₦airaland Forum

The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, in his special New Year Message upgraded the state College of Agriculture located in Mgbakwu in Awka North local government area to a Polytechnic.

According to a press statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, James Eze, the upgrade was part of the overall plan by the Obiano’s administration to expand its efforts in building new manpower capacity to meet the growing dynamics of the time.

The governor revealed that the technicalities involved in the transition of the college to a full-fledged Polytechnic had been concluded with the change perfected.

He expressed optimism that the Anambra people and the entire Nigerian will experience another dimension of joy in the New Year. Obiano said: “Having survived the trauma and anxieties in the outgone year, Ndi Anambra and their fellow compatriots have successfully crossed over to a new threshold of prosperity and growth.

“Those visits and the visits of many other important functionaries and representatives have assured us in unmistakable terms that the federal government takes Anambra State seriously.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

BiafraBushBoy:
gynecology

President Muhammadu Buhari says government was aware of some “mistakes and wrongdoings”in the handling of the affairs of those displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

“We are taking measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits,” Buhari vowed in his address to the nation this morning to mark the new year.

He, however, expressed joy at the return of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes in Damasak, Borno State on December 25, 2016, saying the development reassured that the voluntary return of IDPs in other parts of the country was imminent.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Lawal Babachir, has been at the centre of a probe by the Senate which alleged that funds earmarked for the welfare of the IDPs were improperly handled. Specifically, Babachir was accused of awarding a contract to a firm in which he allegedly has interest.

“Government is aware of some mistakes and wrongdoings in handling the affairs of IDPs. We are taking measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits”, the President said.

“Our determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken. This fight, which will be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process, will not spare anybody or organ of government. It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions. The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign. It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream.”

On the return of those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency to their homes, Buhari said: the joyful return of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Damasak town in Borno State, following the reopening of Maiduguri/Gubio/Damasak road in Northern Borno on December 25, 2016, reassured us that the voluntary return of IDPs in other parts of the country is imminent.

“The Federal Government will spare no effort in seeing to the resettlement and rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of terrorism and insurgency. I urge state governments, privileged Nigerians, donor agencies and countries to redouble their contributions towards this goal”.

‘We have won war against Boko Haram’

While welcoming Nigerians into the new year, he expressed happiness that the war against Boko Haram, had been largely won by the military. According to him, the capture of “camp zero”, the last stronghold of the terrorists in Sambisa Forest, was a positive signal that the fight had entered into a healthy phase.

His words: “I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a New Year in our beloved country, Nigeria. “I felicitate with you today at a time when our nation is witnessing a new and impressive turnaround in our security and socio-economic situation. “I know you will join me to, once again, congratulate the heroic and gallant efforts of our military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.

“Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram.

“When we see our beloved 21 Chibok girls reuniting with their families and community for Christmas, it gives us the hope that those who are still in captivity will one day return to the loving arms of family, friends and well-wishers.

“I urge all Nigerians to be on the alert and watch out for strange figures settling in their communities, and report to the nearest security agencies, as our armed forces intensify the pursuit of fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest. “Misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law.

“The support of all Nigerians to security agencies to enable them successfully execute their mandate is crucial in our bid to effectively secure our country”.

Other security challenges

The president assured that the security agencies would tackle other security challenges in the country. “In this New Year, I want to reassure all Nigerians that our defence and security forces are more than ever before ready to perform their constitutional role of protecting lives and property in the country; and we will surely overcome all other forms of security challenges”, Buhari said.

“The lingering security issues in several states will be frontally addressed. These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness. Some sections of the press and some politicians should avoid provocative and inflammatory statements, while the government is painstakingly trying to find solutions to our challenges.”

‘Love one another’

The president urged Nigerians to show love to one another in the new year. “I want to remind you on the first day of this New Year of an African proverb that says “it is easy to break a broomstick but not a bunch”. Nigeria is a bunch and is more than equal to troublemakers”, he stated.

“I have interacted with a broad spectrum of Nigerians, the old and the young, and they have told me unequivocally that they believe in the unity and stability of Nigeria.

“The year 2017 provides an opportunity for us to build on those aspects of our national life that unite us. We are courageous, hardworking, hospitable, steadfast and resilient people, even in the face of difficulties.

“These are the attributes that define us and have for years confounded the pessimists who do not believe in our continued existence as a united and indivisible nation. We are a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our multiple diversities for national development. We must continue to support and tolerate one another and live together as one.

“We will continue to pursue peace initiatives in the Niger Delta as I again, call on our brothers in that region who have taken to violent disruptions of economic infrastructure to come to the negotiating table. “As for our brothers and sisters of the Shia Community, we urge them, too, to embrace peace. They must accept the laws of the country they live in. They cannot be islands by themselves. At the same time, the law enforcement agencies must treat them humanely and according to the rule of law”.

Measures to revive economy

Buhari stated that measures were put in place to revive the economy and also create jobs for the unemployed. “On our part, in the past 20 months since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, we have focused our energies to turn around the economy, create jobs, fight corruption, and transform agriculture to replace oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the nation. I am encouraged that we are getting things right”, the President said.

“The agricultural revolution has begun. Farmers in different parts of the country are experiencing bumper harvests; states are getting into strategic partnership towards attaining self-sufficiency in rice, and the era of over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange revenues is gradually waning. I am optimistic that the CHANGE we all yearned for in voting this administration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017.

“As you may be aware, our economic recovery and growth plan in 2017 is anchored on optimizing the use of local content and empowering local businesses.

