The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • Presidency attacks Obasanjo over New Year letter, describes him as morally bankrupt

    Presidency attacks Obasanjo over New Year letter, describes him as morally bankrupt

    The Presidency yesterday attacked former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the latter’s New Year open letter where he openly endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, for the February 25 election.

    Obasanjo had in the letter, told Nigerian youths that the forthcoming election was their turn to take their destiny in their hands by voting for Mr Obi, and made scathing remarks against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Reacting to the former President’s statement that Nigerians were living in hell under Buhari’s government, the Presidency described Chief Obasanjo as a frustrated person, who is morally dirty to criticise the present administration.

    The Presidency, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “As we said sometimes back, Mr. Obasanjo’s tenure between 1999-2007, represented the dark days of Nigeria’s democracy, due to a slew of assaults on the constitution.”

    It premised its reaction on four grounds, saying “former President Obasanjo is so well-known to all that no one needs to describe who he is.

    It continued: “One is that he will not stop attacking President Muhammadu Buhari because the former President won’t stop being jealous of anyone who beats him to a new record in the nation’s development process.

    “President Buhari is ahead of Chief Obasanjo in all fields of national development and to do that is a cardinal sin to Obasanjo, whose hallucinations tell him that he is the best ever to lead Nigeria and there will never be another one better than him.

    “President Buhari just completed the world-class edifice that is the Second Niger Bridge after three decades of failed promises. It is now awaiting commissioning.

    Obasanjo laid the sod for the bridge in his first term as elected President and work never started.

    “When he sought re-election for his second term in office, he returned to the site to turn the sod for the bridge the second time.

    ”When the Obi of Onitsha, forthright and scholarly, reminded him that he had done this in the past, Obasanjo told the foremost Southeast traditional ruler that he was a liar, in the full presence of the Chiefs and Oracles in his palace.

    “Obasanjo lied to the Southeast to get their votes. President Buhari didn’t get their votes but built the bridge because he believed it is the right thing to do.”

    The Presidency also said Obasanjo was frustrated because of the global recognition and accolades President Buhari is getting especially, his insistence that the nation’s constitution should be respected as regards tenure of government.

    “Two, President Buhari had been bagging awards and encomiums for trying to do that which the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says a leader should do: serve one, or a maximum of two terms and go.

    “President Buhari has been stating and restating that he will supervise a better election than the one that brought him to the office and to leave as and when due.

    “Having tried tenure elongation and failed, Obasanjo’s fictitious mind must be telling him that he is the one under attack.

    ”But he is not on President Buhari’s radar because experience has shown, especially lately in West Africa where there have been at least three successful coups and many other failed attempts, that third term or tenure elongation is a recipe for political instability.

    “Furthermore, the totality of African leaders appointed President Buhari the Anti-Corruption Champion of the continent.

    “You can’t be an anti-corruption champion if ‘you meddled and bent the rules,” carrying the putrid responsibility of what happened to national assets in the name of privatization as documented by the Nigerian Senate in 2011.

    ”As an insight, the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, which was set up with $3.2 billion, was sold to a Russian firm, Russal, for a paltry $ 130 million. Delta Steel, which was set up in 2005, at a cost of $ 1.5 billion, was sold to Global Infrastructure for just $ 30 million.

    “ALSCON got back $ 120 million for the dredging of the Imo River, which was never carried out.

    “Three, which is linked to the one above is the growing profile of President Buhari as the Champion of Democracy not only at home and in the West African sub-region but the African continent as a whole.

    ”As President, Obasanjo destabilised internal democracy by orchestrating impeachment after impeachment of governors, who were not compliant with his highly imperial administration.

    “The former president deployed federal machinery to remove governors Joshua Dariye, Rashidi Ladoja, Peter Obi, Chris Ngige and Ayo Fayose from office. They were the then governors of Plateau, Oyo, Anambra, Anambra and Ekiti, respectively, unjustly removed them, using the police and secret service under his control.

    ”Under him, a five-man legislature met at 6:00 a.m ‘impeached’ Governor Dariye in Plateau; 18 members out of 32 removed Governor Ladoja of Oyo from office; in Anambra, APGA’s Governor Obi was equally impeached at 5:00 a.m. by members, who did not meet the two-thirds required by the constitution.

    “Lawmaking powers of the Rivers State legislature were transferred to the federal parliament to punish Governor Amaechi for shifting his political alliance.

    “Moreover, he damned the Supreme Court and unlawfully held back Lagos State revenues due from federal sources on account of his pettiness against the then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “On the other hand, in Washington a few weeks ago, US President Joe Biden at a meeting with African Heads of State and Government described President Buhari as a champion of democracy and a role model for the leaders of African states.

    “Clearly, Obasanjo has become even more jealous by adopting a vengeful attitude.”

