The Nation Newspaper

Tag: governor

  • Ekiti APC ‘okays’ 25 for governor

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said it recognises 25 aspirants, who have shown interest in next year’s governorship race.

    State Women Leader Mrs. Dupe Bakare spoke yesterday when she led the women caucus to receive wife of one of the aspirants, Mrs. Modupe Adebomi, at the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    She said the 25 officially notified the party of their intent to run, though 50 were reported.

    Mrs. Adebomi was promoting the governorship aspiration of her husband, Captain Sunday Adebomi, who she said will put women empowerment as a core agenda.

    Mrs. Bakare said five wives of the aspirants, including Mrs. Adebomi, visited the secretariat to interact with women leaders in the three senatorial districts and 16 councils.

    The women leader expressed satisfaction at the number and quality of aspirants.

    Mrs. Adebomi promised that her husband would give 40 per cent of offices to women, in recognition of their importance in the political process.

    She said: “Women are home builders, nation builders and important stakeholders in the political process. Women will occupy a pride of place in my husband’s administration.

    “Sunday Adebomi is truthful, he will deliver. He does not see politics as a lottery. I am seeking the support of APC women for his aspiration to make Ekiti better.

    “I know him to be a decent, trustworthy, dependable and compassionate politician who is running for the governorship seat to better the lots of our people.”

     

  • ‘Ogun West needs blessing to get governor’

    •Aspirant seeks prayers of royal fathers towards 2019 

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Adeleke Tella, has said royal blessings and support should be courted to ensure success of Ogun West’s quest to produce a governor in 2019.

    Tella, who hails from Ilaro in Yewa South, said the Awujale of Ijebu Oba Sikiru Adetona, Alake of Egba Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and Olu of Ilaro and ruler of Yewa Oba Kehinde Olugbenle have roles to play to help Yewa residents achieve their dream of producing the next governor of Ogun.

    The prince, who said he wants to succeed Governor Ibikunle Amosun, spoke with The Nation at Ilaro before formally declaring his aspiration to participate in the governorship race.

    The founder of Tribute Television pledged to tackle hunger, create 3,000 jobs within the first 100 days through agriculture, and another 3,000 from the creative industry, if elected governor in 2019.

    He hailed Amosun for declaring to work for actualisation of Ogun West agenda and his Rebuilding Mission.

    Tella promised not only to consolidate on the governor’s achievements but also move the state further on the path of growth and development.

    He said: “Whoever must take the baton from our governor must also be bold, focused and be highly innovative to consolidate on what has been gained and continue to do more.

    “The person must be able to manage great change, must be highly disciplined, must be proactive and be able to add strategic value to the state. I am prepared and ready. I am the right choice!

    “I know the challenges facing Yewa and the rest of the state. Through my wide consultation of over six months, I know exactly what needs to be done. I want to assure that I will not disappoint the people of Ogun State. Let’s tell our people that there is money in agriculture.

    “The next billionaires in Nigeria will come from agriculture and agriculture processing industries. This is a sector I am ready to promote with good policies and actions, if you choose me. I am good to go.

    “Let me assure the party that I have utmost respect for the party’s organs. I have no doubt about the present strength of the party and the labour of the members from the unit to the state. I am ready to cooperate with the party and work to maintain and foster more unity so that the party organ will prosper greatly.”

  • Kebbi governor’s wife praises firm

    The wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, has lauded WACOT Limited, an agro  production  company, for its contributions to the development of the state.

    She gave the commendation when she visited the company’s rice factory in Argungu, Kebbi State.

    The rice mill was inaugurated by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, in company of Governor Atiku Bagudu and other top government functionaries on August 1, this year.

    Commending the company for the development the factory has brought to Argungu community and Kebbi State,  Dr. Bagudu, whose delegation included the wives of the governors of Ondo and Zamfara states: Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and HajiaAsma’uAbdulAziz Yari among others, said: “I thank the management of WACOT for their support for the Kebbi State government and the impact and development they have brought to the state. I urge you to continue to operate in the cordial and peaceful manner with which you relate with the people, to create more job opportunities for our youths”

    Dr. Bagudu also flagged off a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of WACOT Limited tagged “Pick a Bag”, which was instituted with the aim of providing clothing for the underprivileged in their communities of operation.

