APC Party Leaders at Mosan Okunola LCDA Praise Hon Yusuf Oladipipo Olaseni for Building Ultramordern Party Secretariat

Party stalwarts, and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from Mosan Okunola LCDA Chapter, continue to praise Hon Yusuf Oladipipo Olaseni, reputable businessman and philanthropist, for facilitating the completion of the ultramordern party secretariat of the area.

The well attedned grand commissioning of the new APC Mosan Okunola LCDA secretariat took place Monday, December 20.

It would be recalled that the construction of the secretariat project was started a while ago by, the Executive Chairman of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Princess Olabisi Adebajo, and eventually completed by Hon Yusuf Oladipupo Olaseni.

In his speech, Hon Olaseni assured his continuous support for his party, on initiatives that focuses on youths development, and, empowerment programmes aimed at self development, and growth among party members.

The influencial youth politician enjoined everyone to see the party secretariat as their property, and, thus, should adequately maintain and take care of it.

A roll call of dignitries present at the occasion include, Hon. Femi Adebanjo-MHR, Chief Babatunde Aboyade- Vice Chairman Lagos West Senatorial District, APC, Lagos State, Hon. Princess Olabisi Adebajo, Executive Chairman Mosan Okunola LCDA, Alh Abdullahi Ayinde Enilolobo and Alhaji Yisa Yinusa(YY).

Others are Hon. Ajao, Mrs Rebecca Ogunsanya- Mosan Okunola LCDA Party Chairman, Hon. Barrister Rotimi Ovunwuyi (O LEGAL), and Alhaji Waidi Orire.


Afro hip hop sensation,Small Doctor thrilled the gathering made up of mostly youths with his music vibes and energetic dance steps.

The outstading male and female dancers and entertainers at the event were given cash gifts by Hon. Olaseni.

Ahead of 2023, Hon Yusuf Oladipipo Olaseni assured he would support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his presidential aspiration.


According to Hon Olaseni, Alimosho youths will be galvanized to rally round the Presidential Aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who loves the youth and have over the years given the young generation rare opportunities to reach their maxim.

He promised to support the national leader of the All Progressives Congress with all within his means.

Olaseni distributed a thousand ABAT Movement (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu) campaign caps to kick off the campaign in the LCDA.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Xmas: Governor Emmanuel warn against disregard of Covid-19 safety protocol

...Warn against hearing up polity as 2023 politics draws near

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has called on the people not to let their guard down with regards the Covid-19 pandemic as they roll out their drums of festivities, advocating on the need to follow the simple but effective protocols aimed at curtailing the spread of the Covid- 19 virus.

The Governor who stated this on his Christmas broadcast to the state warned of the dangers such carelessness may bring forth especially in view of the mutation of a new variant, Omicron.

He warned that at a time the world thought we had turned a corner with this virus, the Omicron variant has returned the world to the starting point. He advised that since the variant has been discovered in Nigeria, it is incumbent upon us, to do all we can to curtail its spread.

"The simple protocols of social distancing, regular washing of hands with liquid soaps, the wearing of facemask, use of hand sanitizers etc. plus the robust healthcare facilities we have provided, had helped us a great deal in stemming the spread of this virus when it first appeared on our shores. We should remain committed to doing same with this new variant".

"We do not intend to impose another round of lock- down. This will however, depend on how we obey the protocols. This is a serious matter and should be treated as such", he declared.

The Governor stated that the through the season, we are once again enveloped in a mood of festivities, heralding the birth of the Prince of Peace and the Saviour of mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ. "This, therefore, is a season of peace, of goodwill, love and giving. This is a season where we should banish all ancient animosities and celebrate our oneness and unity, our development and the strides we are collectively making as a State and as a people. It is a season of joy and thankfulness to God for holding us together as a people and as a State, in spite of the economic difficulties brought about by the Covid -19 pandemic, which unfortunately has now mutated to the Delta and Omicron variants respectively", he stated.

According to Governor Emmanuel, Christmas "is a season of hope, of our determination to continue to forge ahead and deliver on our campaign promises; to leave this State better than we met her, and to proclaim with certainty that the Akwa Ibom story will not be reversed, that the things which had hitherto defined us negatively as a State and as a people shall be permanently cancelled and erased, and it will be Forward Ever Backward Never!

He admonished that the season signifies peace and goodwill to mankind, and the peace Akwa Ibom State have enjoyed shall be permanent as any resort or attempts to reverse it and reintroduce the orgy of violence and security challenges that the State had earlier witnessed before now, will, and shall never return.

He warned that the Akwa Ibom story must and will continue to be told in enchanting colours and its trajectory of growth and development shall be Forward Ever Backward Never! "This motto of progress is what should ring through in our heads and hearts", he admonished.

The Governor warned that anyone, who, for selfish political purposes, wants to reverse the prevailing peace in the state must be rejected as anyone who aims to grab power through the instrument of violence must be stopped and rejected.

" And let me even add, anyone who aims at getting power by using violence against his or her people, will end up ruling with violence. May the season of peace which Christmas represents, never see our State go through such politically-motivated years of violence again".

He promised that his administration will continue to ensure that issues concerning education, agriculture, health care or the social infrastructure are given the prime attention they deserve.

Hear him, "We owe our children the responsibility of preparing them to be competitive in an information technology-driven world; we owe them the right education to make them future employers of labour, as opposed to being job seekers. The new world that is unfolding before us, is one where students learn and imbibe entrepreneurial spirit and skills, aimed at freeing them to explore the world and take a slice of it, through the marketable skills they have acquired".

"We remain committed to ensuring that we produce, and at an affordable price, the staple food items for our people, through the robust investments we have made in agriculture. Our healthcare delivery service remains top in our agenda. We promised to remodel, construct and equip with modern amenities General Hospitals in all the Ten Federal Constituencies. We have successfully done nine; the last in Ikot Abasi is currently on-going"

Continuing he said, "We promised to provide Power for All by December 2021, which actually means the provision of electricity to the 2,274 gazetted villages that make up this State. As I speak, out of the 2,274 gazetted villages, only 265 villages yet to be connected to the national grid, that’s about 92 percent score in this regard. We hope to connect the remaining 265 villages to the national grid as soon as possible, thus meeting our target in this regard. This is a huge achievement that no State, and I repeat no State can match. This is absolutely the best in the nation and I stand to be corrected. We came to serve; to work diligently and quietly to improve the material and living standards of our people and nothing will distract us from achieving those set goals".

He promised that the infrastructural Renaissance of his government is on the ascendance as even his worst critics will agree that the State is experiencing huge road and other infrastructural expansions. "We remain committed to finishing our turn-key projects. Our contractors are out there working at their designated sites, now that we have some respite from the rainy season, and I want to thank them for heeding my directive to remain at site even during this festive season", he stated.

In a related development, Governor Udom Emmanuel has joined Christians in Akwa Ibom State to celebrate the 2021 Christmas with a renewed call for fervent prayers for peace in the various regions of Nigeria and appreciation of the peace enjoyed in the state.

The Governor was was speaking at the 2021 Christmas Day Service, at United Evangelical Church, Awa Iman in Onna, said for Nigeria to attain the needed stability and progress in 2022, peace was inevitable and such peace, he added, does not just come but by efforts and sacrifices of some people behind the scenes.

Elucidating on the significance of Christmas, Governor Emmanuel, likened Nigeria's present situation to that of Judea before Christ came and prayed that the 2021 Christmas birth the needed help to reposition Nigeria in the coming 2022.

"Peace does not come by accident. Peace comes by prayers and the bible says we should pray for peace. That is why I always appreciate men of God who stand in the gap to pray for the peace of our land. Nigeria needs a lot of prayers, but my prayer is in accordance with the significance of Christmas. At a time Judah was in turmoil and the entire Israel in a state of confusion, Jesus was born and brought hope to mankind. So my prayer is as we are coming again into another political journey, may it be born to Nigeria, a child that will redeem and give peace to this country", the governor said.

He cautioned Akwa Ibom people against taking the peace enjoyed in the state for granted, attributing the celebrated developmental feats in the state to its peaceful and accommodating ambience.

"I use this opportunity to thank the pastors and the entire Church for praying for me and the entire government. People take things for granted, I don't do that. If you know what is going on in other places you'll thank God for the peace we enjoy here".

A'IBOM APC COLLAPSES AS UDOEDEGHE DEFECTS TO PDP

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, is presently counting her woes as brother to the Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, Senator John Udoedehe, has just defected from the opposition party in Akwa Ibom to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Declaring his defection Tuesday at the PDP State Chairman's Office, Uyo, Mr Godwin Udoedehe, elder brother to Senator John Udoedehe, who pledged allegiance to the PDP, noted that the PDP in Akwa is the only party whose visions and actions align with the collective aspirations of Akwa Ibom people.

He said "The truth is: It is not a coincidence that the generality of Akwa Ibom people have continued to choose the PDP as the most preferred political platform which leaders have emerged since the return of democracy in 1999. This is because the PDP has continued to demonstrate by her actions that it means well for the growth and progress of this State. Go around the country and see the mess that other APC states have become. So for me, pitching my tent with the PDP is my way of showing that I believe in the Akwa Ibom dream"


Mr Udoedehe expressed appreciation to the party for opening her doors for him, stressing that his defection to the party is informed by the need to join the winning team whom he confessed has made remarkable impacts in the state since 1999. Mr Udoedeghe stated that he came in company of his wife to bear him witness promising never to return back to the APC.

Receiving the Uyo born politician, State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rt Hon Elder Aniekan Akpan commended Udoedeghe for returning 'home' after a political sojourn, adding that the party is ready to accommodate and work with him.

The Akwa Ibom State PDP boss noted "The Umbrella of the PDP is large enough to accommodate every Akwa Ibom person willing to join the PDP family. We are therefore urging our brothers and sisters who went on Political Exile to different Parties but have been indicating interest to return to come home."

Commenting on the development, the political leader of Uyo, Prince Enobong Uwah described the defection as a welcome development and a big plus to the PDP. He thanked the state Chairman of the PDP for creating opening the doors of the Party for Mr Udoedehe stating that the leadership and members of the PDP in Uyo will receive, accommodate and work with Mr Udoedehe.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Gov Emmanuel sets agenda for AKSEPWMA

...As A'Ibom wins Nigeria's most cleanest state for 4th consecutive year

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has charged the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, AKSEPWMA, to maintain the tempo of ensuring the state retains it's pride of place as Nigeria's most cleanest state, as such a feat is in line with his industrialization policy.

The Governor stated this on Monday during at an enlarged State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Uyo, during which he received the trophy won by the state as Nigeria's most cleanest state.

The trophy was presented to the Governor by the Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Mr Charles Udoh and the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Akpan Ikim. The trophy is now a property of the State having won it for four consecutive years in 2018, 2019,b2020 and 2021 consecutively.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the Governor commended the agency for consistently winning the coveted prize and charged them to do more to ensure that the state remains clean consistently for a decade. He commended Prince Ikim for interpreting his vision of having a clean environment, noting that a clean environment is one of the key factors investors look out for in any environment they intend to invest as a clean hygiene environment are vital for healthy living in view of the pandemic the world is facing.

Governor Emmanuel called on Akwa Ibom residents to see themselves as ambassadors of the environment and play their part at ensuring they guard against indiscriminate dumping of refuse at unauthorized locations and maintain the highest possible standard in sanitation and hygiene, submitting that the award is an indication that the world is noticing what is going on in the state and reiterated the need for all hands to be on board to maintain and sustain the legacy.


Speaking earlier, the Chairman of AKSEPWMA, Prince Akpan Ikim, said the cleanliness performance index study ratings of all States and towns in Nigeria, is an integral part of The State of the Nigeria Environment Annual Report; a project of Clean-up Nigeria (CUN) a frontline International N.G.O. with social and economic consultative status with the United Nations.

According to Prince Ikim, the project is supported by international partners namely; The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Toronto-Canada, DSZ Munich-Germany, SUEZ Foundation Cedex-France, Keep America Beautiful Stamford CT-USA and Clean-Up the World Sydney-Australia, while the Fifteen (15) member National Technical Study group is headed by Prof. Solomon Balogun of the University of Wisconsin Madison, USA and draws members across all disciplines including the international project partners.

He noted that the project expected impact includes to provide environmental data base for Nigeria, raise the bar on cleanliness Index ratings nationwide, improve the people’s living standard by reducing the incidence and prevalence of over twenty- five (25) sanitation related diseases such as Malaria, typhoid etc, use the scientific Index ratings to draw attention of Governments and stakeholders at all levels as well as apply the study findings as a catalyst for the modernization of waste management services in Nigeria amongst others.

Prince Ikim observed that in 2021, the comprehensive study on the state of the Nigeria Environment report presented to the press and the public covered over 2,752 pages which was compressed into an executive summary of 30 pages and sent to all State Governors and Stakeholders including the project partners and Akwa Ibom having emerged the cleanest State in Nigeria in 2018, 2019, 2020, the state won with a cumulative score point of 64% to emerge the cleanest State in Nigeria 2021.

