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PRESIDENT BUHARI SAYS DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES MUST GUIDE DEMOCRATIC CHOICES

PRESIDENT BUHARI SAYS DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES MUST GUIDE DEMOCRATIC CHOICES

PRESIDENT BUHARI SAYS DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES MUST GUIDE DEMOCRATIC CHOICES

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday in Kafanchan, Kaduna State underlined his resolve to consolidate the country’s political system to improve the quality of the people’s lives because “the people matter.”

In an address at the palace of Alhaji Muhammadu Isa 11, the Emir of Jama’a, President Buhari said “we are doing our efforts to consolidate the system for the good of the people because they matter.”

To this end, he spoke about the use of the police and the military, in dealing with security situations but urged Nigerians to develop confidence in civil authority to build a system “free of chaos.”

“Nobody,” he warned emphatically, “should be allowed to raise an army of thugs to force himself on the people. This,” he added, “must be very clear.”

The President gave assurances of the determination of his administration “to hand over a better Nigeria than the one we inherited,” and urged Nigerians to be fair in their assessment of what his government has achieved especially on the campaign promises he made ahead of the 2015 elections.

The President commended Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State for his accomplishments in the provision of infrastructure, saying:

“I’m very impressed by the rehabilitation of the town (Kafanchan) I have seen,” he said, after commissioning the newly constructed Dan Haya road, Katsina road and the Emir’s Palace road in Kafanchan.

President Buhari, who urged residents of the area to show appreciation for the projects, also commended Alhaji Muhammed Isa, the Emir, for his consolidation of peace among the diverse ethnic and religious communities of the Emirate.

In his remarks, Governor El-Rufa’i acknowledged the President’s investments in security in the area, noting in particular that the establishment of security outfits had paved the way for reduced attacks on people, stating categorically that Kafanchan is much safer today than it used to be.

In acknowledging the improvements in security in the area, the Emir requested permanent bases for the Air Force and the Mobile Police, as well as the restoration of the rail services for which Kafanchan had achieved renown.

The President was welcomed to the community by the Senator and Members of the House of Representatives from the zone, and a large number of enthusiastic citizens who thronged the streets.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 20, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT BUHARI INAUGURATES KAWO FLYOVER, OTHER PROJECTS IN KADUNA, RECOUNTS NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE IN 2014

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the 800-metre long flyover in Kawo, Kaduna State, recounting how he narrowly escaped a targeted bomb attack in the vicinity in 2014.

Reminiscing on the unfortunate incident, which claimed the lives of many innocent Nigerians, the President said he remains grateful to God for sparing his life on that fateful day on Ali Akilu road, Kawo-Kaduna.

”For many years, I always plied this route and I cannot recount how many times I crossed it.

”There was an attempt on my life on this road. Nothing happened to me just like the 30 months I spent during the civil war.

”They wanted to blow up the vehicle I was in around the secretariat but my escort somehow stopped them. But before we came to this bridge (Kawo), they became more desperate and there was a small market in the area where the device exploded.

”But God protected us and here I am again,’’ he said.

The President, who also inaugurated the newly remodelled Murtala Mohammed Square, 136-bed Infectious Disease Hospital, LEA Lokoja Road Primary School, Rigasa, Aliyu Makama road and the Leventis underpass, executed by the State government, praised Governor Nasir El-Rufai for completing people-oriented projects in Kaduna metropolis as well as in other senatorial zones in the State .

At the Murtala Square, the new city centre of Kaduna State, President Buhari while admiring the remodelled edifice, recalled that he was constrained by family challenges to relocate from Daura to Kaduna after he was released from detention as a former military Head of State.

”I can hardly find my way in Kaduna due to the development taking place here and the governor has committed himself to change Kaduna for good and has been very successful at that, and Nigerians are appreciative that you are writing your history in letters of gold, ” he said.

In the metropolis, the President also commissioned the Barbedos fertilizer plant, a private sector investment in the State.

Speaking at the LEA Lokoja Primary School, the Governor said the project has now been renamed ‘‘Buhari mega-primary school.”

He noted that the people of Rigasa have been consistent in giving President Buhari 98 percent of their votes in previous presidential elections.

”They are the most committed Buharists in the country,” he said.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 20, 2022

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THE BATTLE OF IDEAS IN OKPE NATION: PART 1_*

