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  • Alabi presents N6.4b budget proposal

    Alabi presents N6.4b budget proposal

    Bariga Local Council, Lagos Chairman, Kolade Alabi, has presented a budget of N6.4 billion to the Legislative arm for 2024 fiscal year.

    The appropriation bill, tagged, ‘Budget of Consolidation’, was meant to consolidate infrastructure in Bariga.

    He added that it came to address the infrastructural deficits and to consolidate on the achievements in other sectors.

    Alabi, who is the Chairman of Conference of 57 Local Councils in Lagos State, said he and his team “have been working day and night without minding the 18 months left in their administration, as we planned to leave behind legacy and life-saving projects.”

    The National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) stated: “We are going to fix some major roads, in addition to the roads we have delivered, as we are ready to complete the ongoing ones.

    “We have opened seven Roads, including Olorunfunmi/Olorunesan streets with a bridge element. We are on Olorunkemi Street, which is 1.1 kilometres; we have completed the drainages, we have also commenced the second phase, which will be delivered with precision.

    Read Also; Florence Ita-Giwa retires?

    “On Morounfolu Street, our contractor is working day and night, we are about to complete the drainage and it will be done with interlocking. Falade Road will be completed with precision, after which the contractor will be directed to move to Kusa Street. We have started Adewunmi and Ayinke streets, which will be completed by next year.

    “We decided to embark on the total reconstruction of Igbehinadun and Ajidagan streets, which will connect Olorunfunmi and Olorunesan streets, with the option of connecting Alfa Sanni Street, which is under construction. These roads will ease the traffic and gridlock on Famous Bus Stop. We planned to construct Taiwo and Emmanuel streets in Ward B.”

    Alabi promised to revamp the health centres, saying: “We conceptualise the idea of having health centers in our eight political wards, while we fix the wear and tear in the existing ones. Asogbon, Oloja, Eva Adelaja health centres are going to be remodeled and expanded, Ilaje health center will be giving a new facelift. During my campaign, I said I would bridge the gap between dreams and reality, and modestly, we are delivering. By the time we handover, we would have delivered.”

    He thanked the party leaders for given him the peace to strive.

    He hailed the Vice Chairman, Zainot Adeola Kuponiyi, legislators, the executive members and the management for their support and ensuring a good atmosphere for the council to thrive.

    Leader of the House Okanlawon Temitope, pledged a swift passage of the budget.

  • When Innoson’s, Nero’s children tied nuptial knot

    When Innoson’s, Nero’s children tied nuptial knot

    Last weekend in Nanka, Anambra State, it was a gathering of billionaires, and business moguls as Chairman of Innoson Motors, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma and Chairman of Nero Pharmaceuticals, Chief Poly Emenike, united as a big family.

    The billionaires’son, Obinna Chukwuma and daughter Nkiru Emenike exchanged marital vows. Despite the insecurity in the Southeast, the two billionaires defied all odds to give their children one of the most memorable weddings in town.

    Read Also; We’ll exceed N100tr asset revenue target, says MOFI

    The duo refused to spare any cost in ensuring they made the union a special one as they ensured all sundry who attended had the very best of time.

    Guests will not forget in a hurry they treatment they received as it was a battle of spending.

    The groom, who is an Executive Director at Innoson Motors, was said to have met his bride way back during their formative years and finally settled to walk down the aisle with her after several years of courting.

    The father of the bride, we gathered, is a sports lover who built the Neros Stadium in his hometown to promote homegrown sports and also deals in health and pharmaceutical products across the country.

  • Irukera’s reward for hard work

    Irukera’s reward for hard work

    Babatunde Irukera is a man of honour and valour, who is passionate about Nigeria. His giant strides and work ethic have put him in the cynosure of all eyes as a man who is ready to take Nigeria to the next level.

    He has been able to proffer numerous solutions and resolutions at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), where he holds sway as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

    With his leadership, Irukera is gaining the confidence of consumers who are not satisfied with the quality of services dished out by service providers across the country.

    Read Also; We’ll exceed N100tr asset revenue target, says MOFI

    When the Kogi State-born administrator came on board, the agency formerly known to be a paper tiger, has today redirected its resources by living up to its primary assignment, creating fairness, regulatory stability, healthy competition and consumer protection by sanitising the marketplace and holding service providers by their jugular to meet the expectation of customers. With backlogs of petitions from Nigerians over certain service providers, Irukera treated everyone with fairness using his background as a seasoned lawyer to get a satisfying resolution. The once moribund government agency is now a delight to many Nigerians and also restored confidence that is putting service providers on their feet on the need to make Nigerian satisfaction a top priority. 

