The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

Imo governor has done well, APC tells voters

Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured the people of Isi Mbano, in Okigwe zone that his administration will continue the good work it has done so far in its first term.

He told a gathering of Anglican Communion faithful and their guests at the Third Session of the 10th Synod of the Diocese of Isi Mbano that his administration has done well and will continue to do well in its second term.

A statement, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku

Said Governor Uzodimma who thanked God for the beautiful edifice said he followed and listened carefully to the sermon by the Bishop on the Lake, the Rt Rev Chijioke Oti on the Synod’s theme.

The governor acknowledged that at any point in time, God will surely intervene in our situation and life, noting that the church Chief Tony Chukwu, an indigene of the town built for his community is a true manifestation of the sermon.

He said: “Whatever God has blessed us belongs to God and we should take joy in the works of God.”

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He congratulated all that contributed to the success of the synod and appreciated the host Bishop, Rt. Rev. Godson U. Ukanwa of the Diocese of Isi Mbano for the strong but encouraging words in his charge.

The governor granted two major requests by Bishop Ukanwa – to provide a generating set for the church and to rebuild the road leading to the Bishop’s Court in the Diocese.

In rounding off his remarks, Governor Uzodimma seized the opportunity to reiterate his call on the young men living in the bush in any part of the State and perpetrating evil therefrom, to come out and be rehabilitated.

Bishop Ukanwa had earlier eulogized the governor for his numerous achievements in office and prayed that “God will continue to energise and strengthen him to do more”.

He also called for prayers for Chief Chukwu whom he described as a “great gift of God to Ehime Mbano LGA, Okigwe zone and Imo State in general”.

In his sermon, Bishop Oti listed six ways he said God intervenes in the lives of the people – “restoration, provision, position, healing, delivery and welfare”.

October 30, 2023
Diri cautions monarchs against partisanship

Monarchs in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have conferred chieftaincy titles on Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakpor.

Diri was conferred the title “Olotu Kpekpe 1” (the one and only champion) of Kolokuma/Opokuma, while his deputy received the title “Kuro Okpo 1” (the strong one) of Kolokuma/Opokuma.

The conferment ceremony took place at the palace of the Ibedaowei of Kolokuma Kingdom, King Mozi Agara, in Kaiama as Governor Diri rounded off his re-election campaign in Constituency 1 of the local government area yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of the KOLGA Council of Chiefs, King Agara, the chairman, described the duo as blessings to the people of the area and that they have felt the positive impact of their leadership.

The monarchs prayed and wished the governor and his deputy well ahead of the governorship election scheduled to be held on November 11.

Responding, Governor Diri thanked the monarchs for the honour and promised they would be good ambassadors of the kingdom.

He restated his call on traditional rulers to guard against partisan utterances or getting involved in partisan politics, urging them to operate within extant laws.

Speaking at rallies in Odi, Opokuma and Sabagreia, Diri said he was not in Kolokuma /Opokuma to campaign but to thank his people for their support over the years and expressed confidence that on November 11, they will vote overwhelmingly for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He equally implored the people of the area to maintain the peace before, during and after the election and assured them of more developmental projects.

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He stated: “We are not in Kolokuma/Opokuma to campaign. We came to greet our people and spend time with them. We thank you for your support over the years and we promise not to let you down. We are also confident that you will continue to support us.

“For our traditional rulers, I have been saying that the traditional institution must not be involved in politics. You can receive and pray for anybody but you should not go beyond that. Traditional rulers should not be partisan.”

In his remarks, the Director-General of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Dr. Mitema Obodor, claimed that any vote cast for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election would be invalid as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had delisted the party following a court ruling that disqualified its governorship candidate.

At Opokuma, a member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 2 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Wisdom Fafi, assured of the people’s support in the election, saying the governor had done so much in the local government area and that the people will not vote against their son that is performing well.

