The Nigerian Army has taken responsibility for Sunday’s Air Strike that left many villager killed and several others injured at Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State.
This development was confirmed by Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs at the end of an emergency security meeting on Monday.
On Sunday night while the villagers were marking the Maulud celebration to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, an unmanned aerial vehicle bombed some parts of the community, killing a yet to ascertained number of individuals.
Following the incident, the Kaduna state government convened an emergency security meeting which on Monday was chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe.
It was at the meeting which was attended by heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders as well as representatives of Tudun Biri community, that core details regarding the incident were revealed.
Addressing journalists after the security meeting held behind close door, Samuel Aruwan, explained that the bombing on the villagers was unintended and unfortunate.
The Commissioner explained that the troops of the Nigerian Army were on a routine mission against terrorists in the area and accidentally the operation affected members of the community.
He also disclosed that search and rescue operations are still ongoing, while those who were injured have been rushed to the Barau Dikko teaching hospital for treatment.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Nigeria’s large delegation of 1, 411 persons to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). PDP alleged that the country’s “over-bloated” delegation to the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) brimmed with President Bola Tinubu’s “cronies, political minions and their mistresses at huge expense to the nation”.
Also, the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, also condemned Nigeria’s extraordinarily big team at the ongoing conference. Obi advised the federal government to build Nigeria’s capacity to compete with China, which, reportedly, also came with a similarly huge delegation as Nigeria, in production, rather than waste national resources on sponsorship of too many delegates to a specialised conference of experts.
This is just a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Tope Ajayi rose to the defend the large delegation, insisting their participation was very important and not a jamboree.
Although, it was found that many of the people in Nigeria’s delegation to COP28 were from the private sector and may have paid their way to the conference, nevertheless, PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the bloated delegation was a further confirmation that the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration was wasteful, frivolous and reckless in the application of the scarce resources of the country. PDP regretted that the waste was especially at a time Nigerians were yearning for prudent management of resources to achieve the desired infrastructure regeneration, job creation and revamping of the economy.
PDP dismissed attempts by the presidency to rationalise the bloated delegation by trying to hide under genuine sub-national officials, businesses, journalists, and civil societies that travelled at their own expense.
Ologunagba said in the statement, “Our party and all well-meaning Nigerians are appalled by the level of profligacy inherent in the APC administration, whose actions and policies so far are skewed towards the promotion and institutionalisation of corruption.
“The attempt to deceive Nigerians, even when the list of the delegation is in the public domain, shows that the APC administration is irredeemably depraved.
“We ask, why would a country whose citizens are dying daily from inability to purchase necessities be willing to fritter its resources and scarce foreign exchange in such a manner? It only points to the fact that this administration is not interested in the good of the generality of our citizens but for a select few positioned to fleece the nation’s resources.”
Similarly, Obi, in a series of posts on his X handle yesterday, in reaction to the trending large Nigerian delegation to COP28, decried the waste and wrong imitation of a country dutifully pulling their people out of poverty. Reports from Dubai indicated that Nigeria equalled China with 1,411 persons at the conference, the highest in the global event, aside from the host, UAE.
In a satirical response to the size of Nigeria’s contingent, Obi said, “In a twist of sad irony, let me congratulate the giant of Africa, Nigeria, for matching the great China, with the same number of contingents at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Nigeria’s contingent to COP28 totalled 1,411, the same number as the Chinese contingents.”
The LP candidate noted that while China’s budget for 2024 was about $4 trillion, about $2,860 per head; Nigeria’s budget was about $33 billion, about $165 per head.
China has a high Human Development Index, HDI, with a ranking of 79 out of 191 countries measured, and Nigeria has a low HDI, with a ranking of 163 out of 191 countries measured.
Besides, Nigeria has more people living in “Multi-Dimensional” poverty than China, despite China having seven times Nigeria’s population.
Obi stated, “Most importantly, the vast majority of those in the Nigerian delegation to COP28 are either non-relevant civil servants or relations, friends, and hangers-on of high government officials. Most of them hardly understand or have anything to do with climate change.
“This huge contingent is at public expense and at a time when most Nigerians can hardly afford food and basic needs as a result of economic hardship. I pray earnestly that a day will come soon enough when we can focus on competing with China on productivity and the miracle of migrating the highest number of its citizens out of poverty over a relatively short time.
“As we have kept emphasising, we must stop waste as an addition to our government and nation. We urgently need to cut the cost of governance and invest in production.
