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Author: The Nation

  • Challenges before Mutfwang

    Challenges before Mutfwang

    Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has reflected on the problems facing the state and the steps he wants to take to tackle the challenges. Correspondent KOLADE ADEYEMI reports

    Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the sixth democratically elected governor of Plateau State, did not smile after taking his oath of office. He probably had foreknowledge of the state’s finances, which going by the report of the Transition Committee, is full of liabilities.

    His first official duty was to meet workers in the state’s civil service who had been on strike, as a result of non-payment of their salaries and allowances. He also took over the state where lives and properties are not secured, especially in rural areas. He took over a state where over 20,000 residents are displaced as a result of attacks that preceded his inauguration. He took over a state where all the economic sectors are in comatose. Worst of all, he took over a state with a debt burden of N200 billion. 

    The governor himself gave credence to this state of affairs in Plateau when he said: “I understand clearly the enormity of the task before me and I have no illusions that it is going to be an easy ride. The state is presently under a huge debt burden of over N200 billion, the healthcare sector needs urgent attention, our school system requires a comprehensive overhaul, our infrastructure is decayed and inadequate, and practically, every sector requires urgent redress.

    “I must mention that there are no quick-fix solutions to these challenges, but one thing is certain, we are prepared to take the challenges head-on and hit the ground running immediately.”

    The most precarious task before the PDP administration is the deteriorating security situation across the state. Days after Mutfwang was elected, gunmen invaded the rural communities in Mangu Local Government where the governor hails from. It was an organised attack that affected at least 20 villages within the governor’s local government. About 200 people have been buried in mass graves within the last month. Following a series of attacks in recent times, about 20,000 residents are currently living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and need humanitarian assistance to survive. Even at that, there is no respite in other local governments such as Bokkos, Riyom and Barkin Ladi, where residents sleep with one eye open because of the fear that the invaders may surprise them at night.

    It is against this background that the governor declared that peace and security are an immediate priority for his administration. In his inaugural speech, he said: “Security of lives and property is of great importance to us as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is our topmost priority because it is the foundation that gives birth to all forms of growth and development. The many years of human misery, despair, hopelessness and pains our people have and are still going through must end.

    “I commiserate with the families who have lost their loved ones over these years and especially the families in Riyom, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa and more recently Mangu where we lost over 100 innocent souls who were brutally murdered in their sleep by the most recent premeditated attacks. 

    “The genocidal attacks of the last couple of years suffered by many of our communities across the state have justifiably left deep wounds and trauma on several widows, orphans, relations and friends. This has in turn bred hate, mutual suspicion misplaced anger toward innocent passersby and so-called reprisal attacks. Unfortunately, this has opened the door for those who dislike our unity and prosperity to label us as hateful and unaccommodating when indeed our people are the victims.”

    Read Also: We won’t witch-hunt anybody, Mutfwang assures civil servants

    Mutfwang assured that under his watch indigenes would not be compelled by insecurity to live in camps, as has been the case up till now. He said: “Under this administration, we will fish such out and expose the perpetrators of criminal activities. For those who will lay down their lives to protect our people, we promise to stand with you and appreciate you sincerely. We shall also collaborate with critical stakeholders within and outside the state, through the constitutional provisions and institute a standing committee that will shoulder the responsibility for the resettlement of IDPs. We shall deepen the operations of Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) and strengthen community relations using mechanisms that promote mediation and dialogue-centred approach to conflict prevention and resolution.”

    Plateau used to be the food basket of the nation, like the neighbouring Benue State. It is a state where farming is the mainstay of the economy. But that economic base is already becoming a mirage, with gunmen roaming around the bushes. This has scared the people from going to the farm. The state is equally rich in solid minerals, but artisan miners are being haunted down on the field by unknown gunmen. A farmer, Sylvester Badung told The Nation: “These unknown gunmen must be known; the Federal Government must fish out these unknown gunmen. Our governor must ensure that this is done to ensure Plateau people do not run to other states to take refuge. This is because, as we speak, no local government is at peace in Plateau; the rural areas are the worst hit, as residents are already fleeing to neighbouring states.”

    However, the governor has assured citizens that he will take on the security challenges head-on. His words: “We have the resolve and we are resolute in our desire for a new Plateau. Let me reaffirm that we will summon the political will every step of the way to initiate policies and programmes that will engender peace, progress and prosperity in our land. This is a solemn commitment, and you can hold me to my word.

    “Our plans are audacious and our programmes will be transformative but the smooth execution of these plans and programmes is predicated on peace. This is because development can only exist where peaceful coexistence thrives. It is an undeniable fact that much blood has been shed on the Plateau for close to two decades now and this has retarded the pace of our development.”

    Mutfwang has called on all residents who love Plateau to embrace peace and look out for the well-being of one another. He said: “I enjoin us to let go of the hate and distrust of the past and embrace the brotherliness that our dear state is known for. We must learn from Rwanda; despite the crises and internal wars that engulfed the country in the past, it has turned itself around to become peaceful, prosperous and a choice destination in Africa. However, we know that there are persons who do not seek the welfare of Plateau. They preach and fan the embers of hatred. They stood by unconcerned when our people were murdered in cold blood.

    “They even callously labelled such genocide as ‘farmers/herders clash’ to the chagrin of the whole world. In the spirit of the new Plateau, we shall give them an opportunity to repent and redeem themselves. If they fail, God will give us the wisdom to isolate and make them unworthy of recognition in the new Plateau we have embarked on building! I must also sound a note of warning to others who converted these waves of attacks as excuses for committing crimes by stealing or sometimes putting innocent persons in jeopardy in the name of revenge to know that this would no longer be tolerated.”