At Odi, a former Speaker of the House Of Assembly, Dr. Tonye Isenah as well as the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the people came out to thank the governor for his administration’s projects in the community, which included internal road, solar-powered street lights and the shore protection project that saved the people from flooding this year.

He assured him of 100 per cent votes during the election.

October 30, 2023
‘Revisit appointment of Auditor-General’

The appointment of Mr. Shaaka Chira, by President Bola Tinubu, as substantive Auditor-General of the Federation (AGoF) has continued to generate controversy, it was learnt.

A group, Worried Nigerian Citizens (WNC), has joined in the fray.

Chira’s confirmation was put on hold by the Senate following petitions alleging as the most junior director of the office, he lacked the basic experience to head such a sensitive position.

WNC, in a petition by its Convener, Moses Idika, urged the President to revisit the appointment in the interest of Civil Service.

The petition was copied to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and head of Civil Service Commission.

WNC wondered why Chira, who ranked 17th among the 17 directors in the AGoF Office, should be made to superintend a sensitive post that has 16 persons who are his superiors.

The group urged President Tinubu to reconsider the appointment because it does not align with Civil Service rule.

It argued Chira’s appointment could dampen “morale of civil servants who work hard and at the same time make lazy ones feel they can get ahead once they have the influence”.

The petition reads: “The Senate last week put on hold confirmation of Mr. Shaaka Chira as substantive Auditor-General of the Federation.

“We are aware several directors in the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation were behind the petition that the Senate relied upon to put on hold the confirmation.

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“We are concerned over the disquiet that greeted the appointment.

“The disquiet stems from the fact that Mr. Chira, the 18th on the line of seniority in the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, was appointed to leap and head the 17 other directors who are his seniors.

“It is instructive for the Federal Government to take into cognisance the debilitating effect this appointment may have on the civil service and the morale of officers of the service.

“The Civil Service thrives on hard work and elevation rooted in promotions and unbroken chain of command.

“The latest appointment of President Bola Tinubu strikes at the core of the Civil Service in that it has the potential to dampen morale of civil servants who may feel hard work no longer matters if one has “long legs” in the government.

“We call on Mr. President to reverse the appointment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President which we believe is rooted in re-directing the minds of Nigerians to have hope in our institutions, our government and in our laws.

“The National Assembly must stand on the side of the people by ensuring the President does right in the interest of our national cohesion.’’

“Every Nigerian and every Nigerian civil servant must be made to rely on the ethics of their profession as a precursor for promotions and elevations.

“The Civil Service Rule must also be abided with as a sustainable growth path for all civil servants, ethnicity, godfatherism and favouritism have no place in civil service and therefore, must never, become part of our civil service.

“The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation is a sensitive position that the President must ensure that the morale of its staff is at pitch-high for efficiency.”

October 30, 2023
‘Pipeline surveillance too strategic for non-security men’

Ex-militant leader, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has called on the Federal Government to revoke the oil pipelines surveillance contract awarded to a firm, owned by a top poltician.

Akpodoro, who spoke in a statement in Abuja, argued pipeline surveillance is too strategic to be given to non-security personnel.

The firm in question is not rendering any security service but only collected the contract for selfish reasons.

He added the act establishing Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) gives former militants the right of first refusal in the award of such contract.

The contract, which ought to have been awarded to Urhobo former agitators, was awarded to the top politician under the guise of empowering Urhobo youths.

Akpodoro, mayor of Urhoboland, lamented the contract is a ruse for the politician to enrich himself without services being rendered.

Such act, he noted, is deceptive, saying the contract should be revoked and awarded to Urhobo former militants as was done in other ethnic groups, where such went to former warlords with the expertise to handle such job.

“Since the contract was awarded to this poltician, there is no record of any Urhobo youth he’s is paying. There’s no visible person that is carrying out any surveillance on the pipelines in Urhobo corridor of the Western axis of the oil pipelines.”

Akpodoro noted it is evident the politician was awarded the contract using his former office to influence the authority for personal enrichment and not on behalf of Urhobo.