“We need to de-emphasise unnecessary ceremony and showmanship as a mode of government behaviour. We need to tie spending to necessity and national priority pointing out that a New Nigeria is possible but we only need to do the reasonable and the necessary.”
Presidential Aide: Separating the Facts from Fiction
Writing against the background of widespread public criticisms, Mr Tope Ajayi stated that It was important to set the record straight and provide some clarity. below are excerpts:
To begin with, the Summit is tagged COP which means Convention of Parties. The ongoing Summit in Dubai with over 97,000 delegates from more than 100 countries around the world is the 28th in the series since the issue of climate change and action took preeminent stage in global affairs. COP27 took place at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt last year.
When the world comes together to take actions on achieving a common goal and proffer collective solutions to a nagging global concern, there are parties involved from government, private sector, civil society, media and multilateral institutions. The people coming together to advance their different agenda and interests from governments, businesses and civil societies are the parties to the convention who represent various shades of opinions and pushing for various mitigating actions.
In Nigeria like so many other countries, interested parties comprising government officials from both the Federal and sub-national governments, business leaders, environmentalists, climate activists and journalists are present in Dubai. Also participating are agencies of government such as the NNPC and its subsidiaries, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, NIMASA, NDDC. Many youth organisations from Nigeria especially from the Northern and Niger-Delta regions whose lives and livelihoods are most impacted by desert encroachment and hydrocarbon activities are also represented. The President of Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lokpobiri, leads a pan-Ijaw delegation of more than 15 people who registered as parties from Nigeria.
Among delegates from Nigeria are also over 20 journalists from various media houses. Their participation is very important. It is not for jamboree as it is being mischievously represented on social media.
It is important to state here that delegates from all countries whether from government, private sector, media and civil society groups attend COP summits and conferences as parties and the number of attendees are registered against their countries of origin. This does not mean that they are sponsored or funded by the government. It must be said also that the fact that people registered to attend a conference does not mean everyone that registered is physically present.
As the biggest country in Africa, biggest economy and one with a bigger stake on climate action as a country with huge extractive economy, it is a no-brainer that delegates from Nigeria will be more than any other country in Africa.
Among the delegates from Nigeria are UBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA group, and other billionaires whose businesses are promoting sustainability and climate actions through their philanthropies. These businessmen and women and their staff who came with them to promote their own business interests are part of the 1,411 delegates from Nigeria. Their trip to Dubai is not funded by the Federal Government.
United Nations Climate summit, by its very nature, commands attendance of big names from across the world – statesmen and women, politicians, lawmakers, corporate titans, journalists and activists, etc who promote big global agenda. So, people attend the summit for many reasons. And because climate issue is the biggest global issue of the moment, it is not surprising that over 97,000 people including Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, King Charles of United Kingdom, Prime Minister of Netherlands, Mark Rutte, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, US Special Envoy on Climate Change and former Secretary of State, John Kerry, President Bola Tinubu, United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, World Bank President, Ajay Banga, International Monetary Fund President, Kristalina Georgieva, World Trade Organisation Director General, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Africa Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina, former US Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Al Gore and almost 100 Heads of States and Governments converged on Dubai for COP28. It is the first of its kind in the history of the summit because of the importance of climate change to global well-being.
After the opening and national statements by Heads of States which began from November 30 when the summit opened and up until Saturday December 2, 2023, the real work of COP28 which are the technical sessions and negotiations, financing, etc will begin from Monday, December 4 till December 12 where agreements will be reached on many proposals for consideration and ratification by the parties.
Those with sufficient understanding and knowledge on climate matters know that issues around the subject have layers and multiplicity of factors that require experts from various fields. There are lined-up technical sessions on financing climate actions at sub-national levels, regions and local governments. State Governors from Nigeria such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom have been really busy with their officials at COP28, making presentations, speaking at panel sessions and pitching some of their sustainability projects to development partners and investors.
Multifaceted stakeholders from different countries including Nigeria are on ground in Dubai because they don’t want decisions that will affect them to be taken without pushing their own agenda. It is the reason delegates from China and Brazil are over 3000 respectively. China is one of the world biggest polluters and Brazil is at the centre of global climate debate with her Amazon rainforest.
These two countries know important decisions that will affect them will be taken and they have to move everything to be fully on ground and ensure they are fully represented by their best brains at every level of discussion and negotiation.
