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Showing posts from October, 2019

WE'VE RECEIVED OVER 1,500 APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION INTO REAL MADRID ACADEMY - WIKE

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By Tony Okechukwu Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt has already received over 1,500 applications for admission into the Academy  from across the country. Addressing journalists after returning to the State on Thursday from Madrid where he signed a ratification agreement for the Academy with the Real Madrid Foundation, Governor Wike said that with all the preliminary processes concluded, full academic and sporting activities will commence at  the Academy. Governor Wike said: "With the signing of the ratification agreement, we are good to go. Any moment from now, the Academy will start full operation". "As we speak, we have received over 1,500 applications from across  the country from prospective students of the Real Madrid Academy". "Yesterday, we were with the President of Real Madrid Football Club, Florentino Perez and he assured us of total support in the  actualization of this v

Press Announcement

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The Bayelsa State Oil Environmental Commission will    present an INTERIM REPORT to the Governor of Bayelsa State , Hon Henry Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa The interim report,  which will be presented by the Commission Chair, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Santemu outlines what the Commission has seen and heard over the last seven months and will be available to the public on Friday 1st November. The Commission will also brief the media, the general public, affected communities, and other stakeholders on their activities so far. The media briefing shall take place on; * ; Friday 1st November  Time : 3pm prompt  Venue ;  Onopa Lodge ,  Yenagoa The report documents the widespread Environmetal and human damage which occurs as a result of  oil exploration in the state. The Commission’s final report is expected to be published in January 2020. Signed Dr Kathryn Nwajiaku- Dahou Secretary . Bayelsa State Oil Environmental Commission

Shun corruption, waste of resources – Gov. Bala charges new commissioner, HoS, others

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By Amina Yahaya Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has urged the new Commissioner, Head of Service, other appointees to shun corruption, waste of resources and make the principle of equity, fairness, justice, prudence and accountability their watchwords. Governor Bala who swore-in Adamu Manu Soro as commissioner to replace his younger brother, Nura Manu Soro of Ministry of Finance, who backed out of the administration 46 days after his swearing in, has also appointed Ahmed Abubakar Ma’aji as the State Head of Civil Service and four special advisers. While speaking at the swearing in ceremony on Wednesday, he described the appointments as part of collective resolve to build a viable machinery of government capable of meeting the challenges of repositioning the State. He said: ”In order to consolidate and improve on our achievements, we have resolved to refocus, rededicate and redirect our resources and energy towards realising our set goals". “Let me remind you that

Ikpeazu orders palliative works along Uzuakoli–Ohafia Federal highway

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By Tony Okechukwu Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the State Ministry of Works to execute immediate palliative intervention along the erosion ravaged Uzuakoli–Ohafia segment of Umuahia–Ohafia Federal highway in Abia North area of the State. Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 3-day retreat organised for members of the State Executive Council at Addrex Hotel in Aba, Governor Ikpeazu expressed displeasure over the failed state of the road which is being handled by the NDDC. He therefore directed the State Ministry of Works to deploy Abia State Road Maintenance Agency (ABROMA) along that stretch of the road to ensure that the distressed portions are fixed for smooth traffic during the coming Yuletide season. “We cannot afford to wait for the Federal Government while our communities are cut off by erosion. I don’t care about getting refunds or not from the Federal Government for the money we will spend to fix that road, as we cannot just fold our hand

Ihedioha secures $50m investment for Imo State

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By Tony Okechukwu The Imo State Government on Tuesday said that it was attracting $50m investment to the State. A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Chibuike Onyeukwu, said that the investment was coming through the Africa Export Import Bank. The statement explained that the effort was part of the Governor’s plans to boost the economy of the State. The statement read thus, “Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s engagement with the international development agencies to aid his administration in the task of rebuilding the State has again yielded the desired results". "The Africa Export Import Bank is set to make Imo State a huge investment hub by setting up an Africa Quality Assurance Centre for the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones in the country". "The AfrExim Bank is an export-import bank which strongly supports expansion, diversification, promotion and development of intra-and inter-African trade". "The $50m

Imo State Govt. Makes Igbo Language Mandatory In School Curriculum

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By Tony Okechukwu With the aim to make sure the Igbo language doesn’t die, the Imo State Government has made the teaching of Igbo language compulsory in schools in the State. The State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, who spoke during the matriculation ceremony of the State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Orlu, said that the learning and teaching of Igbo language would be compulsory for all students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the State. Represented by the Director of Tertiary Education, Basil Iwu, the commissioner urged parents and guardians to teach their children and wards the Igbo language. The commissioner said, “We have resolved to make the Igbo language a compulsory subject in schools in Imo State. We believe our children need to know their roots and we can encourage that by teaching them our language which is our heritage in schools. Parents and guardians should equally teach their children and wards Igbo language at homes”.

