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Tag: governor

  • Why minimum wage must be re-negotiated, by governor

    Why minimum wage must be re-negotiated, by governor

    Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari yesterday said governors, the Presidency and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) should re-negotiate the 18,000 minimum wage.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, dwindling oil prices had drastically affected the revenue generation of most states, which is adversely affecting their ability to pay workers.

    The governor, however, denied making statements stopping the minimum wage.

    He said: “Let me make it clear to Nigerians, Governors’ Forum is not the enemy of labour. Rather, we have been working together. But what we are saying, because not only Governor Wike but also my friend in the comradeship, Adams Oshiomhole, kicked against the decision.

    “Although we never said that we are going to stop the N18,000 minimum wage, we are looking at the situation in the country and the global economy.

    “What we said is that when the National Assembly enacted the law of paying N18,000 minimum wage, oil was about $118 per barrel and today oil is sold for $41 per barrel.

    “So, if it continues, definitely, we will find it difficult to continue. We have to sit down with labour and see how we can review, either continue or downsizing or what we are going to do. We want to find a solution because we have to be realistic that we have so many things to touch. There is infrastructure deficit, there is need for security, there are other things, such as social lives of our people and the nation as a state.

    “The receipt from federation account, some people received N400 million, N500 million. Some others received N55 million, two digits. And there are other issues.  Not even the salary, their pension is over a billion. So, how can we continue borrowing and servicing the service aspect of our expenditure, or overhead? How can we do that?

    “We are telling the public that we are planning to sit down with the President and his team and the governors as a team and the experts to come out with the way forward and how we are going to handle the poor state of the economy.

    “But what we have on ground now will not be realistic if it continues the way it is without having other sources from the economy and still relying on oil that is being sold for $118 dollar per barrel and now down to $41 and think that we can continue behaving or misbehaving the way we are doing, if there is anything like that.

    “Therefore we are saying that we should tighten our belts. Sometime definitely, we should sit down and come out of it to find a way we are going to do it realistically or otherwise.”

    On the position taken by Governors Adams Oshiomole and Nyesom Wike of Edo and Rivers states, Yari said the states were rich with industries that are raising their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    He said: “I can understand why the governor of Rivers state is speaking the way he is speaking. He thinks every place is Rivers. It is not.”

     

  • Governor sends SoS to international community

    Governor sends SoS to international community

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday sent a Save our Soul (SoS) message to the international community and democracy lovers ahead of Saturday’s election.

    The governor, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, urged the international community to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to ensure a free and fair poll.

    Speaking during his campaign in Sagbama Local Government, he said the call became imperative to sustain peace.

    Dickson reportedly visited Toru-Angiama, Angalabiri, Agorogbene, Kabeama, Okumbiri and Ofoni federated communities comprising Eyanvwien, Ediagbon and Ogbe.

    He alleged that instead of soliciting the electorate’s support in a responsible manner, the All Progressives Congress (APC) relied on federal might.

    Dickson alleged that the utterances and actions of APC chieftains showed that they were not ready for a free and fair poll, but were plotting to wrest power from the PDP through the backdoor.

    He stressed his commitment to a peaceful election, saying he was overwhelmed by the show of love by Bayelsans, whom he noted were prepared to vote on Saturday.

    Interacting with the chiefs and people of the communities, the PDP candidate thanked them for the three times they voted  for him, twice as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives and as a governor in 2012.

    Dickson said he was confident that the electorate would vote for him on Saturday.

    Assuring them of his readiness to impact more on their lives after being sworn in for a second term, he promised to expedite work on the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road and other projects.

    Dickson said: “You are one of the largest and densely populated communities in our state. You have two wards and a high voting population. So as your son, this community means so much to me. This is why I’m passionate about your progress.

    “I thank God that all of you that spoke here attested to the fact that I do whatever I say. I will never promise what I cannot do. I assure you and other Bayelsans that I will do more to impact on your lives during my second tenure.

    “Just do your part as you have always done by giving our party, the PDP, your votes on Saturday.

    “Come out with your Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), vote and wait till they have counted and declared the results in your units before you leave. Don’t be intimidated by anybody because no genuine security personnel will harass you for doing the right thing.”

    The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructures, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, an indigene, said besides the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road, the Dickson administration had completed projects, including the linking of the area to the national grid.