    The Presidency further said, “Four, to say that “frying pan to fire” is the situation in Nigeria at this time should be read to mean a personal experience to him and we know what that means.

    “Hell” for Obasanjo is when a President, any President that comes after him refuses to be his puppet, to do as he wishes on all matters and at all times. He then keeps attacking out of frustration.

    “Obasanjo’s vengeful attitude towards President Buhari is the height of selfishness and little short of moral squalor.”

    (Vanguard)

  • Terrorism allegation: Emefiele’s lawyer seeks arrest, prosecution of DSS DG

    Terrorism allegation: Emefiele’s lawyer seeks arrest, prosecution of DSS DG

    Constitutional lawyer, Peter Abang, has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), seeking commencement of criminal inquiry, arrest and prosecution of the Director General of State Security Services (SSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, over his alleged role in the foiled plot to frame CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, for terrorism financing.

    The lawyer’s petition was sequel to the Courts’ clearance of the CBN Governor, which described the plot as baseless and oppressive.

    In the petition dated December 30, 2022 and addressed to the AGF, the lawyer sought for a full-scale criminal inquiry into the circumstances Ieading to the failed attempt by the State Security Services (otherwise known as the Department of State Services) to frame the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on allegations and trumped-up terrorism financing charges as well as other sundry offences.

    According to him, the letter to the AGF serves as a notice to commence an action for mandamus to compel AGF offices to arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties who were connected in the event he fails at acceding to the request within seven days.

    The petition reads, “In view of the above suit filed by the State Security Services, which the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Hon. Justice John Tsoho, delivered its ruling on December 9, 2022 , a certified copy of the Ruling is attached and we are by this letter respectfully requesting that your good offices commence a full scale criminal inquiry into the circumstances Ieading to the failed attempt by the State Security Services (otherwise known as the Department of State Services) to frame the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on allegations and trumped up terrorism financing charges as well as other sundry offences. We also request that your offices conduct a thorough investigation and ultimately arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties connected to the failed rogue operation in the overall interest of Nigeria. “Note that this letter serves as a notice to commence an action for mandamus to compel your offices to arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties who are connected in the event that you fail at accede to our request within 7 days from the date of service of this letter to you.”

    (Sun)

  • Obasanjo charges youths to take over leadership control of Nigeria in letter

    Obasanjo charges youths to take over leadership control of Nigeria in letter

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerian youths to present a united force and take over leadership control of the nation from the older generation.

    Obasanjo made the call in a letter he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abeokuta.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the letter was titled: “My Appeal To All Nigerians, particularly Young Nigerians”.

    He challenged youths to get together and bring about a truly meaningful change in their lives and the nation.

    “Let nobody pull wool over your eyes to divide you and/or segregate you to make you underlings.

    “If you failed, you have no one else to blame and your present and future are in your hands to make or to mar.

    “Get up, get together, get going and get us to where we should be.

    “Youths of Nigeria, your time has come, and it is now and please grasp it.

    “If not now, it will be never. I appeal to you to turn the tide on its head and march forward chanting ‘Awa Lokan’ (It’s our turn).

    “Not with a sense of entitlement, but with a demonstrable ideological commitment to unity and transformation of Nigeria.

    “If we fall prey again, we will have ourselves to blame and no one can say how many more knocks Nigeria can take before it tips over. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed,” Obasanjo said.

    The former president, while noting that the older generation of leaders had done their best, advised them to take their rest and retire as “septuagenarians”.

    According to him, the vigour, energy, agility, dynamism and outreach that the job of leadership of Nigeria requires at the very top may not be provided as a septuagenarian.

    “But, where and when they are with obvious evidence, they must be taken into account for purpose of reality.

    “It is a job in our present situation where the team leader or captain of the team should be up and doing, outgoing inside and outside and speaking to the nation on almost daily basis.

    “He must be visibly and as much as possible interactively, meeting his colleagues all over the world on behalf of Nigeria,” he said.

    Obasanjo said that there were four major factors to watch out for in a leader as regards the 2023 general elections.

    “They are what I call TVCP: Track record of ability and performance; Vision that is authentic, honest and realistic; Character and attributes of a lady and a gentleman, who are children of God and obedient to God.

    “And Physical and mental capability with soundness of mind, as it is a very taxing and tasking assignment at the best of times and more so, it is at the most difficult time that we are,” he said.

    The former president, however, rated the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, above other candidates ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Obasanjo explained that none of the presidential candidates could be called a saint, saying that when compared, in terms of knowledge, discipline and what they could offer, Obi has an edge.

    He added that the Labour Party presidential candidate had gathered the great efforts required to stay focussed on the job.

