The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: News

This is an optional category description

  • Sen. Ningi’s Budget Padding Allegation: Nigeria’s Senate Still Owe Us Some Answers – Obi

    Sen. Ningi’s Budget Padding Allegation: Nigeria’s Senate Still Owe Us Some Answers – Obi

    Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, is of the opinion that the Nigerian Senate still owes the people some explanations as regards the budget padding scandal rocking the Upper Chambers at the moment.

    Obi said the claims and counter-claims over the alleged N3trillion which was padded into the 2024 budget, requires proper explanation as to what Nigerians must need to know regarding management of the nation’s.

    The Senate under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio had on Tuesday suspended Senator Abdul Ningi over allegations of N3.7trn padding of the 2024 Budget.

    Ningi, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended for three months after a long stormy session in the red chamber.

    In an interview, Ningi had claimed that the Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget and that the N28.7 trillion Budget passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu was skewed against the North.

    Many Senators and the Presidency had pounced on Ningi, describing his claims as “far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status”.

    Ningi would later deny saying that the country is operating two budgets but insisted that only N25trn of the budget was tied to projects while N3.7trn had no project tied to it.

    Trying to clarify the claims made by Ningi, the presidency came out to say that the National Assembly padded the budget with N1.27tn, adding that it does “not see where the N3tn is coming from.”

    Addressing both the Senate and the Presidency in a communique shared via X, Mr Obi asserted that it is sacrosanct for every penny of Nigeria’s public fund to be used for public good, adding that the alleged N3 trillion is more than the national budget of the two most critical components of the human development index, health and education, combined.

    He stressed that even if there is no N3trillion as claimed, then, the N1.2 trillion which the executive branch admitted to have been padded, if channeled into any of the critical areas of development, could have positively impacted the nation and uplifted the people.

    Below is Mr Obi’s full take on the budget padding issue.

    The fuss over the alleged N3 trillion padded into the 2024 budget raised by a Senator still rages as the Senate’s reaction of suspending the whistle-blower has not addressed vital issues emanating from the allegation.

    The Senator is insisting on his allegation and the Executive agreed that there was only N1.2trillion padded not N3trillion as alleged by the Senator. Fresh allegations have also cropped up over indiscriminate and unbalanced allocation of constituency projects by the Senate leadership.

    A civic society group, Budgit, through their official, have also added their voice to agree with the Senator. They allege that there was no detailed project allocations for about N3.7trn in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

    As the Senate suspension of the senator involved has not addressed the issue, they still owe the Nigerian public a clear clarification over the various claims and counterclaims, including that of the executive arm, to be able to know exactly what is happening, and also disclose to the public, the exact amounts allocated for constituency projects for appropriate monitoring of implementation by the public.

    I had particularly elucidated in my earlier comment on what we can use the N3 trillion to achieve, by showing that it is more than the national budget of the two most critical components of the human development index, health and education, combined.

    Now that the executive arm has accepted that the padded amount is only N1.2 trillion, it is still a very significant amount, when you consider that it is almost 5 times the N251.47 billion proposed for Universal Basic Education, which is the foundation of education, in the Country.

    Today in Nigeria, the greatest challenge to human resource development is education, which has been identified as most critical at the basic level.

    Nigeria has about 20 million out-of-school children today because of the poor investment in education. These are resources that would have been utilised to ensure that our children are taken off the streets and returned to schools.

    The N1.2 trillion which the executive branch admitted to have been padded, if channeled into any of the critical areas of development, could have positively impacted the nation and uplifted the people.

    And if indeed the report from Budgit is true, that there is about N3.7 trillion without any detailed project allocations, I strongly urge the Senate to do more detailed work of channeling these funds into the critical areas of development – education, health and pulling people out of poverty, which will in turn, minimise the criminality we are facing today.

    We must, as a matter of urgency, put a stop to all the wastage of our scarce resources, amid the excruciating hardship in the country. Let every penny of our public fund be used for public good. That is the only way to achieve the New Nigeria we are working towards.

