NEWS
Buhari Pledges better Life for Flood Victims
President Muhammadu Buhari in the course of the week reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to assist victims of floods across the country.
According to the Nigerian leader, he receives regular updates on flooding, which has affected more than 500,000 Nigerians since January.
A statement issued by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu on Tuesday in Abuja, said the president extended condolences to those affected by the floods.
He assured that the Federal Government would continue to provide the needed emergency assistance to individuals and communities impacted by the disaster.
He also invited public-spirited individuals and organisations to support hundreds of thousands of people in need of urgent help in the affected communities.
The president had also hosted members of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) led by its Chairman, Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, on Tuesday in Abuja.
At the meeting, the president assured Nigerians that the governing party, APC, would bequeath strong political institutions that reflected their choices, through non-interference in elections.
The president cited outcomes of polls in Ekiti, Anambra and Osun States as indicators of his administration’s non-interference in political processes in the country.
According to him, non-interference in elections gives credence to the political processes, ensures participation and inclusiveness, and shows that the governing party respects the electorate.
He said APC, under his leadership, would continue to respect Nigerians by ensuring that their votes count and the people’s voices mattered in choosing political leaders at different levels.
The president also mourned the demise of the last leader of the former Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, who died on Aug. 30 at the age of 91, describing him as “a courageous reformer.”
According to the Nigerian leader, Gorbachev will be remembered for years to come ”because of his immeasurable contributions to world peace and openness in his own once rigidly closed society.”
Also on Aug. 31, the Presidency challenged Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue to name those military personnel who told him that President Buhari had ordered security forces not to move against criminal herdsmen.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s media aide, who challenged the governor in a statement, described the claim as ridiculous and patently untrue.
He , however, asked Ortom to name the military personnel who told him this story or forever shut up.
President Buhari ended the week congratulating some prominent citizens happy birthdays.
The affected personalities included Sen. Kashim Shettima, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Iwuanyanwu, a businessman, publisher and sports enthusiast celebrated his 80th birthday, on Sunday.
On Shettima, Buhari said ”the former governor of Borno is above any other politics”.
He joined leaders and members of the APC to celebrate Shettima on his 56th.
The president saluted him for his visionary and participatory style of leadership.
He also commended Shettima for his courage, foresight, sagacity and intellectualism.
Buhari also commended the SGF, who clocks 66 years on Sunday, Sept. 4, for his dedication to nation building since his youthful days in the 1980s.
The president noted the commitment of the SGF in ensuring fluidity of ideas, teamwork and harmony, and efficient transitions of policies into gains for Nigerians. (NAN)
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Jan.1, 2025 as public holidays.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that the public holidays were to enable citizens to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year respectively.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and to strengthen bonds across families and communities.
He assured citizens of the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
He further expressed confidence in the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration for a better and prosperous economy in 2025.
The Minister, on behalf of the federal government sent warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.(NAN)
Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.
The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.
The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.
21, 2024, before the incident occurred.The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.
Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.
“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.
“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.
“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my life.
“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”
The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.
“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.
“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.
He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.
The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.
Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.
He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)
The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.
A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.
“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.
“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.
Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)
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