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Tag: done well

  • Amosun has done well for himself, Ogun -Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday inaugurated several projects in Ogun State, saying Governor Ibikunle Amosun had done well for himself and the state. Buhari added that given the level projects executed in the state by the governor, it showed that he planned his exit from government. The President inaugurated the Ogun State Television (OGTV) ultramodern studio, the 250-bed multi-specialty tertiary Hospital at Oke-Mosan ; Adire Mall; Judicial Complex and  the 10,000-seater capacity Amphitheatre of the Abeokuta City Centre  – all in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    Buhari who arrived Abeokuta in a presidential chopper marked NAF 540, touched down at Archade Ground, State Secretariat, Oke – Mosan at 10:18am and was received by the quartet of Amosun, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos); Kayode Fayemi( Ekiti) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo). He described the projects otherwise called legacy projects as “first class,” and hailed Amosun for his performance in office.

    “I think he has prepared for this Governorship seat, he prepared himself for it, he has put infrastructure that will last. I congratulate you for having the foresight and saving enough resources to make sure that your footprint remains permanent, very clever person. Thank you very much. The infrastructure you took me through, the flyovers, the hospital and this complex [Judicial Complex], they are first class. I think you have done well for yourself and Ogun State,” Buhari remarked.

    He also congratulated Amosun on his election into the Senate, describing the Senate as an impartial arm of the government and expressed the confidence that he would get a full support from Amosun in the Senate. Dignitaries at the inauguration of some of the projects included the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; former legal Adviser of All Progressives Congress, Muiz Banire and some traditional rulers in the state.

    In his remarks, out-going Governor said the new 15-courtroom Judicial Complex would serve as the base or headquarters for the state High Court, replacing the existing High Court Complex in Isabo which is over forty years old. The Governor said the complex was designed to cater for both official functions and other contemporary needs of everyone working in the complex.

    He said: “There are adequate spaces for a clinic, restaurants, creche, drivers’ pool, warehouses and workshops. For us and for the good people of Ogun State, a great journey of eight years will come to an end at midnight of Tuesday 28th May, 2019. Even as we prepare to bow out of office, our desire to continue to contribute our quota to the socio-economic development of our dear State remains undiluted.”

     

  • You’ve done well, APC Caucus, NEC tell Buhari

    You’ve done well, APC Caucus, NEC tell Buhari

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari won a major backing yesterday.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC)of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its national caucus passed a vote of confidence in him .

    Also given a clean bill was the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun- led National Working Committee (NWC).

    The caucus met till late on Monday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The NEC met at the party secretariat yesterday.

    The NEC meeting, which started at about 2:20pm, ended at 4:40 pm.

    It declined to debate a “motion” seeking an automatic return ticket for President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu  Dogara, who addressed reporters on the outcome of the meeting, said the “motion” seeking to adopt the President for a second term was not treated “because that is not why we are here”.

    National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the only motion taken was to pass a vote of confidence on the President, adding that there was none on his adoption for a second term in office.

    Abdullahi said an unidentified NEC member shouted from the back of the hall that a motion be taken to adopt the President for second term, but that the motion was not taken.

    Dogara said the meeting reviewed a paper on the line of activities that the party would embark upon in the coming months, pointing out that there was no definitive and conclusive date for its convention.

    The Speaker said: “The meeting was for stock taking and to remind ourselves of the covenant we made with the people of Nigeria, review how well we have done and what we need to do in order to deliver on the promises we made during campaign.

    “I can tell you that after a very illuminating address by the party chairman, the President took turn to address the NEC members and he was very clear in his vision about where we are taking Nigeria to.

    “We reminded ourselves about the achievement we have recorded in terms of combating terrorism in the Northeast, the fight against corruption, which is one area where we are doing very well and the exiting from recession as the achievement the party has recorded.

    “While we can say we have done quite a lot, there is still much to be done. The resolve is that we should rededicate ourselves as a party to the service of our people and the only thing that will guarantee our place in this country is the service we render to our people.”

