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Benue Governorship Aspirant Consults PDP Ward, Kinsmen, Receives Blessing

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By David Torough, Makurdi

Ahead of the 2023 general elections in Benue State, a governorship hopeful on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), in the State, Mr. Adikpo Agbatse has consulted with the party’s Agbaikyan ward caucus.

Mr. Agbatse who stated that he was in the governorship race to work together with relevant stakeholders to restore the Benue’s glory, stressed that having served the state in many capacities, he was abreast of  the challenges every community in the state faced and promised to use his wealth of experience to lead in restoring the glory of Benue and carry every community along so as to effectively give Benue people their desired development if given the opportunity.

The gubernatorial aspirant emphasized that the general wellbeing of Benue citizens will be his administration’s priority and promised to run a participatory government where every stakeholder will be involved so as to bring the needed development in the state.

In their separate remarks, chairman, Agbaikyan Ward, Hon. Daniel Apera as well as PDP ex-officio Zone A, Mrs. Becky Gaadi, former Chairman of the party, Hon. Peter Humbe, former PDP Chairman in Kwande Local Government, Hon. Adzua Ikyur and PDP leader in Agbaikyan, Hon. Ligon Abeda among others, all appreciated Mr. Agbatse for informing them of his desire and promised to create a level playing field for all aspirants to achieve their goals.

Similarly, Mr. Agbatse interacted with his kinsmen and his immediate community of Umaa, Mbarumun-Nanev in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

He stated that charity begins at home hence it became necessary for him to formally make his ambition known to his kinsmen and to seek their blessing and support as he continue with his consultations.

While narrating his political experience from 1979 till date, Mr. Agbatse said  that he will bring the wealth of  experience he has garnered over the years to revamp the the glory of the state and bring it to bear on the developmental needs of the people if elected.

Agbatse who has served the state in different capacities, also told his kinsmen that, the governorship race was a collective effort and appealed to them to unite  so as to achieve their goals and thanked them for honouring his invitation.

The oldest man in Umaa, Akindii Dogo and other elders including elder Anja Wanyon, Bam Gbe and Leva Akaa all described the decision of their son as a bold step and in the right direction and blessed him as he continue with his consultations, saying that their prayers will always be with him to go and conquer, stressing that God had prepared him from birth to always make them and Benue State proud.

They appreciated Mr. Agbatse for always availing himself to serve humanity and appealed to him to liaise with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, so as to mobilize members of the community who are eligible to vote to get registered to enable them vote massively in the 2023 general elections.

On his part, Mr. Terhemba Ibi who spoke on behalf of the youths, advised his fellow young men to be focused, shun political violence and love for money during campaigns but support the right person who will bring the desired development that would better their future.

The former Executive Secretary,  Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, Mr Agbatse  also paid an unscheduled visit at the Ikyogen Refugee Camp in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The pioneer Executive Secretary of BSEMA explained that he was moved by the plight of the refugees and his compassion for humanity and  humanitarian work over the years to visit the camp so as to have a first-hand knowledge on how they were faring.

While praying God to intervene in their situation, Agbatse encouraged them to remain patient and peaceful, maintaining that just as God rescued the Israelites in the wilderness, He will surely deliver them at the appropriate time.

The humanitarian who has been into orphanage home management for over 17 years, appreciated the United Nations, management of the camp and others for their efforts in taking care of the refugees over the years and called on public-spirited individuals, corporate bodies, government at all levels and non-governmental organizations to come to the aid of the refugees.

He promised his continued support to the refugees and encouraged those who have been supporting them to continue with the good work.

Refugee Camp Chairman, Mr. Ekal Zephaniah and  Women leader, Mrs. Ehini Vera Mwuese all appreciated Mr. Agbatse for his visit and prayed to God to give him success in all his endeavours.

POLITICS

Assembly Passes Edo N675bn 2025 Budget for Assent 

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The Edo House of Assembly on Monday passed the state 2025 budget of N675 billion for assent.

The passage followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Budget and Project Monitoring at plenary in Benin.

Presenting the report, the chairman of the committee, Sunday Fada, (PDP Esan Central) said the budget was made up of N225 billion recurrent expenditure and N451 billion capital expenditure.