THE BATTLE OF IDEAS IN OKPE NATION: PART 1_*

By
Prof. O. Igho Natufe
President General, OKPE UNION.
January 19, 2022
*_INTRODUCTION_*
Let us forget, for a moment, that Nigeria is a Republic where it is incongruous to have monarchies in any part of the country. Let us pretend, for a moment, that Nigeria is *_“a parliamentary monarchy”_*, like the United Kingdom is.  In this pretentious situation a Monarch, like the Orodje of Okpe, is to *_reign_* but not to *_rule_*, just like the Queen (or King) is in the United Kingdom. The various levels of parliaments rule/govern by enacting laws for the administration of the federal, state and local governments, respectively.
As is well known, it is contradictory for a *_monarchy_* to coexist with a *_republican system_* in the bowel of the same polity. This contradiction is exacerbated when a monarch attempts to *_rule_* a polity in which he possesses no defined constitutional authority to *_rule._*  When Nigeria became a Republic on October 1, 1963 it retained a House of Chiefs in each of the then four federating regions, in an attempt to replicate the British House of Lords, as the upper house in each of the regions. This gave the chiefs who were traditional rulers in their respective domains, a constitutional role as parliamentarians. Thus, they saw themselves as both parliamentarians in the House of Chiefs and as monarchs in their respective kingdoms. This admixture was a conceptual blunder infused into the political system by the Nigerian political leaders in 1963. This blunder has been aggravated by the continuous failures of succeeding political leaders to resolve the contradiction resolutely by deciding on this crucial issue:  Remain a *_Federal Republic of Nigeria_* and abolish traditional rulership *_OR_* declare the country a *_United Kingdoms of Nigeria._* In the former, traditional rulers will be extinguished as their existence contravenes the diktat of a Republic, while the latter recognizes their constitutional role as heads of states of their respective kingdoms.
Even as a head of state of a given kingdom, if we were in a *_United Kingdoms of Nigeria,_* the role of a Monarch, like the Orodje of Okpe, will be defined by whether the system is a *_constitutional monarchy_* (like the United Kingdom) or an *_absolute monarchy_* (like Saudi Arabia). If Okpe Nation were a *_constitutional monarchy_* the Orodje will *_reign_* but cannot *_rule._* Conversely, if Okpe Nation were an *_absolute monarchy_* the Orodje will possess and exercise an unquestioned political and legislative power and authority to *_reign_* and *_rule_* as he pleases in accordance to the mediaeval concept of the “divine right of kings”, whose pronouncements are considered law, final and binding on all citizens.
Constitutionally speaking, Nigeria is not a monarchy. Therefore, it is severely injurious to the political system to speak of monarchies in the polity. This injury is exemplified by the way several political leaders have used and abused traditional rulers across the country since 1960.  The intent of this piece is to provoke a scholarly debate based on reason and logic on how to get out of this quagmire.
*_GOVERNANCE AND THE ORODJESHIP_*
A monarch is the symbol of a given nation under a monarchical regime. This is equally true of the Okpe monarchy as it is a symbol of the Okpe Nation that unifies the Okpe people. The concept of democratization of a system implies some inadequacies or absence of democratic norms in the given system. Some might ask: why democratize the Okpe monarchy?
In the preceding section we agonized over the contradictory construct of the Nigerian polity where a *_republican_* political system is forced to share the same space with an assemblage of *_monarchies._*  Instead of rectifying this blunder that defies reason and logic, we are being urged to democratize the incongruity.  Since the collapse of the First Republic, monarchy (or traditional rulership) has been a non-recognized element in the governance of Nigeria by its absence in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). However, at every election circle politicians of all political stripes promise a role for traditional rulers in the constitution, if elected. They have failed repeatedly. This failure leaves traditional rulers in a limbo.
The purported dissolution of the democratically elected National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union, by HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe on October 3, 2020, has introduced a divide in Okpe Nation. Note that the Orodje’s purported dissolution took place 42 days before the scheduled Annual General Assembly/Meeting of the Okpe Union to elect a new NEC. It was a stratagem to convert Okpe Union to an administrative arm of the Palace under the Orodje’s control. This became evident in August 2021 when the head of the interim regime he imposed decline to participate in a mediation process on the ground that he would only participate if instructed by the Orodje.
The Orodje’s purported dissolution is challenged by the Okpe Union as an illegal action that violates the Constitution of the Okpe Union, while a group of fellow Okpe endorsed the Orodje’s action, arguing that the Orodje must be obeyed and that his word was final. They compared the Orodje of Okpe to the Oba of Benin whose decrees are alleged as final by the Binis. The comparison is based on false historical premises. Let us consider the following: –
1.    The Oba of Benin and the Orodje of Okpe are products of two contrasting legitimacies. While the former emerged from absolute monarchy, the latter emerged from a democratic prism.
2.    The Bini monarchy is hereditary and constructed on the concept of *_absolute monarchy._*
3.    The Bini monarchy derives its authority from conquest as exemplified by the coronation ceremony whereby a new Oba engages the youngest male child of the Ogiamien family in a wrestle match.
4.    The Okpe monarchy, irrespective of the fact that the four founding brothers – Orhue, Orhoro, Evbreke and Esezi – were grandsons of Prince Igboze of Benin, deviated from the hereditary principle and rejected *_absolute monarchy_* by adopting a democratic framework in electing an Orodje of Okpe.
5.    The Orodje is democratically elected by accredited representatives of the Okpe people.
6.    Recall that a prominent Okpe national sued HRM Orhoro l for allegedly misappropriating Okpe land.
Thus, the action of the Orodje on October 3, 2020 is akin to the action of an *_absolute monarch._*
Unfortunately, very unfortunately, the first Orodje of Okpe, Esezi l abandoned the democratic structure and embraced *_absolute monarchy,_* an action which led to his demise and ushered in a period of almost 200 years interregnum of the Okpe monarchy.
HRM, Orhue l’s action of October 3, 2020 is a throw-back to the medieval concept of the “divine right of kings” which challenges the fundamental thrust of democratic practice in Nigeria. It also ridicules the basis of the democratic election process that the Orodje cultivated during his campaign for the Orodjeship in 2004-2006.
This prompted a prominent Okpe Scholar/Journalist to lament:
“I worry for Africa and Nigerians. More for the Okpe who are still buried in the womb of medieval mentality.” (An Okpe Scholar/Journalist, January 15, 2022.)
The Orodje’s purported dissolution of NEC of the Okpe Union in October 2020, and the banning of its leaders from contesting future elections has created a huge schism in Okpe Nation. While the Orodje’s action is challenged by a group of *_pro-democracy_* Okpe nationals, a *_pro-absolute monarchy_* group is propagating the deceased medieval concept of the “divine right of kings.” This division caused by the Orodje’s unprecedented intrusion into the administration of the Okpe Union has facilitated an inimical atmosphere injurious to peace, law and order in Okpe Nation. Several Okpe belonging to the *_pro-democracy group_* are being harassed and intimidated by some members of the *_pro-absolute monarchy group_* whose source of authority is left to conjecture. This is reminiscence of events in the (then) Soviet Union when scores of Soviet citizens, at the minutest of criticism framed in Marxist-Leninist prism, were labeled “dissidents and revisionists”, arrested and incarcerated in the infamous gulag system of imprisonment scattered across the Soviet Union. Interestingly, the Udogun Okpe has categorized the Okpe Union as “mischievous” and “dissidents” for speaking truth to power.
*_IN LIEU OF A CONCLUSION_*
Traditional rulership is part of the poor governance crisis that has bedeviled the development of Nigeria for decades. Writing in 1947, Obafemi Awolowo recognized this conundrum when he stated:
“There is a mutual distrust verging on antagonism between the educated few and the Chiefs in Nigeria. The latter fear that the former are out to oust them from their privileged positions.” (Obafemi Awolowo, Path to Nigerian Freedom, London, 1947, p.32.)
Unfortunately, Nigerian governments have not been able to resolve this problem since independence. All they have done so far is to employ traditional rulers as mere tools in their respective competing policies, similar to the role traditional rulers played under the colonial regime.
A vexing phenomenon is the proliferation of traditional rulers by political leaders across the country since 1960. Recently, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi lll condemned this senseless proliferation of traditional rulers, who are glorified bales or village chiefs, a phenomenon which has corrupted the value of traditional rulers.  (*_A CONVERSATION WITH THE ALAAFIN OF OYO, OBA LAMIDI ADEYEMI lll,_* Sunday, October 24, 2021. 5:00 PM Nigeria. ZOOM Platform. 50th Anniversary of the Coronation of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi lll.)
Prof. Tony Afejuku aptly captured this troubling trend when he wrote:
“Our high chiefs who are out of wisdom are the wisest animals in their heights of folly. This makes them the most dangerous animals in our every land and every kingdom. They are more dangerous than the serpent in each and every one of us. How do we rightly dub them?”
He continued:
“Our chiefs and high chiefs, the majority of them, are a pack of foxhounds. They know that our politics, like our local culture, currently is run by those riding to hounds.” (Tony Afejuku, “Of chiefs and high chiefs,” The Guardian, Lagos, Nigeria, January 14, 2022.
How do we make sense out of this incongruous contraption? It is instructive to note that, the only serious attempts made by any Nigerian government to grapple with this issue occurred under the military regimes of General Muhammadu Buhari in 1984 and General Ibrahim Babangida in 1986, respectively.  In 1984 General Buhari’s government sponsored a national conference on the theme “THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN THE GOVERNANCE OF NIGERIA” which was organized by the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan in September 1984, while General Babangida established a Political Bureau to, inter alia, “review Nigeria’s political history and identify the basic problems which have led to our failure in the past and suggest ways of resolving and coping with these problems.” (Federal Republic of Nigeria, Government’s Views and Comments on the Findings and Recommendations of the Political Bureau, Lagos, 1987, p.3. (Hereinafter referred to as the Political Bureau).
The Political Bureau, chaired by S. J. Cookey, comprised of some prominent academics as members.  Concerning tradition rulers, the Political Bureau recognized the significant role of traditional rulership in Nigeria’s political system, a view which was accepted by the Ibrahim Babangida military Government (The Political Bureau, p.4.), but recommended contending options vis-à-vis traditional rulership that the Babangida regime and subsequent Nigerian governments have failed to address. The Political Bureau submitted the following options: –
1.    “outright abolition of the institution”;
2.    “co-optation in government”;
3.    “democratisation to conform with process of modern government”;
4.    “maintenance of status quo”; and
5.    “the determination of their relevance and future by the people.”
The Political Bureau made the following assertions on traditional rulers:
•    “traditional rulers should have no specific role to play in government beyond the local government level, where they have relevance.”
•    “it is a misnomer, considering the scope and character of the contemporary Nigerian state to call them traditional ‘rulers.’”
Therefore, the Political Bureau argued that, it
•    “will make no sense to install in the political system, people whose primary qualifications is ascribed to status at a time when the people are demanding a truly democratic polity.” (Ibid. p.50.)
Even though the Political Bureau recommended that “traditional rulers should have no specific role to play in government beyond the local government level, where they have relevance”, the concluding section of its recommendations is more telling when it declared:
“They possess no special qualities to enable them to be used in enriching the political system or instilling moral rectitude in public life.”
As reasoned by the Political Bureau, traditional rulers are of no use to contemporary *_federal republican political system._*
The failure of Nigerian governments, including the Babangida regime, to implement the recommendations of the Political Bureau has significantly worsened the relationships between traditional rulers and political leaders. The political leaders are aware of the incongruity of having traditional rulers in a *_republican polity,_* but it serves their contending interests to disregard the anomaly. It benefits political leaders to opt for a “maintenance of status quo” where traditional rulers are treated as their vassals to be exiled and punished as they deem fit, while no politician is advocating for an “outright abolition of the institution.” On the other hand, the option of “co-optation in government” will formally convert traditional rulers to agents or warrant chiefs of the government as in the colonial era.  Since the 1979 elections several traditional rulers have expressed their preferences for contending candidates, thus positioning themselves as partisan politicians. Is it wise for traditional rulers to inject themselves in partisan politics? What impact would this have on their constituencies if their preferred candidates are defeated? These are some of the troubling questions that must be grappled with by the traditional rulers and the political elites.
The recommendations of the Political Bureau that are of interest to us are: *_“democratisation to conform with process of modern government”_* and *_“the determination of their relevance and future by the people.”_* Regarding the Okpe Nation, how do we “democratise” the Orodjeship to “conform with the process of modern government?” How do we determine the “relevance and future” of the Orodjeship? These are vital questions which Okpe nationals of all political and ideological persuasions are invited to wrestle with.
These are tough questions to grapple with under the framework of a Republic. But since there seems to be no appetite to rename Nigeria as the *_United Kingdoms of Nigeria,_* or to abolish traditional rulership as one of the recommended options of the Political Bureau, then we have to accommodate traditional rulership in the *_Federal Republic of Nigeria_* under the guise of a *_constitutional monarchy._*  Under this pretentious framework, the Orodje will *_reign_* but not *_rule_* in Okpe Nation. Like the Queen of the United Kingdom, the Orodje is a ceremonial head of the Okpe Nation, while the two local government councils, currently in Okpe Nation, are to *_rule_* without any interference from the Orodje and/or the Udogun Okpe. This applies to all civil societies and Okpe organizations, including the Okpe Union. As Nigeria is a federation, implying that each federating unit is free to develop at its own pace, including the establishment of traditional rulership, it is reasonable to postulate that each federating unit and components thereof are to determine the utility and stipend of their respective traditional rulers.
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PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES ELDER FELIX OHIWEREI AT 85

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES ELDER FELIX OHIWEREI AT 85

President Muhammadu Buhari sends warm greetings to former Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Elder Felix Ohiwerei, on his 85th birthday, January 18, 2022, congratulating him for historic service in the corporate world, and, now, full dedication to working for God and growth of the church.
The President notes the contributions of the corporate leader, administrator and renowned boardroom guru, to the development of the country, working variously with Unilever, London, UAC Foods, and Virgin Nigeria and chairing some public institutions.
The President believes Ohewerei’s visionary leadership style, and humble beginnings as a teacher, played a major role in his rise on the corporate ladder, utilising his experience in managing people and resources to innovatively set targets and get results.
As the administrator and philanthropist turns 85, President salutes his interest in raising leaders in the country, accepting to serve as Chairman, Friendship Bible Fellowship, National Director, Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International, Pro Chancellor/Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Redeemer’s University.
President Buhari prays for the good health of former Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries Plc, and welfare of his family.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 17, 2022
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Akpabio is the best man for the job – North/South Coalition

Akpabio is the best man for the job – North/South Coalition

Youths in the country on Monday pronounced the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio as ‘’ the right man for the presidential job in 2023’’.

They also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Akpabio the opportunity to tackle the Niger Delta problem.

‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio is a man of courage and faith. He is doing his job with zest and energy’’

At the launching of a grassroots movement for Nigerians aimed at making Akpabio the country’s next president, the youths commended Akpabio for tackling thorny issues, putting an end to wild extravagance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stimulating Buhari’s imagination to new visions of things to be done in the region and handling the Niger Delta problems with general skill and efficiency.

The youths spoke with deep sincerity on the minister’s approach, skill at persuasion and ethos.

Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, spokesman of the South-North 2023 Presidential Coalition in a statement in Sokoto described Akpabio’s performance as wonderful.

‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio achieved transformational change in Akwa Ibom State. He is giving hope and inspiration to the Niger Delta people’’

The youths applauded Akpabio for promoting the welfare of the Niger Delta people, building bridges and attracting investment.

The statement emphasized Akpabio’s initiatives for inclusion, exceptional creativity, liveliness, vision and appetite for long hours of hard work.

The youths praised Buhari for his positive contribution to Nigeria’s recovery, restoration of the country’s pride, repairing of Nigeria’s reputation on the world stage and transferring the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

Specifically, the youths urged Akpabio to think of playing a more expansive role by running for President in 2023.

The statement also emphasized Akpabio’s unceasing effort to develop the Niger Delta region, intellectual ability, dedication to public service and rapid departure from past strategies.

 

 

Trouble brews in Delta State over Okpe Union BOT regularisation by CAC

 

Top leaders of the Okpe nation on Sunday described a group led by a Delta State University lecturer, Prof Emurobome Idolor as ‘’impostor’’

 

‘’This imposter group is said to be claiming leadership of the organisation on the basis of a publication signed by HRM, Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe, purporting to dissolve the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union and imposing the said Interim Executive comprising persons unknown to the various branches of the Okpe Union’’.

 

They also urged the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission to reject applications from the Prof. Emurobome Idolor Imposter group or any other not authorised by the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union.

 

‘’The Commission should investigate this matter dispassionately and take notice of the fact that the address of the elected National Executive Council is also the registered office of the Okpe Union with the Commission. The fact that the election of the current National Executive Council like the others before it took place at the Hall of the registered office of the Union on the 15th of May, 2021 is also strong evidence of who the genuine representatives of the Okpe Union are’’

 

In a statement titled Prof. Natufe led NEC of the Okpe Union is the only authorised body to relate with the CAC and any other organisation in respect of the Okpe Union, the notable leaders said the self-styled Interim National Executive Council members led by Prof. Emurobome Idolor not only sent a list of persons to the Corporate Affairs Commission but applied to the Commission to register them as Trustees of the Okpe Union.

 

The statement signed by Okpe Union President General, Prof. Igho Natufe and General Secretary, Barrister Akpederin Kingsley alleged dealing by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with some persons led by one Prof. Emurobome Idolor who are unknown to and never authorised by the Okpe Union in respect of the regularisation process of the Board of Trustees of the Okpe Union.

‘’The Okpe Union was founded in 1930 and registered with the Nigerian Colonial Government on the 13th of December, 1934 under the Lands(Perpetual Succession) Ordinance of 1924 with its constitution as a dues paying members only organisation. Its Registered Office from the current records of the Corporate Affairs Commission is No. 67, (now No. 65), Moshalashi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos’’

 

The leaders threw light on the union’s election process.

