Author: The Nation

Our Reporter

 

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) says the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus (COVID-19), had a major impact on human health globally, infecting a large number of people

The pandemic “caused severe disease and associated long-term health sequelae, resulting in death and excess mortality, especially among older and vulnerable populations”, WHO said in a statement in Geneva.

It also interrupted routine healthcare services; causing disruptions to travel, trade, education and many other societal functions; and more broadly having a negative impact on people’s physical and mental health.

WHO noted that “previous reports of the D614G mutation and the recent reports of virus variants from the Kingdom of Denmark, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of South Africa have raised interest and concern in the impact of viral changes”.

“As of 30 December, the 501Y.V2 variant from South Africa has been reported from four other countries to date.

“The authorities in the affected countries are conducting epidemiological and virological investigations to further assess the transmissibility, severity, risk of re-infection and antibody response to new variants.”

It listed activities initiated by national authorities that had reported virus variants, adding that “they are undertaking intensified sampling to understand how widely these new variants are circulating”.

“Researchers and government authorities are working with WHO and collaborating with members of the WHO SARS-CoV-2 virus evolution working group to assess epidemiologic, modelling, phylogenetic and laboratory findings as results become available.”

WHO noted that all viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, change over time, most without a direct benefit to the virus in terms of increasing its infectiousness or transmissibility.

Read Also: WHO celebrates discovery of vaccine

It said the potential for virus mutation increases with the frequency of human and animal infections. Therefore, reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by using established disease control methods as well as avoiding introductions to animal populations, are critical aspects to the global strategy to reduce the occurrence of mutations that have negative public health implications.

It urged national and local authorities to continue to strengthen existing disease control activities, including monitoring, epidemiological surveillance and strategic testing; outbreak investigation and contact tracing; and where appropriate, adjusting public health and social measures to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

“Where limited sequencing capacity exists, countries are encouraged to increase capacity in collaboration with public, academic and private sequencing laboratories, and may arrange sequencing at collaborating laboratories in the COVID-19 reference laboratory network.

While mutations of SARS-CoV-2 are expected, it is important to continue to monitor the public health implications of new virus variants.

WHO recommends that all countries take a risk-based approach for adjusting measures in the context of international travels.

James AZANIA, Lokoja

 

NOTWITHSTANDING directives by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) against the backdrop of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, several churches in Kogi State held cross over services into the New Year.

Worshippers in most of the churches visited failed to wear face masks, nor observed social distancing.

Churches visited in Ajaokuta Local Government Area included The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TAC), United Evangelical Church (UEC), Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

The situation was similar in some of the churches visited in the capital, Lokoja and its environs.

One of the clergies in an interaction with our correspondent expressed the optimism that God will protect worshippers from contracting the Coronavirus.

Read Also: 17 killed in Kogi auto crash

The clergy who preferred that his identity not be mentioned explained that prior to the crossover night, the Covid-19 protocols was normally observed, but that could do little in the face of influx of worshipers into the churches for the crossover into the new year.

“There is a need for ministers of God, irrespective of their denomination, to join hands together and pray for God to salvage the world from the hands of the wicked ones who brought the pandemic to destroy the world,” he said.

Pastor Paul Olukunle of the Apostolic Church Nigeria, FFN Assembly, Ajaokuta, said the Covid-19 pandemic is a test that God can destroy the world within a tinkle of an eye.

He admonished Nigerians to believe in God and do according to His will. He expressed hope that 2021 will be full of testimonies and fruitfulness.

Sanni Onogu, Abuja

 

THE Senate Committee on Public Accounts has sustained a query by the Auditor-General of the Federation against the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) over payment of N87billion for unexecuted contracts.

The money was said to have been paid for unexecuted construction works at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, in Delta State by NIMASA.

Following the development, the Auditor General of the Federation in his 2015 audit report now being considered by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, recommended some of officials of NIMASA for investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was learnt that series of invitations extended to the management of NIMASA by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Senator Matthew Uhroghide (Edo South) to defend their indictment in the 2015 audit report of the Auditor General of the Federation were not honored by the agency.