He lamented that despite the achievements of the agency in the last four years, AKSEPWMA is still battling with issues such as lack of relevant equipment like the Swing Arm trucks, roll-up trucks, backhoes, bulldozers, compactors etc, insufficient dumpsters and receptacles, lack of sanitary landfill as different from open dumpsite, assent to the repealed Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste management Agency Law to enable the agency function in-line with International best practices and increase its revenue base and an Incinerator for medical waste and called on the state government to help the agency procure those needed equipment for greater efficiency.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Gov Emmanuel signs N586.9 billion 2022 AKS budget

…Orders AG to pay Dec salaries, pensions before Dec 23

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State on Monday signed into law the 2022 Appropriation Bill. The budget, christened, 'Redefining Standards', which was passed by the State House of Assembly on Thursday, December 2, 2021 stands at N586.9 billion.

The state's 2022 budget has an increase of N4.766 billion, representing 0.8%, from the initial estimate of N582.115 billion the Governor presented to the lawmakers during his budget presentation on October 25, 2021.

The Akwa Ibom State 2022 budget is made up of a recurrent budget of N261.963 billion and N324.918 billion budgeted for capital expenditures.

Speaking during an expanded State Executive Council meeting on Monday during which he assented the 2022 Appropriation Bill, the Governor commended the State House of Assembly, Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Accountant General and other government agencies involved in the budgetary process for its timely passage.

He expressed hope that funds will be available for optimum implementation, assuring that 2022 will be better than 2021.

The Governor said it became expedient to sign the bill early enough in the week to allow for smooth winding down of the year 2021 and take-off 2022, considering nearness to Christmas, the accompanying holidays and envisaged reduced productivity of the State's predominantly Christian workforce.

Also, in the spirit of the season, the Governor directed that the State Accountant General, Pastor Andrew Essien, to ensuresl payment of salaries and pension of public servants and retirees in the state on or before Thursday, 23th 2021, to support their Yuletide celebration.

“I have given an order to the Accountant General to try and pay Civil Servants’ salaries almost immediately. We are a Christian State, whether Federal Government gives us money or not, we must look for money anywhere to make sure that our people hold their Christmas. We need at least N10 Billion to be able to pay salaries and pensioners must also be paid. It has to be done between now and Thursday, because Friday is Christmas eve”, he submitted.

Also at the expanded Executive Council, Governor Emmanuel was formally presented with the recent Cleanest State Award trophy won by the state for the fourth consecutive years.

The Governor commended the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Ikim for making the state proud, tasking the agency to brace up for greater exploits in coming years.

https://www-vanguardngr-com.cdn.ampproject.org/wp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/gov-emmanuel-signs-n586-9-billion-2022-aks-budget/amp/?usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D

Gov Emmanuel presents #582 billion budget estimates to AKHA for 2022

...Christens 2022 budget Budget of Re-defining Standards

Akwa Ibom State Government plans to spend a total of N582.115 billion for the 2022 fiscal year, Governor Udom Emmanuel has declared.

The Governor who stated this while presenting the 2022 financial estimates to the legislature in Uyo on Monday said, the 2022 Budget is prepared in accordance with International Public Accounting standard (IPSAS) Accrual template, and is intended to roll out a manageable budget size that will help in closing the gap between the budgeted figures and the actual figures.

The proposed 2022 budget is made up of a # 260.151 billion Recurrent Expenditure, #321.964 billion Capital Expenditure, while the budget is predicated on an oil benchmark of $57 per barrel at a production rate of 1.88 million barrels per day with an estimated exchange rate of ₦410.15/US$.

"The total projected Recurrent Revenue for 2022 estimated at ₦273.854 billion as against the approved revised provision of ₦260.003 billion representing 5% increase in revenue projection for the year 2022".

"The total Capital Receipts and Expenditure for the year 2022 is estimated at N321.964 billion as against the approved revised provision of N344.873 billion for 2021", he stated.

A total projected Capital Receipts shows that N13.703 billion will be transferred from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, while the balance of N308.261 billion. "A sectoral allocation of the total budget outlay of N582.115 billion for the year 2022 shows that, administration gets N132.565Bn( 22.8%), Economic sector is to get N347.349BN (59.7%), Law and Justice- N10.378BN,(1.8%), Regional Sector to N1.991BN (0.3%), Social Sector for N89.832BN(15.4%).

This, the governor said was in line with the National Budget benchmark projections.

According to Governor Emmanuel, the focal point would be on the implementation of his 8-Point Completion Agenda of Industrialization, Education, Aviation Development, Rural and Riverine Area Development, Agriculture, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Infrastructural Expansion and Consolidation, Security and Human Capacity Development.

“The 2022 Budget is christened the “Budget of Re-defining Standards. Our intention here is to take stock of our achievements in the past six and half years and consolidate the gains of our achievements thus far, for sustainable expansion and growth,” he stated.

He listed achievements of his administration to include the
establishment of more than 20 viable industries in the State, Completion and successful commissioning of the 21-Storey Dakkada Tower, inauguration of Ikot Oku Ikono one-kilometer flyover, completion and successful commissioning of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road, among others, re-emphasized that the Policy Objectives of the 2022 Budget includes; stimulation of the state's economy with a view to creating more opportunities for gainful employment of our citizens through Industrialization and Agriculture, Economic growth and job-generating.

The Governor also said that the budget shall focus on infrastructural investments in roads, bridges, Renewable Energy and communication technologies, Promotion of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as well as enhancement of local capacities in manufacturing and use of "made in Akwa Ibom” goods and services to create jobs and achieve self-sufficiency in critical sectors of the State's economy, among others.

“Other specific objectives include; to employ ICT, Science and Technology as a tool for employment generation and wealth creation, to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State by expanding and diversifying the State’s resource base, to aggressively pursue the development of other internal revenue generating sources in the State, in Maritime, Coastal and Inland Water Ways, harnessing revenue on landed properties and others, to commence the construction of Ibom Deep Seaport and development of the Ibom Industrial City to complement Government efforts in the creation of enduring structures for employment generation, among others.

The Governor explained that the Budget was christened the “Budget of Re-defining Standards” is aims at taking stock of achievements in the past six and half years and consolidate the gains of achievements, for sustainable expansion and growth of the state.

Governor Emmanuel during his speech said that in the course of preparing the year 2022 budget efficient costing tools such as Cost Benefit analysis, Cost effectiveness analysis and elasticity methods including moving averages were deployed.

"Government has proposed a total budgetary outlay of N582.115 billion for the 2022 Financial Year as against the approved revised provision of N598.975 of 2021 representing a decrease from the 2021 revised budget.

The Governor noted that the main policy thrust of the budget is to create more job opportunities with a focus on the 8-Point Completion Agenda and these include, industrialization, Education, Aviation Development, Rural and Riverine Area Development, Agriculture, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Infrastructure Expansion and Consolidation, Security and Human Capacity Development.

He lauded the Speaker, Rt Hon. Aniekan Bassey for his commitment and tireless efforts in approving the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and the passage of the 2021 Revised (Supplementary) Appropriation Bill in response to the exigencies arising from commitment to further change the narratives and trajectories of our growth and development.

"You have proven yourselves as dependable partners in the Boardroom of the Akwa Ibom Enterprise. You have also worked collaboratively with the Executive Arm and infact, the Judiciary too, putting aside personal or group interest for the common good of our people.

"We have enjoyed robust working relationships, while respecting the Constitutional boundaries as enshrined in the Principle of Separation of Power. "

"We, in the Executive Arm can always count on you to rise gallantly in defense of the larger Akwa Ibom interest and do all that is proper and necessary to advance our growth and development. I want to thank you for this show of amity and concord", he added.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Collaborative efforts panacea for national peace, security in Nigeria - Gov Emmanuel

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has advocated collaborative efforts beyond the boundaries of ethnicity, race, socio-cultural construct, religious affiliation, and doctrinal differences by faith leaders with moral authority as the much needed panacea to advance and achieve sustainable peace, social cohesion and hope in Nigeria.

The Governor who stated this at the Inclusive Security Dialogue Retreat at the Airlie Conference Center, Warrenton, Virginia, United States of America by the Global Peace Foundation in collaboration with Vision Africa said, this is pertinent because the current reality in Nigeria is heartrending, and one that urgently seeks leadership with the moral authority to navigate the country out of the muddy waters of self-destruction and disintegration.

Governor Emmanuel was one of the few key influencers selected for the strategy meeting who spoke on "INCLUSIVE SECURITY DIALOGUE - UNBUNDLING THE BARRIERS", noted that "to stem the tide of extremists in Nigeria, whether religious fundamentalists, dissident Islamists, or militia groups, will ultimately mean addressing the conditions that foster radicalism - poverty, unemployment, social dislocation, cultural polarization, and a large demographic of disaffected young people."

He said since government has been variously accused of politics of parochial interest and tyrannical agenda, it becomes difficult for it to adequately act as an arbiter for conflict resolution and genuine peace.

He expressed worry that "Nigeria is facing an existential challenge nurtured by the narrow identities of politics, ethnicity, wrong interpretation of religion, and corruption, exacerbated by economic deprivations, violent
extremism, and the rise of ethnic militia groups.

"In the last few months, the country has
witnessed a surge in protests such as the ENDSARS with accompanying destruction of lives and
property. Kidnapping and abductions have dramatically increased, with more than seven hundred students taken since the beginning of this year. We have witnessed the death of police and
military officers in different parts of the country at the hands of a new group called the "Unknown Gunmen," who have also burnt various police facilities. The rampaging of herdsmen and bandits is practically uncontrollable as they kill, maim and chase people out of their
communities", all of which he noted have led the multiple regions of the country to resorted to establishing their own security units, arguing that the central government is either unwilling or unable to protect its citizens.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor maintained that the retreat was going to afford stakeholders opportunity to meet and transparently address "critical issues and seek lasting solutions to the grave challenges facing Nigeria, beginning from an affirmation of transcendent truths that define our common humanity."

He said the discussions would outline and examine the root causes of agitations and violences in the country, provide a safe environment for stakeholders and key actors to open dialogue and chart a path forward and also bridge gaps across ethnic, religious, cultural, and ideological divides to better understand the conflict dynamics and provide a platform for reconciliation.


The outcome of this, according to him, would be an increased understanding of the root causes of conflict and violence affecting the country, de-escalation of conflict and violence across the nation, an increase in the positive relationship between the Nigerian government and various agitating groups across the country, expressing optimism that the retreat could foster effective crafting and implementation of policies for the human flourishing of peoples across the identity fault lines of the country, as well as reposition the importance of universal principles and shared values as the glue for social cohesion and sustainable peace.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

#EndSARS memorial: Osun youths rule out street protest, commend govt for dialogue engagement

Youths in Osun State on Wednesday ruled out street demonstrations and protest to mark the memorial anniversary of last year's #EndSARS nationwide protests.

One of the leaders of the youths under the aegis of Osun Civil Society Movement, Comrade Ayo Ologun disclosed that "we are holding a programme at Aurora Event Center, Osogbo today to commemorate the anniversary and after that, there will be candlelight procession within the premises. We are not holding street demonstrations or protests.

"It is a constitutional right of anybody to protest so if any youths embark on street protest today they have police to deal with. At our own programme, what we will do is to dialogue on #EndSARS issues, lessons learnt and the regrets."

While featuring on a private radio station, RAVE FM, during a talk show programme on Wednesday, one of the leaders of #EndSARS in Osun, Queen Aderemi said, "we are peacefully engaging government since they are ready to dialogue with us. If they we would have embarked on street protests like Lagos and Abuja but there is a programme organized to commemorate the memorial anniversary."

Meanwhile, a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola warned youths and groups of people not to embark on protest in commemoration of the first anniversary of #ENDSARS.

"Commissioner of Police has given marching orders to the Area commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical units to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.

"The CP advised parents and guardians to warn their wards to be law-abiding, and desist from such planned protest/gathering/ assembly as the State Police Command will arrest and prosecute defaulters."

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

TOP members clash over positions as rival thugs engage in shoot out, as Aregbesola, Salam, Hussein shun event

Violence broke out today at the venue of the parallel Congress, held by ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola loyalists, operating under the auspices of The Osun Progressives , TOP.

They were said to have clashed over the choice of their chairman.

Before now, the group had agreed to ensure that its chairman emerges from Osun East, since it is contemplating to produce a governorship candidate from Osun West.

But by yesterday, another group within the larger group met and announced Rasaq Salinsile as the chairman and Lani Baderinwa as Secretary.

The development angered another section of the group, which eyewitnesses say mobilised to disrupt the group’s Congress.

However, another version of the report noted that the disruption was caused by rival groups who engaged other over payment for the “assignment” they were recruited to carry out.

Meanwhile, prominent leaders of the group shunned the venue of the event.

Among them are: Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Najim Salam and former Osun West Senator, Mudashiru Hussein.

Although, it could not be ascertained why Aregbesola stayed away, it was gathered that Salam and Hussein stayed away in protest over the choice of Salinsile as chairman.