‘’The Okpe Union has had an unbroken chain of democratic transition of leadership from its inception and registration in 1930 and 1934 respectively. Delegates from the branches of the organisation assemble in a National Conference/General Meeting at the expiration of the tenure of an outgoing National Executive Council of the Okpe Union and elect a successor National Executive Council’’.

 

The leaders disputed the position of Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.

 

‘’That the action of the Traditional Ruler, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe (who is neither a member of the Okpe Union nor given any administrative powers by the Constitution of the Okpe Union), on the 3rd of October, 2020, which purported to dissolve the elected National Executive Council and impose strangers on the Okpe Union as its Interim National Executive Council is not only unprecedented, but also contrary to the provisions of the Union Constitution, inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria especially the sections which guarantee freedom of association, and it is also a gross violation of various corporate governance laws of Nigeria’’.

 

 

The leaders explained that the previous registered trustees of the Okpe Union had all passed on.

 

‘’The elected National Executive Council had begun the process of regularising the status of the Union with the Corporate Affairs Commission by requesting the Commission to furnish the Union with its indebtedness for failure to file returns and penalties for some years as well as applying to the Federal High Court, Lagos for an order to appoint trustees to replace the former ones who have all died which ruling is due in a few weeks’’.

 

They further said ‘’On the 4th of June, 2021, the elected  National Executive Council of the Okpe Union led by Prof Igho Natufe wrote to the Registrar General of the Commission (which was received by the Commission on the 7th of June, 2021) to complain about the moves of the said imposter group to which the Commission has not responded. We were therefore shocked to discover that the group has submitted a list of proposed trustees for the Okpe Union which the Union knows nothing about and which is a clear breach of the Union’s constitution and the country’s extant laws and rules of the Commission’’.

 

The leaders tied their point to the corporate governance laws of the Federation of Nigeria as well as the various regulations of the Corporate Affairs Commission relating to the administration of the non-governmental organisations, especially registered trustees.

 

‘’No non-members or persons unauthorised by the organisation ought to be recognized as representatives of that organization’’

 

  • Akpabio is the best man for the job – North/South Coalition

Youths in the country on Monday pronounced the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio as ‘’ the right man for the presidential job in 2023’’.

They also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Akpabio the opportunity to tackle the Niger Delta problem.

‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio is a man of courage and faith. He is doing his job with zest and energy’’

At the launching of a grassroots movement for Nigerians aimed at making Akpabio the country’s next president, the youths commended Akpabio for tackling thorny issues, putting an end to wild extravagance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stimulating Buhari’s imagination to new visions of things to be done in the region and handling the Niger Delta problems with general skill and efficiency.

The youths spoke with deep sincerity on the minister’s approach, skill at persuasion and ethos.

Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, spokesman of the South-North 2023 Presidential Coalition in a statement in Sokoto described Akpabio’s performance as wonderful.

‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio achieved transformational change in Akwa Ibom State. He is giving hope and inspiration to the Niger Delta people’’

The youths applauded Akpabio for promoting the welfare of the Niger Delta people, building bridges and attracting investment.

The statement emphasized Akpabio’s initiatives for inclusion, exceptional creativity, liveliness, vision and appetite for long hours of hard work.

The youths praised Buhari for his positive contribution to Nigeria’s recovery, restoration of the country’s pride, repairing of Nigeria’s reputation on the world stage and transferring the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

Specifically, the youths urged Akpabio to think of playing a more expansive role by running for President in 2023.

The statement also emphasized Akpabio’s unceasing effort to develop the Niger Delta region, intellectual ability, dedication to public service and rapid departure from past strategies.

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Trouble brews in Delta State over Okpe Union BOT regularisation by CAC

Trouble brews in Delta State over Okpe Union BOT regularisation by CAC

Trouble brews in Delta State over Okpe Union BOT regularisation by CAC

 

Top leaders of the Okpe nation on Sunday described a group led by a Delta State University lecturer, Prof Emurobome Idolor as ‘’impostor’’

 

‘’This imposter group is said to be claiming leadership of the organisation on the basis of a publication signed by HRM, Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe, purporting to dissolve the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union and imposing the said Interim Executive comprising persons unknown to the various branches of the Okpe Union’’.

 

They also urged the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission to reject applications from the Prof. Emurobome Idolor Imposter group or any other not authorised by the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union.

 

‘’The Commission should investigate this matter dispassionately and take notice of the fact that the address of the elected National Executive Council is also the registered office of the Okpe Union with the Commission. The fact that the election of the current National Executive Council like the others before it took place at the Hall of the registered office of the Union on the 15th of May, 2021 is also strong evidence of who the genuine representatives of the Okpe Union are’’

 

In a statement titled Prof. Natufe led NEC of the Okpe Union is the only authorised body to relate with the CAC and any other organisation in respect of the Okpe Union, the notable leaders said the self-styled Interim National Executive Council members led by Prof. Emurobome Idolor not only sent a list of persons to the Corporate Affairs Commission but applied to the Commission to register them as Trustees of the Okpe Union.

 

The statement signed by Okpe Union President General, Prof. Igho Natufe and General Secretary, Barrister Akpederin Kingsley alleged dealing by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with some persons led by one Prof. Emurobome Idolor who are unknown to and never authorised by the Okpe Union in respect of the regularisation process of the Board of Trustees of the Okpe Union.

‘’The Okpe Union was founded in 1930 and registered with the Nigerian Colonial Government on the 13th of December, 1934 under the Lands(Perpetual Succession) Ordinance of 1924 with its constitution as a dues paying members only organisation. Its Registered Office from the current records of the Corporate Affairs Commission is No. 67, (now No. 65), Moshalashi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos’’

 

The leaders threw light on the union’s election process.

‘’The Okpe Union has had an unbroken chain of democratic transition of leadership from its inception and registration in 1930 and 1934 respectively. Delegates from the branches of the organisation assemble in a National Conference/General Meeting at the expiration of the tenure of an outgoing National Executive Council of the Okpe Union and elect a successor National Executive Council’’.

 

The leaders disputed the position of Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.

 

‘’That the action of the Traditional Ruler, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe (who is neither a member of the Okpe Union nor given any administrative powers by the Constitution of the Okpe Union), on the 3rd of October, 2020, which purported to dissolve the elected National Executive Council and impose strangers on the Okpe Union as its Interim National Executive Council is not only unprecedented, but also contrary to the provisions of the Union Constitution, inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria especially the sections which guarantee freedom of association, and it is also a gross violation of various corporate governance laws of Nigeria’’.

 

 

The leaders explained that the previous registered trustees of the Okpe Union had all passed on.

 

‘’The elected National Executive Council had begun the process of regularising the status of the Union with the Corporate Affairs Commission by requesting the Commission to furnish the Union with its indebtedness for failure to file returns and penalties for some years as well as applying to the Federal High Court, Lagos for an order to appoint trustees to replace the former ones who have all died which ruling is due in a few weeks’’.

 

They further said ‘’On the 4th of June, 2021, the elected  National Executive Council of the Okpe Union led by Prof Igho Natufe wrote to the Registrar General of the Commission (which was received by the Commission on the 7th of June, 2021) to complain about the moves of the said imposter group to which the Commission has not responded. We were therefore shocked to discover that the group has submitted a list of proposed trustees for the Okpe Union which the Union knows nothing about and which is a clear breach of the Union’s constitution and the country’s extant laws and rules of the Commission’’.

 

The leaders tied their point to the corporate governance laws of the Federation of Nigeria as well as the various regulations of the Corporate Affairs Commission relating to the administration of the non-governmental organisations, especially registered trustees.

 

‘’No non-members or persons unauthorised by the organisation ought to be recognized as representatives of that organization’’

 

  • Akpabio is the best man for the job – North/South Coalition

Youths in the country on Monday pronounced the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio as ‘’ the right man for the presidential job in 2023’’.

They also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Akpabio the opportunity to tackle the Niger Delta problem.

‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio is a man of courage and faith. He is doing his job with zest and energy’’

At the launching of a grassroots movement for Nigerians aimed at making Akpabio the country’s next president, the youths commended Akpabio for tackling thorny issues, putting an end to wild extravagance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stimulating Buhari’s imagination to new visions of things to be done in the region and handling the Niger Delta problems with general skill and efficiency.

The youths spoke with deep sincerity on the minister’s approach, skill at persuasion and ethos.

Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, spokesman of the South-North 2023 Presidential Coalition in a statement in Sokoto described Akpabio’s performance as wonderful.

‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio achieved transformational change in Akwa Ibom State. He is giving hope and inspiration to the Niger Delta people’’

The youths applauded Akpabio for promoting the welfare of the Niger Delta people, building bridges and attracting investment.

The statement emphasized Akpabio’s initiatives for inclusion, exceptional creativity, liveliness, vision and appetite for long hours of hard work.

The youths praised Buhari for his positive contribution to Nigeria’s recovery, restoration of the country’s pride, repairing of Nigeria’s reputation on the world stage and transferring the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

Specifically, the youths urged Akpabio to think of playing a more expansive role by running for President in 2023.

The statement also emphasized Akpabio’s unceasing effort to develop the Niger Delta region, intellectual ability, dedication to public service and rapid departure from past strategies.

 

Akpabio is the best man for the job – North/South Coalition

Youths in the country on Monday pronounced the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio as ‘’ the right man for the presidential job in 2023’’.

They also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Akpabio the opportunity to tackle the Niger Delta problem.

‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio is a man of courage and faith. He is doing his job with zest and energy’’

At the launching of a grassroots movement for Nigerians aimed at making Akpabio the country’s next president, the youths commended Akpabio for tackling thorny issues, putting an end to wild extravagance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stimulating Buhari’s imagination to new visions of things to be done in the region and handling the Niger Delta problems with general skill and efficiency.

The youths spoke with deep sincerity on the minister’s approach, skill at persuasion and ethos.

Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, spokesman of the South-North 2023 Presidential Coalition in a statement in Sokoto described Akpabio’s performance as wonderful.

‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio achieved transformational change in Akwa Ibom State. He is giving hope and inspiration to the Niger Delta people’’

The youths applauded Akpabio for promoting the welfare of the Niger Delta people, building bridges and attracting investment.

The statement emphasized Akpabio’s initiatives for inclusion, exceptional creativity, liveliness, vision and appetite for long hours of hard work.

The youths praised Buhari for his positive contribution to Nigeria’s recovery, restoration of the country’s pride, repairing of Nigeria’s reputation on the world stage and transferring the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

Specifically, the youths urged Akpabio to think of playing a more expansive role by running for President in 2023.

The statement also emphasized Akpabio’s unceasing effort to develop the Niger Delta region, intellectual ability, dedication to public service and rapid departure from past strategies.

admin
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PRESIDENT BUHARI TO COMMISSION LANDMARK PROJECTS IN OGUN STATE

PRESIDENT BUHARI TO COMMISSION LANDMARK PROJECTS IN OGUN STATE

President Muhammadu Buhari will undertake a one-day official visit to Ogun State on Thursday, January 13, 2022, to commission landmark projects undertaken by the State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun.