Following the refusal of officials of the agency to appear before the Committee thr Senator Uhroghide-led panel resolved to sustain the query which is due for presentation to the Senate at plenary.

Among the contracts not executed which the agency allegedly paid for are the construction of ship building facility and dockyard, maritime equipment and structure, ancillary buildings at Okerenkoko, Delta State was awarded to a company at a contract sum of N40.2 billion, construction of access roads, internal road network and drainages (work package B) at Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko was awarded on 7th January, 2014 to a company at the sum of N11.1 billion with a completion period of 18 months and another N36 billion contracts.

Others are, Construction of Administrative Blocks A1, N836,026,170.00, Lecture Rooms, A2, N1,729,854,640.00, Vice Chancellors Lodge & Staff Quarters A3 N11,711,090,610.00, Student Hostels, A4, (0% yet to commence), Power House – Power Sub Station A12, N151,445,250.00 (15% at Foundation Level), Perimeter Fence A13, N446,066,550.00 (0% yet to commence), Jetty & Ramp A18

N808,091,100.00 (5% bush cleared), Provision of Electricity Services and Connection of the University to the National Grid A19, among others.

The total amount for the contracts stood at N36 billion, according to the audit report.

The query reads in part: “The package was awarded at a total contract price of N36,839,747,931.00. The tendering process was found to be selective, in that the award of contract was based on a recommendation letter jointly signed by leaders of Okerenkoko Federated Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom and Warri South West Local Government Area in favour of the two preferred companies.

“It was observed that the sum of N5.5 billion had been paid vide PV. No. ZIB/EP/0358/14 of 16/04/14.

“During site inspection carried out on 30/7/15, it was observed among others; that apart from the gate house, which had attained 70% completion, (as shown in the table above), most of the jobs were still at foundation level.

“Project inspection visits undertaken by staff were generally misleading, as the reports submitted were not true reflection of the activities on ground.

“It was gathered that some of the staff collude with the contractors to submit false progress reports on the project.

Read Also: ‘NIMASA committed to capacity building’

“The Director General has been requested to justify the selective tendering process adopted in the award of this contract.

“Show evidence and justify in concrete terms, the commitment of the mobilization fee to project execution, contrary to what was met on ground during physical verification.

“In line with Financial Regulation 3104 (i) to recover and refund to treasury, the sum of N5,525,962,189.65 (Five billion, five hundred and twenty-five million, nine hundred and sixty-two thousand, one hundred and eighty-nine naira, sixty-five kobo) being irregular payment, furnishing recovery particulars for verification.

“The contract for the construction of ship building facility and dockyard, maritime equipment and structure, ancillary buildings at Okerenkoko, Delta State was awarded to a company at a contract price of N40,243,702,763.38 on 12th November, 2013 with a completion period of 36 months.

“Relevant documents such as letter of award and contract file were not made available during the audit despite repeated demands.

“As a result, I cannot confirm that due process was followed in the award of this contract. It was claimed that ‘there was a presidential approval’ for the project.

“However, presidential approval does not suffice for a Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval or Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) certification.

“The payment profile indicated that on 05/12/13, through PV. No. GTB/EP/13/0905, the sum of N6 billion was paid as mobilization fees.

“Meanwhile, as at the time of audit visit in July, 2015, though the contractor was on site, there were no structural, mechanical, electrical or ancillary buildings on site.

“The contractor explained that their fabrications are being done outside Nigeria and letters of credit have also been opened for the fabrication of the equipment for the dockyard abroad, this claim could not be authenticated at NIMASA.

“The inability to sight the BOQ and contract file made it impossible to ascertain the project content and confirm adherence to execution of this project.

“The Director General has been requested to:

Give reasons for not presenting the relevant documents relating to this project namely, letter of award, contract file and BOQ, for audit examination.

“Show evidence of compliance with due process in the award of contract by producing the FEC approval and BPP certification, for audit scrutiny.

“Show evidence and justify in concrete terms, the commitment of the mobilization fee to project execution, contrary to what was met on ground during physical verification.