Salam is eyeing the governorship ticket of the group, since he is from Osun West. Hussein is also from Osun West and he is sympathetic to Salam’s ambition.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Gov Emmanuel's health care investments critical to national security, citizens welfare - Ex President Jonathan

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel's prioritization of health care services in the state is a key component of national security and welfare of the people, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has declared.

The former President who stated this while inaugurating the reconstructed Ikot Ekpene General Hospital Phase 1, in Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the ‘Physicians’ Week 2021’ held in the State, underscored the importance of health to any nation. He called on the various tiers of government to build an enduring health facility that will meet the health needs of the citizenry, lauding the efforts of Governor Emmanuel in providing healthcare services to the people especially with the outbreak of Covid- 19 which took the world by surprise.

In his words, "Let me thank the Governor for making it possible for me to be linked up with this unique project and a hospital that has history and is completely renovated, redesigned, reconfigured for effective healthcare delivery. It is a good way to start the Nigeria Medical Association programme which brought me, to partner the NMA in their annual programme.

‘’I know the President of NMA and others will be pleased that we are kick starting their Physicians Week this year with the commissioning of a General Hospital that has been prepared to meet the health needs of the nation. We have to commend Governor Udom Emmanuel because health is key and whenever you talk about national security, the health security aspect is quite prominent. The Covid-19 pandemic has opened the eyes of everyone, the administrators, politicians, and professionals that health of a nation is key and we must do everything to strengthen infrastructure to deliver health needs of the people”

Dr Jonathan thanked the people of Ikot Ekpene for accepting to be part of the development initiated by the State Government and urged them to support Governor Udom Emmanuel to do more.

In his address, Governor Udom Emmanuel thanked the former President for honouring the invitation to inaugurate the remodeled General Hospital in Ikot Ekpene and accepting to grace the Physicians’ Week 2021 as keynote speaker, stating that the inauguration of the General Hospital in Ikot Ekpene is in fulfilment of his developmental promise to improve the lives of the people in the State, adding that his administration will continue to prioritize critical areas of infrastructure and development.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, the governor re-echoed his commitment towards providing sustainable economic growth, massive investment of infrastructure and creating enabling environment to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the State, thereby moving the state from a solely Civil Service State to an industrialized one.

Hear him, “On behalf of the good people of Akwa Ibom State, I am highly honoured to welcome former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who is in our State at the invitation of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Akwa Ibom State Chapter as a keynote speaker at this year’s annual Physician’s Week in our state. We are grateful that former President Goodluck Jonathan consented to helping commission this project, phase 1 of our reconstructed General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene”.

“The commissioning of this General Hospital is a fulfilment of the campaign promise I made to establish world class secondary healthcare facilities that is General Hospitals in all the 10 Federal Constituencies in the State. Today as we can all attest to, we drive on 25km dualize that was commissioned last week by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, our state has been a construction site for the past six years with several economically viable projects”, he stated.

In their messages of goodwill, the former Senator representing Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial district, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, and House of Representatives Member for Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, and the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene, Hon. Uyime Etim, thanked Governor Emmanuel for revisiting the 117 year old health facility, giving it modern equipment and personnel that will serve the people.

Senator Ibok-Essien who urged the people to take advantage of the modern health facility to their benefit, desisting from patronizing quack medical centers, however pledged the support of Ikot Ekpene people to Governor Emmanuel in his succession plan.

Presenting an overview of the health project, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, said the hospital which was established in 1904 has undergone a rebirth through the repositioning of healthcare system in all the Federal Constituencies in the state by Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration.

The Commissioner for Health, further said the General Hospital will also serve as a training center for other medical personnel, noting that a new administrative block has been constructed, with provision of power supply and other units in the General Hospital for efficient service delivery.

Also speaking, the President, Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. (Dr.) Innocent Ujah, who thanked former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for accepting to grace the occasion of the Physicians’ Week 2021, expressed appreciation for NMA being part of building a new hospital as well as capacity to ensure that Akwa Ibom people attain good health.

He thanked Governor Emmanuel for renovating and refurbishing nine General Hospitals in the state including provision of manpower in the hospitals.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Defection: Group urge Senator Enang to seek bipartisan partnership than seasonal delusional conspiracies

The Akwa Ibom Libration Movement, ALIM, has advised presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang to emulate Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel on bipartisan partnership that would benefit the general good than his seasonal delusional conspiracies, regretting that in Akwa Ibom today, no one takes Senator Ita Enang seriously anymore as the presidential aide is viewed as a man who is increasingly becoming an embarrassing contradiction to himself and his party.

In a statement signed by the group's Publicity Secretary, Comrade Bassey J. Ndon, AILM said Governor Udom Emmanuel is always exploring a bipartisan approach and inter party collaboration by inviting the Vice President and the Senate President to commission laudable people oriented projects which should not make Senator Enang delusional but should rather encourage him to use such skills to get his much talked about Calabar Itu highway with spur at Ididep constructed as the road will be Ita Enang's trademark and legacy

"We urge Ita Enang to exibit the spirit of sportsmanship as exemplified by Governor Udom Emmanuel and feel free to bring up possible areas of collaboration with the State Government that will help him achieve the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Calabar Itu highway and any other project that will benefit the people as this is the philosophy of the Governor which has worked well for the state and has achieved alot for the people that even the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on several occasions have admitted to the selfless disposition of the Governor when it comes to development which has silently triggered the industral revolution Akwa Ibom State is witnessing which has made the state "Nigeria's Best Kept Secret", the statement read.

AILM reminded Senator Enang that Governor Udom Emmanuel has repeatedly stated clearly that he cannot and will never leave the prevailing peace, progress, growth and development that the PDP represents, to embrace the uncertainty of the APC but that he will continue to seek and explore areas of partnership and mutual collaboration for the benefit of the state and country.


"It is regretable that as Akwa Ibom's latest comedian, Ita Enang goes about his new job with the unseriousness befitting his status. We advise the presidential aide to explore inter party collaboration like the Governor has done in the past six years that has attracted numerous industries for the good of Akwa Ibom people and channel such energy to getting his dying APC to fix the pathetic and deplorable Calabar Itu highway that has today become the legacy upon which Ita Enang's political legacy will be judged"

"Akwa Ibom State is and will always remain a PDP State. PDP is like a religion which the electorate have embraced as their own since 1999. Akwa Ibom people are no fools. They know what APC as a party represents. They know and understand the damage and ruins APC has recked Nigeria as a country and would rather remain with the PDP", AILM said.

The group called on Senator Enang to wake up from his dream and accept the painful reality that neither Governor Udom Emmanuel nor any sensible Akwa Ibom person will ever contemplate leaving the umbrella party no matter the carrot dangled. "As a comedian, he can continue with his comic relief which has made him a laughing stock or grow up and accept his fate. The choice is his",the release stated.

Read the statement below:

Press Statement

Defection: Senator Ita Enang should seek bipartisan partnership for common good than his seasonal delusional conspiracies

In Akwa Ibom today, no one takes Senator Ita Enang seriously anymore. Even within his factional APC, the presidential aide is viewed as a man who is increasingly becoming an embarrassing contradiction to himself and his party.

This perhaps is why the public was not really amused by his latest verbal diarrhea when he baselessly speculated as always that Governor Udom Emmanuel is set to defect to the crisis ridden and virus infested APC.

To dream is free and Senator Ita Enang is free to dream but we expected the Senator to know where illusion and reality starts and stops.

That the Governor is always exploring a bipartisan approach and inter party collaboration by inviting the Vice President and the Senate President to commission laudable people oriented projects should not make Senator Enang delusional but should rather encourage him to use such skills to get his much talked about Calabar Itu highway with spur at Ididep constructed. Afterall, is the road not Ita Enang's trademark and legacy?

We urge Ita Enang to exibit the spirit of sportsmanship as exemplified by Governor Udom Emmanuel and feel free to bring up possible areas of collaboration with the State Government that will help him achieve the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Calabar Itu highway and any other project that will benefit the people as this is the philosophy of the Governor which has worked well for the state and has achieved alot for the people that even the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on several occasions have admitted to the selfless disposition of the Governor when it comes to development which has silently triggered the industral revolution Akwa Ibom State is witnessing which has made the state "Nigeria's Best Kept Secret"

Governor Udom Emmanuel has repeatedly stated clearly that he cannot and will never leave the prevailing peace, progress, growth and development that the PDP represents, to embrace the uncertainty of the APC but that he will continue to seek and explore areas of partnership and mutual collaboration for the benefit of the state and country.


It is regretable that as Akwa Ibom's latest comedian, Ita Enang goes about his new job with the unseriousness befitting his status. We advise the presidential aide to explore inter party collaboration like the Governor has done in the past six years that has attracted numerous industries for the good of Akwa Ibom people and channel such energy to getting his dying APC to fix the pathetic and deplorable Calabar Itu highway that has today become the legacy upon which Ita Enang's political legacy will be judged.

Akwa Ibom State is and will always remain a PDP State. PDP is like a religion which the electorate have embraced as their own since 1999. Akwa Ibom people are no fools. They know what APC as a party represents. They know and understand the damage and ruins APC has recked Nigeria as a country and would rather remain with the PDP.

Ita Enang should wake up from his dream and accept the painful reality that neither Governor Udom Emmanuel nor any sensible Akwa Ibom person will ever contemplate leaving the umbrella party no matter the carrot dangled. As a comedian, he can continue with his comic relief which has made him a laughing stock or grow up and accept his fate. The choice is his.

Signed;

Comrade Bassey J. Ndon
Acting Publicity Secretary, AILM

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

PAIKO-LAPAI ROAD: NIGER STATE GOVT. ISSUES 72HRS NOTICE OF CLOSURE FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLES

It may be recalled that on September 15th, 2020, the Niger State Government closed down Minna-Bida road to heavy duty vehicles to allow room for the reconstruction of the road.

The decision became necessary after State Government spent so much resources with the objective of rehabilitating the road but unfortunately, the over 2500 articulated vehicles plying the road daily reversed the gains made resulting in a waste of expended resources.

It may also be recalled that Minna-Zungeru, Lapai-Paiko roads were closed alongside Minna-Bida road but after continuous pressure from Federal Government with a promise to fix the Lambata-Bida road, the State Government agreed to open the state-owned part of the Zungeru road. As predicted, in less than a month of opening, the road itself became un-motorable as it moved from manageable to completely unusable. For over a year, the State Government waited for Lambata-Bida to be fixed and nothing was done until only recently, precisely on the 24th September 2021.

After tanker drivers blocked the Lambata axis of the Minna-Suleja road and Bida axis of Bida-Lambata road in protest of bad roads, again the State Government was invited by the Federal Ministry of Works, this time assuring the Niger State Government that remedial measures would be carried out on the critical sections of the Lambata-Bida road but that the contractor could not move equipment to site, citing the road blockade as impediment. The State Government agreed to temporarily open Paiko-Lapai road to enable the contractor move equipment to site.

More than two weeks has now passed but no work has been seen to be going on the Lambata-Bida road.

Meanwhile, the State Government has awarded Lapai-Paiko road and the contractor has moved to site. But seeing as these articulated vehicles in their thousands are constantly plying the road, the State Government cannot be unmindful of the accompanying result of this situation. The road in the last two weeks has now gone from bad to worse while the contractor cannot work optimally.

In light of the above, the Niger State Government is issuing a 72-hour notice to all stakeholders that, starting from today, the 11th day of October 2021, the Lapai-Paiko road would be closed on Wednesday, the 13th of your October to allow the contractor room to function optimally and deliver result in a timely manner and to the highest possible standard.

Signed
Muhammad Sani Idris
Commisioner of Information and Strategy
Niger State.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Congresses: APC Risks Collapse, Members Write Buhari

The Concerned APC Stakeholders, a political group, has expressed worry that the ruling party has continuously toed the path that brought down the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. 

The stakeholders, in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, said the party’s values of fairness and inclusiveness have been abused and violated by certain individuals using the president’s name as cover to legitimise their selfish agenda.

The letter, signed by Abubakar Sidiq Usman, said the party’s ward and local government congresses were held in clear violation of fairness and transparency, alleging that party leaders employed undemocratic method of imposing officials on other members.  

Usman told the president that the situation in the ruling APC greatly troubled majority of party members, who have merely kept quiet in deference to his leadership, trusting that he would take action to arrest the ugly situation.

He expressed fear that the party may collapse after Buhari leaves office in 2023 if there was no urgent intervention by the president. 

“It is not in doubt that in spite of all that has been going on in the party since we came into government in 2015, the party is still able to hold as one because everyone defers to you. The same may not be the case by the time you leave office in 2023,” he said. 

Read the full letter bellow

His Excellency,

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

State House,

Abuja.

