzi schemes operate with unsustainable operating models that ultimately lead to huge losses for investors. Following the collapse of the MMM Ponzi scheme, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) had estimated that over 3 million Nigerians lost about N18 billion Naira.

“ Several other illegal investment schemes have cost Nigerians their assets and life savings,” SEC said last year.

According to checks by the magazine, the harsh economic situations in the country have exposed not a few Nigerians to speculative and dubious schemes.

A report by Norrenberger Financial Investments, said in the last five years, about N300 billion have been lost to Ponzi schemes in Nigeria.

The potential of losing their money has however not stopped many Nigerians from investing in such schemes this year. Experts say the figure is likely to rise this year as more Nigerians seek to escape the economic headwinds.

But, the Director General of SEC, Lamido Yuguda said the proposed legislation seeks to tackle the hydra-headed problem of Ponzi schemes where Nigerians lose their hard-earned money.

He urged the National Assembly to ensure the quick passage of the bill, which according to him will boost the economy.

Yuguda disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, saying the target of the bill is to grow the nation’s financial sector.

He explained that the bill will also enhance the competitiveness of the nation’s capital market, as well as boost the diversification efforts of the federal government.

Yguda said “the bill introduces an express prohibition of Ponzi/pyramid schemes as well as other illegal investment schemes.

”The bill also prescribes a jail term of not less than 10 years for promoters of such schemes.

”It expands the definition of a Collective Investment Scheme to include schemes offered privately to qualified investors.

”Minor reviews on various sections of the extant law have been carried out to provide greater clarity.”

Opinion: What Nigeria Needs In 2023 And Beyond

By
James Orji
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By Yemi Farounbi
As I sat to think of my dear Nigeria, that chose in 1960 to share my October 1 birthday with me, five statements by eminent persons all over the world came to my mind.
Let me share them with you.
First, Hugh Gatskell, a former leader of British Labour Party, once asked, “Would you asked those who helped you to build a house that collapsed to come and help you rebuild it?”
It’s only in Nigeria that a contractor that helped to build a house that collapsed will confidently step forward to offer to rebuild the collapsed house.
Secondly, I remember Oliver Cromwell. His famous words reechoed in the hallowed chambers of British House of Commons.
Hitler’s forces were sweeping in victory after victory across Europe. Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement policy has failed and greatest insecurity was staring Britain in the face, just as it’s staring Nigeria in the face.
Leo Amery stood up and faced Chamberlain and referred as Cromwell did, “The old decaying self-serving men, who have sat for too long for any good they have been doing. In the name of God, depart.”
Thirdly, there’s one character called Geoffrey St Clair in Joy Fielding’s novel titled TRANCE. In Geoffrey’s words: “We are tired of all the sloth masquerading as progress. We are tired of all the imbecilic chatter about freedom and democracy like so many school children.
“Once these people get into power, they stay for decades…Tired generations of useless leaders, so ingrained into our system, you can never get them out.”
Doesn’t that look like Nigeria that has so much recycled men of yesterday that have left us a Nigeria that looks more like a nightmare than the country of our collective hopes and dreams.
Fourth, there was Woodrow Wilson, who later became American President. What he said would interest you because it aptly describes Nigeria of today.
In his words: “These gentlemen have been so intimately associated with the powers that have been determining the policy of this government for almost a generation, that they cannot look at the affairs of the country with the view of a new age and of a changed set of circumstances.
“They sympathize with the people; their hearts no doubt go out to the great masses of unknown men in the country; but their thought is in close, habitual association with those who have framed the policies of the country during all our lifetime……
“We do not deny your integrity; we do not deny your purity of purpose; but the thought of the people of the United States has not penetrated to your consciousness.
“You are willing to act for the people, but you are not willing to act through the people. Now we propose to act for ourselves.”
Wilson ended by saying: “I am not interested in the man who has been made but the man on the make… who never had their voices heard, never got a line in the newspaper, never got a moment on the platform, never had access to the ears of governors or presidents.”
That was Woodrow Wilson speaking in 1914. Doesn’t that sound like Nigeria of 2022?
Fifth, there was Bill Clinton. In his debate with President Bush, he said: “It’s lunacy doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results.”
This is Nigeria where we repeat the same things, the same ideas, the same people mouthing the same promises and expecting different results. Aren’t we what Tola Adeniyi called THE LUNATIC? These eminent persons have described for me Nigeria as I see it today. So what next?
Our situation today demands for a new beginning, a spiritual rebirth, a new identity, indeed a renewal of our country based on NEGOTIATED CONSENSUS. Our situation needs MEN OF VISION, NOT MEN OF EXPERIENCE. It’s obvious that we can no longer relying our past structure, systems, formulas, methodology and actors.
We need those imbued with vision and idealism of a greater, better alternative tomorrow that the 1999 Constitution cannot deliver.
We need those committed to the five essential freedoms… Freedom of speech, expression and press …. Freedom of every Nigerian to worship god in his/her way and convenience…. Freedom from want, need, disease and poverty…. Freedom from fear, insecurity, banditry, and criminality…. Freedom from tyranny at all levels.
We need those who are not led by the mobs, but who will offer leadership to the people while also recognizing the genuine religious and ethnic fears and tears of the people.
We need those patriotic enough to challenge the future and challenge the centralised federal presidential structure that the Muritala Administration imposed as a NO GO AREA through the 1977 Constituent Assembly.
We need certainly not men of experience…. because the experience either maltreated or misled us…. the experience humiliated, marginalized, brutalized, factionalized, fractionalized and misdirected us.
We have the ability to change, to move forward, to chart a course towards a future of greater possibilities and opportunities.
We must not be afraid to march on until every ghetto of socioeconomic depression is wiped off.
We must struggle until all the traces of inferior or poor education are dissolved.
We must march on with all energy at our disposal ON POVERTY until no hungry man walks our streets, looking for jobs that are no longer there.
We must march on until all industries are revitalized, new SMEs established and our CURRENCY strengthened.
We must show a commitment to empower the needy, the oppressed and the poor.
We must show a determination to wipe out those who destroy our banks, industry, economy, our well being and our country.
But then you will say, ‘thank God there will be elections in 2023’. And I will say, very sadly, that, based on the present peculiar 1999 Constitution, not a product of our NEGOTIATED CONSENSUS, I’m not excited.
Perhaps we need an interim arrangement that will birth a NEW CONSTITUTION, based on a NEGOTIATED CONSENSUS.
Would we have the courage to do the right thing? Or would we continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results?
•Being a speech delivered by Dr. Yemi Farounbi OON, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the Philippines, at Tunde Odunlade Arts Gallery, Bodija, Ibadan, under the auspices of Gabriel Victoria Foundation, on Sunday, 25 September, 2022

