The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sambo

  • Sambo calls for inclusive government in Kaduna

    Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo said in Kaduna yesterday that only an inclusive government, involving all party stakeholders in the state can move a post-Yakowa Kaduna State forward.

    The Vice President spoke just as the state governor, Mukthar Ramalan Yero, appealed to stakeholders in the state to assist him in arriving at a good choice of a deputy governor for the state.

    Speaking at a PDP stakeholder’s meeting, Sambo told the governor that in order to succeed and move the state forward, he must carry the stakeholders along.

    While commiserating with the government and people of the state over the death of Yakowa, Sambo said that the PDP in Kaduna State has come a long way, pointing out that everything must be done to ensure the continued cohesion of the party.

    “I call on the governor to rally round stakeholders to move the state forward and achieve greatness. I urge you all not to rest on your oars to work towards the progress of the state. President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that he will continue to support Kaduna State.”

    Addressing the gathering, Gov Yero said the the choice of a new deputy governor will be announced soon and solicited the support of the stakeholders in appointing his deputy.

    He assured that he will complete all projects initiated by his former boss as well as implement the budget if approved by the state house of assembly.

    Chairman of the PDP in the state, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, recalled that the PDP in the state has recorded huge success as exemplified in the recent primaries and local government elections in the state.

    The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, Senator Isaiah Balat, former chairmen of the PDP in the state, Alhaji Makama Rigachikun and Alhaji Ya’u Usman, Senator Nenadi Usman, Alhaji Suleiman Hunkuyi, National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, Hon. Yakubu Barde, Hon. Gideon Gwani, among several others.

    Also at the meeting were two of those whose names are being paraded as likely nominees for the position of the deputy governors. They are Hon. Jonathan Asake and Rev. Joseph Hayab.

  • Nigerians spent billions on treatment abroad – Sambo

    Nigerians spent billions on treatment abroad – Sambo

    Nigerians spent several billions of hard currencies abroad to address medical challenges, Vice President Namadi Sambo has said.

    Sambo said this on Friday at the commissioning of the Kwara State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre, Ilorin.

    He said that with the take off of the centre, the number of Nigerians seeking medical attention abroad will reduce drastically.

    His words: “We hope this centre will save the country several billions of hard currencies spent by Nigerians in the pursuit of medical treatment abroad.

    “Having put this centre in place, I am confident that the outflow of Nigerians and national resources frittered to seek such services from other countries of the world will become a thing of the past.

    “Let me add that we are currently rehabilitating and expanding the provision of the needed infrastructure in our hospitals. Maternal and child delivery is being addressed to reduce maternal and child mortality rate, while blood is being procured and distributed to our various hospitals. Conscious efforts are being made to ensure that our health facilities are being upgraded to reach world class standard.

    “Efforts of state governments aimed at complementing federal government in this regards are highly acknowledged and deeply appreciated. While the federal government aligns itself with such initiatives, we are also packaging special incentives to both the state governments and private sector in participating in the healthcare delivery system in accordance with the transformation agenda of the administration.

    “Besides, this centre will promote health tourism in Kwara State and also attract patients and patronage from abroad, particularly the neighbouring West African countries and beyond.

    “In essence the centre is fortified with the state-of-the-art facilities that can compare and compete favourably with its type across the world. In the same vein, the engagement of experts to manage the centre is also a great joy to us for it will further enhance the status of the centre, build people’s confidence in it and attract expected patronage.”

     

  • Kaduna stands still for Sambo’s children

    Kaduna stands still for Sambo’s children

    There was heavy security presence in Kaduna yesterday as about 16 governors from across the country stormed the city to witness the wedding ceremony of two of Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo’s children.

    The wedding ceremony which saw former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim badamosi Babangida representing the Vice President’s family took place at the Sultan Bello Mosque and was presided over by the chief Imam, Shielk Abdulhamid Balele Wali.

    Vehicular movements along the Ali Akilu road were diverted to other routes while many visitors found it difficult gaining access into the venue of the wedding which began at about 11.15am.