    According to him, this has made him to have an edge over others

    (Vanguard)

  • Transport fares, food prices soar higher as petrol sells at N300 – N450 per litre

    Transport fares, food prices soar higher as petrol sells at N300 – N450 per litre

    DESPITE the shutdown of seven private depots, others remained adamant, selling petrol above the N148 per litre official depot price to independent oil marketers nationwide.

    The regulator, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, had last week shut private depots, including Rainoil, Ardova, TCL, Bluefin, and NEPAL, for selling the regulated product in excess of N200 per litre.

    But checks by the report in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri showed that other private depots have remained undeterred, and continue to sell the product at between N215 and N225 per litre.

    Specifically, a visit to some of the private depots showed that those that had the product, sold in excess of the government’s N148 per litre regulated price to marketers.

    Consequently, independent oil marketers, who lift petrol at such high prices ended up selling it to motorists and other users at higher prices in different parts of the nation.

    Lagos, environs

    In Lagos, the independent marketers continued to sell at between N230 and N300 per litre, while their major counterparts and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited sold it at N170.

    Imo, Anambra state

    The situation remained the same in Owerri, Imo state, as Lagos-based Executive Director of Spaces for Change, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, who visited the area, disclosed in a telephone interview that “most filling stations sell at between N300 and N450 per litre in Owerri, Imo State capital. I bought it for N450 per litre.”

    Similarly, in Awka, Anambra State, there was unusual light traffic on the roads in most towns in the state on the first day of 2023 as petrol sold for N300 and above per litre.

    The development forced most vehicle owners to park them, slowing down movements in the state.

    For some time, petrol stations have been adjusting their pumps on a daily basis until it came to a point many people said they could no longer afford to keep their cars on the road.

    In one filling station, opposite the Amawbia flyover in the Anambra State capital, the attendants adjusted price from N300 to N320 per liter in the presence of the people on the queue.

    It was also observed that most stations stopped selling petrol on the eve of the new year, thereby frustrating people who had planned various activities, including weddings and burial ceremonies, for the period.

    As a consequence, transport fares have increased astronomically in the state. Also, people travelling to other parts of the country from Anambra State are paying nearly three times the amount they were paying previously.

    For instance, a journey from Onitsha to Awka, which used to be N500, was increased to N1000, while intra-city transport increased from N100 to N300 in the major cities of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.

    A civil servant, Mr. Okechukwu Onuma, said he had decided to suspend his planned journey to his village as he could no longer afford the cost of fuelling his car.

    “It was a difficult decision to take, but I had to take it because there are bills to pay this month, including school fees and house rent.

    “In fact, the hike in fuel price was a blessing in disguise for me because I could have spent so much money in the village,” he said.

    Food prices remain high

    Meanwhile, driven by the high price of petrol, the prices of food items and basic utilities, remained high nationwide.

    For instance, the price of 50kg of rice remained high at between N40,000 and N50,000, depending on location and cost of transportation.

    NNPC’s intervention

    However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, has completed the process of enabling independent marketers to buy directly from the NNPC Retail.

    In an interview with Vanguard, yesterday, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Mr Chinedu Okonkwo, said: “Independent marketers continue to buy petrol from private depots at over N200 per litre. But there is hope. I have just finished discussing this with the Managing Director of NNPC Retail.

    ”He said an App has been installed to enhance the migration of our members to the NNPC Retail. This is a good development and we hope that very soon, our members would be able to get supplies directly from NNPC.”

    NMDPRA absent at filling stations

    Officials of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, were not visible at outlets visited over the weekend, thus creating an atmosphere for operators involved in diversion and arbitrary pricing to exploit motorists and other buyers.

    NMDPRA reacts

    However, speaking to journalists on New Year’s eve in Abuja, the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, had said: “As government and regulators, we had several engagements with all the stakeholders, including the major marketers, independent marketers, transporters, the suppliers, the NNPC as well as other interested parties to see how we can address the distribution bottlenecks.”

    (Vanguard)

  • I survived 2014 bomb attack with armoured vehicle gift presented by Kwankwaso – Buhari

    I survived 2014 bomb attack with armoured vehicle gift presented by Kwankwaso – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for saving him from an untimely death in a 2014 terror attack in Kaduna State.

    Buhari, who was eyeing another shot at the presidency during the period survived a suspected Boko Haram bomb attack in the Kawo area of Kaduna on July 24, 2014.

    At least 82 people, including police officers, died in the attack.

    Buhari and an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, escaped unscathed in the incident.

    In a documentary titled: “Essential Muhammadu Buhari,” aired by the presidency on Sunday, the president said he was traveling in an armored Land Rover vehicle given to him by the former Kano State governor when the bombs were detonated by the terrorists.

    President Buhari said: “I think Kwankwaso was being generous. He gave me an armored Land Rover vehicle.

