President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with some state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting which started at about 2:00 p.m. has six governors in attendance.
Those at the meeting were – Governors Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Aminu Masari (Katsina).
Others were – Simon Lalong (Plateau), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara).
The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state has lamented the worsening economic condition of Nigerians under the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking yesterday in Uyo at the New Year Get-together ceremony of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), the Governor said Nigerians fared better under the PDP than the APC government.
In fact, Emmanuel slammed those blaming the PDP for the country’s current predicament, adding that the high cost of food items, petrol, automobiles and the soaring exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar are indicators that all is not well with Nigerians under the APC government.
“Everywhere you go people keep saying the PDP spoiled the country. When PDP governed Nigeria how much was a bag of rice? When PDP was in power how much was Toyota Corrolla? When PDP handed over power how much was a litre of petrol? When PDP handed over government how much was the exchange rate? Was it not between 186 to 188?
“I am standing here firm and sure that Nigerians now know the difference and they are eagerly waiting for PDP in 2019.
“Nigerians did not know or value what they had until they lost it ( PDP ). Nigerians now appreciate us much now. We can zero in on that and make a lot of impact. We shouldn’t play the defeatist approach”, Governor Emmanuel said.
He said that one of the ways to dislodge the APC in 2019 both at the state and federal levels was for party members to obtain the permanent voters card.
To this end, he directed party stakeholders occupying government positions to sensitize and mobilize party members in their wards to register and obtain their PVCs which which they can remove the APC government.
The Governor also hinted that political and traditional positions in the state would strictly be determined by the principle of zoning, adding that zoning makes election cheaper and eases tension.
“My intention is to make election cheap for us through zoning. I am happy that all of us have adhered to the principle of zoning.
“These days I get calls from communities when they want to select their village heads and they tell me they are adopting zoning. It makes life very easy”, he argued.
The South-East and South-South Governors’ Forum on Monday called on the Federal Government to increase allocation to the states from the Federation Account.
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has called on NYSC members and other Nigerian youths to remain patriotic, especially in this period some sections were clamouring for restructuring.
Emmanuel made the call while he declared open the NYSC Pre-Mobilisation Workshop for 2017 Batch “B” Corps members in Uyo on Tuesday.
The theme of the workshop is “Consolidating the Gains of the NYSC Online Integrated System through Best Practices in Mobilisation Process.”
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, said that NYSC had played tremendous role in the evolution of the country.
He said that the scheme was established to restore the robust belief in one united Nigeria, which he said was fatally shattered by the 36-month civil war.
“I wish to acknowledge that NYSC has indeed played a tremendous role in the evolution of our nation as a stabilising factor.
“All Nigerians must ensure that the National Youth Service Corps, which is a signpost of our unity and progress, remains one of the binding chords which keep us together as a nation.
“This is the time to hearken to the clarion call for patriotism and let it resonate in your minds,” Emmanuel said.
Udom noted that the workshop would serve as a clearing house for all critical stakeholders in the mobilisation process for corps members, nationwide.
The governor stressed the need for harmonious working relationship between the NYSC Coordinators in the state and their host ministries.
He said that the state government would continue to support the scheme and ensure adequate protection of corps members posted to the state.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, said that the scheme would continue to provide platform to aggregate and accommodate suggestions for better outcome.
Kazaure said that the workshop was usually held at the commencement of every new mobilisation cycle to introduce to stakeholders, new measures and guidelines put in place for hitch-free mobilisation.
He assured that NYSC would leave no stone unturned in training and re-training of its members of staff on handling of mobilisation process, both within and outside the country.
“Let me therefore implore all participants at this workshop to see their invitation as an opportunity to contribute to the proceedings, acquire requisite information and knowledge for better performance.
“Your role is not only critical but also germane to the success of the 2017 Batch “B” mobilisation process,” he said.
The director-general commended Akwa Ibom Government and the people for the support and cooperation the scheme had enjoyed in the state.
NAN
The South-South and South East governors have decried the “unjustified” lack of significant federal presence and dearth of infrastructure in the two geopolitical zones despite its contributions to the nation’s development.
They urged the federal government to pay more attention to the infrastructural and other needs of the regions.
The governors in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of the South-South and South East Governors’ Forum, held in Owerri, Imo State, said after a deliberation on the prevalent political atmosphere in the country, it resolved to go in one direction that would be beneficial to the political future of the people of the regions.
They also took a position that would best serve the interest of the zones.
The Forum, in the communiqué signed by its chairman and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, also expressed optimism that the governors’ efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the region, which has contributed to increased and sustained oil production with its attendant benefits to the country, would translate to increased dividends to the regions.