Your Excellency Sir,

POPULAR CONCERNS OF PARTY MEMBERS AND THE NEED TO URGENTLY RETURN THE APC TO ITS FOUNDING IDEALS

It is with absolute sense of duty that we write you at this moment in our journey for national rebirth and holistic change for our dear country, Nigeria. It is even a greater pleasure to know that Nigeria is blessed with someone who has deep love and passion for the country as yourself. Indeed, we are proud of your incredible performance in office, and we extend a most profound appreciation for your leadership thus far.

As stakeholders of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, we acknowledge and appreciate your constant stride to keep to the promises we made during the two campaigns prosecuted by the party. We believe that your honesty and commitment to the diligent implementation of our party’s manifesto has greatly endeared Nigerians to the ideals the APC represent; and more specifically to your person as a trustworthy and reliable leader. However, as we gradually move closer to the expiration of your impactful tenure, we believe it is time we turn attention to issues bothering on the sustenance of your leadership values and legacies.

We are inclined to write at this point because of our increasing worry over some nagging issues threatening the continued existence and cohesion of the APC. Having consulted with several members and stakeholders of the party across the country, we understand that quite a large number of party members share in our fears for the future of the APC. We therefore feel duty-bound to report the issues to you before they pose even greater existential dangers to the very party that we hope will continue to serve as platform to sustain your impressive work and legacy for the country.

Your Excellency Sir, as a founding father of this great party, we recalled that the APC was built around the very values - honesty, transparency, fairness and inclusiveness that you hold dear. For many years since coming into power, these values have been abused and violated by certain individuals in the party. While it is bad enough that they abuse these values, they do it under your name or use your name as cover just to legitimise their selfish agenda. This development greatly troubles majority of party members who have merely kept quiet in deference to your leadership; trusting that you will take action to arrest the ugly situation. As the father of the nation, the need for you to take urgent action to redirect our party to the path of genuine progressive politics and internal democracy has become even more expedient considering that the fate of Nigeria as a peaceful, united and prosperous country is inextricably linked to the fate of the APC, not just as the party in power, but also as a progressive and reform-minded party.

Our most amiable leader sir, our party recently held Ward and Local Government Congresses as part of preparations for the national convention. In clear violation of Your Excellency's well-known personal fidelity to fairness and transparency, leaders of the party across board, in the name of consensus, employed the undemocratic method of imposing party officials on the other members of the party. While it is indeed true that consensus is one of our party's Constitutional provisions, it is an irrefutable fact that the APC Constitution did not envisage a situation where certain individuals, whether as governors, former governors or party leaders would force anointed candidates on the party and coerce others into accepting a premeditated outcome as a mutually agreed option. What played out at the various congresses clearly goes contrary to the principles and spirit of consensus and this explains why there were parallel congresses in more than half of the 36 states in the country and now been followed by parallel inauguration of party officials. A forced outcome is never a consensus, because any procedure that does not uphold the freedom of choice of individuals cannot be said to embody the progressive politics that APC ought to represent under your leadership. We believe that actions of this nature cannot be an honor to either your legacy or the transparent honesty that Nigerians have come to associate with your name.

We wish to remind Your Excellency of how the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, that we displaced from power went down as a result of the overbearing display of naked power and force by some powerful individuals in the party, who embraced the habit of micromanaging almost every activities of the party, denying a large majority of their members the legitimate rights to full participation while ostracizing those not seen to be falling in line. The aforementioned issues contributed to the eventual implosion of the party and eventual defeat in 2015. We are worried that the APC has continuously toed the path of what brought down the PDP.

However, unlike the PDP, our situation can still be rectified. With your timely interventions, the APC can still be made to embrace the core ideals that Your Excellency joined others to put in place as the very foundation of the party. The APC can still be made to cater to the varying interests of its diverse membership. Indeed, the APC can return to its original form as a party that is truly for all members, that is run by all members as stakeholders, that is owned by all members, and one that derives its strength from the belief, trust and investment of the ordinary members who are its backbone. It is not in doubt that in spite of all that has been going on in the party since we came into government in 2015, the party is still able to hold as one because everyone defers to you. Same may not be the case by the time you leave office in 2023. This is our fear and this is why we want Your Excellency to return the party to its very ideals. As a platform that afforded Nigerians a reform-minded leadership and governance, citizens of this great country would look forward to see, as part of the legacies Your Excellency will bequeath to this country, a party that is not owned by powerful individuals or cabals, but rather one whose strength and very existence are predicated on its ability to command the loyalty and dedication of its teeming members through justice, fairness and transparency.

Your Excellency Sir, as passionate party members with absolute trust in your leadership, we seek to present the following recommendations for your consideration as we seek to collectively salvage this party.

We acknowledge that we may have missed the opportunity to right the aforementioned wrongs at the two levels where congresses already held (Ward and Local Government Areas), but the forthcoming national convention presents a perfect opportunity that we must take advantage of. Consequently, we recommend that Your Excellency insist on open contestation as the option for every position in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, rather than the imposition of anointed candidates in the name of consensus as was the case with the party’s recent Wards and Local Government congresses.

We recommend that the set of leaders that will emerge from the forthcoming national convention must be those who do not only have what it takes to give a new life to the APC in the interest of all members, they must be people with unquestionable characters and proven records of integrity and progressiveness. This will clearly be in accordance with Your Excellency’s incorruptible public profile. The party should set stringent conditions as criteria qualifying anyone to hold a national office in the All Progressives Congress.

We appeal that as a pointer to genuine preparations for the forthcoming convention, Your Excellency should prevail on the party’s Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to make public the date, guidelines, and other arrangements for the national convention prior to the state Congress slated for October 16th, 2021. We believe this will not only dispel the widely held belief that the Buni-led committee is playing out a script with its continuous stay in office, it will also ensure proper and adequate planning for the convention.

Mr President Sir, we have made the above observations and recommendations in the belief that we owe you a duty to safeguard your carefully built reputation by preserving the true identity of the progressive ideals you envisioned for the APC, and to reignite the hope and aspirations of a vast membership of the party who became members in the first place only because they trusted your words and promise of fairness and justice. We appeal to you, dear President and leader, to intervene urgently in order to reignite the confidence of party members who believe and rely on your leadership by ensuring that we do not only get the forthcoming national convention right, but that we also enthrone genuine leaders the APC needs at this time, who are sufficiently capable of safeguarding your legacies from being eroded.

We thank Your Excellency, most sincerely, for making out time to read our letter of appeal and clarion call. More importantly, we thank you for the interest in, and passion for, Nigeria; a passion that led you to accept to serve in the first instance.

While praying that Your Excellency graciously accede to our clarion call of saving the party from possible extinction, we assure you of the support of our teeming members at all times.

Sincerely,

Abubakar Sidiq Usman

For: Concerned APC Stakeholders

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Industrialization, key to sustainable development- Gov. Emmanuel

...As Gen. Okoloagu urges Nigerian Gov's to emulate Gov Emmanuel

Sustainable development for governments at all levels comes through industrialization and the provision of infrastructure and each of the needs differ from state to state, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has declared.

The Governor who stated this while speaking as Guest Lecturer at the Founder's Day Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State on Thursday said, development should not be limited to the improvements in the welfare of citizens, but should be defined by the capacity of the government to provide the environment for the welfare and wellbeing of the people on a sustainable and long-term basis.

Speaking on the topic, "CHANGING THE NARRATIVE OF DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INDUSTRIALIZATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE", he said for different societies, the goal of sustainability varies.

"What United States needs at this time may not cohere with Japan or India. So, what Akwa Ibom needs may not be the same with Enugu or Lagos. But central to any of these is the drive to provide infrastructure and industrialize", he submitted.

The Governor asserted that if advanced societies still invest in upgrading and providing more infrastructure for their people, then Nigeria, like other developing countries, is expected to do even more in this regard.“

He praised the University of Nigeria for being a model of academic excellence and for producing some of the brightest minds in the country.

Hear him, “Since its founding sixty-one years ago, this great citadel of knowledge has produced and helped shape some of the best and brightest minds in this country, from thinkers to doers, and some of the most impactful technocrats from our State, thus cementing further the bond of friendship forged through intellectual flourishes and commonalities of thoughts and beliefs.”

Governor Emmanuel traced historic connection between the University of Nigeria and the people of Akwa Ibom State, recounting that the motion for establishment of the university and was first moved by an Akwa Ibom son, Chief Ibanga Udo Akpabio, describing Akwa Ibom State as the crucible of the new Nigeria, he highlighted some of the gains recorded in the state in aviation, road and marine transportation, adding that his vision of ensuring the state had all the gateways for industrialization.

In his words, "Development should be about lasting change. Development should not only be about improvements in the welfare of citizens, but about the capacity of the government to provide the environment for the welfare and wellbeing of the people on a sustainable and long-term basis. We also recognized the fact that the key drivers of industrialization are the quality of infrastructure on the ground and, of course, peace and security since investors will not go to a place that is unsafe and insecure.

Continuing he said, "We thus began the strategic and careful plans to provide world-class infrastructure through land, sea and air. Today, ladies and gentlemen, the Akwa Ibom story has become a national story, a state that was once a civil service state today is being described as Nigeria’s Best Kept Secret. We didn’t just construct roads for the sake of it; we embarked on economically viable roads that would interlock the state in one seamless movement", he asserted.

Also speaking, a member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Brigadier-General J.O.J Okoloagu (Rtd) described Governor Emmanuel as a model worthy of emulation and said his industrial and infrastructural development programmes account for the peace enjoyed in Akwa Ibom State.

General Okoloagu who was the Chairman of the lecture stressed that if leaders at various levels adopt Governor Udom Emmanuel's template, the battle against insecurity and youth restiveness in most parts of the country will be resolved.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Charles Igwe said, "the story of the transformation of Akwa Ibom State under your watch is an inspiring one.

He told Governor Emmanuel that, "your mantra of changing the narrative resonates well with many Nigerians who believe we can still achieve the great potentials inherent in this great country of over 200 million people."

Professor Igwe while presenting a special award of excellence to the Governor said his lecture was inspiring and will motivate the university community, and the nation at large to focus more industrial and infrastructural development to engage the teaming unemployed youths.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Justice Obot sworn in as Chief Judge

...As Gov Emmanuel advocate review of awaiting trial cases to decongest prison

Justice Ekaette Francesca Fabian Obot has been sworn in as the new Chief judge of Akwa Ibom State by Governor Udom Emmanuel. She is the 8th substantive Chief Judge and third woman to occupy the office in the state.

The event which took place on Tuesday, at Executive Chambers, Government House, Uyo, was witnessed by Deputy Governor of the State, Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Members of the State Executive Council, former Chief Judges, Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments, Permanent Secretaries, and Paramount Ruler of ONNA.

Performing the oath of allegiance and office, Governor Udom Emmanuel congratulated Justice Ekaette Obot on her appointment and reassured the judiciary of his commitment to collaborate and support the third arm of government while thanking the former Chief Judges for their services to the State.

"...let me congratulate our Chief Judge on her elevation from acting to substantive Chief Judge today, I also want to especially appreciate the State House of Assembly for swift response to ratify her appointment. Let me appreciate the former Chief Judges for their services to the State, and we expect a lot more collaboration. Let me reassure the entire Judiciary arm of our commitment to collaborate and support for us to have the rule of law because if you take away the rule of law there is no democracy".

Governor Emmanuel, however appealed to the Judiciary arm of government to wade into pending cases awaiting trial and adjudicate on them in order to decongest correctional centers in the state.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

LEARNERS CLINIC: MICROSOFT AFRICA DEVELOPMENT CENTER ANNOUNCES ITS GAME OF LEARNERS PROGRAM FOR BEGINNER DEVELOPERS.

Microsoft Africa Development Centre (Microsoft ADC), the premier Engineering Center for Microsoft, has announced the commencement of its Game of Learners Clinic, a 3-month intensive program for students in the university and beginner developers across West Africa. The program is scheduled to commence in October 2021, and will allow participants to level up on .Net, JavaScript, Git, Azure, Software Design and Program Manager Fundamentals.

Designed to introduce a fun, hands-on learning experience for students, Game of Learners is an 11 week program and will begin with a development path where learners will attend free virtual clinics with specialized coaching and training that will allow them to acquire hands-on experience and cultivate a learner-led developer community. In the second core part of the program participants will learn about Product Requirement Documentation, Project Management 101 and Prioritization Framework.

Speaking on the Game of Learners Clinic, Gafar Lawal, Managing Director, Microsoft ADC – West Africa noted, “At Microsoft ADC, we recognize the creativity, innovation and passion driving productivity in Africa’s technology landscape and Game of learners presents a unique opportunity to be a strong driver of this community. Our vision with Game of Learners is to create a platform where young developers and any other interested participants can build long lasting solutions to challenges using technology. Looking beyond engineering, our focus is to begin to harness other skills that are invaluable in solving not only the problems of today, but also those of the future. With this program, we are empowering young developers in Africa to achieve so much more.’’

While only 100 applicants will be enrolled for this year’s clinic which will commence 5th of October, 2021, over 1,000 applications were received for the Game of Learners Clinic from across West Africa. This reiterates the need for such a program among young developers and students. Microsoft ADC’s has made a commitment to increase the number of enrollees for subsequent Game of Learner’s Clinics in a bid to continually bridge the skills gap and equip developers to have more hands-on comprehensive knowledge.

