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Tag: Senator David Mark

  • Nigeria/ Algeria WCQ:  Mark urges Eagles to fly over Algiers

    Nigeria/ Algeria WCQ:  Mark urges Eagles to fly over Algiers

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Wednesday tasked the Super Eagles not leave anything to chance in their World Cup Qualifying match against the Desert Foxes of Algeria on Saturday.

    Senator Mark said the Eagles new squad looked very promising but reminded them that the new spirit should manifest in victory over their Algerian counterparts.

    A statement by the Media Assistant to Senator Mark, Paul Mumeh said that the former Senate President spoke when former African Queen of the Tracks, Mary Onyali led Nigeria Olympic Fund Management committee, visited him in Abuja.

    It said that Senator Mark urged the Super Eagles to prove that Nigeria is truly the giant of Africa in all ramifications.

    Mark said, “We have all the talents. All we need to do is to harness the talents to make them effective and positively productive. We just have no excuse not to qualify for the World Cup with the abundant human and material resources “.

    On the 2020 Russia Olympics, Senator Mark said the antidote to the nation’s poor outing in the past is early preparation, promising to do everything possible to make sports an integral part of our national life.

    He said Sports should as a matter of deliberate policy be a strategic cardinal part of the country’s life because besides sports nothing else unites Nigerians as a people.

    Senator Mark acknowledges that sports require huge investments beyond government funding.

    He therefore urged corporate organizations to help develop sports as part of their corporate-social responsibility.

    The Technical Director of Nigeria Olympic management fund Mary Onyali was quoted to have said the organization was borne out of the need to raise funds, facilities and train Nigerian Athletes to compete and win medals for the nation at international meets.

    The former African Queen of the tracks said she is passionate about the nation’s athletes winning laurels for the nation saying that sports have gone beyond mere entertainment to being a yardstick to measure a country’s global rating and respect.

    Onyali requested governments at all levels to provide enabling environment for sports development in Nigeria stressing that many of the youths involves in vices would be captured through sports.

    The Chief Executive officer of the Nigeria Olympic management Fund Mr.Olajide Fashikun explained that the organization would help promote sports as well as discover talents for international meets.

    He said that development will ultimately curb the syndrome of late preparations for local and international competitions.

  • Murder: Mark condemns rising insecurity in Benue

    …Wants security beef up in crime prune areas.

     

    Worried by the un-abating insecurity in parts of Benue State which has claimed scores of lives in recent time, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Monday condemned in strong terms the menace.

    Mark tasked security operatives to immediately to rise up to the challenge by doing the needful.

    The former Senate President in a statement by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh recalled that a couple of days ago, unknown gunmen invaded a police station in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State during which four police men on duty were  reportedly murdered while some ammunitions  were carted away.

    He noted that in a similar bizarre circumstance, two students of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo believed to be brothers were murdered in cold blood by gun men suspected to be cultists.

    Senator Mark who said that situation is troubling urged the citizens to cooperate with the security operatives “to fish out the perpetrators of these heinous crimes “.

    He lamented that insecurity was taking a toll on the concerted efforts to attract development, saying that all hands must be on deck to end the menace.

    He cautioned youths in the state to refrain from any act of criminality or violence because “you will  be putting your lives and future in jeopardy.

    He said, “As future leaders, our youths should engage in something productive and meaningful. You cannot position yourselves as future leaders and deliberately destroying the proposed future. Enough is enough. A word is enough for the wise”.