Constitution of NDDC Board: Govs, PDP Youths on Warpath

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... As Govs Hold Emergency Meeting This Week By Amina Yahaya The nine governors of the oil producing states, yesterday rejected the list of members of the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) sent to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari. President had yesterday, in his letter to the National Assembly, requested the Senate to consider and confirm the appointment of Dr Pius Odubu (Edo state) as Chairman and Mr Bernard O Okumagba (Delta) as Managing Director board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Other members of the board are Engr. Otobong Ndem (Akwa Ibom) Executive Director Projects, Maxwell Oko (Bayelsa) Executive Director Finance and Admin,Prophet Jones Erue ( Delta) Delta Rep, Chief Victor Ekhator( Edo), Edo Rep, Dr Joy Yimebe Nunieh ( Rivers) Rivers Rep, Nwogu N. Nwogu( Abia), Abia Rep, Victor Antai(Akwa Ibom) Akwa Ibom Rep. and Theodore A. Allison. Others include; Maurice Effiwatt (Cross Rivers) Cross Rivers Rep, Olugbenga Edema (Ondo) O

Why We Rescheduled 2019 IGR Summit For November - PDP Govs Forum

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- Dr Peter Obi to deliver keynote speech - Summit set to tackle newer IGR options in a recessed economy. By Pat PA Okon The PDP Governors Forum is set to host the 2019 Edition of its annual IGR Summit in Abuja. In a statement released Tuesday by the Summit Organizing Committee and signed by Earl Osaro Onaiwu, DG of the Forum; the Summit which was earlier programmed for Wednesday/Thursday, Oct. 30-31, 2019 at the BON Hotel Stratton, (formerly Protea Hotel), Asokoro, Abuja; has been rescheduled to hold on Wednesday/Thursday, November 27-28, 2019 at the same venues. The rescheduling according to the release is due to the fact that the organizers do not want any conflict of interest arising from the two major elections coming up in Kogi and Bayelsa States. Titled “The Imperatives of Developing Internally-Generated Revenue Options for State Governments in a Recessed Economy”, the summit which is facilitated by the PDP Governors Forum and managed by Messrs Red Sapphire Niger

Oyo Govt. approves N526m as running costs for primary, secondary schools

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…ready to deal with saboteurs of free education policy By Pat PA Okon The Government of Oyo State has approved the release of the sum of N526 million as running costs for its 2,500 primary schools and about 640 secondary schools. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, which was made public on Monday in Ibadan, confirmed that the sum of N400 million has been advanced to the secondary schools, while the primary schools got the sum of N126 million. The amount is to cover the running grants of the schools for the first term of the 2019/2020 academic session. According to the State Government, principals of secondary schools, as well as heads of primary schools across the State, have been mandated to open accounts to receive the running grants. There are 640 secondary schools spread across the State, which have already started benefitting from the N1,000 per child per term budget for the schools. “With the number of students in t

Bauchi probes 41,448 workers, pensioners without BVN

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By Pat PA Okon The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed, has constituted a 17-man committee to investigate the reason 41,448 workers and pensioners in the State were not having the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN). The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Comrade Muktar Gidado, who disclosed this on Monday in a chat with newsmen at the Government House in Bauchi, said that Senator Adamu Ibrahim Gumba was appointed as chairman of the committee. Gidado revealed that the committee was to ascertain whether those without the BVN were bonafide staff and pensioners of the State Government and to identify why they were being paid without the Bank Verification Numbers. Also, the committee is to identify government and bank officials involved in the perpetration of these infractions and recommend appropriate sections against the officials. He noted that, in the course of its assignment, the committee should recommend to the State Government for the pa

Bauchi Govt suspends directors, education secretaries

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…NLC cautions, kicks against action By Pat PA Okon The Bauchi State Government has suspended all Local Government Education Secretaries, their treasurers and directors of Primary Healthcare in the 20 Local Government Areas of the State. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Ladan Salihu, disclosed this over the weekend in a press statement, he noted that the suspension was with immediate effect. He also said that the move was part of efforts to ensure sanity in the payment of workers salaries According to the statement, he said that 41,000 civil servants on the payroll of the State do not have their account numbers linked to their Bank Verification Number (BVN). He noted that the figure represented about 40 per cent of the State workforce - of 101,199. “The total number of staff on the State and Local Government payroll is 83,885, there are 17,314 pensioners under the State and Local Government making 101,199 on the payroll". “The affected officers a

