The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Uzodimma plans 10mw hydro-power plant in Imo

    Uzodimma plans 10mw hydro-power plant in Imo

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has called for the establishment of 10MGWs Hydro-Power Plant in Imo State, to facilitate hitch-free supply of potable water for the residents.

    He spoke when he received the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun and his team who visited him at the Government House, Owerri.

    Uzodimma told the minister that the plant, if well implemented, would solve potable water shortage.

    He sought the minister’s intervention in completing some of the ongoing water projects in Imo within the year or early next year.

    Uzodimma, who expressed joy that the visit would add value to the interest and welfare of Imo people, hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts towards the recovery of the country’s economy.

    Read Also: How Tinubu is fighting insecurity, by Gbajabiamila

    Terlumun said the purpose of their visit “is to undertake on the spot assessment of projects and programmes the ministry is undertaking through the Anambra/Imo River Basin Development Authority in the catchment states.”

    He said the ministry’s intervention projects in Imo, Anambra, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi states covered water supply, irrigation schemes, dams and reservoirs, sanitation facilities and erosion control structures.

    Terlumun hailed Uzodimma for his commitment to the welfare of Imo citizens through the projects and programmes implemented by the 3R administration.

  • Abia govt alleges plot to blackmail Otti

    Abia govt alleges plot to blackmail Otti

    Abia State government says it has uncovered plot by some disgruntled politicians to sponsor blackmail campaign against Governor Alex Otti.

    In a statement signed yesterday by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the  government said the individuals had paid some unnamed media outfits as part of their strategy to push false narrative about the incumbent administration to the public.

    The statement said: “A plot to unleash consistent vicious media onslaughts and blackmail against the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and the government of Abia State, has been uncovered.

    “A certain federal lawmaker gathered some journalists last weekend in Abuja and handed over tons of fake documents purportedly from the government to the media men to support the launch of a media onslaught on the governor.

    “What is clear is that the plot is being bankrolled by those with the delusional desire to hold Abia State down in penurious perpetuity that were rejected by the people at the polls.

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    “We therefore wish to state as follows: That Governor Otti holds the popular mandate of Abia people in trust and enjoys the overwhelming support of Abia masses who are already heaving a sigh of relief since his assumption of office, therefore no form of orchestrated and senseless media attack can diminish his towering credentials and verifiable achievements as being acknowledged by ‘Abians’.

    “Those unleashing these endless smear campaigns against Governor Otti are pained by the popular verdict of acceptance, which has continued to place him high as a very performing and popular governor in the country.

    “The Otti government is only loyal to Abia people and not to a group of selfish political merchants, who are only after their selfish political interests, and thus will continue to serve ‘Abians’ passionately and diligently while remaining accountable and answerable to them at all times.”

  • Women march on Anambra against killings, corruption

    Women march on Anambra against killings, corruption

    Over 1,000 indigenes of 20 villages in Awka community, Awka South Local Government of Anambra State, yesterday protested in nude.

    They condemned what they described as mindless killings of their kinsmen.

    The protesters marched on Awka, carrying placards such as :”Cultists are killing our people”, “Remove bad eggs from Police”, “Nigeria Police deserves better not director of crime”, “DC causing insecurity in Awka”, “Say no to bribery and corruption”, among others.

    They accused some senior police officers of aiding and abetting bribery and corruption.

    The demonstrators also carried a mock coffin, signifying the burial of the accused officers. They gave the concerned authorities seven-day ultimatum to remove the indicted personnel.

    Read Also: How Tinubu is fighting insecurity, by Gbajabiamila

    Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Chief Richard Onuorah said the communities would no longer tolerate incessant killings and maiming of their people.

    The Chairman of Ezinano Community, Tochukwu Nwokoye, hoped that the protest would end unrest in Awka.

    He called for the return of private security operatives, saying they were comfortable with their mode of operation.

    Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga hailed the peaceful disposition of the protesters, assuring citizens of amicable resolution of the matter.

  • Ibibio highest title for philanthropist

    Ibibio highest title for philanthropist

    The Onna chapter of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio has conferred the highest Ibibio title of “Mkpisong Ibibio” on a renowned cleric and philanthropist, Venerable (Dr.) David Udonsek Mnse.