    With his dedication, hard work and resilience, the Obafemi Awolowo University graduate of Law has continued to keep the fire burning. This has recently got the agency many accolades and laurels at home and abroad.

    Recently, the agency was awarded by Leadership Newspaper as Government Agency of the Year, the Brands Journalist Association of Nigeria BJAN also awarded them as Regulator of the Year and Daily Trust Newspaper awarded them Government Agency of the Year.

    Irukera is not relenting as he is set to intensify his efforts in the new year to make brands accountable to their customers.

  • Florence Ita-Giwa retires?

    Florence Ita-Giwa retires?

    Senator Florence Ita-Giwa is indeed a golden fish that has no hiding place in the water. Thanks to her ravishing beauty, confidence, aura and elegance, which glooms anytime she saunters into a public function.

    During her heydays, she was a delight to many as she brought glamour to any events she appeared in. Her fashion acumen and her graceful gait get the paparazzi cameras shuttering as many of them scamper to catch a glimpse of her fashion statement sometimes in the company of her fashionista friend Sisi Abba Folawiyo.

    Although she has gradually been recoiling into her cocoon because of age, the septuagenarian and former Special Adviser to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, has refused to let her guard down as she still attends events of high profile and socialises.

    Read Also; We’ll exceed N100tr asset revenue target, says MOFI

    Lately, we have not heard much about Mama Bakassi, as she is fondly called, as she did not attend many events. Many who are her admirers have constantly asked the question where she is but the answer seems not coming.

    According to sources, the philanthropist has just slowed down on making public appearances as she is shuttling between Lagos and Calabar and most times Lebanon, where she makes her lovely outfit. She also visits her upscale ‘Echos of Calabar’ restaurant or she is in her Banana Island apartment. Those who think she will retire very soon are making a big mistake as we gathered that she has not retired but just slowing things down to return like she never left.

  • Iyorchia Ayu plans big for daughter

    Iyorchia Ayu plans big for daughter

    Erstwhile Senate President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu has been a political giant since his foray into the murky waters of politics over four decades ago.

    He has maintained his political career for years as a senator, a minister under the late General Sanni Abacha and President Olusegun Obasanjo before his unceremonious exit as chairman of PDP.

    The Gboko, Benue indigene and politician held sway as chairman of the PDP but was forced to leave after several outcries by the Integrity Group led by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over his partisanship during the PDP presidential primaries.

    Read Also; We’ll exceed N100tr asset revenue target, says MOFI

    Amid several calls for his resignation, the PDP lost the election, which was a yardstick for his resignation, as he was suspended from his ward level which automatically made him relinquish his position as chairman before an interim caretaker committee was appointed to keep affairs of the party running.

    Away from his political career, the third republic senate president and academician has since recoiled into his shell, keeping away from politics to face other personal stuff.

    On January 9, 2024, Ayu will be giving out the hand of his daughter Wanger Mbalumun in marriage  to Oluwagbotemi Olugbenga. Also, on January 13, a white wedding hold in Abuja with a  reception where his expected to host  serving governors, former governors, political gladiators, captains of industries and top socialites.

    Sources say he has sent invitation letters to his friends in and outside his party and preparations are in full gear ahead of his big day.

    This will be his first event after celebrating his 70th birthday. 

  • We’ll exceed N100tr asset revenue target, says MOFI

    We’ll exceed N100tr asset revenue target, says MOFI

    The N100 trillion revenue decade target from Federal Government’s assets would be surpassed, the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) – the company saddled with the responsibility to oversee its assets, has said.

    MOFI’s Managing Director, Dr. Armstrong Takang, who gave the assurance on the sidelines after the inauguration of the Board of MOFI in Abuja.

    He said his optimism stemmed from unlocking hidden values in the country’s vast untapped resources to transform Nigeria’s financial landscape.

    Takang said MOFI will adopt a multi-pronged approach to unlock the hidden values in Nigeria’s vast, untapped resources and transform the nation’s financial landscape.

