₦airaland Forum

Congratulation to new appointees

Short man big trouble

Mr Buba

Aisha Yesufu is a human right activist not journalist

Charleys:
Aisha Yesufu is a biased journalist.

Very bad for Journalism.

President Muhammadu on Thursday invited Japanese investors to a number of sectors in Nigeria, during a plenary session at the ongoing seventh edition of the Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD 7). He also said he looks forward to positive reports of increased trade and investment between Nigeria and Japan.

“The TICAD forum is important to Nigeria in many aspects. First, it coincides with a period when the country is faced with a number of challenges that affect our economy,” Buhari said, adding that the Nigerian government has put in place measures seeking to diversify the economy by developing agriculture, emphasizing on manufacturing, and addressing the energy and infrastructure deficit. “These, we believe, shall be placing Nigeria on the path of rapid growth and sustainable development,” he said.

Secondly, Buhari said, “The forum is coming at a time when our government is implementing homegrown and private sector-driven economic measures that hinge on good governance, infrastructure, and human capital development, as well as business climate reform.

We therefore invite the private sector to come and invest in Nigeria.” Buhari said: “Thirdly, the forum is holding at an opportune moment, as it is a case of investment meeting opportunities. Nigeria has many attractive investment opportunities, with some of the highest returns on investment. In light of the foregoing, Nigeria and indeed Africa, expect much from this forum in terms of investment, considering the role of foreign direct investment in all economies, developed and developing.”

President Buhari said his administration has identified important sectors that are key drivers to the diversification of Nigeria’s economy. “These include power, transportation, infrastructure, maritime shipping, agro-processing, mining, manufacturing, petrochemicals, food processing, and textiles, among others.

We consider these areas as priority areas, that will drive our economic agenda,” he said, adding that he has also established a presidential committee on enabling business environment, which is made up of key ministries and prominent businessmen to promote the ease of doing business and making Nigeria more attractive and competitive for investment. “In this regard,” Buhari said, “We are committed to removing all impediments to private sector participation in these sectors, by creating policies that will ensure consistency, predictability, and a level playing field for all.”

Rounding up his presentation, President Buhari said in view of the ongoing reform programme of his government, Japanese investors are invited to invest in the following private sectors in Nigeria, namely power and renewable energy, petrochemicals and gas, maritime shipping and ports, automobiles, mining, agribusiness, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, ICT, and railway.

TICAD 7 kicked off yesterday, August 28, at the Pacifico Yokohama, in Yokohama, Japan. The 3-day summit has in attendance over 20 African leaders, with a number of ongoing bilateral talks between the various countries and the government of Japan.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-invites-japanese-investors-in-power-manufacturing-healthcare-other-sectors.html

bad one

big boy

.

Chai!

hmmm

A great dreamer of our time

Good one

. Closure has severe impact on my people – Talon

President Muhammadu Buhari has attributed the partial closure of Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic to the massive smuggling activities, especially of rice, taking place on that corridor. Buhari stated this during an audience granted his Beninese counterpart, Patrice Talon, on the margins of the Seventh Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD7), in Yokohama, Japan on yesterday.

Expressing concern over the smuggling of rice, Buhari said it threatened the self-sufficiency already attained due to his administration’s agricultural policies.

“Now that our people in the rural areas are going back to their farms, and the country has saved huge sums of money which would otherwise have been expended on importing rice using our scarce foreign reserves, we cannot allow smuggling of the product at such alarming proportions to continue,” he said. He said the limited closure of the country’s western border was to allow Nigeria’s security forces develop a strategy on how to stem the dangerous trend and its wider ramifications.

Responding to the concerns raised by President Talon on the magnitude of suffering caused by the closure, President Buhari said he had taken note and would reconsider reopening in the not too distant future. He, however, disclosed that a meeting with his counterparts from Benin and Niger Republics would soon be called to determine strict and comprehensive measures to curtail the level of smuggling across their borders. Earlier, President Talon had said he called on the Nigerian President as a result of the severe impact the closure of the Nigerian border was having on his people.

President Buhari also received in audience, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa during which issues of common bilateral relations especially, the killings of Nigerians in South Africa, were discussed. The matter will be further examined during the Nigerian leader’s official visit to Pretoria in October 2019.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-nigeria-benin-border-was-partially-closed-buhari.html

. concludes negotiations on counterpart funding for INFRACOs

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved spectrum for the trial of 5G services in the country. The Commission has also concluded negotiations on the counterpart funding to the Infrastructure Companies.

