Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, on Monday pledged to pay all outstanding gratuities inherited from previous administration before leaving office in 2027.
Yahaya made the pledge while delivering his inaugural speech on the occasion of his second term swearing-in ceremony held at the Pantami Township Stadium Gombe.
He said that the previous administration left outstanding unpaid gratuities worth billions of Naira for eight years from 2012 to 2019.
The governor said that his administration was able to pay over N7.9 billion which covered four of the outstanding eight years.
Yahaya gave an assurance that he would ensure that he did not leave any outstanding gratuity when leaving office in 2027 and would also continue to pay retirees in the state.
“This administration in four years, we paid the outstanding for four years and we are not owing anyone salary or pension.
“We will not spend these four years (second term) and Gombe State will be owing anyone gratuity by God’s grace. We will try and ensure that within the next four years, everyone is paid the benefits,” he said.
The governor said his re-election was an opportunity to consolidate on his first term gains to do more for the people of the state.
He noted that his administration within the last four years had met the aspirations and yearnings of the people by investing in critical sectors toward the improvement of the well-being and welfare of the people of Gombe.
He said he was mindful of the confidence reposed in him which led to his re-election at the polls and vowed not to betray that trust.
According to him, my ambition, through the support of the people is to build a Gombe State that will become a source of pride to future generations and a model to the rest of the country.
“I am profoundly grateful for the trust you have placed in me. Your unceasing outpouring of support, prayers and goodwill shall continue to inspire me each day as we work together to build a better Gombe State,
“As the saying goes, ‘the reward for doing well is the opportunity to do more.’ Your decision to once again trust me with your votes represents a resounding vote of confidence on our first term performance,” Yahaya said.
He said that now that the elections were over, governance would be prioritised and to ensure that the collective interest of Gombe State superseded all other interests and considerations.
He said within the next four years, his administration would focus on economic empowerment and job creation; education and human capital development; healthcare and social welfare; and infrastructural development.
The governor appealed to the people of the state to support his administration, saying that with their support, he would strengthen good governance and accountability.
“With your continuous support and prayers, we shall overcome these challenges, seize emerging opportunities and create a future that is brighter and more prosperous for every resident of Gombe State,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yahaya is the fourth civilian governor of Gombe State after Abubakar Hashidu, Danjuma Goje and Ibrahim Dankwambo since the state was created in 1996
The newly-sworn-in governor of Zamfara, Dr Dauda Lawandare said on Monday that he would collaborate with the Federal Government and neighbouring states to redesign security architecture of the state.
He said at his inaugural speech that the security situation of the state was a source of concern for all and sundry.
He said the new administration would pay greater attention to security by consulting with the Federal Government and with neighbouring Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger states.
The governor said the collaboration would enable the state to galvanise ideas for lasting solution to the lingering problems of banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling that had grounded the state’s socioeconomic development.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has returned home to Daura in Katsina State after serving eight years as President of Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, his wife Aisha and children, arrived Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport via a Nigerian Air Force aircraft at about 1:30 p.m.
He was accompanied by former ministers of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, that of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, and his Spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu, among others.
The former President was received by the newly inaugurated Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar-Radda and his deputy, Alhaji Faruk Lawal.
Buhari was later conveyed to Daura in a helicopter at about 2:20p.m, and was received by a tumultuous crowd led by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk-Umar.
NAN reports that Daura Emirate Council will hold a grand durbar on Tuesday to welcome Buhari back home.
“I am not the type of man who will stay with one woman. I don’t know how some men manage to do it because if my girlfriend has beautiful friends, I will feel like dating them all.
“I am someone who likes beautiful woman, it is difficult to take my eyes off them.”
Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman and Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was sworn in for a second term on Monday with a vow to remain a responsible and responsive leader for the people of the state.
The modest yet colourful inauguration lasted just 45 minutes, kicking off at exactly 8:10am following the arrival of the Governor at 8a.m.
The Governor and Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi were accompanied by their spouses — First Lady Ambassador Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq and Mrs Abieyuwa Alabi — and by members of their families and friends.
Kwara Chief Judge Justice Abiodun Adebara administered the oath on the Deputy Governor and then the Governor, each milestone drawing cheers from the council chamber filled with royalties, security commanders, government officials, party leaders, diplomats, technocrats, Labour leaders, and private sector leaders.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari led all the first class monarchs to the event, joined by the scion of the Abdulrazaqs and Mutawali of Ilorin Dr Alimi Abdulrazaq.
Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu led his colleagues to the event, which also had all the senators and House of Representatives members-elect in attendance.
The Grand Kadi Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen; Head of Service Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole; cabinet members led by Secretary to the State Government Prof. Mamman Saba Jubril; captains of industry, labour leaders, and media executives.
The Governor, who set out his spending priorities, said the second tenure would see him building on the gains of the last four years — all of which he credited to the support of the people of the state.
His words: “The next four years will consolidate the gains of our first tenure and lay new foundations for sustained socioeconomic development and institutional growth. We are going to deepen the reforms and investments in the critical sectors like education, healthcare delivery, civil service welfare, social safety programmes, general infrastructural upgrade and renewals, focused expansion of our economic base, and promotion of a political culture that advances self-reliance and growth.
“Our spending priorities will be to complete all the ongoing infrastructural projects and iron out the business models to deliver maximum benefits to the people. Adequate attention will be focused on completing projects like the Ilorin International Conference Centre, the Revenue House, Innovation Hub, Visual Arts Centre, Sugar Film Factory, Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses of the Kwara State University, industrial park, Shea Butter factory in Kaiama, among others. The General Tunde Idiagbon Flyover and the garment factory will be flagged off soon with huge economic benefits. The Ilorin Capital City Master Plan will be followed by a grander Kwara State Master Plan that will cover Kwara South and Kwara North for sustainable living.
“Affordable housing programme will be another priority of this dispensation. This will help civil servants and other citizens to own their own homes. It will also curb unplanned construction and support decent living conditions. In this wise, we will form partnerships with private and federal government agencies to develop new satellite towns already mapped out in the Ilorin City Master Plan as well as in GRA lands in parts of Kwara South and Kwara North.
“In addition to our Kwapreneur initiative that directly puts money in ideas mostly owned by young people, we will consider an annual multidisciplinary scholarship scheme that will be open to our best brains, especially at Postgraduate Level. Beneficiaries will emerge only through a very rigorous process that is transparent. I believe this will hasten the pace of human capital development in different fields.
“A major flaw in our developmental journey as a nation is a culture of government officials determining what projects are executed in a particular community. This has to be reversed, as we have tried to do in our first term, to allow for people-focused development. For this reason, we are setting up a bureau of integrated rural development to be domiciled in the Government House. It will liaise with communities to come up with their needs in order of priorities. This will allow the government to better deploy limited resources in a way that addresses popular needs. Our traditional institutions and community-based organisations will be major players in this regard.
“We shall also deepen our relationships with the organised private sector to strengthen the business climate and create jobs for our youths. This is in realisation that government does not have the resources to do everything.
“We shall also leverage our contacts and goodwill with the Federal Government to ensure timely completion of ongoing federal roads and adequate funding for new ones. We will intensify our lobby of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the dredging of the River Niger. This will save our people from the annual flooding that claims lives and farmlands. It will also boost economic activities in its tributary states like Kwara.
“Distinguished Kwarans, we shall become more intentional in our efforts to improve healthy living through a cleaner environment. I seek your support and understanding as we take bolder policy decisions in this regard.
“Notwithstanding the existing gaps, our investments in basic primary education and healthcare delivery have been acknowledged nationwide. As we recently completed the UBEC Model School at Adeta, I am excited to announce that Kwara State has again been nominated for a bigger international project in basic education whose details will be released later. This is being funded by the Japan International Development Agency. Similarly, only Kwara SUBEB and the FCT have been chosen for international Mathematics training in Japan in July. This attests to the confidence now reposed in Kwara State locally and internationally.
“To strengthen our multifarious initiatives for a better future, I am hereby announcing optional six month maternal leave for female civil servants who wish to practice exclusive breastfeeding to boost life chances for our younger ones. This will also promote maternal health, among other benefits.
“Once again, I thank the Kwara electorate, opinion moulders, traditional and religious institutions, party leaders, and supporters for all the efforts and the goodwill that made today a reality. We will keep our words to remain a responsible government that is responsive to the yearnings of the people within available resources.”
Afropop singer Cheque has publicly apologised to Davido for a recent act many termed as ‘disrespectful’ to the Afrobeats maestro alongside his wife, Chioma Adeleke.
Born Akanbi Bamidele Brett, the Penthauze artiste stirred mixed reactions, particularly among 30BG fans after a video of him zooming in on Chioma’s photo surfaced online.