  • Governor campaigns at minister’s council

    Governor campaigns at minister’s council

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State and its candidate in the December 5 election, Governor Seriake Dickson, have campaigned at Ekeremor, the local government of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

    People from communities in the area endorsed Dickson’s re-election.

    The campaign tour climaxed with a mega rally in Ekeremor town where a crowd gathered to endorse the governor’s re-election.

    The campaign team visited Ayamasa, Obirigbene, Isampou, Egbemo-Angalabiri, Tamogbene, Amabulou, Foutorugbene,  Peretorugbene, Ndoro, Aghoro, Aleibiri and Ekeremor.

    It comprised the governor’s wife, Dr. Rachael Dickson and Director-General of the campaign organisation, Mr. Fred Agbedi, who is also the lawmaker representing Sagbama/Ekeremor.

    Also in Dickson’s entourage were Senator Foster Ogola, representing Bayelsa West, Acting PDP Chairman Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff and others.

    The people and their leaders said their decision to back the governor’s second term bid was based on his impressive performance.

    Describing the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road project as a legacy of the present administration, the chiefs said they had no option but to support Dickson’s re-election.

    Speakers at the rallies like the former Deputy Governor, Peremobowei Ebebi, Solomon Aguananagha, Boyelayefa Debekeme and political appointees vowed to ensure that PDP wins in Ekeremor.

    The chiefs and the people of Peretorugbene thanked Dickson for the role he played in the burial of their son, Gen. Patrick Azazi.

    At Aghoro, the campaign turned into a carnival, as everyone danced when Dickson arrived.

    The governor visited monarchs, including the Amananaowei of Ekeremor, Chief Aghodo Gbaseimo and the Alei of Aleibiri, Chief Simon Ebebi.

    Addressing the people at Ekeremor, Dickson assured them of his commitment to complete the multi-billion naira senatorial road.

    He thanked the people for the reception given him and his entourage and inaugurated the state-owned Izon Ibe Micro Finance Bank.

  • Sani slams governor for ‘reckless’ utterances

    Sani slams governor for ‘reckless’ utterances

    The senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has cautioned Governor Nasir El-Rufai for what he called the governor’s reckless statements.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, who has been tackling the governor since inception of his administration, described as “irresponsible” a statement in which El-Rufai allegedly told aggrieved persons on his appointments to climb the Kufena Mountain and jump.

    The governor, at a town hall meeting with stakeholders from Kaduna Central, reportedly said: “Whoever is angry with his appointments at all levels can go and climb the Kufena Mountain and fall.”

    Sani was reacting to the governor’s statement when he hosted some youths from Southern Kaduna.

    He said: “The positive aspect of the governor’s proclamation on the Kufena Mountain is that he has put it on a national discuss and it has become a tourist attraction for people who want to see where opposition are supposed to climb, fall and die.

    “But in a serious sense, it is an irresponsible statement to have called on people who voted us into power to climb such a hill, fall and to die.

    “My advice to all the opposition forces in Kaduna State is that we should turn Kufena Hills into our meeting place to demand good governance, accountability and government without arrogance.”

  • Kudos to Governor Ambode

    SIR: I want to sincerely thank Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for having started to fulfill some of his electoral promises which he made to the people of the state during his campaign to be elected as the governor.

    Among the promises was his resolve to end the trend of casualization in the state’s Civil Service. Recently, he made good his promise by regularising the employment status of the medical doctors who were engaged some years ago as casuals. Many doctors who benefitted from this gesture of the governor have heaved a sigh of relief having been saved from many years of tortuous wait during the period that they were in that pitiable condition.

    It is noteworthy that the affected doctors, during the period of the endless wait, did not allow their plight to affect their zeal to give in their best at work. This could be testified to by many patients who patronize the various government hospitals scattered in the state. They held their heads and worked hard during the period of wait.

    The ugly effect of their status if they had remained as casuals would have been that they would stagnate on the same position forever without any growth! These are young and brilliant doctors, who would have wasted away due to frustration, and for no fault of theirs.

    While thanking Governor Ambode for regularizing the employment status of the doctors, I wish to respectfully appeal to him to go further steps to kindly look into the plight of many lawyers, most of them in their prime, who were also engaged as casual workers many years ago into the state Civil Service. Some of these lawyers have spent almost between five and 10 years and have stagnated on the same position that they were engaged! Many of them are very brilliant with bright career prospects if they are given the opportunity to grow in the state employment.