This will support the deployment of the broadband infrastructure on which the smart services and other emerging technologies will be hosted, according to the Nigerian telecom industry regulator.

NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, disclosed these during the opening session of the First Digital Africa Week organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Nigerian telecom industry regulator, in Abuja yesterday. ‘’The NCC will continue to drive and implement policies, projects and programmes aimed at facilitating digital revolution and digital inclusion in Nigeria.

In this regards, we have approved spectrum for the trial of 5G services in the country’’, Prof Danbatta said. He said the NCC had set up a Broadband Implementation Monitoring Committee (BIMC) to monitor full implementation of the Infrastructure Companies project within the four-year implementation plan. This is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration for the provision of ubiquitous broadband infrastructure across the country.

Conscious of the pivotal role pervasive broadband penetration will play in actualizing deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices ad Smart Services in any economy, Prof Danbatta said the NCC had developed a framework to facilitate the deployment of broadband infrastructure across Nigeria. The NCC framework, he said, had led to the licensing of six infrastructure companies (Infracos) for North East, North West, South East, South West, South-South and Lagos.

The process for licensing a seventh infraco for the North Central including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had been concluded and the licence ready for award very soon, he revealed. The infracos will deploy metro and intercity fibre and broadband point of access with a minimum capacity of 10 gigabyte per second (10 Gbps) across the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria, he added. “With the development of Smart Cities Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by the ITU, it is imperative to have a pervasive and ubiquitous broadband infrastructure across all our towns and cities to achieve the objectives of making them Smart,” Danbatta said.

Prof. Danbatta told the experts with excitement that “Nigeria has not only achieved but exceeded the 30% penetration target set by the National Broadband Plan (NBP) (2013 – 2018) and at the end of June 2019, our broadband penetration stood at 33.31%’’. The 1st Digital African Week is running in Abuja side by side with ITU-T Study Group 20 and Study Group 5 Regional Group, and Smart Sustainable Africa and Forum on Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs). The Conference ends on Friday.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ncc-approves-spectrum-for-5g-trial-in-nigeria.html

Sokoto State, Saturday, played host to many prominent Nigerians who came to grace the wedding ceremony of the daughter of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and son of the former Governor of Bauchi State, Malam Isa Yuguda. The wedding rites took place at the Sultan Bello Juma’at Mosque at about 12noon.

The Emir of Gwandu, Muhammad Bashar, gave Fatima out in marriage to the Emir of Bauchi who represented the groom after the payment of N50,000 as bride price.

The solemnization ceremony was officiated by a number of leading Islamic clerics both within and outside the country. Among the clerics, were the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Abuja, Professor Shehu Galadanchi; the Chief Imam of Ghana, the Sarkin Malamai of Sokoto, Sheikh Buhari Sirdawa among others. Among the dignitaries at the wedding ceremony was the Federal Government delegation, consisting of; Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

Others were; the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, Governors of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Imo, Osun, Plateau and Delta states as well as former Governors of Bauchi and Sokoto states, Adamu Mu’azu and Attahiru Bafarawa and host of others. Other Emirs at the ceremony included Emirs of Kano, Argungu, Etsu Nupe and some Chiefs from the South East. The two chief Imams also prayed for the peace and unity of Nigeria, just as they sought Allah’s guidance for the nation’s leaders.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/just-in-top-dignitaries-grace-wedding-of-sultans-daughter.html

The descendants of the foremost slave merchant in what is today’s Niger Delta region of Nigeria, King Eyo Honesty, have said that they cannot regret the active and frontline role their precursor played in the 1800s in being a big time slave merchant. They said they are rather proud that he played that role since it was what trended at that time. They said they are proud because the man was generally adjudged to be an honest man in his way of life and in business dealing with the white men whereas others were dubious.

One of the descendants, who is now the clan head of the Eyo Honesty dynasty, a massive community in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, His Royal Highness Etubom Eyo Ekpenyong Eyo Honesty II, spoke to our correspondent in his palace. He said that the name Honesty was deliberately given to their patriarch because he persisted in truth and in being genuine in his business dealing with the white partners who came from Europe, particularly the Portuguese and British merchants, to buy palm oil, spices and slaves from Calabar. “We are the fourth generation of Eyo Honesty II.