    Huwaila Muhammed Sambo was given away in marriage to Muktar Ruma after the payment of a dowry sum of N50, 000 while Aysha Muhammed Sambo was wedded to Auwal Abdulrahman after the payment of a dowry of N250, 000 and eight cows.

    Governors at the event include those of Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Imo, Nassarawa,Taraba, Cross River, Gombe, Katsina, Abia, Anambra, Kogi, Kwara, Bauchi, Oyo and Kaduna States.

    Others were the Secretary to the Federal Government Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, Senator Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi, the DG NEMA, DG NSCDC, former Chief Justice of the Federal Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, Galadima Kano Alhaji Tijjani Hashim, former Presidential Aspirant Alhaji Lema Jibrin, Miniter of National Planning Alhaji Shamsudeen Usman, and a host of other top government functionaries.

  • Sambo, Buhari others for CEOs awards

    VICE President Namadi Sambo is billed to attend the annual edition of the CEOs Dinner/Awards Nite being organised by the management of AES Excellence Club.

    The event which holds in Lagos this Friday, according to the Asst. Registrar of the Club, Tony Ajiboro, will feature two eminent speakers including former Head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who will deliver a lecture on the theme, “Good Governance-Art of Nation Building” while the Honourable Minister of Works, Arch Mike Onolememen, will speak on the topic: “Ministry of Works: The Transformational Agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration.”

    The highpoint of the event will be the conferment of the prestigious AES Life-time Excellent Leadership Awards on Chief Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Chief Sunny Odogwu and others.

  • Sambo tasks council on investment

    Sambo tasks council on investment

    For the Honorary International Investment Council (HIIC) to remain relevant, it must review its system so as to come up with new ideas in the quest to attract more investors to Nigeria, the vice president has said.

    To Arc. Namadi Sambo the global competitiveness has made it important for HIIC to be more aggressive in the drive for investments through periodic review of the efforts being made.

    Sambo spoke on Thursday at the opening of the 13th session of the HIIC holding at Berkeley Hotel, Central London.

    The theme of the workshop is:”Enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness with a bias to performance delivery.”

    The HIIC include prominent investors drawn from around the world to advise the Federal Government on matters relating to the country’s economic development especially on how to attract the much needed foreign investors.

    President Olusegun Obasanjo set up the Council in 2004 with the aim of reducing political corruption so as to make Nigeria a big player in the global economy. It meets twice a year.

    Sambo said there is need for the country to review and come up with new systems that will help it achieve greater success in that direction.

    “After about 10 years, there is need for us to review and come up with new systems so that we will be able to achieve greater success in this direction,” he told the gathering.

     

  • Sambo assures Cross River flood victims of support

    VICE President Namadi Sambo has reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to take steps towards assuaging the pains caused by flooding in Cross River State.

    Speaking in Buanchor, a rural community in Boki Local Government Area, which recently suffered a devastating landslide from surrounding mountains that led to flooding in the area, Sambo said that the feelings in the Presidency about the devastation which occurred in July this year was deep regret and sympathy for the agrarian community which had lost substantial property including farms and houses.

    He lauded the state governor, Liyel Imoke, for his good leadership qualities which he said have created a good atmosphere for growth and development.

    Governor Liyel Imoke said that the presence of the Vice President in the community depicted the concern the Federal Government has for the people of Boki and Cross River in general.

    He used the opportunity to advice the people of the flood ravaged communities in the state to remain calm and patient, assuring that the state and federal governments would not abandon them.

     

  • Natural disasters: FG assures victims on relief materials

    Natural disasters: FG assures victims on relief materials

    Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Friday restated the Federal Government’s resolve to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of natural disasters.

    He gave the assurance in Buanchor, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River, after conducting an assessment tour of some communities that were recently ravaged by floods and landslide.

    The vice-president said the Federal Government had earmarked N400 million for the procurement of relief materials for all the affected communities in Cross River.

    He, however, gave an assurance that more relief would come for the affected communities in due course.

