Category: Politics

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Students of Akwa ibom extraction in the Higher Institutions have been assured that their bursary would soon be ready for payment.

They have also been advised to remain focused in thier pursuit of academic excellence and avoid any anti social behavior that may stall thier determination to excel in thier chosen field of endeavor.

Governor Umo Eno who made the remarks yesterday during a round table meeting with students leaders from all the clusters in the students community explained that as future leaders, they must strive to live above board in readiness to impact positively in the society.

According to Eno, who spoke through his Personal Assistant on Students Affairs Comrade Wisdom Offong, “the software applications to be deployed in the execution of Geographic Information Systems (AKWAGIS), payment of busary awards to undergraduates is ready and the process of ensuring that every student is carried along ongoing. This is done to ensure transparency and accountability in the entire process.”

The Governor advised students to live examplary lives and serve as a role model for thier much younger ones while being conscious of thier environment stressing that any suspicious movements should immediately be reported to security agencies.

He assured the students of his total support in ensuring the successful celebration of International Students week while soliciting their continuous support and solidarity in the successful implementation of the ARISE Agenda blueprint.

Earlier the President , National Association of Akwa Ibom state students (NAAKISS) worldwide Comrade Ubong Ekwere had on behalf of members passed vote of confidence on the Governor for his fatherly disposition towards students in the state.

Ekwere assured the governor of the determination of the students to support his administration and appealed for quick payment of Bursary to all students from the state in the higher Institution.

According to the president, “we are overwhelmingly passing Vote of confidence on the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for the bursary payment, the 100m educational intervention funds for students living with disabilities being the first of its kind, the building of model primary schools across the state, timely payment of WAEC fees for secondary school students and many more, just in a few months in office.”

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Offong said the meeting was a strategic engagement with the aim of discussing pressing issues bothering the student community and possible ways to chart a better course for the community.

He added, “the processes and progress so far made as regards the payment of bursary as approved by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno was elaborately explained, the contributions, suggestions and observations of the leaders in attendance were noted and assured of a speedy response to the yearnings of the community.”

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

The governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP), in the Kogi state off-cycle election, Comrade Adejo Okeme on Thursday in Lokoja said
Kogi is richly endowed with mineral resources that should not depend on Federal allocation for its survival.

Okeme who made the assertion while addressing Journalists at the press conference held at Kogi NUJ press centre, Lokoja said he would use all available resources in the state to write Kogi on the map of Nigeria economy.

The Labour Party candidate pointed out that if given the opportunity to govern, he will industrialized the state based on the mineral resources endowment in Kogi state.

Comrade Okeme promised to give agriculture priority attention by embarking on mass food production towards a sustainable food security in the state.

He further disclosed that Kogi state is the highest cashew producer in Nigeria adding that cashew farmers will be mobilised with either small or large scale loan to boost the production level of the crop in the state if given the opportunity.

On the dwindling local government councils and the staff percentage salary in Kogi state, Comrade Okeme promised to revive the 21 local councils and make it workable and attractive if given the chance.

He therefore solicited the supports and votes of the people of the state
so as to enable him end poverty in the land and to meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State to alleviate the challenges faced by those affected.

Dr. Beta Idu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, officiated the ceremony at the IDP camp in Ichua, North Bank Makurdi. Dr. Idu emphasized the urgent need to address the humanitarian crises in Benue State and stressed that resettling the IDPs back to their ancestral homes is crucial. She highlighted that the situation extends beyond the capacity of Benue State alone and urged Development Partners to contribute their services to tackle the challenge.

The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government is actively working on establishing transition learning centers in all IDP camps to cater to the educational needs of children during the transitional period before their return to settled homes.

Dr. Idu commended the efforts of Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, in addressing the crisis and called on the citizens of Benue to support him in furthering the state’s initiatives. The relief material distribution is part of the government’s commitment to providing assistance and support to those affected by displacement in Benue State.

By Milcah Tanimu

Senator Neda Imasuen, a member of the Labour Party (LP) in the Senate, has defended LP lawmakers against criticism for not rejecting the National Assembly’s plan to purchase Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) reportedly valued at N160 million for each lawmaker. Imasuen, who also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, explained that LP lawmakers are too few in number to prevent the majority of lawmakers from pursuing the purchase of luxury vehicles.

The decision by National Assembly members to buy SUVs, amidst the economic challenges facing the country, has sparked public outrage. The National Chairman of the LP, Julius Abure, called on LP-affiliated National Assembly members not to participate in what he described as extravagant and insensitive spending, which does not align with the party’s pro-people ideology.

In a conversation with journalists in Benin, Senator Imasuen, who represents Edo Central in the Senate, pointed out that LP lawmakers in the Senate number only eight out of 109 senators and, therefore, cannot influence the majority to reconsider the plan to acquire luxury vehicles.