Cheque was seen in the video grooving to his latest song ‘Sunflawa’, which featured Mavin signee, Crayon.
He was spotted scrolling through the images of the women he liked on his phone with Chioma one of them as he continued to rock to the song.
Though the video was tagged promotional by some, it elicited conflicting responses with 30BG fans accusing Cheque of being ‘disrespectful’ and ‘lustfully’ zooming up on their fave’s wife’s photo.
In response, Cheque apologised to Davido, stating he never intended any disrespect and noted the DMW boss has supported him on numerous occasions.
“Never meant any form of disrespect to Davido. Baba has been there for me anytime I need am, even on ‘Zoom’ remix. I no just reason am well before posting. Thank you and love you big bro .. OBO @davido,” he tweeted.
Reacting to this, the ‘Unavailable’ crooner retweeted Cheque’s apology post accompanied with emojis to show it was nothing to him.
A member of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olorogun Bernard Okumagba has congratulated President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) and Vice President Kashim Shettima (GCON) on their inauguration as the 16th President, and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He wished them success in guiding Nigeria country towards stability, true democratic governance and economic development.
Reacting to Tinubu’s inaugural address titled “The Nigerian ideal”, Olorogun Okumagba eulogised the President for his firm and unequivocal commitment to “progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal” succintly captured in his five governance principles.
“The principles that will guide his administration as outlined by President Tinubu include “governing according to the constitution and the rule of law; to defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country; and to remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.”
The prominent All Progressives Congress leader in Delta State also applauded Tinubu’s promise to address the nation’s economic problems and his directive to the monetary authorities to make monetary policy to be more business friendly and work towards a unified exchange rate.
Okumagba, a former Delta Commissioner for Finance, in a statement also reckoned that new President who has an established reputation as a bridge builder, a true progressive, an astute believer in true federalism, and who has over the years sacrificed to ensure the sustenance of democracy in our country, will bring these remarkable skills and attributes to bear in renewing the hopes of Nigerians for a more prosperous nation.
Okumagba appreciated the significant role President Tinubu played in seeking solutions to the political and economic challenges assailing our nation
He recalled Tinubu’s remarkable transformation of Lagos State as Governor between 1999 and 2007, and the sustenance of a succession pipeline has since made Lagos the state of choice to live in, work, and play.
According to him: “I look forward to your tenure marked by peace and prosperity of our country through an inclusive national reconciliation process; remarkable focus on confronting insecurity through a reform of the sector; growing the economy; and tackling multi-dimensional poverty, which would boost Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and thereby create a robust middle class that will drive our Country’s economic rebound under your watch.”
Many celebrities, including Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi and Eniola Badmus, attended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration ceremony on Monday dressed in similar attires (asoebi).
Tinubu took the oath of office from Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola in a colourful ceremony amid tight security in a ceremony attended by local and foreign dignitaries at the 5,000-capacity Eagles Square in Abuja, the capital.
The movie stars shared videos of their look to the inauguration via their Instagram pages with Toyin Abraham captured in one singing the National Anthem passionately.
“#inauguration. I am different. My name is OLUWATOYIN DADA ABRAHAM AJEYEMI. #newdawn #tinubuisourpresident #toyinabraham #Nigeriaisagreatcountry”, read the captions of her posts.
Badmus, who faced criticism from colleagues and the public for initiating the distribution of asoebi immediately after the presidential election in February, got people gushing as she showed off her designer bag, shoes, and shades, all laid out on her outfit.
President Bola Tinubu, has promised to revisit the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Tinubu, who said this in his inaugural speech in Abuja on Monday, however, said that his administration would treat both the old and the new naira notes as legal tender.
He said that the policy was harshly applied by CBN, given the number of unbanked Nigerians.
“Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN,” he said.
Tinubu said that the country’s monetary policy needed thorough housecleaning.
He urged the CBN to work toward a unified exchange rate.
“This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy. “The interest rate needs to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy,” he said.
“Every year that I’ve played at the club my responsibility has increased,” said Bellingham.
“I have to continue to be everywhere on the pitch and try my best to contribute going forwards and backwards and try and control games and dominate the midfield.
“My team-mates, the coaches and the staff have helped me to develop. I came to the club as a talented lad but I have added elements to my game that have taken it to the next level and I think that’s down to them, mainly.”