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‘’It is absurd to allow the politician remain the security surveillance contractor’’, Akpadoro said, saying ‘’Nigeria needs sincere and committed people to protect critical infrastucture the nation’s survival rests on.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to rejig the reward system and not toe the wrongful path of the former administration, which patronised the opposition and their in-house collaborators who sabotaged policies and programmes of that government.

Commending efforts of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) at ridding Nigerian territorial waters of oil theft and sundry crimes, he noted the politician is a liability on the contract and should be atopped for lacking in the capacity to protect the Urhobo axis of the oil pipelines.

October 30, 2023
AFRIFF unveils jury for 2023 film festival

Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has unveiled its jury for the 12th edition, holding from November 5 to 11 in Lagos.

After receiving over 2,000 films from more than 100 countries in five continents, the jury selected over 100 films.

Head of PR & Media for AFRIFF 2023, Latasha Ngwube, in a statement, said the jury includes Stephen ‘Dr.’ Love, producer of one of Netflix’s most viewed movies of the year, They Cloned Tyrone.

Emmy-nominated Nigerian-British writer-producer Abby Ajayi joins him; Nigerian film producer, Greg Otudayo; Zimbabwean award-winning author and winner of 2023 African Peace Prize, Tsitsi Dangarembga; and Lebanese-French actress and director, Céline Halawi.

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Others are entertainment and technology expert, Geneva Wasserman; Cuban-American film producer, Ranada Shepard; and Hollywood producer, Nicholas Weinstock.

Also, there are MultiChoice’s Busola Tejumola; actress, Kate Henshaw, and actor, Desmond Elliott.

There will be 14 awards.

AFRIFF, conceived by Ms. Chioma Ude, celebrates cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora, fostering ideas, production connections, and business relationships.

AFRIFF aims to develop the industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries; provide opportunity for professionals to export their products; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through fora and capacity development workshops.

October 30, 2023
Why I love to help people, says award winner

Managing Director of Geomatics, and winner of Yoruba Study Group’s Most Distinguished Entrepreneur and Most Outstanding Personalty of 2023, Dr. Festus Akindunni, has said his life experience growing up spurred him to always help those in need.

Akindunni said he prayed to own a motorcycle but God uplifted him through hardwork and dedication to duty.

Akindunni, who spoke after his honour, noted the only way to thank God for taking him this far is to help people.

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“There is no other way to success than hardwork. The younger generation need to be honest and truthful.’’

President of Yoruba Study Group, Mr Williams Adeosun, said Akindunni demonstrated excellence and service.

Adeosun said Akindunni showed rare qualities which towered him above his peers.

“He is a man of integrity, diligent, resourceful, dedicated, experienced, efficient, matured, brave, cerebral and connected, attributes needed for outstanding performance.”

October 30, 2023
Govt to revamp metallurgical institute

Minister of State for Steel, Uba Ahmadu, has said the Federal Government will revamp the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI) in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Ahmadu, who spoke in the state, pledged government’s commitment to improve steel, create jobs and speed towards industrialisation.

The minister told Governor Chukwuma Soludo he recognised Anambra as a cluster of industrial development and extended a hand to the state.

Soludo hoped the President Bola Tinubu administration would tap into the country’s great potential.

During a tour of the institute, the minister hoped the state would scale up interest in skill acquisition and liaise with the institute to eradicate poverty.

He said this was his maiden facility tour, saying the visit was planned.

The minister added the administration was passionate about steel and promised MTI would get attention under the Tinubu administration.

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MTI’s Director and Chief Executive, Bode Fakuade, solicited increased attention for the institute by way of more infrastructure and funding, saying it would impart skills on young people

Fakuade called for infrastructure improvement, recruitment and revenue generation, saying it would enable the institution work to its best capacity.

He said the institute needs teaching and non-teaching staff. Approval should be obtained from the federation’s head of Service to engage them.