2023: Labour Party Urges Nigerians To Stop ‘Stealing’ APC From Returning To Power

By
James Orji
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0
Peter Obi

The Peter Obi-led Labour Party has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, government of stealing and mismanaging the nation’s economy.

Arabambi Abayomi, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP disclosed this in Abuja, on Sunday. He said the ruling party has plunged the country into a debt that will be paid by generation unborn.

Amidst criticism that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has borrowed too much within the spate of seven years, the LP said, the implication of this is that each Nigeria will now have to pay back N170,000.

The government has insisted that it will continue to borrow in order to bridge the infrastructure deficit in the country, but the LP said what the country needs is prudent management of resources.

The party warned Nigerians to punish the APC by voting them out in next year’s election, warning that “the stealing government” should not be allowed to return to power.

Accusing the government of mismanaging the economy, the LP said “the clueless and confused APC Govt spent a total of N4.2 trillion between January and April 2022 from the earmarked N17.32trillion for the whole year.

“In these same four months, a sum of N285bn was earned as oil revenue, this represents a shortfall of 60.9% of the prorated figure of N730.12bn, this is even in spite of the marked rally in crude oil prices in these four months when the Government unabashedly retarded APC Govt casually mentioned that oil production declined to let the oil revenue fall short of the projection.

“It sounds very irritating, painful and annoying to keep hearing this dying and failed APC Govt repeatedly claiming that the untenable, questionable & unverifiable oil subsidy deductions were responsible with the twin criminal excuse of the inability to increase oil production was responsible for the failure at meeting the projected target of revenue growth in the 4 months.

“The dishonest and lying APC probably forgot that in 2021 it spent N4.22 trillion on debt servicing which was an increase of 29.3% over the sum of N3.27 trillion spent for the same purpose in 2020 while the revenue only increased by a marginal 9.3 % to N4.39 trillion revenue and in the last 16months APC led Buhari Administration has spent a whooping sum of N6.16trillion. “

The LP further accused the ruling party of mismanaging proceed from crude oil sale, adding that the billions of naira paid for petrol subsidy had turned out a scam.

“The growing cluelessness of the APC in its incompetent management of the Country’s economy is easily observed from the silly and unending oil subsidy deductions choreographed calculated scam

“ One can simply ask how much it cost Dangote to establish the about to begin operation oil refinery was built at a cost of $15bn.

