The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chief Press Secretary

  • Okorocha to Ihedioha: Get sworn in before issuing directives

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has cautioned the state Governor-elect, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, to desist from giving directives to financial institutions in the state over their dealings with the state government.

    Okorocha issued the caution in a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Friday,

    He described the directive by Ihedioha in Owerri on Thursday as “unfortunate and a sign of ugly things to come “.

    He advised the governor-elect to be patient and wait until he was sworn in before issuing directives to financial institutions.

    The governor said that “there is a government in place and until May 29, 2019, that government should continue to work in the interest of the state and her people and also continue to carry out programmes and policies for the same purpose.

    “To begin to harass or give directives to financial institutions in the state is an act of hostility. Financial Institutions in the state should disregard such directive and continue to do the right thing and take the right action.

    “The best that the governor-elect can do is to confront the outgoing government when he takes over on any financial transaction he has reservations at.”

    Ihedioha had urged financial institutions in the state not to engage in new transactions with the government and warned that anyone who engaged in such transactions did so at their own risk. (NAN)

  • Buhari’s victory well deserved, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for their victory at the 2019 presidential election, saying that it was a victory well deserved.

    Governor Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the victory was not just a confirmation of the people’s love for President Buhari but an attestation that Nigerians were happy with the progress the Federal Government has made in the last four years.

    The Governor said: “Let me join millions of our loyal party faithful in the State and across the country to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo for their resounding victory at last Saturday’s polls.

    ‘This is indeed a historic moment because Nigerians have used their votes to show Mr. President that they are happy with the progress the country has made on several sectors of the polity.

    “This is a victory for democracy; it is a victory for good governance and a clear statement from Nigerians that they are ready to move to the next level with President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Read Also: Ambode: polls peaceful, best so far in Nigeria

    He expressed confidence the Buhari-led administration would consolidate on the achievements of the last four years and justify the renewal of his mandate by millions of Nigerians at the polls.

    “This is a threshold of our political history. I urge Nigerians to rally round the Federal Government and support the drive to take the nation to the next level,” Ambode said.

    He also commended Lagosians for coming out in thousands and for being peaceful and orderly throughout the period of the elections.

    Besides, the Governor congratulated candidates of the party in the National Assembly elections who emerged victorious, saying that with APC in the majority in both chambers, President Buhari would get the needed support from the legislative arm of government to transform Nigeria for good.

  • Osun Governor appoints Adesina as CPS

    Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has appointed Mr. Adeniyi Adesina as his Chief Press Secretary.

    In this capacity, he will oversee the governor’s media matters.

    Read Also:Osun Governor Oyetola rescues accident victims

    According to a statement from the governor’s office, the appointment takes immediate effect.

    Until his appointment, Adesina was The Nation’s Deputy Editor in charge of News.

    He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    He did media training in the United Kingdom and Denmark.

    With 28 years experience, Adesina has worked with Prime People (1990 -1992), National Concord (1993-1999), Punch (2000-2006), News Star as Editor, (2007-2009), from where he joined The Nation in 2010.

    Adesina, who hails from Ilesa East Local Government, is married and blessed with children.

     

  • Why Emmanuel deserves second term, by CPS

    The Chief Press Secretary(CPS) and Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Ekerete Udoh, has listed reasons why his principal deserves a second term.

    Speaking with the executive members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom council yesterday, Udoh argued that  Emmanuel has done well in road construction and industrialisation.

    He enjoined reporters to engage professionalism in their reportage , describing the media as the most powerful institution in the world.

    He advised reporters to always propagate issues that would unite the people of the state rather than embarking on needless blackmail and provocative analysis capable of creating tension and ethnic crisis.

    Udoh said: “I cannot say you should not criticise the governor or his policies and programs in the state. If you think that governor Emmanuel has done well you should forget partisanship and state the obvious. I will be the last person to tell you that you should jettison your professional ethic to satisfy my boss but when someone is doing well tell the world the truth.

    “Criticism is a democratic tool,democracy strives on voice engagement of leaders by the media. The media shapes opinion of in the society. You should make sure that the corporate existence of the country comes first in your mind. You cannot practice journalism when the country is in ruins”.

