Category: Featured

By Abel Leonard N.

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has announced plans to tackle insecurity in the state.

The Governor who expressed concerns over the incessant incidences of crime in the state said his administration have put measures in place to address the situation. According to him, the measures include the creation of additional security points, empowerment of youths through job creation, empowerment of security operatives with the necessary equipment to enhance their operations.

“We, in Nasarawa, must ensure that the security of lives and property of our people is guaranteed. What we need is the cooperation of our people to enable us to provide the necessary environment for businesses to thrive, peace and security of the people to reign”, he said.

By Zhong Sheng

The recent U.S. decision to further increase tariffs on Chinese goods severely violates the consensus reached by the two countries’ top leaders and damages the interests of both countries.

The tariff threat is a total lose-lose decision that disrupts global industrial and supply chains and impedes the growth of international trade and the world economy.

Even so, some “naïve” U.S. politicians are still thinking that China would not take countermeasures and raise tariffs on American products. But such “naivety” only revealed their misjudgement of the current situation, especially the underestimation of China’s resolve and capability to fight back.

In the face of continuous extreme pressure from the U.S., China has always stayed rational and exercised restraint. Resolving to safeguard its core interests and the fundamental interests of its people, China will never compromise on major issues of principle. The country is determined to counter any provocation and has the capability to fight to the end.

In response to U.S. threats, China successively increased tariffs on part of U.S. imports starting from June 1 this year, announced the establishment of an “unreliable entities list”, issued warnings for Chinese tourists and students traveling to and seeking to study in the US and suspended purchases of U.S. agricultural products. The third round of Chinese countermeasures against the U.S. is also on the way.

What China has done indicated that the country suits its actions to its words. Anybody’s attempt to force China into accepting unreasonable demands will eventually fail.

Obsessed with hegemony, some U.S. politicians have a huge appetite to grab all the benefits of the world in total disregard of the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Jeffrey Sachs, professor of economics at Columbia University pointed out that the unilateral policies of the U.S. impact global economy on multiple levels, and everyone is paying a price for such policies, as they undermine global cooperation and increase the risk of conflicts.

The unilateral and bullying practices of the U.S. have seriously trampled on international equity, posing a grave threat to the rule-based international order and multilateral trading system.

By taking resolute and effective countermeasures, China is safeguarding both the interests of itself and the common interests of the people around the world.

China’s position is consistent and clear that trade wars produce no winners. China does not want a trade war, but it is not afraid of one, and it will fight one if necessary.

Anyone who clings obstinately to the wrong path and underestimates China’s resolve and capability to take countermeasures will finally bow to the iron will of the Chinese people and pay a price.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy.)

By Danzumi Ishaku Jalingo

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, The Most Rev. Charles Hammawa has confirmed the killing of Rev. Fr. David Tanko by yet to be identified persons in Taraba.

Investigation by our correspondent Thursday confirmed the killing of Rev. Fr. David Tank whose corpse was also burnt.

“For now, we are not pointing accusing finger on any group for being responsible. The Police authority in the state have promised me that they are investigating the case, we pray that the perpetrators be brought to justice.

“Our basic concern now is to give him a befitting burial. We don’t want any group to go on reprisal. Going on reprisal will only worsen the situation,” he said.

Investigation by Daybreak in Jalingo confirmed the killing of the priest, as brutal and shocking.

Our correspondent revealed that Rev. Fr. Tanko who was until his death a serving priest of St. Peter’s Catholic Parish Amadu was killed between Kasuan Haske and Tortsee on his way to Amadu from Takum.

By Samuel Itsede

As Irona Assures of Recovery of Stolen Funds

Elders of Orlu Senatorial zone of Imo State, under the aegis of Orlu Elders Council have called on Governor Emeka Ihedioha to probe and prosecute the immediate past Governor of the State, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

In a 3-page address read by the Chairman of the Council, Professor Francis Dike SAN, during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr. Gerald Irona, the group accused the former Governor of leaving a legacy of Garnishee Orders and indescribable looting of the state treasury.

The group lauded the Imo State House of Assembly and Attorney General of the State for taking steps towards adopting the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in the state, describing it as capable of improving the course of criminal justice in Imo state.