    For this, she presented bags of clothes donated by members of staff of WACOT to the under-privileged in Argungu Local Government.

    Conducting the visitors round the rice processing mill, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, TGI Group, the parent company of WACOT Limited, Mr. Sadiq Kassim, said the factory was the first phase of WACOT’s rice milling plan, which targets an increased capacity of 500,000 metric tonnes in the next few years.

    He said N10 billion has been invested in the mill with the capacity to process over 120,000 metric tonnes of paddy per annum and create over 3,500 jobs.

    He further disclosed that the mill has empowered a lot of local farmers, saying “we do not farm rice, but we work with the farmers from seed to harvest to ensure high quality paddy, which we then buy off them. We purchase paddy from up to 50,000 farmers here in Kebbi State”.

    As part of the company’s social responsibility efforts, Sadiq said WACOT has focused on women, children, healthcare and nutrition – core pillars of the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, health and nutrition (RMNCAH+N) campaign championed by the  wife of the President Mrs. Aisha Buhari.

  • Governor advocates girl-child empowerment

    Governor advocates girl-child empowerment

    Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar has called on leaders to build a society where the girl-child can achieve her dreams

    The governor made this statement in Bauchi during the Happy International Day of the Girl Child.

    His Special Assistant, Communications Mr. Shamsudeen Lukman Abubakar, stated: “We must strive to build a society where our daughters can aspire as high as their dreams can take them, while giving them the tools to achieve greatness. This is why Education, especially for our girls, is key. Support a girl achieve her dreams today, and society will be better tomorrow.”

    In another development, The Farm Association of Nigeria has honoured Abubakar at its 31st annual National Conference themed: “Prepositioning Institutions for Entrepreneurship and Healthy Agriculture for Sustainable Economic Growth in Nigeria”, which  took place at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

    Governor Abubakar, represented by state government Alhaji Muham-mad Nadada Umar (Zannan Misau), was honoured his efforts in upgrading and sustaining the agricultural sector in the state.

    The organisation thanked  the governor and called on other governors to emulate him in giving more priority to the agricultural sector so as to build a nation where agriculture will continue to play a vital role in providing jobs to the teeming youths and also provide food for Nigerians at affordable price.

    Bauchi State government under Abubakar has achieved a lot of successes in the agricultural sector. In less than two years, several farm equipment and machineries were distributed to farmers across state, this is in addition to soft loans provided to the farmers in the state and also the provision of fertiliser at affordable prices and ease of access.

    The state fertiliser company, which has been moribund for many years has been resuscitated by the  administration and it is now working in full capacity, providing fertiliser that can sustain the whole northeastern states.

     

     

  • I don’t know where Nnamdi Kanu is – Governor

    I don’t know where Nnamdi Kanu is – Governor

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said yesterday he is unaware of the whereabouts of leader of Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu.

    Kanu is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for his case but he has not been seen since September 24 when military men entered his compound. In Afaraukwu, Umuahia.

    Members of his outlawed organization are claiming that the military too him away a claim that has been denied.

    Foremr Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, said he was reliably told that Kanu had eloped to London through Malaysia.

    Speaking to reporters in Abuja at the weekend, Ikpeazu said:  “I don’t think that is a fair question. I don’t have the capacity to determine where Kanu is. I have never visited him. I have never called him on phone and he has never taken me into confidence as to what he does, where he goes. So, those who are close to him would answer. I don’t have capacity to monitor him to know where he is, maybe journalists, through investigative journalism will know.

    He expressed concerns that some sections in the country cannot trust the Igbo in the South East to occupy certain strategic positions in the country.

    According to him, this feeling of distrust was unfounded, stressing that the Igbo have sufficiently demonstrated love and faith in the corporate existence of Nigeria more than any other ethnic group.