Like former President Muhammadu Buhari and other African leaders who demanded fair deal and climate justice for Africa at previous UN Climate summits, President Tinubu is leading the charge at COP28 on behalf of Nigeria and the rest of the continent, demanding from the West that any climate decision and action must be fair and just to Africa and Nigeria in particular, especially the debate around energy transition. President Tinubu has been unequivocal in his position that Africa that is battling problems of poverty, security and struggling to provide education and healthcare to her people can not be told to abandon its major source of income which is mostly from extractive industries without the West providing the funding and investment in alternative and clean energy sources. President Tinubu and other officials on the Federal government delegation are in Dubai for serious business not jamboree. Our President has been very busy representing our country well. Since Thursday morning when he arrived Dubai, President Tinubu has spent not less than 18hours daily in attending very important sessions, pushing our national agenda whilst holding bilateral and business meetings on the sidelines.
Captains of industry and prospective investors of South-East extraction have expressed their readiness to key into the investment and economic growth plans of the Dr. Peter Mbah-led Enugu State government.
They expressed satisfaction with the administration’s effort at rallying local domestic business leaders and de-risking the state’s business environment, stressing that investments go to where the risks are less and return on investment (ROI) is high.
This was even as Governor Mbah harped on synergic regional cooperation for economic development, saying a people could only get respect outside their land proportionate to the socio-economic growth in their own homeland.
The business moguls gave the indication in Enugu at the weekend during the inauguration of the Enugu Investors Network, an initiative of the Enugu State Government for mobilising domestic investment.
One of the many business leaders at the event, which also served as the inaugural roundtable of the Network, Dr. Sam Onyishi, CEO of Peace Group of Companies, commended the governor for improved security.
He urged Ndigbo to think home, emphasising that the long-term security of Igbo investment could only be guaranteed in their homeland.
“The government is thinking what I was thinking. The first thing that this government did was to work on the Monday sit-at-home. Two years ago, we did not go to work for 62 days. Last year, we did not go to work for 67 days. This year was going to be worse than that.
“Why I said that the government is thinking what I was thinking is because on the 23rd of November 2013, I told my family that I was not going to make any investment that is worth more than N1 billion outside the South-East.
“I am happy with this government. This is the first time that anybody is inviting me in Enugu State to come and have this kind of heart-to-heart discussion with the governor seated too. The other ones were a kind of ‘come, talk and go home.’ But this one is action. The governor says, ‘This is what we have and what we are going to do together’. It is straight to the point.
“We must be plain and frank with ourselves. So, I do not want to talk about what Nigeria is and what Nigeria is not. As far as I am concerned, I am made for where I come from. Charity begins at home.”
Corroborating, the Chairman of Coscharis Group, Sir Cosmas Maduka, said the Group had since turned homeward, investing heavily in agriculture, among others, in Anambra State and would be eager to explore any of the outlined investment opportunities in Enugu State.
“I want to thank the Governor for thinking alike. However, security is a priority for a true investor, and it is the role of government. That is why I said that investment capital goes where it is safe.
“But you are on the right track. If opportunity presents itself, I would be interested, and that is why we are here”, Maduka stated.
In his remarks, Governor Mbah, who recalled how Dr. Michael Okpara turned the Eastern Region economy around by assembling eminent personalities such as constitute the Enugu Investors Network, said the narratives of insecurity, economic underdevelopment, laxity, and lack of ambitious development initiatives could be changed as they did not represent people of the South-East.
“So, we now have a government in Enugu State that has expressed a humongous vision and ambition as to where we want to see Enugu in the next four to eight years under our watch. We proposed to grow this economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion to become one of the top players in Nigeria by GDP in the next four to eight years.
“This growth we envision in Enugu is not one that is going to come through the public sector. We expect that the growth would come from investments from the private sector.
“So, my intention here today is to elicit your engagement, your questions, and indeed your involvement on how we can grow Enugu’s economy and, by extension, the South-East economy”, Mbah stated.
Earlier in their remarks, the Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Adaora Chukwu, said the launch of the Enugu Investors Network underscored the fact that while it was important to look outward for global partnerships, the domestic business leaders were key to Enugu actualising its potential and experiencing irreversible growth and prosperity.
“This administration plans to grow the economy from the inside to outside, putting domestic industry at the centre of our economic plans”, Onyia stated.
