Category: News

…Urges Nigerians to eschew expressions of hate and acts of violence

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices, including the supreme sacrifice paid by members of the armed forces, saying that the Enugu State Government would continue to support them in their efforts to make the country safe.

Mbah, who assured that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would not be in vain, however, urged Nigerians to eschew all expressions of hate and acts of violence and insecurity. He stressed that only by so doing would the country truly reciprocate the gallantry of the servicemen and honour the memory of those who paid the supreme price in the service of the fatherland.

The governor gave the commendations and assurances at the laying of wreaths and parade at the Okpara house, Enugu, to conclude the series of events marking the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

He said, “As we are all aware, the Remembrance Day celebration is an annual event to honour the memory of the brave men and women of the Armed Forces, who have paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure that we and countless others across the globe can continue to live in freedom.

“These selfless men and women whom we remember, and honor today gave their lives in operations ranging from the Nigerian Civil War and the numerous internal security operations across the country today to various peacekeeping operations in places as far as Chad, Somalia, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone and many others.

“The sacrifices of these our dear departed defenders are most certainly not lost on us, and our only responsibility as the beneficiaries of their great labour of love can only be to ensure that their high price is ultimately not paid in vain.

“Consequently, we must constantly rededicate ourselves to the duty of maintaining peace and security across our great Nation, not only by eschewing all expressions of hate or acts of violence and insecurity, but also by supporting our brothers and sisters in the security agencies.

“In line with this, this administration will certainly continue to support the men and women of our security services in the state.

“I join you all in praying for the repose of the souls of members of the Armed Forces that made the supreme sacrifice in service of the country and humanity. May their gentle souls rest in perfect and eternal peace. Amen.”

Dr. Mbah thanked members of the armed forces and security agencies for the relative peace and stability that now prevail in the state and enjoined them to continue to show utmost discipline and patriotism.

“I would also like to, once again, restate our profound gratitude, on behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, to the Commanders, officers, soldiers and air men of 82 Division Nigerian Army and 553 Base Services Group Nigerian Air Force as well as the members of the other security agencies for their untiring sacrifice towards securing lives and property of the citizens of Enugu State.

“The current environment of relative peace and tranquillity we are enjoying in Enugu State is due in no small measure to your efforts, which are most appreciated and will never be taken for granted.

“I also commend the officers, men, and women of the security agencies for the cordial relationships they have maintained with their various host communities across the state.

“I enjoin you all to remain the disciplined, competent, and gallant officers we have always known you to be,” Mbah said.

He wished members of the armed forces and their families a great 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

The colourful event, which also witnessed the release of pigeons by the governor as a symbol of peace and love, was attended by heads of the other arms of government and the military formations in the state such as the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Ozoemenam Afojulu; the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major Gen. Hassan Taiwo Dada, represented by the Garrison Commander, Brigadier General Murtala Abu and Dr. Emeka Igwesi, Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Enugu State Council.

Others were the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu; the Commander, 553 Base Service Group (BSG), Nigerian Air Force, Commodore S.A Eyoma, among others.

Governor Umo Eno, today, joined others across the nation to mark the Nigerian Armed Forces/Remembrance Day, at the Cenotaph, off Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.

Sounding emotional , he spoke of the moment he lost lhis father, an Officer of the Nigerian Police in the line of duty to the nation and how his mother was saddled with the challenging task of raising five boys and a girl, and saluted the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes and heroines of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He thereafter, donated the sum of 100 million Naira to the widows of the fallen heroes and another 25 million to the Nigerian Legion.

“As we honour these brave men and women, let us collectively shun tendencies that inflame passions in our polity.

“Let us celebrate our diversity and see the differences as reflected in our rainbow of our colors as sources for strength rather than weakness to be exploited for narrow individual or group’s political, social or economic advantage.

”Let us lower the temperature of incendiary and divisive rhetoric, let us address the root causes of social tensions in our polity, which today, have given rise to separatist agitations all over the nation.

“Today, as we gather all over the nation, let us not forget the families of those who paid the ultimate price, let us give them a reason to be feel proud that their husbands, sons and daughters truly died for causes greater than their individual desires”, the Governor added.

Highlight of the event was the laying of wreaths on the tomb of the unknown soldier, the ceremonial release of pigeons and symbolic 21 gunshots in memory of the fallen heroes.

President Bola Tinubu has implored governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to design and implement policies that prioritize all Nigerians and to always consider the national interest above political affiliations.