    On amendment to the party’s constitution, he said: “Obviously, we had that on the agenda and there were other items in the agenda which just passed as information. The proposal for the review of the constitution is being sent to our emails and it is when we have reviewed this that we will be able to take a binding decision on them. But as it is now, it was just noted for information.”

    Dogara added: “Today’s meeting was not about 2019 elections. When we talk about 2019 in the context of the agenda you saw, we are talking about membership registration, the drive for membership and others. We are not talking about elections.

    “Even though there was a motion on the floor that called for a vote of confidence on the President, some of us felt it was not necessary because there is nowhere that his confidence is shaking. But the motion was taken and passed.. But there was a second leg to that motion, which calls for the adoption of the candidacy of the President, but it was deffered for now and no decision was taken because that is not the major reason why we are here.”

    Speaking on aggrieved members, Dogara said: “I don’t think that you can find any family that is as large as the APC family without some squabbles. No such family exists in the whole world and if there are disagreements, they are okay because without disagreements, you cannot even move forward.

    “Progress comes when people refuse to agree with the status quo and they put forward their positions. If their positions are good enough, they are adopted and we move forward. So, for us, I don’t think we are having a situation or run into a situation whereby we have crisis that the party cannot overcome.

    “What I will advocate is that we should be the ones as the APC family to define what type of crisis and not allow crisis define us. So, we will do everything possible to reach out to whoever is aggrieved. We are not like other parties that will say ‘to hell with you’ because we value every member of this family.”

    Abdullahi added: “The motion that was put was after the Minister of Agriculture had briefed the NEC about the activities and achievements of his Ministry. One of the NEC members said we should move a motion passing a vote of confidence on Mr. President. There was no formal motion moved on the issue of second term for Mr. President.

    “Somebody in the crowd shouted that we should move a motion and we don’t even know that member. But the motion that was formally moved was that NEC should pass a vote of confidence on Mr. President and that was after the brief given by the Minister of Agriculture, especially when he said that by 2018, Nigeria will have no need to import a single grain of rice. That is the context and I need you to understand that very well.

    “The only discussion or conversation on 2019 was the activity of the party in 2018, especially the issue of convention. It was agreed that since we have all these activities lined up, including the mini convention, congresses and elective convention, a small team be set up to put dates to these party activities up to 2018.

    “There was no discussion about election of 2019 or who will be the party flag bearer. The committee will decide when all these activities will take place. The NEC passed absolute vote of confidence on Oyegun and the NEC.”

    Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari said the Caucus meeting “shows our unity in the party, shows our strength and our commitment to the party and to Nigerians,’’.

    Senator. Bukar Abba-Ibrahim said the outcome of the meeting dismissed the speculation that it was convened to remove the leadership of the APC.

    ”It is a big family reunion and we are all happy and this party is going to dominate the Nigerian political space for a very long time to come. I don’t want to predict any number of years.’’

    Oyegun described the caucus as “very fantastic”, adding that the party would be stronger after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

     

  • Keshi to Home Based Eagles: You have done well

    Keshi to Home Based Eagles: You have done well

    •Big Boss confident they will improve

    Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has said his band of domestic league players can only continue to improve despite seeing them fail to score against Nigeria National League side Spotlight FC in Katsina on Tuesday.

    Keshi told the media at the post match briefing that he would not read too much into the scoreline because that was his team’s first official practice game.

    “The game ended goalless but that was not all I wanted to see. Don’t get me wrong, I like to win every game but at this stage of our preparation I was looking for a lot more,” Keshi opened up.

    “I wanted to see my players’ reaction in true match situation, see their application of all the tactical training we have been doing, see their movement, how they keep the team shape when attacking and defending as well as what they do with and without the ball.

    “And I must tell you that I was happy with what I saw. The team can only get better. There is still a lot of work to be done but we have also made some progress,” he  told the media.

    The Super Eagles dominated for most of the game played at the brand new Karkanda Stadium after struggling to get their rhythm in the opening periods of the match.

    All 20 players that made the trip were also given the opportunity to be part of the very lively encounter watched by over 20,000 fans.

    Substitute Idris Aloma had the ball in the net in added time off a sweet build up but the goal did not stand.