    Tracing the roots of the pervasive misgivings towards the South East to the civil war experiences, Ikpeazu said the Igbo have since put the nasty experiences behind them by registering their presence in every part of the country.

    “The post war experience is that everybody started receding and then we started moving everywhere. Then at the end of the day, our people are beginning to feel that we are not being trusted enough with certain strategic positions despite the fact that we have demonstrated in particular times that we love Nigeria more than anybody, we have faith in this country more than anybody,” the governor said.

    Ikpeazu said the agitations are mainly fueled by inequalities and feelings of unfair treatments.

    The governor said, “Fundamentally speaking, I think that if the questions we ask in this country today are whether there are inequalities, there are gaps, there are people who don’t feel that they have been fairly treated, either as an individual or as a family or as a geopolitical zone, the answer is yes.

    “There is agitation in the North East, there is a agitation in the South West and of course there is agitation in the South South. But I dare say that there is no other ethnic group in this country that has as much faith in Nigeria as a country, one united country than the people of the South East.

    “That is why they are in Sambisa. You can count how many big businesses belonging to the South Westerners that are in Aba. You can count how many big businesses belonging to the people from the North East, North West, North Central that you can find in Owerri. You cannot find a four storey building belonging to somebody from the North East anywhere in the South East.

    “But if you go to Kano, you don’t count three hotels before you count that of somebody from the South East. What it means is that we are the people that have demonstrated faith in a united Nigeria”.

    He traced the creation of IPOB to bottled up discontents among a section of the youths in the Southeast.

    Ikpeazu revealed that Igbo political and cultural leaders had to intervene at this point and that they engaged Kanu through the Ohanaeze and the South East governors.

    This, according to him, was for the purposes of exploring alternative approach to the agitation through intellectual presentations with the view to confronting the Federal Government with sound arguments.“

  • I’m not grooming my son to become governor –Saraki

    I’m not grooming my son to become governor –Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has denied speculations that he is grooming his son as a future governor of Kwara State.

    Saraki told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that any such grooming “is not in the offing at all.”

    “I am sure he (son) doesn’t even want to hear politics at all,” he said.

    “You know it is not easy for children who are born to politicians especially in this time.”

    Recalling his own experience, Saraki said: “When I was much younger, we were insulated from some of the political issues because well, we didn’t read the newspapers, we didn’t know what was happening.

    “I reluctantly went into politics, go and check. Once or twice I was given the form to run for House of Reps, I remember I just travelled and turned off my phones and disappeared for months. After seeing what my father had been through, I thought to myself that this is not for me.”

    He expressed disappointment at what he called the dormant state of affairs in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying: “I think there is no APC member that will tell you he is happy with the state of affairs of the party. There is a lot of work that we need to do. Luckily despite the lack of meetings here and there, if you go round the 36 states, not many states but just a few states where I see internal party crisis. “It is not that party at the grassroots has a lot of crisis here and there. It is just for the administrative aspect and the national to provide leadership in driving the party.

    “The party needs to do that, I mean there is no doubt that we are running out of time. But luckily for us there are no many major crises in the party per se. It is just that the party is drifting, it is not becoming a rallying point, no activity, a ruling party definitely should be seeing more activities those in charge of the party need to get that going.

    “Look the issue that there are speculations because the party is docile. If the party goes back to what we all know it to be, holding NEC, and having caucus meetings, spirit and no spirit things will stop.”

  • PDP chairmanship aspirants defy governor

    PDP chairmanship aspirants defy governor

    •Four defect to APC

    Defections by  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains to All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State continued at the weekend.

    Four chairmanship aspirants in Orue Offong/Oruko Local Government defected to APC.

    The Nation learnt that the aspirants defected with thousands of their supporters, despite pleas by Governor Udom Emmanuel to remain in PDP.

    Led by Chief Okon Bassey, a former member of the House of Assembly, it was gathered that the aspirants also turned down the appeal by Culture and Tourism Commissioner Mr. Victor Antai.