    Udoh appealed to reporters to partner with the state government by highlighting the activities of the government in the areas job creation, Industrialization and infrastructural development.

    The chairman, Correspondent Chapel, Comrade Aniefiok Udonquak, told the Chief Press Secretary that they were in his office to introduce the newly constituted leadership of the chapel.

    He solicited the cooperation of the state government in providing enabling working environment for journalists in the state.

     

  • Bayelsa endorses Operation Crocodile Smile II, Army free medical service

    Bayelsa endorses Operation Crocodile Smile II, Army free medical service

    The Bayelsa government on Saturday lent its support to the ongoing military training operation and its community relations component by the Nigerian Army in the Niger Delta.

    Gov. Seriake Dickson urged the people of the state to discountenance the rumour that the exercise, christened ‘Operation Crocodile Smile II’, which includes free medical care, would endanger the health and safety of the people.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Francis Agbo in Yenagoa, Dickson made the call while receiving a letter of commendation from the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    Dickson, who described the rumour as unfounded, urged Nigerians not to panic, rather cooperate with the military in discharging its medical outreach and community support initiatives.

    Reiterating his administration’s commitment toward sustaining the prevailing peace, security and stability in the state, Dickson assured the Nigerian Army and other security agencies of greater support in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

    He explained that the state government had donated a large expanse of land for the building of a barrack in Yenagoa and a Forward Operations Base at the western senatorial district to enhance security.

    “The military and other security agencies are a force for good and I want to use this opportunity to call on community leaders to continue to support the military.

    “We can’t have a Nigerian military that is coming here to inject people with poisonous substances.

    “That is not the army we have. This is our own army. These are our brothers, friends and fellow Nigerians, who mean well for all of us.’’ Dickson said.

    The CoAS, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, commended Dickson for the invaluable support to his administration.

    Buratai said the support included the provision of land for building a barracks, a Forward Operation Base and creating a conducive environment for the Army to tackle insecurity in the state.

    Delivering a letter of appreciation from the Nigerian Army, he lauded the people of Bayelsa for their understanding, cooperation, and pledged that the Army would redouble efforts in tackling security challenges in the country.

    The Chief of Army Staff, in the letter intimated Dickson of the Army’s intention to carry out its medical outreach programme and donation of educational materials to various communities.

  • Nigeria, Bayelsa have made progress, says Dickson

    Nigeria, Bayelsa have made progress, says Dickson

    Governor Seriake Dickson has advised the people of Bayelsa State and Nigerians in general not to despair, despite the challenges of the present times.

    The governor in a statement to mark the 57th independence anniversary of Nigeria and 21st birthday of Bayelsa, said the country and the state had made some progress despite the challenges.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, called on Bayelsans and all Nigerians to take advantage of the celebration to reflect on “where we were, where we are now, and where we ought to be as a nation.”

    He said:  “I therefore, urge all Bayelsans and indeed Nigerians to rekindle hope in the state and in our country. We might not have attained the height we expect, but it is also true that, we are not where we were.

    “Progress and development is block upon block. Gradually, but steadily, we are making good progress. Our vision and commitment to a better Bayelsa and a stronger Ijaw nation remain unwavering”.

    He also urged all Bayelsans and the Ijaw nation to rekindle their hope in the greatness of the state and the country, adding that, “if Bayelsa is great, Nigeria will be great again”.

    While paying glowing tributes to the founding fathers of Bayelsa state, Dickson acknowledged their immeasurable sacrifices that resulted in Bayelsa becoming a reality.

    “But for the sacrifice, zeal, commitment and dedication of our founding fathers, Bayelsa would have remained a mere dream.

    “As I reflect on their role today, I can only, but rededicate myself and the Restoration Government I lead to the development ideals of the Bayelsa founding fathers.

    “This inspires a renewed commitment to uphold, meet and even surpass the expectations of those who laid the foundation on which we are building on. My administration will never disappoint the founding fathers and the people of the state, who gave us this mandate, which to us is sacred”, he said.

    The governor solicited the cooperation and support of all Bayelsans and the Ijaw nation irrespective of political differences, noting that, building a great state required the support of everyone.

