NEWS
Nasarawa Agog Amidst Tight Security as Buhari Inaugurates Projects
Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital was agog Thursday amidst tight security as President Muhammadu Buhari arrives the state on a two-day official visit to inaugurate both Federal and State projects.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security was beefed up in Lafia metropolis and environs, with roads diverted, especially from the routes of Mr President in order to ensure a hitch-free visit to the state.
The state government had declared Thursday, Feb.
24, a public holiday to enable the people to come out and give the president a rousing welcome. Some residents who spoke to NAN expressed optimism that the President’s visit to the state will help boost economic activities in the state.Mrs Esther Bulus said “We are here to welcome His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to the state as he inaugurates several laudable projects in the state. “These projects will boost economic activities, improve our standard of living and generate employment for the teeming population. “The projects will boost the internally generated revenue of the state, thereby boosting socio-economic development.“Mr President’s visit will no doubt bring blessings to the state,” She said.
Other residents of Lafia, Isah Abu and Samson Chris, were also hopeful that the visit would impact greatly on the lives of the people of the state. They, however, appealed to the President to address the current fuel (petrol) situation in the country as it was aggravating the biting economic burden on the common man struggling to survive.
NAN further reports that some of the projects expected to be inaugurated by the President included the Lafia Airport, Central Bank of Nigeria complex and the 330KV Power Substation Akurba, Lafia. Others are the Nasarawa Vocational and Skill Acquisition Centre, Karu and Lafia Mega Bus terminals, Keffi Square and Neighbourhood Market and the Shinge-Kilema- Barkin Abdullahi Road in Lafia. (NAN)
NEWS
LG polls: Nasarawa APC Announces Chairmanship Candidates
Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced its chairmanship candidates for the Nov. 2, local government councils election in the state.
Mr Tanimu Adamson, Chairman of the party’s primary elections committee, announced the names of successful candidates, submitting the report of the exercise to the party’s state executive on Friday in Lafia.
Adamson explained that the party’s flag bearers emerged through consensus as agreed by the party, in line with article 20 of its constitution.
He listed the names of the successful chairmanship candidates for the 13 LGAs to include Safiyanu Isa for Akwanga, Umar Dan-Akano, Awe, Jonathan Addra, Doma, Abubakar Madaki, Karu, and Adamu Aboki, Keana.
Others are Idris Damagani, Keffi, Bitrus Agbawu, Kokona, Mohammed Ahmed, Nasarawa, Iliya Aliyu, Nassarawa-Eggon, Isa Sani, Obi, Murtala Danmadami, Toto and Ezekiel Jaga, Wamba respectively.
He said that the emergence of the consensus candidates followed a painstaking consultation and resolution by stakeholders of the party and the candidates.
Adamson said that the party’s councillorship candidates for 147 electoral wards had also emerged through consensus.
Receiving the report, Aliyu Bello, APC State Chairman, appreciated the committee members for their sacrifice and for delivering on their mandate within the stipulated time.
He expressed satisfaction with the caliber of persons that emerged as candidates of the party.
He, therefore, expressed optimism that the party would win the election in all the area councils, given the quality of its candidates.
Report says that APC at a stakeholders meeting on Oct. 7, fixed October 14 and 16 for councillorship and chairmanship primaries.
The party at the meeting also adopted a consensus method to produce their candidates for the LGAs and electoral wards, respectively. (NAN).
NEWS
Kebbi Sets up Committee to Retrieve Stolen Orphans’ Funds
Kebbi Government has constituted a committee to recover money fraudulently removed from the individual accounts of orphans out of the N2.1 billion funds disbursed by the World Muslim League.
Report says that on Oct. 10, the League disbursed N2.1 billion to 1,849 orphans in the state through bank transfer to cater for their upbringing.
Report gathers that some guardians entrusted with managing the money have engaged in fraudulent activity by shortchanging those under their care.
Briefing newsmen on the development in Birnin Kebbi on Friday, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, said Gov. Nasir Idris, had directed the immediate recovery of the money in full and return it to the rightful owners.
“The governor has high compassion for orphans, he is up to the task, he therefore, charged the committee to do the needful, to ensure thorough investigation.
“We contacted the banks that disbursed the funds but they informed us that the fraudulent acts were perpetrated using Point of Sale (POS) terminals not the conventional banking channels.
“But we are sounding a word of caution, any bank discovered to be involved in the removal of the orphans’ money, government will formally write a letter of complaint to the headquarters of such bank for appropriate action,” he warned.
Sani-Aliyu vowed that the present administration would not fold its arms to allow some unscrupulous guardians of orphans to cheat the orphans.
“Kebbi Government is immensely appreciative to the World Muslim League for its magnanimity and for disbursing such colossal amount of money to orphans in the state.
“The Nigeria’s Regional Office of the League in Kaduna has been notified about what is happening in Kebbi, and the office has pledged full cooperation to the funds’ recovery efforts.
“The Recovery Committee is headed by my humble self, two other Commissioners, two Special Advisers and two Permanent Secretaries,” the commissioner said. (NAN)
NEWS
ACCI Inaugurates Golf Networking Initiative
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has inaugurated novel networking initiative aimed at fostering business connections through golf.
Dr Emeka Obegolu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the Chamber, said this at a B2B meeting and cocktail event organised by the ACCI in Abuja.
Obegolu stressed the importance of achieving a balance between work and personal life, particularly in light of Nigeria’s rising health concerns and sudden deaths.
He advocated for golf as a means to enhance social interactions among entrepreneurs, providing a relaxed environment to discuss business opportunities.
“We are here today to bring businessmen together with the Gulf community, appreciating the eminent businessmen within this community who may not yet be members of the Chamber of Commerce.
“Our message centres on balancing work-life, primarily due to the rate of sudden deaths we are facing in the country today.
“We aim to introduce golf to the business community, providing a platform for networking, exchanging opportunities, and contacts.”
According to Obegolu, the IBB Golf Course, a premier destination, offers an ideal backdrop for networking and forging valuable connections.
He reiterated the chamber’s commitment to promoting ease of doing business in Nigeria, urging support from the Abuja business community.
Obegolu also called on the FCT administration to improve infrastructure at the Idu Industrial District to make Abuja a truly industrial city.
He said more than 110 participants have registered for the golf tournament scheduled for October 19, with more expressing interest.
“”The tournament will culminate in an evening ceremony with awards and prizes.”
Dr James Agbonhese, Vice Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, commended the ACCI initiative, highlighting golf’s values of honour and integrity.
“Golf requires sincerity, which is equally essential in business to achieve success without litigation, disagreement, or problems,” Agbonhese said.
He welcomed the partnership between golf and business, looking forward to future events.(NAN)