RIVERS STATE GOVT., REAL MADRID FC SIGN RATIFICATION AGREEMENT ON REAL MADRID ACADEMY, PORT HARCOURT

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By Pat PA Okon Rivers State Government and Real Madrid Football Club have signed a ratification agreement for the development of Real Madrid Academy, Port Harcourt into an international football academy. . The agreement signing ceremony  took place on Monday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium,  home of Real Madrid Football Club. The signature event held at the Presidency Reception Centre of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The signature of the ratification protocol was executed by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation, Enrique Sanchez. In an address, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said that the State Government is preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a veritable pathway for the empowerment of Rivers children. He said: "We are preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a veritable pathway for our young stars to be international football talents and for them to realise their dreams".

Sokoto Govt. inaugurates 10-member committee to investigate Mabera killings

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By Pat PA Okon Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, on Friday, inaugurated a 10-member committee to investigative alleged killing of two persons by men of the Nigerian Air Force in Mabera area of Sokoto metropolis. Tambuwal represented by the Commissioner for Security and Carrier Matters, retired Col. Garba Moyi, said that the 10-member committee was for fact finding and would report back to government in five days. He said that it would be chaired by DCP Charles Mozie of the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, while Mr. Abdulkadir Muhammad from Carrier and Security Matters Office, would serve as Secretary. Other members were from the Department of State Security, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, was represented on the committee by Ubandoman Sabon-Birni, Alhaji Malami Malami Maccido and the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi. Also on the committee

Makinde grants approval for recruitment of teachers

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…threatens to deal with saboteurs of his education policies …says Schools' Governing Councils not disbanded By Pat PA Okon Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, announced that he has given approval for the recruitment of teachers into the State’s Teaching Service, noting that his government is re-engineering the education for “long-lasting positive results". A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Governor stated this while speaking at the commissioning of a N50 million multipurpose hall donated to the Ilora Baptist Grammar School, Ilora, by an old student, Mr. Remi Oyekola. The statement also quoted the Governor as indicating that the State Government has not scrapped the School Governing Boards (SGBs), which manages the secondary schools. Makinde also stated that he has approved running grants to schools adding that the funds must be lodged in the existing SGB Account of each sch

Gov. Emmanuel vows to bring killer herdsmen to book

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By Pat PA Okon Akwa Ibom State Government has vowed to bring to book the suspected Fulani herdsmen who recently killed a farmer in his farm at Nkek, Ukanfun LGA of the State. Governor Udom Emmanuel who made this promise while visiting the family of the slain farmer, Christopher Udoakpan, however appealed to the people of Ukanafun LGA to remain peaceful and law-abiding as sanctions were already in place to address the ugly incident linked to activities of herdsmen in the area. The Governor who rued the violence allegedly caused by herdsmen which culminated in the killing of a farmer, gave the assurance that security agents are already taking steps to bring the perpetrators to face justice. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who represented the Governor in the visit to the family of the bereaved, assured the people of Ukanafun LGA of government’s commitment to securing their lives and properties. “Governor Udom Emmanuel on being informed of the

Gov. Bala accompanies Wike as they flag off construction of Okoro-Nu-Odu Flyover Bridge in Rivers State

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By Pat PA Okon Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has flagged off the construction of the Okoro-Nu-Odu Flyover Bridge in Rivers State to address traffic congestion affecting the benefiting communities. Senator Bala Mohammed who was in the State on the invitation of the State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, described him as a man of substance who has raised the bar of good governance. The Bauchi State Governor who applauded the Rivers State Governor for embarking on pro-people projects and programmes beneficial to the people of the State, observed that all the projects and programmes of the Governor have direct bearing on the lives of the beneficiari… [11:53 PM, 10/23/2019] +234 805 996 8415: Gov. Emmanuel vows to bring killer herdsmen to book Akwa Ibom State Government has vowed to bring to book the suspected Fulani herdsmen who recently killed a farmer in his farm at Nkek, Ukanfun LGA of the State. Governor Udom Emmanuel who made this promise while vis