“In line with Financial Regulation 3104 (i), recover and refund to treasury, the sum of N6 billion being irregular payment, furnishing recovery particulars for verification.

“The contracts for the clearing of bush of 20 & 30 hectares of land at the ship building and dockyard, Okerenkoko Warri, were awarded to 2 different companies at contract sums of N160,523,900.00 and N221,542,418.00 in utter disregard to extant regulations which prescribe graduated payments beginning with mobilization.

“The agency paid the contractors at once through P.V. No. UBA/EP/13/0552 of 13/6/13 and GTB/NIMASA/ EP/13/0704 respectively.

“The payment vouchers which did not pass through normal checking processes were devoid of job completion certificates and other relevant attachments required for a valid payment voucher.

“During an audit inspection visit to Okerenkoko, Warri, on 30th July 2015, contractors on site confirmed that there was no bush clearing at all and that each contractor cleared the bushes on their own project sites.

Our Reporter

 

THE Nigerian human rights community yesterday called for the immediate release of the convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore ,following his arrest by the police on Thursday night .

Sowore was seized along with four of his supporters during a candlelight procession to usher in the New Year in Abuja .

Civil Society Organisations and human rights activists asked government  and the police authorities to release the detained men within 24 hours  or face a fresh round of protests.

The detainees are believed to be at the headquarters of the Intelligence Response Team, Guzape, formerly known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad office.

Read Also: Sowore: Court rejects prosecution’s request to shield witnesses

The National Publicity Secretary, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Comrade Gerald Katchy, said on Friday that the arrest of Sowore and his supporters was undemocratic and unconstitutional.

“The arrest of Sowore and others during the crossover night is condemnable and we demand the unconditional release of those comrades with immediate effect,” Katchy told reporters in Abuja.

He added: “Freedom of expression and association is becoming unbearable and if it continues, the #EndSARS protest of last year will be a joke.”

 

AbdulGafar ALABELEWE, Kaduna

 

THE Zazzau Emirate was on Friday thrown into mourning following the death of two princes and council members, Alhaji Bashir Aminu (Iyan Zazzua) and Alhaji Abdulkadir Iya Pate (Talban Zazzau), on Friday.

Iyan Zazzau, who was a major contender for the emirship following the death of the immediate past traditional ruler, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris, died in Lagos.

He was said to have been ill, according to a tweet by the Zazzau Emirate.

Talban Zazzau, on the other hand, died at his residence.

There was no hint that he was ill.

He was laid to rest  in Zaria soon  after the Janaza prayer.

The remains of the Iyan Zazzau were being awaited at press time.

Alhaji Bashir Aminu had gone to court to challenge the decision of the state government on the choice of the incumbent Emir, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali.

Bamali confirmed Aminu’s death on his verified Twitter account on Friday.

Read Also: Gunmen shoot poly staff, kidnap three in Zaria

He said: “It is with the deepest regret and no pleasure that we announce the death of the most powerful traditional title holder and wealthiest prince in Northern Nigeria, Alh. Basar Aminu, Iyan Zazzau.

“Iyan Zazzau was legendary. We felt a big vacuum hearing his demise.

“A great soul, we mourn his death and pray that the Almighty will give his family and the entire people of Zazzau fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant his Janna.”

President  Muhammadu Buhari  expressed sadness over the death of  the two princes in one fell swoop.

Buhari,in a condolence message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described  their death as a double tragedy.

He said  the death of the two prominent figures got  to him  as a rude shock not long after the death of former Emir Shehu Idris.

He expressed his  deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the families of the two leaders, the Zazzau Emirate Council, the government and people of Kaduna State and prayed  Allah to forgive “the gentle souls of the departed and reward their good deeds with paradise.”

The President also sent  a delegation to visit the palace on his behalf.

 

Our Reporter

 

THE registration of new members and update of register of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will commence on Monday,January  25,according to the Secretary of  the party’s  Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John Akpanudoedehe.