The President will commission the 42km Sagamu Interchange – Abeokuta dual carriageway, the new Kobape Housing Estate, located on the Sagamu Abeokuta Interchange, and the first phase of Kings Court Estate, Abeokuta, developed by the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) .

President Buhari, who will use the opportunity of his State visit to interact with some stakeholders, will return to Abuja the same day.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 10, 2022

 

 

ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY:  LAGOS’LL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER FALLEN HEROES, HEROINES, SAYS SANWO-OLU

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday said the State Government will continue to play its role and do what is expected in remembrance of the fallen heroes and heroines who paid the supreme price for Nigeria.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the statement at the Year 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration interdenominational divine service held at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja.

 

The Governor commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for keeping the peace in different parts of the country, promising to continue with the tradition of remembering the fallen heroes and to always pray for the living among them.

 

Speaking at the interdenominational service organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, themed “I will heal their land (2Chronicles 7:14),” Governor Sanwo-Olu said his government will keep the tradition of ensuring that the relationship between his administration, the residents and Armed Forces continue to grow, praying that God would heal the land.

 

The Governor also urged the citizens to support the security forces as they work tirelessly to keep the nation safe.

 

“As we keep the tradition of having this service to remember our fallen heroes and heroines that have paid the supreme price for this great nation, the government and people of Lagos State will continue that tradition and will continue to ensure that the relationship that exists between the political class, the civilians and the military, continue to grow on daily basis.

 

“Today is for the remembrance of our fallen heroes and on behalf of the people and government, I want to thank all their families that are here and assure them that government will continue to do what is expected of us to continue to remember them and to say that their efforts and commitments to the country are not in vain.

 

“We pray that our country will know peace; will know greatness. As we journey in 2022, the peace of the Lord which surpasses all understanding will rest with our country and our State. It will be well with Lagos State. It will be well with Nigeria. It will be well with each and every one of us,” Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed.

 

In his sermon, the Executive Secretary, Lagos Anglican Schools Management Board, The Venerable Victor Olusa, said the theme of the service was very relevant and appropriate to Nigeria’s situation, adding that people should endeavour to do the right thing and not to castigate their leaders.

 

He said people need a reorientation of values as God is ready to heal Nigeria and Lagos State, praying that Nigeria will rise again if all the citizens humble themselves, seek God’s face and turn from their evil ways.

 

The cleric also urged the Armed Forces not to give up or be discouraged as they continue the war against insurgency, banditry and other forms of insecurity in different parts of the country.

 

Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofi Elegushi commended the Armed Forces for upholding the existing unity in Nigeria and for their service to the nation.

 

The Year 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration interdenominational divine service featured Bible readings, sermon, hymns, choir rendition, praise and worship, a minute silence for departed heroes and heroines, and prayer for Lagos State and Nigeria.

 

The service was attended by the State Executive Council members, serving and retired military officers, members of the Nigerian Legion and religious leaders, among others.

 

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

09 JANUARY 2022

 

January 8, 2022

Press Statement

PDP Shifts Screening of Osun Governorship Aspirants to Wednesday, January 12

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shifted the screening of aspirants for the Osun State Governorship election primary from the earlier scheduled date of Tuesday, January 11, 2022 to a new date of Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

Nevertheless, the venue for the screening exercise remains PDP National Secretariat, Abuja at 10am prompt.

The PDP regrets any inconveniences the change in date may have caused.

All aspirants, leaders, critical stakeholders and members of our party in Osun state should take note and by this, guided accordingly.

Signed:

Hon. Umar M. Bature

National Organizing Secretary

 

January 8, 2022

Press Statement

2023: We Have Not Zoned Our Presidential Ticket -PDP

The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to comments and speculations from certain individuals claiming that our Party has zoned its Presidential ticket to a particular part of the country.

This is completely misleading as it does not in any way represent the position of our Party.

For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP emphatically and unequivocally states that it has not zoned it Presidential ticket to any part of the country.

The PDP is a political party founded on democratic principles and every action of the Party, including zoning, is based on extensive consultations, discussions and consideration of all the issues as well as the various tendencies and interests across the nation, with the main objective of ensuring that the unity, peaceful co-existence and development of our nation are reinforced and promoted.

The PDP therefore urges Nigerians, our teeming members and supporters to completely disregard the unfounded zoning claims as being peddled. Our Party also cautions those behind the claims to desist forthwith.

The PDP thanks Nigerians across board for the overwhelming interest they have in our Party as their sure platform to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from misrule and urges them to remain united and focused as we join forces for the task ahead.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary

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Gbajabiamila ‘over failure to probe missing N4.1bn NASS funds’ SERAP sues Lawan

SERAP sues Lawan, Gbajabiamila ‘over failure to probe missing N4.1bn NASS funds’

 

SERAP sues Lawan, Gbajabiamila ‘over failure to probe missing N4.1bn NASS funds’

 

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila over “their failure to probe, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies fresh allegations that N4.1bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated or stolen.”

 

The suit followed the publication of the annual audited report for 2016 in which the Auditor-General of the Federation raised “concerns about alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds and sought the recovery of any missing funds.”

 

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1609/2021 filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila to perform their constitutional oversight functions to promptly probe the allegations that fresh N4.1bn budgeted for the National Assembly may be missing.”

 

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “the National Assembly has legal and constitutional duties to prevent and combat corruption, as well as promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.”

 

According to SERAP: “The National Assembly can only effectively perform its anti-corruption role if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the legislative body.”

 

SERAP is also arguing that, “transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and wealth is essential for promoting development, people’s welfare and well-being, and their access to basic public services, as well as good governance and the rule of law.”

 

SERAP is arguing that, “The failure of the National Assembly to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies the allegations documented in the annual audited report for 2016 is a fundamental breach of the oversight and public interest duties imposed on the legislative body.”

 

According to SERAP, “The National Assembly has no legally justifiable reason to refuse to investigate the allegations documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

 

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, read in part: “Granting this application would serve the interest of justice, reduce corruption and mismanagement, as well as end impunity of perpetrators, and advance the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.”

 

“This suit seeks to vindicate the rule of law, the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability. Government agencies and institutions are responsible to a court of justice for the lawfulness of what they do, and of that the court is the only judge.”

 

SERAP had last year sent a letter to Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila requesting them to “use their good offices to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that fresh allegations of missing N4.1bn of public money.”

 

The letter, read in part: “these fresh allegations are not part of the disclosure by the Auditor-General in the audited reports for 2015, 2017 and 2018 that N4.4 billion of National Assembly money is missing, misappropriated or stolen.”

 

“According to the Auditor-General report for 2016, N4,144,706,602.68 of National Assembly money is missing, diverted or stolen. The National Assembly paid some contractors N417,312,538.79 without any documents. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to ‘recover the amount in question from the contractors.’”

 

“The National Assembly reportedly spent N625,000,000.00 through its Constitution Review Committee between March and June 2016 but without any document. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to ‘recover the amount from the Committee.’”

 

“The National Assembly also reportedly spent N66,713,355.08 as ‘personnel cost’ but ‘the payees in the Cashbook did not correspond with those in the Bank Statement’. The Auditor-General wants ‘the irregular expenditure recovered from the officer who approved the payments.’”

 

“The National Assembly also reportedly paid N116,162,522.60 to some contractors between April and June, 2016 without any document. The National Assembly deducted N56,985,568.55 from various contract payments in respect of Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax but without any evidence of remittance.”

 

“The National Assembly also reportedly paid N126,264,320.00 as cash advances to 11 staff members between March and December, 2016 to procure goods and services but failed to remit the money.”

 

“The Senate reportedly paid N747,286,680.00 as personal advances to staff members between February and December, 2016 for various procurements and services but failed to retire the money. The Senate also deducted N118,625,057.48 as Withholding and Value Added Taxes but failed to show any evidence of remittance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.”

 

“The Senate also spent N109,007,179.73 from the Capital Expenditure vote but without any document.”

 

“The House of Representatives reportedly deducted N821,564,296.48 from staff salaries but failed to remit the money to tax authorities. The House also paid N254,059,513.70 as advances to staff members to procure goods and services between January and December, 2016 but failed to retire the money.”

 

“The National Institute for Legislative Studies reportedly spent N375,867,000.00 to buy 11 motor vehicles in April 2016. But the Institute also paid the same contractor N36,610,000.00 in September 2016 under the same contract without approval.”

 

“The Institute also reportedly paid N10,927,768.80 to 7 members of staff who were redeployed from the National Assembly to provide specialized services but without details about the staff paid, and without any justification.”

 

“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly approved N109,995,400.00 to train some officers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but spent N127,629,600.00 as Estacode Allowances to participants, and fees for two consultants engaged for the training. The Commission also spent N9,975,000.00 as course fees for 34 officers but it also paid a consultant N4,987,500.00 for the same course fees.”

 

“The Legislative Aides Section earned N12,274,587.77 as interests on Bank accounts in a commercial bank between January and December 2016 but failed to remit the money to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.”

 

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

 

 

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

9/1/2022

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

 

 

 

 

Jimoh Ibrahim Dissociates Self From Fake Cryptocurrency Link

 

 

 

Billionaire Business mogul and owner of Fortune University has debunked a fake Facebook account opened by some unscrupulous persons in his name to defraud Nigerians.

 

In a statement personally signed by Barr. Ibrahim, while dissociating himself from the Facebook page, he said he is equally surprised like many of his associates , followers and fans that such Facebook page exists.

 

The page advertised a phony link which projected an investment profile with a fake note credited to Jimoh Ibrahim written thus: ” I am sharing this because I ‘ve also received hundreds of emails from people thanking me for sharing this secret. ” The scam link is ‘https://fingering. xyz/Jimoh Ibrahim_23.122021′

 

Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim whose chains of business cut across oil and gas, hospitality , Insurance and many more, said emphatically that the face book page doesn’t belong to him, stressing that some smart Alecs went to hoist the page on the social media with the hope of using his name and face to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

 

The Araba of Ikale land advised the scammers to desist from using his name in their shady social media deals warning that the long arms of the law will catch up with them in no time.

 

He appealed to the public not be brow beaten by whatever mouth watering investment package on the fake Facebook page as it doesn’t have anything to do with him as a person on his chains of businesses both in Nigeria and overseas.

 

 

 

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH URHOBO KINGDOM OVER PASSING OF CHIEF PATRICK EMURODE SITO IDEH

President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with family of Hon. (Chief) Patrick Emurode Sito Ideh, the Okpako-Orere of Otughievwen and Ushota of Ughievwen Kingdom, and all sons and daughters of Urhobo Kingdom, over passing of the royal father.

President Buhari sends condolences to Government and people of Delta State, professional and business associates of the departed, urging more trust in God, and appreciation for the long life of the elder statesman and former lawmaker, who served as member of the House of Representatives, 1979-1983.

