POLITICS
2023: Umahi Lauds Buhari over Focus on Agriculture Despite Insecurity in Food Production
From Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki
The Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum and governor of Ebonyi state, Chief David Umahi on Tuesday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for giving more attention to agriculture despite the huge insecurity in food production in Nigeria.
The governor made this known in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by his Media and Publicity secretary, Mr.
He commended President Buhari for unveiling 15 Rice pyramids, which according to him, contained one million bags under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Scheme, adding that the development will help to solve the insecurity in food production in Nigeria.
He described the CBN Anchor Borrowers programme as an effective scheme in achieving economic diversification in the Country.
The governor also applauded the President for his staunch dedication to fight against insecurity, adding that his Agricultural interventions has restored the Nation’s dignity as a food hub of the world.
“Your Excellency, Mr. President, a man with a good heart has scored excellently in all sectors of our nation-building but we have not sufficiently showcased your successes, the showcasing of this rice pyramid is quite commendable and assurance to people of Nigeria that despite the security challenges which we of course inherited and which I am confident that before you exit by God’s special grace in 2023 would be a thing of the past and your commitment shows that.
“You Mr. President has been feeding people of this country and are capable of feeding people of this country despite the insecurity in food production all over the world.
“Your Excellency, you are the man that I have always said, saw tomorrow, when you came in 2015, you were confronted with a lot of decays, very weak institutions, very high level of corruption, we could as a Nation barely feed ourselves when you inherited the office but it takes a man that came from God to confront those challenges and I want to commend you very high because if you didn’t do what you did starting from 2015.
“It would have been a very difficult situation for our people because hunger breeds anger but you have averted that through your programmes and I commend the CBN Governor who saw your programmes and took it very seriously and that is why we are where we are, great success especially in the area of Agriculture.” He stated.
Governor Umahi particularly appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his Agricultural interventions in Ebonyi State, saying they have assisted the State in maintaining a leading position in food production in Nigeria.
“Your Excellency, Ebonyi State under you and through you has expanded our Agricultural programmes and Agricultural programmes account for over 50% of our employment rating and the statistics are there. Under you, Your Excellency, we have established two new Fertilizer Plants to join your fertilizer programmes, under you, your Excellency and through you, we are establishing the largest limestone granules in Ebonyi State, you have released all the money and the project is highly at an advanced stage and when you come to Ebonyi State, you will be very happy with that programme.
“Let me, therefore, commend you Sir for your efforts at our Nation-building and I believe very strongly that the challenges that are confronting us as a Nation, the reason why you came is that God foresaw those challenges and brought you and I will say to you congratulations because without a man with a good heart we wouldn’t have been able to be where we are and a Nation that doesn’t understand where they are coming from in May 29th, 2015 may not be able to appreciate where we are now but God sees your efforts and God helps you in your daily commitment to our Nation-building, thank you, Your Excellency.” He stressed.
POLITICS
Court Nullifies Ebonyi PDP Congresses
By Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki
A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on Monday nullified the Ali Odefa faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward, local government and state congresses in the state.
The faction had few weeks ago, conducted ward, local government and state congresses to elect new leaders of the party.
In a suit no.
FHC/ AI/CS/183/2024 between Nnenna Lynda Udeh 12 others, the applicant prayed the court to set aside the congresses for being unconstitutional.Delivering judgment on the suit, the presiding Judge, Justice Hilary Oshomah ruled that purported congresses were void, unconstitutional and of no effect.
The court further restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) which was the 2nd defendant in the suit from recognising any of the officers purportedly elected from the voided and nullified congresses.
When contacted for reaction, the national vice chairman of the party, Ali Odefa said he will respond to the ruling of the court at the appropriate time.
POLITICS
I Will Leave Lasting Legacies in Infrastructure Dev. – Diri
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he is determined to leave lasting legacies in infrastructure development as he considers it a rare privilege to govern the state.Senator Diri stated this on Saturday during a gala night organised by the state government in honour of members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
The event rounded off the three-day 20th All-Nigerian Editors Conference(ANEC) held in the state capital. Governor Diri said he treats issues of development of the state seriously as he is aware that constitutionally he is allowed only two terms in office.He assured that with his deputy, they will keep doing their best in the remaining three years for Bayelsans to feel the impact of their service to the state and to the country.He said: “For us, it is a rare privilege to serve our people. Opportunity like this does not come often. By the constitution of Nigeria, I am barred from contesting again as governor of Bayelsa State.“So, the only thing that will speak for me, my deputy and most of us in this administration, is the legacy that we leave in terms of both human and material infrastructure. “Developing the state is now in our hands and we will keep doing our best in the remaining three years so that when we leave, the state will continue to feel our impact having travelled this eight-year journey in service to people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.”While responding to remarks of the NGE president, Governor Diri approved the request to institute an annual lecture to honour and immortalise a foremost nationalist and pioneer editor of Daily Times, late Mr. Ernest Sesei Ikoli, an indigene of Bayelsa State, beginning from 2025.He also granted an appeal by the Guild’s president for two interns at the state-owned Niger Delta Television (NDTV), who missed out when the governor directed the employment of 13 of their colleagues when he visited the station last year.In his address, the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for being a perfect host and for recognising the essential roles editors play in shaping the society.Mr. Anaba also stated that the support of the governor during the conference was an indication of the importance he attached to a free and responsible press.While highlighting the various project sites visited, he expressed appreciation to the governor particularly for constructing an iconic media complex named after Ernest Ikoli.In a welcome remark, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, commended the Guild for promoting excellence in journalism and for successfully organising the 20th ANEC.Highpoint of the night of glitz and glamour was the presentation of an award to Governor Diri by the Guild and the induction of 12 new members.Two initiators of the ANEC, Halilu Baba Dantiye,m and Angela Agoawike were also honoured by the Guild.Present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Nimibofa Ayaowei, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo.Others were the publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Dr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, presidential media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman, Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene as well as other top editors, leaders and veterans of the media industry.POLITICS
Obaseki Dissolves Cabinet Ahead of Nov. 12
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has dissolved his cabinet ahead of the Nov.12 swearing-in of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new governor of the state.
Report says that Obaseki who came into office on November 12, 2016 is expected to end his eight years tenure on November 12, 2024.
Obaseki dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House on Friday in Benin.
The motion for the dissolution of the State Executive Council for 2020-2024 was moved by his deputy, Godwins Omobayo, and was seconded by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osilama Okuofu.
At the valedictory session, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again.
Obaseki also commended citizens of the state for supporting, praying and collaborating with his administration throughout his tenure.
Members of the cabinet took turns to eulogise the governor and acknowledged his many achievements in various sectors.
They also commended the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.
The outgoing commissioners and Heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also took turns to present awards and gifts to honour the governor.
The valedictory session for the outgoing state executive council climaxed with a dinner in honour of the state governor. (NAN)