He was a great man in all meaning of the word. At that time, he had 1000 big boats as well as workers and slaves under him. With the boats, he transported his farm produce and slaves. He was a major force. One thing that was conspicuous about him was his truthfulness and kindness, which endeared him to the white men. “He was a trader, a dealer in palm oil. He could speak a little of the English language, which led to his becoming an interpreter between the white business men and the local people. This made him wealthy and famous.

“Many chiefs of local communities would usually keep their slaves in the custody of Eyo Honesty for the white buyers. Available history says he would keep as many as 2000 slaves, most of them brought from distant places such as today’s Akwa Ibom, south-east states, and even Rivers State. Indigenes of Creek Town were never sold. “Nobody should feel pained or be angry with the Eyo Honesty dynasty over the slave trade; perchance their forebears were affected. We should not be misunderstood when we say we are proud. Slave trade was a major business at that time.

We are proud on one hand because apart from the pain of slave trade, he opened up Creek Town, which is the root of the Efik nation and cradle of Black civilisation. “Our great great grandfather brought Christianity into what is today called the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He first moved for the abolishment of slave trade when he told the white people that he won’t be continuing anymore but rather asked them to bring their God to Calabar.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/400-years-after-descendants-of-slave-merchant-say-theyre-proud.html

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said the party would win the presidential poll beyond 2023. Speaking on Friday in Abuja, when the APC governors met with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Oshiomhole said the party may have internal challenges but that it would surmount them.

Daily Trust gathered from reliable sources at the party’s national secretariat that the meeting was aimed at ironing out several issues affecting the party including the issue of litigations. Our correspondent also learnt that the closed-door meeting also initiated strategies aimed at campaigning vigourously and winning the November 16 governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States. “As it stands, there are many cases in court. Until those cases are resolved, we won’t be able to say for sure where we stand. It is our prayer. Because we believed that a lot of our cases in court have merit. We hope that there will be justice and they are resolved in our favour.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-will-win-presidential-poll-beyond-2023-oshiomhole.html

MTN and 9mobile

Delta state governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Chief Festus Keyamo (SAN), on his inauguration as Minister of State, Niger Delta. Okowa said Keyamo’s appointment was well deserved, considering his antecedents as a lawyer of repute and urged him to bring his wealth of experience to bare on his new job in order to address the myriad of challenges bedevilling the Niger Delta.

Governor Okowa alluded to Keyamo’s achievements as an eminent legal practitioner and expressed confidence that the minister would use his office to attract infrastructural development to Delta and the Niger Delta. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika Thursday in Asaba, Okowa said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our illustrious son, Chief Festus Keyamo (SAN), on his appointment as Minister of State, Niger Delta.”

“Given the antecedents of Olorogun Keyamo as a brilliant and cerebral lawyer, I have no doubt that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear in changing the current narrative of infrastructural deficit, poverty and environmental degradation in Niger Delta.” “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for finding an illustrious Deltan worthy to serve in his ‘Next Level’ cabinet.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/okowa-sets-agenda-for-keyamo.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-appointment of Mr. Ade Ipaye as Deputy Chief of Staff to the President. A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Ipaye works in the Office of the Vice President, a presidential spokesperson Laolu Akande said.

Buhari also approved the re-appointment of Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu, Special Adviser to President on Economic Matters; Mrs Maryam Uwais who retains her position as Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment Programme as well as Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters. Also, re-appointed is Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who will now serve as the Special Adviser to the President on Ease Of Doing Business. Equally, President Buhari has also appointed Mr. Ahmad Rufai Zakari as Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, as Senior Special Assistant on Education Interventions, Mr. Louis Odion as Senior Technical Assistant on Print Media, and Mr. Ajuri Ngelale as Senior Special Assistant for Public Affairs in the Presidency.

All appointees are to serve in the Office of the Vice President. Except for Zakari, Bank-Olemoh, Odion and Ngelale, all the other appointments take retrospective effect from May 29, 2019.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-re-appoints-ipaye-uwais-others.html

The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday resolved to constitute a team to recover N614bn budget support loan facility given to 35 out of the 36 states of the federation. This is part of the resolutions reached during NEC meeting presided over by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and attended by most of the 36 state governors at the council chamber of the State House, Abuja.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who briefed journalists alongside Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule and his Edo State counterpart Godwin Obaseki, said the council has agreed to constitute team to recover the money. “As at today, the budget support facility advanced by the Federal Government to the states, is in a total sum of N614bn and this is to 35 states.