    The Super Eagles will resume training at the National Stadium, Abuja today after returning from Katsina on Wednesday.

  • We’ve done well, says Bello

    We’ve done well, says Bello

    Lagos State Commissioner for Environment Mr. Tunji Bello has praised the ministry for its achievements under Governor Babatunde Fashola.

    The commissioner, who spoke at the valedictory presentation of his stewardship, said his team was able to ensure a cleaner, healthier, conducive and sustainable friendly environment for Lagosians.

    He said his ministry resolved  to attain a flood-free state, especially after the unfortunate incident of July 2011, when the it was submerged by flood. This, he said, was a thing of the past with the deployment of innovative approach and strategies, including efficient management and preservation of storm water in the state.

    “We are happy to report that through the special grace of God, that of our team of determined engineers, as well as through the collective support and cooperation of Lagosians, the state did not record any flood-related disaster or major incidence of flooding last year,” Bello said, adding that rather, the state got commendations from the Nigerian Meteorological Service (NIMET) as the only state in the country with a deliberate de-flooding programme. He said for this NIMET urged other states to emulate Lagos.

    To this end, the Commissioner said the Ministry has further consolidated on the achievements recorded within the last one year, and, intensified efforts to create a livable city that would be hygienically conducive and enhancing for the socio- economic well-being of the people.

    Bello listed the feats to include the judicious use of ecological funds, especially with the construction of new homes for the homeless at Agbowa, the establishment and sustenance of a cordial working relationship with the Ogun/Oshun River Basin Authourity, which has helped in the control of water release from the dam- thus further aiding the deflooding process and storm water management during the rainy season.

    He noted that the completion of new drainages in areas, such as Lagos Island, Orile Agege, Ikorodu, Alapere, Kosofe, Abule Egba, Agbado Oke-Odo, Ifako Ijaye, Egbe-Idimu Shomolu, Mushin, Itire, Ojo, Alimosho, Eti-Osa and Epe, was impressive.

    “Our Ministry’s enforcement strategies have become stronger and effective though more improvement is envisaged, just as adequate preparation for/during the rains has become standardised,” he said.

     

     

    Bello praised the office of Environmental Services for its efforts at  stabilising environmental management in terms of general monitoring, enforcement, compliance and waste management, saying remarkable achievements have been recorded in Climate Change, as reflected in the ministry’s successful hosting of the seventh edition of the climate change summit recently.

  • Fayemi, Aregbesola have done well, says Kalu

    Former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has lauded the projects of Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun State) .

    He said the projects had made impact on the socio-economic development of the states.

    Kalu said the impressive projects he saw during his tour of the Southwest convinced him that irrespective of partisan differences, the governors should be allowed to continue their good work.

    He urged politicians to eschew bitterness and see politics as a process of delivering democratic dividends to the people.

    Speaking yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Kalu said: “Fayemi and Aregbesola have done very well and I say it openly. That is the truth. Some governors have not done well, so if you see anyone that has done well, you praise him.”

    He said he did not tour the Southwest to actualise any political ambition, but to preach national unity and peace.

    Kalu said: “I am working for the unity of the country. I want people to see one another as one. Our politicians are turning individuals into enemies and that is not right. We are not enemies. We are the owners of this country and should be friends. That we disagree politically does not mean you are my enemy. I am preaching to governors to be friendly with one another.”

    The former governor endorsed the defection of some loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Ogun State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), describing it as “a matter of choice and civil right”.

    He said: “It is a healthy thing. Anybody can go anywhere he wants to be. Defecting from one party to another is a matter of choice. A party is like a church. You can go to any church you like. I do not want one party holding the country to ransom. Two parties are healthy for the country. If they are dissatisfied with their former party, they can move on.”

    On the 2015 governorship poll in Abia, Kalu said he had not endorsed the candidature of his younger brother, Mr. Mascot Uzor Kalu, adding that the seat would be keenly vied for by candidates that the people would decide.

    He said he read about the ambition of his brother, who was a former Chief of Staff to Governor Theodore Orji, on newspaper pages.