…Umahi Assures of Commitment to Delivery of Enduring Road Infrastructure in Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria has restated its commitment to the delivery of enduring road infrastructure that will conform with the world best standard and add value to the economic recovery action plan of the Renewed Hope administration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This was contained in the message of the Hon. Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Dave Umahi when he received the handover of the completed 2nd Niger Bridge project and ancillary facilities from the contractor that handled the project, Messr Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at the 2nd Niger Bridge toll station.
Speaking, Umahi said “We are here to take over the completed works of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on the 2nd Niger Bridge and some access roads.
“We are satisfied with the works done and which project circle was completed under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We thank the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for doing quite a lot to bring this project to fruition and of course my prodecesor, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola who was the Hon. Minister of Works that handled this project. The job is impeccably beautiful and well completed”.
The Hon. Minister stated that in line with the new innovations of Mr President on road infrastructure, his Ministry would work to ensure the installation of solar powered light on the length of the completed project, ensure that the two interchanges of the bridges are completed, acquire more land through the State Government so as to have service stations and ensure security on the road through the installation of CCTV cameras.
The former Ebonyi governor revealed that the Ministry also plans to concession the project through the HDMI programme.
“We have the light issue and we shall put our heads together on how to have light permanently along the completed road especially at night and we have agreed on solar solution. The road project will be fully completed when we have completed the two interchanges.
“One is taking road users off from Asaba town so that if you are coming to this bridge, you don’t have to go through Asaba town to encounter vehicular traffic while the other one is to take road users off Onitsha town to avoid traffic, and it is when this is done that the entire job will be said to have been fully completed. Julius Berger and RCC have been respectively proposed to handle the jobs.
“However, If we get an investor who is prepared to fund the two interchanges, we shall concession the two projects to such investor under our HDMI programme, and we are going to acquire more lands here so we can establish service stations and get the private sector to build hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, fillings stations and other facilities for public use as we see in the western world.
“Of course we are going to ensure security surveillance along the road through the installation of CCTV cameras and deployment of security personnel so that within this axis you can have access to security within the shortest possible time”.
The Hon. Minister also said that although Federal Government is taking over the completed 2nd Niger Bridge, the contractor shall still be liable within the defect liability period and so if anything goes wrong in the completed job, the contractor will be called upon to fix it. He added that the toll would be activated the moment the two interchanges are fixed.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Director, Bridge Design and Construction, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Obioha thanked the Federal Government for working assiduously to ensure that the project was completed. He noted that the Ministry worked well with the contractor to ensure the project was completed on record time and hoped that the public would compliment this Federal Government’s efforts by abiding by the rules of the road and helping to ensure the safety and protection of the installations along the road.
On his own part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria ( JBN) Plc, Dr Las Ritcher said the bridge was commissioned by the immediate past administration but there was need for a technical handover to the Federal Ministry of Works, hence the handover ceremony.
He expressed hope that the Federal Ministry of Works under Sen. Umahi who is known for his penchant for quality delivery of jobs would be satisfied with the quality of job done.
“He has seen what Julius Berger had delivered to the highest quality.I think he is satisfied and from tomorrow we can say it is not our project; it is now the project of the Federal Ministry of Works. I am delighted to handover to the client and that he can run that road, including the toll station”.
It is to be noted that the contract awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria ( JBN) Plc is for the construction of 2nd Niger Bridge linking Anambra and Delta States, Contract No. 6475 and construction of access road from existing Benin- Asaba Expressway to approach link road to 2nd Niger Bridge,Contract No 7919.
Meanwhile the Hon. Minister of Works had on the same day paid an inspection visit to the project site of CGG Nig. Ltd on the contract for the Rehabilitation of Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway Section 111: Enugu- Lokpanta 61.15 kn road.
The Hon. Minister also visited the collapsed New Artisan bridge along NNPC Mega Fillings Station Enugu- PH Expressway, Enugu State. Works in those locations are ongoing and are expected to be delivered in record time.
Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji
Chief Press Secretary to the Hon. Minister of Works
The Senate on Friday passed for second reading, the N27.5 trillion 2024 Appropriation Bill presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 29, 2023.
LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that the bill is now with the appropriation committee and will undergo public hearing for two weeks before likely approval of the National Assembly on 19 December, 2023.
This followed debates by lawmakers on the general principles of the appropriation bill.
The lawmakers, at the resumed debate, called for increased funding for road infrastructure, education, power, agriculture, among other sectors in the country.
They also called for a reduction in borrowing and improved budgetary provision for security and sustained peace in the Niger-Delta for improved crude oil production.