    Channels TV

  • President Tinubu Directs Immediate Opening Of Land, Air Borders With Niger

    President Tinubu Directs Immediate Opening Of Land, Air Borders With Niger

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.

    This directive is in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.

    ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

    The President also directed that other sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted.

    The lifted sanctions includes Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.

    Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.

    Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.

    Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.

    Travel bans on government officials and their family members.

    President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.

    The President’s directives were contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by his Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale .

    VON

  • No Ransom Payment To Free Kidnap Victims By Tinubu’s Gov’t – Information Minister

    No Ransom Payment To Free Kidnap Victims By Tinubu’s Gov’t – Information Minister

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris disclosed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    The minister acknowledged the concerning rise in kidnapping incidents, citing recent cases in Kaduna, Borno, and Sokoto states.
    However, he emphasized that the President has deemed this situation unacceptable and that the government will not condone abductions, kidnappings, or any form of criminality.
    The government’s stance comes amid growing concerns over the escalating kidnapping crisis with criminal elements targeting vulnerable groups, including children, in search of soft targets.
    Recall that over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State were abducted by bandits last Thursday.
    Last Wednesday, suspected terrorists attacked the Buda community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting about 61 people.
    Also recently, 200 women were reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in the Gamboru-Ngala and Dikwa local government areas of Borno State.

    The women, who were Internally Displaced Persons, were said to have been kidnapped while they went into the bush in search of firewood.

    Recognizing the severity of the situation, Idris said President Tinubu has directed security agencies to take proactive measures to halt the spread of this criminal activity.

    He said “You’re also asking about the apparent surge in this kidnapping across the country. Now it is true that some of these are happening, we have seen what has happened in Kaduna, in Borno and then in Sokoto.

    “Of course, government is watching that very closely and not just watching, also ensuring that security agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly.

    “Now, like I said, Mr. President has said that is an unacceptable situation and the government will not condone abductions or kidnappings or any kind of criminality in that direction.

    “We’re seeing this happening and government is taking very proactive steps, first to mitigate that, and also to stop the spread of this apparently.”

    “We are seeing that the more the security agencies are also hitting these targets or criminals, the more they are pushed to also getting some soft targets.

    “But government is not taking any excuses. The President has directed that security agencies must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that these children and all those who have been kidnapped are brought back in safety and also in the process to ensure that not a dime is paid for ransom.”

    The minister further underscored the government’s unwavering commitment, emphasizing, “It’s important to underscore that no dime, government is not paying anybody any dime, and the government is optimistic that these children and other people that have been abducted will be brought back to their families in safety.”

    Leadership

  • Enugu gov’t partners UK’s FCDO on technical assistance on food production; approves 15000 hectares for food security, seals PPP deal with Ugwuanama Farms

    Enugu gov’t partners UK’s FCDO on technical assistance on food production; approves 15000 hectares for food security, seals PPP deal with Ugwuanama Farms

    The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has expressed readiness to partner with Enugu State government on food production and other agricultural developments through provision of technical assistance to improve the state’s agro-allied sector.

    The UK body, which through its Propcom+ project, provides climate resilience programme and supports sustainable, smart agriculture and forestry transformation, gave the assurance, Tuesday, when the Team Leader, Dr Adiya Ode, led a delegation of the organization on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, at the Government House, Enugu.

    She said the programme is a nine month-programme which started in 2023 and ended in January with nine states benefitting from the assistance it provided, adding that the programme focused on improvement on agricultural productivity and ways to reduce conflicts over natural resources.

    Ode disclosed that Enugu State picked interest in the programme because it saw the work they were able to do in some states like Edo State. She said they would provide technical assistance to the state government in areas of improved forestry resources, improved land resources of the state, and also rehabilitate the resources to produce commodities which will include oil palm, cashew, among other agricultural produce.

    According to her: “You know Enugu State is one of the states that have some forest resources and some of those resources can be used for farming and for non-timber forestry.