Fada noted that the committee came up with the increase in the budgetary allocation to enable the governor carry out his five points agenda in the state.

The House at the committee of Supply, considered the budget clause by clause and subsequently, approved the increase from N605.

7 billion to N675 billion.

The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, thereafter directed Mr Yahaya Omogbai, the clerk of the house to forward clean copies of the budget to the governor for his assent. (NAN)

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POLITICS

Poverty, Behind Deadly Stampedes Across Nigeria, says Falana

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Missing N500bn: Probe CBN, Falana, Others Tell PMB
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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, on Sunday attributed the deadly stampede that claimedmore than 105 lives in stampedes during food and cash distribution events to “poverty-induced neoliberal economic policies” and “criminal negligence.

In a statement released on Sunday, Falana, who chairs the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond ASCAB, demanded justice for victims of the tragic events, saying, “These tragic events are a national shame, the victims were not just statistics but human beings driven to desperation by systemic poverty and the gross incompetence of those entrusted with their safety.

On December 21, 12 people died and 32 others were injured in Okija, Anambra State, during a scramble for rice distributed by a philanthropist.

On the same day, a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including children, as over 3,000 people jostled for palliatives.

Just two days prior, on December 19, 35 children lost their lives in a stampede at a Christmas funfair at an Islamic High School, Basorun. in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“The loss of these innocent lives is heart-wrenching,” Falana lamented.

“It underscores the indignity that poverty imposes on our people.”

Falana also criticized the elite for their treatment of the poor during such events, stating, “No member of the elite invites others to lunch by throwing the food,” and condemned what he termed “class prejudice” in the distribution of humanitarian aid.

He also announced plans to mobilize lawyers to pursue civil suits against the organizers of these events.

“We will ensure survivors and families of the deceased are adequately compensated,” Falana affirmed. “Those responsible for these avoidable tragedies must be held accountable.”

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POLITICS

2025 budget: LP Chieftain Lauds Tinubu for Diving Priority to Security, Others

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Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, National Deputy Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) ,has commended  President Bola Tinubu for giving  priority to security and other key sectors in the 2025 Appropriation Bill .

Olorunfemi gave the commendation while speaking with newsmeon Thursday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the President had on Wednesday  presented  the N47.

9 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill , christened “Budget of Restoration, Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity” , to a joint session of the National Assembly .

The President listed highlights of the 2025 budget allocations to include: defense and security: N4.91 trillion; infrastructure: N4.06 trillion; Health: N2.

48 trillion and Education: N3.52 trillion.

Reacting , Olorunfemi  described security as an enabler of development.

He called on the President to ensure proper implementation ,saying budgets had always been well-crafted but usually lacked monitoring and implementation.

“There is nothing that can happen if there is no security. This is good if the budget is properly utilised for the purpose.

“Our problem is not about policies and budgets, it is about monitoring and implementation.

“There is nothing wrong in bringing a budget proposal forward in terms of expectation, what we want to do, how we want to do it, and how much we want to spend.

“Now, the most important thing is the implementation,, budgets in Nigeria have always been properly crafted,” the LP boss said.

Olorunfemi called on the President to build strong institutions to prevent sabotaging of his policies.

“If this government wants to do anything, it must wake up to the responsibility of monitoring policies and ensure  severe penalty for anyone who attempts to sabotage such policies.

“We need institutions that no one will be able to interfere with. We must allow these institutions to work, that is what we expect.

“Once we have strong institutions, most of our problems are solved,” he said.

He  also called on the President to take steps to address  the problems experienced by Nigerians in the banking sector.

Olorunfemi  decried the inability of many Nigerians to get cash at  bank’s Automated Teller Machines and the high charges paid  to get cash from Point of Sales (POS) operators.

The LP boss also urged the President to devise ways of  ending multiple taxations and high fuel price, describing them as major causes  of  hardship .

Recalled that the President said that the budget was a demonstration of government’s commitment to stabilising the economy, improving lives and repositioning the country for greater performance.

He also said the budget sought to consolidate the key policies instituted to restructure the economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments and bolster oil and gas production. (NAN)

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