    “He said I should use it because he believed the competition I was going on involved people who would like to eliminate me.

    “I was going to Kano from Kaduna in that jeep and a vehicle wanted to overtake us but my escort stopped them and they detonated the bomb.

    “When I looked, I saw pieces of human beings. None of us in the vehicle were injured. But somehow I saw blood on me because of the number of people killed outside by the bomb.”

    (Ripples)

  • Valedictory New Year Message: ‘Look with hope to 2023’, Buhari to Nigerians; scores performance as President high

    Valedictory New Year Message: ‘Look with hope to 2023’, Buhari to Nigerians; scores performance as President high

    Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has given his seven and half year old administration a pass mark saying he has given his utmost best to the Nigerian nation since May, 2015.

    He also prayed that his successor who will be handed over the baton of the nation’s leadership on May 29, 2023 will continue in the drive to make Nigeria one of the best countries in the world by the end of the century.

    In his valedictory 2023 new year message to Nigerians personally signed by him on Saturday, the President said the buck stops on his desk as he accepts all the blames and accolades in the course of his service to the country in close to eight solid years.

    He said: “As we welcome the New Year, let us look with hope to 2023, a year to move forward as a Nation towards unity, progress and prosperity. I offer my own personal felicitations, mindful of the various opinions and interpretations of our executive legacies.

    “I welcome and accept both the accolades and criticisms in equal measure secure in the conviction that I did my best to serve our dear country Nigeria and I pray that the next President will also pick up the baton and continue the race to make Nigeria one of the leading countries of the world by the end of this century.”

    President Buhari assured that in the new year 2023 his government will intensify efforts aimed at turning round the economy, fight insecurity and step up war against anti corruption in the country.

    According to him: “The year 2023 would, indeed, be a time when we would work to solidify on delivering key strategic priorities under our “SEA” – (Security, Economy and Anti-Corruption) Agenda.  Some of the key priority areas we would direct our attention and strengths to include:

    “Focus on SECURITY; we will continue to engage, push back and dismantle the operations of both internal and external extremist and criminal groups waging war against our communities across the Nation. We will also focus on ensuring that free and fair elections would be held come February 2023.  Our security forces are working in partnership to ensure the wins we have got in war against insurgency, banditry, secession and other crimes are sustained and more wins acquired.

    “For the ECONOMY; our focus would be on maintaining and building economic growth through the national economic diversification agenda that supports the goal of national food self-sufficiency and growth in non-oil sources. The ongoing infrastructure revolution by our administration will see us deliver the key projects across the Nation in power, rail, roads, ports and technology.

    “ANTI-CORRUPTION: On the anti-corruption drive of our administration, we have created new records in this fight, growing from 117 convictions in 2017 to 3,615 convictions as at December 2022. We as a government are committed to ridding our nation of all forms of corruption, through the collaboration with all the arms of Government to effectively prosecute this fight.”

    President Buhari in the new year message also stated inter alia:

    “This year is particularly important to me because this message is in essence valedictory. After having the honour of serving you, my compatriots, for the last seven plus years, my tenure as your President in the most revered tradition of our ongoing and maturing democracy must necessarily come to an end.

    “In the next five months we would have gone to the polls and elected a new president along with new governors and a plethora of other elected officials at both the national and state levels.

    All these electoral and democratic principles are working in concert because of the transcendent beliefs, beyond partisan politics, of you the great citizen of Nigeria. In addition is my personal commitment and executive promise to see to the letter that the 2023 elections being diligently conducted by INEC will be free and fair. The collective electoral will and votes of Nigerians will be fulfilled, even in the twilight moments of my watch.

    “Reflecting on year 2022 allows us as a government to examine our legacies of successes and challenges. As we celebrate our wins and review obstacles, we all must understand that governance is a continuum, which still places a transitional responsibility on this administration to provide for the incoming government a non-partisan and objective roadmap for 2023.

    “We as Nigeria; one country united under the will of God and actively growing as an indivisible entity, have been enabled year after year, decade after decade, to weather all stormy waters and emerge stronger and better where others have fallen and disintegrated. This has made us a unique nation across the globe and our continent.

    “In year 2023, Nigerians go to the polls to exercise our right to vote and elect a new Administration, it is an important year for our country to ensure that we have another smooth transition of government, to whoever the people have decided upon. This administration’s landmark Amended Electoral Act will ensure that we have free and fair elections across the Nation.

    “We as Nigerians must also take responsibility to ensure we participate in ensuring that the 2023 elections are free and fair by not engaging in anti-state activities and other nefarious acts that may affect the run of the polls. We must also resist every attempt to be used by politicians to create unrest in any form to disrupt the elections. We, as government will ensure such activities are met with the full force of the law.