2020 Budget: Only 4 States are viable in Nigeria - Report

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…says 92% depends on Federal allocation A new report released Wednesday, by a budget-tracking Civil Society Organisation, BudgIT, indicated that only four States in Nigeria are viable. The report titled ‘State of States’ said that Lagos State tops the table followed by Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Kano. The report which was presented, had Governors of Kaduna and Ekiti States, who were represented by the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mohammed Sani, and Special Adviser, Investment, Trade & Innovations to Ekiti State Governor, Akintunde Oyebode, respectively. The report which was presented by Research and Policy Analysis Lead, BudgIT, Ojiugo Uche, pointed out weak economies of States, mostly tied to informal trade and skeletal industrial output with exception of Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Ogun and Akwa Ibom. The report reads in part, “Of a truth, most Nigerian States have still not figured out how to harness their collective strengths and establish a single focus

Atiku’s son, 22 others make Adamawa Commissioner-nominees’ list

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By Tony Okechukwu Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has nominated Adamu Atiku, the eldest son of the Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 general election, Atiku Abubakar, and 22 others as commissioners. The list was read out at the Wednesday plenary of the Adamawa State House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Iya-Abbas. The PDP Secretary in the State, Alhaji Abdullahi Prambe, also made the list. Atiku loyalists, Ibrahim Mijinyawa and Umaru Daware who resigned their position as commissioners under former Gov. Muhammadu Bindow’s administration and defected to the PDP, were also nominated. Speaking on the list, the House Committee Chairman on Information, Mr. Japhet Kefas, said that no date had been fixed for their screening. “The House will decide next week on a date for their screening”, Kefas said. The House, had on Tuesday, approved the list of 40 Special Advisers for the Governor.

A'Ibom seeks Federal Govt. urgent intervention On Calabar-Itu Highway Gully

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By Pat PA Okon ...Debunks Senator Enang's claims The State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the gully erosion that is at the verge of cutting off Calabar Itu Highway at Ntak Inyang community in Itu Local Government Area of the State. The Governor made the call on Wednesday while inspecting the gully erosion site which is rightly opposite the transmission station of the State-owned radio station; Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC). Represented by the State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyen, the Governor called on the Federal Government to release funds to Akwa Ibom to tackle ecological problems in the oil rich State. "I wish that the Federal Government would consider Akwa Ibom State as part of Nigeria and give us ecological funds to tackle situations like this", Inyang-Eyen lamented while addressing newsmen. He used the occasion to debunk an allegation levelled against th

RIVERS STATE GOVT. FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF RUMUOGBA FLYOVER BRIDGE

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By Pat PA Okon The construction of the imposing Rumuogba Flyover Bridge in the heart of Port Harcourt has been flagged off by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. Performing the flag off, on behalf of the Rivers State Government, in a ceremony attended by Rivers' prominent leaders and traditional rulers on Tuesday, the Oyo State Governor declared that Governor Nyesom Wike has developed a legacy of promises kept. The Rumuogba flyover bridge is one of the three flyover bridges that Governor Wike promised the good people of Rivers State during his inauguration for a second term. Governor Makinde said: "This is what the Rivers State Governor  promised the people of Rivers State and he is delivering on his promise". "By paying 70 percent in advance,  Governor Wike is saying that there should be no variation. He has provided the yam, he has provided the knife and nothing should stop the peeling of the yam". "During his first term, Governor Wike was

Bala vows to collaborate with NNPC over oil discovery in Bauchi

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By Tony Okechukwu Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has promised to collaborate with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) following the discovery of hydrocarbon in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the State. In a press statement signed by Governor Bala, made available by his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Muktar Gidado, he said that his administration will spare no effort, turn every stone and break every ground until the oil flows through the wells and pipelines into our refineries. He said that for anyone who has followed the unwavering effort of the NNPC in the search for hydrocarbons in this part of the country, this discovery marks the victory of hope over pessimism, the triumph of courage over fear and the victory of sacrifice over adversity. Governor Bala who expressed his happiness said: “I consider it a blessing and a privilege that this epochal development is taking place during my tenure as Governor. I do not take it lightly in the least. It i

