The Nation Newspaper

Tag: governor

  • Anambra: NDLEA arrested 273 suspects in 2016

    Anambra: NDLEA arrested 273 suspects in 2016

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra said it arrested 273 drug suspects including 13 females in 2016.

    The figure was 16 lower than the 289 suspects arrested in 2015 in the state.

    The NDLEA Commander, Mr Sule Momodu, made the disclosure to newsmen in Awka on Wednesday.

    Momodu said that it secured 49 conviction during the year under review as against 30 people convicted in 2015.

    He said that 85 people were rehabilitated in 2016 as against 55 in 2015.

    The commander said that the agency made 1,126.33kg drug seizure in 2016.

    The drugs were Cannabis Sativa, 1,099.95kg; Cocaine, 338.5gm; Heroine, 310.9gm; and Methamphetamine, 25.73kg.

    According to him, arrest and prosecution by the agency has immensely contributed to the improved security in the state.

    Momodu stressed the importance of a modern rehabilitation centre in the state, while commending Gov. Willie Obiano for giving approval for a land for the construction which had yet to commence.

    “We need a rehabilitation centre to cut off the increase of the drug users. Without rehabilitation, other people can lure them to go back into the business.

    “But with a rehabilitation centre the governor would have gone the full circle on drug remand reduction,’’ he said.

    Momodu said that the governor had also made valuable contributions to the command in the fight against illicit drug.

    He said that the state government procured two vehicles last year and gave approval for five motorcycles for the command in 2017.

     

  • Ex- Gombe military governor Orji joins APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State at the weekend lost one of its top shots, Group Captain Joe Orji (rtd), to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Orji, who was Gombe State military governor, was registered at Ward 3, Nenwe, Aninri Local Government by APC’s National Vice Chairman, South East, Emma Eneukwu and the state chairman, Ben Nwoye.

    Orji said he dumped the PDP because of injustice and impunity in the party.

    He expressed confidence in the Federal Government’s ability to tackle the  economic and political challenges confronting Nigeria.

    The former PDP man said his decision was taken after he critically studied the programme and policies of the ruling party.

    Eneukwu described Orji as a “political caterpillar”, who will join forces with other progressives and democrats to wrestle power from PDP in 2019.

    Nwoye saluted his courage for identifying with the party of progressives.

  • My emergence as Governor a miracle, says Akeredolu

    My emergence as Governor a miracle, says Akeredolu

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has described his emergence as governor of the state as “a miracle”.

    The governor said this at a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the All Saint’s Church, Jericho, Ibadan, on Sunday.

    Akeredolu, the APC candidate, defeated Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the opposition PDP and Dr Olusola Oke of the AD to emerge winner in the November 2016 governorship election in the state.

    He said his victory was a manifestation of the peoples trust and love for God.

    “I can tell you that our success and victory in the election was a miracle. I contested once and I told the Lord that if I win, I will build a place of worship for you.

    “I was not too sure that the victory will come but I said to the Lord that whether win, lose or draw I will build a place of worship for you.

    “It is because I have that strong faith in God and we did it. And now that same Lord gave us the victory. So, my people you don’t have to wait until he answers your prayers before you do things for God.

    “Do it may be that is where success will come. May be God remembered what we did and that was why he gave us victory, ” he said.

    Akeredolu promised to lead a purposeful government in the state, adding that he was indebted to the church because he had found all that he wanted in the church.

    According to him, “It was in this church that I became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and now a governor.”

    Earlier, Ven. Godwin Daramola in his sermon, urged the governor to make thanksgiving his lifestyle in order to experience the blessings of God on a daily basis.

    “When you acknowledge the blessings of God, he will be committed to preserving all that he has done for you,” he said.

    He charged Akeredolu to emulate the exemplary life of Jesus Christ, to strive for integrity and to be wary of sycophants.

