The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal government

  • 2019 polls: FG will cooperate with international observers, Says Presidency

    …Says El-Rufa’i gave adequate clarifications on foreign interference 
    The Presidency on Wednesday night said that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari would cooperate with election observers and would not let the international community down in the conduct of the coming elections.
    It also assured Nigerians and the international community that the President would do everything within his power to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the country.
    This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu.
    According to him, statement by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai over opposition’s call for foreign interference in Nigeria’s domestic affairs, has properly tackled the issue.
    He said “We have taken note of the clarification to a reported earlier statement by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufa’i concerning opposition call for foreign interference in our domestic affairs and to say that latest statement by him should rest the issue for good.

    Read also: Gang-up against Buhari won’t stand, says Presidency

    “There is nothing more to sneeze at. The Governor spoke strongly in defense of national interest. It is clear that El-Rufa’i, our party the APC and all its candidates have reposed their faith in democracy through general elections.
    “They are all of the view that there is no place for violence against local people or foreign citizens in our midst.
    “Opposition PDP ought to own up to the mistakes of their own policies for 16 years which have led the country to a sorry pass that has cost lives, jobs and growth instead of dwelling on diversionary issues.” he stated

  • Buhari appeals for understanding on minimum wage

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed for understanding of Nigerian workers as the Federal Government attempts to address the pressing issue of a new national minimum wage.

    Buhari, represented by Mr. Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made the appeal at the 12th National Delegates Conference of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The theme of the two-day Conference is “Towards a Decade of Activism for the Promotion of Labour Unity, National Rebirth and Development.”

    According to Mr. President, Government is determined to attain the decent work agenda, which involves opportunities to works that are productive and deliver fair income, security in the work place and social protection for families.

    “Government appeals for the continued understanding of workers in attempt to address the pressing issue of minimum wage.”

    The president noted that the government inaugurated a Technical Advisory Committee recently “to develop and advise government on how to successfully actualise the objective of seamless implementation of the impending wage increase.”

    The Committee is also “to identify new revenue sources as well as areas of existing expenditure from where some savings could be made and to augment present Federal Government’s revenue framework in order to fund the wage increase.”

    It will also “propose a work plan and modalities for the implementation of salary increase in a way that minimises any inflation impact and ensure that it does not lead to any job losses,’’ he said.

    Buhari, however, assured NLC of government’s unalloyed support and cooperation towards its struggle for better workers’ welfare, which would invariably enhance productivity and economic growth in the country.

    Mr. President further said that the present administration regarded NLC as a partner in progress and reassured the Congress of the commitment of the administration to workers’ welfare.

    “This is evidenced by the numerous programmes and policies that have been initiated by this present administration in promoting the interest and well-being of our workforce.

    “This administration is also committed to addressing other issues that are still pending,” he added.

    According to him, the Labour movement can be said without fear of contradiction to have lived up to the expectations of its teeming members by “continually protecting, defending and promoting the rights, well-being and interest of all workers and affiliates trade unions.

    “It has played significant role with the promotion of unity among workers and constantly engaged government on national rebirth and development. This has been a commendable endeavour,’’ he said.

    Earlier, the NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said that organised labour would resist any attempt to sell national assets

    Wabba said that evidence around the country showed that privatisation had not done the nation any good as majority of government owned enterprises privatised were not functional.

    He said what had happened in the past was that the enterprises were under-priced and sold to friends and associates, who stripped them of the assets, leaving them comatose and unproductive.

    “Since the privatisation of electricity distribution, Nigerians are yet to see the fulfilment of promises of efficient service delivery.

  • FG spends N727bn on tertiary education in four years

    The Federal Government said it has spent N727 billion on tertiary education in four years.

    The government stated that the investment which was done through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), was for the development of critical infrastructure in public tertiary institutions.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, disclosed this during the sixth edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing with reporters in Abuja, at the weekend.

    He said the TETFund intervention was for public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education from 2015 to date.

    Adamu stated that the intervention was for the development of physical infrastructure, project maintenance and provision of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) support.