    Another challenge before the new government is the issue of the health and well-being of residents. The state is not looking good, especially the state capital, Jos. The capital city is dirty. The environment is not looking clean and attractive. There is virtually no street in Jos that is clean, especially those around markets like Bukuru, Taminus, Dadinkowa, Abbatior, Gadabiu and Faringada. Other filthy streets include those in towns like Langtang, Kufang, Angwa-Rukuba, Rikkos, Zaramaganda, etc. For a state, which has tourism potential, this says a lot.

    The new government has resolved to take action to curb the environmental menace. In his inaugural speech, Mutfwang said: “We desire to make Plateau an environmentally safe state starting with Jos, the state capital. This can only happen when we individually and collectively strive to portray our homes, surroundings and workplaces as safe and healthy. We will review the Greater Jos Master Plan with citizen input in this quest. To demonstrate our seriousness in this regard, I hereby declare a state of emergency on environmental sanitation in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas.

    “All government agencies must take immediate steps to clear the stinking and ugly heaps of waste littered across the state. Homes and offices must take responsibility for their refuse disposal in line with extant government guidelines. Henceforth we shall ensure that every polluter pays for his pollution. We shall ensure that the indiscriminate trading on roads thereby obstructing traffic as well as posing security concerns is arrested. We shall take steps to curtail the upsurge of illegal motor parks and the indiscriminate parking of trucks along major corridors. We call on the private to take advantage of this opportunity to partner with the government for the restoration of the beauty of the city centre.”

    The huge backlog of salaries and allowances being owed to civil servants in the state is another source of concern for the new administration. The governor inherited huge liability of pending workers’ welfare, which largely hinged on delayed promotions, 30,0000 minimum wages for local government staff, unpaid gratuity, salary arrears etc.

    To address the workers’ welfare quagmire, Mutfwang said: “We are aware of the pains our workers are currently facing which have resulted in industrial disharmony. Your welfare is a right, for every labourer is worthy of his wages. We will not regard payment of salary as an achievement but a duty; therefore, it will be one of our top priorities. We, therefore, request civil servants in the state to end the ongoing strike in the interest of Plateau. This will provide the window for intense and sincere interaction towards resolving the issues.

    “We will strengthen and enhance the capacity of civil servants to carry out their daily responsibility of implementing government policies diligently. We will look into areas of training, retraining, quality staffing and a meritorious reward system so that state workers will help deliver public services, support the government’s policies and provide advice on policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation.

    “In this regard, public, private partnership (PPP) will be adopted as an official and strategic corner policy of our development initiatives. We will work to lower the cost of governance without jeopardising the future of our workforce. The state internal revenue service will be repositioned to play a leading and unambiguous role in radically improving state finance. Our ultimate target is to pay workers’ salaries from our IGR.”

    But, after all said and done, implementation of the above intentions is the key. It is one for a new government to see the decay in the system it has inherited from its predecessor and another thing to be able to muster the political will to do the right thing. Whether the Mutfwang-led government will make a difference is another matter.

  • Brf: Tested and trusted at 60

    Brf: Tested and trusted at 60

    By Hakeem Bello

    “One admirable thing about Fashola is that he executes every assignment as though his life depended on them. He is, to a considerable extent, the face of what the Catholic Church has in recent decades popularised as common good.” – Modestus Umenzekwe, President of Adem Commercial Complex Lagos, and a frequent road user, wrote in The Cable (8 September 2016).

    With yearly tributes over the past decade focusing on various attributes of Babatunde Raji Fashola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Commander of the Order of the Niger, it is almost tempting to ask: what is left to be said?

    But, for a devoted public servant who, in over two decades, has left his imprimatur of dedication and single-minded pursuit of excellence as Chief of Staff and Commissioner in the administration of the current President as Governor of Lagos sufficiently to earn his support as aspirant, candidate and two-term Governor of the State and then capturing national attention as a Minister of the Federal Republic for two terms, the ink can never go dry on his essence.

    But BRF, as he is commonly known, at the outset, did not find public service attractive.  Indeed, before being literally conscripted to serve as Chief of Staff to now-President Bola Tinubu, he had put in 14 years of private legal practice with his career starting out in the law firm of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe and Belgore, where he engaged productively in general litigation in various areas such as company law, land, labour and commercial disputes, criminal law, matrimonial causes, chieftaincy matters, administrative law, and intellectual property.

    He also had a stint as Managing Partner with his friend, Wale Tinubu, in a new law chamber set up by both but retaining the name of the latter father’s chambers – K. O Tinubu – to meet the rising obligations of a young man who was then about to start raising a family with all the anxieties and sacrifices of running a private outfit.

    If BRF left indelible marks in his eight-year tenure as Governor of Lagos State and offered leadership, in the truest sense of the word, for which he got recognition locally and internationally with the International Crisis Group (ICG) in October 2015 presenting him the Stephen J. Solarz Award for his “commitment to resolving social, economic and security challenges in one of the world’s most challenging urban environments,” in his two-term tenure as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he was no less a “torrent of activity.”

    Taken from a tribute by Douglas Martin to the person after whom the ICG Award was named, Stephen J. Solarz, a former nine-term New York congressman, whose “torrent of activity” was then appropriately listed, Fashola’s activities and accomplishments as Federal Minister would fill pages.

    Unpacked in numbers, it would include the completion of the construction and rehabilitation of 13,117km out of the over 19,000km of Roads and Bridge infrastructure as well as other Housing Sector activities being worked on in 1,712 contracts and 1,649 projects being supervised as at May 2023; presenting and receiving approval for 336 Federal Executive Council Memos; touring the country fully by road to conduct inspection on 206 projects; visiting the National Assembly for legislative accountability over 90 times; and the activation of the economy of quantities supplied by sub-contractors in bitumen,laterite,sand,diesel and other inputs for road construction and other building materials at an unprecedented level.