“The Pacific refinery in Ecuador cost $12bn with a capacity to refine 500,000 barrels per day (bpd).”

“AL ZOUR REFINERY in Kwait was built at a cost of $16bn with a production capacity of 615 ,000 barrels per day.

“Compare the foregoing against Nigeria with two / three refineries and a refining average capacity of 1.2 million of crude oil per day, how comfortable are you fellow Citizens?

“Presently, these same thieves in Governance, APC are yet proposing #6.7 trillion to fund the carefully hidden agenda called a subsidy.”

Don’t Blackmail, Condemn Security Agents Fighting Crime – Uzodinma; Governor, Archbishop Say There’s Hope For Nigeria

By
The Source
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0
Hope Uzodimma and Rev Lucius Ugorji

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Dr Lucius Ugorji have said Nigeria still has hope despite the basket-full of challenges facing the Nation at 62.

Both spoke on Sunday at the Maria Assumpta Catholic Cathedral Owerri during a Church Service to mark the 62nd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.

They agreed that Nigeria is endowed by God  with huge human and material resources and that with the right leadership and attitude the Country can still attain greatness.

In his remarks at the end of the Service, Governor Uzodimma challenged Nigerians to stand up to tackle the challenges retarding the progress of the Nation.

He advised Nigerians to learn to differentiate between the meaning of collective interest as against individual or personal interest, noting that “what defines a Nation is collective interest.”

Governor Uzodinma explained that all Nations have their perculiar challenges “but we must take time to study how countries overcame such challenges and deplore proactive approaches in confronting the challenges of our time.”

“Every generation has a responsibility to confront every challenge that befell them, be it leadership or followership but the common denominator to solve a problem is by identifying the root cause of the problem.”

The Governor regretted that the attitude of Nigerians has always been to “complain and lament about problems,  identifying where things are not going well, but not doing much in planning how things can go well.”

The Governor acknowledged that at 62 Nigeria has come of age and continued to struggle for survival – failures and successes – but said “despite all the challenges that confronted the country, Nigeria and Nigerians still have life and faith in God to continue to drive the Nation.”

He assuaged the fears of the congregation that Nigeria is not making progress saying “in spite of the challenges of leadership, insecurity, poverty and unemployment the country still remains very hopeful and God has been very merciful to all of us.”

While acknowledging that the current and past leaders of Nigeria must have made their mistakes with regard to the mega problems, he however said that the strength and energy are still available to them, particularly as the blessings which God has endowed Nigeria with –  natural and human resources – provide  hope for tomorrow.

 “How many of us are interested in how Nigeria can be better, and if yes what have we done in that direction?”

Drawing inference from Imo State with her peculiar problems, the Governor said:  “Leadership came, leadership left but problems are here and there. We should brace-up and confront the challenges of our time.”

He called on the congregation to join hands to solve the problems in Imo State “to allow for peace and people to go about their businesses.”

Governor Uzodimma said there is need to differentiate between the leadership and the political class that have come to work for the people from those that  refused to work so that we join hands and forces to support the ones that have come to work, noting, “as a Governor I have come to work.”

He reiterated that “the Independence  Anniversary Church Service was to thank God for the peace, unity and development of our country, Nigeria,” and reminded all that “Imo State is held back because of our past mistakes but  we cannot die with our past mistakes.”

He urged the citizens of Imo State to “begin to do things differently, listen to the Government of the day, find out if her story is good, if yes embrace it for the interest of the State and the country at large because we have no other place to go.”

“When I came as a Governor I saw poverty, broken down infrastructure and in fact,  things fell apart and the centre could not hold. The good news is that to solve the problem the 3-R government has developed an ECONOMIC GROWTH PLAN as the password to remove poverty, unemployment and to restore security.”

The Governor continued: “It is not enough to condemn the security agencies that have come to restore peace and order by toeing the line of miscreants,” and advised the people to “help government to identify and inform the security agencies and governments of criminals in our Communities.”

In his homily, Archbishop Ugorji thanked God for the numerous blessings He endowed Nigeria with as a nation “as well as so many talents and human endowments given to her leaders,” indicating that there is still hope for the country.

Ugorji recalled the expectations of Nigerians 62 years ago and said they desired a nation devoid of rancour, ritual killings, insecurity, poverty, and all forms of immoralities.  Also, he said that Nigerians deserve a nation where everybody will be respected, given equal opportunity, justice and fair play and experience a life of freedom.

