By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
As part of Governor Yahaya Bello’s bid to turn Lokoja, Kogi State capital to a modern and befitting State capital, the Commissioner for Works and Housing Engr. Abubuka over the weekend in Lokoja assured that the construction of internal roads within Lokoja metropolis has commenced.
Ohere who led the team of the construction Engineers to the Palace of the Maigeri of Lokoja said that the State capital would be turned into construction site for the rest period of the Governor’s administration.
He also noted that he led the team to the Palace of the Royal Father, Alh. Mohammed Kabiru Mekarfi, to pay Homage and get His Royal blessings before commencing the construction of the Roads within his domain.
“We have Commenced this intervention, an ultramodern interchange will be situated at ganaja junction that would ease traffic congestion, and we hope this will also improve the esthetic value of the town apart from the economy value that would come with it.”
He pointed out that most internal roads in Lokoja where also selected for intervention. “We are starting with Nataco junction, though, it’s a federal Road.”
In his remarks the leader of the Construction company Tech. engineering, Engr Bing promised to deliver good quality works according to specifications to make the Lokoja Roads better for the people.
The Royal Father, Alh. Mohammed Kabiru Mekarfi, therefore thanked governor Yahaya Bello for giving prompt attention to the plight of the people of the State, and pledged his support for the present administration.
Category: Politics
Kogi Govt. Mobilises Contractors To Site, Commences Township Roads In Kogi
Nasarawa PDP Cracks, as Former Lawmaker Defects to APC with 10,000 supporters
By Abel Leonard/ lafia
Leadership crisis deepens in the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nasarawa State as a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbu, defects to All Progressive Congress (APC) with10,000 supporters.
Receiving Dr. Kigbu and others into the party at Taal square Lafia, Saturday, the APC state party, caretaker chairman, John Mamam, who described Dr Kigbu as the party’s prodigal son that has return home adding that the former lawmaker represented Lafia/Obi federal constituency at the House of Representatives from 2011-2015 on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) before dumping the party for the PDP due to irreconcilable differences saying their defection is to add value to what the current Governor Abdullahi Sule is doing in the state.
According to Dr. Kigbu who spoke on behalf of other defectors stressed that their exit has marked the end of PDP in Nasarawa State adding that those remaining in PDP are inconsequential and “I call on them to join hands with the APC to build the state
Dr. Kigbu while returning to the APC with 10,000 supporters also said his story was that of a prodigal son who only returned home after a long journey in the wilderness.
He therefore, appreciates the Governor for accepting him back into the APC alongside thousands of his supporters, promising to eschew politics of bitterness but to embrace progressive engagements.
Delivering a keynote at the event, a Former speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, extolled the leadership qualities of the Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, stressing that with the type of leadership being demonstrated, there is no way the state cannot be among the first three states in the country.
The former speaker also noted that with the existing peace and unity in the state, as a result of the effective leadership being provided by the Governor, “Nasarawa State is heading to be among the top three states in Nigeria.”It’s only effective leadership that will deliver peace. t takes a leader only in the mould of Governor A. A Sule to recognize that we need peace and unity in order to make progress,” he stated.
Hon. Dogara added that with the quality of leadership being provided in the state, Nasarawa State will realize her potentials, while appreciating Engineer Sule for demonstrating the kind of leadership that is investing in people.
” I recall how the Governor spoke about the people of the state with passion, as well as the progressive agenda he has for the state, with this kind of determination that places premium on peaceful coexistence of the people of this state and recognizes those who will help you achieve this agenda and bringing them into the fold, that is the only way you can deliver all the promises you made during your election,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule welcomed Dr. Kigbu and his friends back home, adding that nothing is making it possible for Dr. Kigbu, a former House of Representative, to return to the APC, which he helped build its foundation before leaving to the opposition party, other than justice, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding that is presently prevailing across the State.
Engr. Sule further explained that “since inception, his administration has been guided by the fear of God, as well as the need to ensure lasting peace and unity among the people of the state stressing that with the responsibility vested on him and as Governor of the state, he will carry every citizen along, irrespective of political believes or social status.
The event, which held at the Lafia Square, was attended by prominent politicians from within and outside the state, including two former governors of the state namely Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Umaru Tanko Al-makura.
Gbajabiamila mobilises Nigerians for APC
…participates in APC’s membership revalidation
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday called on Nigerians to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker, who described the APC as the “party of progress”, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the registration and revalidation exercise of the party to become members.
Gbajabiamila spoke at his ward in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State, where he had his membership revalidated.
The Speaker, who represents Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, stated that the APC was committed to upholding democratic principles, adding that the exercise was for both existing members and new ones.
He appealed to all party members to join the mobilisation efforts to get more eligible Nigerians to participate in the exercise.
Addressing members soon after he revalidated his membership of the party, Gbajabiamila said, “I want to urge Nigerians to use the opportunity of the registration/revalidation exercise to join the party. APC is the number one party; APC is the party of progress.
“I also urge all our party members to participate in the exercise to update their membership and take ownership of the party.