The President, who received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) at the State House in Abuja, on Friday, said development policies would only find full relevance in people’s lives when there is inclusivity, ownership, and sustainability.

President Tinubu told the governors that one of the biggest challenges the nation faces was divisiveness, but that the governing party must work towards healing and unifying the country by ensuring a collective national vision, and channelling energy and resources into nation-building.

“You can convert people. You can appeal to people to come to your side,’’ he stated.

The President said Nigeria is too blessed with human, natural, and material resources to be struggling with a dearth of quality infrastructure, quality education, and world-class health facilities.

He said the entire financial system of the country would be re-engineered for inclusivity, effectiveness, and efficiency.

“We have no reason to be poor. Looking back on where we are coming from, where we have been, why we are facing infrastructural decay, a lack of quality and comprehensive education, as well as a lack of health facilities. We are not a cursed country, but blessed,’’ the President said.

President Tinubu asked the governors to come up with a framework that will make the implementation of the school-feeding programme more comprehensive and successful across all states of the federation, taking into consideration the peculiarities of each locality, but working towards having all children in school.

“We have children of school age who are out of school. The way to promote education is to get all governors, including the opposition governors, involved in the school-feeding programme. Please, take it seriously.

“We should not measure the children as statistics. We should measure their return to classrooms as our achievement. We should see economic growth in terms of value and empowerment. We should set up a committee to look into the methods. I am ready to invest in school feeding,” the President said.

The President said the school-feeding programme would encourage more investments in agriculture, particularly in livestock farming and dairy, adding that the former Kano State Governor and APC Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, had already worked on a proposal that would be shared for input and implementation. President Tinubu equally congratulated the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for restoring irrigation systems that provide water for year-long cultivation of crops.

On security, the President said the deployment of forest guards was being considered, with better training, modern technological gadgets and weapons to strengthen security, and that the solid mineral and marine economic sectors will also be secured by special police.

“We have a big marine economy, and I do not see why we should not have the marine police. We will have the same in solid minerals to keep the scavengers away. I am ready to invest in security. We will buy our own minerals and keep them in reserves, especially gold, which will be effective in our foreign exchange reserve,’’ the President told the governors.

The Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, thanked the President for involving governors in the design and implementation of policies, as well as for intervening with financial support in the states.

“We will continue to support you as your able ambassadors, willing ambassadors, and capable ambassadors,’’ Governor Uzodinma said.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has procured brand new SUVs for each of the medical doctors working in the General Hospitals across the State.

Revealing this on his verified X handle, Leo Oketa, the governor’s media aide said the move was aimed at ensuring that medical doctors work seamlessly and respond to duty calls promptly.

Part of the post reads: “Find below, the SUVs procured by Governor @FrancisNwifuru for all the medical doctors working in the General Hospitals across the State, to ensure they are at work seamlessly and respond to duty calls.

“This in no small measure will give them good confidence and assurance of their welfare, having been employed by the State Government. It is meant as well, to ensure that they do not convert the hospital ambulances to their private cars. All the SUVs have been paid for and all of them delivered”.

Oketa also stated that Gov. Nwifuru procured ambulances for each of the general hospitals at a ratio of one general hospital to two ambulances.

“Talking of ambulances, pictures 3 and 4 show some of the ambulances procured by Ebonyi State Government for the General Hospitals. 52 were paid for, but 20 of them have arrived. The rest will be delivered soon. The Governor intends to have 2 ambulances for each General Hospital in Ebonyi State”.

He further noted that the Governor will deploy them soon, according to his esteemed discretion.

The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Alex Otti as the Governor of Abia State.

The court dismissed the appeals by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Okey Ahiwe, and Ikechi Emenike of the APC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, reserved judgment in the appeals by the PDP and the APC against the election of Otti.

The five-man panel led by John Okoro adjourned the matters for judgments after taking arguments from parties involved in the matter.

Otti of the Labour Party polled 175,466 votes to defeat his closest rival, Okey Ahiwe of the PDP, who scored 88,529 votes in the March 18 governorship election.

Punch

The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Zamfara Governor.

The apex court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which had declared the Governorship Election as inconclusive and ordered a re-run in three Local Government Areas of the state.

It held that Lawal, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, secured the majority of lawful votes and was rightly declared the winner of the gubernatorial contest by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

In the lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court, described the verdict of the appellate court as “perverse”.

It restored the earlier decision of the Zamfara State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which affirmed Lawal’s election victory.

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