  • PDP zoning: Group canvasses support for Kwara

    PDP zoning: Group canvasses support for Kwara

    A group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara PDP Support Group KSG has appealed to North Central Zone Leadership of the party  to concede its slots of  the National Publicity Secretary to Kwara State on the basis of equity and justice.
    Leader of the PDP group, Olanrewaju Olokode urges party leaders and stakeholders in the North Central to graciously reconsider the zoning arrangement of party’s National Publicity Secretary in favour of Kwara State.
    Olokode also urges the leaders and stakeholders to prevail on the Benue State leadership  by reasons and brotherliness to concede the  National Publicity Secretary slot to Kwara State, PDP.
    He said that Benue State had for 8 years enjoyed the Senate Presidency, a slot zoned to the North Central Geo-political zone under the PDP arrangement.
    “Also, in the 2011 and 2015 Presidential Elections the Benue State produces the Zonal Coordinator, then Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan. Benue has had a good fair share of North Central Zone States collective stake, Kwara state should been given this slot in  spirit of friendly relationship, equity, justice and good political calculation ahead of 2019 election.”
    Olokode said the position will also rally members and supporters of the party together for a reinvigorated and strong PDP in Kwara State ahead of 2019.
    The PDP group also appealed to Professor  Jerry Gana, Senator David Mark, Alhaji Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Jonah Jang, Ex-Governors Gabriel Suswan, Idris Wada, Abdulkadir Kure, Babangida Aliyu and all other key Stakeholders that have influence to support the Kwara State PDP in its quest to produce a vibrant National Publicity Secretary for the party.

  • Benue: Tribunal strikes out petition against Mark

    Benue: Tribunal strikes out petition against Mark

    The Benue state election petition tribunal sitting in Makurdi, Thursday struck out the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC), Daniel Onjeh, against Senator David Mark of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the re-run election.

    Delivery her judgment, Justice Chinyere Gloria Anulube said that Onjeh filed the petition after the 21 days stipulated by the constitution has elapsed.

  • Mark raises alarm over killings, kidnappings in Benue state.

    Mark raises alarm over killings, kidnappings in Benue state.

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Thursday raised the alarm over the spate of murders, kidnappings and gang-related activities in Benue State.

    The unfortunate development, Mark said, has claimed scores of lives and property worth millions in recent times.

    The former Senate President who was reacting to the death of a Catholic Priest, Reverend Father John Adeyi in the hands of kidnappers who abducted him over 60 days ago, noted that the upsurge in criminal activities have reached an intolerable level.

    A statement by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, said that Mark wondered what a harmless Catholic Priest would do to deserve that kind of dehumanization and eventual murder by kidnappers.

    It said that Mark urged the Catholic Community, especially the bereaved family, to take solace in the fact that Father Adeyi was a true servant of God who gave his all to win souls for Christ.

    It said that a worried Senator Mark stated that even as he mourns the death of Adeyi in the hands of kidnappers, “news filtered into town that another of his constituent and a Catholic Priest with Kano Catholic Diocese, Reverend Father Julius Inalegwu was abducted in the early hours of yesterday in Kano State.”

    It said that Mark implored the Inspector General of Police and other Security operatives to do all that is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice forthwith.

    It quoted Mark who represents Benue South Senatorial District to have said: “My constituents feel unsafe in their homes, at their businesses, while going about social activities or places of worship”.

    It said that the former Senate President noted that the primary goal of any government is to ensure security and welfare of citizens, insisting that it is incumbent on leaders at all levels to secure the citizens.

    It said that Senator Mark tasked his people to be security conscious at all times and added that they needed to cooperate with the police to fish out criminals in order to guarantee a safe environment for people to go about their legitimate businesses unmolested.

  • Mark lauds Wike’s development strides

    A former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has described Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as an agent of genuine development.

    Wike also assured that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would continue to solve the developmental challenges of the people by keeping campaign promises made to the people of Rivers state.

    Mark, while inaugurating the 8-kilometre Ozuoba-Ogbogoro-Rumuolumeni Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state yesterday, described the Rivers governor as an agent of “true change,” who had improved the living condition of the people by his delivery of democracy dividends.

    The senator stated that Wike had used his mandate to positively change the developmental outlook of Rivers state, keeping his promises, instead of giving excuses for failure.

    Speaking on the projects delivery of the Rivers governor, Mark said: “So far, he has governed well. Now, people are beginning to see the results of the promises that he made.