Okowa assures on peaceful environment for investors in Delta State

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By Pat PA Okon Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured that his administration was committed to the provision of peaceful environment for investors in the State. Governor Okowa gave the assurance on Friday during the commissioning of legacy projects executed by Platform Petroleum Limited/Newcross Petroleum Limited (JV) operators of the Egbaoma Marginal Field in  Umutu, Ukwuani Local Government Area of the State. Among the projects commissioned by the Governor are: Steel bridge across River Ethiope at Adonishaka, block of 10 flats at Ogbeuzu-Uno community, ICT building at Akoku-Uno, Okpala-Uku Palace at Umueziogoli and 6 classroom block at Igili Grammar School Umutu. Okowa, represented by the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emman Amgbaduba, stated that the State Government was totally committed to providing peaceful environment for all investors in the State. He said that his administration was  committed to  make the State an enviable investment

Gov. Wike redeems N200m pledge to Late Dr. Ferry Gberegbe's Family

By Pat PA Okon In line with his pledge to the family of Late Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Khana Local Government Area Governorship Election Agent, Dr. Ferry Gberegbe, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has released N200 million to the Gberegbe family for the education of the kids of the deceased lecturer. It will be recalled that Governor Wike announced a N200 million scholarship for the four children of the Late Dr. Gberegbe,  directing the widow of the deceased to open bank accounts for each of the four children. This pledge was made during the Governor's condolence visit to the family. Dr. Ferry Gberegbe, who was a lecturer at the Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori was murdered by Special Anti Robery Squad (SARS) personnel at the Bori Governorship Election Collation Centre. His murder was captured live on Facebook. During the condolence visit, Governor Wike said: "The State Government will offer scholarship to the four young children left  behind by the decea

Orji Kalu gets judgment date after 12 year-trial

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By Tony Okechukwu Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu and two others, on trial for the past 12 years over alleged N7.65 billion theft of Abia Government money, will know their fate soon. Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Tuesday, announced 2 December, 2019 as judgment date, after the prosecution and the defence adopted their written addresses. Kalu’s co-defendants are his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeh Udeogu, who was Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during Kalu’s tenure as governor, between 1999 and 2007. Kalu was charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Abandoned Projects: Oyo APC cannot fool all the people all the time - Makinde

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 By Pat PA Okon Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, said on Monday that the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), can only fool some people all the time but that it cannot fool all the people all the time. The Governor, who was reacting to the management of government projects during the administration of the immediate past administration in the State, said that the manner in which many government projects were abandoned especially following bogus commissioning exercises left much to be desired. His comments were coming on the heels of criticisms by the Oyo State APC of his plans to reconstruct Iwo Road Interchange with the sum of N8 billion. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Governor made the statement while speaking to newsmen after an inspection tour of some government installations. The Governor stated that the previous administration in the State, attempted to fool the people of the St

Ortom again urges FG to check herdsmen attacks

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By Tony Okechukwu Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has again told the Federal Government to rein in on foreign herdsmen, entering Nigeria illegally to attack Nigerians, especially farmers. Ortom appealed when he visited one Mrs. Wanhena Cheku, a victim of herders men attack now recuperating at the Federal Medical Centre at Apir in Makurdi. Cheku’s left hand was cut off in an attack on her farm at the Mbagwem community in the Guma Local Government Area of the State. Benue State in North Central Nigeria, described as Nigeria’s food basket, has seen repeated bloody attacks on villagers in recent years by herdsmen. Ortom said that it was wrong for foreign herders to gain free entry into the country and perpetrate atrocities at will. He said that the Federal Government needed to close the country’s borders to all foreign herders to mitigate growing cases of attacks on citizens. “It is wrong to allow herdsmen from Mali, Niger, Chad, etc, to find their way into Nigeria to comm

PDP-Governed States Host IGR Summit...

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. ..Dr Peter Obi To Deliver Key Note Speech On The Imperatives of Developing Internally-Generated Revenue Options for State Governments in a Recessed Economy. By Omoh Aliyu The PDP Governors Forum will be hosting the 2019 Edition of the an IGR summit in Abuja. In a statement released by the Summit Organizing Committee and signed by Mr. Patrick PA Okon, the event which is facilitated by the PDP Governors Forum is managed by Messrs Red Sapphire Nigeria Limited, an integrated marketing communications company that provides Public Relations, Event Management & Marketing, and Advertising Services, in conjunction with the Producers of high-profile Finance programme, “Money Line on AIT”, will feature the Finance expert, Nancy Iloh as Summit Anchor. The summit is scheduled to hold on Wednesday/Thursday, Oct. 30-31, 2019 at the BON Hotel Stratton, (formerly Protea Hotel),Asokoro, Abuja. The Summit will feature Key Resource persons and Finance Experts with tested knowledge and t