    He listed the identified approaches as the creation of a comprehensive inventory of all Federal Government assets both financial (shares in companies, bonds) and non-financial (infrastructure, real estate, natural resources).

    “This includes assets within Nigeria and internationally. This mapping exercise will reveal the true extent of the nation’s wealth and potential”, the MOFI boss said.

    Takang went on: “These assets will be appropriately valued based on current market conditions and future potential, adding that MOFI can then explore various monetisation options, such as, selling off certain assets, particularly non-core holdings, which could generate immediate revenue.”

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    He listed others measures to include:

    ·      Forming partnerships with private investors to unlock capital and expertise for developing and managing assets, especially infrastructure projects;

    ·      Granting concessions or leasing rights for assets like airports or mining licenses to generate long-term revenue streams;

    ·      Securitizing some assets through instruments like bonds, or asset-backed securities to provide access to larger pools of capital.

    According to him, Nigeria’s untapped wealth far exceeds the initial N100 trillion estimate, citing existing assets like the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL’s) $60 billion valuation (50 per cent of which is government-owned) and the colossal value of federal infrastructure holdings in airports, seaports, highways and bridges, as just the tip of the iceberg.

    Takang said: “When we talk about assets management, today, NNPCL alone, based on current valuation is $60 billion, and we own 50 per cent of it. Federal Government shares in NLNG are not included in that calculation.

    “The value of our infrastructure assets in airports, sea ports, highways, bridges are not included in that figure, by the time we incorporate those assets, and monetize them, you can begin to imagine what value we are talking about.

    “And even for those infrastructure assets we have not talked about, the concessions that are on top those assets and the monetary value that comes from those concessions.”

    Monetising these resources, including concessions and untapped potential in the blue economy and creative industries, holds immense potential for growth, he stated.

    Takang further emphasized the significance of overlooked assets like solid minerals, expansive real estate holdings (domestic and international), and strategic offshore properties. Recognizing their under-contribution to national prosperity, he underscores the need for systematic identification, enumeration and valuation of these resources.

    He said: “Real estate assets of this country, whether residential, commercial, industrial, were not included in the estimate.

    “Our real estate assets offshore, in almost every major city in the world that the federal government owns assets, were not included in the estimate and in most cities around the world that we own assets, we own them in prime locations, these assets are high value assets, so by the time you identify, enumerate and value, you can begin to get a sense of what we are talking about.

    “Our view is that this country is too endowed to be poor, but we need to change our mind set, strategy of how we manage, rationalize, monetize our assets, and the value we create from those assets.

    “And that for us is a clarion call, not only for us but to all MDAs who are currently sitting on those assets, or superintending over those them.”

    He said MOFI’s goal is not to seize assets, but to establish a centralized, clear picture of federal ownership, saying this transparency is crucial for optimising asset utilisation and maximising returns for the nation.

    Takang said: “MOFI’s mandate or goal is not to take away those assets from anyone. It is to make sure we have a single view, single source of truth as to what the federal government owns, because it is through that we can begin to take steps to optimize those assets to the benefit of Nigerians.”

    On the green energy transition and its impact on fossil fuel, Takang assured that NNPCL was proactively driving the shift towards cleaner energy, emphasizing gas (CNG) as a crucial bridge fuel.

    He said plans to leverage Nigeria’s vast gas reserves for clean energy generation and optimize oil and gas returns for investment in diversified sectors and renewable energy projects, are ongoing.

  • Outrage over killings in Plateau

    Outrage over killings in Plateau

    There was outrage yesterday over the Christmas Eve killings of at least 96 in Plateau villages.

    Governors, Northern Senators, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong; former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) all condemned the attacks.

    NGF: bring perpetrators to book

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), in a statement by its chairman and Kwara governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urged security agencies to get to the root of the killings.

    It said nothing justified the violence visited on innocent people.

    The NGF prayed God to comfort all the affected families.

    It appealed to everyone on the Plateau to do everything to avoid a cycle of violence, which only inflicts generational pains and underdevelopment.

    Senators: it’s indefensible

    The Northern Senators Forum, in a statement by its spokesperson, Senator Suleiman Sumaila, said the attack was “devoid of reason”.

    “This brutal act is indefensible, devoid of reason, and stains our shared humanity.

    “We unequivocally condemn such heinous acts and express our deepest condolences to the affected families, loved ones, the people, and the Government of Plateau State.