As father to Urhobo ethnic nationality, the President affirms that the legal icon and businessman worked selflessly for the unity and progress of his domain, leaving landmark testimonies of speaking for the voiceless, supporting the underprivileged and, most significantly, ensuring presence of sons and daughters in national discourse.

President Buhari prays for a peaceful rest for the departed, and God’s comfort for his family.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 8, 2022

 

 

BLACK SOOT: WIKE TASKS RIVERS CP, OTHERS TO ARREST, PROSECUTE ARTISANAL REFINERS.

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has charged the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to collaborate with the other Security Agencies, Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers to fish out all those involved in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for prosecution.

The governor accused persons engaged in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for the black soot environmental menace that is endangering the health of residents of the State.

He gave the charge at the Nigeria Police, Rivers State Command dinner and award night that held at the Police Officers Mess, Old Government Residential Area, Port Harcourt on Friday.

The governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Emeka Woke, declared that the State government has resolved to tackle those involved in crude oil theft and refining once and for all.

Governor Wike stated that the state government is willing to provide the police and other security agencies all that is required to dislodge and end the activities of artisanal refiners in Rivers State.

According to the governor, “the State is prepared to fight them more than ever before.”

Governor Wike, narrated that since the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka assumed duty last year, Rivers State has witnessed peace and improved policing.

“Little wonder the crime index in the state has reduced drastically. We thought we are the only people witnessing it, but with the award you got from the wife of the Inspector General of Police, it is an eloquent testimony that what we are seeing as a State, is also being observed from all the nation.”

The governor said policing in Rivers State has improved remarkably because the management of the Nigeria Police Force at the Force Headquarters and the State Command respectively distanced themselves from politics.

“As a state, we will continue to support the security agencies in the State. Our support for security agencies is not only centered on Police force. We are also extending similar gesture to the Navy, Air force and others.

“For us, we believe the primary function of any responsible government is to protect life and property. So, we have no option than to continue to support in providing logistics and everything that can make the security agencies in the State to function very well.

“Because we believe that if our people are safe and the life here is peaceful, there will be increase in economics activities and the Internally Generated Revenue will also go up.”

Governor Wike commended Mr Eboka, who is the 42nd Commissioner of Police in Rivers State for discharging his duty professionally and not joining the league of some of his predecessors, who were posted to the State to cause turmoil and instability.

The governor announced N1 million reward for each of the recipients of the Rivers State Police Command award and N10 Million to the Command for organising the event.

The Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka explained that 2021 was a remarkable year for the Command because Rivers State emerged as one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

He thanked Almighty God for his grace and Inspector General of Police for choosing Rivers State as the venue for the launching of South-South Operation Restore Peace.

According to him, this came with the deployment of special forces with sophisticated equipment as well as combat helicopter to the state.

He commended Governor Wike for being very phenomenal in the attainment of peace and security in the State.

“Since my assumption of office, the command has received more than 50 patrol vehicles fitted with modern gadgets from the State government. This gesture alone enhanced visibility policing in the State.

“Recall too, when we lost men to miscreants in sometimes April 2021, the governor did not allow us to suffer alone. He wiped the tears of the deceased families with a total sum N220 million, which means each family received the sum of N20million.

“Recall the ENDSARS saga. At the end of that saga, which led to the burning down of police stations and vehicles across the nation, the State governor did not abandon us to work under the trees. But rather, the governor constructed a storey building each for the Area Command, Oyigbo and the Divisional Police in Oyigbo.”

Highlight of the event was the conferment of Governor Wike with an award for fighting crime in the State.

The founder and General Overseer, Omega Power Ministry, Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, was honoured for his unrelenting assistance to the State Police Command

The recipients of the Rivers State Police Command 2021 awards are: G.I.A Godstime Nwuju, best traffic officer; Inspector Winfrey Ini Akpan, best controller; CSP Bako Aghashim, best D.P.O; CSP Grace Wonwu, best female DPO; and the best visiting tactical team leader went to CSP Adamu.

Kelvin Ebiri

Special Assistant Media to the Rivers State Governor.

January 8, 2022.

 

 

 

 

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

 

RIWAMA Sole Administrator, Bro. Felix Obuah Meets With All Service Providers Working With The Agency

 

The Sole administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah has called for an important meeting of all Service Providers working with the agency.

 

The crucial and mandatory meeting is scheduled to hold as follows:

 

DATE: Monday, January 10, 2022

 

TIME: 2pm on the dot

 

VENUE: Conference Hall, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Port Harcourt.

 

The crucial meeting which is part of efforts to improve on the cleanliness of Rivers State, is mandatory for all Service Providers working with the Agency and all Special Assistants, SAs, to the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA.

 

The Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Bro Felix Obuah therefore enjoined all Service Providers working with the agency and all Special Assistants, SAs, to the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA to ensure they are in attendance, as the agency will not take it kindly with those who fail to attend.

 

THIS IS SIGNED BY:

 

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Sole Administrator,

Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA

Bro. Felix Obuah.

 

Saturday, January 8, 2022.

 

SPN CONDEMNS BRUTAL STATE REPRESSION OF MASS PROTEST IN KAZAKHSTAN

WE DEMAND AN END TO ATTACKS ON DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS

Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) condemns the brutal repression of the legitimate mass protest of the people who are tired of massive corruption and capitalist misrule by the former government and the current government.

SPN hails the heroic mass protest of the working masses that challenged hike in fuel price on January 1, 2022 by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev-led government and other anti-people policies. Despite the brutalization, shooting and killing of innocent protesters, the working masses have stood their ground.

We demand an immediate end to the ongoing attacks on democratic rights and repression of peoples’ will. We demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kazakhstan. The vast majority have spoken and rejected this self-serving government and it is high time the government resigned and allow for a democratic election under the control of the working class.

We call on the working masses to form defence Committees that mobilize across ethnic lines, religions, nationalities as a basis for defending the movement and also uniting the people.

We also appeal to all working class organisations and trade unions internationally including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to give active solidarity to the struggling masses of Kazakhstan.

SIGNED

Abiodun Bamigboye                                                             Chinedu Bosah

Acting National Chairperson                                                  National Secretary

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SANWO-OLU CHARGES APC RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE TO UNITE PARTY MEMBERS

SANWO-OLU CHARGES APC RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE TO UNITE PARTY MEMBERS

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EBIRERI HENRY OVIE

 January 6, 2022

Press Statement

Just Go! Nigerians Don’t Want a Successor From You – PDP Tells Buhari

…Says Mr. President’s Channels TV Interview Full of Lies

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asks President Muhammadu Buhari to end his thoughts of a successor as Nigerians will firmly resist any candidate put forward by him and his All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 Presidential election.

The PDP also berated President Buhari for embarrassing his office and making a huge joke of himself by appearing confused and dwelling on false figures and bogus performance claims in his disastrous Channels Television interview on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

While we understand that lying is the standard gauge of performance of the APC, it is rather unfortunate that the President is also in that frame. It only reinforces the fact that nobody is immune to lying in the APC. Of course, he cannot extricate himself because lying is the official policy of his party, the APC.

In his ludicrous attempt to rationalize his failures in office, President Buhari falsely claimed that under the PDP, from 1999 to 2014, crude oil sold for an average of $100 per barrel but collapsed to $37 per barrel when he and his APC assumed office.

Such false claims flies in the face of hard fact as the records, which the President must have, clearly show that when the PDP took office in May 29, 1999 crude oil sold at $16.27 per barrel and at about $80.42 and $63.28 by November and December 2014 respectively.

Under President Buhari and the APC, oil price has never fallen as low as $16 per barrel as recorded under the PDP but started at $37 to $39.44 per barrel in 2016 and had continued to hover between $60 to $70 per barrel to date.

It is on record that despite the low oil revenue when the PDP took over, it expanded the economy, paid off our foreign debts, revamped our productive sectors, provided conducive investment environment which encouraged massive foreign investments and handed over a $550 billion economy (largest in Africa and 26th globally) to President Buhari and the APC in 2015.

Mr. President had no answers when, in the Channels TV interview, he was confronted with the facts that when he took over, the debt stock was N12 trillion but now N32 trillion and counting; that inflation, which was about 9 percent under the PDP is now over 15 percent; that unemployment rate, which was about 8.9 percent is now 33 percent, that our naira which exchanged at about N197 to a dollar under the PDP is now over N500 and that the petrol price which was N87 in 2015 is now N165 per liter under the APC watch.

President Buhari should have seized the opportunity provided by Channels TV to show remorse, apologize to Nigerians for his monumental failure and national embarrassment that the APC government represents instead of trying to rationalize APC’s failures with falsehood and grandstanding about a successor.

The mindset of Mr. President as exhibited in the Channels TV interview confirms the fears of Nigerians that the APC does not believe in democratic practice and is determined to manipulate the 2023 election by all means.

That explains their desperation to scuttle the Electoral Act Amendment Bill provision for electronic transmission of election results, which will effectively truncate the APC’s plans to rig the 2023 election.

However, President Buhari and the APC must know that Nigerians are fully rallied on the platform of the PDP to face them in 2023 and that the resort to underhand processes and false indices like those reeled out by Mr. President in his Channels TV interview will not avail them.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

SANWO-OLU CHARGES APC RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE TO UNITE PARTY MEMBERS

…No petition from Lagos, says Adamu

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) National Reconciliation Committee to unite all party members in the country, especially in States where there are differences within the party.

Governor Sanwo-Olu while receiving the Chairman and Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Reconciliation Committee, who paid a courtesy visit on him at the Lagos House Marina, on Thursday, said Lagos is lucky because there is no petition from the State.

The Governor assured that the citizens will enjoy the dividend of democracy, which is a major essence of government, maintaining that with APC, the benefits can be seen in all the nooks and crannies of the country.

He said: “We are happy that the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee headed by his Excellency Mai Mala Buni has put together this committee and I believe it is in tandem with the fact that as a big family, we would have different ideas, expectations or different intentions as to how things are being run in our various states and I know fully well that there are States where we need to come together and resolve our issues collectively.

“We are lucky in Lagos that there is no petition. It is not that we are better than States that do have but because indeed this is a party to beat and it is a party that everybody wants to be identified with.

“It is normal that people might have different expectations and different ways in which things need to run in their various states and so I believe that the assignment and terms of reference of the committee speak to the real essence of the constitution and the real ethos of party politics.

“Given the calibre of eminent Nigerians and members serving on the Committee, I am certain that the outcomes of these interventions that you have taken up will be very fruitful and the outcome will further strengthen unity in the party and will further deepen democracy in our country.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the chairman and members of the APC National Reconciliation Committee for accepting to serve the party.

Speaking earlier, Senator Abdullahi said his committee was in Lagos to seek advice from Governor Sanwo-Olu and stakeholders in the State and not for any reconciliation because there was no petition from Lagos to the national body.

He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and APC stakeholders for the peace within the party in the State, advising other states to emulate Lagos.

“We appreciate the reception of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. I am happy and I speak for the members of the committee. There is no petition from Lagos State. We are all family and there is no complaint of anything regarding the relationship between the members and stakeholders.