    According to the minister, other areas of intervention include entrepreneurship, library development, special high impact projects, research, academic staff training and development among others.

    The minister said: “Our focus for today’s briefing is on Federal Government’s intervention in critical areas of tertiary education in the life of the Buhari administration in the last four years.

    “During the period under review, the Federal Government through the instrumentality of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) allocated a total of N727,225,862,128.86 worth of investment in critical areas of infrastructural development in our tertiary institutions, especially in physical infrastructure, project maintenance, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) support, Entrepreneurship, Library development and special high impact projects, Academic Staff Training and Development, and Research, among others.

    “The TETFund intervention is aside from other sources of funding tertiary education such as the NEEDS ASSESSMENT, internally generated revenues of these institutions among others.”

    A breakdown of government’s investment in tertiary education indicated that in 2015, the government allocated N24.93 billion to the 74 universities operating in the country.

    “In 2016, each public university was allocated N1billion. Multiplied by 74 institutions, it brings the total allocation to public universities to N74.7 billion for year 2016.

    “In 2017, each public university was allocated N659 million multiplied by 74 universities; you have the total allocation to public universities to N48.8 billion for 2017.

    “In 2018, each public university in the country was allocated N785.8 million. Multiplied by 74 universities, it gives the total allocation to public universities to N58 billion for year 2018,” he added.

  • Breaking: FG suspends Onnoghen

    The Federal Government ( FG )on Friday suspended the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen following the order of Code of Conduct Tribunal of January 23rd.

    According to the Federal Government, the suspension stands till the conclusion of his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    To replace him, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday swore in acting CJN in the person of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed from Bauchi State.

    Read Also: I’ve not resigned, says Onnoghen

    He was conveyed to the Presidential Villa at about 4:30pm in a black Mercedes Benz C240 with number plate GWA: 900FA.

     

    Details later...

  • FG accuses foreign security experts of aiding insurgency, militancy

    The Federal Government has disclosed a new regulation is on the way to flush out foreigners operating private security outfits in Nigeria, accusing them of aiding insurgency and criminalities in the system.

    The Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu disclosed this in Kaduna at the weekend.

    He spoke during the Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers Parley organised by the Kaduna chapter of Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN).

    Represented by the Assistant Commandant General PGC, Helen Amakiri, the NSCDC boss saidt thenew regulation’s document is being designed to address the lacuna in the 1986 Private Guard Companies (PGC) Act, which he said has become so absolete and can no longer be used in the regulation of the PGCs in Nigeria of today.

    According to him, “Luckily section 35 of that Act empowers the Minister of Interior to make regulations. So, as the regulator of the industry, we asked the permission of the Minister, which is the Chief regulator to formulate regulations that will address all the lacuna in the Act, and that we have done.

    “So, we have an up to date document called ‘Private Security Regulations 2018’ that can be used to regulate the industry, and upgrade it to where we want it to be. It has been gazzated by the Federal Government press.

    “The regulation is going to stamp illegal operators and even foreign operators. The PGC Act says, no foriegner should own Private Security Company in Nigeria, but the regulation has gone further to say that, no foriegner should own, be a Director or operative of private security company in Nigeria.

    “So, we don’t want foriegners in private security industry in Nigeria. The reason is that, we have been receiving intelligence reports that, these foreign operators and Directors aid and abet terrorism and insurgency, as well as militancy, especially in the Niger Delta and North-East of Nigeria,” he said.

    The Commandant General however asked the private security operators to be ready to upgrade their practices and follow the guidelines.

    National President ALPSPN, Dr. Davidson Akhimien asked the Federal Government to employ their service in intelligence gathering to address the various security challenges confronting the country.

    Represented by the Vice President of the association, Emilia Chasa, the President while noting that, security in Nigeria has become a burning issue, the private security operators can assist in the area of intelligence gathering, as they have their men in every nook and cranny of Nigeria.