Akpanudoedehe,in a New Year message to Nigerians, said the APC has ” recognised the need for continued conflict resolution and have decided to vigorously pursue reconciliation on all fronts in order to emerge as a stronger party, ahead of the congresses and the 2023 general elections.”

The party’s CECPC,he said, was fully prepared to conduct total congresses at all levels, through a fair and transparent process of electing officials for its various organs.

The CECPC secretary added that the committee was working to create a member-centered party structure that would guarantee full participation of all and accord privileges to strengthen members’ trust, beliefs and engagements in all its activities.

He further added that recognising that time was well against it, the CECPC was already doubling efforts to meet up with the tasks ahead of it in 2021.

Akpanudoedehe stressed that the committee was rebuilding the party to strengthen democracy, assuring that its commitment to leading the process of political change in the country was unwavering.

He said the party’s national secretariat had discussed the need for registration of new members and update of its register to improve on its membership and support-base nationwide.

“Our party, its leadership and members join Nigerians to celebrate the commencement of another year – 2021; indeed, the year 2020 evokes mixed feelings for our great party.

Read Also: APC to hold National Convention by June 2021

“Just like every other sector and activities belaboured by the year-long restrictions globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a party, we did have our share of the inconveniences.

“Aside the pause of party activities in the course of the year, we spent part of the year witnessing internal rancour that almost threatened the kernel of the party,” he said.

This, Akpanudoedehe added, warranted the prompt interventions of the party leadership, including its National Executive Committee (NEC).

He added that the fact that the party survived the onslaught, emerged yet stronger and went on to win a number of critical elections across the country in 2020, was a testament to its great strength.

The CECPC was inaugurated on June 25, 2020 as an interim administration to steer the affairs of the APC and organize a national convention to elect substantive party executives.

 

• Supreme Council for Shariah: ‘No to satanic party’

• Demolition is jungle justice, say critics

The new year’s eve demolition of Asher Club and Bar in Kaduna by the authorities of the state government over a planned sex party has sparked anger and commendation alike from some Nigerians and organizations.

The building ,located on Kachia Road, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna,was brought down by caterpillars of the Kaduna  State Urban Planning and Development  Authority (KASUPDA) following   publicity on social media about the sex party.

According to KASUPDA,the party showcased “ a high level immorality that negates our Socio-Cultural, Religious and Traditional values/ beliefs.”

“This act of immorality,” it said on Twitter, “ is partly the reason why we are bedeviled with security challenges in our dear State.”

It said Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i  “in his proactive Leadership Style ordered the immediate arrest of the Organizers and KASUPDA to Demolish the Structure to forestall a reoccurrence, serve as a deterrent to such other Clubs that may or are intending to host similar or same event to desist and ensure they operate within the ambit of the Law.”

It vowed to ensure that  “we have a serene, sane and decent environment and will not hesitate to deal decisively with any  individual or group tries to engage in any act that expose our citizens to moral decadence.”

The  KASUPDA tweet drew instant reactions from different quarters with some Nigerians denouncing the action as jungle justice.

But the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, hailed the state government for moving against the ‘satanic sex party.’

It attributed the current security challenge in the country to “immoral acts like the ‘Satanic’ sex party.”

A Nigerian @immakogwu  said: “What happens to our justice system? Why not charge this to the courts to adjudicate and punish if found guilty of contravening an extant law. In as much as I do not support a sex party, I would boldly condemn this act of jungle justice. Why then do we condemn Boko Haram?”

Another critic @foseeorara  said: “What specific law was contravened by announcing to hold a sex party in Kaduna? Is having sex illegal? Or the announcement of it? That an act is socially repugnant or reprehensible does not make it a crime. My goodness, what’s happening in Nigeria?!!!

Read Also: El-Rufai demolishes building housing sex party

Yet another critic @realOkhism  said: “No charges, just demolish a building without charges, no guilty verdict and your excellent leader wants to be president, a great dictator leader in the making.”

Rabiu Khalid @DukeofAbuja1 tweeted: “This is wrong though. The alleged crime wasn’t committed, why are you now destroying the property?”