    Antai, from neighbouring Mbo Council, was said to have appeared at Urue Offong/Oruko APC office, Okuko, venue of the defection.

    The aspirants: Nkereuwem Enyongekere, Ntanta Sam Okpo and Kate Nduonofit alleged that Antai offered them N20 million on behalf of the governor to remain in PDP.

    Bassey, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, told the crowd that Emmanuel spoke with him for about 40 minutes on the phone, appealing to him and  others not to defect,  promising them money and car gifts.

    He said they did not listen to the governor because PDP had no chance of winning in 2019.

    Receiving the defectors, including an ex-commissioner, Chief Nukak Ante; Urue Offong/Oruko chapter President of Esu Nlap Oro, Mr. Nuke Etim Nuke; Dr. Bassey Willie, a seasoned politician; APC state Chairman Dr. Amadu Attai assured them of equal treatment.

    APC Chairman in Akwa Ibom South, Mr. Emmanuel Oton, said it was clear that the party would record a landslide in Urue Offong/Oruko.

    Benedict Ukpong, the commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in National Population Commission, promised APC state leadership that the party will sweep the polls in Urue Offong/Oruko, as it did in 2015.

    He assured the defectors that they would be accommodated.

    A former Chairman of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government, Chief Edet Isong, said with the defection, PDP is dead in the area.

    The event was attended by notable politicians, including state APC Publicity Secretary, Edet Eyo Bassey; three ex-chairmen of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government, Mr. Remigius Asuquo, Effiong Oquong and Chief Okon Tom Usung; a former chairman of Mbo Local Government, Chief Effiong Johnson;  Effiong Oboho; Osung Onwefiak; Omen Bassey; Prince Anwana Ikott; Mr. Iniobong Edmond and Mr. Nse Uya.

  • I’m determined to be governor -Ogun Speaker

    I’m determined to be governor -Ogun Speaker

    The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, is one of the longest serving speakers in the country today. He has occupied the position for over six years. Many have described the assembly under his leadership as peaceful unlike what obtained in the past. He was first elected speaker in 2011 as a first term legislator. He was re-elected in 2015.
    In this interview with Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor, he submits that he is not desperate, but determined to succeed Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Excerpts

    Y OUR assembly has  passed a bill on land grabbing, kidnapping and armed robbery. As the Speaker, why was so much effort put into the making of this  law?

    Our people are really pleased with the anti-land grabbing law. They are happy and since the bill was presented, I have been receiving so many thank you calls. Our understanding of the needs of our people informed the efforts we put into the making of the new law. Secondly, you just mentioned the fact that Lagos State has earlier made the same move. It is therefore instructive that we should act swiftly to ensure that displaced criminals from Lagos do not regroup here in Ogun State to continue their nefarious activities.

    The bill came at the right time and during the gestation period, all stakeholders were invited and they had their input. And it is not surprising that as soon as the bill was passed, His Excellency, the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, signed it into law. We believe that with this law, we have ended the menace of Ajagungbale, kidnappers and cultists in Ogun State.

    What has been the people’s response  since the law came into being?

    So far so good; following the signing of the bill into law, we have seen a decline in the activities of these criminals in Ogun State. They have withdrawn into their shells. They are conscious of the new law and they know the implication. Land grabbing, armed robbery and kidnapping are gradually being checkmated. Even before the law, Ogun State has never been a comfort zone for criminals.

    The PDP says it is repositioning itself to displace the ruling APC from the Government House in 2019. Are you worried about this?

    Every marketer will tell you his product is the best. So, I am not surprised about the claim of the PDP. But you must know that this government is a product of contests. We have contested many elections and we are still contesting elections. Why then should we be worried about another political party’s claim to being prepared for an election? We are not worried. Rather, we are equally prepared and ready for the next election.

    The APC is all over the place with various activities by various stakeholders in preparation for the election too. So, it is about who reaches out to the people the most. Our people are not daft. They know what they want. They know the people who gave them good governance. We have a lot of things to showcase as far as governance is concerned. So, we are not worried at all.