    On his part, the Kaduna State Chapter Chairman, Hon. Dauda Zuye-Nda Ageni called on the relevant regulators of the ALPSPN to help in adequately addressing challenges of multiple taxation and quarcks in the system who are giving the association bad images.

    “The use of internal security by some public organizations is still going on in so many organizations.

    “This has caused low patronage to private security by such organizations.

    “Such agencies will prefer to use their internal security operatives despite being not registered or trained,” he stressed.

  • FG to quiz Atiku

    THE Federal Government is set to quiz the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over an alleged N156million payment from the defunct Bank PHB. Atiku, according to Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, allegedly benefitted from the payment that led to the demise of the bank.

    The former vice president is currently on a visit to the USA. But Mohammed said yesterday that “any time Abubakar returns home, he has questions to answer following the fresh evidence that we have that he benefitted from ‘slush funds’ that led to the collapse of the former Bank PHB.” Atiku’s party, the PDP dared the Federal Government to go ahead with its threat to arrest him on the allegation,while the presidential candidate’s spokesman dismissed the N156million claim as a cock and bull story Mohammed said: “The document we have shows that he benefitted to the tune of N156 million from that fund. “The paper which we have here started from an internal memo on the Jan. 13, 2009.” “These are pieces of fresh evidence as to his involvement in the collapse of Bank PHB.

    So we want him to stay as long he wants in the US but as soon he comes back, he has to explain to the electorate and to Nigerians what is his role in the collapse in the former Bank PHB.” The minister said the Federal Government was not losing sleep over Atiku’s US trip,saying: “You can recall that a few weeks ago, I did issue a statement advising the US government not to issue visa to Atiku. “Remember also that in that same press conference, I also stated that it remains the prerogative of the US government to issue visa to anyone it deems fit. “Let me say right away that we are not perturbed one bit that Alhaji Atiku Abukakar was able to secure visa to the US. As a matter of fact, he can go ahead and get the US Green card.That will not save him from imminent defeat in the forthcoming election.

    “I want to remind Abubakar that the elections will be right here in Nigeria and not in the US.” Asked why the fresh allegation against Atiku was coming now, Mohammed said: “Because even though this happened in 2009, and the case on the collapse of BANK PHB has been on, this evidence is fresh. “In any case, there is no statute of limitation on this case. “Like I told you, this is a freshly-uncovered evidence. Whether or not he travelled to the US, we would still have disclosed this evidence.” PDP dares Buhari over threats to arrest Atiku Responding last night to the allegations against Atiku ,the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO) dared government to go ahead and arrest him.

    The spokesman for the organisation,Mr.Kola Ologbondiyan, told reporters that the planned arrest was both laughable and a heinous plot to frame Atiku borne out of fear of his victory in the February 16 presidential election. “It is reprehensible that Mr. President will descend abysmally low to fabricate outright lies and falsehood in a bid to discredit a more qualified and acceptable presidential candidate”, Ologbondiyan said. The PDP campaign spokesman added that Atiku has nothing to do with the alleged issues leading to the collapse of Bank PHB, stressing that the PDP presidential candidate is an honest and hard working Nigerian who has no skeleton of any sort in his cupboard.

    “For emphasis, even the Chairman of President Buhari’s Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, has since told the world that the Buhari Presidency has searched everywhere and could not find anything incriminating on Atiku Abubakar. “The world already knows that this attempt to mudsling our presidential candidate is coming out of President Buhari’s frustration over Atiku Abubakar’s successful outing in the United States, for which the Buhari Presidency has gone into full hallucination. .”The PPCO, however, counselled the APC to note that Nigerians can see through their lies, fabrications and frustration and that their scheme against Atiku Abubakar is already dead on arrival.

    Read also: Why Atiku travelled to USA —Obi

    “If anything, the PPCO will want President Buhari to open the books and provide explanation for the N9 trillion stolen under his watch as Minister of Petroleum Resources as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo. “Finally, the PPCO states that the PDP presidential candidate, our great party and indeed all Nigerians, who have already reached a national consensus to vote-in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of our country, will not be distracted by this unfounded allegation by the rejected President Buhari and his handlers.” A similar response came from Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu. Shaibu said the allegation against Atiku was a cock and bull story.