    The outputs include cracking the most difficult road projects in our nation’s history and the initiation of a season of completion, commissioning and impact across the country. This was climaxed by the virtual commissioning by his former principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, of seven projects on Tuesday, 7 May 2023, a historic day when according to Fashola, “the Federal Government in collaboration with all Nigerians, have come together to open the Second Niger Bridge  in Delta and Anambra States, the Ikom Bridge in Cross River State and the Loko-Oweto Bridge in Nasarawa/Benue States and completed section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway as well as the Federal Secretariats in Awka, Anambra State, Yenagoa, in Bayelsa State and Gusau, Zamfara State.”

    Read Also: FG constructed 9,290.34 km roads in eight years – Fashola

    The occasion provided an opportunity for BRF to explain why another major project which should have been delivered on the same day – the expanded and reconstructed Lagos–Ibadan Expressway – was not ready for commissioning.

    “…We have delivered 114km of the 127km Lagos-Ibadan highway. Mr President, please permit me to pause here by those who may wonder why the Lagos-Ibadan highway is not being commissioned also today. There is a critical section in the 4km last mile to Lagos; and though it’s technical, what has really delayed is that we found black cotton soil under the pavement and we have decided that we would remove it and we would replace it, so that we would do a proper job instead of a hurried commissioning. So that would be deferred till the next Administration and the expected completion date would be 30th June.”

    Overall, the economic impact of the exertions of BRF and other ministers responsible for infrastructure under the former administration is that the stock of our nation’s infrastructure to GDP has doubled from 20 percent in 2015 to 40 percent in 2023.

    However, while this is commendable, Fashola believes that infrastructure is a means to a bigger end in terms of its multiplier effect and impact in creating prosperity among the citizenry. “… During the period, the people I interacted with, the workers, the artisans, the people asphalting our roads, the food vendors, the suppliers, painters, people who roof houses those are the people for whom those things are initiated. But people don’t see them, I saw them. I have data on many of them in terms of the numbers we impacted, how many small businesses got to supply sands, roofing sheets, paints, cables, asphalt, and all of that, because that is really what infrastructure is all about; driving the economy, creating jobs, creating livelihoods for families. So, for me that was the big thrill.”

    As one who never let fear gets in the way of pushing the frontiers in the art of making things better, BRF is one who would also not shy away from issues of the day which requires elevated discourse. Hence, from issues around national security, restructuring and its variegated connotations, rights and duties across generations, the import of voting at elections, but most importantly questions of law and order and the place of the nation’s constitution, BRF’s clarity of thoughts are well documented.

    Indeed, being an unapolo getic patriot and firm believ er in his country, BRF has consistently been advocating that his fellow compatriots familiarize themselves with Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution which spells out the duties of citizens.

    He took this campaign to the convocation of the Lagos State University on 22 June, while rendering his brief appreciation to the institution, where he was once a Visitor, for conferring on him a honorary doctorate, which he had earlier written to say would be accepted only after completing his tour of duty.

    “… The matter for today is just to say that from Professor Olumide to Professor Olatunji-Bello, from Governor Lateef Jakande to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the dream to create and keep LASU alive has been a matter, not only of personal sacrifice but also a lot of service and public duty. And my central message today is that from here, we must rise and cease to be a nation of rights and become a nation of duties because we all seem to know our rights, but how many of us know our duties. For those who have search engines on their phones, please just Google and read Section 24 of the Nigerian constitution.

    “It imposes duties on each and every one of us. As a new Government settles in at State and Federal levels, I implore us to familiarize ourselves with our duties and to do our duties. This is particularly with reference to Section 24(b), and I am not quoting law here, but I am just stating that our most important duty at this time is to positively project the good name, the image and the prestige of our country. And that for me is a duty we must all own….”

    As the administration of former President Buhari wound down, BRF intensified his focused activities towards fulfilling his ministerial mandates and also making important clarifications.

    On the last but one working day of the Administration, BRF was at work in Akure to carry out his duty and push forward the frontiers of public discourse while flagging of the Akure–Ado Ekiti Road’s expansion and reconstruction having finally overcome the “procurement” hurdles of source of funding and redesigning of the vital road to the people of Ondo and Ekiti States. He prefaced his remarks with an apology that he would take some time having been subject of a malicious campaign by those who misunderstood the huge effort going on to get the project to a solid and sustainable course and then dwelt on the paradox of infrastructural development like the road being flagged off, governance and public debt.

    He also spoke on the then ongoing debate over whether the then outgoing Administration should have continued “working” or should have drawn the line and waited patiently for 29 May to hand over. Again “breaking it down,” that the projects being commissioned or coming to fruition are the end products of proposals and Council memos which procurement processes started much earlier, he then added the poser on whether vital infrastructure delivery, like the one being flagged off, and governance should cease on account of a mandate that was then yet to extinguish.

    As a ringside observer and participant since our first meeting sometime in 2006, I have often wondered about the driving force(s) behind this unrelenting hard worker who is also ever unyielding in his principled stand on law and order, rectitude and uprightness, preparation and planning among other leadership qualities. Some of these I have discovered are the products of parental upbringing, training as a lawyer and, most importantly, an unsparing self-discipline and self-development that activated itself upon finding himself as a “free” undergraduate at the University of Benin after being a “handful” in his childhood and teenage years.

    Of course, from loathing public service as a young adult and passing through the tutelage of the one who eventually drafted him into it – Governor Bola Tinubu – he has come to appreciate the importance of public service as he recently told Niyi Babade, a former CNN correspondent and film maker, who sought him out for his views on the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential Election in relation to the 2023 Elections.