    “As our security agencies continue to make the country proud, we must continue to assist our patriotic forces by providing much needed community intelligence.  It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Nigeria remains safe and peaceful for us all. Therefore, we have a duty and obligation to support our troops and intelligence agencies by being alert and reporting anything suspicious. The fight against insurgency in the North East region has continually recorded very clear wins in the past year.

    “The Federal Government, and the Borno State government, have started the journey of returning internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes earlier taken by the insurgents. Also, over 82,000 insurgents with their families have surrendered to the Nigerian military. A number of surrendered insurgents are currently being processed by the rehabilitation (Operation Safe Corridor) program. The fight against banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in the North West and other regions is gaining momentum and showing very clear results. One of which is the resumption of Train Service along the Kaduna to Abuja corridor.

    “In the aftermath of the EndSars, our administration took heed and instituted the ongoing Police Reform program based on a new Presidential Vision for Policing in Nigeria. This new vision is framed in a clear road map that transcends the tenure of this administration and it is predicated on six principles: a) Building Trust and Legitimacy b) Leadership, Accountability and Oversight c)Technology and digital media d) Community Policing and Crime Reduction e) Officers Training and Education f) Funding, Officers’ Welfare, Wellness and Safety.

    “This reform program is very much in its foundational phase but has recorded noteworthy successes in improving police welfare and their emoluments. Other gains have been the ongoing training of 500 police cadet trainers to enable a better training regimen for the 2022 first batch of the 10,000 new cadets with an additional 10,000 set for 2023. In support of these reforms has been the provisioning of new material for the Nigeria Police to steadily improve on its constitutional responsibility to enforce law and order, protect lives and property as well as street level peace and security.

    “Despite the ongoing global economic crisis, we have been able to weather the storms. Inflation across the globe is at its highest, the Federal Government has been resolute through its economic interventions to remain above water during this period. 2022 brought a combined impact from ongoing wars and aftereffects of COVID-19. Though creating its own fiscal challenges, we have continued to subsidize our energy costs to buffer households from inflationary pressure of high energy costs.  In 2023, we are focused on building on our GDP and sustain the huge surge in the non-oil GDP growth.

    “The Nigerian Start up Bill has been passed as an Act. This is considered a huge step in lowering our unemployment figures by boosting job creation and supporting the entrepreneurial drive of our youths. If you recall in my 2021 New Year speech, I had mentioned the need to secure the future of our youth recognizing that our young people are our most valuable natural resource, at home and abroad. In this regard, we worked with the legislature to develop an enabling law to turn their passions into ideas that can be supported, groomed and scaled across regions.  2023 will see the implementation of the Nigerian Start Up Act nationwide.

    “Long Live the Nigerian spirit of oneness, togetherness, and unity.

    “Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “A Happy and prosperous New year.

    “God bless you

  • New Year Message: Enugu APC guber candidate, Nnaji, says state shall rise again; reiterates commitment to pact with ndi Enugu

    New Year Message: Enugu APC guber candidate, Nnaji, says state shall rise again; reiterates commitment to pact with ndi Enugu

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    As Nigerians continue to bask in the euphoria of a new year, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State, Uche Nnaji Nwakibie, has reiterated his resolve to honour his pact with the people of the state.

    Nnaji made this known in a statement released to news men in Enugu by his campaign Director General, Comrade Fidelis Edeh.

    In the statement titled “Happy New Year Ndi-Enugu”, the governorship hopeful stressed on his belief that a better Enugu state will be birthed in 2023 with his election as governor.

    The message reads in full: “Enugu State Shall Rise Again. This is not just my hope, it is a task I am committed to as the APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2023 election in Enugu State.

    “I believe that another Enugu State is possible with new sense of self-determined life and community values needful to advance our common destiny and improved wellbeing.

    “I, therefore, on behalf of myself and family, wish Ndi-Enugu a most purposeful 2023.

    “Chief Uche Nnaji Nwakaibie
    APC Gubernatorial Candidate – 2023
    Enugu State”

  • New Year: Enugu PDP standard-bearer, Mbah, says 2023 a year of hope, socio-economic transformation, industrialisation

    New Year: Enugu PDP standard-bearer, Mbah, says 2023 a year of hope, socio-economic transformation, industrialisation

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has congratulated the people of the state for making it to another year, saying it’s a new dawn and a new beginning in the state.

    Dr. Mbah, in his new year message on January 1, 2023, contained in a press statement personally signed by him and made available to newsmen by his media office, enjoined the people of the state to keep hope alive with his candidacy and the PDP as the year would be special one in the annals of the state if and when elected as the next governor.

    The governorship hopeful who said despite the economic crisis that bedeviled the nation in 2022, Enugu State recorded improvement in infrastructures, citizens and workers’ welfare, healthcare and human capital development made possible by the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration.

