The Nation Newspaper

Tag: governor

  • Rivers governor’s comment on rerun dangerous, says INEC

    Rivers governor’s comment on rerun dangerous, says INEC

    The  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for accusing the commission of conniving with some people to rig next Saturday’s rerun in the state.

    INEC said the governor’s comment was dangerous and capable of inciting the people to commit violence.

    Wike had accused INEC of releasing a list of ad hoc workers of allegedly being dominated by All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to him, INEC included an APC ward chairman and ward secretaries as assistant presiding officers.

    But in a statement by its Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC said: ”The commission condemns, in very strong terms, the relentless false allegations, provocative and dangerous comments being made by some political actors, especially the Governor of River State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, against the commission, all of which are capable of inciting people to commit violent acts that could derail the election.

    “We appeal to stakeholders to henceforth refrain from making pronouncements that could either overheat the state or instigate their followers to violence. We also appeal to all the political parties and their supporters to abide by extant laws governing the electoral process.

    “We wish to reassure all Nigerians that the commission will remain impartial and committed to conducting credible, fair and transparent elections at all times.”

  • ‘God is the real governor of Benue’

    •Ortom gets award

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said God is the real governor of Benue as everything he does is dictated by Him.

    Ortom spoke yesterday in Gboko at a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the Full Gospel Revival Crusade Incorporated Nigeria.

    “I am the governor but the Real Governor is God,” he said.

    He urged the congregation to join him in executing God’s counsel so that the revival in Benue would blossom.

    Referring to Job 36: 11-12, Ortom said his desire was for the people to live a fulfilled life by being on the side of God.

    He congratulated Full Gospel Revival Crusade Inc. Nigeria for clocking 40 and reiterated his administration’s readiness to partner the church.

    Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has conferred Governor Ortom the award of best crime fighter.

    Ortom was among 75 individuals, groups and corporate bodies, which received similar awards yesterday at the Sheba Event Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.

    CRAN’s President Mr. Odita Sunday said the recipients were chosen after an evaluation of their contributions to the fight against crime in Nigeria and their localities.

    He noted that Ortom’s carrot-and-stick amnesty programme helped in mopping up illegal weapons in Benue.

    Ortom’s Special Adviser on Media and ICT Mr. Tahav Agerzua received the award on his behalf.

  • Corps member adopts governor’s agric scheme

    Corps member adopts governor’s agric scheme

    A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Ebonyi State, Godshield Kanjal, has begun the implementation of his One-Man-One-Hectare, an agricultural programme initiated by Governor David Umahi to increase rice output.

    The Corps member has cultivated three hectares of land for rice production.

    The programme is aimed at boosting food production and wealth creation.

    Kanjal explained that he adopted the programme to develop his entrepreneurial skill. He said the dwindling oil revenue gave rise to the need for the youth to engage in agriculture as the way out of joblessness.

    He said: “Since the governor introduced the initiative, which has the potential to boost food production, I have been thinking of how I could use the opportunity for my advantage. This is why I went into farming during the period of my service.”

    Kanjal said it was high time young graduates started shifting their attention away from white-collar jobs and embraced agriculture. He invited other Corps members to join hands with him.

    He advised the government to make soft loans available for youths willing to farm, noting that the government’s agricultural initiative could create jobs.

     

  • Ex-Ebonyi Governor, deputy governor honoured

    Ex-Ebonyi Governor, deputy governor honoured

    Ebonyi state Governor David Umahi saw it all as his predecessor Sam Egwu, and deputy Kelechi Igwe were honoured at the the Abakaliki Township stadium. There was also a third honoree Senator Sonni Ogbuoji.

    The Assemblies of God Church honoured the three politicians who are members of the church.

    The event was organised by the Southeast Zone 4 of the church.

    In attendance also was the General Superintendent of the church, Rev Chidi Okoroafor who in a sermon charged Christians with the fear of God not to allow ungodly men to take over the political space of the country.

    He said, “Time has expired when the church will sit at the fence and then allow occultists, drunkards, immoral people and idol worshipers to take over government, while we just sit on the fence and pray alone. When the righteous is in authority the people rejoice”.

    Rev Okoroafor also eulogised the three awardees, saying they are “God-fearing believers; they are members of Assemblies of God. We charge them to remain our pride, we charge them to be good ambassadors of Christ and to be good ambassadors of Assemblies of God Church.

    “Their godly performance will provoke the constituency to pick more Assemblies of God people because they have seen that they fear God and they practice what they proclaim”.