    “My best days in government are those days when people walk away from my office with a smile. Those are my best days – a problem solved….”

    Also having become somewhat of a veteran in the challenging task of Election Planning and Monitoring, he has come to the personal conviction that power is only meaningful when deployed to serve the people. “For me, the purpose of power, the purpose of winning elections is to express the fullness of the superiority of thoughts into a developmental agenda. Power means nothing if it does not improve the quality of human life, of our environment, of our people. And that is why as public servants, we take our work very, very seriously. We do it with everything that we have and we hold nothing back.”

    Resisting every attempt to get him to speak on the acclaimed accomplishments of his administration in Lagos and downplaying the feedback to the effect that he is being celebrated among a cross section of the citizenry, BRF insists that the aspiration of every leader should be to improve on what they met and then move on. “We must all ensure that the standard is not lowered,” he told Mr Babade who had quipped about not all his colleague public servants believed in his concept of the essence of power.

    Back to the matter of driving force, I found my nearest answer recently in yet another end-of-tenure interview for the programme, “Conversations with History” on NTA. The probing anchor of the personality programme, Thecla Wilkie, had towards the end, and seemingly out of the blues, opted to revisit his 2015 screening by the National Assembly and the famous statement, “May your loyalty not be tested…” thinking that it had to do with bending the rules for some personalities for the sake of “loyalty.” Rather than getting upset, BRF used the opportunity to offer his most profound understanding of “loyalty” and why he has chosen to live “loyally” to any chosen rather than pledge it.

    He declared: “I don’t pledge loyalty, because you don’t know how that loyalty will actually be tested. So, I am loyal to you as my sister or my brother, will I take a bullet for you? So don’t even pledge it, do it when it comes because you don’t know how it will come. And that was the context in which I said what I was quoted to have said.”

    BRF then exemplifies his stance with a most touching experience he witnessed on his tour of duty as Governor.  “I have seen, and this is a very humbling story of life for me. There was a family who had a parent who needed medical help. First, they struggled to get the financial means. Having now got the financial means, it was now who among the children would donate a kidney to save their mother’s life. And they fought to the bitterest end. ‘She’s your mother, No she’s your mother too.’ That was their test of loyalty to their mother, but they loved their mother. I saw that first hand as Governor. I went back and asked myself what’s happening here. That was their loyalty call, they failed to the mother that gave them life. It was something I reflected on and I look back again at all of the stories of loyalty and all I see really is that life is a story of betrayals. But it’s a story for another day.”

    Having done so much in your 60 years, another decade, indeed decades of wonderful memories and accomplishments beckon from today to a man who is Almighty God’s gift to humanity, nation, family and friends. Sixty hearty cheers to a man who is tested and trusted, not by mouthing loyalty but by living loyally to his chosen noble causes.

    For me and the b.diRect Team , we say thank you for being an impactful part of our lives, and Happy Birthday Sir!

    •Mr Bello, FNGE, is Special Adviser, Communications to the immediate past  Minister of Works and Housing.

  • Battle for Imo Government House

    Battle for Imo Government House

    Many stakeholders believe that Governor Hope Uzodimma has done well and that his achievements will constitute an albatross for his political opponents. Nevertheless, others insist that the flag bearer of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and that of the Labour Party (LP), Athan Achonu, are not pushovers that can be dismissed with a wave of the hand. Who wins the next governorship poll in Imo State? Correspondent CHRIS NJOKU asks

    The tenure of Imo State’s Governor Hope Uzodimma will end on January 14 next year. To avoid a power vacuum, a governorship contest to elect a new governor for the next four years is scheduled to hold on November 11. Uzodimma came to power on January 20, 2020, through the verdict of the Supreme Court, which upturned the victory of the seven-month-old administration of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). In the Supreme Court verdict, Uzodimma was declared the winner of the 2019 governorship election.

    So, Uzodimma who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be returning to the electorate in about three months to seek their votes of the Imo electorates to return to the seat of power in the state, otherwise known as Douglas House. People believe that his performance in the last three years or otherwise will play a decisive role in determining whether he will emerge victorious in the contest.

    Although the APC’s performance during the February 25 presidential election puts a question mark on the acceptability of the party in Imo State, the party under the leadership of Uzodimma did well in the National Assembly elections, where it secured two out of the three senatorial seats and four out of the 10 House of Representatives seats. It also cleared all 27 seats in the state House of Assembly elections, which is unprecedented.

    Observers believe all the recently elected lawmakers will constitute the foot soldiers that would assist the governor in securing his second term in November.

    Besides, the thinking within APC circles is that the governor has done well in office in the last three and half years, particularly in road construction and the adoption of the digital economy in his administration, and should continue in office for a second term.

    That was why he was unanimously adopted as the party’s consensus candidate ahead of the governorship primary. He was later formally elected as the party’s candidate during the primary, which took place at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square in the state capital, Owerri. 

    The party’s Publicity Secretary, Duke Cajetan said that Governor Uzodimma has the brightest chance among the three major candidates to win the forthcoming election. His words: “Well, the truth of the matter is that our party, the APC, has the brightest of chances to win the forthcoming Imo governorship election.”

    He said that everything is working perfectly well for the party today, unlike in the past when it was embroiled in a serious internal crisis. He said: “As we approach the election, we have a governor who has performed creditably well to the admiration of the people, as our standard bearer. Our greatest strength is the performance of Governor Hope Uzodimma, particularly in infrastructural development.