    While assuring the state that he is well prepared for the task ahead with his well thought-out, robust and excellent manifesto, Dr. Mbah stated that the state under his leadership in 2023 will witness exponential growth, unprecedented socio-economic transformation and Industrialisation which will be driven by technology and innovation.

    The renowned oil and gas magnate reiterated his unswerving commitment to support the citizens in areas of businesses and Investment by creating a friendly, transparent and enabling environment for ease of doing business, provide for the basic welfare of the people, improve further on human capital empowerment through support for the youths, special training, and skills acquisition for them.

    Dr. Mbah who maintained that he had set the agenda and the pace for the “New Enugu State of our dream where everyone will have a voice in the decision making process, participate actively in governance and vigorously pursue their dreams in the most accommodating, encouraging and inspiring environment as envisioned by my social contract and manifesto”, also added that nobody would be left out in the journey to make the state one of the top three states in the country in terms of gross domestic product and moving Enugu economy from its present $4.4 billion to $30 billion in the next 8 years.

    “We have measurable indicators for you to assess us. We are going to make 2023 a year that will mark the beginning of unprecedented, massive development, and the support we shall be giving to you in your businesses, education, welfare and needs well outlined in the most unambiguous manner.

    “I am aware of your numerous needs and sincerely assure you that the solution you seek is not far-fetched because our tomorrow is here.

    “Having prepared for the task ahead, I’m delighted to let you know that I am that person who’ll take Enugu State to the pinnacle of its dreams. This ambition sprouting in us is fueled by the desire to see our beloved state flourish. This journey is all-inclusive. You’re part of the journey because it’s all about our future and the future of our children.

    “Today, as I join you in celebrating this new year of hope and beginning of unexampled development in the history of our state, I want to reiterate my willingness to offer myself to serve you with forthrightness and diligence. I urge you to trust me with your votes, and together we’ll make Enugu State the pride of the nation.

    “I wish you all a prosperous New Year. Congratulations.”

    Hon. Dan Nwomeh
    Head, Peter Mbah Media Office

  • JUST IN: Former Pope Benedict XVI Dies at 95

    Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.

    He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

    Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.

    His successor Pope Francis said he had visited him there frequently.

    Although the former pontiff had been ill for some time, the Holy See said there had been an aggravation in his condition because of advancing age.

    On Wednesday, Pope Francis appealed to his final audience of the year at the Vatican to “pray a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict”, whom he said was very ill.

    Born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, Benedict was 78 when in 2005 he became one of the oldest popes ever elected.

    For much of his papacy, the Catholic Church faced allegations, legal claims and official reports into decades of child abuse by priests.

    Earlier this year the former Pope acknowledged that errors had been made in the handling of abuse cases while he was archbishop of Munich between 1977 and 1982.

    (Arise News)

  • Enugu: Gov. Ugwuanyi signs 2023 budget into law

    Enugu: Gov. Ugwuanyi signs 2023 budget into law

    …Says implementation of appropriation law commences 1st January next year

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Friday, assented to the 2023 appropriation bill of One hundred and sixty six billion, six hundred and two million, four hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred and seventy naira (N166,602,4I6,770.00) passed by the State House of Assembly.

    Signing the approved 2023 budget into law, Governor Ugwuanyi stated that the exercise has signified the completion of the process of appropriation of funds for the business of governance of Enugu State in the year 2023 “sequel to my presentation of the state’s 2023 budget proposal to the Enugu State House of Assembly on 15th December, 2022.”

    The governor added that his administration, through the instrumentality of the 2023 budget, tagged: “Budget of Consolidation and Transition,” seeks to consolidate its achievements in various sectors of the state and transit the state’s governance to the inbound administration.

    Governor Ugwuanyi who expressed delight that the State House of Assembly, as always, gave the budget proposal expeditious consideration and approval, reiterated his administration’s readiness and preparedness to commence the 2023 budget implementation in earnest, with effect from January 1, 2023.

    Pointing out that “this is also the last time I would be assenting to the full year budget of Enugu State as Governor, under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended,” Governor Ugwuanyi beseeched God to “avail us the grace of substantial realisation of the projected revenue in the 2023 budget as well as peaceful atmosphere for its diligent implementation.”

    He thanked the leadership and members of the State House of Assembly for responding to the imperative of accelerated consideration and approval of the budget, adding: “I acknowledge the dedicated Clerk and other staff of the House whose contributions to the legislative business, though invaluable, are largely unsung.”

    Governor Ugwuanyi, therefore, enjoined the good people of Enugu State to remain prayerful and stay the course of peace, wishing them a prosperous New Year.