    “Their immense loss is a collective grief, and we stand united in our determination to seek justice. In our legislative role, we strongly condemn this reprehensible act and call upon the authorities to promptly initiate a comprehensive investigation.

    “Allocating necessary resources to swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrators is paramount.

    “They must face the full force of the law, ensuring justice prevails,” the forum said.

    Lalong described the attack as another barbaric act of crisis merchants who are bent on making the state unstable.

    He said the timing was an attempt to cause chaos and incite citizens to hatred and disunity.

    In a statement by his media aide, Dr. Makut Macham, the Senator urged the Federal Government to mobilise the security agencies to get justice for the victims and bring the perpetrators’ evil enterprise to an end.

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    The former Plateau governor called on the citizens to be vigilant and adopt surveillance measures that will enable the security agencies to deal with such attackers swiftly and decisively.

    Former senator representing Plateau North, Istifanus Gyang, in a statement by his media assistant, Evelyn Pulle, said: “At a time when the world was celebrating Christmas, forces of darkness plotted and executed a massacre of hapless and helpless citizens in cold blood.

    “For how long will the lives of men and women, young and old, be butchered to grab and annexe ancestral homelands of communities and meet demands of satanic altars?

    “This vexing question is on the libs of all men and women of good conscience.”

    Abbas: attack heinous

    Abbas, who described the attacks as “barbaric and heinous,” said the deaths were “too many.”

    He urged security and intelligence agencies to forestall further loss of lives and property in the state and other parts of the country.

    “Nigeria has recorded too many losses of lives and property under attacks, and this trend must stop forthwith,” Abbas said.

    CAN: violence must not be allowed to prevail

    CAN, in a statement by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said in a statement: “We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms.

    “Such acts have no place in our society and must not be allowed to prevail.

    “We urge the security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and proactive interventions to pre-empt and forestall these types of dastardly acts in the future.

    “Our people deserve to live in peace, and it is high time we moved from reactive to preventive measures.”

    Chairman of the Plateau chapter of CAN, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, added that the assailants first threatened the communities.

    He believes the attacks could have been prevented if proactive measures had been taken.

    Lubo told reporters: “I was told that these killers sent letters to the villagers. They told them that they would not celebrate Christmas.

    “So I am surprised they could not tell security agents or anybody about it.”

    He called on the Plateau Indigenous Development Association (PIDAN), to rally their people to defend their communities.

    NEF seeks probe of security lapses

    NEF, in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, called for a review of security strategies to prevent such attacks.

    “NEF expresses concern over the inability of the military to prevent the Christmas Eve killings, despite claiming to have promptly responded to 36 distress calls from different locations in Plateau State in the 48 hours leading up to Christmas.

    “This highlights the Forum’s growing suspicions regarding the efficacy and sufficiency of the government’s operational methods.

    “NEF questions whether the strategies employed by the government are flawed or grossly inadequate, given the audacious regularity and ease with which the attackers operate across the northern region.

    “NEF is also deeply concerned about the recent security incident in Ruwan Dorawa village, Zamfara State.

    “The tragic event that unfolded on the same Christmas Eve resulted in the loss of two innocent lives and the abduction of over 25 individuals, predominantly children and women, including the wife of the village head.

    “In light of this incident and the escalating security challenges faced by the region, NEF urgently demands a comprehensive investigation into the reported security lapse in Ruwan Dorawa village.

    “The findings of this inquiry must be made public, and those responsible for the security breach must be held accountable to ensure justice for the victims and prevent such incidents from reoccurring.”

    Obi, Saraki, Sani demand justice

    Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi condemned the attack.

    In a statement on X, he urged the security agencies to remain steadfast.

    he tweeted: “Let them be reassured that a grateful nation appreciates their labours.

    “Great nations are built by rulers, citizens, and the protectors of freedom.

    “Therefore, to all our illustrious heroes, please accept the prayers and thoughts of your compatriots and the appreciation of a grateful nation for your services and sacrifices. God bless you all for what you do for us all.”

    Former Senate President Bukola Saraki called for a thorough investigation.

    “The audacity of the assailants and the sheer scale of the carnage are reminders of the deep-seated challenges that continue to plague our nation and the urgent need for decisive action to address the root causes of these conflicts.

    “I urge the Federal Government to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into this heinous act.

    “No stone must be left unturned, and no perpetrator is allowed to go free.