    Dickson appreciated the goodwill of the people and promised to consolidate on the  gains of his administration in the last five years.

    He assured that, he would continue to run an all-inclusive and open government for all Bayelsans.

    He called on all Bayelsa leaders, in different capacities not to wage unnecessary battles of division, that had stopped the state from attaining its full potential, but to use their time and resources to support the development of the state for benefit of all and sundry.

    Dickson equally congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians on the country’s independence anniversary.

    While reiterating his call on Nigerians not to give up on the country, he noted that, the challenges confronting Nigeria were surmountable.

  • Dickson nominates CPS as commissioner

    Dickson nominates CPS as commissioner

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has sent the name of his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson to the state’s House of Assembly as a commissioner-nominee.

    The governor in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Mr. Kombowei Benson, and read in the floor of the House by the Clerk, asked the lawmakers to consider his request.

    Following unanimous acceptance of the letter, the House asked Iworiso-Markson to appear before it on September 14th for screening.

    He was asked to come along with photocopies of all his relevant credentials for the exercise.

  • Benin monarch warns against using his name to extort

    The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare 11 has warned against illegal extortion under guise of palace authorization.

    The monarch in a statement issued on Saturday in Benin by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Desmond Agbama, alleged that some groups were extorting using the name of the palace.

    He said that a group, Association of Sand Quarry Owners, was hiding under the guise of paying royalty to the palace to increase prizes of various categories of sand in the state.
    The oba said that any group bent on inflicting hardship on the public, using the palace authority as cover would be dealt with accordingly.

    He frowned at the unwholesome development, adding that the palace authority does not authorise anybody or group to collect any form of tax, levy or royalty on its behalf

    Ewuare reiterated the determination of the palace authority to ensure economic and general well-being of the people.

    Oba warned that those engaged in sharp practices should desist from that or face the full consequences.

  • Okorocha slams PDP over comments on Imo Airline

    Okorocha slams PDP over comments on Imo Airline

    Imo State Government on Friday slammed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and an online news publishers, Sahara reporters for criticizing the newly commissioned State Airline, Imo Air.

    The PDP has described the inauguration of the Airline as part of the State Governor’s 2019 Presidential ambition.

    But the government in a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary,  Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, dismissed the PDP as a “dead party.”

    According to the statement, “we also take the floor to tell our audience that as we write, there is nothing like Imo PDP either in the eyes of the law or otherwise. So, any claim purportedly by Imo PDP is fraudulent and should be disregarded by men and women of goodwill”.

    The statement continued that, “the attention of the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and indeed, the Rescue Mission Government in the State has been drawn to some negative claims in the media purportedly by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the State and the “Sahara Reporters” against the inauguration of Imo Air, which, its maiden flight was celebrated by Imo people at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

    “In the purported report, Imo PDP was quoted to have said through its Secretary, Nze Ray Emeana that the Governor acquired the aircraft for his 2019 Presidential election bid, and then queried the rationale behind the Imo Air Venture when pensioners and workers in the State were owed arrears of Salaries and Pensions.

    “For the suspicious claims credited to “Sahara Reporters” with regard to Imo Air we do not also believe that such poorly scripted blackmail could come from an organisation like that. No reputable media outfit could come up with such Caption like “Read, Read and Read, Imo is a fraud” and without a byline. And they never quoted any verifiable source to back up their Claims. It was totally a frivolous story. They did the same thing in their unfortunate claim that the Governor had died following a slap by a female ghost few months ago. They also said the death claim was an outcome of the investigation by “Sahara Reporters.” So, the Management of Sahara Reporters should take steps to evade invasions by some spiritually weak folks whose stock in trade is blackmail.

    “We also take the floor to tell our audience that as we write, there is nothing like Imo PDP either in the eyes of the law or otherwise. So, any Claim purportedly by Imo PDP is fraudulent and should be disregarded by men and women of goodwill.

    “At the moment, there are five factions of the Party in the State with each one having full-blown State – Exco and apex leader and they have been in Court for the Court to decide which of the factions should rightly Claim to be Imo PDP and until the Court makes pronouncement on that, it becomes an absurdity for anybody to be making fictitious media Claims in the name of Imo PDP”.