This means an equivalent is N175bn (N17.5bn) per state. “Council agreed to constitute a team of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to finalize modalities to commence repayment of this facility to the Central Bank,” she said. As at 20th August 2019, the minister said the Excess Crude Account (ECA) stood at $95,329,245.24, stabilization fund account N21, 729,976,810.66 and natural resources development fund was put at N95,896,886,829.69. Ahead of the budget submission, a presentation on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) was made to the council.

The minister said that the purpose of the presentation was to get inputs and recommendation from the council for further presentation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval and implementation. She said there has been eight successive month of economic growth since emerging from recession and that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) remains the basis for the Medium Term fiscal strategy. “Macro-economic stability has been achieved with growth in end Q3 2019 at 3.01%, continued increased in Real GDP from 1.89% in Q2018 to 2.01% in 2019, there has been significant growth in non-oil sector, contribution of the non-oil sector to GDP has increased 90.4% in Q1 2018 to 90.9% in Q1 2019,” she said.

For his part, Nasarawa State Governor Sule gave an update on the report of NEC committee on export promotion presented by the Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru. He said the report was sequel to the Zero Oil Plan envisioned in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which is developed by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC). He said the implementation of the plan was expected to add an extra $150bn (minimum) to Nigeria’s foreign reserves cumulatively from non- oil exports over the next 10 years; create 500, 000 jobs annually and lift 20 million Nigerians out of poverty, contributing towards SDG- “No Poverty”.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State said the council was presented with an update by Minister of Health on Polio Eradication which showed that 21st August, 2019 marks exactly three years milestone without a case of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in Nigeria. He also spoke on NEC ad-how committee on security and policing He said Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum presented report on it.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fg-raises-panel-to-recover-n614bn-loan-from-35-states.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday tasked all tiers of government to be alive to their responsibilities to the people including the hoards of unemployed youths in the country. He stated this during a courtesy visit on the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris in his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The president noted that issues of unemployment would be quickly addressed when all levels of government lived up to their duties. “I have been talking to the Governor when we were driving, the young people, the population growth here is so big and the 20 and below are the majority. “And they don’t seem to care how you make it, but they want the leadership to provide jobs, to provide security and all other things that are expected of government. “A lot of them have not got the opportunity for further education, so let us study the constitution and see the responsibilities of three tiers of government.”

“Before you push everything to me, I am just reminding you that I will do my best and I will make sure that the new cabinet is working for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians.” Buhari acknowledged the massive votes he received in Kano and Kaduna states, saying that was why he allocated two ministerial seats to each of the states. “Kaduna and Kano State are the only two states I gave two substantive positions in my council, so I have appreciated your votes and paid you back by giving you Ministers of Environment and Finance.” He expressed happiness that people were willing to support his administration without even government talking to them about it, adding that this is genuine support. The President assured the Emir that he would do his best in attending to some requests presented to him before leaving office.

“Your Highness, your shopping list is an expensive one and since I have four years to go, I will try and start or do most of them before I go. “So that when I eventually go it will be on your record that I listened to your representation on behalf of your constituency. “We are in a very difficult time. The Emir has mentioned about insecurity and you know it very well that my party and myself identified three issues right from 2015.

“Number one is security, because you have to secure a country or an institution to manage it properly and the second one is economy and third fight against corruption.” Earlier, the Emir appealed to the President to look into the issue of collapsed industries in Kaduna State with a view to proffering urgent solution to the problem. He pleaded with the President to consider the possibility of reconstructing or rehabilitating Zaria-Pambeguwa road, Kaduna-Jos road and Zaria-Funtua road.

He Emir also reminded the President that the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) being one of the oldest hospitals established in 1967 was being challenged by lack of funds. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Emir later presented a horse to the President as a sign of appreciation for the visit. NAN also reports that the President had inaugurated the second phase of Zaria Water Project, PZ- Kwangila dual carriage way and ABU Business School. (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-assures-nigerians-of-selfless-service.html

Wife Of Hero Who Died Saving 6 In Boat Mishap Cries: ‘rivers Gov’t Hasn’t Kept Promises

Mrs. Blessing Blackson is the wife of late Joe Blackson, who saved 13 passengers, but lost his life during a boat accident that claimed the lives of six persons, in July last year. One year after his death, the family of the unsung hero still misses their bread winner dearly.