    “All the affected communities should receive justice. All well-meaning Nigerians want answers,” he said in a statement.

    Former Senator, Shehu Sani, demanded justice.

    He said: “I watched the video of the outcome of the massacre in Plateau. This is one of the cruellest acts of inhumanity I’ve ever seen.

    “Should we condemn it and unequivocally demand justice or should we continue with the complicit practice of the deodorisation of mass murder using religious or ethnic sentiments?

    “The scene of a baby crying on the back of the corpse of its mother is a horror that should haunt the conscience of every responsible citizen of this country.”

    JNI condemn attacks

    The Plateau council of JNI, in a statement by its secretary, Dr Salim Musa, said it was unfortunate that this cycle of violence was resurfacing.

    “We call on the communities to take the lead in nurturing and sustaining their peace. An enforced peace is no peace at all,” it said.

    The JNI said the security agencies seemed to be overwhelmed.

    “They need the support of everyone to succeed and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “It is a collective responsibility for all to contribute towards sustainable peace,” it said.

    MACBAN sad over killing of herders

    MACBAN lamented the killings of 22 herders in the attack.

    State chairman Muhammad Nuru Abdullah told reporters: “This unprovoked act of criminality is condemnable, particularly at a time that we have put incidents of the past behind us to work with government and security agencies to ensure lasting peace in our communities.

    “All efforts were put in place toward achieving sustainable peace and unity, but yet such dastardly act continued to show its ugly face.

    “We condole the family of the deceased and pray that God grant them eternal rest.

    “We solicit for calm. No one should take the law into their own hands because it won’t resolve the matter.

    “Please allow security to do their work and fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.”

  • Federal, states, councils must join forces on development, Tinubu tells governors

    Federal, states, councils must join forces on development, Tinubu tells governors

    Joint responsibility and closer collaboration between the federal and sub-national governments will foster rapid infrastructural development across the land, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, told members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday.

    The President told governors from the 36 states to do away with the federal, state, or rural road classifications, but join forces on development.

    Tinubu spoke when he hosted members of the NGF at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence. The Forum was led by its chair, Kwara State Governor AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman.

    He seized the opportunity of the visit to update the governor on the step he had taken on the N27.5 trillion 2024 Appropriation Bill.

    The President told the governors that he had a review meeting earlier in the day with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu.

    The review, he said, centred on certain elements in the Appropriation Bill.

    Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, who dropped the hint in a statement, gave no details on the tripartite meeting on the budget.

    Read Also; Be decisive in tackling building collapse, Architects tell Sanwo-Olu

    The said the president emphasized the need for joint responsibility and closer collaboration between the federal and sub-national governments to foster rapid infrastructural development in every part of the nation.

    It reads: “I want us to discard federal, state, or rural road classifications. We must regard development as a joint responsibility. Let us prioritize our children. The school feeding programme must return quickly… beginning from the local government to the state and federal governments.

    “We must be ready to protect our children and prepare them for the future.”

    Abdulrahman reaffirmed state governments’ support for the bold decisions and reforms initiated by the Tinubu-led administration.

    “These are challenging times. It is not a walk in the park. Removing fuel subsidies had a great structural effect on the economy of the states. But we are confident that we will overcome these challenges and bounce back better,” the Kwara helmsman said.

  • Mutfwang: terrorists occupying schools in Barkin-Ladi

    Mutfwang: terrorists occupying schools in Barkin-Ladi

    Governor Mutfwang criticised what he described as the “lack of political will” by relevant authorities to flush out terrorists in the state.

    He said that insurgents had been occupying schools in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area for some years.

    The governor added that killings in the state had continued to escalate because no arrest had been by security agents.

     He spoke while being featured on a national television programme yesterday.

    His words: “We must stop this carnage. We cannot continue with this reactionary strategy. We have to be proactive.

    “As I am talking to you, in Barkin-Ladi Local Government, schools have been occupied by terrorists for some years now. Not less than 64 communities have been displaced and the lands have been taken over by these marauding terrorists.

    “I will be talking to Mr President (Bola Tinubu) on this. We need to summon the political will to give instructions to security agencies to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria and even the internal integrity of our land boundaries.

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    “There are ways of acquiring lands, not through violence and we must be able to resort to constitutionalism in dealing with these issues.