    “Enugu State is desirous of improving the management of these resources. So, Propcom+ will assist Enugu in the use of its land and its utility of forestry. We will be providing some technical supports, so that Enugu State can work out how that forest resource is used. This will ensure that the commodities that it produces can benefit the small holders and farmers. So, I think the indigenes will stand to benefit from this work.”

    Responding, Governor Mbah described the visit as a huge opportunity for Enugu State to maximize and boost the state’s agricultural production adding that “the state government is committed to the project and to the things they shared, what they set out as forest activities within the agricultural space, those areas for positive preservation, ensuring that they are not subject to random activities that may affect the quality of our forestry.”

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialization, Engr. Patrick Ubru, was working diligently to have a holistic plan toward technical advisory support in the area that they may not have competence in the state, noting, that they were very mindful that the plan would work.

    “We do not take it for granted that FCDO is including us in this. We want to utilize every opportunity and make sure that our relationship is mutually beneficial. This is very important to us” he said.

    The governor also said the state would be prioritizing the outcome of the intervention even as the administration anticipated more robust partnership and bigger intervention.

    Enugu Gov’t approves 15000 hectares for food security, seals PPP deal with Ugwuanama Farms

    As one of the measures to ensure food security and sufficiency in the state, the administration of Governor Peter Mbah has approved the leasing of 15000 hectares of land for Ugwuanama Farms Limited for agricultural production in Isi-Uzo local government area of the state.

    The state government, which also sealed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the company through the execution of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), stated that the farmland would be used specifically for the industrial cultivation of cassava, rice, maize, banana plantation, oil palm production, yam, and other produce.

    Speaking shortly after signing the MoU on Tuesday at the Government House, Enugu, the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, described the partnership as a significant milestone towards achieving the promise of the government to create an enabling environment for agro-industrialisation.

    Governor Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, said the government was expecting to see those milestones earlier agreed with the Farms as a partnership, adding that an increased yield in the state production will increase Enugu’s gross domestic products (GDP).

    He stressed that the state has both comparative and competitive advantages in some mainstream crops because of its arable land, which would also create jobs and raise the purchasing power of the people.

    Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Ugwuanama Farms Limited, Alhaji Sanni Nnaji, disclosed that they had started cultivation and production on a large scale. “As we are producing, we will also be processing. Our target is to crash the cost of food so that we have cheap food affordable for everyone to eat.

    “Again, our aim is to get our growers, get youths, women back to farm. Apart from 15000 hectares, I have done it in Isi-uzo with 1,500 farmers and we are going to increase our workforce. We are going to have over 5,000 farmers cultivating their own farmlands. We already established a cassava processing plant in Isi-Uzo and we have cultivated cassava of more than 1000 hectares. So, when cassava is due for processing, we will start cultivation immediately.”

    Nnaji said they focused mainly on rice, cassava, oil palm, maize and yam production, expressing the possibility of expanding their cultivation and production.

    On the number of jobs to be created, Nnaji explained that they were expecting between 200,000 to 300,000 jobs within the next two years.

    Also speaking on the management of the farms, he said they had plans to bring in expatriates for their technical-know-how. “We have a lot of partners who are coming .We are bringing in a lot of machines. We are going to develop a very good smart farm in Isi-Uzo”.

    On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialization, Engr. Patrick Ubru, said the state government has ensured adequate security (military base) in Isi-Uzo council area for the protection and safety of lives and business.

    He added that the government was doing enough to make the state attractive to investors by derisking investment flow. “The government is acquiring the land, making it available for farmers in commercial quantity, and also creating access road to facilitate movements”.

  • Kidnapped Kaduna pupil escapes from Abductors, narrates story

    Kidnapped Kaduna pupil escapes from Abductors, narrates story

    One of the kidnapped pupils from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mustapha Abubakar, who luckily escaped has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors.

    This was according to a report by BBC Hausa Service published online on Monday, March 11, 2024.

    According to Abubakar, the kidnappers treated them like a ‘herd of cows’ grazing in the bush.

    Recall that over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State were abducted by bandits on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

    The bandits reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.

    Narrating his experience, Abubakar said he escaped by craftily hiding in the bush while they were being transported into the forest on foot by the bandits.