They used the occasion to urge the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress-APC in the 2019 elections, Senator Hope Uzodimma to end his litigation against Governor Emeka Ihedioha, in the interest of the state.

The elders also used the forum to call on the state Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha to reinstate His Royal Majesty, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya as Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, in obedience to judicial pronouncements.

“For eight years, nowhere in Imo State did we see billboards of Client- Government of Imo State”, Contractor- Y, X Contractors. Everything was done at shameless quotation of money by Okorocha and his family members, acting as alter ego of Imo State. Today, Billboards are seen at construction Sites. This government should be ready for probe when it leaves and that is why we ask for probe, prosecution and sentence if found guilty for Okorocha and his running dogs.”

“We are aware of thousands of Garnishee Orders bequeathed to this administration as legacy of the shameless past government. Let Rochas say to Imo State that there were no Garnishee Orders when he left government. Let him deny that his administration operated over 260 bank accounts which we know were conduit pipes for looting Imo State. Congratulations for arresting this by instituting the Treasury Single Account within 30 days.”

“We applaud the Hon. Attorney General and members of Imo State House of Assembly under the speakership of Rt. Hon. Chijioke for the domestication of the Criminal Justice Act and urge that it should be passed as a matter of urgency. We are of the firm belief that it will give more muscle to the Ministry of Justice to file Hon. AG’s Information against any and all persons not under Immunity for Criminal Acts perpetrated in Imo State against Imo people and by extension those who aided and abetted and those who benefited, for receiving stolen property. This will sanitize our society and make those barefaced liars think.”

“We take this opportunity to applaud our Great Son, Hope Uzodimma for the indefatigable work done in APC and say that it is time to sheath the sword and give and accept Olive branch so that Imo State, which now ranks between 32 and 34 in development in Nigeria can assume her pride of place in Nigeria.”

In his reaction, Deputy Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Engr. Gerald Irona commended the elders for rising to the challenge, by speaking out on issues concerning the state.

He used the occasion to explain certain policies and programmes of the present administration in the state, assuring the delegation that the administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha will not fail Imo people.

“I am glad that Orlu elders have risen to the challenge. It is true that we met a decayed Imo. Imo is in a very deplorable condition. We have decayed infrastructure. We are operating in a make-shift office. They stole everything before leaving. Those of us from Orlu zone in this government will show that Okorocha’s actions are not part of the character of Orlu people.”

“At the end of our administration, we will show Imo people that we were ready for governance. The first thing we are doing is to restore public confidence in government. We have set up a public procurement system, aimed at ensuring that there is a robust procurement process in Imo State. We shall live by example and we will remain accountable to people of the state.”

“Flood is a major issue in Owerri and some other parts of the state. We have engaged professionals and other relevant stakeholders and a lasting solution is underway. Part of the problem is that Owerri Master plan was distorted. People built on and blocked waterways. The menace of erosion is being tackled. We have paid Imo state counterpart fund of Five Hundred Million Naira, through New Map, a World Bank assisted project. They have mobilized to site.”

“When we came in, we were confronted with litany of petitions bothering on land. Many complained that their lands were taken forcefully, even when they had Certificates of Occupancy. We have constituted a Judicial Panel of enquiry on lands to look into issues around land acquisition in the state. Please, no one is targeted. We even went beyond former Governor Okorocha’s administration. We assure Imo people that we will not allow any Kobo of the state mismanaged to go unaccounted for. We will not allow any meter of land not properly acquired to go unaccounted for. That is Imo under the watch of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.”

Those in attendance at the meeting were: former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Dr. Douglas Acholonu, former Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, Prof. I.C. Okonkwo, Chief M.O.Obioha, His Royal Highness, Igwe E. Obiako, Chief Emma Izuegbu, Chief H.C. Onyekwere, Chief S.O.Ukadike, Chief R.I.Agbarakwe, Barr. A.N. Ukwuegbu, Adviser, Communications to the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Dr. Walter Duru, Hon. A.E. Onunkwo, Chief G.G. Iheka, Chief Ejike Uche, member, representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Heclus Okoro, Special Adviser to the Governor on inter party affairs, Hon. Jeff Ojinika and Special Adviser to the Governor of Political matters, Hon. Jones Onyereri.