Game of Learners Clinic is a free program without borders as it provides a virtual environment where students learn computer science technologies and practices hands-on while they build impactful solutions for their community. The program’s activities are backed up with volunteers from Microsoft, and participants have access to a wide range of coaches, mentors, judges, speakers and trainers.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

One way to study and understand the scripture is by reading different versions.

You can read the Amplified version or Easy To read [ERV] for better understanding.

Ekejoestar:
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
1 Pet 3:18‭-‬20 KJV

Does it mean that those people who died in the flood during Noah's time due their disobedience later received the gospel and where saved or was the bible making reference to the fallen angels?

18. For indeed Christ died for sins once for all, the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;

19 in which He also went and preached to the spirits now in prison,

20 who once were disobedient, when the great patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons [Noah’s family], were brought safely through the water.

Seeing as there is currently a case in court to establish a legitimate Chairman of the Niger State PDP, we were bemused to read a statement on the above subject matter signed by one Tanko Beji purporting to be the Chairman of the state’s PDP.

Our confusion was further compounded, not even by how poorly written and badly punctuated the statement was, but by the fact that the entire thing seemed to have emanated from the mind of a person who appeared to not have comprehended the matter they set out to address, suggesting further that the words could be anything but the utterance of a “learned one.”
 
Beji has however, not denied the statement. As such, we are obligated to respond to him whether as an individual or as the questionable Chairman of a faction of the PDP. Here we begin by pointing out that the entire fracas of a statement could have altogether been avoided if Beji did not have a serious problem of comprehension. For example, in the second paragraph of his statement, he wondered why “…it took Governor Sani Bello his 6th year of the 8th to realize the damage… to the IBB Specialist Hospital.”
 
Mr. Beji, an attentive child would not have asked the above question because an attentive child would have heard Governor Bello saying that the administration indeed rehabilitated the IBB Specialist Hospital years before now. Taxpayers’ monies were committed to the total overhauling of the hospital including the installation of air-conditions, construction of new toilets and renovation of existing structure but the people responsible for maintenance did a poor job. An attentive child would have seen that that was why Governor Bello was displeased.
 
For a man who parades himself as the Chairman of an opposition party, Beji appears to have a poor understanding of the matters of state. This was demonstrated where he spoke about the recent fracas by drivers of assorted vehicles in the state; Beji held the State Government responsible for the responsibility of the Federal Government, conveniently overlooking the efforts of the State in the rehabilitation of Trunk A roads. The question I would have him answer is on the situation of the Maje-Minna road when PDP held sway, and the state of the very road today.
 
Beji went from his incomprehension to argue that the PDP left key infrastructures, vaguely mentioning a number including, in his own word, “universities.” Then further made the false assertion that the APC has not completed any projects.
 
This is a dishonesty taken too far for in Minna alone, over 15 roads have been reconstructed with many others on the verge of completion and they include:
 
1. Dualisation of Broadcasting road
2. Fadikpe road
3. Himma-Brighter road
4. Tungan Goro road
5. 3no Roads in London Street
6. Morris road
7. Tunga-Lowcost road
8. Sarkin Bosso Palace road
9. Reconstruction of City-Chanchaga road (ongoing)
10. Imani Hospital road(ongoing)
11. Shango road (ongoing)
12. Mustapha Clinic road
13. Tudun Fulani B road
14. Aliyu Babadoko road (ongoing)
15. Lady Fatima road (ongoing)
16. Completion of dualisation of Kure market-Kuta road
17. Reconstruction of Sabon Gari road etc
 
Further, to open up farming villages and give farmers easy access to markets, the administration of Governor Bello has constructed well over 700km of rural roads with their accompanying bridges, and even double coat asphalted over 235km of those rural roads.
 
Can Beji explain to us what they did about rural roads? Can they explain how monies were released but our people never received a promised stadium or a phantom 5-star hotel or the 3-arms zone and the scam called Minna City Center? And whatever became of the Ecological Funds? What happened to the scam called 10km roads in each LG during their days?
 
You want to discredit a Governor who has ensured that water supply now gets to a number of areas in Minna for the first time in 20 years? Go to Type B Quarters, Bosso Estate, Ungwan Daji, 123 Quarters and several other areas and ask questions.
 
Need we also mention to the self-appointed Chairman of PDP that Niger state has never had it this good in terms of Primary Healthcare with over 20 reconstructed to meet the required standard?
 
Or should we talk about Education; the wonder that is The Whole-School Approach initiative of Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello that saw the complete reconstruction and equipping of about 9 schools? I’m sure he is also not aware of the Teachers DevelopmentTraining Institute.
 
To the credit of the brilliant sons and daughters of our land working under the stewardship of Governor Bello, 2, 523 classrooms have been constructed, 22 Schools benefited from the Whole School Approach, 960 four-compartment VIP toilets were constructed, 15 schools enjoyed perimeter fencing, 70 boreholes drilled, 3 IQE integrated Quran Education centers renovated, 11 libraries renovated, 18 ICT centers fully equipped, 10, 243 Early childcare education development furniture supplied, 69,320 Primary 3 seater furniture, and 18,679 teachers furniture supplied.
 
We must pause here as the administration of Governor Abu Sani Bello has many more projects to its credit, which cannot be accommodated in this article. But we must say this: sauntering out of an administration that neither constructed nor rehabilitated a single boarding school, Beji should put his pride aside and commend Gov. Sani Bello seeing as His Excellency has constructed/rehabilitated more basic schools than any Governor in the history of Niger state.
 
If not for the above, this questionable Chairman should commend Gov. Abu Sani for completing the only primary healthcare in Beji and constructing a new police station. What you failed to persuade your government to give your people in 8 years, Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello did in less than 2 years.
 
Without doubt, the PDP left a number of infrastructures for the benefit of the state, many to the credit of the leadership of Late Abdulqadir Kure who worked assiduously to ensure the actualization of these developments. That is why Kure is softly remembered today.
 
What would Tanko Beji be remembered for? The missing funds intended for the Kafin-Koro road? Or in Beji, his own village, where his people are not unaware of the diverted funds meant for the electrification of Beji. Denied your own people electricity, Mr. Beji, isn’t that a shame?

Sign
Hassan Wakili Idris
Caretaker Committee
Publicity Secretary
APC Niger State.

cc: mynd44

Interviewer: Sir, in a nutshell, how many months are we looking at for the completion of this project?

Alh. Zakari: (Laughing) That’s an engineering question. I am Commissioner for Finance. All I can do is assure you that the finances required to fund that project is on ground.

Interviewer: What was the first thing came to your mind the day it was announced that you’re the Niger State Commissioner for Finance?

Alh. Zakari: I was scared.

Interviewer: Why sir?

Alh. Zakari: Because of the level of responsibility. That’s been honest. The responsibility is huge and the expectation is very high. And it’s not just in official cycles, even in private undertakings. My uncle asked me, ‘Can you do this? Are you sure you can this?’

Interviewer: Sir, which of your uncles?

Alh. Zakari: (Laughs) I would rather leave the name out but he was concerned because given my nature, it might affect me negatively but I told him that God is in control of everything and if society calls you, you take up the responsibility and rely on God.

Interviewer: There’s this question I must ask you. There’s usually this issue of conflict of interest between a Permanent Secretary and a Commissioner. You were once Permanent Secretary and today a Commissioner. Do you have anything to say about that?

Alh. Zakari: (Laughs) Do you want me to talk theoretically or practical?

Interviewer: Both.

Alh. Zakari: Now there is a book called The Conundrum. It’s about the public service in the UK. One thing you take away from that book is the politician who is the head of the Ministry as Minister is in a hurry but the Permanent Secretary who is a civil servant and has been there for years takes his time. So when you have one person in a hurry and the other taking his time, there is certainly a difference in pace. The politician knows, like in our environment, that he has 4 years within which he must complete a task. If he is lucky to get re-elected because of Allah and the people, he has another 4 years and that’s all. The civil servant stays there for 35 years so there’s a difference in pace which you want things done. So in my case I have transited from civil service. So when much is being said about the civil service, I understand that the civil service is the custodian of our public affairs and that being so, they have to ensure due process and ensure that things go well in terms of record and that takes time.

Interviewer: Ok. Let me take you back a bit base on your experience as a former banker and staff of ADP and as Perm. Sec. which of those offices would you describe as the most challenging?

Alh. Zakari: The present one.

Interviewer: Why sir?

Alh. Zakari: Because it has to do with finance and finances have limit but the desires and wants and aspirations of people have no limits so you have to prioritize and that prioritization has a personal impact on people if you understand that anything you do in office has a personal impact on somebody somewhere then you know there is a challenge.

Interviewer: On a final note, Sir, what would you want to be remembered for?

Alh. Zakari: That I served to the best of my ability did not want to hurt anyone personally or officially. Service with dignity and I would say patience.

Read more:

Interviewer: Sir, let’s talk about your office. Under your watch, how has the state Government boosted revenue generation?

Alh. Zakari: Revenue generation has a local dimension. Most of the time people tend to make comparisons. They say this state is making so much, why is our state not making as much? You forget that it is set within your own environment and then the laws most especially. For Niger state, we have an environment that is not the same with other states. Some are our neighbors, yes, similar, but not exactly the same.

And then our laws are too far behind. And then you understand that all revenues that states collect, some of it are for the Federal Government and some for the Local Government. In any case, what we have tried to do, particularly in the last year, is to ensure all the relevant laws are passed and automated, bringing all revenue collecting agencies together so that we have one platform and from the on we believe we would see an improvement.

Interviewer: Niger State has often been described as a Civil Service State. As a financial expert, how do we change that?

Alh. Zakari: We can change that. Think about it, here in Bida for example all the provision shops here are operated by people in Bida and Niger state. This means there are opportunities even within our environment. But one of the things we can do is to generate employment on the private sector level so that we stop depending on the government alone for employment. Now, our education, I keep going to that has not imparted to people. We need to look at our education as see that it performs the function of imparting skills. We need to start a program like internship. Even if you’re in secondary school, you can go and be maybe in a hospital. I’ll give you an example. When I was in secondary 4, I was doing an internship at abattoir in Bida. I did an internship for two months. When I was in the first year university, I did an internship at Badegi Rice Research. So all through the long vacations. I thank Almighty Allah, I thank my father who used to say, ‘Just go and work there.’ Not necessarily to be paid. But everyday during long vacations I get up and go to a place of work and I learned a lot. An internship is not necessarily that you get paid but you at least learn a skill, you get some experience and from there you even make a decision as to which career you want in life.

Interviewer: If you check, virtually all government ministries, parastatals, once you ask them their major challenges they’d tell you shortage of funds, lack of finance. You’re the Commissioner for Finance. How have you been copping with all these challenges from various ministries and departments?

Alh. Zakari: Well, I can tell you it’s difficult particularly in the last one year. Not many realize the impact of the Covid-19 on the economy. Most people have tended to carry on as if it’s business as usual but it’s not, particularly in the financial sector. We are only emerging and it’s been difficult. We also must realize that there’s a changing, should I say, atmosphere or work environment such that we need to have more innovation to how we approach our work be more practical and, should I say, resolute. Each one of us if we look within would find something that would help society.

Interviewer: If you have opportunity to change anything singlehandedly, what would that be?

Alh. Zakari: (Laughing) Our attitude. We should have more faith. If somebody does not do what is expected, just let him know. First of all, before you pass a judgment, seek to understand what exactly are the causative factors, what has led to that situation. Perhaps you’d find that you’re on the same page with that person. We need to change our attitude.

Interviewer: Sir, as the Niger State Commissioner for Finance, surely you’re always with youths and a lot of people in the society. What is your advice to youths and Nigerians generally?

Alh. Zakari: The same thing: attitude because it governs everything that we do. When we change it and we change our approach I believe we would move our nation and our society better.

Interviewer: Let’s look at the issue of salary. You are from Zone A and ever since the issue of partial autonomy came, you discover that some Local Governments are struggling to pay salaries. Are you aware of that, Sir?

Alh. Zakari: I am aware. Just like you said, His Excellency Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello right from the beginning of this administration has said that Local Government funds are separate from State funds and there is no tampering with Local Government funds. So they have autonomy and they run their affairs. Every month they do their jack (check) and they agree on what to do from the jack (check) and they implement. I believe I may have some knowledge but it is not in-depth enough for me to make a public comment.

Interviewer: Let’s leave that aside. Let’s talk about something very close to that, that is the Bida-Minna road. What’s happening to that road? Does the State Government really have the financial capacity to complete that road before the expiration of the tenure of this administration?