“You need to take ownership of the party and until you have registered, re-registered or have been revalidated, you are obviously not yet an authentic member of the APC.”
He noted that members could register their grievances, participate in party activities and make any contributions they wished to make to community development in the name of the APC.
He also assured all that the APC would not discriminate against anyone.
Gbajabiamila specifically called on APC members in his constituency to move from communities to communities to mobilise new members to join the party.
He stated, “My charge to you today is to go and look for those who have not registered before, those who were not members of APC.
“Those who were 15, 16, 17 and so on; were not eligible the time we did the last election.
“So, we want the youths, everybody to be registered with the party.”
Many party members swarmed the venue of the exercise in Surulere to witness the speaker as he participated in the exercise.
Buhari Pledges Support For New AU Chairman, Felix Tshisekedi
President Muhammadu Buhari has attended the ordinary session of the African Union (AU), pledging support for the new Chairman, Felix Tshisekedi.
Tshisekedi is the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He replaces the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
This formed part of the outcome of the 34th ordinary session of the union which held on Saturday.
President Buhari participated in the virtual meeting from the Presidential Villa in Abuja and joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, among other top government officials.
“I will also like to congratulate my brother, President Felix Tshisekedi for his assumption to the chair of our union. We wish you a happy and successful tenure and assure you of Nigeria’s unflinching support,” Buhari said via his Foreign Affairs Minister, Onyeama.
“I express our profound gratitude to my brother, President Cyril Ramaphosa for the outstanding manner in which he has steered the affairs of our union during the last one year.
“Nigeria, therefore, welcomes the decision to establish the Coronavirus African vaccine Acquisition Task Team to accelerate the financing and procurement of the Coronavirus vaccines for the continent.”
President Buhari also lauded the remarkable progress made by the union with respect to securing a provisional 270 million coronavirus vaccine doses for Africa along with the African Medical Supplies platform and other laudable initiatives already in place.
While reiterating Nigeria commitment to working with other African countries in the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, President Buhari noted that the move would promote common health and general well-being of all Africans.
According to him, the Federal Government would continue to partner with the World Health Organisation, the African Centre for Disease Control, the West African Health Organisation and other health bodies to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The presidents of Egypt, Namibia, Togo, and Botswana, among others, were also in attendance.
In Gwoza, Zulum shares N150m grants to traders, food to 27,000 vulnerable persons
…Opens health centre in Kawuri
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is currently in Gwoza local government area of southern Borno for humanitarian and developmental activities which began on Friday.
After passing the night, Zulum on Saturday, shared N150m as soft loans and grants to small and medium scale traders.
From the funds, N100m was allocated to small and medium entrepreneurs living within Gwoza town, while N50m was allocated to similar traders in Fulka, Izge and Limankara towns, all in Gwoza LGA.
Depending on the sizes of their businesses, the jobs they create and capacity to upset loans, six traders received N1m each, 38 traders received N500,000 each, 250 others received N250,000 each, 404 others received N100,000 each and another 732 traders got N30,000 each.
The Governor explained that, the loan/grant with refundable period of four years, is meant to resuscitate businesses and livelihoods destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents in communities of Gwoza.
Zulum announced that any beneficiary that is able to repay 50% of his or her loans within record time will enjoy waver of the balance of 50%, while those who deliberately fail to repay within the dateline will be made to repay 100% of they received as loans and grants.
Shares food to 27,000 vulnerable residents
Meanwhile, 27,000 vulnerable residents of Gwoza local government are receiving variety of food items during the Governor’s ongoing two-day humanitarian trip which started Friday.
11,000 male residents received food during Saturday’s distribution which 16,000 female residents are scheduled to receive similar food on Sunday.
Before embarking on his trip, Zulum had deployed dozens of trailers loaded with varieties of food items to Gwoza, for which he is directly supervising distribution.
Opens health centre in Kawuri
Before reaching Gwoza on Friday, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum commissioned a 50-bed capacity healthcare centre in Kawuri town of Konduga local government area, in central part of Borno state.
The facility is expected to increase access to public healthcare for villagers in Kawuri, one of the communities where internally displaced persons have been resettled in more than 500 newly built resettlement houses.
Buhari extends IGP tenure for three months- PDP disagree
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for three months.
Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammad Dingyadi, made the announcement during a briefing of State House correspondents on Thursday. He said the extension was necessary to give room for the proper selection of a successor.
The announcement was, however, greeted with condemnation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos-based lawyer and activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa and a constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome.
While announcing the tenure extension, the minister said: “Mr President has decided that the present IGP, Mohammed Adamu, will continue to serve as the IG for the next three months, to allow for a robust and efficient process of appointing a new IG.
This is not unconnected to the desire of the president to not only have a smooth handover, but to also ensure that the right officer is appointed into that position.
“The president is extending by three months to allow him get into the process of allowing a new one.”
When asked to explain the lacuna as the announcement came days after Adamu was due to retire, the minister remarked: “There’s no lacuna. Mr President can decide to extend his tenure for three months.”