Daily Trust: How has it been since the death of your husband?

Mrs. Blessing Blackson: Life has not been the same since I lost my husband. It has not been easy, especially because he was the father of the family and our breadwinner. His death has created a big vacuum in the family. All the same, we thank God for keeping us alive and for sustaining us.

DT: A few days after his death, the Rivers State governor promised automatic employment for you and also to take care of the children’s education. Have these promises been fulfilled?

Blackson: No. Nothing has been done. The promises haves not been fulfilled. DT: Why? Blackson: I don’t know. But I know that the governor is a good man and noted for keeping his promises. He is a very busy man and may have forgotten but I know that God will touch his heart to fulfill the promises made to this family.

DT: Have you made inquiries on why the promise is yet to be fulfilled?

Blackson: I have tried on my own to reach out to the government on this matter but nothing has happened yet. I have written letters which were addressed to the Chairman of Degema Local Government Council. I was also advised to meet the Head of Service. I tried severally but nothing has come my way. However, I was able to meet the Deputy Governor who advised me to write another letter to the governor on the promise. I have written the letter and the Deputy Governor promised to follow it up.

DT: I learnt that you set up a foundation in honour of your late husband

Blackson: Yes, I set up a foundation, as well as a swimming academy, which was launched on the 29th of last month to commemorate the one year anniversary of my husband’s death. The foundation is to teach both children and adults the rudiments of swimming in order to prevent what happened to my husband happening to others. I have started a process for the project but I need fund to implement it. I am working towards building an Olympic size swimming pool for the academy. I want to appeal to the state to come to our aid by fulfilling all the promises made to the family. My daughter will start school in September and I need fund to enroll her in school and also sustain my family.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/wife-of-hero-who-died-saving-6-in-boat-mishap-cries-rivers-govt-hasnt-kept-promises.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Daura, Katsina State, joined thousands of people in mourning Alhaji Abdulrahman Danmalam, who was the Dan Madami and a District Head in the palace of the Emir of Daura. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports President Buhari’s condolence message was delivered to the family of the deceased by Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity and Musa Haro, the President’s nephew.

In a statement by the presidential aide, President Buhari described the demise of the Dan Madami as “very painful’’. The President urged the family to take solace in the fact that their bread winner had left behind a good name and record of unparalleled service to the community. “Daura Emirate will forever remember this illustrious son of Katsina state and Nigeria,” President Buhari said.

The President also commiserated with the Emir of Daura, government and people of Katsina State, among whom the Dan Madami lived and served until his death. President Buhari prayed Allah to grant them the grace to bear the loss.(NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-mourns-dan-madami-daura.html

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital in Daura, Katsina State would minimize the need for people to travel to other states and even abroad for medication. The president defied light rain to commission the hospital which has equipment for radio-diagnosis, cancer screening, dialysis, laboratory diagnosis and research.

“This hospital will minimise the need for people in these areas to travel to Kano, Kaduna, Abuja or even overseas to receive medical treatment,” he said. “I urge you to maintain the highest standard and quality of services the military is known for in attending to patients and the host community,” he said. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, said the project was conceived and implemented with the military and the community in mind to provide quality health services. In his remarks, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the 60 bed capacity hospital had a total of nine medical consultants, as well as 61 general medical practitioners and dentists. Queries IGP over raincoats Earlier yesterday, President Buhari commissioned two road projects constructed by the Katsina State Government, defying rainfall.

This is just as the president verbally queried the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for failing to provide raincoats to policemen who were on duty during the commissioning. At the commissioning of the 22km Fargo-Katsayal-Kwasarawa-Jirdede-Koza road, that the president noticed that policemen on duty were not wearing raincoats, even as it was drizzling, The president then asked the most senior police officer, an AIG, “Why did you leave your men in rain, without raincoats?” The AIG kept mum. The president said he would raise the issue with the IG. Soldiers at the venue were seen in raincoats.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daura-naf-hospital-will-reduce-medical-tourism-buhari.html

The socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo has warned the Igbo people, especially the youths against heating up the polity by discussing the 2023 presidential election, saying it was too early for such move, even when the 2019 election outcome is still being contested in court. While speaking with Journalists in Yenagoa on Thursday, the Coordinator, Ohaneze youth wing in South South region, Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, urged the people of the Igbo nation to always seek the opinion of the elders and national leaders of Ohaneze, Chief Nnie Nwodo, before engaging some national discourse.