    I also, recall that some of them were not paid their salaries for the period that they agitated for improvement on their conditions of service.

    I believe that you will, also kindly review their case and bring smiles on their faces like their medical counterparts. As you do this, may God continue to equip you with wisdom, good health of body and mind to enable you continue to give the good people of Lagos State dividend of good and responsible governance, which is based on transparency and accountability, to the admiration of all, including your fellow governors, who would like to emulate you in the governance of their states.

     

    • Emeka Damian

    Ikeja, Lagos

  • Federal might doesn’t win election, says governor

    Federal might doesn’t win election, says governor

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson at the weekend told youths that federal might would not win the December 5 governorship election.

    Speaking at a meeting with youth leaders at the Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Dickson said the election was about protecting the pride and future of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation.

    He said the poll was about the future of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation, adding that allowing the opposition to win the election was tantamount to selling the pride and destiny of the Ijaw.

    The governor urged youth leaders to protect the state’s pride and integrity.

    He said they should turn out en masse on December 5 with their permanent voter cards (PVCs). Dickson said they should vote, protect their votes and wait for the announcement of the results at the polling booths.

    He announced automatic employment for youth leaders in the Bayelsa Volunteers Scheme (BVS) to enhance peace and security, ahead of the poll.

    The governor enjoined youths to ensure that their communities were organised to give information on piracy, kidnapping and other crimes.

    He advised them to cooperate with the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure peace and security during the election.

    Said he: “Organise yourselves unit by unit, ward by ward, constituency by constituency and cooperate with the security agencies and INEC. Ensure that after voting, you remain at the polling booths and wait for the results to be announced.

    “Federal might does not win elections. It is the people that win election. Stand up now or else you will never forgive yourselves, because your destiny is at stake. Those in the opposition were in government for five years and plunged the state into debts. Now they want to return.

    “Today, all of you who are youth presidents and leaders, you are automatically integrated into the volunteer scheme. Ensure your communities are organised. Work hard to give information about piracy, work with your traditional rulers.”

  • Governor’s aide resigns

    Governor’s aide resigns

    AN aide to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has resigned ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

    It was learnt that some members of the executive council were angry that the governor sidelined them in the committees he constituted for his re-election campaign.

    Yesterday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Business Development, Prince Barnabas Edure, resigned from the exco.

    It was gathered that Edure, a former two-time chairman of Sagbama Local Government, resigned, citing alleged poor working condition.

    Sources close to the aide, known in the creeks as a grassroots mobiliser, said Dickson failed to fulfil the promises he made while appointing aides.

    “It is unbelievable that a man in the status of Edure, who was a commissioner in the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) and who has many followers, as Dickson’s aide has no office, no official car and no impress,” Edure’s ally, who spoke in confidence, said.

    He added: “My friend endured maltreatment in Dickson’s exco, but the one he could not take was that the governor sidelined him in his re-election campaign. There is no way his exit will not affect Dickson’s re-election.”

    The source said the governor’s action might have stemmed from his belief that Edure was a friend to a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe.

    In his resignation letter dated October 28, Edure said his resignation was voluntary and thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve the state.

    He said: “The resignation will afford me time to concentrate on my family, business and other private interests that need my attention.”

  • Governor, Speaker, others hail judgment

    Governor, Speaker, others hail judgment

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has hailed his victory at the governorship election petitions tribunal, attributing it to God and the people.

    The governor said the verdict had laid to rest the innuendoes, evil machinations and falsehood being spread across the state and beyond by his opponents.

    He said: “I am grateful to God for this victory and for making it possible for me to break the second term jinx. I thank the people for the confidence reposed in me by voting for me a second time, despite innuendoes, evil machinations and falsehood by our opponents.

    “Today’s judgment has strengthened my belief in the judiciary as the bastion of our fragile democracy and the bulwark of good governance.

    “The judgment is not only a victory for my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) but also a victory for democracy and the rule of law.”

    Ajimobi, who pledged not to betray the people’s trust, said he remained the “coordinating servant’’ of those seeking the progress and prosperity of the state.

    The governor said: “I make bold to say that the petitioner (Accord) had no case in both content and technicality ab initio. Until you meet a bad man, you will not appreciate a good man when you see one.

    “Now that the people have spoken; now that the court has affirmed it and now that God has destined it, our opponents should not oppose God.

    “They should rather join hands with us to move Oyo State forward. I am taking this opportunity to call on all my brothers, Senator Ladoja is my egbon (brother) and we should move away from innuendoes.”