    He said, “We trekked in the bush; sometimes we crawled. We were so thirsty that some of the girls were becoming weak and falling due to tiredness. The bandits were lifting them and putting some of them on motorcycles.

    “We reached a big river, where we drank water and continued trekking. There was a plane that hovered above us. That was when the bandits ordered us to remove one of our clothes and lie down.

    “The bandits themselves are tired, they didn’t have anything to eat but they are eating grass and rope in the forest, they didn’t give us anything to eat.

    “While we were trekking, I noticed a shrub that was brown in colour, like my trouser. I hid inside and crawled like a snake. I was there until it was completely silent before I came out and headed to the bush.”

    He noted that he met an old man who could hardly walk, so he could show him the way to the side of the road or another town to get drinking water.

    According to Abubakar, he travelled a long distance until he later arrived at Gayan, a community from where he finally escaped.

    Meanwhile, Senator Uba Sani who led senior government officials and heads of security agencies in the state to the scene of the attack on Thursday evening, assured the community that those abducted by the bloodthirsty bandits would return unhurt.

    The governor said he had spoken to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu on the matter and that security operatives had swung into action in search of the abducted pupils.

    Punch

  • Enugu Police Operatives Bust Car Stealing Syndicate, Arrest Suspects, Recover Stolen Vehicles, Other Exhibits

    Enugu Police Operatives Bust Car Stealing Syndicate, Arrest Suspects, Recover Stolen Vehicles, Other Exhibits

    …CP Kanayo reaffirms Police determination to purge Enugu State of unrepentant criminals

    Police Operatives of Enugu State Command, serving in the Uwani Police Division, have busted a car-stealing syndicate, arresting four (4) male suspects and recovering four (4) suspected stolen vehicles and numerous car keys from them. The success follows the mounting of operational surveillance by the Operatives, upon receiving several reports of the cars stealing within the Kenyetta Market axis in Uwani, Enugu.

    Accordingly, Anioko Chukwujekwu aged 32, the syndicate’s kingpin, was arrested on March 3, 2024, at about noon while attempting to steal a car from where it was parked at the market. Numerous cars’ keys were recovered from him.

    During the preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime, while his confessional statements led to the further arrest of three (3) more suspects in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, who are his conspirators, receivers, and sellers of the stolen vehicles. They include Ugochukwu Okoh aged 41 and Nkemdi Idah aged 65, arrested on March 7, 2024, and Nwoke Sunday aged 57, arrested on March 9, 2024. A total of four different models of Mercedes-Benz cars, comprising two 190 E (respectively ash-coloured with Reg. No. SKA 292 AA and red-coloured without Reg. No.), one blue-coloured C-Class with Reg. No. AGL 512 EY, and black-coloured 230 E (V-Boot) with Reg. No. CHR 50 AE, were recovered from them.

    The suspects will be arraigned in court and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, psc (+), has maintained that the Command will not rest on its oars to purge Enugu State of unrepentant criminals and their activities. Hence, he enjoins residents of the State to continue to be law-abiding, security-conscious, and quickly report suspected criminals to the nearest Police Station, or call 08086671202 or 08098880102.

    DSP DANIEL NDUKWE, anipr
    Police Public Relations Officer,
    Enugu State Command,
    State Headquarters,
    GRA, Enugu.
    March 11, 2024.

  • Gov. Fubara Appoints Chief Press Secretary

    Gov. Fubara Appoints Chief Press Secretary

    The governor, in a statement signed by his senior special assistant on media, Boniface Onyedi, said the appointment was with immediate effect.

    The one-paragraph statement reads: “This is to bring to the notice of Rivers people and the general public that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of Mr. Nelson Chukwudi as the chief press secretary to the governor with immediate effect.

    “With over 25 years in journalism practice, Chukwudi had served as Group News Editor as well as Opinion Editor and Features Editor in The Tide Newspaper.”