    The opposition party has also been condemning the creation of Local Council Development Areas in the state. What is your take?

    I ask people to always consider the reasons for the creation of the LCDAs first before anything. Those condemning it should also tell us if the reason is good or bad. The reason why we supported the creation of new LCDAs is to make government closer to the people at the grassroots. For many years, our people asked for this to be done.

    The LCDAs are just taking off after their creation and election of chairmen and councillors. We need to allow them to carry out some processes that will lead to stability, and I believe that by the time that is done, the inactivity of the local government will be addressed. That will be the time to appraise the new LCDAs and give verdicts.

    I firmly believe that with the creation of the new LCDAs, things will get better at the grassroots level. What is left now is for the people to give maximum support to the new administrations at the council level. Same thing was done in Lagos State many years ago. Now, they are up and doing. I strongly believe that our state would get to that level soon.

    There are also talks about division within the ruling party.

    I wouldn’t know what people mean by division. The term division is relative, especially in politics. When we are approaching election like this, there will be clashes of interest, even within the same political party. That, to me is not division or crisis. It is politics. What is important is the ability of the leadership and chieftains to manage the situation in such a way that at the end of it all, we will continue to see ourselves as one big happy family.

    And you think these clashes of interests will not create crisis?

    I don’t see any division happening. Towards the 2015 election, the situation was the same as this and we were able to surmount it. So, this is not a big issue for us in APC. With the understanding of all the stakeholders and the maturity of the governor, who is the leader of the party, I want to believe the situation will not get out of hand. Governor Amosun is a father to all and he knows how best to ensure that all ends well.

    Some say there are too many aspirants in Ogun APC. Do you think so?

    I don’t think so. If you ask me, I will say it is wrong to say there is crisis because there are too many aspirants in our party. Election is an exercise of ones right. We all have right to vote and be voted for. In APC today, we have aspirants who are willing to serve their people. We are still electing many more people to join the race.

    You are an aspirant too. Why do you think you should be the next governor?

    To God be the glory for keeping me alive till today. I want to appreciate Governor Ibikunle Amosun for his support for me as a politician and Speaker. I thank all the stakeholders for being with me this far in the service of Ogun State. And having come this far with the support of the people, and having done so much as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the best thing to do is to offer oneself for service at the next level.

    So, my governorship ambition is in continuation of service to the good people of Ogun State. And I always say this that amongst all aspirants in the APC, none of them can boast of the working experience I have, especially in governance and in terms of working with the executive arm of government. This is a huge advantage for me and for the people of Ogun State. I have the highest longevity in service. None of them can match me in many of these things.

    I am grateful that I worked with Governor Amosun, who is someone who gives a lot of opportunities to those working with him to excel. Coupled with the fact that we share the same ideas about how best Ogun State should be administered. I want to tell you that I am not desperate, but I am determined to be the next governor of Ogun State.

    What is your take on Ogun West’s  agitation for the governorship?

    I will only enjoin our people to first and foremost do everything within our capacity to support the current administration wholeheartedly. That is the first thing to do if we are sincere about the Yewa agenda. This administration is committed to the cause of Ogun West. Secondly, we need to be more matured about how we go about the whole agitation.

    It is a position for just one person. We can have numerous aspirants, but it is only one person that will emerge as governor. So, as a people, we must go about our aspirations and agitations maturely. We must avoid rancor within us. If we are divided, there is no way we will achieve our desire. Unity and maturity are key factors too.

    We should see the race as a collective one even when we know that only one person will emerge as winner. We must therefore shun the politics of hatred. We must open the door for all aspirants to participate and see all of them as our sons and daughters. We must put behind us the things that divide us and embrace the things that unite us together.

    We must also reach out to the two other zones for support. We must appeal to our people in Ogun East and in Ogun Central for support and understanding. We must jettison this idea that we must produce the governor in 2019 simply because it is the turn of Ogun West. Not at all! Anybody can seek to be governor. But we must crave the understanding of the people of the other two zones to allow us produce the governor.