    Sambo, who described Governor Liyel Imoke as an honest and hardworking governor, expressed the hope that the victims of the natural disasters would be fairly treated and accommodated.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that he also conveyed the Federal Government’s commiseration for the affected people.

    Responding, Imoke thanked the Federal Government for giving the affected communities a sense of belonging.

    He said that Sambo’s visit was bound “to change the stories” of the victims of the natural disasters and commended the communities for managing the situation in a good way.

    Expressing gratitude to God, the governor noted that no outbreak of epidemics had been recorded in the affected communities in spite of their harrowing conditions.

     

  • Sambo seeks more investments in telecoms

    Sambo seeks more investments in telecoms

    The gains recorded in the telecoms sector can only be sustained if the tempo of investment in the sector is sustained, Vice President Namadi Sambo, has said.

    Consequently, he called for more investments in the sector.

    Sambo, who spoke at the International Telecommunications Union Telecoms conference (ITU Telecoms World 2012) in Dubai, said Nigeria is the place to be in terms of investments in telecoms.

    While commending the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on its investment drive, he urged investors to take advantage of the friendly business environment in Nigeria, especially in broadband provisioning.

    Sambo explained that although the country has experienced growth in voice telephony, there is a missing link in broadband as the cost for its acquisition remained high.

    He praised NCC for a job well done, assuring investors of guaranteed return on their investments.

    The Vice President said the government has put in place measures to cushion harsh investments and to create a safe environment that would guarantee greater interest of investors not only in telecoms but also in other areas of the economy.

    He assured investors of improved power supply. “We are building 10 new turbine power plants, which are all at an advanced stage of completion. These 10 plants will add 5,000 mega watts to the national grid,” he said.

  • Sambo inaugurates committee on DICON

    Sambo inaugurates committee on DICON

    Vice President, Namadi Sambo, on Friday inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

    The committee’s main responsibility is to look into the structure, operations and activities of DICON with particular reference to its effect on military procurement and production of military equipment in Nigeria.

    Inaugurating the committee, the vice president said the defence industry is necessary for “the development of national capacity for defence hardware and other facilities.”

    Sambo expressed optimism that with the calibre of people in the committee, it would properly execute its assignment to bring the result that would meet the expectation of the country’s national development objectives and transform the Defence Industry to a higher level.

    The terms of reference of the committee are – to review the DICON Act to position it to effectively carry out its regulatory functions to ensure compliance with guidelines in the procurement in the country; to determine ways to encourage private sector participation not just in the activities of DICON but also in the production of military equipment; to propose a sustainable funding framework to enhance the development of defence equipment in Nigeria; to determine ways to encourage ways of patronage of foreign countries and to consider or otherwise the establishment of training institute.

    The committee has four weeks to complete its assignment.

    The members of the committee are – the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Ministers of Works; Interior; Trade and Investment; Defence; National Planning; Police Affairs; Aviation; Transport; Science and Technology; Others are DG, DICON; DG, Bureau of Public Procurement; DG, Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission; Commandant, NDA; Representative of National Security Adviser; Representatives of all Service Chiefs and the Representative of Inspector General of Police.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation serves as the Secretary of the committee.

     

  • Security: we have achieved a lot, says Sambo

    Security: we have achieved a lot, says Sambo

    Vice President Namadi Sambo said in Kaduna yesterday that efforts by the federal government at addressing the security challenges in the country are beginning to yield results.

    Speaking at a reception for sons and daughters of Kaduna State occupying various positions in the country, he said the government can achieve more with the full support of all.

    He said, “the various security agencies’ efforts have also yielded positive results as they have drastically reduced the potency of the aggressors. We can achieve more successes only if we have the full support of all and sundry and I call all citizens of the state and the country in general to partner and participate in fighting this menace.”

    He said that the desire of the government to transform the country is paramount and can only be achieved through the concerted efforts of all Nigerians in reviving and developing the nation’s infrastructure to meet the yearning and expectations of Nigerians.