  • Rotary International President to visit Nigeria, offers $7m grant

    Rotary International President to visit Nigeria, offers $7m grant

    Rotary International President, Gordon Mclnally, will be on a three-day working visit to Nigeria from Friday.

    During the visit, a fresh donation of US$7 million for eradication and disease and prevention across the country will be made.

    A statement by the Coordinator of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Prof. Emmanuel Dolapo Lufadeju and the Co-coordinator, Dr. Goddy Nnadi, said Mclnally’s visit would enhance ties between the federal government and Rotary International.

    The statement read in part: “This visit is to cement the already existing bond between the Federal Government of Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and other stakeholders.

    “Nigeria is the awardee of the 2nd Programme of Scale (PoS), a US$2 million US dollar grant, for the improvement of maternal and child health code-named – Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria.

    “Also, recently, a new grant amounting to US$14 million was given by Rotary, through the WHO to the Government of Nigeria, to enable WHO to provide technical assistance on polio surveillance.

    “The grant was also a support to avert a resurgence of wild polio as well as to eradicate the Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (CVPVD2) in the country (CVPVD2).

    “Another US$7 million is to be donated by Rotary to UNICEF for eradication and disease prevention in Nigeria.”

    Daily Trust

  • Ebonyi’s Nwifuru Commences Asphalting of Concrete Roads

    Ebonyi’s Nwifuru Commences Asphalting of Concrete Roads

    The Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Francis Nwifuru, has commenced asphalting of concrete roads in the Abakaliki Metropolis to further solidify his determination to deliver quality infrastructure in the State.

    The asphalting is currently ongoing at Emefor Street along Ukwu Akpu, Nwele, and Nnorom Street, as well as other internal roads in the State Capital.

    According to the state commissioner for Works and Transportation, Engr. Stanley Mbam, the asphalting would further smoothen the roads and ensure better connections for transportation in the state capital.

    “The ongoing asphalt work in Ebonyi State, specifically at Emerfor Street along Ukwu Akpu, Nwele, Nnorom, and other internal roads, is being undertaken under the directive of the Executive Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and the Ministry of Works and Transport.

    “The previous concrete coating on internal roads within the capital city has already been completed, and the current asphalt work aims to further smoothen the roads, ensuring better connectivity and transportation for the people of Ebonyi State,” Mbam said.

    Residents in these areas commended the governor for embarking on the road projects and expressed gratitude for what Governor Francis Nwifuru has been doing in the state since his assumption of office in the area of human and infrastructural development.

    They commended the governor for the quality job being executed on the project.

    VON

  • Sultan Declares Commencement of Ramadan Today

    Sa'adu_Abubakar_-Sultan_of_Sokoto_
    The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has confirmed the sighting of the moon marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 1445AH.

    The Sultan, in a post shared by the National Moonsighting Committee Nigeria on its X handle on Sunday, called on Muslims across the country to commence fasting on Monday, March 11, 2024.

    “Today, Monday 29th day Sha’aban 1445AH which is equivalent to 10th March 2024, marks the end of Sha’aban 1445 AH. The reports of positive moon were received from muslim leaders and organisations across the country which we fully accepted.

    “Consequently, Monday the 11th day of March 2024 will count as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH. We therefore, call on muslims across the country to commence fast accordingly. We call on all muslims to use the glorious month of Ramadan for extra prayers for our leaders and country, Nigeria.

    “We appeal to the well meaning individuals amongst us to assist the vulnerable and poor with food and other items during this glorious month to cushion the effect of hardship being experienced in the country. May Allah SWT reward our Ibadat with Al-Jannah firdaus. Ramadan Kareem to all muslims in Nigeria and the world over,” he said.

    Earlier, the crescent, which signals the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

    “The Crescent of Ramadan 1445/2024 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia! Subsequently, Ramadan 1445/2024 begins tomorrow, 11 March 2024. Taraweeh Prayers will begin in the Two Holy Mosques after Isha Prayers,” the Haramain Sharafain in Saudi Arabia said in a statement.

    The moon, which was spotted on Sunday evening, signals the end of Sha’aban, the eight month of the Hijri Calendar, and the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan which is equivalent to Monday, March 11.