    “There’s no doubt that the governor has surpassed all the expectations of both his admirers and critics alike. Since the return of civil rule in 1999, Imolites has never had it so good. We are very optimistic that our people, who are the beneficiaries of these phenomenal infrastructural strides of the governor, will not fail to reciprocate the good works of the party.

    “Our party, the APC, is unarguably the most internally cohesive, strong, united and vibrant political party in the state today. Effective leadership and internal stability are two vital ingredients for the electoral success of any political party. I can tell you that our party is the only political party in Imo today without distractions of internal squabbles.

    Read Also: Imo gets ultimatum to implement White Paper on Okorocha’s probe

    “Furthermore, the performance of the party in the just concluded state and National Assembly elections is another pointer to its strength, capacity and acceptability in the state. When you put all these factors and many more into consideration, you will agree with me that there’s no vacancy in Douglas House.

    “When you take a walk around the state and engage our people, you will find out that the masses have made up their minds to re-elect Governor Uzodimma for his quality leadership. In comparison, the candidates of the other political parties, particularly the PDP and the LP have no track record or antecedent to challenge Uzodimma.”

    Oguike Nwachukwu, the chief press secretary (CPS) to Governor Uzodimma,  also believes that his principal’s chances of securing his second term in November are very high. He said the governor is not just going to win, but his win would be a landslide. His words: “The governor has demonstrated capacity for performance beyond the expectations of Imo people, including his political opponents. In all areas of human endeavour, you can see his shadow. Whether on roads infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, youth empowerment, civil service reforms and welfare, relationship with the other arms of government — legislature and judiciary, tourism, transportation, name it — Governor Uzodimma has successfully acquitted himself well. In the area of security, for instance, he has done more to secure lives and property than any other governor, given the myriad challenges he has faced in the sector since he assumed office. Elections are won based on the track record or performance of the candidate.”

    Oguike said the recent endorsement of the governor by the Imo Elders Council, a gathering of respected senior citizens has already unsettled his opponents in the PDP. He added: “We hear they are busy writing queries to some of the elders that are perceived to be members of the PDP, but they lack the sense and foresight to know that what an old man sees sitting down, the young man cannot see standing up.

    “Do you also think that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which has endorsed Governor Uzodimma’s second term recently, is playing partisan politics? The emeritus Prelate of the Methodist Church captured succinctly Governor Uzodimma’s record of verifiable achievements, capacity for governance and sense of commitment to service when he described his performance as superlative.”

    Several groups across the state have also declared support for the governor’s re-election bid. For instance, indigenes of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area recently threw their weight behind the governor’s re-election bid. It was a carnival of sorts recently at the Ahiazu Mbaise council headquarters in Afor Oru, where stakeholders gathered to endorse the governor’s re-election bid. It was an impressive turnout of the APC leaders and their supporters, as well as others from other political parties.

    In his opening remarks, the host and Sole Administrator of the council, Chief Tony Anakani extolled the developmental strides of Governor Uzodimma, especially on road infrastructure, renovation of many community health centres, social intervention and empowerment programmes for Ahiazu youths and women, among others.

    The sole administrator said the governor has been kind to the Ahiazu people in political appointments, including two commissioners, principal secretary and director-general of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), and numerous special advisers, as well as the creation of Ekwereazu Development Centre. Such a good gesture on the part of the governor, he added, “will be repaid on the day of the election”.

    Ahiazu APC chairman, Chief Ethelbert Ugwu also urged the party members to show serious commitment by making sure that the success recorded in the House of Assembly elections is replicated during the November governorship election “so that the victory of Senator Hope Uzodimma will finally prove that Ahiazu is an APC stronghold”.

    While speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Eze Nwaneche who is the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers in Ahiazu praised Governor Uzodimma for his rare gift of quality service delivery, his character as a truthful and God-fearing man, as well as his love and care for traditional rulers. Nwaneche said that Ahiazu Mbaise’s traditional rulers are solidly behind Governor Uzodimma and will work for his re-election in November.

    The Charter of Equity recently adopted by the Imo Council of Elders, led by Eze Cletus Ilomuanye, is also another factor that will enhance the governor’s chances in the election. The charter seeks to uphold fair and equitable rotation of the office of governor among the three senatorial zones in Imo State.

    The emergence of the charter has formalized the issue of power rotation among the three senatorial zones. As a result, all stakeholders have fully embraced the zoning arrangement. Before now, people from other zones were not happy that the Orlu axis where Governor Uzodimma hails from was aggrieved that the zone had dominated the political space, particularly the governorship position for over 20 years. Based on the charter, the governor has continued to garner support from various groups across the three zones for his second term.

    Many stakeholders see the charter as the solution to the protracted dominance of a particular zone. They are also in agreement that Governor Uzodimma should conclude his second term to allow the charter to begin its course. A group, Nzuko Owere General Assembly (NOGA), an umbrella body of indigenes of Owerri Federal Constituency (Owerri West, North and Municipal), said it strongly aligned with the Charter of Equity because it seeks to uphold fair and equitable rotation of the office of governor among the three senatorial zones.

    Following a crucial meeting at the country home of one of its members, Chief Jerry Chukwueke (Ohamadike) in Awaka Town, Owerri North Local Government Area, the group resolved to support and align with the idea of upholding fair and equitable rotation of power, particularly the office of governor, among the three zones. The corollary from the above is that the group is in support of the governor’s re-election bid.

    Another group known as the Imo State Joint Parliament has also backed Uzodimma’s second-term bid. The group, which comprises both serving and former parliamentarians from the state, has even called on governorship candidates of the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu and the Labour Party (LP), Athan Achonu to step down for Uzodimma.