He condemned the situation where some youths have already moved around endorsing people for 2023 presidency, saying such activities is a distraction to the people of the area. “We want to call the pubic to disregard any statement made by the so called ‘Ohaneze youths’ because they are moving around tarnishing the image of our organization and Igbo nation, that is why we urge Igbo people all over the world to work towards ensuring peace in Igbo land. “We should not talk about politics of 2023 for now, the issues arising from the last election is being contested in court, so we should not heat up the polity by starting another campaign”.

“Igbo youths should not be interested in 2023 politics for now, what should bother us most is the peace in Igbo land, so let’s work towards it and put our house in order,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/it-is-too-early-to-start-2023-politics-ohaneze-tells-igbos.html

hmmm

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, commissioned a 32-kilometer road constructed by the Katsina State Government for easy evacuation of farm produce in the state. The road, Shinkafi-Yandaki-Gafia-Abdallawa-Dankaba traverses 15 communities in Katsina and Kaita local government areas of the state.

The commissioning of the project, which was awarded in October 2017 and completed in April this year, was witnessed by locals who trooped out to witness the event. In his remarks, Buhari commended the Katsina State government for embarking on the project, saying it is in line with the change agenda. He said apart from easy movement, the road will improve the social life of the people of the area.

Speaking during the commissioning, the State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari said aside the 32km road, the president will, tomorrow, commission two others. He said his administration had completed 13 inherited road projects and that 44 others were at various stages of competition.

“The construction of the 32-km-road has cost the state government N3,362,292,219.25. Similarly, the 38km Fargo-Katsayal-Kwasarawa-Jirdede-Koza road and 22km Kwanar Sabke-Dan’aunai- Ruwan Kaya road cost N1,909,827,028.49 and N2,601,552,756.77 respectively. These last two roads are envisaged to be commissioned by Your Excellency, God willing,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/katsina-buhari-commissions-n3-3bn-32km-roads.html

Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku said on Tuesday that he was working tirelessly with his Benue counterpart Samuel Ortom to end the crisis between the Tiv and Jukun in the border area of the states. Media Aide to the Taraba governor, Mr Bala Abu, said this in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) following allegations by Tiv Youth Council (TYC) that the governor and Gen. Theophilus Danjuma were fuelling the crisis.

Abu exonerated the governor and Gen. Danjuma from the crisis. “It is a grave allegation to say that someone in the status of Gov. Darius Ishaku and Gen. TY Danjuma will be sponsoring crisis. “This allegation is false and it cannot stand. It is intended to smear the governor and Gen. Danjuma.” (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/im-working-tirelessly-to-end-jukun-tiv-crisis-gov-ishaku.html

The 2015 presidential candidate and National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has said for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to get it right in Bayelsa and Kogi states on November 16, it must learn from its mistakes. In a telephone interview with Daily Trust yesterday, Chief Okorie said the outcomes of previous elections, including the 2019 general elections, were characterised by several challenges that threw up the highest number of litigations in the polity.

He said the “shoddy deals” by leaders of political parties in the choice of candidates ahead of 2019 also contributed to the current political quagmire, adding that these must be stopped ahead of the November Bayelsa and Kogi polls. Okorie said, “We are expecting INEC to show Nigerians that it has learnt enough lessons from the outcome of the 2019 general elections that came up with so many challenges for the commission.

“In these coming elections, I would like to see an outcome that would be generally accepted by the majority of the electorate. It means that the method must be transparent and credible. “We are talking about only two states and not the 36 states. So, the card readers must be made to work accurately to avoid any polling unit resorting to any other method other than accrediting the voters using the card reader. And the results must also be pasted at the various polling units for the party agents to also have their own copies.

“The aggregate of these results must reflect at the collation centres and the state level without any discrepancy. If that is achieved, I believe we will say that INEC has arrived.” Chief Okorie, the founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the UPP, appealed to the 9th National Assembly to revisit the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and resend it to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

He argued that if passed into law, rigging would become an unattractive venture in the nation’s electoral process, as electronic voting would be fully activated. He said the UPP was weighing various options regarding participation in the two coming elections, including considering an alliance with the ruling APC, recalling that they adopted President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 23, 2019, presidential poll

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/okorie-advises-inec-on-how-to-get-bayelsa-kogi-govship-polls-right.html