    Mrs Mojisola Ojo, Chairperson, Oyo State Branch of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, described Akeredolu as a staunch and committed member of the society.(NAN)

  • ‘Niger Governor surrounded by people who feed him with lies’

    ‘Niger Governor surrounded by people who feed him with lies’

    The Chairman of Niger state Science and Technical Schools Board, Alhaji Abubakar Katcha has resigned his appointment alleging that “people in the system are not being truthful to themselves.”
    According to him, it is difficult to operate under darkness and frustration adding that all his efforts to reposition the board is being sabotaged.
    Katcha said that the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has good intention for the board, but he is surrounded by people who always feed him with wrong information and do not wish him or the state well.
    In a letter informing the public of his resignation, he said, “The appointment which was given to me by Mr. Governor on 20th December 2016 was actually in good faith but I resigned on the 7th Febuary, 2017 based on reasons beyond not control.”

    ” When people in the system are not being truthful to themselves, the only solution for any man of integrity after series of efforts to put things right failed, is to resign because it will be difficult to operate under darkness and fraustration, the end will be no success.
    “Mr. Governor has good intention for the board but he is surrounded by people that always feed him with wrong information but do not wish him or the state well, they always pretend to be good people but for their own selfish interest. These people do not want the Governor to succeed.”
    The former Chairman lamented that the cabals around the governor always block honest and truthful persons from getting free access to him.

    “Before my appointment, no access to him on on one and as a Chairman of the Board, no access to him even once. For that reason, I deemed it fit and tendered my resignation to him and not to be a party of what is happening.”
    He appreciated the governor for the opportunity given to him to render his service, but said ” unfortunately, I cannot continue.”

  • Jigawa governor appoints eight permanent secretaries

    Jigawa governor appoints eight permanent secretaries

    Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has approved the appointment of eight new permanent secretaries.

    A statement by the Head of the Civil Service, Muhammad Inuwa Tahir, said the appointment takes effect immediately.

    The appointees include Gambo Ibrahim, Nasir Mahmud, Musa Muhammad Diginsa and Bello Ado Madaka

    Others are M.A Kainuwa, Lawan Dahiru Ringim, Aliyu Ahmed Shungurun and Hauwa Zakar.

    Governor Badaru last year sacked about 10 permanent secretaries.

  • Niger governor decries dirty hospitals

    Niger governor decries dirty hospitals

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has decried the unhygienic state of some hospitals.

    The governor spoke when he paid an unscheduled visit to Shehu Shagari Hospital, Nasko, where he was greeted with an unkept environment.

    He said: “I am disappointed with the level of hygiene in this hospital. If the consulting room is this bad, I do not want to go round the hospital because I do not want to see more frustrating things.

    “If a doctor’s consulting room can be left unkempt, with cobwebs and dirty toilet, I wonder how the entire hospital will look like. I am disappointed with what I am seeing now. Only God knows how the wards will look like.

    “If this hospital belongs to any of the doctors, will they allow it be in this unkempt state?

    “It is high time public servants know that the system of governance has changed. There is no room for indolence. This administration has zero tolerance for indolent workers”.

    The governor then directed the Commissioner for Health and Hospital Services, Dr. Mustapha Jibril, to look into the hospital to ensure proper maintenance of the facility.

    Bello also hinted that his administration has no plan to shut down the School of Nursing in Bida. He was shocked at the rumours alleging that the government intends to close down the school to establish a similar one in Kontagora.

    “Nobody can close the School of Nursing, Bida; only God can. The schools in Bida and Minna are not enough. We should have more schools to produce more nurses and midwives for our hospitals.

    “How can one contemplate closing the school when we are short of nurses? We should be careful with the messages we send or spread. Those spreading this rumour are not lovers of the state,” Bello added.

    He promised that his administration will rehabilitate the school, noting that the delay was due to some technicalities which will be resolved soon.

  • How not to be a governor

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike likes to throw his weight around.  Yes, he has a lot of weight as the state’s helmsman. There is no doubt about that. Yes, he has weighty issues on his mind as governor. There is no doubt about that. Yes, he carries the weight of the state on his shoulders. There is no doubt about that.

    But must he throw his weight around to show his status? Must he throw his weight around to show his office?

    Well, that’s exactly what he is accused of, and it may well be true. He has done so several times since he became governor in 2015. His latest alleged exhibition of power and the excesses of power cannot be overlooked, particularly because his showmanship is becoming showier.