He added that the citizens are desirous of benefiting from God-given natural resources, in a state of peace and obedient to rule of law.   

The Archbishop acknowledged that the Independence Anniversary Mass was not just to mark the 62nd Independence of Nigeria, but an event intended to remember our forefathers, brothers and sisters who paid the supreme price to make us a nation. “We look forward to celebrating a peaceful country, where peace and unity will dominate the entire nation and the citizens will be happy for it.”

He reiterated that “Nigeria is a potential great country with numerous natural resources but leadership and management of these resources is making the citizens to suffer.”

He called for “change of heart from all sectors and leaders to embrace God and shun needless killings, move away from corruption, fraud, kidnapping, selfishness, embrace security of lives and property and go back to God in prayers.” 

Archbishop Ugorji rounded off by saying that “if the citizens are safe, the entire country will be safe but if they are not the country will be bleeding and there will be no development.”

The Mass was attended by Wife of the Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma; top government functionaries like the Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku; Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka (leading his principal officers and other members); Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr  Nnamdi Anyaehie; Commissioners, other government appointees and heads of government agencies and parastatals.

Also in attendance were the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in the South East and Imo State, Sole Administrators and Coordinators of Development Centres, representatives of security agencies in Imo State, traditional rulers and many others.

Don’t Undermine Current Youth Revolt In The Country – Bishop Onah Warns

By
The Source
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0
Godfrey Igwebuike Onah

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Most Rev Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, has said that he is sorry for anybody trying to obstruct Nigeria youths in their recent resolve to right the wrong in our polity.

Bishop Onah said that some movements are erupting In Nigeria today propelled by Nigeria youths that is beyond political parties and he feels sorry for anybody who tries to frustrate it.

Speaking during the Dedication of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Ada agu in Obollo Etiti, Udenu Local Government of Enugu state on Sunday, Bishop Onah recalled that the youths in 2020 wanted to use police brutality under #endsars as a basis to pour out their anger on the corrupt political system but they were frustrated by few bad youths who connived with the corrupt politicians to thwart their moves.

The Catholic clerics said that this time around the youths having gotten enough of the brunt of successive bad governance in the country have resolved to take the bull by its horn and said that he is sorry for anybody who will stand on their way this time.

Quoting from the book of Nehemiah, the Bishop noted that the responsibilities of priests and political leaders are clearly defined in the scripture explaining that while priests are responsible for building the praying places of God and propagating the word of God, it’s the duty of the political leader to build the infrastructure like roads and utilities  and provide for security of lives and property.

He said that as explained  in the book of Nehemiah, while Ezra the priest built the place of Worship, Nehemiah the Governor built the wall showing the dividing roles for priests and political leaders.

The Bishop said that those expecting the priests and Bishops to carry placards on political matters should know that there is dividing line for each. He noted however that there is a connection between religion and governance but not with politics. Priests should show interest in governance because it affects the people but not get involved in partisan politics.

The Church Dedication ceremony attracted prominent religious and political leaders including retired General Godwin Ugwuoke who chaired the occasion.

I’m For Purposeful Leadership That Draws From The People – Peter Obi

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has said that his desire is to offer Nigeria and Nigerians purposeful leadership that draws its strength from the people particularly the youths.

Obi who said this at the Success Conference 2022 held in Ebonyi state Capital, Abakaliki on Saturday  noted that the Nigerian people under his leadership will be involved significantly in policy formulation and administration.

“The overall task of our leadership in 2023 is to streamline governance and ensure that it is responsive, transformative, and effective. We will demonstrate that good governance is all about providing the needed services to the people.

“If elected the next president of Nigeria, youths would be the main proponents of my main agenda to transform Nigeria from a consuming nation to a producing nation. The two main components of this agenda are human capital development and finance

“Under my Leadetship, the Federal Government will prioritise the ability of our educational system to produce the necessary skilled labour force that coincides with the 21st-century labour market demand, alongside providing entrepreneurial education at all levels.

He also stressed the importance of health and education for a country to develop  “given the role of health in reinforcing education in the measure of productivity, my leadership will pay serious attention to the health system by ensuring that at least 100 million poor Nigerians have access to free medical services through an integrated health insurance scheme.

According to Obi “If elected, we intend to create a professionally managed SME Equity Fund within the first year of office with the goal of promoting the development of at least one value-added industry that will utilize the local raw material supply, be it agricultural or mineral, in every local government in Nigeria. 

