Former Delta deputy governor lauded over community dev

A community leader and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Sabastine Chucks Nwagwor has commended the former deputy governor of Delta state, Chief Benjamin Elue, for his patriotism and selfless service in the state, especially in Obior community.

Mr. Sabastine Nwagwor who stated this while speaking to newsmen in Abuja, said Chief Benjamin Elue has made remarkable impacts in the state and Nigeria in general.

“Chief BSC Elue is an exemplary leader whose selfless community services have brought development to Obior community in the areas of road network, education, healthcare and employment for the people. We believe he will do more; therefore we must unanimously support him to complete and establish more projects where Obior people will be gainfully employed.

“The former deputy governor has tried his best for the people of Delta state and our community. Since he left office he has been with his people and actively working for them. He is a true community leader and a grassroots politician who is on ground with his people. We pray for him every day that God will continue to keep and protect him, so he can do more for our people”, he stated.

The retired accountant from office of accountant general of the federation also congratulated the Delta state governor-elect, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa over his victory at the April 11 governorship election, adding that the election of Sen. Okowa is a turning point for the people of the state.

He stated that Okowa’s administration will not only stabilise the state, but take it to greater heights because of his experience and charisma to carry everyone along irrespective of political affiliations.

He further called on politicians and people of the state to support the governor-elect and embrace peace, saying that without peace no meaningful development can be achieved in the state.

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Buhari vows to kill corruption in Nigeria, urges governors, others to lead by example

The President–elect, Muhammadu Buhari, says he will kill corruption before it kills Nigeria when his administration takes off on May 29.
He also admonished state governors and other public officials to practice whatever they preach.
Mr. Buhari said this when members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom Chapter, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the nation’s problems were not ethnic or religious, but corruption.
He said tackling corruption is third on his agenda, after insecurity and unemployment.
“So the point I want to make here is that the problem of Nigeria is not ethnic or religious, it is corruption,” Mr. Buhari said. “This is what we are fighting, that is why corruption is number three in my campaign.
“The first one is insecurity in the North-East and the Niger Delta where people are kidnapped and ransom is being demanded which people cannot afford.
“The second one is unemployment, 60 per cent of Nigerians are youths, most of them, whether they went to school or not, are unemployed and that is dangerous.
“So we have to get the issue of the economy right to make sure the jobs are made available and we should try to kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria.
“Let us practice what we preach as well, whoever wins as a governor too has a lot of work to do because corruption is fast becoming a culture and to try to caution people is not an easy task but it must be done.
“I know you all represent various constituencies, please pass our message and give them hope that we’ll do our best in the interest of all.”
He encouraged Umana Umana, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom, who lost to Udom Emmanuel (PDP), with the story of his three political struggles in court.
He advised him to believe in the judicial system as “the right place to fight for your right and the right of the people you represent.
“I have appealed three times and arrived at the Supreme Court not because I believe the system had changed but this time around, in your own case, you were still denied even with the use of PVCs and the card readers.’’
Earlier, Mr. Umana explained that he filed the case at the tribunal because “figures declared in the elections by the Akwa Ibom State INEC were at variance with the figures captured by card readers and transmitted to INEC database in Abuja.’’
According to him, his people had hoped that there would be free and fair elections in Akwa Ibom State for them to vote and bring in an APC government at both the state and federal levels.
He alleged that APC votes in Akwa Ibom were not allowed to count during the presidential election “because of massive vote fraud and wanton violence.
Mr. Umana added, “We are a bit mollified that the widespread electoral malpractices and bloody violence that marred the purported elections in our state have been amply confirmed by independent, local and international monitors, including Civil Liberties Organisations.
“Other confirmations came from the Akwa Ibom State Caucus at the National Assembly, African Union Election Monitoring Team, EU Election Monitoring Group, U.S. Government, former Governor Victor Attah and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Don Etiebet.
“Such reports go a long way to confirm our stand that there were no valid elections in Akwa Ibom State.”