    Wike’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared winner of the rerun election held in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State on February 25. What role did Wike play on that day?

    Listen to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Shola Omotola, who is a Professor of Political Science at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State:  ”I am not going to deny that the governor was here, (INEC office), last night. I’m not also going to deny the fact that I felt thoroughly humiliated, embarrassed, whatever way you want to describe it. When we left the venue at Etche, we saw tension building. I called the National Commissioner, and appealed to her to inform the military personnel to provide escort for us to move out of that place.”

    Omotola’s account continues: “To my surprise, we got here (INEC office), a few minutes to 12 midnight and we met the governor already inside here, INEC premises; how he got here I don’t know, but the fact that we were thoroughly humiliated cannot be denied. It is important I clarify that. It is however also important that I reassure you that yes, the governor used all tricks to force us to declare results. But, we stood our ground. We never declared any results yesterday…”

    Omotola said Wike issued “threats” to INEC officials, meaning the governor lost his sense of balance and his sense of decorum. It is interesting that Wike wants an unbelieving world to believe all he did was to resist rigging.  Wike had no business being there. Did he need to be there? His alleged conduct was misconduct.  That cannot be how to be a governor.

  • Governor okays pharmaceutical plant for Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has said establishment of a pharmaceutical plant by Enbay Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, in partnership with foreign companies, will aid industrialisation.

    Deputy Governor Gboribiogha John Jonah spoke on behalf of the governor when the firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Eneye Oweifie, visited the Government House in Yenagoa.

    He said the kind gesture, which was first of its kind, would complement government’s efforts in job creation.

    The governor said he dreamt of such development-oriented projects for a long time, adding that the government would ensure the plant, which was the first to be built at the Bayelsa Industrial Park, began operation as soon as possible.

    Trade, Industry and Investment Commissioner Kemela Okara said the plant, which would be sited at the industrial park at Gbarantoru, Bayelsa State, was a joint venture programme between Bayelsa State Development Investment Corporation and the pharmaceutical company.

    Oweifie said his company and other partners were putting finishing touches towards the take-off of the plant.

    He said his company was partnering pharmaceutical companies from the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria, stressing that the building of the plant would boost employment opportunities.

  • Ogun West jostles for governor

    Ogun West jostles for governor

    Ogun West Senatorial District has renewed its agitation for power shift in 2019. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the profile of the aspirants and the factors that will aid their success.

    The Ogun West Senatorial District, in its quest to clinch the governorship ticket in the 2019 general elections, has thrown up some aspirants.
    They have embarked on consultations with party chieftains and elders. They are seeking for endorsement at the local and state levels.
    The zone has complained about marginalisation, urging other zones to support its bid to produce the governor. The aspirants are not leaving any stone unturned. They believe that the West should produce the governor to ensure the equitable distributions of state resources for development.
    Stakeholders have denounced the domination of the political space by the Ogun Central and Ogun East districts. They said the loopsided application of state fund has reinforced the strong agitation for a power shift to the West.
    Ogun West is made up of five local governments: Imeko-Afon, Ipokia, Yewa South, Yewa North and Ado-Odo/Ota and sub – ethnic groups, consisting of the Yoruba, Eyo, Anago, Awori, Ketu, Ifonyin Egun, with significant economic contributions to the state.
    Some of the aspirants have intimidating credentials that cannot be brushed aside.
    Notable among them are the Chief of Staff, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon Suraj Adekunbi, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, Hon Abiodun Akinlade and Senator Solomon Adeola (aka Yayi).
    Adeola is representing Lagos West Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. He is a strong contender for the position. He enjoys considerable support of loyalists, including Chief Bode Mustapha and Hon Tunji Egbetokun, who worked immeasurably to see to the emergence of Governor Amosun in 2011.
    Adeola, a Chartered Accountant and an indigene of Ago-Isaga, was born on August 10, 1969.
    But, he is not enjoying the support of Amosun. So far, the All Progressives Congress (APC) structure in the state is in the grip of Amosu and he may determine who succeeds him in office.
    The entry of Odebiyi, has continued to send jitters down spines of co-aspirants who see his foray into the contest as a threat.
    He hails from Iboro, Yewa North Local Government Area. Odebiyi holds a B.Sc in Building Construction and Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusssets, United States of America (USA). He was the Managing Director, Agbara Estates Limited, a development and investment company with over N20 billion in assets.
    In recognition of his skills and competences, he was selected to serve as a member of the transition committee on housing in Ogun State in 2003.
    His supporters say he is more concerned about the plights of the people of the Ogun West Senatorial District having passed through similar experience over the years.
    His love for the people, led to the formation of his pet project, ‘Alajobi’, in 2011, to promote Yewa governorship candidate.
    Adekunbi is another contender for the number one plum job. Born on March 5, 1975 in Aiyetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area, he holds HND in Mechanical Engineering from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and a Master’s degree in Project Development Implementation (MPDI) from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA). Adekunbi represented his constituency of Yewa North in the House of Assembly. He was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly on July 6, 2011.
    Anisulowo is among the front runners. The 65-year-old politician is a former Secretary to the defunct Egbado South Local Government Area, a two-time Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry and an former Minister of State for Education. She represented Ogun West in the Senate between 2003 and 2007.
    Prince Isiaka hails from Imeko, Imeko – Afon Local Government Area. The 52-year-old politician has participated in the governorship race twice on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .
    Giving the numbers of aspirants, it is feared that the agitation for power shift may suffer a setback, if nothing is done to prune down the rising number.