    “People who want land on the Plateau are free to approach the communities, negotiate and settle in those communities. I don’t think people will refuse but where they resort to violence to take over those lands, you will be sure that this is a time bomb because it will reach a time when people react, and we are going to have a large-scale conflict. I pray we don’t get to that point.

    “Part of the problem we have is that so far, there have been no arrests, no prosecution, and as far as we do not confront this issue headline, some people feel their attackers are being protected.

    “Under the last regime, the feeling of the people in Plateau State, particularly the victims of these terrorist attacks, is that it looks as if the terrorists were given official government backing to be able to terrorise them because little or nothing was done to repel these attacks.

    “I can tell you, that these schools that are being occupied didn’t start now; some of those schools have been occupied for the last three to five years. Children in those schools have had to relocate, and primary healthcare centres have been abandoned.”

  • Akume one of Nigeria’s best, says Tinubu

    Akume one of Nigeria’s best, says Tinubu

    • President, Alia, senators, others eulogise SGF at 70
    • 108 non-serving senators pour encomiums
    • SGF: I won’t run for elective office again

    President Bola Tinubu has poured encomiums on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on today’s celebration of his 70 birthday.

    The President described the SGF as one of the most reliable Nigerians.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, reads: “George Akume is one of the most reliable citizens this country can boast of. The people of Benue have subscribed to his sterling leadership principles and leveraged his remarkable talent for so many years because of what he has always stood for.

    “He will be with you in the best of days, and even most reliably in the worst of days. The country has been blessed with the dedication and sure-handedness of Senator Akume.”

    Wishing the celebrant good health and strength, the President implored Senator Akume not to relent in his diligent service to the country.

    Also, Akume has said he is not interested in vying for any elective office again.

    The former two-term governor of Benue State, two-term senator representing Benue North West and former minister of Special Duties spoke at a colloquium/symposium to mark his 70th birthday celebration organised by the Benue State government.

    Responding to a comment by a former Jigawa State Governor Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, Akume said: “I have no ambition to run for a public office again. We have to encourage and give the younger ones a chance.

    “In 2031, I will be 78. For me, no more (public office).”

    The SGF urged Benue State residents to support Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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    “They need your prayers and I also need your prayers.

    “I implore every one of you in the state to continue to pray for the governor. These are trying times. I speak as one with the experience of the office of the governor. It is not an easy thing. Just be praying and be patient.

    “Remember: your hard work ensured his victory. If he fails, you have also failed,” he said.

    Akume recalled that in his over 25 years in politics, he had encountered considerable moments, some of which were very unpleasant.

    The SGF said he had kept trudging on, calling for tolerance and hoping for the best for the country and its people in the years ahead.

    He counseled Benue State residents to see their diversity as a blessing and not as a curse.

    “We should see diversity as a blessing and manage it very well. Our President recognises this and is using it to good effect for all to see. Diversity has ensured the greatness of America and other nations. Our diversity must be seen as an asset and not a liability,” Akume said.

    Governor Alia, who was represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, described Akume as a passionate leader with the interest of his people at heart.

    The governor hailed President Tinubu and Senator Akume for their purposeful leadership towards making the country a better place for all.

    Also, eminent Nigerians yesterday poured encomiums on the SGF on today’s celebration of his 70th birthday.

    House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said Akume has contributed immensely to the growth of the nation’s democratic culture.

    In a congratulatory message to the SGF, the Speaker noted that Senator Akume has contributed immensely to public administration and governance not just in his home state but also across the country.

    House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu described Akume as a consummate politician, patriot, and democrat who is committed to the development of Benue State and Nigeria.

    In a congratulatory message by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, the Deputy Speaker noted that having been governor, senator, minister and now SGF, Akume is one of the most experienced and articulate political leaders driving the engine of good governance for nation’s development.

    Also, in a congratulatory message by its Convener/Chairman Pro Tem, Senator Basheer Lado, the 108 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) non-serving senators said: “Your journey has been marked not only by professional accomplishments but by the profound simplicity and humility that define your character.

    “Your ability to connect with people on a personal level has endeared you to the hearts of many, creating a lasting impact beyond the corridors of power.

    “We would be remiss not to acknowledge your absolute loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has been the cornerstone in the successful realisation of the President’s vision.

    “Your role as the engine room of the government has been crucial in steering our collective efforts toward a brighter and more prosperous future.”