    We should see the aspiration of all aspirants as a collective pursuit. No aspirant can go it alone. We need ourselves and Ogun West needs all of us. If I am chosen as the party’s flag-bearer today, I cannot do it alone. I will need all the other aspirants. So, we must be conscious of what we are doing and how we are doing it if we want to succeed in 2019.

    What efforts have you made to reach out to the other zones you mentioned?

    The truth of the matter is that since I declared my intention to seek the governorship ticket of my party, the AP[C, I have been going round meeting people within and outside Ogun West, to intimate them of my desire. And as I am doing this, I am reminding them of their promises to support Ogun West for governorship in 2019.

    There is no way we will not reach out to them. Even if one becomes the candidate of one’s party, they have vital roles to play. It is on the strength of this that I have been moving round, talking to people ahead of the election. In Ogun East and Ogun West, I have met the leaders and the stakeholders to intimate them of my ambition.

    I don’t want to wait until I become candidate before reaching out to these people and zones because the success of both the Ogun West agenda and my personal governorship ambition rely on these people. A lot depends on how best we can convince the other zones to support us. Politics is a game of numbers, so we need the other zones to support our agenda.

  • Health: Bagudu promises to promote sports in Schools

    Health: Bagudu promises to promote sports in Schools

    Kebbi State Government says it would continue to promote sporting activities among schools by encouraging zonal competitions to enhance physical and mental health of students.
    Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu affirmed this at the opening of Atiku Bagudu International Schools Sports Competition at the Haliru Abdu Stadium Birnin Kebbi. He said preparations were in progress for the participation of Kebbi State athletes in the Lagos marathon.
     The Governor made it clear that the State would partake in all sports competitions at national and international levels.
     Senator Atiku Bagudu said his administration would revive extra curriculum activities in schools towards the physical wellbeing of pupils and students.
    He announced that the State Government would stage, Marathon race in Zuru, preparatory to the Lagos Marathon to select runners to represent the state.
     He donated one Million Naira each to the Six Zones that participated in the inter schools sports competition comprising Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Bunza, Jega, Yauri and Zuru to enable them buy schools sporting equipment such as jersey, boot and other materials.
    The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Mohammadu Magawata Aliero told the Governor, that, the competition commenced from various schools to zonal level and subsequently to state level as grand finale.
     Prizes were presented to the winners at various categories including overall best position which Birnin Kebbi won, Zuru came second while Argungu took the third position.
     The Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Col. Sama’ila Yombe Zuru, former Jigawa State Governor, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, State APC Chairman, Barrister Attahiru Maccido Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar, Commissioner of Education Muhammadu Magawata Aliero and that of Finance Alh. Ibrahim Muhammadu Augie as well as Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen and other top government officials attended the event.
  • ‘This is no school’, governor’s verdict on ICE

    ‘This is no school’, governor’s verdict on ICE

    This institute does not deserve to be called a school’, this was the verdict of Governor Godwin Obaseki when he visited the Institute of Continuing Education in Benin City.

    Governor Obaseki inspected facilities at the 45-year-old institution and declared that he was heart broken.

    ICE was established in 1972 under the regime of the late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia to provide remedial studies for workers or persons too old to attend secondary school.

    It provided learning for those working and adults unable to go to school when young. Such persons may have difficulty to align with pupils in secondary school. Messengers and cleaners could work and finance their education.

    Governor Obaseki shook his head as he walked through the unkempt field and several dilapidated offices.

    Some of the classrooms had broken doors and no window. Chairs in some of the offices were old and dusty.

    Obaseki was taken round the institute by its Acting Rector, Mr. Victor Ajagun.

    Responding to questions, Obaseki simply said: “I am here to see things for myself and this does not deserve to be called a school. I have seen the facilities and I am heartbroken. We are going to take a decision on what to do with the institute.”

    Ajagun declined comments.