The Presidential Candidate finally reiterated his earlier position that the 2023 election should be based on competence, capacity and commitment to doing the right thing and not on ethnicity/tribe and religion since the high cost of living, insecurity and other problems that are facing us have no discrimination against ethnicity/tribe and religion

Uzodimma: Orashi River Portends Great Economic Benefit To South East; Tours Riverbed With Navy From Oguta Lake

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State with officials of his Government and those of the Navy on Saturday embarked on a tour of the River-bed of Orashi River from the Oguta Lake axis and came out with the strong impression that the river portends great economic benefit to the South East. 

The Governor and the Naval officers had agreed to embark on a tour of the Orashi River from the Oguta Lake Saturday. 

An excited Governor Uzodimma told the media after the tour of Orashi River that when the place is finally opened up it will not only serve as good corridor for the Navy to access other waterways to discharge their duties effectively but will serve as a huge source of economic revitalisation not only in Imo State in the South East and beyond.

The Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku, Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other top government officials Governor Uzodimma on the tour of the river while the Navy was led by the  Commander of Oguta Naval Base in Imo State, Navy Captain A. W. Umaru.

Governor Uzodimma said he was optimistic that those who live on the water banks of the Oguta lake as well as others commuting from there to other parts of Imo State and the neighbouring  states will be better off when the place is fully activated.

Recall that Governor met with officials of the Nigerian Navy on Friday in Government House Owerri in furtherance

of discussion on approval given by President Muhammadu Buhari for the dredging of Orashi River from Oguta lake to link the Atlantic Ocean for the enhancement of economic activities on that corridor.

President Buhari had communicated his approval for the project through the Office of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, based on Governor Uzodimma’s proposal that the Orashi River from Oguta Lake is pregnant with lots of economic activities if drained and linked to the Atlantic Ocean.

At the meeting which held at the Government House Owerri, Rear Admiral Silyranda Lassa represented the Chief of Naval Staff.

Addressing the media on the essence of his meeting with the Navy, Governor Uzodimma had said it was in furtherance of  the discussions and proposals by the Imo State Government to the Federal Government to pursue her Gas Industrialization Policy on the Oguta Lake and Orashi River axis.

He had said that the leadership of Nigerian Navy were in the State to “visit the site to assess the main obstacles hindering the programme as proposed by the State Government.”

Governor Uzodimma had said that the Government of Imo State “considered it expedient to propose to Nigerian Navy for a partnership to open the access of Oguta Lake and Orashi River up to the Sea in River State to enable bigger vessels come into Imo State.”

The Governor had said: “When realised the project will help manage the security situation in the area, eliminate cases of crude oil stealing, pipeline vandalism and enhance security.”

Additionally, he had said the realisation of the project will “stimulate economic activities, create more jobs for our people and then boost the economy of the State.”

Governor Uzodimma has said the Naval Officers who are in the State will visit the site on Saturday,  September 24, 2022, and thereafter “Government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) leading to the project implementation proper.”

He had described the project as work in progress, assuring that “when the MOU is signed and the other processes concluded the authorities will come up with the work programme highlights which will be made available to the public.”

Speaking on the reason for their meeting/visit, Rear Admiral Silyranda Lassa who represented  Rear Admiral  Gambo had said recently they “established a Naval Base at Oguta which has helped in addressing certain security challenges in the area.”

“Beyond that, it has made social and economic activities to strive, especially with giant strides in the security areas made the State Government.”

Furthermore,  Lassa had said as a Maritime Security Agency the corridor will provide them with the opportunity “to also assist the State in any way they can and in some certain aspects, the State’s desire to at least alleviate what they are seeing as the de-generalization activities within the State.”

The Naval Chief had also informed that they were in Imo “at the instant of the Chief of Naval Staff to look at where we will partner with the State Government to assist in some of these areas and help the State benefit from her enormous resources.”

He had acknowledged that a lot of natural resources abound in the area and that when they are opened up “Imo State will be one of the leading States in the Gas industrialization activities in Nigeria.”

Lassa had added that in the course of their visit, the Hydrographer of Nigerian Navy will look at the area under examination and carry out the survey. “They will be able to chart appropriate areas they think that will be in cheapest possible manner they can achieve the mandate to the State,” he said.

He had acknowledged that the Geographic Department of the Nigerian Navy has already started the dredging/expansion and survey of the River Niger which started from Lokoja, noting that work has progressed up to Burutu. 

“Once this is completed the entire aspect of the survey is done. It will be left for the Federal Government to do the needful and the expansion of that axis. So when the corridor is expanded it will open up the area to the benefit of Imo State and Country in general.

Tours Riverbed With Navy From Oguta Lake

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