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PDP: We Are Confident of Atiku’s Victory in Ondo
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State said its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will win the 2023 general election in the state.
The state chairman of the party, Alhaji Fatai Adams, said this in an interview yesterday in Akure.
Adams said that the PDP won the state in the 2019 presidential election in spite of the fact that the All Progressive Congress (APC) was in control of the state.
He expressed confidence that the party is capable of repeating the feat in the forthcoming general election.
According to the party chairman, the 2019 election results showed that the PDP did not only win Ondo State but came first in the entire South-West
“So, we are ready and prepared to maintain that lead, especially now that we have two state governors in the South-West.
“We are working on how to improve on our performance in the last general election. We will not leave any stone unturned.
“We believe we can still maintain that lead and we are so confident that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will have a landslide victory in Ondo State because he has what it takes to lead the country,” he said.
Adams, who explained that the five-point agenda of PDP, tagged ‘RESET’, would help the party to attain victory, said Atiku had the capacity, experience and knowledge to lead the country out of the wood.
Adams, who denied that the party is currently facing any crisis, said that the five aggrieved governors were not fighting the presidential candidate but rather had issues with the national chairman of the party.
“By the special grace of God, nobody is rocking the boat of the party. The five aggrieved governors had made it clear that they are neither fighting the party nor its presidential candidate.
“They only have issues, not crisis, with the national chairman and it will not affect our chances in the coming general election.
“And nobody is pulling out of the party, they have made it clear enough. Pulling out to where, if I may ask?” he said.
Adams, who emphasised that PDP is the only political party that could guarantee the survival of the country.
He pointed out that Ondo State had witnessed four administrations since 1999 and people of the state could rate them according to their performances, saying “the current government is a disaster to the state as nothing is working”.
The party chairman, therefore, called on the people of the state, and Nigerians at large, to vote for the PDP in the coming election in the interest of saving and and unifying the country.
“We need to vote for the party that will be sensitive to our plight and that will return the country’s economy back to where it belongs in the world ranking.
“The PDP government has done it before and we are ready to improve on our previous performance
“I am appealing to the electorates to cast their votes for PDP for them to enjoy true federalism where people will work together as one for the growth and development of the country.
“I can assure you that the PDP government will guarantee security of lives and properties, will revive our ailing economy, educational system, agriculture and bring good governance in general, if voted for,” he said. (NAN)
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has released funds for the disbursement of N5.12 billion in pension arrears to 90,689 Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners under the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate.This was contained in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications of PTAD, Olugbenga Ajayi.
He said that the directorate had finalised the disbursement of the money. The Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and Prisons Pension Department (CIPPD) pensioners are 8,626, received N276,032, for one-month arrears; the Police, Pension Department (PPD) pensioners are 9,681, received N619,584, for two months as arrears. The Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD) pensioners are 12,773, received N408,736, for one-month arrears, and the Parastatals Pension Department (PAPD) pensioners are 59,609, received N3,814,He said that the payment reaffirms the administration’s commitment to ensuring that pensioners receive their due entitlements in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola TinubuAccording to the statement, the approvals align with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.“This move shows President Tinubu’s strong commitment to senior citizens’ welfare and marks a new era in DBS pension management,” said PTAD, Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya.Among the key measures is the immediate implementation of an extra budgetary allocation to enforce new pension rates for DBS pensioners.The President also endorsed the adoption of a proposed pension harmonisation policy, which will be incorporated into the 2026 pension budget. Additionally, health insurance coverage for all DBS pensioners has been approved, ensuring access to essential healthcare services.The proposed reforms include a new pension rate of N32,000 and incremental increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for pensioners from defunct and privatised agencies. Other components of the reform package include harmonisation of pension rates across all DBS pensioners and their enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).In June, PTAD announced the successful disbursement of N8.6 billion in pension arrears to 148,625 eligible DBS pensioners across various sectors. The payments reflect the implementation of the N32,000 pension increment approved by President Tinubu in 2024.PTAD had previously settled arrears related to the first pension increment of 20% to 28%, which came into effect in January 2024.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed no fewer than 592 terrorists and destroyed 372 enemy assets in Borno within the last eight months, surpassing the total operational gains recorded in 2024.A statement by NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame yesterday said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said this during a courtesy visit to Gov.
Babagana Zulum of Borno. Abubakar said the offensive had destroyed 206 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs in deep hostile territory, with coordinated day-and-night strikes from Gonori to Rann, Dikwa to Damboa, Azir to Mallam Fatori.He said the offensive had been boosted by the deployment of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft capable of precision and night missions, Mi-171 helicopters for medical evacuation and logistics, and enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms for round-the-clock target tracking.He added that a new Mi-35 gunship was expected to further intensify close-air support for ground troops in the theatre.“Backed by an upgraded fleet and precision night-strike capabilities, NAF aircraft executed 798 combat sorties, clocking over 1,500 operational flight hours in the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.“This year, our air war is faster, sharper, and more surgical.“We are taking out high-value targets, crippling their logistics, and hunting down every cell that threatens the peace of the North-East,” he said.The CAS also praised the “Borno Model” of combining community-driven non-kinetic measures with decisive military action, saying it had proven effective in the counter-insurgency campaign.He also inspected facilities at the NAF Base, met with aircrew and ground personnel, and received operational briefings.He reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to precision air power, intelligence-led operations, and inter-agency collaboration to protect Nigerians.In his response, Gov. Zulum praised the NAF for its sustained air support in degrading terrorist capabilities and protecting communities.According to him, the NAF has been a steadfast partner in their fight against insurgency.“Your operations have saved countless lives and allowed our communities to begin rebuilding.“The people of Borno recognise your sacrifices and stand firmly behind you,” he said.
By Divine Ndukwe, Abuja
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that at least 8,246 inmates across the country’s custodial centres are living with mental health conditions.Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Dr.
Glory Essien, revealed the figures yesterday in Abuja during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture and Other Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS. Essien described incarceration as a deeply stressful experience, noting that the loss of freedom can trigger or worsen mental health conditions. She explained that inmate-leaders are trained to identify and report cases of psychological distress for early intervention, but available resources remain insufficient.“If you’re in a facility housing 500 to 1,000 inmates, with just one doctor or psychologist, monitoring everyone individually is impossible,” she said, citing logistical and funding challenges that hamper adequate care.Similarly, the NCoS Assistant Controller General in charge of Pharmaceutical Services, Mohammed Bashir, acknowledged that drug shortages and limited staffing remain major obstacles despite government funding.He revealed that a psychological services unit has been established, partnering with psychiatric associations to visit major facilities, though resources still fall short of demand.Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, called for urgent private sector support, stressing the need to deploy more psychiatric professionals to underserved states. “Please come to Macedonia and help us,” she appealed to the Nigerian Medical Association and pharmaceutical companies.Meanwhile, in Kwara State, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed alarm over rising mental health issues among doctors, linking the trend to burnout, workplace violence, and poor working conditions.Kwara NMA Chairman, Prof. Olushola Abdulrahman Afolabi, said a significant proportion of doctors experience depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders, often without seeking help due to stigma.Former NMA chairman, Prof. Issa Baba Awoye, warned that current figures could be worse than past studies, especially in resource-poor settings.The NMA is advocating for mandatory mental health evaluations for doctors, alongside increased awareness and stigma reduction campaigns. “Our healthcare system can only be as strong as the mental and physical well-being of those who sustain it,” Afolabi stated.Both the NCoS and NMA agree that mental health care must be prioritized, not just for inmates, but for those tasked with caring for the nation.
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