    Earlier, the Chairman, Southeast Zone 4 of the church and Abakaliki District Superintendent, Rev Emma Nshi noted that the church has grown like a mustard seed from 1934 when it was started by Rev Augustus Wogu to a worldwide church vigorously drawing people closer to God.

    He said the church has also produced many individuals in various fields of endeavour who have contributed to the growth of the nation and the church.

    “The Chruch started making inroads into politics during the Second Republic when it produced the Senate president, Joseph Wayas.  It also produced Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, another Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

    Others are first civilian governor of Ebonyi amd current Senator representing Ebonyi North, Dr Sam Egwu, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji and Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Kelechi Igwe.”

    In his speech, Governor Umahi noted the important role played by Egwu during the elections that led to his emergence as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    He said, “During the peacekeeping meeting in Abuja most people that came to make peace were ready to trade off my position for his own but he said that my own position was first as far as he was concerned and his was secondary”.

    Umahi noted that his deputy has been loyal and dependable.

    He said, “At the time of negotiation, the party said I must concede the deputy governorship position to somebody else but I was so stubborn to say no.  When it was 24 hours to sign my papers and send them to INEC I had filled Kelechi as deputy but the party refused to assent to it unless I remove his name and put the person of our choice. But I said if you will not sign it, you can give the entire ticket to someone else”.

    “And he has been a capable hand in the efforts to develop and transform the state. When situations are tough in the executive council we refer it to him. I once asked myself, whom do you like best. Is it an honest man that doesn’t know his work or the dishonest man that knows his work?

    “But God gave me an honest man that knows his work in my deputy governor. If he tells me something is hundred naira I will not question it. And this is very important to every leader, when you have such a helper it is by the special grace of God.  It is very much in lack in our society and in this nation. So we thank  God for him and we are very grateful”.

    The governor described Senator Ogbuoji’s second term to represent Ebonyi South as the divine will of God.

  • Governor Emmanuel and farmers

    SIR:  I wish to commend Governor  Udom Emmanuel  of Akwa Ibom State on the recent training of about 2000 farmers on poultry farming.

    As part of effort to generate employment through agriculture, the government of Akwa Ibom has trained 2000 farmers on production, processing, branding and marketing of poultry produce under  the anchor borrower programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is a step in the right direction.

    However,  I want to strongly appeal to the governor to make sure that the project is pursued to the end. The trained farmers are full of hope that better days are here. Farmers, especially poultry farmers, are facing a lot of challenges when it comes to capital and marketing of farm products.

    The  anchor borrower programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria will really help farmers in Akwa Ibom State and much food will be produced.

    Kudos to Governor Emmanuel for hosting a whopping 2,000 farmers for the capacity building training. We want more of this kind of initiative in the state!

     

    Tony Kings,

    Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

  • Niger governor’s wife leads walk against cancer

    Niger governor’s wife leads walk against cancer

    Wife of Niger State governor  State Governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Sani Bello has led a 5km breast cancer awareness walk in Minna, the state capital.

    It’s aim was to sensitise women in the state on the dangers and prevention of the disease.

    Everyone on the awareness walk tagged ‘Let’s Walk Breast Cancer Away’ had on a pink shirt and peak cap.

    Speaking to newsmen, Bello, who is the founder of RAISE Foundation, said the walk was to create awareness on cancer, how it can be prevented and how it can be detected earlier and to raise funds to treat cancer patients.

    She said, “It is an awareness campaign we are doing to bring to the fore the knowledge of cancer and how it can be prevented. This cancer walk is in commemoration of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is always celebrated every October.”

    The governor’s wife said that exercise is a good way to prevent cancer, adding that exercise is also good for the body. She stated that her foundation also has a cancer screening centre which will be screening women throughout the year.

    The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Professor Musbau Akanji who was a participant in the walk, said the initiative of the walk by the governor’s wife is a good way of creating awareness of cancer in the state.

    Akanji, who said that his institution has lost two staff to cancer, said the institution will give the Dr. Amina all the support in her fight against cancer.

    “This is a laudable initiative. Cancer is always detected late and this awareness campaign is very important in that it will make the people aware of the scourge of cancer and go for early screening and also engage in exercise to prevent the disease.”

    Political appointees, civil servants and civil societies, NGOs, staffs from FUT Minna, members of the NYSC and people in the state participated in the walk.