On Wednesday, President Tinubu presented a record N27.5 trillion as the proposed budget for 2024, before a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives and asked the lawmakers to expedite the consideration of the budget and ensure that the appropriation bill is passed before January.
Senator Adams Oshiomole (APC -Edo) said there was need for appropriations to be made for the completion of the Benin-Auchi road,saying that the road was a major link connecting Nigerians from the six geopolitical zones.
He said the eventual completion of the road would further help improve economic activities.
He said it was not for the Senate to be debating exchange rate, saying that determinants of exchange rate was a matter of microeconomic policies.
Senator Franchis Fadahunsi (PDP-Osun), who commended the 2024 budget estimates, said there was a need for the masses to benefit from the content of the budget on implementation.
He called for allocation of more funds to ensure completion of roads in Osun State and other parts of the federation.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia) said not much was allocated to power as information indicates that less than 3 per cent was allocated to power in the budget.
He said power was key to employment generation and optimal workings of other sectors and the economy in general.
He said the Senate would have to re-order the priorities in the budget for direct impact on the economy, going forward.
Other senators, who emphasised the need to appropriate more funds for road infrastructure, and improve educational systems among others sectors include Senator Oluranti Adebule (APC-Lagos) Senator Abba Moro (PDP-Benue).
Senator Moro said allocation to education should be based on UNESCO provisions, given the challenges in the education sector.
Former President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, commended President Tinubu for the budget.
He said the success of any administration was based on the support the legislature gives to the executive, saying that the National Assembly must continue to give support to President Tinubu.
He called on the Senate committees to be interested in what happened on the implementation of previous budgets of 2021, 2022, 2023 both supplementary and main budget.
Senator Lawan said emphasis must be placed on having a secured safe school for schools to function, and provision of enabling peace in Niger-Delta.
He called for security in the 2024 budget, saying that security was key in attaining the required economic activities.
Last week, both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the 2024-2026 Medium-term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), the parameters on which the 2024 appropriation bill will be framed.
The lawmakers approved $73.96, $73.76 and $69.90 per barrel as benchmark oil prices for daily crude oil production of 1.78 million barrels, 1.80 million barrels, and 1.81 million barrels, for 2024, 2025, and 2026 respectively.
Also, the parliament approved an exchange rate of N700/$, N665.61/$ and N669.79/$, as proposed by the federal government for the period 2024–2026.
Recall that President Tinubu, at his maiden budget presentation before the National Assembly, said the proposed 2024 budget will ensure microeconomic stability, poverty reduction, and greater access to social security.
The president highlighted priority areas such as security, local job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security.
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jubril, who concluded the proceedings referred the bill to the Committee of Appropriations.
The committee is to return back to plenary on December 19 where the appropriation bill is likely to be passed.
The central bank on Friday announced that all bank accounts without Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) will be placed on “Post no Debit” effective April 2024.
The new directive was contained in a circular issued by the central bank and sent to all deposit money banks.
The circular was signed by the central bank’s Director of Payments System Management Department, Chibuzo Efobi, and the Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Haruna Mustapha.
“Post No Debit” refers to restrictions imposed by banks on some accounts, preventing customers from making withdrawals, transfers, or any other debits from such accounts.
The central bank also stated that all the BVN or NIN attached to and associated with all accounts/wallets must be electronically revalidated by January 31, 2024.
Geo–Squaremeter Innovative Limited; one of Nigeria’s innovative Real Estate, Surveying and Civil Engineering Companies which has Dr. Surv. Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam as their principal consultant has begun the construction of the permanent site of Orie Ugwogo market, Ugwogo, Enugu East local government area.
In a statement made available to Pacesetter, Dr. Nnam who was a former Commissioner for lands in Enugu State while speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new market said the proposed structure is a signature project of Enugu East local government council under the chairmanship of Livinus Anike in partnership with Umunonu-Umuezeani, Ugwogo Nike and Geo-Squaremeter innovative ltd.
He said the new market sits on a 20 hectares of land with six zone and will have the basic amenities needed in a place of commerce such this.
“The market will be in six zones to meet the structure of a modern market. These zones include the lorry park and warehouses; services and general goods; livestock market; building materials market; foodstuff market and timber market.
“We are going to provide good access road within the market, well reticulated water, convenience, car park and transformer for each of the zones.