  • Okorocha to Obiano: you’re not fit to be governor

    Okorocha to Obiano: you’re not fit to be governor

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday said his Anambra State counterpart, Willie Obiano, is aggressive and clueless.
    The Imo governor said Obiano would have done better as a militant.
    Okorocha was reacting to Obiano’s statement, which called the Imo governor “an example of what a leader should not be”.
    The Imo governor said Obiano had confirmed the impression that he was “an aggressive governor who is bereft of any …idea”.
    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “…Okorocha has read with regret the media attack on his person by the clueless Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, over a harmless statement he made at the All Progresives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in Owerri, that three governors in the Southeast would soon join APC.
    “That statement did not call for an insult or any foul language. Two responsible governors in the zone – the Enugu and Ebonyi states’ governors – were quoted to have reacted to Governor Okorocha’s claim; as decent men, they made their points without attacking the Imo governor.
    “But Governor Obiano of Anambra State spoke to justify or authenticate the impression about him that he is an aggressive governor, who should have done better as a militant than as a governor.
    “While reacting to Governor Okorocha’s innocuous claim, Governor Obiano said the Imo governor ‘is an example of what a leader should not be’. That type of motor park language was unexpected from a governor of a state, especially one who answers His Excellency, even when the Anambra governor did not explain what he meant by that. In what ways was Governor Okorocha not an example of what a leader should be?
    “Governor Okorocha’s claim was a healthy one, expected to provoke sound debates, which is the beauty of democracy. Governors with ideas and the right exposure gave their polite reactions, but the one without ideas took to insults. Only men with nothing to offer in terms of ideas take delight in insulting others. Men of ideas do not insult others.
    “Leadership is about ideas and service. Luckily enough, Obiano has been governor for almost four years while Okorocha has also been governor for five years. Let Obiano publish his achievements in Anambra State, even with high internally generated revenue (IGR), and let Governor Okorocha also publish his achievements in Imo. Then, we take off from there.
    “As governor, Owelle Okorocha came up with ideas and popular policies, such as free education at all levels, which has been working well in Imo; Community Government Councils (CGC), Urban renewal programme, Ikuola Nkwu, Imo Air, massive road networks, building of universities, infrastructural revolution, and so many others.
    “Let Governor Obiano mention at least one programme his government in Anambra State is known for, almost four years as governor.
    “We may, at this point, challenge journalists from the Southeast to embark on project tours of Imo and Anambra and make their findings known to the public.
    “Obiano, no doubt, has taken Anambra State several kilometres backward, while in Imo, Okorocha has raised the bar of leadership or governance. To say the least, comparing Okorocha with Obiano is like comparing Messi of Barcelona FC with the left wing player of Mberi Secondary School in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.”