Noah Nwosu @NoahNwosu75 said: “This is jungle justice? I thought this was a democracy. Kaduna state govt should have gone to the courts to seek redress. It wasn’t this bad when we were under the military. The level of intolerance in the north under Buhari is scary. The hotel management should sue for damages & loss of income.”

However,the  Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, threw its weight behind the Kaduna State Government on the matter.

The Shariah Council in a statement by its Kaduna State chapter Chairman, Engr. AbdurRahman Hassan said  the current spate of bloodletting brought about by  banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other vices is caused by immoral acts like the ‘Satanic’ sex party.

Its words: “Allah (SWT) stated categorically in Suratul Hajj verse 41, thus: ‘Those who, when We empower them in the land, observe prayer, and give regular charity, and command what is right, and forbid what is wrong. To Allah belongs the outcome of events.’

“In line with this verse, the Council as an advocate of moral and social values commends the steps taken by the Kaduna State Government on the arrest of the organizers of the Satanic so called “Kaduna Sex Party” and the demolition of Asher Hotel at Barnawa, Kaduna.

“No doubt this kind of illicit act is one of the ingredients that is fueling the wrath of Allah (SWT) that we are inflicted with currently.

“The current merciless bloodletting through banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery, and host of other vices, are as a result of our derailment from ideal moral and cultural values.

“While we commend the Kaduna State Government for this commendable act, we also call on the government to scan for such places where illicit acts are perpetrated in the state, such as ‘Ajagunle’ area, off Maiduguri Road, in Kaduna North Local Government, where ‘Nude’ clubs do exist.

“May Allah strengthen our leaders to do right, may He protect our Imaan,” said Shariah Council.

Our Reporter

 

Ten Nigerians kidnapped by bandits in the Katsina and Zamfara States axis are now free courtesy of troops who went to their rescue.

One of the bandits was killed while another was arrested in the process, according to the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche.

The rescue was conducted on Thursday by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, Enenche said in a statement yesterday.

He said the troops had encountered the bandits while on routine patrol around Gidan Dan Nunu and Dutsi villages in Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara.

He said that the troops successfully rescued seven victims during the encounter.

Read Also: Scores killed as jets attack Sambisa forest

He also said  troops of Forward Operating Base Dangulbi, arrested one Zayanu Abdullahi from Shinkafi district with huge amount of money while on stop and search patrol.

According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was involved in buying stolen cows from bandits.

He said: “Further investigation revealed that the suspect has been a collaborator with bandits. The suspect is in custody for further action.

“The gallant troops acting on credible intelligence that bandits were operating in Kimbisawa village of Batsari LGA of Katsina state, swiftly mobilised to the village and rescued two women and a child kidnapped by the bandits.

“Rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families,” he said.

Our Reporter

 

More than two months after he escaped an attack on his palace at Iga Iduganran on Lagos Island, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has returned to his palace.

The monarch had vacated the palace when hoodlums who had hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protest in Lagos invaded it on October 21 last year and bolted with his crown and staff of office.

Some soldiers were said to have ferried him into safety and he had been absent from the palace ever since.

But a video posted on Twitter by the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Oreoluwa Finnih, shows the monarch wearing a mask and dancing towards the palace with his entourage.

Read Also: Buhari felicitates with Oba Akiolu at 77

Finnih’s tweet reads: “Our daddy is back home… Oba of Lagos, HRM, Alayeluwa Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu’s triumphant entry to Iga Idunganran Palace, today, Friday, January 1, 2021.”

Lagos Island Local Government where the Oba’s palace is situated was one of the hotspots of the protests.

Apart from the palace that was plundered by the hoodlums for two days, they also burnt the family home of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some police stations in the area.

Osagie Otabor, Akure; Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin; Kolade Adeyemi, Jos; Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia; Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

 

IN separate New Year messages on Friday, some governors and church leaders tasked Nigerians to be committed to the country’s survival and development.

Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and AbdulRahman AbdulRazak (Kwara) all tasked all charged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country.