  • Edo: New Oba, new governor

    Today, Thursday October 20, the ancient kingdom of Benin and indeed the good people of Edo State are making history. A new dawn beckons as the 39th Oba of Benin is being crowned. Twenty-one days from now, that is on November 12, a new governor, elected after a fierce gubernatorial election of September 28 will be inaugurated to steer the ship of the state for the next four years.

    By any standards, the two events, with their promises of new beginning, are historic as they are auspicious. While both Prince Ehenede Erediauwa and Godwin Obaseki come to office in the atmosphere of great expectations, the good news of course is that both, young in age and at heart, possess not just the vitality, but come fully prepared for the burden of service to the good people of Edo State. It is truly a new dawn for the people of the state.

    Talk of answers to prayer, the emergence of Godwin Obaseki as governor-elect, could only have come as personal testimony to the countless prayers offered by the new monarch to his ancestors –prayers for a peaceful poll, and the emergence of a credible individual to pilot the affairs of the state in the next four years. In the heat of the tension that enveloped the governorship election, one recalled the Oba as saying: “We all went down to our knees…We prayed harder and honestly, our ancestors and God Almighty answered all we prayed, that He should give us a peaceful election and a governor that will keep food on the table for our people and respect the traditional institution”.

    Today, it is unlikely that anyone will still doubt that the prayer has been answered hence the Oba is thankful to “God and our ancestors for hearing the fervent prayers we prayed before the election and for bringing out somebody that will uplift our people and respect the tradition”.

    Never one to miss the import of the mandate and the burden it carries, the Oba would not fail to admonish the governor-elect: “I will tell the governor-elect, keep to your promises, keep your words, put food on the table of our people, respect the traditional institution and ensure you build on what Oshiomhole has done”.

    In this, the Oba of Benin is not alone; it was the same refrain from other traditional rulers from Edo Central and Edo North who, aside offering their unanimous in the support for Godwin Obaseki have also expressed their willingness to partner with the government, to safeguard investment that will improve on the economy and well-being of their subjects.

    Not that Obaseki’s loyalty to the royal family and the Benin tradition is ever in doubt. For guidance and advice, Obaseki has stated that he would be counting on the Oba to succeed just as the governor-elect has spoken of his vision of Edo State where the famous cultures and traditions will be reinvigorated as part of economic growth strategy and harnessed to the greater benefit of our people.

    Said Obaseki, “I see an Edo state where our people will leave in peace, equanimity and where social justice, equity and fairness shall prevail at all times”.

    On a day like this, the two great men not only have reasons to celebrate each other. Together with the entire people of Edo State, they have enough reasons to be proud of the new dawn. For Obaseki in particular, it must come as something of pride not only to witness the milestone in the Great Benin Kingdom, but as a major participant. Moreover, the import of the partnership between the palace and the in-coming government can only forebode greater strides in a state ordinarily hungry for development.  For the good people of Edo State, it is time to tap into Obaseki’s formidable personal and leadership skills garnered in the course of a sterling career in private and public life – a factor which has now propelled him to become the first banker to be governor in the state. Surely, the people cannot wait to see him deploy these managerial skills to end the socio-economic gridlock that the opposition PDP has plunged the country to build a better, prosperous and economically sustainable Edo State based on cultural cohesion and ethical values.

    Little wonder  the mood, across the state today, is one of great excitement. The city centre and its environs are wearing a new look while all traders and drivers carrying out commercial activities around the Urhokpota Hall have been found a new arena for their business are they welcome their new monarch. Visible on the horizon is the huge tent – the temporary abode for the Crown Prince erected at the Urhokpota hall premises – the place called Eko-Ohae (bachelors’ camp) where Prince Erediauwa is expected to stay for three days immediately he leaves his Palace at Uselu.

    Once again, Edo people have shown that we can never be more hopeful about our future; indeed, we’ve never been more hopeful about Edo State and the progressive government and virile traditional institution as we are about to experience. And this hope, Edo people will sustain under our new Oba and our new governor.

     

    • Mayaki writes from Benin City.

  • Jegede is divine choice, say ex-deputy governor, monarch

    A former deputy governor of Ondo State and one-time ambassador to Uganda, Chief Omolade Oluwateru, has described the candidature of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “God’s given project”. Also, the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, said the PDP candidate was reliable and hardworking.

    Oluwateru said Jegede is the most suitable candidate having worked in the governor’s cabinet for the past seven and half years.

    The ex-deputy governor, who served under the late former Governor Olusegun Agagu, spoke yesterday, when a group, the Jegede Network Forum, which he is a member, received the candidate in Akure, the state capital.