    In a statement, the group said: “Imo State Joint Parliament is not a praise-singing platform as it is made up of distinguished sons and daughters of Imo State in the legislature.”

    However, a youth organisation, the Coalition of Southeast Youth Leaders, has warned the governor not to celebrate yet; as it is too early to say who will win the Imo State governorship election, given the fact that the election is still more than three months away. Its President-General, Goodluck Ibem said three months is a long time in politics and that anything can happen to change the people’s orientation and determine who wins the election in November.

    Ibem admitted, however, that the governor has done well, even though his performance is still restricted to the urban centres and is yet to be felt at the grassroots. He said the dredging of Oguta Lake is a big plus for him. He said: “If that project is properly executed and starts functioning for economic activities, it will endear the people to him and this will boost his chances. That project will attract Igbo sons and daughters to Imo State.”

    The youth leader believes if Governor Uzodimma galvanizes critical stakeholders and the younger generation on his side, he will be the candidate to beat in the election. He said: “Those whose primary responsibility in the state is to reach the people, the press, appear to be in a cold war with the administration, and I believe that is why the government is struggling hard to convince the people that the governor is doing well.

    “Secondly, the government has a lot more job to do to convince the people that most of the killings in the state have nothing to do with the involvement of a third party, particularly the role of the state security outfit, named the Ebubeagu which people believe are behind most killings in the state and this may affect the result of the election if not well managed.”

    Some pundits also believe that the LP and the PDP candidates are not pushovers as they may spring surprises in the election that some people believe is a workover for Governor Uzodimma.

    It was also learnt that an alliance involving former governors, Rochas Okorocha, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, and Uche Nwosu is underway to back one of the LP governorship aspirants, Gen. Lincoln Ogunewe (rtd) who lost out in the contest that produced Senator Achonu as the LP governorship candidate. They believe that Senator Achonu Uzodimma’s ally and that he may eventually step down for the governor.

    An insider that was privy to their plan said the strategy is to use the Action Alliance (AA) platform, which Ogunewe is representing, to stop the re-election bid of the governor. He told our reporter in confidence: “We are in a chess game and as it stands our thinking is to ensure total victory for our plan.”

  • Koulibaly reveals frustrations at Chelsea

    Koulibaly reveals frustrations at Chelsea

    Kalidou Koulibaly has acknowledged that he found it difficult to produce his best form during his one year at Chelsea.
    Last summer, the Blues paid a reported £33m to secure the signing of the long-serving Napoli defender, who was brought in as a replacement for Antonio Rudiger.

    Koulibaly’s time at Stamford Bridge started positively enough, with the centre-back scoring in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in August, but he was sent off in the following game at Leeds United. Although the Senegal international showed glimpses of his ability, he never really recovered from a calamitous performance at Elland Road and spent time out of the team.

    In total, Koulibaly made 29 starts and three substitute appearances in all competitions, but Chelsea’s lack of qualification for Europe led to him becoming an obvious option to leave West London With new head coach Mauricio Pochettino allegedly eager to use Levi Colwill, Koulibaly effectively became at least fifth choice in the pecking order below Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.

    The decision has since been made to sign for Al-Hilal, with the 32-year-old said to have moved to the Saudi Pro League outfit for a fee in the region of £17m.
    Speaking in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Koulibaly suggested that he enjoyed his time at Chelsea and had no regrets over the transfer.

    Read Also: Snub Man Utd, Koulibaly advises Osimhen

    However, he has hinted that the constant changes behind the scenes and decisions made by the club’s hierarchy and various head coaches negatively impacted on his form.
    Koulibaly said: “With Chelsea, I had a great experience. The Premier League is fantastic. Lots of intensity, lots of goals, very fast players, great talents

    “They expected the Koulibaly from Napoli, but I don’t think my season has been that bad. I needed time: in one year, I couldn’t demonstrate what I would have wanted due to the choices of the manager and the club.”

    He added: “I’ve always been serious and professional, but I don’t like being on the bench doing nothing. I prefer a place where they want me, where I’m at the centre of a project and I can be an example to young people.”

    Koulibaly was initially signed to work under Thomas Tuchel, but he spent much of the campaign playing under Graham Potter or Frank Lampard.

    There were also frequent changes in system, Koulibaly either playing in the middle of a back four or the left-hand side of a defensive three.

  • Lawal hails Tinubu for appointing Ribadu as NSA

    Lawal hails Tinubu for appointing Ribadu as NSA

    Founder and Chief Executive Connected Development (CODE) Hamzat Lawal, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for appointing Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser (NSA).

    Lawal, in a statement, said the appointment demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security apparatus.

    He added that Ribadu brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a proven track record in the field of intelligence as an outstanding and highly respected retired police officer.

    He added: “This unprecedented decision demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security apparatus and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

    ”Ribadu brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a proven track record in the field of intelligence as an outstanding and highly respected retired police officer.

    Read Also: Ribadu, CDS, IG: we’ll secure Nigeria

    ”With an extensive background in intelligence, Ribadu possesses the necessary skills to effectively navigate complex global challenges and safeguard our nation’s interests.”

    ”I commend Tinubu’s discerning judgment in selecting Mallam Ribadu for this position.

        ”Throughout his distinguished career, Ribadu has demonstrated dedication, analytical insight, and a deep understanding of the evolving security landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

        ”Under his leadership, I am confident that a comprehensive and thoughtful approach will shape our national security policies.

        ”Thankfully, he has a reputation for fostering collaboration among various agencies and building strong partnerships with international allies.

        ”This collaborative approach will, undoubtedly, enhance our nation’s ability to address emerging threats, promote diplomacy, and ensure the safety of our citizens both at home and abroad.”