    The title was conferred by the Ntisong Ibibio IV, Pius James Okon, at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Onna Local Government, HRM Edidem Raymond Timothy Inyang.

    Udonsek, who was honoured with the title during the inauguration of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Onna chapter, has contributed to community development.

    He has also awarded scholarships and sponsored youths of Onna in  skills acquisition, in addition to providing succour for the less privileged.

    Read Also: Nigeria loses $500 yearly to cybercrimes, says Senate

    The occasion witnessed the administration of the oath of office to the newly appointed executives by the Ntisong IV Pius James Okon.

    The event was attended by top-ranking traditional chiefs and fathers of ONNA and beyond.

    Udonsek thanked the Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio for giving him the title, saying it was a mark of honour and recognition for his philanthropic gesture.

    Present at the inauguration were Chief Sunny Udonsek, Obong Uforo 1 of Ibibio Land and his wife Obongawan Regina Udonsek, Akwa Ibom State Executive Officer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Others were Mr. Obot Umoetuk, executive secretary, ONNA Local Government, Elder U.U Oton, among others.

  • Delta clears N30b debt owed contractors

    Delta clears N30b debt owed contractors

    Delta State Government yesterday said 30 billion naira has been released for the payment of outstanding certificates owed contractors.

    Works Commissioner (Rural and Riverine Roads) Mr Charles Aniagwu disclosed this during an interview with reporters after inspection of ongoing projects at Emevor and Evwreni in Isoko North and Ughelli North Local Government.

    He hailed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the approval, saying it would encourage contractors to put in their best to deliver their projects on schedule.

    He said Governor Oborevwori approved the payment N30billion to the contractors. “This is why you are seeing that a lot of our contractors have moved back to site.”

    Read Also: How Tinubu is fighting insecurity, by Gbajabiamila

    He added: “We are already making plans in no distant time to also continuously pay so that contractors can continue to work and our people can continue to get value for the jobs we have awarded for the ease of movement across 25 local governments.”

    “We are not having any challenge and I am sure the contractors are doing fine and areas where they need us to fast track payment of interim certificates we have assured them that we will speed up the process so that at the end of the day nothing stalls the work they are doing.”

    Aniagwu said the burning of tyres along roads is prohibited across the state and urged community leaders to sensitise the people to forestall further damage to the roads.

  • Fubara resumes project inauguration, opens hospitals

    Fubara resumes project inauguration, opens hospitals

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara Fubara has resumed inauguration of projects with the opening of the remodelled Dental, Maxillofacial Ear Nose Throat, and Ophthalmology Hospital, as well as Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital.

    Speaking at the opening of the Dental, Maxillofacial Ear Nose Throat, and Ophthalmology Hospital. located beside Rebisi flyover in Port Harcourt, Fubara said even in his calm disposition, he would remain firm and follow his course for development to the benefit of the state.

    He said his administration was committed to advancing the interest and welfare of Rivers people, noting that nothing could prevent his vision.

    Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Fubara to wake up from his slumber and address poverty, unemployment, insecurity and other ills.

    Read Also: Nigeria loses $500 yearly to cybercrimes, says Senate

    APC spokesperson Darlington Nwauju, in a statement yesterday said the people would not accept excuses of political distractions to Fubara’s inability to discharge the functions of his office.

    Nwauju lamented the increasing disconnect between the people and the government, the weakness of policies and what he described as the loud silence by Fubara to tackle increasing poverty in the land despite huge resources available to the state.

    He said: “APC members in Rivers State wish to remind Rivers people that the colour of poverty walking on four legs on the streets of Port Harcourt and indeed all 23 local governments knows no tribal or party affiliation.”

  • PIND seeks inclusion of peace-building in schools’ curriculum

    PIND seeks inclusion of peace-building in schools’ curriculum

    The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has called on the government to integrate peace-building education into school’s curriculum as part of solution to conflicts.

    It said although conflicts remained inevitable, only mismanaged situation would snowball into violence.

    Speaking at a media parley in Port Harcourt, the Peace-building Programme Manager of PIND, David Udofia, said the non-governmental organisation (NGO) was sensitising government officials on the need for peace education to be in the school’s curriculum.

    Read Also: How Tinubu is fighting insecurity, by Gbajabiamila

    Udofia said: “We are talking to the government to have an understanding that there is need to invest in peace education. We are working towards changing our educational curriculum to include peace-building education at the kindergarten level, which will be different from peace-building education at the secondary and tertiary education levels.”