The communiqué reads: “The Forum acknowledged the efforts of the security agencies which had brought relative peace to the regions and across the country and had consequently contributed immensely to an increased and sustained oil production with the attendant benefits to the country. They also commended the efforts of all stakeholders who have worked to ensure that the regions remain calm and safe.
“The Forum expressed the hope that these efforts by the governors and other stakeholders to maintain peace and stability in the two regions will translate to the two regions reaping increased dividends in the form of greater attention paid to the urgent infrastructural and other needs of the regions.”
The governors also commended the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for organizing security summits in the different geopolitical zones of the country.
They also restated their faith in “one indivisible and indissoluble Nigeria.
In attendance at the meeting that lasted into the early hours of Monday morning were Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ben Ayade (Cross River) Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa).
The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advised Nigerians against breaking the bond of unity and peace existing in the country.
Osinbajo gave the advice in Uyo on Saturday at a grand ceremony organised by the Akwa Ibom government to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state.
The vice president, who is on a two-day working visit to the state, urged the people to resist attempts by any group trying to push them to destroy the existing peace in the country.
“Peace is the foundation of enduring prosperity and for peace to reign everywhere in Nigeria, all of us as Nigerians must make necessary sacrifices.
“We are in a situation where we must take seriously the admonition to love one another.
“Whatever complaints we may have must not be an excuse to subvert the social order,” Osinbajo said.
He assured Nigerians that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is ever ready to listen to all genuine complaints from any group.
“The Buhari government is prepared to engage and listen patiently to all sections of the country.
“But you as individuals also have a major role to play.
“Citizens everywhere should not sit idle when misguided elements choose to recklessly destroy the common bond of brotherhood and friendship that has put us together for decades,” Osinbajo said.
The vice president, who was the special guest of honour at the event, praised Gov. Udom Emmanuel for his visionary leadership in the state.
He descibed Akwa Ibom as a state with great history, which creation 30 years ago started with the agitation by Ibibio State Union for the creation of COR state.
He stated that Akwa Ibom is one of the fastest growing states in the country.
He assured that the Federal Government would support the state to develop the Ibaka seaport.
“Provisions have been made in the current budget of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) for the development of the Ibaka Deep Seaport,” he said.
Earlier, Gov. Emmanuel had expressed appreciation to former military President Ibrahim Babangida for creating Akwa Ibom State on Sept. 23, 1987.
Emmanuel also acknowledged the efforts made by the former governors of the state made to lay a solid foundation laid for its growth.
“The bush paths had become highways, our villages had turned into metropolis, I am here to consolidate on the achievements of all the past leaders,” Emmanuel said.
He said that the creation of the state was a divine plan.
Emmanuel, therefore, urged the people of Akwa Ibom to unite for the development of the state irrespective of their ethnic and political differences.
Speaking on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, the Ekiti Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, congratulated the Akwa Ibom people for the unity among them.
He also congratulated Gov. Emmanuel for the laudable projects he initiated toward the economic development of the state.
Fayose said that the governor deserved a second term.
In his speech on behalf of National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom, the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that the strength of Nigeria depended on its large population.
“We in the National Assembly will not support division, we stand for one Nigeria. We will not support disintegration,” Akpabio said.
Akpabio, who is the immediate past governor of the state, said that the Akwa Ibom people were praying that the will of God to be done in Nigeria.
He commended Gov. Emmanuel for laying foundation for the industrialisation of the state.
Speaking on behalf of former governors of Akwa Ibom, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), noted that a lot of positive things had happened in Akwa Ibom since its creation.
Nkanga, who was the third military administrator and first indigenous governor, called on the Federal Government to restructure Nigeria based on true federalism.
He lauded Gov. Emmanuel for putting in place structures aimed at speeding up industrialisation of the state.
Many dignitaries including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the former governor of Akwa Ibom, Obong Victor Attah were at the event.
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) on Monday urged the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to urgently stop the incessant killings, unlawful eviction and continuous displacement of Ijaw communities in Eastern Obolo local government area of the state.
IYC factional President, Mr. Eric Omare, described the alleged attacks on the Ijaw people of Amazaba as “an attack on all Ijaw people of Nigeria from Apoi in Ondo State to Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State.”
Omare, in a statement made available to The Nation, said the IYC would not sit back and allow Ijaw people and communities go into extinction, adding “Governor Emmanuel must act fast before the situation degenerate into a full blown Ijaw and Ibibio inter-ethnic crisis.”
He said at least eight Ijaw communities under the Amazaba federated Communities namely – Ama-Uka, Amangbauji, Ozugbo, Okorobilom, Bethlehen, Ayama, Ama-Nglass and Okoromobolo – have been displaced by communal and inter-ethnic disputes with the Ikot Akpan Udo people who are of Ibibio origin in Ikot Abasi local government area of Akwa Ibom.