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Youth forum congratulates Delta governor-elect, Sen. Okowa

A group of professionals and businessmen comprising of Ika people of Delta and Edo states under the auspices of Onye Bia-Ali Ochor Nwene has congratulated the governor-elect of Delta state, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on his landslide victory at the April 11 governorship polls.

Speaking in Abuja during their fortnightly meeting last Sunday, the Chairman, Mr. Sylvester Ashameri said the victory of Sen. Okowa was well deserved, adding that the governor-elect is a grassroots politician who has done much for the people of Delta state and Nigeria in general.

Mr. Sylvester Ashameri described the emergence of Sen. Okowa as a new dawn for Delta state and called on all Deltans to pray and rally round the incoming administration to ensure that the much sought development in the state is achieved.

The youth leader said his group, Otu Onye Bia-Ali has been at the forefront of the campaign and mobilisation for the election of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, because they believe in him and has the capacity to steer the ship of leadership of the oil rich Delta state.   

He revealed that during the governorship election, he mobilised his members and other youths in the state, and ensured that they fully participate in the election and cast their vote for Senator Okowa.  He assured the governor-elect that youths in Delta state will work with the incoming administration to achieve the set goals for the state.

“We commend the governor-elect, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his victory at the just concluded governorship election. It is a well deserved victory and a divine mandate from God. We have great confidence on the personality of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his competence to take Delta state to an enviable height.

“He has distinguished himself in all the areas he had served the state and the nation; he is a grassroots politician and always in touch with his people. We use this opportunity to pledge our loyalty and support for the governor-elect and we are ready to work with the incoming government in whatever capacity. We urge all Deltans to support him to ensure that he succeeds in leading our dear state”. 

 

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Jonathan leaving empty treasury for us, APC govs-elect tell Buhari

• As FG borrows to avert cash crunch

Ahead of May 29 swearing-in ceremony, serving governors and governors-elect under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday met with the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari and expressed their concerns about the present state of the economy.

Briefing journalists after a closed door meeting with the President-elect in Abuja, Chairman of the forum, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, said that it was needful that they informed the incoming president of the challenges ahead.

He said that it is worrisome that most states of the federation have not paid salaries of workers up to three months as well as the Federal Government who has not paid salaries for April.

“One of the issues that became of concern to all of us is the state of the Nigerian economy which is really in bad shape. We have come to notify the incoming president of the challenges ahead of him”, Okorocha said.

“We wonder with the huge expectation from Nigerians and people who have voted us into power, we are hoping that the president-elect will do whatever is humanly possible to bring about a bail out, not only on the states, but the federal government at least for people to get their salaries and turn around the economy.”

According to him, the problems confronting the country is good enough reason to work and support the president elect when he is sworn into office. We are calling on other parties to come on board and support the incoming administration.

When asked if power sharing and ministerial appointments was discussed, he said, “That is too early, but as a party, we shall all work together to make sure that there is equitable distribution of positions and Infrastructure in Nigeria”.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has already borrowed more than half the amount it budgeted for the full year as it struggles to deal with lower income from oil, Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said.

Africa’s biggest crude producer and economy has sold 473 billion naira ($2.4 billion) so far in domestic and external debt this year, within the budgeted allowance of 882 billion naira for 2015, she told reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

“We’ve had to manage the first half on a month-by-month basis,” Okonjo-Iweala said. “We’ve had a cash-flow crunch.”

Under the 2015 spending plan approved by lawmakers last month, Nigeria, which relies on oil for about 70 percent of government spending, will run a fiscal deficit of 1.09 percent of gross domestic product, she said.

“Under very difficult circumstance we’ve managed to keep the country going,” Okonjo-Iweala further revealed.

The price of Brent crude has fallen more than 40 percent since last year’s peak in June. Nigeria isn’t the worst-affected of oil-producing nations because it has made improvements in agricultural output and its inflation rate is still holding below double figures, Okonjo-Iweala said.