In his New Year message Governor Akeredolu cautioned the people of Ondo State against allowing religious and political differences or social stratification to create artificial boundaries on the way to making the state greater.

Akeredolu expressed optimism that the best of all was embedded in every individual as long as the resolve to surmount challenges is placed above “self-abnegation”.

The governor, who said the state would only be better under his watch, added: “Humanity has never been insulated from challenges; and clearly too, human challenges have never remained invincible and endlessly insolvent.

“Undoubtedly, Year 2020 was fraught with a web of challenges.

“All the same, our individual and collective approach to Year 2021 remains a potent force that can open our minds to the hidden and exploitable opportunities required for fresh paths of growth and development.

“In this regard, losing faith in ourselves and even the nation is not an option but a clear route to self-abnegation.

“We only require a new approach, fresh ideas for results of uncommon nature to face the unusual times.

“Not only do governments at any level require that fresh approach, as citizens, our approach to issues, the desirable reappraisal of the values and morals humanity has imposed on us as well as our individual and collective responsibilities, must provide further and deeper insights for the journey into 2021.”

Join hands with government for greater Nigeria, AbdulRazaq charges Nigerians

Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, called for concerted efforts and collaboration between government and the people to build a truly greater country.

He said: “I join our compatriots in Kwara State and across the country to welcome another year. It is indeed a time to congratulate one another for surviving the outgone year which, no thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, shook human civilisation to its foundation.

“While COVID-19 and the economic crisis are still with us, there are glimmers of hope that the worst is behind us. It is therefore a time to rebuild our world,” he said in a statement.

The governor added: “In Kwara State, our administration will push harder the efforts to reposition the state for sustainable and inclusive growth.

“We will continue to pay special attention to the vulnerable and the poor, which has stood us out, while our investments in basic amenities will continue within available resources.

“We will invest more in the legitimate dreams and aspirations of our youths. We will continue to respect the rights of every individual while hoping that differences will be kept within decent limits without anyone resorting to activities that could threaten public peace.

“Fake news wrought heavy damage on the country in the outgoing year. The Kwara State Government calls for everyone to avoid a repeat in the interest of all.

“Our administration calls on every stakeholder to agree to a common agenda for growth and commit to rebuilding Kwara and make it work for all.”

Pray for recovery and progress in 2021 —Lalong 

In his own New Year message, Governor Simon Bako Lalong congratulated Plateau State indigenes and Nigerians in general for witnessing the year 2021.

He said that despite the challenges of last year, Nigerians should be optimistic and pray for recovery and progress.

Lalong said the economic challenges brought about by COVID-19 and recession can only be overcome by deliberate synergy between the government, private sector and citizens in pursuing set objectives that will create opportunities for recovery and growth.

A statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Dr Makut Simon Macham, quoted him as saying: “We must all join hands together to overcome COVID-19 which adversely affected our economy last year and remains a threat that could cause disruptions in the new year because of the second wave.

“While Government intensifies action in tackling the disease, the citizens must take personal responsibility for their health and those of others by strictly observing COVID-19 protocols at all times.

“Government shall not hesitate to take serious measures that will ensure that we avoid another lockdown due to the pandemic.”

On security, the governor said with the training and deployment of the first batch of community police constables, his administration will invest more in intelligence gathering and preventive measures by fishing out criminals before they wreak havoc.

He vowed that his government would continue to support the conventional security agencies to apprehend and prosecute criminals, particularly on crimes relating to kidnapping, cultism, land grabbing and other violent crimes, using the law that he recently signed to curb such occurrences.

Lalong further restated the commitment of his Rescue Administration to human capital development through training and empowerment of youths, women and other groups in various entrepreneurship schemes initiated by both state and federal governments.

Ikpeazu restates commitment to ongoing road projects

Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, restated his administration’s commitment to the completion of all the road projects currently embarked upon in the state and assured that in the next one year, there would be massive improvement in the stock of roads and other critical infrastructure in the state.

The governor assured Abia workers that his administration would remain committed to their welfare even more in 2021.