    Oluwateru said: ”Jegede was chosen by God and he is extremely lucky. He is not about Akure agenda or project, but he’s God’s own project. For him to have worked in the outgoing governor’s cabinet for seven and half years gives him an edge over his fellow contestants in terms of experience, comportment and proactive reflexes.

    “I know what I am talking about, because his understanding of the problems besetting all communities in Ondo State is fresh and steaming hot. And that is why here in Akure alone, we have vowed to mobilise over 150,000 votes for him.”

    The Commissioner for Education, Chief Jide Adejuyigbe, said in Akure South alone, the people have launched ‘Operation150, 000 votes’, pointing out that there are 248,000 registered voters in the locality.

    The chairman of the Jegede Network Forum, Mr. Adewumi Faji, asked over 5,000 supporters at the event to display their voter cards, which they joyfully did.

    Thanking the supporters, an elated Jegede reiterated his cardinal programmes of massive employment through industrialisation and agricultural expansion.

    Speaking at his palace, when 30 traditional rulers in Akokoland received the PDP candidate, Oba Momoh described Jegede as “our son who is humble, hardworking and reliable”.

    He said the Mimiko administration had performed creditably and that it deserved a successor “from the performing team.”

    The monarch said Jegede had been a friend of the grassroots people, long before he knew that he would be tipped to become governor.

    Oba Momoh said: “Your coming here is just to pay homage; there is no need to campaign, as we all know the stuff you are made of.”

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Fatai Olotu, an indigene of the area, appealed to the people to vote for continuity, stressing that Mimiko had completed the Awara Dam Scheme and that what was left was water-pipe extension to the various Akoko communities.

    He also recalled that the Mimiko administration built an ultra-modern market in Ikare-Akoko, apart from providing free shuttle buses for school pupils.

  • Kebbi governor flags off training of 3000 teachers

    Kebbi governor flags off training of 3000 teachers

    Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has kicked off the training of 3,000 primary school teachers under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme. The event was held at the Presidential Banquet Hall in BirninKebbi, the state capital.

    In his address governor, Atikuhailed the UBE for organising the exercise, stressing that maintaining and sustaining schools is a collective responsibility of both the government and individual. He assured that his administration will continue to do all it takes to support education in the state. He explained that one of the challenges facing the sector is the huge member of people with fake results.

    He called on the participants to see this training programme as a means to renew their commitment to service delivery. Governor Atiku also emphasised that everyone who is not qualified to be in the education sector will soon be fished out.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the state commissioner for education Alhaji Muhammad Magawata Aliero said the training is an intervention programme designed  by the UBE commission to train  a sizeable number of teachers in all the 36 states.

    He explained that the training was for the second  tranche fund of 2014 which could not be conducted for some reasons,  adding that  the initial number  approved by the commission was 1,500 participants but due to the efforts of the state governor, the commission approved  the number of beneficiaries to 3,000.

    Magawata  stated   further that the five days training has been centralised to take place in the four emirate headquarters of Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri  and Zuru.   He assured that in days, 3,000 primary school teachers would be trained towards improving their pedagogical skill in teaching the four core subjects of English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science &Technology as well as Religion and National Values.

  • Edo poll: Ize-Iyamu remains PDP candidate – INEC

    Edo poll: Ize-Iyamu remains PDP candidate – INEC

    As the people of Edo states goes to the poll Wednesday to elect a successor to Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) maintained that Ize-Iyamu remains the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the election.

    According to the commission, the candidate forwarded by Senator Ahmed Markafi led faction is the accepted candidate for the party in the postponed Wednesday election.

    Responding to our reporter on the issue, Mr. Nick Dazang, Deputy Director, Media and Publicity said, “the candidate forwarded by the Markafi faction. Ize-Iyamu, that was the one forwarded to us and by the nature of the court order we received, Port Harcourt court order, he is still the candidate.”

    On Ondo state, he said the commission was yet to take any decision as the two factions in the party submitted names for the November election.

    Dazang however said that the commission have till October 27th before deciding who to accept as the party candidate for Ondo poll.

    He said, “We have not taken decision in respect of that yet, the two factions submitted names to us, first was the Markafi faction and followed by the Ali Modu-Sheriff faction. So you know at the stage we are now, it is just part of the submission of the list, so it is until 27th of Octobe, 30 days to the election in November that we will now publish the final list, by which time we now know which candidate is going to contest on the  platform of PDP.”