“We can only express our stance in the parliament on what we believe is the right thing to do; we are just eight senators out of 109. So, singling out Labour Party senators for criticism is unfair,” Imasuen stated.

He went on to clarify that the LP is not the originator of this practice and that similar purchases have occurred every four years. Senators are offered the right of first refusal for the vehicles after their tenure, and if they do not purchase them, the vehicles return to the Senate.

Imasuen also emphasized that the vehicles are intended for the senators’ official duties and that if a vote were held on the matter, the eight Labour Party senators would vote against it. However, the decision ultimately lies with the majority, as he explained, “Even if we reject it, who takes it, and are they going to return it to the manufacturers?”

By Israel Adamu,Jos

North Central All Progressive Congress (APC) Forum yesterday cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State against organizing any form of protest against the ongoing election judgement in the Appeal Court in Abuja.

Speaking in Jos the Plateau State capital at the forum’s meeting to strategize for the senatorial rerun election ordered by the court, the Chairman, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said they have been rumours making the rounds about PDP in Plateau State will be stagging a protest in Jos.

According to him, such moves, if true, may not be wise so that it does not degenerate to violence.

He said Jos and Plateau State in general has gone through a lot of crisis over the years and sensitive political issues or demonstrations can trigger crisis if not properly managed.

“The ongoing Plateau election cases at the Appeal Court has been heating the polity unnecessarily. Post election court cases is not only peculiar to Plateau State, and so there is no need to make any problem out of it.

“After election, any aggrieved political party or candidate has the right to pursue their grievances and seek Justice in court, and the judgement of the court is always complied with.

“But for any party or group to want to stage a protest against court matters is uncalled for. We are not questioning the authenticity of the rumour, but all we are saying is to sound a note of caution to any party or group nursing such intention.

“Besides, Plateau State as well as Jos has seen many ethno-religious crisis, and politics is always used as a strong tool to orchestrate the crisis. So, any political protest should always be considered so that it doesn’t turn violence.

“The two current leaders of both the PDP and APC in the state, Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, respectively, are Lawyers. So, they understand what the law says, respect for courts and justices. And therefore we expect that they should be able to caution their respective party members and supporters alike,” he said.

He called on the PDP Presidential Candidate to congratulate President Bola Tinubu after the Supreme Court judgement in Tinubu’s favour, and join hands to work with him and move nation forward.

The failure to do so by Atiku, Zazzaga said, will send wrong signal to other unsuccessful party candidates at the court, especially the PDP whom he is their father figure, and they will unfortunately continue to challenge governance at all levels.

He said such situation is not good for national development, unity and stimulation of democratic dividends.

By Milcah Tanimu

Femi Falana, the Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, has called on former governors, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to cease collecting pensions as ex-governors. Falana urged them to follow the example set by former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, who have already stopped receiving such pensions.

The human rights lawyer cited the decisions of the Kwara, Imo, and Zamfara state Houses of Assembly, which have abolished the Governors Pension Scheme. He encouraged other Houses of Assembly to follow suit without delay.

Falana also referenced a 2019 judgment by Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, which declared the payment of pensions to former governors illegal and unconstitutional. The case was filed by the advocacy group Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against the Attorney-General of the Federation.

He applauded the decisions by Daniel and Dankwambo to halt the receipt of what he referred to as “scandalous pensions.” Falana also highlighted the issue of some former governors receiving double salaries, emphasizing the need for former governors in both the executive and legislative branches to follow the example of Senators Daniel and Dankwambo and reject the payment of illegal pensions.

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

Sokoto State government has expressed readiness to continue to collaborate with Usmanu Danfodiyo University,Sokoto for the overall benefit of the institution and indeed the host! community.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto stated this at the seventh National convention and Election of National officers of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Alumnus.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir said this was in realisation of the fact that development of any nation depends on the development of its educational institutions.

The Governor thanked the vice chancellor and the entire management of the University for their uncompromising commitment to the provision of qualitative education.

He then appealed to all members of the Association to join hands together with a view to assisting the institution.

In his adress, the vice chancellor of the University prof. Lawal Bilbis stressed the need for Alumnus to give back to the institution by constructing students hostels and giving financial assistance to current students.

The statement by the deputy governor’s Director of Press,Garba Muhahmmad further said Chairman of the occasion and former deputy governor of Kano Dr. Nasir Gawuna assured to reach out to Alumnus who are ready to assist their alma mata.

He also urged members of the association to give a helping hand to the fellow Alumnus.

Chairman of the steering committee of the Association Professor MK Jabo, in a welcome address, noted that the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Alumni Association was established in 1983 to among other things serve as official link between the institution and its old students.

The occasion featured presentation of awards to some members of the academia for their meritorious services to the institution.

They include the current Vice Chancellor of the university Professional Lawal Bilbis, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Professor Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, Amb. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, Professor Aminu Salihu Mikael, Professor Shehu Ahmad Galadanci and Professor Mahdi Adamu Ngaski