Alh. Zakari: Now, let me put things in perspective. The Minna-Bida road is conceived as a dualization project. What you see happening now is a single lane being constructed to ease difficulty. But we didn’t relent on the goal of dualizing that road. The dualization is a big project of about 67-70 billion Naira. It would be the single biggest contract ever conceived in the state. Even right now, the single lane construction, which is about 23 billion is the single largest contract ever given in Niger state. So when you dualize it’s about 67 to 70 billion Naira. So we need external funding outside of the state. We need this funding to be cheap so that it would be affordable. We don’t want to end up with a road that people would have to pay five or ten thousand to use it. It would be useless and would make no meaning at all. So we have to keep an eye on what our people can afford so that it would be useful. We have to keep an eye on making it a relief to our people, rather than a burden to our people. For now, yes, we have funding that is required of the state. Of course it’s not from FAAC. We have done a bond and in the bond we have over 13 million is dedicated to that road. And to the best of my knowledge so far we have been releasing and paying the certificate of the contractor as required. Now, the project is an 18 dry month project, which translates to 3 years. If you take 6 dry months in a year, it would give you about 3 years. Now you understand the construction started last year and it was in the midst of Covid so we have had a hold up of about 6 months which was also largely during the dry period so I expect that there would be a little adjustment. Now for us to keep to our goal of dualizing, we have continued to speak to our partners in Islamic Development Bank, and also the Federal Ministry of Finance has helped us with Abu-Dhabi Fund for Development. Also, as at the 2nd of September the board of IDB has approved the project. We held a meeting in Tashkent, that’s Uzbekistan. I have been following and they’ve approved the project, which means we are ready to go. Now we need the Federal Government to support us. The Federal Executive Council has to sit and grant the Minister the approval to endorse the loan agreement because it would be a load agreement between Nigeria and the Islamic Development Bank because Nigeria is the sovereign. Then Nigeria now would give Niger state the money. Because of the passion of Mr. Governor, all that is necessary to secure funding for the Minna-Bida road has been completed. We have the approval of the Abu-Dhabi Funds. They are giving us 40 million dollars, and then Islamic Development Bank will give us about 88 million and Niger State Government itself would contribute 31. The 31 is inclusive of the work we are already doing. When you put them together you get somewhere in the region of 163 million dollars. That is the total project cost, which is a huge undertaking.

Interviewer: My guest on this edition of the program Footprint is someone who has seen life from various dimensions. He is the Ajiyan Nupe. He is the Niger state Commissioner for Finance, Alh. Zakari Abubakar. You are most welcome to the program, Sir.

Alh. Zakari: Thank you very much.

Interviewer: A lot of people know that you are from the popular Usman mai Dariya house. But tell us more about yourself.

Alh. Zakari: Well, first of all, my name is Zakari Abubakar. I am the son of Alh. Abubakar Ndawuya Zakari who is a son of the Mai Dariya family. I was born in Bida but went to school in Kaduna and Gusau and then Kaduna and then Kano where I attended Bayero University where I had my first and second degrees and then I went to Ahmadu Bello University from where I had another Masters degree. Ever since I have been working.

Interviewer: You have double MSc?

Alh. Zakari: Yes I have an MSc in Land Resource Development and an MBA Finance. I started work with Niger State civil service in the Ministry for Economic Planing, then it was Department of Economic Development under the Governor’s office during the administration of Mallam Awwal Ibrahim, the present Emir of Suleja. Thereafter I left and went to Nigeria Agricultural and Cooperative Bank popularly known as NACB.

From I went to commercial banking, Islamic banking and so on. I left banking in 2009 to join Niger state again as MD, Niger State Agricultural Development Project and then was elevated to a Permanent Secretary in 2011 and posted to the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2013 I was posted from the Ministry of Agriculture to Niger State Planning Commission as the Permanent Secretary. In 2015 I was posted from the Planning Commission to Ministry of Finance as the Permanent Secretary.

Interviewer: Indeed you have vast experience. Let me take you back a bit. Talk to us about some of your contemporaries especially from primary school. You didn’t tell us much about your primary school.

Alh. Zakari: Well, I went to Primary School, Gusau. I started in Kaduna actually and completed in Gusau. One of the contemporaries listeners would know is the former IGP, Idris Kpotun. We were in the same class with him in primary school. Then you’d recall that it was North Western State, and a lot of us who were from Niger and of Nupe extraction were together in Gusau. Incidentally, this Kpotun was at the wedding of my daughter. That was from a long relationship from primary school. We kept on through the university. He went to ABU and I went to Bayero but during holidays we got together. I think he is the one listeners can recall.
I went to Federal Government College, Kaduna. There, one of my contemporaries that listeners might know is Abdulkadir Muhammed who is one of the children of the late Techno popularly called Akmo. He is an architect presently lecturing at Baze University, Abuja. A number of schoolmates I’d say would be Ndagi Wali, retired Perm. Sec., he was a schoolmate at Federal Government College, Kaduna. We have Kudu Muhammed. He is also at Federal Housing Authority and a number of them from Niger state.

Interviewer: From your childhood is there any incident that each time you remember it, makes you say, I’ll never forget this in my life.

Alh. Zakari: (Laughing) That is a difficult one. It very difficult in the sense that when Allah has blessed you with a long life you live by the day. You thank Allah for each day and you take the lessons of the day and move on. Many of the incidences, if you keep in your memory they might clog your days ahead. However, I would remember that my admission into Bayero was very, shall I say, surreal. The late Professor Alkali was the coordinator of the School of Preliminary Studies. And I just walked into his office and asked what’s the problem and I told him, ‘Sir, I have sat for the entrance for this university and I passed but I have not been admitted.’
He laughed and asked, ‘How do you know?’
And I said, ‘I know passed.’
He said, ‘How do you know you passed?’
I said, ‘I know I passed.’
He pulled out the result sheet from his drawer. I didn’t even know it was there and said, ‘What’s your name?’ I mentioned my name. He asked where I sat and I told him Government College, Bida. He checked and said, ‘Ok, come back 3 o’clock for your letter. It think that was a turning point in my life.

Interviewer: Let’s talk about your teachers especially from secondary school. Are there teachers that each time you remember their contribution in your life you keep appreciating them?

Alh. Zakari: Yes, my Geography teacher, Mr. Ayodele was a very... how do I say it? He starts the day with a quiz; so everyday you go to the class you get tested. We were the first set of the school and, in terms of subjects, Geography was the best. Almost everybody passed. So yes, he has been a remarkable one. And I think also my English Language teacher, Mr. Ayina. Then my English teacher in Primary school, Mallam Taliya Gajere. These were very astute teachers.

Interviewer: Talking about very good teachers, Sir, English very good, I must confess. Look at what’s happening in the society now, if you check, the standard of education seem to have fallen. What do you think is responsible?

Alh. Zakari: I think we have left the basics and we tend to be in a hurry. The basics are exactly what the foundation are of any subject. And you don’t concentrate on anything but the basic concept of that foundation. So if you find yourself in a situation that you don’t know and you rely on the foundation and the basic concepts then you will get it right. Take English language for example, if you understand Lexis and Structure of English, and you understand your tenses and all that, then you will know how to construct sentences naturally. The other thing is that we become experts even before we learn. There’s a need for us to be patient.

But, talking about formal education, I think we have a lot to do at the Primary level because that is where the foundation is. Much of what you see today of those that have succeeded is not even sometimes Secondary school, but Primary school. I was joking with a friend who incidentally is from Niger and of Gbagi extraction, and I told him, ‘Look, why don’t we start teaching at some level in our native languages?”
Maybe then we would get the best scientists. If you take China, they don’t teach science in English in China. They teach science in Chinese. In India they have been able to mix it, their own language and English but they basically teach in their language because the level of understanding you get at that level is high. So while you want to teach English, French, Arabic and the likes so that we can engage with the world, for us as a society, we need to look home and engage our people in the language they speak everyday because anything you learn in school has a practical dimension so that they can relate to the practical dimensions of things.

Interviewer: Do you have anyone you can call your role model?

Alh. Zakari: Sir. Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto.

Interviewer: What are the things you cherish in him?

Alh. Zakari: Selflessness and the fact that he had a vision and was selfless.

Interviewer: You have been in politics, Sir, what would you say is the major challenge in politics.

Alh. Zakari: I have to be a politician here but I have to be direct. I think there is a tendency for us to see politics as politics in itself rather than seeing it as a means to achieving a desired or a certain goal be it development. Even if it’s a personal ambition that you have, it must have a meaning that translates to what can benefit society. You don’t just go into politics because you want to be Local Government Chairman or be the next Member. Now, when you want to be Member, what exactly are you going to do when you get to that place? These are very important things and this is what I believe is lacking in our system.

Interviewer: Base on your travels, if you check, Nigeria is not where it really has to be. What do you think is the problem based on what you have seen in other countries?

Alh. Zakari: Discipline and being law-abiding. Law-abiding transcends everything. As a Muslim you know that discipline is the key. The five daily prayers that we undertake every day is part of the discipline of Islam. There are prescribed times for it. There are times you’re supposed to get up and pray, and if you fail in that then there’s a failure. Also, faith is key. And going by the rules. The fact that we have failed to go by the rules has led to what I’d call skepticism. People do not believe that the system can deliver what would benefit them. So they result to self-help, and that brings chaos.

Interviewer: If you have the opportunity to reposition the Nigeria’s politics and democracy, what would be your recommendation, Sir?

Alh. Zakari: Discipline, vision and being selfless. You’re in politics it is not for you. It is for the people. And you discipline yourself so that people will get that benefit and you be the example of what you want people to be.

Interviewer: Ok. Let me talk to you as an individual, not Niger State’s Commissioner for Finance. If you have an opportunity to invest, what sector of the economy would you invest your money?

Alh. Zakari: (Laughs) Education.

Interviewer: Why education?

Alh. Zakari: Because that is where we need it most. See, this is what they say: if you want to kill a society, kill education. And I think that’s where we need the most quality so that when people come out of qualitative education, they can impact the rest of society and rest of other endeavors for today and tomorrow.

Interviewer: What your philosophy about life?

Alh. Zakari: Live and let live.

CC: mynd44

PRESS RELEASE
26th September, 2021

NIGER GOVT. CONDEMNED THE BLOCKADE OF BIDA-LAMBATA, LAMBATA-IZOM EXPRESSWAYS

The Niger State Government has condemned and frowned in strong terms the attitude of Drivers of tankers, trucks and other articulated vehicles for blocking Bida-Lambata and Lambata-Izom expressways causing heavy gridlock and risks to innocent commuters and the people of the communities.

A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane called on the Drivers of these articulated vehicles to hasten the opening of the roads as the blockade would not compell the State Government into allowing them to use the Minna-Bida road which is a State-owned road and under reconstruction.

Ahmed Matane further appealed to owners of the vehicles to talk to their Drivers to remove their trucks and tankers from the roads as the State Government can no longer guarantee their safety, because communities affected as a result of the blockade are overstretched and agitated.

The SSG warned that the State Government would not take liability for damaged vehicles or goods as a result of any unfortunate incidence that may arise. In the event of any tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploding and spilling the products within the communities, the tanker owners would be held responsible and affected communities will claim damages.

It would be recalled that the State Government had for more than three days engaged and dialogued with the articulated vehicle drivers and leadership of their unions to clear the roads and allow motorists to carry out their legitimate activities but such efforts has not yielded any positive results.

Meanwhile, the State Government regrets any inconveniences and untold hardship the blockade of the roads might have caused to innocent citizens and called for understanding and support of the general public in this trying moments.

Signed
Lawal Tanko
Information Officer
SSG’s Office

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Akwa Ibom @ 34: Osinbajo commissions Dakkada Towers, flags off Dakkada Luxury Estate in Uyo

...Gov Emmanuel's policies visionary, futuristic - Ex Govs Duke, Suswam

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on thursday flagged-off Dakkada Luxury Estate and inaugurated a 21 storey smart intelligence building in Akwa Ibom State as part of activities marking the 34th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State.

Prof Osinbajo while speaking at the Dakkada Luxury Estate along the Airport Road, Uyo where he performed the official flag off of the proposed low income housing project in Akwa Ibom as part of activities to mark the state's 34th Anniversary and Nigeria's 61 Independence anniversary celebrations thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for a warm reception accorded him and conveyed message of felicitations from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to Akwa Ibom State at 34, adding that it has always been a pleasure to be in Akwa Ibom State.

Recalling his former visit to the state where he inaugurated, among others, the flour mill, syringe factory, metering factory, the Vice President expressed delight with the satisfaction of value of projects undertaken by Governor Emmanuel's administration, describing the Dakkada Towers and the Luxury Estate as milestones, the Vice President said he was proud of the achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the last six years of his stewardship, noting that his infrastructure drive was in sync with that of the Federal Government.

“…Governor Udom Emmanuel thank you for your hospitality and your kindness always, thank you for a kind gift of a choice place here, I bring you the warm greetings of President Muhammadu Buhari, who sends his personal felicitations and congratulations on the 34th anniversary of this great state. It is always a delight to visit Akwa Ibom State, every time one is here there is a milestone achievement and again today there is a milestone moment in the state history, the peace, tranquility and hospitality which the state is known for is the envy of many states. It remarkable what Akwa Ibom has been able to achieve in this period. Today we are here to flag-off the construction of Dakkada Luxury Estate and later on the Dakkada Tower as part of activities to mark 34th anniversary of the states’’.