“The Ikot Akpan Udo people, who are of the majority Ibibio tribe, murdered several Ijaw people including a traditional ruler/village head of Ama-Uka village, Chief (Uboon) Sunday Oron Eli, in 2008,” Omare said.
While saying that several Ijaw people now live as exiles, the IYC president appealed to the state government to exercise its mandate by protecting all its citizens whether minority or majority from violent attacks.
On July 7, Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel received the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the December 10, 2016 Reigners Bible Church building collapse.
Justice Umoekoyo Essang, who chaired the panel, presented the report to the governor at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House Uyo. After receiving the report, Emmanuel said: “I want to thank you for this great job that you have done and to assure you once again that the recommendations of this report would be taken seriously. We would do everything to implement and prevent future occurrence of this tragedy. May this affliction never occur the second time”.
Emmanuel used the occasion to commiserate with families of those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy.
He said: “Things of this nature should go beyond politics. When the incidence occurred it did not select members of a political party, it did not only affect a particular denomination, race or colour. It was a tragedy that affected all. It’s unfortunate that people decided to politicise a tragedy of this nature. Such people do not deserve to express opinion in the public.”
The report was submitted a little over six months after the Uyo tragedy. One of those it took away was Josephine Effiom. Governor Emmanuel survived by the grace of God. Effiom, who was a polytechnic student, a friend said, “was one of the first three brilliant chaps in my class”. Her seat at the polytechnic lecture theatre is now occupied by another, a sad reminder to her course mates that a brilliant soul had been wasted.
Effiom was the face of a tragedy in a house of God, where fear should have been the last thing on anyone’s mind. The founder of the church was to have his ordination as a bishop. He is not a small fry. So, the church was jam-packed. Emmanuel came with some of his commissioners and aides. Some of the commissioners were new in the State Executive Council at the time having been sworn-in December 1, last year.
Thirty minutes into the governor’s arrival hell literally came down. No thanks to human error, the church’s iron pillars gave way and the blue roofs came thumping down. Of course on people! And Effiom died. And many others too. An account even said someone was cut into two by the iron pillars. A policeman who reportedly saved the governor is now six feet below. And some others broke their necks, their limbs and their back. The founder of the church, Pastor Akan Weeks, had his leg broken.
As typical of our nation, no one appears sure of how many people died. The day after, we saw figures as high as 160 in the media. It was attributed to the Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, who later denied it. Police gave the figure as 29.
Commissioner for Health Dr. Dominic Ukpong said 26 people died in the unfortunate incident. His words: “Death toll now 26. Patients in the hospitals are 168. Total out patients are 50. Total deaths 26. Nine hospitals have the following patients. UUTH, 28 patients; Ibom Specialist Hospital Uyo, 70 patients; Sifon Clinic, 9 patients; Lifecare Clinic, 24 patients; Premiers Clinic, 9 patients; St Lukes Hospital, 22 patients; Gateway Medical Centre, 2 patients; Uwah Mfon Clinic, 1 patient. First Line Clinic, 1 patient. Alma Clinic and Surgery, 2 patients.”
And no one is willing to give the names of the dead. Thanks to Effiom’s classmates who revealed her identity, she would have died anonymously!
This tragedy turned the University of Uyo Teaching hospital (UUTH), Anua General Hospital, Life Care Hospital and the Ibom Specialist Hospital into Mecca of some sort. In these hospitals, those who defeated death received treatment to heal their broken necks, arms, back and heads. Tears from families of those recuperating now rented the air in these hospitals for weeks. The story at the mortuary sections of these hospitals was grimmer.
For students of the University of Uyo and the Uyo City Polytechnic, which are believed to have been worst hit by the disaster, reality looked like dream.
Emmanuel’s men who crawled out of death’s hole had interesting testimonies to share. His Chief Press Secretary Ekerette Udoh said an iron rod nearly cut his neck, but eventually hit him on the back. The cap of his left knee was broken and pains travelled all over his body.
The Commissioner for Information, Charles Udoh who joined the State Executive Council only some one week earlier, thought he was watching a movie when the pillars started coming down. He was on his way out of the church to catch a flight when tragedy struck. He would have been out but protocol demanded that he told the governor before vanishing from the church hall. It was this protocol-induced task he was accomplishing when death almost took him away like Effiom and the others whose true figures and names we may never know. He had to run here and there to prevent the iron pillars from turning him to a candidate for the mortuary.