    Presenting the approved budget for the governor’s assent, earlier, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Uchenna Ubosi , described it as “a wonderful and realistic budget”, disclosing that critical sectors such as works, agriculture, education, health and water resources got huge allocations.

    “It shows that you (Ugwuanyi) are prepared to finish all the works you started and the ones you promised the good people of Enugu State. It is a very commendable one Your Excellency. It shows that the budget is a very realistic one,” he said.

    The Speaker on behalf of his colleagues appreciated Governor Ugwuanyi for his immense support and exemplary leadership qualities anchored on peace and good governance, stressing that the legislators are grateful that they have enjoyed cordial working relationship with the governor, members of the State Executive Council (EXCO) and other government officials in the state.

    “On this note Your Excellency, may I invite the Clerk of the House to join me to present to you the approved budget of N166,602,4I6,770.00 for your assent and for the benefit of the good people of Enugu State to the glory of God,” he added.

    Also present at the event were the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu and other members of the State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, former Chief of Staff and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Festus Uzor, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Prof. Malachy Okwueze, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David Ugwunta and other members of the State Executive Council (EXCO), and the Clerk of the House, Barr. Dr. Emmanuel Udaya.

  • I’ll construct $2.5bn 4th Mainland Bridge under 4yrs — Sanwo-Olu

    I’ll construct $2.5bn 4th Mainland Bridge under 4yrs — Sanwo-Olu

    The Lagos State Government has said the proposed construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge project is scheduled to be completed within four years while the official kick-off for the construction of the project, the turning of the surd, will be done by the Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu in the first quarter of 2023.

    The state government through the Office of Public-Private Partnerships had on Thursday, announced Messrs CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium as the preferred bidder for the construction of the bridge.

    Eight roads– Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Lagos/Abuja highway, Benin/Sagamu, and Igbogbo/Lagos would aligned with the Fourth Bridge. The project, estimated to cost about $2.5 billion, would be delivered through Public-Private Partnership initiative and tolled for two years.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnerships, Mr. Ope George, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engineer, Aramide Adeyoye, disclosed this on Friday, during a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Omotoso, assured that over 800 identified victims, whose properties would be affected by the project would be adequately compensated.

    According to George, the Fourth Mainland Bridge (4MB) Project, which is a proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP) transport infrastructure development, will comprise of the construction and operation of a greenfield tolled road and bridge with a design speed of 120 kilometre per hour, including the development of adjacent real estates.

    He added that the bridge, when completed, would become the second longest in Africa with three toll plazas, nine interchanges, a 4.5 kilometre Lagoon Bridge and an eco-friendly environment. It is also expected to span about 37 kilometres, starting from Abraham Adesanya in Ajah, on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor and traverse the North West towards the Lagoon shoreline of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu.

    According to George: “The Lagos State Government commenced a Competitive Bidding process for the selection of a Concessionaire, by the issuance of the Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) on 27th of November, 2019. A total of 52 responses were received with 32 being responsive.

    “Subsequently, a Request for Quotation (RFQ) was issued on February 10, 2020 to the 32 eligible applicants and responses were received on 15th April, 2020 with a total of 15 responses. Upon evaluation, six bidders met the criteria to progress to the Request for Proposal (RfP) stage.”

    George, explained that the bids have now been evaluated and Messrs. CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium emerged as the preferred bidder while the Messrs. MOTA-ENGIL (NIGERIA &AFRICA), CCCC & CRBC CONSORTIUM, also shortlisted as the reserved bidder for the Fourth Mainland Bridge project.

    Adeyoye added that the bridge will reduce congestion on the existing Carter, Eko and Third Mainland Bridges while opening new areas of the City for future developments.

    She said the state government had carried along the over 48 estates, traditional rulers and others that would be affected by the bridge.

    Adeyoye said the negative impact of the bridge was minimal compared to the advantages, urging those anxious for the project to take off to be patient and corporate with the contractor during the construction of the project

    (Vanguard)

  • After Dubai visa ban, Nigerians explore Egypt, Morocco, others

    After Dubai visa ban, Nigerians explore Egypt, Morocco, others

    Hundreds of Nigerians are now exploring other destinations after Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) slammed a total visa ban on them in October.   Accordingrto the eports, before the ban on Nigerian businessmen, Dubai had first tightened visa requirements to applicants from Nigeria.

    For now, only Nigerians with diplomatic passports and few others have easy access to Dubai.

    Dubai was hitherto the destination of choice for many Nigerians for many purposes, including business, education, leisure and medical tourism.

    But following the ban, many Nigerians are now travelling to Egypt, Morocco and other countries.

    While there is no official statement from the UAE on the reason for the ban, some people are suggesting the untoward attitudes of some Nigerians.