The Vice President noted that the Federal Government, through its Economic Sustainability Plan, has already initiated a mass social Housing programme to build three hundred thousand housing units across the country, and 24 states, including Akwa Ibom have keyed into it by allocating land for the housing units.

While commending governor Udom Emmanuel on his numerous achievements in the state which he noted are in sync with the programmes of the federal government, he announced efforts of federal government in providing infrastructure across the country which Akwa Ibom State has not been left out. He said that the Federal Executive Council last month approved the Lagos-Calabar Rail project which will pass through Uyo, and also FEC last year approved full business case for Ibom Deep Seaport.

In his words, “Your focus on infrastructural development is significantly in sync with what the Federal Government plan to achieve and what it has been doing, as you are aware the President has prioritize the development of infrastructure, roads, rail, power and broadband connectivity and despite the severe economic headwinds that we have experienced in the past 6 years, we have invested more than any other federal administration in infrastructure. As at last year, we had expended over 8.9 trillion on capital, just last month the Federal Executive Council approved the Lagos-Calabar Rail project’’.

Osinbajo while inaugurating the 21 storey Dakkada Towers commended Governor Emmanuel's ingenuity of unlocking the economy with economically viable projects, saying that the International Oil Companies and other organizations will not have any reason not to relocate their corporate headquarters to the Akwa Ibom State, having provided world class accommodation as well as deliver multiplier benefits of creating jobs.

He urged oil and gas industries operating within the state to relocate its corporate headquarters to Akwa Ibom State, having completed one of the smartest Intelligence building in the state complete with architectural beauty with the latest technology developed for smart efficiency.

The Vice President described the Dakkada Towers as a catalyst for development in the private sector affirming that the investment in the smart building is already yielding returns as it will boost the revenue of the state, noting that the vision of the smart building remains government’s effort to create an enabling environment for investment to thrive.

Speaking earlier, Governor Udom Emmanuel while addressing Akwa Ibom people during the flag-off ceremony of the estate said the idea of Dakkada Luxury Estate, became necessary to address the high demand of foreign investors into the state.

The governor noted that the luxury estate is designed with standard convenience of provision of water, constant electricity supply with a backup turbine to generate 15mega watts of gas turbine which will restore electricity once there is interruption.

‘’…as part of our 34th state anniversary, we had to flag-off this Luxury Estate the reason being that we have influx of foreigners people who are not indigenes of this state and many of them are looking for an accommodation we have to create a new estate that will be friendly to all and this is the dream we are back realizing right now. Every single thing that a luxury estate should have is here”.

Also the Governor during the inauguration of the 21 storey Dakkada Towers, expressed appreciation to God for successful completion of the project, and thanked the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for accepting to inaugurate the smart building.

He appealed to the federal government through the vice president to make a pronouncement that will see to the relocation of the oil multinational companies’ corporate headquarters to Akwa Ibom State, stated that his administration is poised to spearhead innovations that will reposition the state among comity of nations in the world.

Hear him, “Today we are presenting to Akwa Ibom people all over the world the smartest building, most intelligent and modern building Nigeria can boast of today. Handly can you find any IOC building but they can lease a building, and when we go to ask them when they are relocating to Akwa Ibom they were complaining that we don’t have office accommodation for them, that excuse ends today. It will take just one statement from the Vice President on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for Total, ELF, EXXON MOBIL, UNIVERSAL ENERGY, and CONOIL to come down here”.

Governor Emmanuel further maintained that before the expiration of his administration, the state will experience robust economic projects completed across the state, and thanked Akwa Ibom people for believing in him, assuring that he will not let the people down.

In his goodwill message, a former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke lauded Governor Emmanuel for fulfilling his vision of taking the state to greater heights, through his various developmental achievements.

"We are here to share in the vision of a man who has taken the state forward, who won't leave his people as he met them", Duke said.

Also Speaking former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam thanked the Vice President whom he described as a gentleman for honouring the invitation irrespective of party lines.

He also commended Governor Emmanuel's peaceful disposition which has brought about security in the state and for various development projects he has brought.

"You can hardly hear of security problems in Akwa Ibom State, as a former Governor , I know what it means to create such ambience," he further said.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, stated that the luxury estate which will be constructed as a low density residential layout will provide a serene environment and will offer world class amenities to people.

Pastor Eno said the proposed Dakkada Luxury Estate which comprises of a four block estate sits on 171 hectares of land comprising 557 plots. Other features of the estate he noted include internet broadband services, full security and safety, central sewage, smart city surveillance, shopping malls and city centers.

Also the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, in a welcome remarks at the inauguration of the Dakkada Towers recalled that in 2017 the federal Government directed all International oil Companies to site their administrative headquarters within their operations, noting that the directive has been in sync with the struggle of Akwa Ibom people to see to their relocation.

Presenting an overview of the project, the Commissioner said the ultra-modern tower situated at 48,200 square meters 4.82 hectares, is an ICT compliance intelligence structure with 24 hours power supply is 104 meters high and 21 floors of rentable offices surrounded by a podium housing restaurants, banks and a car park which can accommodate 400 cars.

The claim by Osun State's former Commissioner for Local and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola failed to nominate his predecessor for a ministerial slot is not only untrue but also wicked, illogical and mischievous, Ismail Omipidan, Chief Press Secretary to Oyetola, has said.

He was reacting to the claim by Alimi in a newspaper interview that when it was time to nominate ministers about two years ago, Oyetola allegedly sent three names without that of Rauf Aregbesola.

But Oyetola’s aide said his Principal was at no time contacted by the Presidency or any other quarters to nominate any minister.

Omipidan said the President appointed his ministers in line with his stance that if state governors are at liberty to appoint their commissioners, he, too, should be at liberty to choose those who would work with him in the FEC.

Describing Alimi’s claim as a big lie from the pit of hell, Omipidan, while fielding questions from journalists in Osogbo, said he was sure all those who were involved in the process back then, would have formed their opinion on the character and person of Alimi, knowing full well he lied just to smear the name of a good man (Oyetola).

He added that it is the likes of Alimi that are trying to create issues in the party through deliberate spread of false claims and lies to cause acrimony and unnecessary tension within the APC fold in Osun.

“Ordinarily, one would have ignored the deliberate and wicked lie from Alimi, but one is compelled to react to put the record straight for the sake of posterity.

“First, if you all recall, it was public knowledge that President Buhari, said since he does not get involved in the appointment of commissioners in the various states, the governors would not dictate to him, who to appoint from their states.

“Two, on my honour, my boss was at no time contacted either by the Presidency or any other quarters to either suggest names or nominate ministers.

“ I will, therefore, implore Alimi to cross-check his facts well and stop lying shamelessly against my boss. He is just out to smear the name of a good man and create acrimony between my boss and his brother, our former Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. But Osun people know better,” Omipidan added.

cc: lalasticlala, seun

NIGER STATE GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN SOME BANKS AND OTHER BUSINESS ENTITIES OVER TAX EVASION.

To continue building infrastructure in the state and to meet other obligations to the state and reduce dependency on the Federal Government, the Niger State Government has been working assiduously to generate more revenue and is blocking all leakages to further increase the IGR of the state.

It is in light of the above that the Niger State Internal Revenue Service elected to close down a number of commercial banks and centres for failing to pay close to N500 million in tax. Offices like AEDC and some major restaurants in the state capital were also closed down until they show commitment before they were reopened.

For over a year the Niger State Government has tried in vain to reason with these debtors and get them to meet their legal obligations. The state would no longer continue on that path. This is what informed the actions of the state government.

These banks, however, instead of trying to work to pay their debts are looking to blackmail the government by setting up the people against the government. They have gone ahead to shut down services to customers, which is illegal so as to get people to fault the government for the ensuing difficulties.

The Bankers forum has sent a letter to BIRS threatening to close banks, even though some banks like FCMB, ZENITH, POLARIS, STANBIC IBTC, UBA, GTB, Access Bank have shown commitment to paying their debts, they’re however, also joining the rest who are failing to pay their debts, and are proceeding to close down services to customers. Banks like First Bank, Union Bank, Unity Bank and Heritage Bank are all insisting on not paying their debts. It should be noted that the bankers’ forum is not a trade union and cannot blackmail the citizenship to whom they have private obligations as business entities.

These banks will gladly pay taxes however high in Lagos and other states but resort to blackmail in Niger State. The unfolding events are as a result of the resolve of the Niger State Internal Revenue Service to ensure proper collection of all taxes due to Niger State. These revenues are due to the citizens of Niger State as a constitutional and legal right

The public must be alive to the plot afoot and understand that the revenue generated from taxing commercial banks and centers are necessary to the running and development of the state, especially in the current economic climate. The State Government would not allow itself to be blackmailed into allowing commercial banks and centers to operate without paying tax in the state.

Muhammad Sani Idris
Commisioner of Information and Strategy
Niger state.

Cc : Lalasticlala, mynd44

Oyetola inaugurates 360 newly-recruited Amotekun officers, says security is critical to Devt Agenda for Osun

...announces recruitment of 750 vigilantes for local intelligence gathering

The Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola on Tuesday, inaugurated 360 newly-recruited officers into the State Security Network Agency ''Amotekun Corps'.

This follows the completion of the 23-day intensive training programme the personnel underwent as part of efforts to make them professionally savvy and prepare them for the task ahead.

Speaking at the Passing-Out-Parade ceremony for the new Amotekun Corps officers which held in Ejigbo, Governor Oyetola stated that his administration's commitment to security, safety and welfare of the people remained irrevocable.

He added that the Adminstration had given security the prime position, as it is critical to its Development Agenda and a strategy for revolutionising the State's economy.

The Governor charged the new Amotekun Corps personnel to display the highest level of professionalism, discipline, competence, integrity and Omoluabi ethos tin the discharge of their duty to protect the people and the State.

He also implored citizens and residents of the State to cooperate with the Corps operatives to make security management easy and peaceful. "All Osun citizens must own the Corps and provide them with information that will help them to effectively protect us," he added.

Speaking further, Oyetola said: "Amotekun is created to collaborate with the security agencies and the vigilance groups and hunters across the State in order to ensure security in a peaceful, harmonious and professional manner.

"Let me also remind you all that by the nature of Amotekun operations and network, yours is a complementary and collaborative security outfit. I therefore urge you to collaborate with your colleagues in neighbouring South West States to keep our region and our people safe.

"Security is critical to our Development Agenda and a strategy for revolutionising the economy of the State. Consequently, you have a crucial role to play in attaining this noble objective. You must therefore secure the State with integrity, civility and a high sense of responsibility.

"Our State is noted as a peaceful one. We all have a responsibility to sustain our ranking as the Most Peaceful State in the nation. It is on this note that I implore all the citizens of the State to cooperate with the Amotekun corps operatives to make security management easy and peaceful so that we can deliver a strong and prosperous Osun."

The Governor commended security agencies in Osun for their service to the State and assured that the State Government would continue to support them while also encouraging them to collaborate with one another.

He disclosed that the State Government had procured 20 security vehicles with communication gadgets to support security operatives in the discharge of their responsibility.

"We have recruited 750 vigilantes across all local governments in the State to provide intelligence on the activities and suspicious movements of criminals to the officials of Amotekun.

"We shall continue to provide all the equipment necessary for the successful prosecution of security and execution of the Amotekun Project. We shall continue to strategise to deliver security to the State," Oyetola added.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Osun Security Network Agency/Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Ademola Aderibigbe (rtd), applauded the creation of the security outfit which he described as a child of necessity to permanently stem the tide of insecurity in the State in particular and the southwest region in general.

Aderibigbe who lauded the Administration of Governor Oyetola for his continued support to advance the security architecture, expressed confidence in the new security formation to flush out criminals in the State saying the era of zero tolerance for crime and criminality has begun.

He sought the people's support to ensure seamless operations of the new security formation in the State.

In his goodwill message, the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon Timothy Owoeye extolled the collective efforts that gave birth to the formation of Amotekun in the Southwest.

He reassured the House’s commitment to continuously support the State in its efforts to guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizens.

The Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin appreciated the good gesture of Governor Oyetola at keeping the State safe and secured.

He appealed to the residents particularly the traditional rulers to give their utmost support in terms of useful information to the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies in the State.

Also speaking, the Director General, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, hailed the Administration of Governor Oyetola for keying into the sustainable policies and programmes of the Commission aimed to move the southwest and Nigeria forward.

He charged the newly unveiled Amotekun Corps to always exhibit the Omoluabi ethos inculcated in them in the course of the training.

In their separate remarks, the Senate Spokesman, Senator Ajibola Bashiru and former Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, commended the Governor on the tremendous achievements recorded in the area of security in the State.