        Lawal stated that Tinubu’s choice in appointing Ribadu reflects a commitment to excellence and a desire to assemble a team of the brightest minds in national security.

  • Association urges Tinubu to sign Real Estate bill

    Association urges Tinubu to sign Real Estate bill

    The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Bill to establish the Real Estate Regulatory Council of Nigeria (RECON).

    President of REDAN, Aliyu Wamakko said the Bill, when signed into law, would further enhance professionalism in real estate, reduce building collapses as well as housing deficit in the country.

    He said this in a statement to celebrate with Muslims during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    Wamakko advised state and local governments to put in place policies and programmes that would assist their people in owning their houses towards improving their living conditions.

    Read Also: Real estate firm woos investors to new property

    He restated the commitment of the association towards complementing the efforts of government in ensuring quality and affordable housing to Nigerians.

    The REDAN chief restated the commitment of the association to quality housing delivery to reduce the housing deficit.

    He said REDAN was partnering other relevant organisations within and outside the country to ensure affordable and accessible for every Nigerian.

    Wamakko advised Muslims to pray for national peace and economic development and safe return of Nigerians who are on pilgrimage to Mecca.

        According to him, the task of repositioning Nigeria for greatness required the prayers and support of everyone irrespective of religion, tribe or political differences.

  • EU observers’ report on result transmission unfair, says INEC

    EU observers’ report on result transmission unfair, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described as “unfair” the European Union Election Observation Mission’s final report on the February 25 and March 11 general election.

    “It is not fair to judge the entire performance of the commission on the basis of a glitch in the result upload for the presidential election,” INEC said.

    The EU observer mission had, in the report, which was presented yesterday in Abuja, listed six priority areas that INEC needed to work on.

    One of the areas, according to the report, is the electoral body’s inability to upload results.

    But INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, told a national television that the “glitch in downloading the presidential election result” was not an enough ground to judge the electoral body’s performance in the polls.

     Featuring on an evening national television programme after the mission’s report was unveiled, Okoye argued that one good thing was that the law empowers political parties to know what goes on at the polling units.

    He said: “Almost all the political parties nominated and got accredited at least over 170,000 polling agents. What that means is that they had primary evidence of the results from the polling units.

    “It is those results from the polling units, together with the BVAS as a machine itself, that goes to the collation centre. So, it is not true for a political party to rely only on result upload in order to get the evidence with which it wants to prosecute its case in court.” 

    Okoye recalled that Nigerians praised INEC for the deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the general election.

    In the area of voter accreditation, the INEC commissioner maintained that nobody has faulted the functionality of BVAS.

    He had said INEC would holistically look at the reports by the mission and other observer groups.

    Okoye said: “We are going to harmonise all the reports by international bodies that have been presented and we are going to look at the reports holistically.

    “From the report presented, the EU made mention of the fact that there have been significant improvements in our electoral process and there have been so many positives to this particular election.

    “One of the positives is that we registered over 93 million Nigerians during this election. Not only that. If you look at the reports submitted by international observers, in terms of voter accreditation, the BVAS performed optimally. “

    “But there were also a few challenges. Looking at those challenges, one must look at the context and the environment of the election.

    “Insecurity was in some parts of the country, which we cannot dispute. Secondly, violence was targeted towards our staff members and some other Nigerians. Fuel scarcity and naira re-design also were challenges.

    Read Also: Forgery suit: INEC, ABU, NECO, others testify against Adamu

    “Recommendations have been made on administrative and legal issues and we are going to harvest them and implement them.”

    In the report, the EU Observation Mission said the general election exposed enduring systemic weaknesses.

    The mission called for far-reaching reforms in the legal and operational framework of the country’s electoral process.

    The Mission Chief Observer Barry Andrews, who unveiled the report, said the shortcomings in “law and electoral administration” hindered the conduct of the elections.

    The operational failures, according to Andrews, include the inability of INEC to upload results, which brought about a loss of confidence in the electoral process.

    The mission also called for further legal and operational reforms in the electoral process to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.

    “We are particularly concerned about the need for reform in six areas, which we have identified as priority recommendations, and we believe, if implemented, could contribute to improvements for the conduct of elections,” it said.

    The six priority recommendations are the need to remove ambiguities in the law; establish a publicly accountable selection process for INEC members; real-time publication of and access to election results; greater protection for media men; an end to discrimination against women in politics and impunity regarding electoral offences.

    Andrews said: “Importantly, there is a need for political will to achieve improved democratic practices in Nigeria. Inclusive dialogue between all stakeholders on electoral reform remains crucial.”

    The chief observer assured that the European Union “stands ready to support Nigerian stakeholders in the implementation of these recommendations.”

  • Milo Secondary School B’ball Championships finals begins July 3

    Milo Secondary School B’ball Championships finals begins July 3

    All is now set for the kick-off of the 23rd Milo Secondary School Basketball Championships as conference champions converge in Lagos for the coveted trophy in the boys and girls categories of the longest running school tournament in the country.

    According to the Managing Director & Chief Executive, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim El-Husseini, the tournament has continued to be a platform for aspiring players to attain their dream with some of them making it to the Nigerian national teams.

    “It has been 23 years of promoting grassroots sports development in Nigeria. 23 years of creating a platform for aspiring basketball players to attain their dreams.

    “Our greatest motivation has been the success stories of previous participants in the championship, like Uju Ugoka and Christopher Ewaoche Obekpa, who play in Nigeria’s national teams and in prestigious clubs around the world today. Several older participants like Adeola Ajayi and Charles Okwandu are now coaches, giving back to their communities,” he said.

