Tag: Nigerian Newspaper

Over 5, 000 families in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State have been displaced by flood.

It also destroyed property running into millions.

Mostly affected are communities close to the River Niger and Analo River, which overflowed their banks, submerging residential buildings, schools and farmlands.

The residents were forced to vacate their homes, to seek refuge on higher grounds not affected by flood. Some of those affected raised wooden platforms above the water level to serve as their beds.

Chairman of Ibaji LGA Caretaker Committee,  Mr. William Iko-Ojo, who led some officials of the council on an inspection tour of some of the affected areas, on Tuesday, lamented the plight of those displaced.

He noted that residents of the affected areas are faced with severe hardship, with many forced to reside in makeshift structures.

According to him:  “The situation calls for urgent intervention, because Ibaji is totally submerged. From Onyedega, the council headquarters, up to Ujeh,  down to the boundary, no structure is spared and unless the government comes to the rescue of the affected people the situation might degenerate into a major calamity.

“The local government is working hard to create Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, to resettle those rendered homeless, but their immediate need is food. The situation is so bad now, even the palace of the traditional ruler of Ibaji,  Chief John Egwemi has been submerged.”

He appealed to the federal and state governments and donor agencies to come to the aid of the flood victims.

Eyewitness accounts had it that farm produce were washed away by the flood, while the major road leading to the council headquarters from Idah, is cut off at different points.

Travelers engaged speed boat as alternative mode of transportation.

Read Also: Appeal Court headquarters groans under floods

One of those affected, Mrs Agnes Apeh, a native of Onyedega, bemoaned the situation, saying, “many of us have lost our homes and belongings as the flood that ravaged our homes at night after a heavy downpour took us by surprise.

“We could not recover anything as everybody was running to safer places with their children. We are now sleeping on bare floor since we have no mattresses.

“It is so disturbing that we have continued to suffer on account of flooding every year, without a permanent solution. We lack everything in Ibaji. It is the only council area in Nigeria without electricity, asphalted road, functional hospital nor good schools, as if we are not part of Nigeria.”

The Senate on Thursday gave its committee on Finance one week to consider the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Frame Work (MTEF) and the Fiscal Responsibility Paper (FSP) and submit its report.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday submitted the 2020 MTEF/FSP to the Senate for consideration and approval as a prelude to the presentation of the 2020 Appropriations Bill.

The Committee on Finance is chaired by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, representing Lagos West Senatorial District.

President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, while referring the MTEF/FSP to the Committee directed them bring it back to the floor within one week.

“The document is hereby referred to the Senate committee on Finance and they should lay their report before the Senate on Wednesday next week,” Lawan said.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday applauded the contributions of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Aliko Dangote Foundation to humanitarian and developmental activities in Nigeria.

Meeting with the duo at the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the President said they have touched humanity in many positive ways, and congratulated them “for achieving what you had set out to do.”

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the President added “Thanks for deriving pleasure in helping people. Congratulations to you for returning part of your wealth to the people in diverse ways. Whatever we save in areas in which you have intervened, we can deploy to other areas like building of infrastructure,”

On agriculture, in which Alhaji Dangote makes huge investments, the President noted that farmers were very happy in Nigeria now, “as we have made fertilizer available, cut the price by half, and given many other incentives. They have no regret going back to the lands. The more we invest in agriculture, the better for us.”

Read Also: Gates exposed me to challenges in our health system, says Dangote

Mr Gates congratulated President Buhari “for assembling a cabinet that excites us,” saying he was pleased that one of the priorities of the administration was human capital development, of which health, nutrition and education are key components.

Noting that Bill and Melinda Gates and Aliko Dangote Foundations keep track of Nigeria’s attainments on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as enunciated by the United Nations, he submitted that they were encouraged that there was improvement in reduction of child mortality.

“Every local government area has better health/education situation today than in year 2000. We are delighted about that. Nigeria is our biggest commitment in Africa. It’s only in India we do more in the world,” Mr Gates said.

On polio eradication, he said Nigeria reached a zero wild polio virus free milestone for three years in August, noting that the next six months were critical, so that the country could finally be declared polio free.

Alhaji Dangote appreciated the Nigerian military for helping with vaccination in the theatres of war while fighting insurgency, thus adding to the advances in the country’s polio status.

President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly congratulated national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi, who turns 94 on September 27, 2019.

He commended him for consistently projecting the noble and progressive ideas of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also joined family, friends, professional and political associates of the pharmacist, who joined politics to serve the nation at a young age.

The President noted that he has demonstrated his love for the country by working for the welfare of the poor and underprivileged, and holding leaders to account on their promise of good governance.

Read Also: Buhari mourns former SGF, Ufot Ekaette

As a legislator, who served in the House of Representatives and Senate, the President believed Pa Fasanmi’s focus on people has shaped his life philosophy and politics, noting that government can only remain relevant when it caters for the needs of the vulnerable and voiceless.

President Buhari extolled Pa Fasanmi’s courage in standing for democratic governance and fighting for democratic ideals and values, praying that the Almighty God will grant him longer life, good heath and strength to keep serving the nation.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and grief over the death of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette, describing him as “a consummate administrator and bridge builder”.

Buhari in a condolence message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Thursday, noted that the deceased ”dedicated himself to duty in the course of his distinguished public service.”

Buhari said Ekaette was ”a gentleman” who gave “his best in the service of his country”.

He condoled with the Ekaette family, the government and people of Akwa Ibom over the death, and assured them that the deceased would always be remembered for his remarkable public service record and immense contributions towards bringing peace in the once troubled Niger Delta region.

The president expressed regret that “his demise comes at a time when voices like his own are needed to move Nigeria forward in the face of daunting challenges.”

He, however, gave assurance that Ekaette’s contributions would never be in vain as ”the country would always appreciate and remember his great contributions.”

The president prayed God to comfort the Ekaette family, friends and relations and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.

(NAN)

Gracious David-West, a serial killer arrested in Rivers State, has confessed to killing 15 women in seven states. He earlier confessed seven.

Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed this to the Nation in a telephone interview, said the suspect confessed to killing one person each in Abia, Edo, Ibadan (Oyo State), Owerri (Imo State), Ikeja (Lagos State) and nine in Rivers State.

Over 10 women were killed in different hotels in Rivers in the last two months.

David-West was on his way to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when he was arrested.

Read Also: Confessions of an alleged serial killer

He confessed to the crime, saying he killed seven women before his arrest.

The suspect hails from Buguma, Akuku-Toru Local Government of Rivers State.

David-West, an alleged Confraternity), said he takes joy in strangling young women in hotels whenever the urge to kill comes.

He claimed he did not cut his victim’s vital parts.

Omoni said the suspect is being quizzed to confess more of his deeds.