Dr. Victor Nnam, CEO of Geo-Squaremeter, Hon. Livinus Anike, Chairman Enugu East LGA and others at the Perm Site Of Enugu’s Oldest Market
Dr. Nnam further assured that working with his team of experts, they will ensure that the approved prototype by the council is followed to the letter while calling on investors to invest in the shop as they’re sure of getting value for their money
He added that the project which is a public private partnership between the council, the community and the developer will be delivered in 24 months and they hope that the market will transform from the current every 4 days market to daily market as over 7,000 shops will be made available in the new market.
In his speech, the council chairman, Hon, Anike said the movement of the market to a permanent place is long overdue as their current space no longer accommodates the fast-expanding market leading to serious traffic for the people of Isiuzo going to their homes.
The council Boss said the project is very dear to him as it resonates to the ease of doing business preached the current administration led by His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah.
He also commended the developer, Dr. Nnam for prioritizing the interest of the people in the development of the market and called on both the host and neighbouring communities to take ownership of the market, while encouraging them to always be united so that the market can bring the desired prosperity to them.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Traditional ruler of Ugwogo Nike, Igwe Barr. Emeka Ugwu said that the neighbouring villages will retain their spots as it’s in the temporary site and thanked the council chairman and the developer for their efforts in seeing that the project sees the light of the day.
Similarly, Chief Joseph Agbo Ugwumba, one of the leaders of host community, who went down memory lane, said that “the very important and popular ORIE market of Ugwogo Nike has really come a long way, even in the days of the Nigerian-Biafran civil war this market held sway and met a great need. And so, its astronomical growth was not unexpected thus necessitating the need for expansion and a suiting or befitting site.
He said their community is delighted with the project and ready to ply their role to see to the completion of the project
“I am elated to welcome you all as we break the ground for a new and permanent site of the ORIE market in Ugwogo Nike. The clan Umunonu-Umuezeani is happy to be a part of this project, without doubt we are joyfully committed to seeing to its completion and commissioning knowing fully that our significant donation of the land situate is not in vain.
“All of us stakeholders and the citizens of Ugwogo Nike look forward to the immense benefits and progress this new permanent site will bring to everyone, Ugwogo Nike and Enugu State of Nigeria.”
Also, in his remark, the chairman peace and development committee, Rt. Hon. Donatus Agbodo said that the growing population made it inevitable for the market to be moved to a more suitable permanent place, adding that they have also lost lives due to the growing demands of the market.
He also thanked the Chairman for being brave enough to do what his predecessors couldn’t do as well as fulfilling his campaign promise to their people.
“We thank you Mr. Chairman for your braveness and progressive mind you have shown in making this dream a reality. It was a promise you made during your campaign as you promise to enhance human capital development in Enugu East. We the people of Umunonu Umuezeani and Ugwogo-Nike in general have received our own share in your administration drive towards reducing poverty in Enugu East Local Government Area, this market will alleviate poverty among our people.”
Other speakers such as the president general of Ugwogo Nike, Pius Okeanu and Mrs. Theresa Edeonu hailed that new project and urged their people to be very accommodative and thanked both the council chairman and the developer for the initiative.
The Executive Chairman of Udi Local Government, Hon Philip Nnamdi Okoh, yesterday November 29, 2023 has called for a major reduction in the use of cash for transactions in the country, explaining that if huge cash exchanges were to drop to the barest minimum, such an action will make the menace of kidnapping in Nigeria a thing of the past.
Hon Philip Okoh made this call while he hosted a team of Personnel and Trainees of the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
The August visit, according to the Team Leader Col Adejoro, is a research and fact finding mission. Adejoro emphasized that Udi Local Government is among the locations they are visiting, because of the peculiar importance and popularity of Udi. The exercise which is tagged “Exercise Nigerian Study Tour”, has the theme, “WHOLE GOVERNMENT/SOCIETY APPROACH IN COMBATING CONTEMPORARY INTERNAL SECURITY CHALLENGES FOR ENHANCED OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS”.
The Leader of the Armed Forces Contingent Colonel Adejoro explained that the engagement, is structured into a Research Effort by Students/Trainees of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College which in this particular instance, refered to students of Senior Course 46, who are on a one year mid career training.
An interactive session between the guest contingent, Udi L.G.A. Executive, Udi L.G.A. Legislature and Community leaders as, Udi Traditional Leaders and Udi Presidents General.
In the course of this critical engagement, several participants reported varying degrees of security challenges faced by their people within their communities and suggested a number of possible solutions.