    It continued that, “And for the avoidance of doubt, one of the factions has Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie as Chairman and Chief Hope Uzodinma as what they normally call apex leader. Another faction has Barr. Charles Ezekwem as Chairman with Chief Emeka Ihedioha as the apex leader. The third faction has Chief Greg Owuamanam as Chairman with Dr. Alex Obi as apex leader. The fourth faction has Chief Chuks Ajaelu as Chairman, while the fifth faction has Chief Hillary Udumukwu as State Chairman and they have their respective offices.

    “Hence, any Criticism against Governor Okorocha or his government in the name of Imo PDP should not be seen as coming from Imo PDP but from some selfish Politicians whose only interest is to govern the State even when they lack the capacity to do so.

    “In his speech at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport to inaugurate the Imo Air maiden flight, the Governor said that the State is not affected by the much-talked about recession in the Country and also made valid Claims that the State has cleared arrears of Pension upto December 2016 and has equally paid Salaries upto December 2016. And anybody genuinely keen in knowing the truth should have Challenged the governor to show proof of the Claims. That is the kind of Challenge we expect and not cock and bull stories.

    “And we want to reiterate that the Rescue Mission Government in the State which Governor Okorocha superintends has cleared arrears of Pension upto December 2016 and paid Salaries upto December 2016. Let anybody in doubt openly Challenge us to show evidence. That is the way to go.

    “Let us also state this, for the sake of emphasis. Those who want to be governor in the State do not see anything good in whatever Rochas Okorocha does in the State no matter how lofty such achievement could be. And the issue of Imo Air won’t be an exception. When we came up with free education they never believed in it. Today, the fruits of that programme have made them dumb. On the massive rural and urban roads Constructions, they said they were China roads, Imo people asked them why they could not even give them Gambian roads for the twelve years they held sway.

    “On the urban renewal programme that has massively transformed Owerri, they said the governor was pulling down houses. We Challenged them to give the locations of the affected houses, they could not including the fence of Captain Iheanacho’s Compound. And during the last Christmas, Imo people especially those who came for the Christmas brought more than four hundred cows to thank the governor for his vision and passion for the State. And those opposed to the urban renewal can’t openly do so again in the State.

    “We, therefore, Challenge those Claiming to be Imo PDP to publish the achievements of the Party for the 12 years it governed the State and let Governor Okorocha publish his achievements for the five years he has governed Imo for Nigerians to see. The truth is that the 12 years PDP governed the State could only be described as the years of the locusts or vampires. And they have no moral right to disturb someone who has shown leadership per excellence.

    “On the Imo Air, we only expect lovers of good tidings to join Imo people in celebration and not enemies of progress.”

  • Ambode redeploys Ashade as commissioner for finance

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has redeployed the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade to take over as the Commissioner for Finance.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor made the decision shortly after the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

    Ashade is expected to resume his new portfolio with immediate effect.

    Governor Ambode, however, said Ashade would still oversee the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget pending when the State Executive Council would be reshuffled.

    It would be recalled that Governor Ambode on Wednesday, October 19, on Wednesday carried out a cabinet reshuffle with the dropping of the Commissioners for Tourism- Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker; Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi and Transportation, Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola.

    Mr. Ashade was until his appointment by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, a Partner at KPMG Professional Services, one of the big 4 international professional services firm with specialisation in audit, tax and advisory services. With over 16 years of professional experience with KPMG Nigeria and extensive skills in financial services industry, project and quality assurance management and public private partnership, he is surely a round peg in a round hole.

    A Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ashade was born in Badagry on 6th October, 1975. He had his primary education at Anglican Primary School, Ilado, Badagry between 1981 and 86 and proceeded to Iworo Ajido High School, Badagry where he passed the West African School Certificate of Education in 1992 before proceeding to University of Lagos where he graduated with B.Sc (second class upper division) in Biology in 1997.

    Ashade joined KPMG (then Arthur Andersen, Nigeria) in March, 1999 and this provided an opportunity for a career change to Accounting. He became chartered in 2004 and was admitted as a partner in KPMG 2013. In 2015, he was appointed a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.