Nollywood actor Ekere Nkanga, who had acted almost all roles imaginable and was some sort of bad man in Emem Isong’s ‘Weekend Getaway’, was humbled when he had to wade through bodies to safety.
“Shortly after the governor and his entourage and the bishops took their seats, the next thing I heard was the bang from the falling iron. By the time the iron came down, I noticed that people from the safe areas were running to the centre, where I was sitting,” he said, adding: “I hid under some people. A few seconds later, as I was trying to get up, the body of a man cut into two and fell on me. There were other corpses on me. I looked out for my brother but I couldn’t find him. Later, I found my phone. I called the Chairman, Uyo Local Government Area, to mobilise rescue officials to the venue.”
He managed not to have a direct impact with falling rods, but he later discovered his neck was broken.
“The impact of diving must have been responsible for my broken neck,” he said.
He had to wear a neck collar and was under observation in the hospital for some time. Effiom and others would have gladly given testimonies if Nkanga’s fate had befallen them.
Pastor Weeks argued it was the devil fighting back and he urged Christians to unite and not see it as his battle alone. The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) said the tragedy was caused by shoddiness.
My final take: I believe the government will issue a White Paper on the tragedy and punish those who killed Effiom and others. The Reigners Bible Church Int’l Inc tragedy is one too many and everything must be done to prevent it. Everything must be done to implement the recommendations and prevent future occurrence of this tragedy. This affliction must never occur the second time.
Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi last night described the recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari as “a miracle” given reports on his health in the social media. He said the social media portrayed the President’s health as “bad”.
Umahi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke after the visit of seven governors to the President in London.
Others on the team are: Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Abdulahhi Ganduje (Kano), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).
The delegation had lunch with the President at Abuja House, Nigeria’s official residence in London.
President’s wife Aisha, was with him to receive the delegation. Ortom’s wife, Eunice was also in attendance.
It was the second delegation to visit the President after Sunday’s visit by some All Progessives Congress (APC) leaders and governors led by National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.
Umahi told the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network news at 9:00am that he was “excited” to see the president in a good frame of mind adding that he was grateful to God that the prayer of Nigerians for the president’s recovery had been heard.
Ganduje said the President was in a good state of health. “We believe he will soon be back to Nigeria.”
In a tweet under the photograph of the visit, Ajimobi said: “My counterparts, the governors’ forum delegation and I were warmly received by His Excellency President @MBuhari in London, United Kingdom.
Another governor in the delegation said the President cracked jokes with the delegation without any speech inhibition.
He said: “Buhari walked without support to receive us and he took time to exchange pleasantries with each one of us. We also had a group photograph.”
“His voice was the usual intonation and he has no speech inhibition in whatsoever manner. He was overwhelmed by our visit.
“He told us that he is ready to come back to his desk once clearance is given by his doctors.
“We compared notes on the state of the nation and the tasks ahead.
“The signs of recovery were visible but not overwhelming on him. He was looking healthier than when he came back the last time. Buhari is back to life.”
It was gathered that the President’s official photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, was deployed in London in order to “take many shots and clear all doubts about his recuperation and fitness.”
There were indications last night that the Northern Governors Forum( NGF) will meet today in Kaduna on the security challenges in the region and to review reports on the President’s health.
“The insecurity in the North has relapsed, the Federal Government has to bail us out. This is one of the reasons why we are holding a session.
“Some of us who were not in London will seize the opportunity to get status report on the health of the President.”
The Presidency said on Tuesday that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) would officially send another delegation to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London.
Buhari left Nigeria on May 7 for follow -up consultation with his doctors in the United Kingdom.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha, led some governors and leaders of the party to visit Buhari in London on Sunday.
Briefing State House correspondents in Abuja, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said the new delegation that would meet President Buhari on Wednesday afternoon would include governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They were accompanied to the briefing by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande.
Adesina said: “We want to thank you for your cooperation thus far and how you have treated the presidency. You know that on Sunday there was a major development about the health of Mr. President in which we had pictures from London and details from one of those who saw him, the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha.
“There is a follow up to that and you will get to hear in a few minutes. I know you have probably read that there is going to be another delegation visiting him. Malam Garba Shehu will brief you on who and who is on the delegation.”
Shehu said: “The delegation is being led by the governor of Zamfara State, who is the chairman of the governors’ forum.
“Those in the delegation are – governors Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Umar Gandoje (Kano), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).
“They will leave by tonight and arrive the UK early and will have 3:00 p.m. meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).”
On why the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, who has been vocal on the issue, was not part of the delegation, Adesina replied: “The selection was by the governors’ forum and you will see that the delegation is headed by governor Yari who is chairman of that forum. So that question should go to the forum.”