“In pursuit of this administration’s philosophy, we will continue to appeal that we buy “Made In Nigeria” goods. Like I said during the 2017 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, farmers, small and medium-sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses, dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups, will remain the true drivers of our economic future. They are the engine of our economic recovery and their needs underpin our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

“On job creation, this administration will sustain existing programmes aimed at lifting a vast number of our youth out of poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunities for people to fend for themselves. “I thank you for the public support for our administration’s efforts to transform Nigeria. I assure you again that the current pains are temporary and will ease when the economic seeds in gestation begin to bloom to fruition. I urge you to continue to support this administration in its effort to transform Nigeria for the good of all”.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, says his administration regrets and condemns the destruction of lives and property in Southern Kaduna.

The Governor’s ‎public condemnation of the killings is contained in his New Year Message he personally signed and made available to the media on Saturday.

In the message entitled ‘We must uphold hope and a common humanity’, the governor welcome the deployment of federal troops to quell the security threat to the Southern part of the state.

El-Rufai said, ‘I felicitate with the people of Kaduna State as we welcome a new year. We invoke the blessings of the Almighty on all our people, that harmony will prevail in our land and that the apostles of violence and division will be shamed. We have high hopes for 2017; that it will be a year of peace and growth for our state, and our country, Nigeria.

“For us in Kaduna State, 2016 was a year of attainments and challenges. We made tangible progress in implementing our governance agenda. Much has been done, but much more remains to accomplish. “Through it all, we have confronted our difficulties with the same decisiveness that has produced results across sectors. We have imposed discipline on the finances of our state, increased IGR and ensured that we pass our budget well before a new calendar year.

“We demonstrated our credentials as a state that is open for business. The quality of attendance and participation at the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KADInvest), held in April 2016, testified that the private sector recognises our commitment to promoting investments and job-creation. The Olam and Vicampro investments in the agricultural sector are some of the concrete outcomes of this investment drive.

“In each of our five priority areas, we made advances in the interest of our people. After the first phase of school rehabilitation, we decided that the needs of today and the medium-term require that we embark of a comprehensive reconstruction of schools, and this is captured in the 2017 Budget. Our partner, GE Healthcare, has launched the biggest ever refit of hospitals in Kaduna State.

” This scheme is equipping 255 primary health centres and 23 general hospitals with facilities to improve maternal and infant care, and to offer safer surgery.

“Our infrastructure upgrade programme is delivering better township roads, including the dualisation of major roads. The long-delayed Zaria Water project is nearing completion.

” In 2016, we delivered affordable fertilizer for our farmers without entangling the government in subsidy. Our government also upheld its decision not to spend public funds on pilgrimage.

“The policy and legal architecture to support a new approach to governance was completed. Legislation for a new tax code, public finance management and procurement have been passed and new agencies created to manage a new electronic land registry, and to manage all government facilities.

“Amidst these successes, we have experienced security challenges in parts of southern Kaduna. We regret and condemn the loss of lives and property, and the disruption of social order that have been sadly witnessed in those areas.

” We welcome the assistance of the Federal Government in deploying additional security assets to the area. Through all these, we have been guided by the immensity of our oath of office, rather than the media headlines.

“The human toll that our compatriots in southern Kaduna have been seized upon as an occasion for much irresponsible commentary and intense efforts to fan division.

” I wish to assure all the people of Kaduna State that we will continue to do our best to uphold security and to promote peace and harmony. That duty also imposes on us an obligation to vigorously uphold the rule of law, punish hate speech and incitement.

“I call on all the people of Kaduna State to ensure that we march into 2017 together, upholding harmony and a common humanity and jointly pursuing those policies and programmes that can best enhance the progress and live chances of our people.

” Let us resist the urge to demonise the other or attribute the worst to people whose religion or language differs from ours.

Let us keep hope alive and work together to make 2017 a better year for all,’ the governor said.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

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ehissi:
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BrainnewsNg:
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bayelsaowei:
dropshot

ademoladeji:
Oluwo of Yahooland....

yaki84:
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Atiku2019:
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Atiku2019:
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sarrki:
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Baba have spoken. That's final

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More should be shown the way out.

By Faith I Will Walking Into 2017 A Virgin Also...

Senate President Bukola Saraki says after the recapture of the Sambisa Forest, other issues before the country are corruption, economic recession, unemployment and the Niger Delta crisis. The Senate president was yesterday addressing State House correspondents shortly after observing the juma’at prayer with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House mosque.

Saraki described the capture of Sambisa Forest as great progress, saying: “If you look at where we were a-year-and-half ago; the challenges we had in that area, for us to recapture the place is a great feat. It shows what we can do as a country when we’ve the commitment, purpose and the leadership required to do that. As we’ve done that in the northeast.”

The Senate President said he believed the other issues before us are the fight against corruption, the economy, providing jobs, peace in the Niger Delta.

Saraki said the attention of the National Assembly would be on the economy in 2017 because “that is really a major issue for us as a country. We want to see some of the economic bills put forward passed to see that there is greater improvement in the process of the budget process in 2017 and to see that the government implements the budget early.”

He said: “Also, one of our pet projects is made-in-Nigeria products. We want to see that government continues to support Nigerians in this area so that we can begin to see the cushioning of the difficult times Nigerians are going through. So, next year is very important to us.”

The Senate president also assured that the legislature would continue to support the executive to ensure that the right things are done.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Israeljones:

funny set of poosies. ..have said my mind alrdy....