He congratulated the Amotekun Corps on the successful completion of the training which according to him will bring about a competent, able and formidable local security network.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

AKWA IBOM: BETTER IS THE END OF THE MATTER

Aniekeme Finbarr

In about 20 months, one of the most significant socio-econo-political chapters in Akwa Ibom State’s history book will be written, sealed and nicely placed in the archives.

For those of us who have a fine background in literature, the ending is the most important part of a dramatic narrative. Novelists, movie script writers usually have sleepless nights on what perfect end its story should have. Why is that so? The ending is the section of the story that gives the piece its meaning – in which the theme of the overall narrative crystalizes into dramatic action. That is the point the protagonist completes the arc he has been making throughout the story. It is the point the audience expects that the comedy should be at its funniest; a horror film at its scariest; a love story at its most romantic; etc.

A story without a good ending isn’t satisfying – after watching a movie for three or so hours, you want to know if the lovers got together; you want to see the hero triumph, you want to see the falsely accused vindicated, you want to find out who committed the murder; you want to see villains defeated, obstacles overcome; and demons (inside and out) quelled and if they are not, you want to have a clear understanding of why. Anything short of that is a disappointing end.

But, alas, the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel is about to have a fantastic end; everything points to it. The demons of the past have been defeated, the state has enjoyed mature and stable leadership, in and out of a harsh economic climate, yet devoid of deafening noise and razzmatazz, peace has found a home here in Akwa Ibom State, even when many parts of the country are battling one security issue or another. The Dakkada philosophy is now rooted in the hearts of the people, entrepreneurs are now flung and scattered all across the state, doing their best to rise to greatness.

Governor Emmanuel has broken the jinx that it is impossible to build and attract industries, run profitable and expandable businesses. Take a look at Ibom Air, the nation’s pride in aviation. Look at the success, the company ethics, culture and standards, the returns on investment, the expansion and the blueprint for international domination. What a beautiful end to a story of years of false starts and vain promises.

Now, nobody can again promise 31 industries in 31 Local Government Areas, that is an obsolete impracticable promise. It is not done that way. Industries are not planted like Local Government headquarters, you plant industries only where they are needed and if you wish to expand massively, you create a hub, an industrial layout where common resources are shared.

That is why it is not surprising that the Turkish investors, have partnered with the State Government and have helped translate Governor Emmanuel’s industrialization policy as seen in such economically significant industries like the Jubilee syringe company, the flour mill, and are in the process of expanding into textile making and several other investments. A key variable in this drive, is the peace and ease of doing business which Governor Emmanuel has provided.

According to Mr Onur Kumral in a recent interview, “We have signed our preliminary contracts with our partners in Turkey again. Of course, you know Turkey is a big textile country. We want to bring that textile company to start production in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

We hope to start the construction before the end of this year. Hopefully, next year, you will see the opening of a textile company here in Akwa Ibom State. It will be designed by local designers. It will be in the quality of Turkish textile. That is what we want to achieve. Our first target will be to produce 3,000 dresses a day which will be a standard of 3000 to 5000. That will create about 5000 direct employment and maybe 23,000 to 25,000 indirect employment.

This is the first target we have in 2021. When we succeed, in 2022, we will want to add some more. But we have to go step by step. We have some principles. We have to succeed before we get to the next one.”

That is not all, the Turkish investors are also planning to expand their existing capacity in the already established business lines. Onur Kumral offers more insights, “What we have planned now is that we want to raise the capacity of our Flour Mill as soon as possible. This is because the demand now is much more than supply.

For the syringe, we want to add more lines to new kinds of products, not just syringes. We want to add drip lines to it. However, we want to expand on these two sectors first. Also, with our partners in Turkey, a huge oil and gas group, we have signed a deal on exclusive distribution of oil lubricants for the ECOWAS region.

Of course, it will first start in Nigeria. Our first target is to start trade in oil. But the main target is to see if we can create that same success in what we have done in Kings and Jubilee. When we can create the same distribution lines, we want to start packaging.”

The completion agenda is firmly on course, contractors are busy on road sites to beat deadlines, dualized roads springing up in major cities like Uyo, Etinan, Eket to open up the state to commerce and development. Hospitals are wearing new looks like in Ikot Ekpene, Asong and Ikot Abasi and the earlier ones already done. There is no doubt that this administration under Governor Udom Emmanuel will end well. That is why succession by 2023 WILL NOT and SHOULD NOT be based on sentiments or entitlement mindset. The people, guided by God will choose a befitting leader in tune with the times and demands of the future.

It must be stated here that the Governorship position is not a compensation package or a take away pack for any politician who feels entitled to it because he supported and ‘sacrificed’ so much to re-elect Governor Emmanuel in 2019. We are talking about the destinies of millions of Akwa Ibom sons and daughters for the next 8 to 100 years.

It is too serious a matter to be discussed lightly. However, anybody who ‘stuck out his neck’ for the Governor in times past and is currently experiencing pains in the neck region, that is, the anterior cervical and posterior cervical triangles or indeed any part of the cervical spine can visit any of the new hospitals built by the Governor and get an MRI scan and x-ray done and be treated on the Governor’s bill.

Akwa Ibom is on the march to greatness under Governor Udom Emmanuel, with many life touching projects set to be handed over to the Akwa Ibom people. And like the wise one writes in Ecclesiastes 7:8, “Better is the end of a matter, than the beginning thereof”

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Osun APC LG Congress: Committee expresses satisfaction, says 'no parallel congress anywhere except on facebook'

...lauds party loyalists for peaceful conduct, large turnout


The members of the National Committee on Local Government Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, have expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the party's members in the State.

The Committee affirmed that there was no parallel congress anywhere in the State except on Facebook and other social media platforms.

They also expressed delight at the way and manner the party's supporters and loyalists trooped out en masse to exercise their right of electing new officers of the party across the Local Governments of the State.

Recall that the national leadership of the ruling party under the leadership of Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee had earlier resolved and directed the conduct of the Local Government Congresses across the 774 Councils in the country.

The members of the party's national delegation for the Local Government Congress to Osun had on Friday, held a stakeholders’ meeting at the party’s secretariat, where they charged members to exhibit the Omoluabi ethos for which Osun is known for and promised to conduct a hitch-free and credible exercise.

By Saturday morning, they visited some of the Councils where they monitored, supervised and observed the conduct of the Congress.

Among the Councils visited as at the time of filing the report were Osogbo Local Government, Boripe Local Government and Boluwaduro Local Government.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the Committee, the Committee's Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, lauded the peaceful conduct of the party loyalists, describing it as commendable and worthwhile.

Elegbeleye who commended the consensus model adopted by the leadership of the party, said there was no parallel congress anywhere as against the insinuations making the rounds.

According to him, nothing like parallel congress was either seen or observed by the Committee in any of the visited places or being reported by the Committee members observing and supervising the election process in any of the Councils in the State.

"We have been to several places. We have been to Osogbo, Boripe, Boluwaduro among others, and we met very large crowd where consensus was adopted as model to which the new officers were elected by the party's members.

"Things were very perfect; the atmosphere was peaceful and we were very impressed by the way and manner which the people conducted and comported themselves peacefully without any rancour whatsoever.

"As we all know, consensus is what the party has always subscribed to and this is what was largely adopted in the State, and with what we have seen so far, there is nothing like parallel anywhere except on Facebook.

"We are very glad to witness this Congress in a peaceful atmosphere as this is in line with the principles of our party," he added.

In his remarks during the visit of the members of the Committee to his Council in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government, Governor Oyetola applauded the members of the party across the State for allowing peace to reign.

He attributed the atmosphere of peace to the existing show of love and the spirit of togetherness reigning in the party, saying it was a reflection of the fact that the party members were united and formidable.

"I thank the members of the party for the sense of duty, love and peace that have been observed so far. This is to show that our party is united absolutely.

"I am grateful to the members of the Committee for being very fair and efficient in discharging their responsibility. We are very proud of you. I congratulate the newly elected executives. This is a call to service.

"You must serve with the fear of God. As you all know, the party's members have reposed confidence in you and you must justify this and you must not disappoint them", Oyetola added.

The LG Congress Committee was still carrying out its monitoring exercise as at the time of filing this report.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Covid19: AKSG okays low key celebration as state clocks 34

...Lists projects for Commissioning, rolls out Ibom Soft Roll

All events scheduled to mark Akwa Ibom State 34th anniversary are to be kept at low key, besides inauguration of the numerous projects initiated by the government of Akwa Ibom State.

This was part of resolution reached at Wednesday's State Executive Council meeting presided over by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, in which Exco received the report of spike in the Delta variant of COVID-19 and it's attendant pressure on the state, presented by the State COVID-19 Management Committee.

Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong said, the full list of projects to be commissioned in the period will be published by the Secretary to the State Government soon.

Hear him, "His Excellency, the Governor in Council received the advice from the COVID-19 Management Committee, that with the current spike and pressure from the Delta variant of COVID, all state anniversary celebrations should be low key. Emphasis will therefore be on commissioning of projects and the full list of projects slated for commissioning in the period will be published by the Secretary to the State Government".

Also, following the report presented by the Commissioner for Health on the current status of the state on the pandemic, the Governor directed that increased awareness campaign be undertaken for the people of the state to submit themselves for vaccination, the Commissioner added, assuring that information will be intensified on where people can take the vaccines in Uyo and every other place where vaccination is ongoing.

According to the State Information boss, the Governor affirmed that the vaccines were safe for usage and urged the people of the state to go on and use them.

In a related development, the Commissioner for Health has been directed to set up a monitoring team to ensure standardization of Medical Laboratories in the state. This Commissioner noted became necessary following reported irregularities in results from medical laboratory analyses which would naturally lead to wrong diagnosis.

Exco noted that the issue has resulted in wrong drug administration and some fatalities and charged the monitoring team to expedite action and put an end to such trend.

The State Executive Council meeting also featured presentation of Ibom Soft Rolls, a tissue paper brand produced by the Dakkada cottage industries by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, who was mandated to embark on vigorous marketing campaign on the product.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

The Niger State Government has announced the suspension of all weekly cattle markets in the state, effective September 1, 2021, as part of measures to combat rising cases of armed banditry and kidnappings.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, further stated that any truck transporting livestock into the state must display a Way-bill as well as proof of origin and destination.

The sale of petroleum products in Jerry Cans or any other containers at filling stations, as well as the operation of vehicles transporting firewood and timbers, were also prohibited by the state.

Motorcycles are only permitted to operate in Minna and its environs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to him.

The statement reads;

“As part of measures to address security challenges in Niger state, the State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has approved the following measures with effect from Wednesday, 1st September, 2021:

(I). All weekly cattle markets across the State are hereby suspended.

(Ii). Any vehicle carrying cattle into the State must show Way-bill and evidence of the origin where the cattle were purchased and their destination.

(iii). Sale of petroleum products in jerry cans or any other containers at filling stations in the State is hereby banned.

(iv). All filling stations should not sell petrol of more than N10,000 to each vehicle at a time and should be wary of vehicles or motorcycles coming for repeat purchases.

(v). Government suspends the operation of trucks carrying firewood/timber across the State.

(vi). All motorcycles are only allowed to operate from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m across the State.

2. Government is aware of the inconveniences the measures would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the State.

3. Government has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and mayhem Bandits and Kidnappers are causing to some parts of the State and reiterated it’s continued determination to rid the State of any security threat.

4. Government is calling on the people of the State to be very vigilant, security conscious and report all suspicious characters, movements or objects to security agents, adding that security is everybody’s business and that all hands must be on deck in complementing government’s efforts toward safeguarding lives and property of citizens.

5. Government has also directed security agencies to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of these measures.

Signed
Ahmed I. Matane
Secretary to the State Government (SSG)

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

NIGER STATE GOVERNOR ABUBAKAR SANI BELLO DENIES ANY INVOLVEMENT IN PLOTTING THE EMERGENCE OF HIS SUCCESSOR

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has debunked online publications that he will jettison the zoning system in preference to a more qualified candidate.

Governor Sani Bello  in a statement said  he is a law-abiding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and can not descend this low by going contrary to what the party has laid down.

The Governor said "I don't have idea of what they are talking about. As a loyal party man, I am bounded by the APC's modus operandi, in which case, its the party in the state that has the responsibility to decide how my successor will emerge and not me.

"No one single-handedly gave me the party's ticket before my emergence. My candidature was a product of a transparent and fair party process. So, it is only fair that I allow the party to do its work."

He said that the author of the story wrote from his imagination as it lacked substance as well as merit, and was more of speculations. 

According to him, the report is so malicious and an attempt to distract the attention of APC members and the general public.
The Governor urged Nigerlites to disregard the report by mischief makers and rumour mongers, even as he reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, assuring all members of the Party in the state of a level playing field for all aspirants.

He added that the party constitution is supreme and will abide by its tenets and other resolutions of the party.

The Governor maintained that he will remain focus and continue to serve the people with commitment. 

Governor Sani Bello urged the media to always cross-check facts before going to the press, as his office is always open to genuine information seekers.

Mary Noel-Berje
Chief Press Secretary to
the Governor of Niger State.

cc: mynd44