    The allegation,he also said ,stemmed from what he called Atiku’s growing popularity, especially his current trip to the USA. He said the Federal Government having failed to stop Washington from granting visa to Atiku had to devise another strategy to embarrass him. He also said that with or without a trip to the US, the PDP will defeat the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress in next month’s election.

    Said Atiku: “It is disgusting to continue to spin allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office. “They just suddenly woke up to the reality that their lies about Atiku being corrupt can no longer hold? I challenge the Federal Government to come up with evidence that I benefitted from N156 million slush funds through Claremont Management Services Account on 13th January, 2009 as well as the collapse of Bank PHB as they have alleged. “It is instructive to note that the same Bank PHB is now Keystone Bank, which was said to have been acquired by Buhari’s cronies through AMCON last year.”

  • FG flags off 1,000 villages satellite TV project

    The Federal Government on Monday flagged-off the 1,000 Villages Satellite Television (TV) Project in Kpaduma village of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mahammed who inaugurated the project said the project was one of the “Ten Major China-Africa Cooperation Plans” that were announced by President Xi Jinping of China at the 2015 Forum on China-African Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    He explained that the initiative was targetted at 10,000 villages in African countries, with Nigeria having the lion share of 1,000 villages.

    The Minister who commended the Chinese government for making the project a reality, said it would complement efforts by the Buhari administration to democratice access to information and entertainment in the country.

    He said: ” Under the project, each of the 1,000 carefully-chosen villages in Nigeria will receive 2 sets of solar powered projector television systems and 1 set of solar 32-inch digital TV integrated terminal
    system.

    “In addition, 20 recipient families with TV in each village will be provided with 20 sets of direct broadcast satellite terminal system free of charge. It is worth noting that viewers in each village provided with the projector TV system will enjoy 21 satellite channels free of charge, while each of the 20 recipient families will have access to 33 satellite TV channels free of charge for two months.

    “Thereafter, they can continue to enjoy access to the 33 channels by paying N900 per month, or enjoy limited access without payment.

    “While this project will undoubtedly strengthen the already very cordial China-Nigeria relations, it will also complement the ongoing efforts of the Buhari Administration to democratize access to
    information and entertainment in the country.

    Read Also: Fed Govt mulls two additional satellites

    “As you are all aware, Nigeria is currently implementing its Digital Switch Over (DSO) for television to build what will be Africa’s biggest and most lucrative Free-To-Air Television platform,

    “Since rolling out in Jos, Plateau State, in April 2016, we have extended digital television to the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Kaduna and Enugu States, and we are set to speed up the roll-out pace

    “With access to more than 30 digital channels, with crystal clear pictures and Hi-Fidelity audio, the DSO roll-out brings the benefits of digital television to all households. We call this the democratization of information and entertainment.”

    The Minister noted that the project flag off came at a better period as the nation prepared for a general election,adding that “In just a little over one month, Nigerians will be voting in the 2019 general elections.
    They need access to information now, more than at any other time, to know about the over 70 political parties that will be participating in the elections as well as about their various candidates”.

    The Minister charged the implementing agency (Star Times) for the project to expidite action on the installation of the satellite TV systems in the selected villages across the country ahead of the elections.

    The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjian said the implementation of the projects would ensure consolidation on the cordial relationships existing between Nigeria and China, adding the projects would add value to the lives of people living in the benefitting communities.

    He said while new jobs would be created in the villages for the rural dwellers, the rural people would also be informed and entertained by the satellite television systems which had scores of channels at affordable cost.

    In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of StarTimes, Mr Justin Zhang said: “Some of the work we have done in the villages include installation of 2 solar power projector TVs for the community, 1 32’ digital TV set with solar system, 20 Satellite dish and decoders where they can watch more than 100 international and local channels. The 2 solar powered projector TVs and 32’ digital TV are for public use and free of charge.

