NEWS
Buhari Visits Imo, Inaugurates Gov. Uzodimma’s Signature Projects
President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated three “signature projects” of Gov. Hope Uzodimma, reassuring that the Federal Government would sustain its support for more developmental projects in Imo.
Buhari, who arrived the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri at exactly 10:46 a.
m, proceeded to inaugurate the reconstructed 35-km Orlu-Owerri dual carriageway and 52-km Owerri-Okigwe dual carriageway.The President also inaugurated the renovated the state’s House of Assembly Complex.
Speaking at the Government House Banquet Hall, Owerri on Tuesday, Buhari expressed delight that in less than three years of Uzodimma’s administration, he had visited the state twice to commission projects.
Buhari said: “Our administration recognises the importance of critical infrastructure in economic development and we are determined to drive the economic development of Nigeria through the provision of vital infrastructure across the length and breadth of the country.
“This can be seen in our commitment to certain projects such as deep sea port, new airport terminals and buildings, various railway projects, a network of gas and power infrastructure, roads and bridges including the second Niger Bridge, telecommunication infrastructure, to mention but a few.
“I am happy to see that the All Progressives Congress administration of Uzodimma is doing similar improvements in Imo.
“I commend the governor for being able to do so with limited resources at the disposal of the state which proves that when leaders are dedicated and focused, much can be achieved for the people,” he added.
The President who described Uzodimma’s completed and ongoing projects in the state as “infrastructural revolution,” said the Federal Government’s support to Imo was equally available to other states.
He decried the loss in the production of crude oil following activities of militants, noting however, that the Federal Government had improved on infrastructures with lean resources at its disposal.
In his speech, Uzodimma said the event served as another evidence to the unassailable resolve of his administration to serve the people with dedication and a sense of purpose.
He said Orlu – Owerri Federal road had been a nightmare for motorists for over a decade and was complicated by gully erosion for over 40 years.
He said the road which cuts across seven Local Government Areas of the state, was economically and geographically strategic, especially for local farmers, traders and markets along the road.
“The second project, which is the 52-km Owerri – Okigwe road, facilitates our access to parts of Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi, also experienced the same fate of abandonment.
“This was also partly because of seemingly intractable gully erosion at Akabo and many other failed portions of the road.
“To the glory of God, we found the courage, dedication and means, and the requisite technology to fix these roads and the erosion menace,” he said.
The governor said he undertook the reconstruction of the state house of assembly complex, which was abandoned for over 10 years due to dilapidation of the infrastructure.
“I had to do it because I am aware that the legislature is the bastion of democracy as well as the symbol of the people’s power,” he said.
Uzodimma said his administration had done more than 105 roads across the 27 local government areas of the state since inception.
He said the Owerri – Mbaise- Obowo – Umuahia road and Orlu-Mgbee-Akokwa-Uga road recently inaugurated by his administration, would boost interstate trade and tourism when completed.
“Under our prosperity agenda encapsulated in Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery, we intend to connect all communities in the state with motorable roads before the end of our first term.
“Our goal is to leave Imo state far better than we met it. In the pursuit of this goal, we have remained steadfast, tenacious and resilient,” he added.
He commended the President for the completion of the second River Niger Bridge, upgrading of Enugu Airport to an international airport and the reconstruction of the Aba – Umuahia – Enugu – Onitsha dual carriageway.
Earlier, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor said the greatest challenges facing the South-East political zone were the issues of security and infrastructure.
Obiozor, who commended the President for his support toward the development and growth of the zone, also applauded Uzodimma’s commitment to the development and transformation of the state.
The president-general assured Buhari that the people of the zone were committed to the Nigeria project.
“We desire a country that provides us the platform and opportunities to contribute our utmost best to the growth of our fatherland.
“We seek justice, equity and fairness,” Obiozor stressed. (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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