    For this year’s event, El-Husseini said: “This year holds even greater significance as it is the first time that special needs children will participate in the MILO Basketball Championship. At Nestlé, we are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We believe that everyone has great potential that can be maximized if they are given the right opportunities. We are therefore delighted that in collaboration with our partners, Nestlé is creating a viable platform for differently abled children to demonstrate their basketball talent.”

    He added: “We are very proud of the progress we have made with our partners over these past 23 years, and will keep promoting discipline, determination, teamwork, friendship and respect through sports in our youth. Since its inception, the MILO Basketball Championship has provided an avenue for helping children imbibe the right values for success in life. The values including perseverance through hardship, courage to overcome fear, ability to work in a team, self-belief, respect and leadership set the foundation for a productive future.”

    He however, lauded the support of the partners like the Nigeria Schools Sport Federation (NSSF), the National Collegiate Sports Foundation (NCSF) as well as the Ministries of Sports, Youth Development and Education in the various states of the federation.

    Grange, St. Saviours shine at Dolphin Swimming Awards
    Grange School, Ikeja and St. Saviours, Ikoyi dominated the award ceremony of the Dolphin Swimming League held at the weekend.

    In the secondary school category, Grange emerged as the overall winner after amassing 1320 points while St. Saviours reign supreme in the primary division with 1484 points to be crowned the overall winner of the season four of the Nigeria’s first private inter-school swimming league organized by Dynapro Sports Promotion and Advanta Interactive with support from the Lagos State Swimming Association, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) as well as the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

    At the well-attended award ceremony hosted by Grange School, the best overall swimmer award for boys was won by Aidan Dumuje-Abili of Grange School who single-handedly won 15 gold medals in the U-11 while Teniola Akin-Olugbade of St. Saviours who claimed 13 gold medals and one silver medal won the girls’ award.

    Grange also swept the awards in the U-7, U-8, U-14 and U-16 while St Saviours picked some awards in U-11, as well as Children International School (CIS) claiming awards in U-9 and U-11 categories.

    The best newly discovered talent was won by Oghenemarho Mueller of Riverbank School and Osamudiamen Aiwerioghene of Greensprings School.

    Grange and St Saviours School shared the best productive coach awards for secondary and primary schools, while CIS were adjudged the most organized team of the tournament.

    According to the coordinator of the event, Oluseyi Oyebode, the tournament has again unearthed talents that could be moulded to become world beaters.

    “The award ceremony was organized to inspire the students as well as to motivate the teams to work harder for next season and we are excited that season four has been a success and we are hoping that the tournament would continue to grow in leaps and bounds. We enjoyed the support of parents and guardians who most times attend the tournament and we are hoping that more schools will join the next season. We cannot forget the huge support and backing of our major sponsor Rite Foods for their unflinching support at ensuring the success of this season and we hope that they will continue to back the event while we are calling on more sponsors to come on board,” Oyebode said.

  • Winners emerge at Topshot tennis tourney

    Winners emerge at Topshot tennis tourney

    Team B led by Blessing Omotayo at the weekend won the 3rd edition of the Topshot Universal Tennis Rating event which ended Saturday at the Lagos Civil Service Club, Ikeja.

    After a very interesting four-day contest in the round robin team event, Team B emerged tops with a total of 24 points in the Girls category.

    Mary Udoffa, Faith Ameh and Osayinweh Osaherun were the other members of the team who supported Blessing Omotayo to win the championship.

    Team C, led by Bamidele Omotayo came second with 20 points while Toyin Asogba led Group A came third with 16 points.
    In the Boys category, Team C emerged first with 24 points with Micheal Osewa as captain. Other members of the team are Joseph Jimoh, Mueex Owolabi and Fortune Emmanuel.

    Read Also: Coronation Insurance sponsors tennis tourney

    Philip Abayomi led Team to emerge second with 20 points just as Daniel Adeleye came third with 16 points.
    The competition is organized by Topshot to boost the chances of young smasher seeking scholarship to the United States of America.

    On final day, the sponsors led by Lanre Ola were delighted about the competition which had for national tennis player, Jumoke Yakubu as the Technical Director.

    Yakubu said the standard and turn out of the 2023 edition was an improvement on the past two editions.
    “We are very happy the players had fun and the sponsors were also elated. The chairman of Lagos Tennis Federation, Tokunbo Agoro and Niyi Oloko of the Lagos Service Club were at the final. We expect subsequent editions to be even better,” Yakubu said.

  • ALGON seeks end to unconstitutional removal of chairmen 

    ALGON seeks end to unconstitutional removal of chairmen 

    The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kolade Alabi has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prevent governors from removing elected council chairmen on assumption of office.

    Alabi also appealed to the leadership of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to stop the unconstitutional action by some of their members.

    He urged the governors to abide by the judgment of the Supreme Court, which stated that it is unconstitutional for elected governors to remove council chairmen elected during their predecessors’ administration.

    Alabi hailed the governors of Kaduna and Kano states for their resolve to allow the democratic process in the councils to continue unhindered.

    Read Also: Local governments will get more support from<br>Tinubu’s administration, says ALGON President

    ALGON, he said, has received with greatest admiration the comments of Governor Uba Sani to continue to grant financial autonomy to the 23 councils in the state.

    Alabi also thanked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for promising to allow the tenure of council chairmen run to its end. He described him as a true democrat whose respect for the people’s mandate amplifies his patriotism.

    While urging other governors to tow the same path, Alabi expressed happiness over the June 23 judgment of Plateau High Court reinstating sacked 17 council chairmen and all councilors.

    ALGON, he added, is also watching with keen interest the unfolding activities in the Benue State House of Assembly concerning the alleged removal of the council chairmen, amidst court injunction, and to appealled to Governor Hyacinth Alia to ensure justice.