Earlier, the minister visited Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, who pledged support to the minister.

Ahmadu also met with the Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Motors, Innocent Chukwuma.

Innoson gave its backing to the Federal Government’s drive to reposition the sector.

October 30, 2023
Fed Govt set to improve healthcare

– Fertility expert: digitalise healthcare

Federal Government will improve healthcare, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, has said when he visited Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, Lagos.

Alausa hailed services provided by the facility, saying: “I’m impressed, this hospital compares to best hospitals in the world. FMC, Ebute Meta, is providing amazing services at subsidised rate. I commend the management and staff for their efforts”.

Managing Director, Dr. Adedamola Dada said the visit is timely as he has identified their weaknesses and challenges.

“Dr. Alausa has seen the challenges we are facing’’ and this will enable him to determine where his office can assist; he said the facility lacks adequate human power.

“We havecompleted infrastructure but no manpower (human resources).There has been challenges in retaining work force.”

This, he said, has affected the facility’s capacity in delivery.

“It has affected our capacity in terms of the number of patients we can handle. I’m excited at the solutions the minister is profounding and steps he’s planning to take so we can deliver better in the new agenda of Mr President”, he said

Digital innovation in healthcare is the future and it is happening, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, has said.

This was the thrust of University of Lagos College of Medicine’s 61st Founders Day Lecture and 17th edition of Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas.

Ashiru urged government to fund medical research, activate Nigeria Medical Institute Bill, resuscitate ICT centres, provision for Internet of things (IoT) and upgrade to 5G network.

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“The future of digital innovation in healthcare and medical education is promising. Artificia Iintelligence is in the forefront with its potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery,” he said.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said digital health is a broad, multidisciplinary aspect that refers to use of information and communications technologies in medicine and others to manage illness and promote wellness.

University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice Chancellor, Prof Folashade Ogunsola, described Thomas as loving and generous.

Provost, Prof. David Adewale Oke, noted the college has laid a track record of its mandate of teaching, research and service.

“It is up to us to uphold HOT’s legacy and continue to build, lead, advance and improve our community making it different from the one our founding fathers inhabited nearly 60 years ago.”

October 30, 2023
‘Good governance aid peaceful co-existence’

Stakeholders at a peace conference have agreed good governance is criterion to peaceful co-existence.

The conference: ‘Interfaith Peaceful Co-existence’, by Christian Youths in Politics (CYP), brought together Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and politicians at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Chieftain of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Olufemi Ajadi, urged governments to provide good governance, which, he said, could foster peaceful co-existence among religious and ethnic groups.

Ajadi, organising committee chairman, said for Nigerians to enjoy peaceful co-existence, the government must promote equity and fairness in allocation of resources, pursue even development and provide social welfare to citizens.

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CYP President, Kolawole Princess, said the conference was aimed at ensuring peaceful co-existence among Christians, Muslims and traditionalists.

Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on InterFaith Affairs, Olufemi Ibikunle, said politicians should not divide people along religious lines.

He said: “You can peacefully seek votes, but please don’t divide us. Let us live in peace, we are one people, irrespective of religious differences.” The conference was also attended by Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, represented by Onifeguwa of Ifeguwa, Oba Solomon Adedire, representative of Lagos and Oyo governments, among others.

October 30, 2023
Firm commits to quality product

Promasidor has announced relaunch of its Onga Chicken Cube.

Marketing Director, Adebola Williams, noted its commitment to perfection.

“With the relaunch, we’re taking this promise to higher”.

Chief Executive Officer, Bruno Gruwez, said the firm was delighted in the relaunch.

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‘‘We believe in the joy of cooking, the delight of every bite, and moments shared around the dinner table…’’

Onga Chicken Cube speaks to the heart of these moments, enhancing the flavour of every dish it touches. For mothers, it becomes an ally in the kitchen, ensuring every meal is a treat. For food enthusiasts, it’s the secret ingredient that elevates their culinary creations,” he said.

October 30, 2023