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Military rescues ​another 234 women, children​ from Boko Haram​ camps​

 
Nigerian military on Friday said another set of 234 women and children​ have been​ rescued ​by troops ​in Borno State.
Defence spokesperson, Chris Olukolade,​ said the​ women and children were rescued through the Kawuri and Konduga end of the Sambisa forest on Thursday.
Sambisa forest had for years been a hideout for Boko Haram terrorists.
Mr. Olukolade, a major general​,​ said the victims ​were evacuated to join others at a location for an ongoing screening.
“This set  in addition to the previous individuals earlier rescued during the ongoing operation in the area,” Mr. Olukolade said.
He added that the assault by the military on the forest is continuing from various fronts with the aim of rescuing hostages and destroying all terrorists camps and facilities in the forest.
The military had on Tuesday rescued 293 girls and women currently undergoing screening.
​Howwever, it has yet to​​ confirm the identities of those rescued, and whether the missing Chibok schoolgirls are among.
Defence officials said that clarification could only come after ongoing screning and profiling.

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Catholic bishops task President-elect on national challenges

 
The Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged the in-coming Muhammadu Buhari administration to tackle the political and economic challenges confronting the country.
The President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, made the plea at the consecration of Most Rev. Denis Isizoh, the new auxiliary Bishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Anambra, on Friday.
Kaigama said Buhari should choose a team with proven integrity and commitment to project the common good of the country in order to enhance her prosperity.
``We continue to pray for better time in Nigeria in terms of security, employment for the youths, honesty in government dealings and improvement in infrastructure and facilities.
“But more importantly, there is a need for fundamental change of attitude from self centeredness to considering the interests of others before ours.
``We pray for Buhari and his incoming administration and that he and his team, which I believe will be carefully chosen both in quality and size, will contribute in healing the nation.
`` They will also help Nigerians to overcome parochial interests and aggressively pursue the common good so that Nigeria can truly be one big, happy and peaceful family,’’ he said.
Kaigama, who is the Archbishop of Jos, urged Nigerians in their little capacities to be agents of change by living selfless lives .
``While we demand good governance from those voted into positions of service, we demand equally a change of mentality on the part of all Nigerians.
“The change starts from the roadside corn seller, the mechanic, the filling station attendant, the messenger to the senior government officials.
``To change from selfish personal or narrow regional interests to what works for the good of all of us,’’ he said.
Advising the newly consecrated bishop , Kiagama charged him to build bridges with other denominations and Christians within and outside his jurisdiction.
``We call on you to bring all the rich experience in Rome back home and build a new Nigeria devoid of hatred, ethnic and political antagonism of people in your jurisdiction,’’ he said.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, said that Pope Francis was delighted to bring back Isizoh to come and help the expanding number of faithful in Nigeria.
Kasujja revealed that the Catholic Church has close to two million active worshippers within Onitsha Archdiocese alone;, adding there was a need to assist the archdiocese with an experienced and dedicated hand.
The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, said that he was grateful to God, the Pope, and many others for making an auxiliary bishop possible for the archdiocese.
Okeke prayed that the reign of the new bishop would be long, peaceful and prosperous.
In a goodwill message, Gov. Willie Obiano thanked the clerics and other dignitaries for coming to Anambra.
He assured that the state government would assist the new bishop to succeed in his assignments. (NAN)

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Why TAN Boss, Ubah Weeps Over Jonathan’s Defeat

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, on Thursday, wept profusely at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 election.
TAN was the major group that spearheaded the re-election campaign of the President even before he formally announced his decision to seek re-election.
The group organised zonal rallies in the six geopolitical zones of the country in its bid to convince the President to run for a second term in office.
It claimed to have collected about 12 million signatures from Nigerians who wanted Jonathan for a second term and presented same to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, at the grand finale of the rallies in Abuja.
Ubah betrayed his emotion during the presentation of the report of the Senator Ahmadu Ali-Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation at the Presidential Villa.
Ubah suddenly burst into tears while party chiefs were taking turn to speak on the party’s electoral loss.
He continued weeping until an unidentified man ushered him out of the venue but he later returned into the hall after he had been calmed down.
After the presentation, Ubah quickly entered one of the buses that conveyed them to the venue without talking to anybody.
Ubah is the Deputy Director, Contact and Mobilisation of Jonathan’s campaign organisation.
He is also the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas.
 
 

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