Bauchi, BoI sign MoU to revive collapsed industries, establish new ones

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By Tony Okechukwu Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed, has attributed the collapse of industries and factories in the State to lack of capital, a development he lamented, has set the State back in terms of internally generated revenue. To correct the situation, the Governor disclosed that his government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BoI) in order to revive all the ailing industries in the State. The State Governor who disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the BoI in his office in Abuja, on Thursday, believes that when the MOU is signed, it will revive all the collapsed industries, build new ones thereby boosting local production of goods and services for exports, which in turn will boost revenue generation in the State. The Managing Director also said that the bank will continue to provide financial and business support services to enterprises, as a way of fulfilling its mission of transfo

South East Governors, Leaders Meet Buhari

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By Tony Okechukwu South-East leaders, including all the governors, are meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja, behind closed doors. Governor Dave Umahi, Chairman, Southeast Governors Forum is the leader of the delegation. At the open session before the meeting went off camera, Umahi, who is the Governor of Ebonyi State, demanded for a special Federal Government intervention for the speedy completion of the Enugu International Airport and rehabilitation of federal roads in the region. The leaders also want a state of emergency to be declared on the roads in the South East. Governors of the South-South region are also scheduled to meet President Buhari, today.

I’m not interested in second term – Makinde

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By Pat PA Okon Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has rejected calls for his possible return for the second term in office. The Governor said that he would not hesitate to step on peoples’ toes in order to improve the State, adding that the second term would be determined by the people. A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said that the Governor stated these while performing two separate functions in his office. According to the statement, the Governor, while receiving reports of seven committees set up by his administration to look into various issues in the State, said: “I have seen people come to me and said I should not do some certain things or take certain decisions because of the second term. Those that are interested in the second term should wait, at least till 2022. For now, we should do the job the people have committed to our hands and do things that will place Oyo State on the path of greatness". Meanwhile, the

Add value to Abia vision, Ikpeazu charges new commissioners

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By Tony Okechukwu Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has sworn in twenty-three Commissioners recently confirmed by the State House of Assembly. He urged them to work together towards consolidating the achievements made so far by his administration. “Being chosen to serve as a Commissioner out of a large number of qualified Abians is indeed a huge privilege. You were chosen not because you are the best or the most qualified, but because at a time like this, we believe that you can add value to our vision for our State". “Therefore, you must be at your best at all times. We will not compromise quality service delivery. We have set clear milestones which you must achieve within specific periods and within the first one month". “We expect that each of you will achieve particular milestones in your respective ministries. We expect you to work together because government is an organism that functions in unison”. The new commissioners and their portfolios are: 1.

2019 IGR SUMMIT: 16 STATES GET SET TO BE HOSTED BY PDP GOVS FORUM

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By Pat PA Okon The PDP Governors Forum will be hosting the 2019 Edition of the above-stated event. In a statement released by the Summit Organizing Committee and signed by Mr. Patrick PA Okon, the event which is facilitated by Messrs Red Sapphire Nigeria Limited, an integrated marketing communications company that provides Public Relations, Event Management & Marketing, and Advertising Services, in conjunction with the Producers of high-profile Finance programme, “Money Show on AIT”, will feature the Finance expert, Nancy Iloh as Summit Anchor. Titled “The Imperatives of Developing Internally-Generated Revenue Options for State Governments in a Recessed Economy”, the summit is scheduled to hold on Wednesday/Thursday, Oct. 30-31, 2019 at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Abuja. ABOUT THE SUMMIT The Summit will feature Key Resource persons and Finance Experts with tested knowledge and transfer experience drawn from the IGR/Finance Sector. They will delive

I’ll not anoint anybody – Gov. Ortom

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By Tony Okechukwu Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State says that he has no plans to anoint anybody as his successor in 2023. Ortom, while addressing PDP stakeholders’ on Friday in Makurdi, assured them that he would allow the party to field the most acceptable candidate for the governorship election in 2023. “If someone tells you that I have anointed him as my successor, tell him that he is lying. I will work with any candidate that the party fields in 2023". “Nobody should deceive you that he is my anointed candidate for the 2023 general elections". The Governor, however, advised the party to respect zoning arrangements while deciding on people to contest the chairmanship and councillorship seats in Local Government elections slated to hold on Nov. 30. “Zoning is the only thing that will give us the results we want at the end of the day. Zoning is very critical in politics". “I advise people intending to contest the council polls to back down if the zon