    House of Assembly Speaker Michael Adeyemo said it was a landmark verdict that would boost people’s confidence in the judiciary.

    Adeyemo said the judgment was  clear, adding that it has brought hope to the nation’s democracy.

    “The judgment clearly demonstrated to the world that Nigeria is evolving democratically.”

    Also, a member of the House of Representatives , Abiodun Awoleye, a member of the House of Assembly, Segun Olaleye and former chief whip Abiodun Adigun-Hammed have congratulated Ajimobi.

    They described his victory as “the true wish of the people”.

    The lawmakers said the people are comfortable with the APC government.

    Awoleye said: “Ajimobi cannot be compared to any former governor. He has set  a precedence for his successors.

    Adigun said:”It is the true wish of the state. It means people can now depend on the judiciary. The affirmation of the victory of our leader is an indication that the judiciary is the hope of the common man.?”

    Olaleye said: “I went round the state after the ruling and I discovered people are rooting for the governor. His achievements have spoken.”

     

    President, Nigeria Voters Assembly, Mashood Erubami, described the verdict as victory, not just for the voters but also a validation of the belief and confidence of the people in the judiciary.

    In a statement, Erubami said: “This judgment is a good testimony that Nigerians can still be assured that it is not all cases brought before the courts against a person that the complainant wins.

    “It is a revalidation of the fact that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”

  • Governor, Army chief disagree on Boko Haram’s territorial control  

    Governor, Army chief disagree on Boko Haram’s territorial control  

    •Borno governor meets with Imam

    As Boko Haram holding any part of Nigeria’s territory? Yes, says Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, who claims the sect is occupying two local governments in his state.

    But the  Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, disagrees, saying the military has routed the insurgents from every inch of the country’s land.

    The governor was addressing a visiting Federal Government delegation led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Babachir David Lawal.

    Lt. Gen. Buratai spoke with reporters in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

    Shettima said: “They(Boko Haram) are at present controlling two local governments in Borno State; Abadam and Mobbar and they are partially in Marte.”

    He added:  ”At some point, Boko Haram overran 20 out of our 27 local government areas in Borno State. They overran four local government areas in Adamawa and two in Yobe.”

    Lt. Gen Buratai, who spoke with reporters after addressing troops at the Headquarters of 3 Division, the Marxwel Khobe Cantonment, said: “No Boko Haram is holding any territory in Nigeria at the momment, I have not heard any Boko Haram member or leader making such claim, they are no more in control.

    “We are more determined and we have more professional soldiers on the ground, we have been trained and equipped and ready to face the challenge, if any, posed by Boko Haram”.

    On the December deadline given the military by President Muhammadu Buhari to stamp out Boko Haram, the army boss said: “I can confidently say we are on course, we are mindful of our target, and we know we have two months to achieve that target. We don’t have doubt in our minds, we will achieve our target by December 31.”

    The army boss told the troops said he was in Jos on a familiarisation visit and to acquaint the troops with his vision to reposition the Army following his appointment aa service chief

    The troops bombarded the army boss with  complaints mostly on welfare. He promised to address them.

    Lt. Gen. Buratai was with the GOC,3 Division, Maj. Gen. Hassan Umaru and others.

    Governor Shettima yesterday alongside Heads of the Army, Police and Department of State Service and the Shehu of Borno, ‎Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi met with Imams of mosques in Maiduguri, Jere,  district heads (Aja) and ward heads (Lawans) to discuss security matters aimed at developing fresh strategies to prevent recent tricks deployed by Boko Haram insurgents who attack worshippers at predawn prayers at mosques in Maiduguri.

    The General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Army in Maiduguri, the Police Commissioner and the Director of the DSS attended.

    Governor Shettima told them that similar meetings would be held by the emirs of Biu and Shani with imams in local government areas not yet under attack so that worshippers would not be taken unawares. Shettima said while the Imams lead worshippers during congregational prayers and also head management of various mosques, ward heads are required to ensure that worshippers in every mosque across the over 30 wards in Maiduguri, Jere and surrounding areas adhere strictly to the resolutions reached at the meeting to enhance community policing.

     

  • Governor submits nominees’ names

    Governor submits nominees’ names

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sanni Bello has submitted the names of 15 commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly.

    The Nation learnt that the nominees comprised prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) members drawn from the three senatorial zones.