  • Army records zero-banditry, kidnapping in Kano, says Gen. Are

    Army records zero-banditry, kidnapping in Kano, says Gen. Are

    The Brigade Commander, 3 Mechanized Brigade, Bukavu, Brig-Gen. Jamiu Are,  said the Nigerian Army has recorded zero-cases of banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities within Kano city and its environ.

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Are was speaking while receiving the members of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Garko yesterday.

    He said they were able to sustain peace in Kano as a result of the Joint Security Taskforce put in place to confront any form of security threat within its area of supervision.

    Are said: “In Kano, the synergy we have with other security agencies has yielded positive results and it has continued to make it easy for us to keep the state safer than ever before. With the level of cooperation and understanding of the people in terms of intelligence gathering, put work has made much more easier.

    “Before now, we have serious issues with local government areas with boundaries with Katsina, Bauchi and other bandits-infested states.

    Read Also: Nigeria loses $500 yearly to cybercrimes, says Senate

    “However, due to the intelligence gathering and synergy, we have succeeded in ensuring peace in those places.”

    He said their activities at Falgore forest had effectively checked the influx of non-state actors into Kano and its environs while travellers on the route were plying the roads without any fear.

    The commanding officer explained that the military’s main job was to ensure the protection of lives and properties, adding, “in Kano where it is our jurisdiction we will ensure that the state remains peaceful.”

    Earlier, Garko said they were ready to partner with the military and other security agencies on information dissemination.

    Garko commended Are for doing his possible best to make Kano more peaceful, adding, “the mission of the media mission is development not destruction.”

  • Bauchi Gov: we’ve borrowed N100b in four years

    Bauchi Gov: we’ve borrowed N100b in four years

    Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed yesterday said his administration has secured a total of N100 billion in loans since assuming office in 2019.

    He emphasized that over N90 billion of these funds were allocated to infrastructural projects, with additional allocations directed to the education and health sectors.

    Speaking at the State Executive Council meeting, the governor explained that infrastructural projects alone gulped over N90 billion.

    He assured transparency in the utilization of funds, expressing a commitment to repaying every borrowed kobo.

    He also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery, urging Commissioners to prioritize their responsibilities and endorsing the signing of performance bonds.

    Mohammed said: “You can see the projects and programs, we are just starting. We have borrowed N100 billion and today, the projects alone for the infrastructures getting to N90 billion plus.

    Read Also: How Tinubu is fighting insecurity, by Gbajabiamila

    “Of course, we are going to save some for education and health. We are saving from the little money we are getting from the Federal Government so that we can leverage this loan to do infrastructure alone. You should be aware of this. We are not thieves, we are not here to take anything out of the system, we want to take back every kobo.

    “This is our third Executive Council meeting since we came back for a second term. Our attitude to work is to make sure that we make a difference.

    “Bauchi State is our major concern and we have no misgivings against anybody. Of course, there are distractions here and there but we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.”

  • KEDCO gets new head

    KEDCO gets new head

    The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has announced Abubakar Yusuf as the Acting Managing Director of KEDCO, effective immediately.

    Chairman of the Board of KEDCO, Adamu Gumel in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja said the appointment followed the dissolution of the Interim Management Board that previously oversaw KEDCO under “receivership and restructuring.”

    Gumel emphasised the importance of the new Board’s commitment to following global best practices and adhering to necessary regulatory requirements in the selection of a Managing Director.

    He said the decision marked a crucial step in KEDCO’s journey towards achieving excellence and enhancing its service delivery.

    Read Also: How Tinubu is fighting insecurity, by Gbajabiamila

    Gumel stated: “We are instituting a competitive process to identify a Managing Director, in line with international standards. This approach will ensure that KEDCO continues to evolve and excel in the power distribution sector.

    “As KEDCO undergoes this transformative phase, Mr. Abubakar Yusuf, the newly appointed Acting MD, will collaborate closely with the Board to spearhead the repositioning of the company. The focus is firmly set on making KEDCO the leading Distribution Company (DISCO) in Nigeria.

    “Mr. Yusuf will play a pivotal role during this process as we work together to enhance KEDCO’s performance and services.”