“This is encouraging and this kind of state of affairs does not just come by accident, it goes to show the extent to which his Excellency (Governor Sanwo-Olu) and his team have been able to manage the party’s affairs in the state, how they have been able to advance the interests of the very complex party membership in Lagos. We commend you and the people, particularly party members,” he said.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

JANUARY 6, 2022

 

 

PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS AMB (PROF) LAWRENCE BARAEBIBAI EKPEBU

President Muhammadu Buhari sends condolences to the families of Orokuro and Efere in Olodani and Kalama compound, respectively in Bayelsa State, over the passing of Amb (Prof) Lawrence Baraebibai Ekpebu, an accomplished diplomat, author and educationist.

The President commiserates with the families, friends and professional associates of the diplomat, whose influence in his community will always be remembered, especially in projecting the values of peace and unity among the people.

President Buhari prays for the repose of the soul of the departed scholar, and God’s comforting arms over the family.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 6, 2022

 

 

 

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT MEETS WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON THE MAGODO SHANGISHA DISPUTE

 

At a meeting chaired by Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola-Sanwo-Olu, at the State House Alausa, on the 5th of January 2022 with the Judgment Creditors (Shangisha Landlords’ Association), their lawyers, Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, Policemen from the F.C.T Command and Police Headquarters, the Executive and Trustees of the Magodo Residents’ Association and senior Government Officials, the enforcement of Judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on the 10th of February 2012 in suit no. SC/112/2002 was deliberated upon and the following resolutions were arrived at:

  1. That the Committee set up by the State Government to resolve the Magodo dispute, chaired by the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, is to meet with the Judgment Creditors (Shangisha Landlords’ Association) on Friday 7thof January 2022.

 

  1. The Surveyor- General of Lagos State, Permanent Secretary Lands Bureau and Hon. Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development are to immediately identify available plots of land within the Shangisha village scheme.

 

  1. The Committee is also to identify how the available plots of land are to be accessed and whether any infrastructural development is necessary to access the land.

 

  1. Upon identification of available and accessible land, the State Government is to immediately allocate the land to the 549 Judgment Creditors.

 

  1. In the event that there is no available and accessible land within the Shangisha village scheme to allocate to all the 549 Judgment Creditors, the State Government, in agreement with the Judgment Creditors, will provide alternative plots of land.

 

  1. Whilst this exercise is ongoing, the Nigeria Police are to restrain themselves from any conduct or action that may instigate violence or breakdown of law  and order in Magodo. They should be keepers of peace and act within the confines of the law – always. All the parties have agreed to an amicable resolution of the matter.

 

  1. The meeting ended with Mr. Governor thanking all for attending and  restating his resolve to ensure that peace returns to Magodo and that there is  justice for all.

 

  1. . The attendees praised the Governor for showing “good leadership”, which they said prevented violence in the estate. Besides, they expressed confidence in the Governor’s ability and sincerity to resolve the matter,

 

Gbenga Omotoso

HC, Information & Strategy

5th January, 2022

 

 

MALI: PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES BRIEFING FROM FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN

A special meeting of ECOWAS holds in Ghana, Sunday, to deliberate on the political situation in Mali.

This was the subject of a parley at State House, Abuja, Thursday between the Head of the ECOWAS Mediation Team, former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, and President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari repeated his earlier avowal that whatever Nigeria would do on the Mali situation would be done within the ambit of ECOWAS.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

January 6, 2022

 

 

IKOYI COLLAPSED BUILDING: SANWO-OLU TO IMPLEMENT PANEL’S REPORT

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, set up a four-man committee led by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, an engineer, as a first step to the implementation of the report submitted by the Panel, which investigated the collapse of a 21-storey structure on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi.

 

Other members of the committee are Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) and his Agriculture counterpart, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who is an architect.

 

The Governor constituted the committee after receiving the report of the Panel at Lagos House, Ikeja. It was submitted by the chairman of the panel, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, a town planner. The building collapsed on November 1, 2021.

 

The Governor said the committee would bring forward a report to be considered by the Lagos State Executive Council.

 

He commended members of the Toyin Ayinde-led panel for their commitment and quick response to the assignment given to them by the State Government.

 

Ayinde is the President of the National Institute of Town Planners. Other members of the panel are a structural engineer, Dr. Akintilo Idris; an architect, Yinka Ogundairo; a builder, Mr. Godfrey Godfrey; a real estate lawyer, Mrs. Bunmi Ibrahim and a lawyer, Ekundayo Onajobi, the secretary of the panel.

 

“Let me on behalf of the people and the government of Lagos State first acknowledge the very difficult task that has been passed on to you and the commitments and the quick response that each and every one of you gave to the assignment. We know that you all have been chosen from different professional backgrounds but you were indeed ready to serve the people for this very important assignment.

 

“Let me therefore commend and thank you for that exercise. I will be constituting a four-man committee almost immediately that will read through the report and I am giving them the end of next week to get back to the State Executive Council,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.

 

Speaking earlier, Ayinde expressed hope that the findings and recommendations of the panel’s report would be implemented by the Government to bring a lasting solution to incidents of building collapse not only in Lagos State but nationally.

 

Ayinde on behalf of the panel members appreciated the Governor for giving them the opportunity to serve Lagos State Government and the people of the State, noting that the panel spent approximately six weeks on the assignment and submitted the report as well as electronic recordings of all the sections and videos of proceedings in a hard drive to the Lagos State Attorney-General.

 

The chairman said the panel visited the project site for a general assessment, coordinated the activities of the consultants who conducted tests on the site, received and reviewed documents from relevant MDAs and conducted 35 interviews. It interrogated 91 persons, requested and received  21 memoranda and accessed the home of the late CEO of Fourscore Heights Limited, Mr. Olufemi Osibono, with a view to gathering useful documents.

 

He said: “The tribunal had the opportunity to access the home of the late CEO of Fourscore Heights Limited in the presence of members of his family, where some documents that were scanned helped in gaining further insights into the case, particularly the processes that led to the construction and eventual collapse.

 

“The tribunal also hosted the representation of the developer’s company, comprising two legal firms. It is on record that in their first and second appearances, the lawyers expressed the fact that they were external lawyers to the company and had little knowledge about the case in hand.

 

“Having spent approximately six weeks on this assignment, we now wish to make our submission to the Governor of Lagos State who constituted the tribunal. We need to note however that building collapses is rooted in the collapse of values, morals and ethics, which we need to work on as a nation. We cannot sow the wind and not expect to reap the whirlwind. Therefore, ethics and due diligence need to be restored.”

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, November 4, 2021, inaugurated the six-member panel of inquiry to investigate the cause of the collapse of the building.

 

The panel was inaugurated at the headquarters of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) at Falomo, where members of the panel had their sittings. Governor Sanwo-Olu also signed an executive bill to give legal backing to the panel during its inauguration.

 

 

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

05 JANUARY 2022

Magodo fiasco, Governor Sanwo-Olu and genuine Leadership

 

 

By Gboyega Akosile 

 

 

I have read a lot reactions and media reports on the engagement between the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the residents/property owners in Magodo Phase II Estate and a certain Chief Superintendent of Police, who was sent from Abuja to lead the supposed execution/enforcement of the Supreme Court Judgment on the embattled plots of land.

 

First, we must appreciate the leadership style of the present Governor, as a man who listens. A man of peace, down-to-earth and one who takes all shades of opinion before making decisions on any matter. Secondly, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, apart from building structures and keeping his promise across his administration’s THEMES agenda, always prioritises peace and security in the State above many other interests. He recognises that, it is in the atmosphere of peace and security that sustainable development can be achieved. Furthermore, this Governor cares about the welfare of all the residents of Lagos, irrespective of their social status, age or gender. This is why you see him engaging publicly with residents in Ajah over the menace of Okada riders who ride against the traffic. He has also had several other interactions with market men and women in Yaba, Oyingbo, Ikorodu, Badagry and other areas over plans of the Government. This action is only easy for humble and people-oriented leaders, who would not just sit back in their palatial offices to issue instructions. Governor Sanwo-Olu goes out to get the job done, even if it entails meeting with the people in their various areas of residence.

 

The Magodo issue is a bit knotty as it is legal. But, regardless of the circumstances that led to the current situation, the Governor, under whose watch the seeming crisis happened, must rise up to the occasion to address it frontally. Afterall, you inherit both assets and liabilities when one is elected into an office. This, my principal knows and understands very well and in line with the oath he swore to, that he will protect the lives and property of every citizen, he had to wade into the Magodo land issue before it degenerates into a full-blown crisis.

 

A few opinion writers had rushed to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to paint a picture of what appeared like a “weak” Governor. In fact, I saw some laughable comparison of Governor Sanwo-Olu with Nyesom Wike, his River State counterpart. Pray, what would the latter have done under such circumstances? Would he have slapped the CSP for answering his question, however condescending, or ordered his arrest? Which arm of the security would carry out the instruction? Does River State, like Lagos State, have its own Police, DSS, or the Army? The writer that did this comparison needs to be reminded that all security apparatus is controlled by the Federal Government in Abuja and their officers are not answerable to any State Governments. What we have had in Nigeria is collaboration between the State and Federal Government. The structure is weak, lopsided and not in the best interest of the Federal system of Government that we practice in Nigeria. For emphasis, Governor Sanwo-Olu is not weak. He is a democrat, a gentleman, who will follow the due process in every situation and what happened between him and the CSP at Magodo should be a good reason why well-meaning Nigerians need to increase the tempo the call for true federalism, where all the Federating units will have their security arrangements and would not need the Federal Police to carry out a lot of duties in their domains.

 

Some argued that the Governor should have worked behind the scenes and should not necessarily have visited Magodo. This line of thought is at its best funny. Do you go to sleep when your roof is on fire? I believe no one will do that. Refer to the “invasion” of Magodo by mean-looking, gun-wielding police officers in large numbers, who laid siege to the estate on December 21, creating chaos in the area and fear among the landlords and residents. It took the intervention of the Governor for those police officers to stand down the following day. He did not have to visit Magodo before the situation was brought under control. He has continued to engage with the law enforcers in Abuja over the matter up till Tuesday morning when another round of crisis occurred. This time, the Governor could not and would not sit back in his office and watch some persons disturb the peace that is being enjoyed in his State to be threatened. That to me, is leadership.

 

I sympathise with those who shared the above opinions especially those who feel strongly about the Governor’s engagement with the police officer. I understand their plight and rightly so because Nigerians are not used to civil engagements between elected officials, who are usually Lords and their citizens. We are sorry to disappoint you as Governor Sanwo-Olu will continue to engage the citizens, who he considers as the major stakeholders in his bid to take Lagos to her Eldorado.

 

 

 

South West Governors’ Forum position

 

 

The Governors of South West of Nigeria have spoken loudly. They know that an injury to one, is an injury to all. No one is safe until everybody is safe.

 

In a statement signed by the Forum’s Chairman, His Excellency Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), apart from their condemnation of the exchange between Governor Sanwo-Olu and the police officer, the Forum made it abundantly clear that the present structure where the State Governors, who are elected representatives of the people, will have to seek help and approval from an appointed Federal officer in some matters relating to security in their individual domains.