Notably, the Chairman of Udi Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Council, Hon Justice Ken Ezeike RTD, commended the Executive Chairman for very many laudable interventions of his, with regards to the security of the lives and properties of Udi people. He further suggested that the Federal Government, mobilize military personnel to get involved in the training of our Local Vigilante, for enhanced effectiveness.
The Executive Chairman of Udi Local Government while making his remarks, summarily articulated several efforts made by Udi Local Government under his watch, in the area of security.
Okoh decried the dire situation which the Third Tier of the Nigerian Government contends with, particularly referring to his own Udi Local Government.
The Chairman got emotional while pointing out to his guests that, there was no point beating about the bush with regards to the fight against insecurity especially, the menace of kidnapping.
He emphasized that kidnapping has unfortunately become fashionable and lucrative for armed criminals in Nigeria.
Okoh vehemently made a passionate call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Armed Forces Delegation.
He urged the Nigerian Federal Government to introduce a policy that will reduce the volume of cash exchange in Nigeria.
In his words, “If there is a policy which provides that no individual or corporate entity, can draw more than 50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira, only) daily, either over the counter or via the ATM, this reduction in the availability of cash, would end the menace of kidnapping”.
According to him, any transaction with a value exceeding 50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only) daily, should be performed through electronic/mobile transfer.
He added that such a policy would ultimately also improve our economic condition, by saving the quantum of money spent to provide cash.
The visiting team was led round the council to witness the Ultra Modern 2,500 Capacity Hall and the High Court Building being constructed by the current Udi Local Government Administration under Hon Philip Okoh.
The Chairman pointed out once again the need for citizens to feel safe while visiting Udi to use these facilities, upon their completion.
The Leadership of the team expressed the delegation’s pleasure for our Chairman’s outstanding performance, magnanimity and disposition for convivial hospitality.
Fred C. Onyia
SPA to the Chairman on Media and Public Enlightenment.
…Receives Senior Course 46, Armed Forces Command and Staff College
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on improved security of lives and property in the state, saying Mbah’s commitment to maintain very good working relationship with the armed forces would continue to bring enhanced peace and security in the South East region.
Air Marshal Abubakar said the Nigeria Airforce had recently invigorated its operations for peace and security in the region through the air components of the joint task force, Operation Udoka II, headquartered in Enugu by injecting a fresh set of troops.
This was even as Governor Mbah separately assured the Chief of the Air Staff and visiting participants of the Senior Course 46 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, of his administration’s continued partnership with the security forces for the security and stability of Enugu and the South East region.
The Chief of the Air Staff gave the commendation on Thursday when he led the top echelon of the service on a working visit to the governor at the Government House Enugu, noting that Mbah was the first governor to visit him upon his appointment to seek collaboration towards the security of his state.
He commended the governor’s vision and determination to eradicate poverty, noting that 75 per cent of crime eradication was non-kinetic and applauded Mbah for his “zeal and mission to deliver quality, people-focused governance by making Enugu State the preferred destination for tourism, business, investment and living”.
He said: “It has been empirically proven that poverty and issues of criminality are directly proportional. The more poverty you have, the more likely that people will go into criminal activities.
“The issue of insecurity is usually very complex, multifaceted, and requires multifaceted and very comprehensive approaches to resolve them; and we are very happy to identify with a lot of efforts at resolving some of these problems, particularly your plans to eradicate poverty in the state by addressing all the indices of poverty
“Again, we can continue to carry out our kinetic actions to address the issues of insecurity, but again, empirically, it has been proven that only 25 per cent of internal security issues can be resolved using kinetic means. The remaining 75 per cent can be resolved using the whole of government approach.
“This whole of government approach has to do with the eradication of poverty, illiteracy, good education, medical care, and all the issues. I am very happy to see that a lot of these issues you are already addressing; which means that your policies and plans align with this whole of government approach.”
The service chief equally applauded Mbah for ending illegal Monday sit-at-home and for waging war against fake news purveyors, especially on the social media, whom he described as “media terrorists”, who use fake news to stir tension and insecurity.
“I also want to commend your stand against the illegal sit-at-home order. You are taking a very strong stance against it. You have also resolved to take legal action against the perpetrators and facilitators of this illegal order”, he said.
Responding, Mbah said his administration needed to take hard stance against insecurity as it was impossible to grow the state’s economy from the present $4.4 billion to $30 billion in a state of insecurity, reiterating that the government was taking deliberate measures to create employment to fight the crime industry.