    Before the ban, there were many reports about Nigerians being arrested in the UAE for alleged theft and cyber crime. Some were tried and incarcerated while others repatriated back home.

    The near official statement on the ban was from a Destination Management Company (DMC), licensed to issue electronic visas in the UAE, which announced in a statement that Dubai immigration had stopped approving visas for Nigerians.

    In a statement the DMC said: “All previously submitted applications are currently on hold. Kindly note this is beyond our control. We will update once visas start getting approved.”

    Declining business fortunes

    Following the declining load factors, most airlines, including Emirates and Air Peace, suspended flights to Dubai.

    Many travel agents said they had lost business due to the development, even as findings by one of our correspondents revealed that the travel agents are now advertising Egypt, Morocco, Seychelles, among others, to holiday makers, businessmen and women and the sick.

    President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs Susan Akporiaye, said many Nigerians were now exploring other destinations for tourism.

    She said, “Nigerians are already changing plans to go to Egypt and Morocco, but then these two countries require visa processes, but Egypt has made it a bit easier now.

    “If you have a valid US or UK visa, you can also get your visa on arrival in Egypt.”

    She noted that Dubai would be losing huge revenue generated from Nigerians, especially during the yuletide.

    But the Director of Corporate Travels, Zenith Travel, Mr Olumide Ohunayo, said Dubai was not losing anything for not admitting Nigerians.

    He said, “The UAE has nothing to lose. They have massive investments, massive structures in tourism and travel. It is not a problem if they are not admitting Nigerians.

    “The UAE has developed its tourism beyond looking at only one route; beyond Nigeria, that is what they have done to their aviation and tourism.”

    A Nigerian business woman, Mrs Khadijat, said she had not been able to travel to Dubai since the visa ban, noting that her suppliers usually sent her goods through another country which cost more money to clear.

    She said, “This is the only option we have now, but it is really not easy when you look at it. Most of these abaya (flowing gowns for women) we buy from Dubai, we don’t really get enough profit from them. And sending our items through another country has added to the cost of logistics.”

    Official trade balance

    According to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) in 2020, Nigeria exported goods worth N134bn ($321m) to the UAE.

    OEC said the main products that Nigeria exported were gold ($217m), crude petroleum ($53.5m) and oily seeds ($16m).

    On the other hand, the UAE exported goods worth N489bn ($1.14bn) to Nigeria. These included broadcasting equipment ($152m), refined petroleum ($119m) and cars ($118m).

    This shows that the trade balance favours the UAE as more of its goods entered the Nigerian economy.

    We now go to Turkey – Importer

    An importer of clothes and a variety of other things in Kano, Abdullahi Ibrahim, told Daily Trust Saturday that the hardship in getting visa to Dubai had forced most importers in Kano to visit Turkey to get their goods.

    Ibrahim explained that this was coupled with increase in taxes by authorities in Dubai thereby making the import of goods more costly.

    On what he thinks led to the ban on Nigerians, he said, “Nigerians are doing drugs and other social vices there. That was why they came up with the law to restrict Nigerians because they felt Nigerians will bring bad things into the country.”

    He, however, noted that Dubai was also losing a lot because they used to generate a lot of revenue from Nigerians.

    He said, “The effect now is that there is low patronage of goods from Dubai because most Nigerian importers go to Turkey or Qatar.

    “Also, shop owners in Dubai are mostly from India, Bangladesh and others, but due to heavy taxation, we have mostly opted for Turkey because sales there will make us get more profit.”

    Sarki Arabii Muhammad, who owns babies’ clothes shops across the country, often travelled to Dubai for business before the ban.

    He explained that Dubai had many advantages for business people over other countries as one could buy different types of goods during a single trip.

    He said, “I was purchasing the majority of my goods from Dubai because of the many advantages, including the fact that your goods will arrive within two days, unlike other places where your goods can spend over two weeks.

    “One of the alternatives we have now is to buy online, but that is not as effective as being there physically. The other alternative is to try other countries, but the goods are not available as they are in Dubai.”

    He further said, “I came back from Indonesia a few days ago, but I doubt if I will gain anything. Also, I didn’t get as many goods as I wanted.”

    He, therefore, called on Nigerians authorities to intervene and ensure that the issue was resolved.

    A businesswoman, Aisha Jajere, said the ban on Nigerian visitors by the Dubai authorities had affected many businesses in the Arab country.

    She said, “It is negatively impacting the businesses of hoteliers and tourism destinations in Dubai.”

    A travel agent in Kano, Dr Jamilu Umar, said China had replaced Dubai for Nigerian businessmen and women, noting that the ban had really affected their fortunes and prayed that the stalemate would be resolved soon.

    He added that, “One of our alternatives now is travelling to Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj and using the opportunity to buy goods.”

    (Daily Trust)