 

He said: “The content of the video is very disconcerting, and this is being charitable. The utter disrespect, which underlines the response of the officer to the Governor establishes, beyond doubt, the impracticability of the current system, dubiously christened “Federalism”. An arrangement, which compels the Governor of a State to seek clarifications on security issues in his jurisdiction from totally extraneous bodies or persons, is a sure recipe for anarchy”

 

“We condemn, very strongly, this brazen assault on decency. We call on the IG to explain the justification for this intrusion. This is not acceptable. Any expectations of rapprochement  between so called federating units and federal security agencies are becoming forlorn, progressively, due to deliberate acts which mock our very avowal to ethics and professionalism”

 

“We condemn, in very clear terms, the  role of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN in this act of gross moral turpitude. “

 

“We, on our part, will continue to interrogate the current system, which treats elected representatives of the people as mere prefects, while appointed office holders ride roughshod over them as Lords of the Manor. If the purported Chief Security Officers of the States of the Federation require clearance from the office of the IG on matters within their areas of jurisdictions, only hypocrites will wonder why the current security crisis deepens and there appears to be no solution in the foreseeable future”

 

In all, with his intervention in many life-threatening situations, Lagosians have started applauding their Governor. They have confirmed his genuine love and care for the people he is governing.  Magodo residents can now go to sleep with their eyes closed. The judgement creditors are also happy with Mr. Governor’s leadership approach and Abuja can be assured that, again, Lagos under Governor Sanwo-Olu will continue to rise above every challenge.

 

Clearly, however, what Nigerians need to clamour for is genuine Federalism. A system where there will be mutually agreeable terms on Exclusive and Concurrent List between the Federating units and the Federal government on matters of internal security, especially the Police.

 

 

 

 

Akosile is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT BUHARI REJOICES WITH SEN. FELIX KOLAWOLE BAJOMO ON 80TH BIRTHDAY

President Muhammadu Buhari joins family and friends to celebrate with Sen. Felix Kolawole Bajomo on his 80th birthday, January 7, 2022, congratulating the lawmaker and administrator on the milestone, heralded by many years of service to the nation.

President Buhari notes the contributions of Sen. Bajomo to the economic development of the country before joining politics, working variously as Managing Director, Commercial Trust Bank; Executive Director, Union Bank; Executive Director, Savannah Bank, and Chairman of the Federal Housing Authority and holding the position of President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

As the Senator turns an octogenarian, the President believes the experiences and skills acquired over many years in private and public service will always be relevant, especially the exceptional leadership ability that he displays in building institutions, managing people and resources, and remaining focused on goals.

President Buhari felicitates with Senator Bajomo’s constituency, Ogun West, members of the National Assembly and all political associates on the landmark age, praying that the Almighty God will increase the celebrant in good health and wisdom.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 6, 2022

WE’LL MAKE AS MUCH SACRIFICE AS WE CAN FOR MALI, WITHIN ECOWAS REQUIREMENTS, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday received a Special Envoy from Col. Assimi Goita, the Transitional President of Mali, promising that Nigeria would do her level best for the sister country, within the requirements of ECOWAS.

Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, Mali’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, led a team, which briefed President Buhari on Conclusions from the National Conference on State-Rebuilding, held in Bamako, December 27-30, 2021.

Responding to the comprehensive briefing, the President said nobody could love Mali more than Malians themselves, counselling that everyone should work within the tenets of ECOWAS, in order to restore constitutional order to the West African country at the shortest possible time.

“I am pleased you have briefed the ECOWAS Chairman too,’’ said President Buhari. “Nigeria will work within ECOWAS limitations to assist Mali. Every country has its issues. We fought our own Civil War before, so we may not know the totality of the internal politics of each country. But we will make as much sacrifice as we can for Mali, within ECOWAS requirements.”

The Special Envoy expressed gratitude to Nigeria for support to his country in terms of bilateral relations, and for the help rendered to the ECOWAS Mediation Team, led by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the vision of Col. Goita was speedy return to democracy, adding that Mali wants to review laws guiding elections, “and professionalize the process.”

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

January 6, 2022

 

January 5, 2022

Press Statement

Buhari, APC Using Salami as Scapegoat for Failure- PDP

…Says Advising an Incompetent Administration is a Waste of Time

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the appointment of Dr. Doyin Salami by President Muhammadu Buhari as Chief Economic Adviser barely a year to end of his disastrous administration as a design to make the economist a scapegoat for the abysmal failures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

It is evident that Dr. Salami might end up being rubbished and diminished as a titular adviser given that the Buhari Presidency and the APC, in their ignorance, arrogance and incompetence, are never known to have any respect or regard for professional advice on governance and policy.

As long as the APC, with its insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians is in government, involved professionals like Dr. Salami can never make a headway but risk being smeared with failure.

If the APC government did not listen to Dr. Salami as the Head of the hurriedly established Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), it will not now take his advice in his new capacity because the APC government lacks the listening ears, competence, capacity, integrity and political will and desire for good governance.

President Buhari and the APC have never prioritized the economy. The result is a near collapsed economy with two recessions within six years; a 71 percent poverty rate, 33.1 percent unemployment rate, over $38 billion external debt and an unenviable national status as the poverty capital of the world. For this, they desperately seek to use renowned professionals like Dr. Salami as fall guys especially as we approach the 2023 general elections.

If President Buhari and the APC had listened to well-thought-out advice by patriotic Nigerians as well as the PDP on how to stabilize and grow the economy, our nation would not be in the current economic quagmire where over 80 million Nigerians can no longer afford their daily meals and other basic necessities of life.

The APC failed to heed the counsel to end its corruption, open up and diversify our economy, review its restrictive and exclusionist policies, invest more in our productive sectors, end its victimization of hardworking Nigerian entrepreneurs, adopt broad-based approach that allows for greater private sector participation and stop demarketing our country especially the youths in the international arena.

Instead, the Buhari-led administration remained lethargic, nonchalant, unconcerned, hubristic and irredeemably narcissistic. It turned itself into a cesspit of corruption and continued to provide official cover to inept, reckless and treasury-looting APC leaders and their cronies in government.

Dr. Salami should therefore protect his image by advising President Buhari to end his reckless borrowing and grow the economy by allowing for more transparency, redirecting the resources being siphoned by APC leaders to critical sectors of the economy, especially power and agriculture and giving hardworking Nigerians, especially the youths, greater incentives for active participation in the national economy.

For emphasis our Party admonishes Dr. Salami to note that his task of advising an incompetent, arrogant and corrupt administration would be grueling if not a complete waste of time.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary

 

WIKE TO OGONI: BE MORE UNITED, STOP DESTROYING YOURSELVES

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has berated the leaders and people of Ogoni ethnic nationality for promoting disunity among themselves while blaming the backwardness of their area on others.

Governor Wike made the accusation at the 30th celebration of Ogoni Day with the theme, “Leaving no one behind”, that held at the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori town, in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.

Specifically, Governor Wike queried how many Ogoni leaders can truly defend the interest of Ogoni land, and genuinely pursue issues of environmental degradation and resource control with the same zest demonstrated by their forebears like late Ken Saro-Wiwa, without selling out.

“People like Ken Saro-Wiwa and all of the people you’re celebrating on Ogoni Day, how many of you can today stand for what Ken (Saro-Wiwa) stood for; how many can today stand for the great Ogoni men who died for your struggle.”

He noted with regret how some Ogoni people have now debased the struggle and have rather used it to collect money from those who do not want the goals of the struggle achieved. According to the governor, such monetary largess they make can best be described as blood money and wondered with what conscience that they gather each year to celebrate a struggle that they have betrayed.

“You use Ogoni Day to make money. God will never forgive you. I will never be a party to make blood money. All of you0, you’re here today for Ogoni Day, are you standing firm for Ogoni people? Are you standing firm for the spirit of those who died for you? Go and check your conscience. Ogoni people check your conscience.”

The governor asserted that he had never betrayed Rivers’ interest but defended it with courage including pursuing the OML 11 law suit at the Supreme Court. He observed that the case may not concluded before his tenure will end, but it may secure the most needed ownership right of such resources to the people.

“You people are talking about OML 11. Today, I’m in Supreme Court to challenge the federal government and NNPC. I will not be governor forever, I’m leaving next year, but God in heaven will bear me witness, I have protected, defended the interest of the state and interest of Ogoni land.”

Governor Wike admonished Ogoni leaders and the people to stop being used as agents of discord by the Federal Government and its agencies to pull down their own and betray the Ogoni interest.

He pointed to how Ogonis are contributing to frustrate the political career of one of their bright brains, Senator Magnus Abe, and Ledum Mitee’s long fight to become a Senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The governor also noted that the same lack of unity seen in Ogoniland is prevalent in the entire Niger Delta because governors in the region, lawmakers and other levels of leaders are hardly working together in unison. According to him, the people of Niger Delta are the ones marginalising themselves because each tribe thinks herself as more Niger Deltan than the other

Chairman of the occasion and President, Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba said the fundamental problem of the country is the refusal of the Nigerian State to restore the derivation principle that was abrogated by Decree NO.34 of May 1966 by Aguiyi Ironsi, the subsequent promulgation of Petroleum Decree 1966, and General Olusegun Obasanjo’s 1978 Land Use Act considered widely as the most obnoxious, draconian and unjust piece of legislation on land and resource ownership.

“The Petroleum Industry Act 2021, that is laced with several contentious and discriminating clauses against the people of the Niger Delta is yet another dimension of institutional injustice against the oil and gas host communities of the Niger Delta.

“Chief Obasanjo who is unarguably widely travelled, if excused from the paranoid of hypocrisy and hatred for the Niger Delta, will admit that in the United States of America which presidential system Nigeria borrowed from, it is the states where oil is found that own them and not the Federal Government of America.

“It’s the reason states like Texas is very rich, from proceeds of oil and gas. Same goes for Canada. In every federation, the undiluted application of the fundamentals of federalism (including fiscal federalism) are the minimum prerequisites for sustainable unity, peace and coexistence. Where else among the nations that practice federalism that permits the federal government to hijack the resources from the various federating units and communities, siphon them to the Centre on the Emperor’s laps, and shares same as booties in the manner we have in Nigeria?”

The former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, in his remark recalled how he and other Ogoni leaders gathered at the same venue 30 years ago to commence the Ogoni struggle that has since been recognised globally.

He appealed to the Nigerian state to extend rail line to Ogoni which has contributed immensely to the development of the country’s economic growth.

Senator Barry Mpigi commended Governor Wike for gracing the occasion and identifying with the Ogoni people and their struggle.

Kelvin Ebiri

Special Assistant Media to the Rivers State Governor

January 4, 2021

 

 

 

 

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PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS BOARD AND MANAGEMENT OF NNPC LIMITED

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS BOARD AND MANAGEMENT OF NNPC LIMITED

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, in accordance with the power vested in him under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

Chairman of the Board is Senator Margret Chuba Okadigbo (South East), Mele Kolo Kyari, Chief Executive Officer, and Umar I. Ajiya, Chief Financial Officer.