    “During the course of this project, we also created jobs. Many Nigerians from various villages have been trained on how to recharge, operate and provide the required maintenance support for all the products installed. We also plan to make some of them dealers as time goes on.

    “For us at StarTimes, it makes us truly happy as a company and a people to be able to work together successfully with both the Chinese and Nigerian government, and to put long lasting smiles on the faces the children and adults that would benefit from the exposure they get from the access to satellite TV.”

  • FG releases N100bn Sukuk fund for 28 road projects

    Proceeds of the second Sovereign N100 billion Sukuk has been deployed to finance critical road infrastructure across the country.

    The proceeds will be for the Construction and Rehabilitation of Twenty-Eight (28) key economic Road Projects earlier captured in the 2018 Budget.

    The Road Projects are located in the six (6) Geo-political Zones of the country with each Zone having a total allocation of N16.67 billion.

    Speaking at the presentation of symbolic cheque of N100 billion Sovereign Sukuk proceeds to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab S. Ahmed noted that “the funds will be released to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing based on the framework agreed with the Trustees in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of proceeds.”

    She added that “the Sukuk funding option is part of the initiatives of the government to: diversify government funding sources, while also deepening the Nigerian capital market, mobilising more savings and promoting financial inclusion.”

    The roads to be funded with the sovereign sukuk fund the finance minister said, “will ease commuting, spur economic activities across the country and further close our infrastructural gap.”

    In his address, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola stated that “roads are coming, those are assets that would enable business that would enable transport, movement of good and services and assets that will last 25, 30 to 40years. This is a good investment to make, so for those who ask why are we borrowing, we are borrowing to build at today’s prices assets that will last us for another 30years.”

    He went further to state that “it will be more expensive to build but more importantly where is the money going. As soon as I collect this cheque, I am going to give it to the contractors but even they can’t keep it, they have to give it to their suppliers because they need aggregates, they need materials and labourers but they first need suppliers.”

    This administration he said “is committed to follow the part of greatness, build the foundation for tomorrow by investing in infrastructure…It means that for example we have to raise money and I am very happy to learn that over 1,876 investors are already doing business because Buhari government decides to build, that is how to build an economy.”

    Some the road projects that will benefit from this funding include the: dualization of Abuja – Abaji – Lokoja Road: Section I (International Airport link road junction-Sheda Village Junction) in FCT Contract No.5862. Specifically, it will be Wearing course, reconstruction of existing carriageway, stone pitching, kerbs, drainage and outstanding variations (NGN464,806,419.09) to be handled by Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited (North Central)

    For the North East the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri Road linking Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi-Yobe and Borno States. Sect. III (Azare-Potiskum), in Bauchi State Contract No.5880 will be handled by Mothercat Limited specifically the project will cover wearing course, pipe culverts, trapezoidal and rectangular drains, new jersey barrier, bridge works, 4-way cable duct, road furniture and protection works.

    For the South East, it will be the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section II: Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge Crossing (CH. 120+500-CH. 176+600) in Abia State Contract No.6209 to handled by Arab Contractor Nigeria Limited. The job entails laterite fill, laterite sub-base, sand/cement base, crushed rock base, wearing course, asphaltic binder course, asphaltic wearing course and concrete median.

    While for the South-South it will be, the dualization of Yenegwe Road Junction-Kolo – Otuoke – Bayelsa Palm (20km) in Bayelsa State Contract No.6248 to be handled by CCECC Nigeria Limited for the Excavation of unsuitable materials, construction of pipe culverts, stone pitching, median kerbs, sand-cement base, stone base course, binder course and wearing course.

    In the South West it will be the dualisation of Ibadan – Ilorin Rd (Route No. 2) Section II: Oyo-Ogbomosho Road, in Oyo State Contract No.1793A with Reynolds Construction Company (Nig) Limited as the contractor for Site clearance, earthworks, filter/underground drain layer, concrete side drain, sub base, stone base, binder course, 1000mm diameter piles, concrete foundation and pile cap, concrete piers, concrete abutment, concrete beams of superstructure and installation of bearings on piers

  • FG yet to set 2019 revenue target for Customs

    The Federal Government is yet to set the 2019 revenue collection target for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    On its own, the organization last year pledged to overshoot the revenue generation of 2017, but when The Nation asked the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah to state this year’s target on phone on Monday, he said it was too early to conjecture it.