“The typical thing is that you cannot have sustainable development without security. Conversely, you cannot have security without sustainable development. So, they are both intricately intertwined and we need to address them frontally. So, we also thought that if we must deal insecurity, we must deal with the root causes. And dealing with the root causes requires that we address unemployment so we can get our young people constructively and gainfully engaged in other useful activities other than criminalities”, he said.
Meanwhile, receiving participants of the Senior Course 46 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, led by the Chief Instructor of the College, Col. Olurotimi Adejoro, Mbah said his administration was already implementing a “Cut-Off Point” policy, which was intended to catch Enugu children young from the age of three and expose them to holistic education, including digital skills and moral education up basic education level to ensure that they were fully equipped to be responsible and gainfully employed members of the society in future.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Wednesday, presented a N714.4 billion Appropriation bill for the 2024 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.
Governor Oborevwori said the budget christened, ‘Budget of Hope and Optimism,’ was made up of recurrent expenditure of N316.6 billion representing 44 per cent and capital expenditure of N397.9 billion representing 56 per cent of the total budget.
He said that the 2024 budget proposal, his first since coming to office, was envisioned to put the economy on the path of sustainable growth, boost investments and productivity, enhance the ease of doing business, and provide ample opportunities for the average citizen to participate in the economy.
The Governor added that the personnel cost of N150 billion provided in the budget was in anticipation of domestication of a likely salary increase by the Federal Government sometime in 2024 while the overhead cost mirrors the inflationary trend in the country.
Oborevwori said: “This administration will embark on the construction of more critical road infrastructure in the 2024 fiscal year because we are irrevocably committed to advancing urban-rural integration.
“In 2024, we propose to spend N150 billion on Road Infrastructure for the Ministry of Works; N46.55 billion on Education; Health will gulp N18.65 billion; Agriculture, N7 billion and Urban Renewal N7.5 billion.
“Environment will gulp N2.1 billion and Youth Development, N1.7 billion. These key sectors are very essential in our 2024 budget.
“This administration is focused, process driven, and result-oriented in its governance style. The progress that we have made in the last five months should give hope to our people that the goals we have set in this budget will be pursued with similar zeal and dedication.
“Rest assured, this administration is determined to see our people through the hard times, doing all that we can to assist the poor and vulnerable”.
He appealed for the speedy passage of the appropriation bill by the lawmakers.
Earlier in his remarks, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, said the budget presentation was historic as it was the first budget being presented by the governor who was immediate past Speaker of the House.
Guwor said the House would ensure that the Budget substantially complies with the International Public Sector Accounting Standard, which is aimed at providing efficient internal control and result-based financial management in the public sector of the State.
Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has appointed Abdul-Azeez Suleiman as its new spokesman.
Until his appointment, Suleiman, a veteran journalist, who was the spokesman of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), takes over from Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.
NEF’s convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, in the appointment letter he personally signed, said Suleiman’s appointment was a reflection of his contributions towards promoting and protecting the interests of the North and Nigeria.
According to Professor Ango Abdullahi, “I am pleased to inform you that I have approved the recommendation to appoint you as the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).
“Your appointment is a reflection of your unwavering dedication and contributions towards promoting and protecting the interests of the North and Nigeria as a whole, during your time with the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG).
“Furthermore, your extensive experience in credible, fearless, selfless, and ethical journalism, also contributes to making you a great fit for this role.
“The NEF hopes that you will utilize your exceptional qualities and experience to enhance the NEWs activities and promote its image through cooperation with its directors and other members of the Forum. Congratulations on your appointment, and we look forward to the incredible value you will bring to the NEF,” he said.
The former spokesman of the Forum, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the special adviser on political issues in the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Governor Umo Eno has directed the immediate release of an additional 1.5bn naira for payment of outstanding gratuities of retired workers in the State.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh who broke the news, said it was a further confirmation of the Governor’s resolve to fulfill his pact with workers in the State.
During his campaign, Pastor Eno had promised to continue paying backlog of gratuity from where his immediate predecessor in office had stopped.
Before the current release, 5.3 Billion naira had been released by the Governor for retired workers in the State, an attestation to the Governor’s humane disposition to the people of the State.
Few weeks ago, an additional one month salary otherwise called 13th month salary, or “ Enomber” was approved for civil servants in the State, to bring Christmas cheers.
Governor Umo Eno, has, in under six months in office, touched on the critical pillars of the ARISE Agenda, especially in rural development, education, healthcare, security and infrastructural maintenance.