Tallen calls on women, youths to participate in party Politics
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen has called on women and the youths to participate in the ongoing All Progressives Congress Party registration.
Tallen said that the exercise which was flagged- off by leader of the party, President Muhammadu Buhari gives members an opportunity to participate in the Party’s National Convention.
She explained that Party registration is key for political participation.
“It is only when we register that we could aspire for elective positions, be they general or for election into party positions.”
Statistics have it that about 51% of our population is made up of both female and youth. This goes to say that we, women and youth, have the voting power to decide who should be our leader, she emphasized.
Governor Lalong Revalidates APC Membership, Inspects Projects
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State on Thursday 4th February 2020 revalidated his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his polling unit in Ajikamai, Shendam LGA of Plateau State.
Governor Lalong who registered alongside his wife Mrs. Regina Lalong and daughter Stephanie decribed the process as another great opportunity for members of the party to demonstrate their faith and love for the party and also bring in more members into their fold.
Speaking with journalists after registering, the Governor described the process as smooth and seamless which will encourage many eligible people to register.
He said “we want our members to use this opportunity to bring in more people into the party because the APC is the people’s choice and the biggest party in Nigeria. Our vision and programmes are changing Nigeria and Plateau State for the better and I am very sure more people are going to join us”.
He appealed to the stakeholders and party officials to conduct the exercise with all sincerity and in accordance with the guidelines issued by the national headquarters of the party.
He warned against attempts to manipulate the exercise saying that the party has put in place the strategies for multi-level vetting to ensure that only a credible register is generated.
State APC caretaker Committee Chairman Chief Letep Dabang said the party has trained officials that will go into all parts of the State to carry out the exercise.
Governor Lalong later inspected ongoing projects. These include the Ajikamai township roads completed with asphalt, the N’yak – Gangnum road linking Lantang South from the farm training centre, as well as the Yelwa- Shendam road.
He addressed a large turn out of cheering crowds who appreciated the Governor for providing water, electricity and fixing the roads they have been yearning for over the years.
He said contractors have been substantially funded and are expected to complete the projects within record time as his administration is determined to complete all the projects it initiated along with many it inherited.
The Governor and his delegation later visited the Long Gamai of Shendam Miskoom Martin Shaldas III to intimidate him on their mission to Shendam and seek his blessings for a successful exercise.
FCT Minister commends APC for laudable change
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has lauded the APC government for bringing changes to the country since 2015 when it came into power.
Bello said this during a courtesy visit today by the Chairman and members of the FCT APC Membership Revalidation and Registration Committee.
He said, “Those of you who are residents of the FCT or who are frequent visitors to the FCT know what the FCT was in 2015 and what it is today. ”
He expressed satisfaction with the appointment of Hon. Sanda Umar Garba as the Chairman of the FCT APC Membership Registration Committee whom he said is well known for hard work, integrity and fairness and pledged the maximum support of the FCT.
He urged the Committee members to work hard in mobilizing people across the FCT to register as members of the party.
He said” , I want us to use all available means to mobilize people right across the Territory for them to really register because, as you know, nationwide, during the last election, our great party under the President, during the presidential election, got about 15 million votes. We want all those voters to be registered and in the FCT, our population is increasing constantly. So, let us reach out.”
Chairman of the FCT APC Membership Registration Committee, Hon. Sanda Umar Garba expressed his delight to be in the FCT saying the FCT was a peaceful place and expressed optimism for a smooth exercise.
Garba describedthe FCT Minister as a transparent individual and gave the assured that nobody will be disenfranchised and that all those willing to join the party will be granted a free and fair access.
Our Major Informants Are Officials Of Zamfara, Sokoto Governments–Bandits
Bandits operating along Shinkafi/Sokoto Road, Zamfara State have claimed that officials of Zamfara and Sokoto State governments provide them with information with which they strike and evade arrest by military.
The bandits disclosed this during a peace meeting with popular Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, on Tuesday at Makkai forest.
The meeting was in continuation of the peace moves by Gumi.
It was not the first time the Islamic cleric would be meeting with suspected bandits to broker a peace deal.
About three weeks ago, over 500 bandits reportedly agreed to lay down their weapons in Kaduna after he struck a peace deal with them.
A source at the Tuesday meeting told SaharaReporters that the gunmen claimed officials of both state governments provide information on movements of troops and other operational activities discussed during security meetings to them.
The gunmen also accused the Nigerian government of not being sincere in ending instances of banditry and kidnappings.
“They said they have informants in Zamfara and Sokoto State governments giving them information and that the military can’t arrest them,” the source said.
States in the North-West region have in the last 10 years faced devastating attacks from armed bandits.
Almost 70,000 people have fled the region since April 2019.
According to the International Crisis Group, 11,000 people have died since 2011. Many deaths, particularly in Fulani communities however go unreported.
Several army operations have been launched by the Nigerian government, but most have been largely ineffective.
Some state governments in the region have resorted to signing controversial and secret peace agreements with the gunmen to stop the killings. But despite the accords, communities in such states are still being attacked and residents kidnapped and/or killed.