Other Board Members are; Dr Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs Lami O. Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Engr. Henry Obih (South East), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South South), and Chief Pius Akinyelure(South West).

The appointments take effect from the date of the incorporation of the NNPC Limited.

Also appointed are Executive Commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. They are: Dr Nuhu Habib (Kano), Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Dr Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu (Imo), Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning, Capt. Tonlagha Roland John (Delta), Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, and Jide Adeola (Kogi), Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration.

Earlier appointed are the Board Chairman, CEO, Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management, and Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts.

New appointees at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority are Francis Alabo Ogaree (Rivers), Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing, Mustapha Lamorde (Adamawa), Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Mansur Kuliya (Kano), Executive Director, Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, Bashir Sadiq (Sokoto), Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration, and Dr Zainab Gobir (Kwara), Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning.

They join the Board Chairman, Executive Director, Downstream Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, the CEO, and Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, who had earlier been appointed.

For Midstream and Downstream Infrastructure Fund, new Council Members are; Mr Effiong Abia (Akwa Ibom), Bobboi Ahmed (Adamawa), and Engr. Abdullahi Bukar (Katsina).

It will be recalled that President Buhari had last September written the Senate on the administrative structure amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act, which included appointment of Non-Executive Board Members, removal of the Ministries of Petroleum and Finance from the Board of the two new institutions, and appointment of Executive Directors.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

January 5, 2022

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

SANWO-OLU INTERVENES IN MAGODO LAND TUSSLE, ORDERS STAND DOWN

 

  • Governor to meet affected parties, stakeholders on Wednesday for peaceful resolutions

 

  • Residents commend Sanwo-Olu for timely intervention

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday fully intervened in the Magodo Phase II land tussle by restoring peace to the estate.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who called on all the parties involved to stand down pending when the matter is completely resolved, invited affected families, residents and other stakeholders to a meeting in his office at Lagos House, Ikeja on Wednesday at 11 am for peaceful resolutions.

 

It would be recalled that armed policemen, who were acting on the instruction of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, a fortnight ago had laid a siege in Magodo Phase II Estate following the planned demolition of property in the estate based on a Supreme Court Order.

 

Some members of a family had come to execute the Supreme Court judgment on the ownership of the land where hundreds of properties were built. The properties were marked with red, brown, and blue inks to inscribe ‘ID/795/88 Possession Taken Today 21/12/21 by Court Order’.

 

The siege on Magodo II Estate was resisted by landlords and residents, who protested and trooped out en mass to prevent forceful takeover or demolition of their properties.

 

Speaking to journalists and estate residents during his visit to Magodo Phase II Estate on Tuesday to assess the situation of things himself, Governor Sanwo-Olu who was accompanied by his cabinet members and the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, said the matter called for proper deliberation in the interest of peace and therefore implored all parties to stand down until the matter is completely resolved.

 

The Governor also assured residents of the estate that nobody would be harassed or any property be pulled down pending the outcome of his meeting with all the parties involved.

 

He said: “I have spoken extensively with the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney- General of the Federation, and we have resolved all of the issues. So what we would see is that there is going to be a total stand down. Tomorrow (Wednesday), we will be inviting the representatives of the judgement creditors.

 

“We have actually started a committee meeting, but I want to invite them (Judgement creditors) again officially to my office tomorrow by 11 a.m. to come over with two or three of their representatives. The State Government representatives will be there, the residents’ association will be there, and the police will also be there. So whatever it is that must have brought about all these troubles and heartaches will need to be brought there.

 

“We will all go through every line of it and we will come to an amicable resolution. So, I want everyone to please ensure that peace will be restored to the estate. I want all of our citizens to go about their lawful businesses knowing fully well that nobody will be harassed or any property will be trampled upon pending all of these conversations.

 

“We will have an extended conversation tomorrow so that we can bring this to final closure. So I want to ask the residents, the executives, don’t take the laws into your hands. Just go back home peacefully. The Policemen have been recalled back. They would be here and nothing would happen. And tomorrow, even the judgement creditors, would also come to meet with us. They claimed that the people that we met here were not their full representatives.”

 

Prior to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s address to journalists and residents of the estate, the Governor and his team visited the police station within the estate, he was addressed by one CSP Abimbola Oyewole, who told him that his team had been sent from Abuja to execute the Supreme Court judgement on Magodo Phase 2 properties.

 

After the police team leader could not provide the copy of the said judgement as demanded by the governor, Governor Sanwo-Olu ordered the armed policemen to deactivate their operation and leave Lagos in the interest of peace.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu told the Police officers that the matter is between the Lagos State government and the judgement creditor.

 

“It is a case between the residents of Lagos and the supposed people, not the residents. They have nothing to do with the residents. Please, can you call your superior now in Abuja that the state governor is here standing in front of you and I am the Chief Security Officer and that I want you to leave now and that you have no business in my state, that I want you to disengage now?” Governor Sanwo-Olu declared.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu later placed phone calls to the authorities in Abuja, on whose authority the armed policemen were said to have been acting and the stand off was resolved.

 

The visit of Governor Sanwo-Olu also facilitated the release of about 20 residents that were arrested earlier by the Police officers.

 

According to residents of the estate, those arrested were detained by the Police in what they described as an unlawful invasion of their properties, saying most of the property owners were locked up in the name of the enforcement of the Supreme Court verdict.

 

Some of the residents who spoke to journalists commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for coming to their rescue and showing leadership in the state by defending them in time of need as the Chief Security Officer of Lagos State.

 

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

04 JANUARY 2022

PRESS RELEASE

 

ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY: SANWO-OLU LAUNCHES 2022 EMBLEM, DONATES N50M TO NIGERIAN LEGION

 

  • Governor is indeed a worthy Patriot, says Commandant

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday officially launched the emblem and appeal fund ahead of the January 15, 2022 commemoration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who donated N50million to the State chapter of the Nigerian Legion during the Appeal Fund and launching of the Year 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem at Lagos House, Ikeja on Tuesday, expressed his administration’s commitment to empower widows of the fallen heroes.

 

He, therefore, directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) to work with the office of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Legion to identify persons the State can give empowerment and supports to within the first quarter of this year.

 

“Every year, we set out to remember our fallen heroes, men and women that served the country, especially on the war front. Those that paid the supreme price while serving the nation and it is customary that on January 15, we remember them. But before then, we usually have an emblem launch which we use to remind ourselves that we are together with them in fellowship and we are together throughout this period to offer prayers, wish them the very best and offer some succour, especially to the families of the fallen heroes; the widows and the widowers.

 

“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, we would donate the sum of N50million for the emblem. So you can see that we have done 10 fold of what we did the other time. That itself is a big lift for us. We will continue to support in other areas.

 

“We gave commitments around empowering some of the widows. I am using this opportunity to direct the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) to work with your office to identify beneficiaries and people that we can give empowerment and support to and that would be done within the first quarter of this year.

 

“I wish you the best as you go out to launch and further pass on the emblem and to say that the Lagos State Government will continue to identify with the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Legion and wish you the best in the preparation of this year activity,” the governor said.

 

Speaking earlier, the Commandant of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Legion, Col Fola Akande (rtd), commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for the welfare and concern of retired officers, saying “Mr. Governor is indeed a worthy Patriot of the Nigerian Legion.”

 

He urged the people and government to continue to support and identify with widows, children and families of the fallen heroes by donating generously, buying and wearing the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration emblem.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu, alongside his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, some cabinet members and heads of security agencies in the State were decorated with the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

04 JANUARY 2022

 

 

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH MARTINS OLOJA, FAMILY OVER PASSING OF FATHER, ELDER MICHAEL OLOJA LEMIKAN

President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Mr Martins Oloja and entire family over the passing of their patriarch, Elder Michael Oloja Lemikan, 93.

The President joins the Baptist Church, government and people of Ondo State in mourning Elder Lemikan, whose sojourn on earth was a testimony of community leadership, devotion to worship, love for neighbours and strong advocate of peaceful co-existence.

President Buhari urges family, friends and associates of the devote Christian to find solace in the good works of their departed father and grandfather, and emulate his kind ways.

The President prays for the repose of his soul.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 5, 2022

 

AIRING OF PRESIDENTIAL INTERVIEWS

Channels Television will broadcast its exclusive interview with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 7 pm.

Similarly, another interview session with the President by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) will be aired on the network service of the station on Thursday, January 6 at 8 pm.

Please watch.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 5, 2022

 

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS DR DOYIN SALAMI AS CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER

A Chief Economic Adviser to the President (CEAP) has been appointed.

He is Dr Doyin Salami, up till now Chairman of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).

A 1989 doctorate degree graduate in Economics of Queen Mary College, University of London, Doyin Salami, 59, is Managing Director and Head Markets Practice at KAINOS Edge Consulting Limited, and member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University, where he recently attained the rank of Senior Fellow/Associate Professor.

The Chief Economic Adviser to the President is expected to address all issues on the domestic economy and present views on them to the President; closely monitor national and international developments, trends and develop appropriate policy responses; develop and recommend to the President national economic policies to foster macro-economic stability, promote growth, create jobs, and eradicate poverty, among others.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

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laud Akpabio Trial of Corrupt officials: Niger Delta Youths back Buhari

Trial of Corrupt officials: Niger Delta Youths back Buhari, laud Akpabio

Trial of Corrupt officials: Niger Delta Youths back Buhari, laud Akpabio

 

 

Youth leaders in the Niger Delta on Sunday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for vowing to rid the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of the moral and political rot that has plagued it for so long.

 

‘’We are continually inspired by Buhari’s dedication and vision to addressing development issues in the Niger Delta region’’

 

At a meeting in Warri, the youth leaders praised Buhari for his decision on the concluded forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

‘’We appreciate every sincere effort made to achieve development in the Niger Delta region’’

 

They commended Buhari for ordering the release of outstanding NDDC funds and trial of corrupt officials, noting that this creates the momentum which can accelerate progress in the region.

‘’The President’s directive on the completion of all viable projects, which have been abandoned by the NDDC, is a welcome development”.

Chairman of the Niger Delta Progressives Movement (NDPM), Mr. Julius Ita, told a news conference after the gathering in Warri that there was political will and good faith to guarantee the development of the region.

The youth leaders applauded Buhari for steps so far taken to prevent corruption in NDDC.

Specifically, the youths commended Senator Godswill Akpabio for breathing life into the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, revitalizing the region, instilling a renewed sense of faith and hope and creating a wonderful legacy for Niger Delta’s future.

‘’Chief Godswill Akpabio represents an extraordinary example of the spirit we honour in the region’’

The youths emphasized Akpabio’s depth of commitment and leadership in the country, integrity and honest work.

The youth leaders described the remarks of the National Chairman of Niger Delta People’s Forum (NDPF), Chief Boma Ebiakpo as “negative and divisive”.

 

‘’It won’t distract or deter the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio from his focus on developing the Niger Delta region’’ said the youth leaders.

 

The youth leaders said they expected Ebiakpo and his sponsors to cherish Akpabio’s contribution, wisdom and energy to the realization of the Niger Delta dream.

‘’An NDDC Board in the First Half-Year Period will be a distraction’’ the youth leaders pointed out.

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