    “He is not only keeping his promises, he also has the welfare of the people at heart. That is what governance is all about. Those who voted him are reaping in the benefits of democracy.

    “Rivers governor is a man of action, who keeps to his words and promises. I want to thank you for keeping to your promises.”

    He said: “I am a great advocate of change because what brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power is change. Now, we have seen that change has not taken place. We have to change that change now. Why we must change the change is because those who called for change are not keeping their promises.”

    In his address, Wike said that in his projects delivery framework, he was not concerned about who awarded the project, but its impact on the lives of the people.

    Rivers governor said: “For us, as PDP, we knew there were problems before we made pledges. That is why we are resolving the problems that we met on the ground. It does not matter the party you belong, we shall continue to deliver democracy dividends to all Rivers people.”

  • Mark to Nigerians: Rise up against barbarism, insecurity

    Mark to Nigerians: Rise up against barbarism, insecurity

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has asked Nigerians to rise up against the increasing insecurity in parts of the country in order to stop the needless killings of Nigerians. .

    Senator Mark noted that although insecurity has taken a global trend, Nigeria cannot afford to allow the challenge degenerate further to an intolerable level.

    A statement by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, said that the former Senate President spoke at the weekend in Ogume, Delta State after he was awarded a Doctorate Degree on Intelligence and Security studies (Honoris Causa) from Novena University at the institution’s convocation ceremony.

    It said that the University also established a new faculty named Senator David Mark centre for Intelligence and Security studies for the study issues relating to insecurity and conflicts.

    It quoted Mark to have said that “it is sad that hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost to conflicts and insurgency.

    The former Senate President was also quoted to have regretted that “productive men and women who should ordinarily contribute to national development have been needlessly wasted. Hence we must all rise up to say enough is enough “.

    It said that Mark expressed his pleasure with the establishment of the Intelligence and Security studies faculty named after him and requested that higher premium be placed on strategic research that will provide better understanding and knowledge of the security challenges facing the nation today.

    It said that Mark tasked security agencies and scholars alike to take advantage of the intelligence and security faculty of the university to focus on research, teaching and learning in order to fashion out a blue print to navigate through the myriad of security challenges .

    It said that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chris A. Okafor who presented the certificate to to the awardee, acknowledged the role Senator Mark played as the President of 6th and 7th Senate in bringing peace, stability and security to the National polity, which he described as unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.

    It said that Okafor particularly extolled the wisdom with which Senator Mark piloted the affairs of the National Assembly stressing that “the David Mark Centre for Intelligence and National Security studies will work closely with the Distinguished Senator and some international partners from the Republic of China to fully train the undergraduates in personal and national security.”

    It said that the event was attended by Delta state Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, his cabinet members, former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro; House of Reps Committee Chairman on Airforce, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu; Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Adaji among others.

  • Benue South rerun: Mark gets further boost

    Benue South rerun: Mark gets further boost

    Chances of former Senate President, Senator David Mark , in the February 20, 2016 rerun election for Benue South further brightens Wednesday as some members of Benue  State House of Assembly and some elites endorsed him.

    The rerun election is between the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and the All Progressive Congress ( APC) following the nullification of the initial election by the Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue state in November last year.

    A statement by the Media Assistant to Mark, Paul Mumeh said that the State House of Assembly members and some elite of the Idoma and Igede extraction of the  state told Senator Mark in Otukpo that their resolve to vote for him again is predicated on his years of meritorious services to the people and  defender of their common interest .

    It said that the Assembly members in their separate remarks were unanimous that Senator Mark remained the choice for Benue South.

     

    It said that the state lawmaker vowed to defend their votes “no matter the gang up by external forces.”

    It said that the state lawmakers at the meeting  included;  Anthony Ogbu ( Ado), Adoga Onah (Oju 1), Ire Mathew ( Oju 2), Joe Ojobo ( Ogbadibo), Chris Adaji (Ohimini),  Baba Henry Otache ( Apa), Sule Audu ( Agatu) and Johnson Ahubi ( Otukpo Akpa).