    The month of Ramadan is determined by the Lunar Islamic calendar in which months span either 29 or 30 days, and commence as well as conclude based on the sighting of the moon.

    Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar in which Muslims world over fast for either 29 or 30 days based on the sighting of the moon. During this period, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.

    Channels TV

  • Eminent Nigerians In Attendance As Herbert, Wife, Son Are Laid To Rest In Rivers

    Herbert Wigwe, Wife, Chizoba and son, Chizi, died in a helicopter crash in California, USA, on February 9, 2024. X/@myaccessbank

    Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba and son, Chizi have been buried in his hometown Omueke, Isiokpo in Rivers State.

    The late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, his wife and son were laid to rest in a private interment following funeral church service.

    Their burial followed a week-long funeral rites to celebrate the life of the late banking guru, his wife and son.

    The funeral service for the esteemed banker and philanthropist commenced promptly at 11:00 AM today. Mourners, including friends, associates, and well-wishers from both local and international communities, gathered to pay their final respects.

    Present at the service are; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, business leader Aliko Dangote, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, Gov. Alex Otti, Gov. Dapo Abiodun, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Gov. Babajide Sawno-Olu, former Anambra State Gov. Peter Obi and other notable captains of industry.

    Other top dignitaries in attendance are Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and State Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu, who is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the burial ceremony.

    Also at the funeral are Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Dr. Godknows Igali, a former Nigerian diplomat, among many others.

    The trio of Herbert, Chizoba and Chizi Wigwe alongside former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, as well as two pilots were all in the Airbus Helicopter EC 130B4 with registration number N130CZ, which crashed near Halloran Springs, California, on February 9, 2024.

    The exact cause of the crash is not yet known, but a preliminary report released by US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) two weeks ago, said the chopper was seen by several witnesses in vehicles who reported it as a “fireball” before its eventual crash.

    According to the NTSB, the witnesses reported that the weather on the fateful day of the helicopter crash was a mix of rain and snow.

    During the events leading to Wigwe’s burial, several friends, captains of industry, family members and associates paid tributes to the late banking guru.

    Channels TV

  • Int’l Women’s Day: We’ll continue to empower women by inspiring their inclusion – Gov Mbah

    Int’l Women’s Day: We’ll continue to empower women by inspiring their inclusion – Gov Mbah

    The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reiterated support for women through policy inclusion, empowerment, capacity building and investment that will continue to drive the growth and progress of the society.

    The governor made this known on Friday in a press statement celebrating Enugu women and women across the globe during the 2024 International Women’s Day, stressing that women have played vital roles in the country’s nation-building and development.

    He commended women for their resilient and outstanding efforts towards ensuring that the moral rectitude of the society through family discipline is still upheld.

    “Today, on the International Women’s Day, I honour the outstanding achievements of our women who serve as the pillars of our families, models of resiliency, trailblazers and visionaries. Every day, their grace, courage, and knowledge inspire us,” the statement read in part.

    Governor Mbah, while looking at this year’s theme of the International Women’s Day, “Investing in women: Accelerate progress” and “Inspire Inclusion”, said his administration has been deliberate in giving women a voice in the decision making process through extensive inclusion, training, and appointments into his cabinet.

    According to him, his government will continue to foster a sense of belonging, gender equality, decent work environment, empowerment and inclusion across all the spectrum of the state, adding that the administration was eliminating all barriers against women through education, policies and infrastructure.

    The statement further reads: “In every corner of our state, our women have woven their strength into the fabric of our society. We see them lead in boardrooms, nurture families, educate our youth, and shape policies that uplift us all. Their steadfast dedication to equality, fairness, and community propels us all on the path to a better future.

    “On our part as government, we shall continue to advocate the rights of women. We must ensure that every girl has access to quality education. We shall ensure that Enugu remains the land of opportunity to our children, enabling them pursue their dreams unhindered.

    “Together, we shall dismantle barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create pathways for success, because when our women rise, our society as a whole rises and accelerates in growth and progress.”