    He said “it is too early. We shouldn’t talk about it yet. The Federal Government has not even set its target for the service.”

    He had however, at the weekend, announced in a statement that the organization generated the sum of N1,202,271,240,478.30 for the year 2018, representing N164,897,273,077.50 over 2017 collection which was N1,037,373,967,400.80.

    Commenting on this historic feat, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) described it as the result of dogged pursuit of what is right rather than being populist by compromising national interest on the altar of individual or group interests.

    According to him, the rising annual revenue generation from the service in the last three years is the result of reform programmes which include but not limited to:

     Upgrade on the electronic systems from Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS I) to NICIS II which has blocked leakages.
     Strategic deployment of manpower.
     Strict enforcement of extant guidelines by the Tariff and Trade department.
     Robust stakeholder engagement resulting to increased compliance.
     Increased disposition of Officers and Men to put national interest above selves.

    Read Also: Customs’ collections hit N1.2tr

    In the same vain, the NCS reinvigorated anti-smuggling operations yielded a total of 5,235 seizures with duty paid value (DPV) of N61,543,633,401.31.

    These seizures include arms, ammunition, more than 59 containers of Tramadol and other controlled drugs and 320,709 foreign rice etc.

    Though smuggling remains a challenge, the service three layers security strategy continues to make smuggling unattractive to the would be smugglers.

    While the service continues to deal decisively with smugglers, fellow citizens, especially border dwellers and port users are advised to support NCS by reporting any smuggling activity to the nearest Customs formation.

    Together we can protect our economy and security by joining hands to fight smuggling and ensure that appropriate customs duty is paid on every dutiable import.

    Accordingly, we appreciate compliant stakeholders that have supported the Service in 2018 and call on all Nigerians and especially international trade actors to help make 2019 better for the nation.

  • FG urged to set up special task force on flood disaster 

    The Federal Government has being urged to set up a special task force on Flood disaster to take care of the needs of flood victims in the future.

    United Nations Peace Advocate and General Overseer, God’s Ministry Int. Inc., Evangelist Dr S.Y. Mamamu made this call on Sunday during the church’s 42nd celebration of the “Christian Feast of In-Gathering of the Children of God” held at Salvation City, New Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri, Delta State.
    Mamamu lamented that the recent flood which devastated some communities close to the riverine areas in Delta State and other states has caused a lot of hunger and starvation as people in the affected areas lost all they had in the flood.
    He said he was compelled to appeal to the Federal Government to set up the special task force on flood disaster so as to put an end to the sufferings of flood victims across the country.
    He said, “The devilish flood that came this year has affected the resources of the whole economy, ranging from agriculture (farmlands, economic trees, rural/urban food production), mineral oil, air, water among others.
    “This situation has greatly affected the living conditions of many Nigerians in all the affected states.”
    Mamamu, who is also an Ijaw leader, appealed to Nigerian politicians not to heat up the polity but rather, play politics of love for one another.
    He warned that the recent politics of bitterness being exhibited by politicians in the country will not allow for progress to thrive, appealing to Nigerians to love one another.
    Also, the member representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Chief Frank Zuokumor who spoke to journalists at the occasion, commended Evangelist Mamamu for organizing the Christian feast, saying it was spiritually uplifting.
    Zuokumor used the occasion to appeal to Deltans to vote enmass for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the 2019 general elections.
    “I want to employ the people of Delta State to continously support the present government of Delta State being led by our smart and amiable governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and our own leader, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro.
    “2019 is general election year,  and it is espected that the Ijaws in particular and Deltans in general, will give them the maximum support by giving them block vote during the election because this is the only we could show our support and  appreciation for all they have done so far in terms of human, capital and infrastructural development witnessed throughout their tenure.