    It added that House of Representatives members from Benue South ;  Samson Okwu (Obi/ Oju), Ezekiel Adaji ( Otukpo/ Ohimini),  Hassan Saleh ( Ogbadibo/ Ado/ Okpokwu) and Adamu Entonu ( Apa/Agatu) had last week endorsed Senator Mark for the rerun election.

    The statement said, “To the lawmakers, Senator Mark has provided purposeful leadership and quality representation for which the people are proud of. They recalled that it was for this reason that the people overwhelmingly voted for him in the last election and are prepared to vote for him again.

    It quoted the Benue elite under the aegis of Prosperity Group to have said that they have embarked on sensitization especially in the grass roots on the need to vote for Senator Mark as the authentic choice with the capacity to protect and defend the interest of the Idoma people.

    The spokesman of the group, Mr. Abba Adaudu  was quoted to have said, “We came together as a group to rise up and challenge the expansion of domination and oppression by some external actors , who are hell bent on pulling Idoma nation down by sponsoring a candidate for the election against our interest.

    “To this, Posterity Group boldly say no hence our resolve to stand by you ( Mark) before, during and after the rerun election”.

    Senator Mark was said to have noted that in spite of the conspiracy against him, “I am comfortable that my people are with me. I am confident that only the people of Benue South would determine who wins the election through the ballot box”.

    He promised that “for the trust and confidence reposed in me,  I will carry the cross and defend the interest of my people at all times. Whatever is your interest will always be the focal point of my action and activities.”

  • Tribunal hears petition against Mark’s election Tuesday

    Tribunal hears petition against Mark’s election Tuesday

    The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi has adjourned the petition challenging the election of Sen. David Mark (PDP-Benue South) to Tuesday, July 28 due to absence of witnesses.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Daniel Onjeh of APC had challenged the election of Mark in the March 28 polls.

    The tribunal had on July 15, subpoenaed two witnesses from INEC to testify at the commencement of the trial on Monday.

    When the case came up for hearing on Monday, Onjeh’s Counsel, Mr. Tunji Oso, called seven witnesses, and applied for an adjournment to enable him field the subpoenaed witnesses.

    Oso decried the gloomy relationship with INEC, and expressed regrets that witnesses from the commission declined appearances despite substantial notices on them.

    He complained that electoral cases were time bound and wondered why INEC was dragging the matter by not showing up in the court.

    He appealed to the tribunal to compel the subpoenaed witnesses to appear and testify at the next sitting because the petitioner could not continue fielding witnesses without the testimonies of the INEC witnesses.

    NAN reports that the two subpoenaed witnesses were two Directors of the commission, one from its headquarters in charge of Card Readers Information and another from Benue.

    The tribunal Chairman, Justice Mosumola Dipeolu, therefore, urged INEC Counsel, Mr. Lawal Tengi, to assist the tribunal in bringing the witnesses.

    Tengi pledged to ensure the presence of the witnesses in court on Tuesday.

     

  • Mark commends peaceful election, flays card reader

    President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has said that the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday were largely peaceful in his constituency but expressed concern over the reported cases of malfunctioned card readers.

    Senator Mark said after he cast his vote in Otukpo Ward 1, Otukpo, Benue State, on Saturday that the exercise was “generally peaceful and organised. The voters queued and complied with the rules”.

    He however expressed worry over the malfunctioning of the card readers in some polling units even as he urged Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to salvage the situation.

    According to him; “The Otukpo Ward 1 to me is a very well organized polling unit. The people here have been on queue. I have no report of any failure or lapses. But the reports from some areas indicate that card readers have been malfunctioning.

    A press statement signed by Mr. Paul Mumeh, the Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate, quoted Mark as saying, “This situation may not allow many people to participate in the elections. INEC should as a matter of urgency rise up to the challenge and salvage the situation.”

    He therefore implored the people to remain calm, hoping that INEC officials would address the situation.