While the salaries of civil servants under the direct employ of the state government have remained steady, the governor assured that the systematic offsetting of the salaries of workers in some parastatals, which was kicked off in December 2020, would be sustained in the new year.

But he warned that the heads of such parastatals must ensure that funds made available for this purpose are applied judiciously.

The governor also assured the pensioners in the state that their arrears of pensions would receive the same attention while the payment of their monthly pensions would be sustained in the New Year.

Ikpeazu further assured that in 2021, the security architecture in the state would be further strengthened to ensure that the people are safe.

“The establishment of the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Watch, CPAMS and the Abia Security Control Centre are all designed to make our people feel safe to carry out their legitimate businesses with ease,” he said.

Ikpeazu assured that his administration would continue to support all security agencies in the state with equipment and operational vehicles to boost their readiness to battle criminals in the state.

He restated his readiness to establish a garment factory in Aba to complement the existing shoe factory which had long commenced production of shoes.

The governor expressed gratitude to the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation for placing a hefty order from the Aba Shoe Factory, which he said kept them busy throughout the Christmas season, assuring Abians that his administration would redouble its commitment to the service of Ndi Abia.

The governor, who said he was thankful to God for His love and kindness in keeping the people of the state through the challenges that came with 2020, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, sent his “deep condolences to the families of our people who lost their loved ones to the pandemic and other causes.

He reminded Abians that the pandemic “is still very much here with us and is likely to linger for a while, making it extremely imperative for everyone to take issues surrounding their health very seriously.”

 2021 will witness economy diversification, job creation – Diri

Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, said his administration would in 2021 diversify the state’s economy to end total dependence on revenue from oil-related monthly allocation as well as create more jobs to engage its youths.

The governor, in his New Year Day broadcast tagged: ‘Message of Hope and Prosperity,’ also promised to raise the internally generated revenue profile of the state in 2021.

The Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, quoted Diri as urging Bayelsa people to partner his government to create the conducive environment that would attract investors and tourists to the state.

He said: “In this new year, as a consequence of the well-conceived policies and estimates contained in the already passed 2021 ‘Budget of Growth,’ we expect to witness accelerated development and progress across all strata of our lives, all things being equal.

“We will diversify our economy, create sustainable jobs to engage our youths and explore alternative sources of improving our internally generated revenue. If we look inwards, the buds of change that have opened since we took over government will begin to yield fruit.

“With your partnership, we will create the conducive environment that will attract investors and tourists and allow our people to participate in the prosperity for all. We face many obstacles, but we are an indomitable people. It is our prayer that God will grant us wisdom, favour and insight to hidden treasures to make this possible timeously.

“In 2021, we are going to consolidate existing programmes and expand our activities to bring relief to a greater number of our citizens.”

The governor listed some of his administration’s quick-win interventions to include the DiriBoost training and empowerment scheme for youths to become employers of labour as well as focusing on the agriculture sector to drive its economic diversification programme.

He added that the government would commence construction of the 22km outer ring road project in Yenagoa in January and embark on the repair and maintenance of 50 internal roads in the Yenagoa metropolis alongside other projects.

Urging the people to be courageous, he said the outgone year was dynamic, turbulent and challenging but that they must resolve to develop the state so that the dream of its founding fathers for a prosperous Bayelsa that is truly the Glory of all Lands would be realised.

Pray for Nigeria’s survival, oneness, Seraphim head urges

Spiritual Head, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Prophet Samuel A. Abidoye, urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the survival and oneness of the country.

Abidoye, in his new year message, called on the people not to fear as the Lord would see them through the new year.

According to him, prayer is the only weapon that could help the country withstand the challenges facing it in every aspect of the economy, especially security.

The prophet added that insecurity which has become a vogue as the efforts of government have not been enough in protecting the citizens.

The spiritual head implored all to be vigilant and security conscious, adding that government should be alive to its responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of the people.

He called on Nigerians to aggressively invest in agriculture, which he said is necessary for the development of the nation especially during its present recession.