POLITICS
Creation of South East Devt Commission True End to Civil War- Deputy Speaker
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on Wednesday, said that the creation of the South East Development Commission, (SEDC), was a testament to a true end to the civil war in the country.Kalu, said at a press briefing in Abuja, that what the creation represented was the true Biafra that the Igbo people were clamouring for, which was the development of the South East and empowerment of the people within the Nigerian nation.
He said reconciliation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, that were promised at the end of the war, were abandoned after the war, which left the region with underdevelopment and conflicts.Kalu said that except for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, no other administration cared about the South East.He there expressed an extravagant gratitude to the President, for signing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill into law, thereby approving the creation of the commission.It would be recalled that the bill was sponsored by Kalu and all the lawmakers from the south east region from the House of Representatives.The bill sought to establish a commission that will be charged with the responsibility to receive and manage fund from allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war after 54 years.The commission would as well tackle the ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the Southeast States which include Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi.”On behalf of the great people of the southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the beating heart of the nation, the land of enterprise and entrepreneurship, let me express my deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law yesterday.”This is not just a legislative victory; it is a historic milestone for the South-East geopolitical zone. The commission will receive and manage funds from the allocation of the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone as a result of the civil war.It will also tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the South-East States, including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.”This particular bill failed to be passed into law in the 8th and 9th National Assemblies, but like always, we are relentless in our collective drive for people-centered legislation. As we all know from our history, Nigeria’s transition from the unfortunate civil war exactly 54 years ago was hallmarked by the three “Rs”: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. Nigeria has since carried out reconciliation and rehabilitation, however, this act been assented to by the President exemplifies the commencement of the complete reconstruction of our beloved South-East.”The bill assented to by the President amplifies the commitment to the real rehabilitation and reconstruction of the South-East. A 54-year-old jinx broken by the South East loving President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.“The act is a testament to our collective effort and commitment to rebuilding and revitalizing our beloved region. I am grateful to my colleagues in the National Assembly, to all Nigerians who supported this bill, and most especially, to President Tinubu for his unwavering support and leadership.I also want to convey the appreciation of all Ndi Igbo (Igbo people) from the South-East zone.”This is a momentous occasion, and we are filled with hope and determination. We assure you that this commission will work tirelessly to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of our people are realized. We will continue to push for more positive attention and development for our zone.”This year, in this moment, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality, and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations. And fellow Nigerians – I say to you today: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers who are struggling to find their footing in a rapidly changing economy, more to do for the parents who are struggling to provide for their children, and more to do for the young people who are striving to build a better future.”Aside from our legislative interventions and ongoing hard work in the National Assembly, my colleagues and I from the South-East have set the ball rolling with non-kinetic measures as remediation to the insecurity situation in the region through the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), a non-governmental special purpose vehicle with the thematic and programmatic leadership needed to execute this flawlessly.”To my fellow South-Easterners, I implore you not to join the planned looming anti-government protests. Instead, let us view the signing of the SEDC bill into law as a testament to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumors of the “marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone,” and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio-cultural renewal.”This is a time for unity and progress, not division and unrest.I also implore Nigerians from all walks of life and the entirety of the country to not heed the calls for protest but instead continue to trust in the process.The reforms of the current administration will take time but will soon start to suffice, including a reversal of inflation, stabilization of the economy, and the ensuing multiplier effects in a massive employment boom as a result of industrialization, and the outcomes of the work organizations like the SEDC will engineer.”With SEDC we will leverage to improve agriculture, entrepreneurial skills will enable industrialization of the region and our innovative mindedness will leverage the opportunities in the digital economy, our creativity will birth a greater cultural and entertainment platforms such as Igbowood, our youth and women demography will play a major role in the energy of our development. It is time to put our huge gap deposit in the region to use for industrial parks that will bring value to the nation.”Most of the radicalized youths will now have jobs to engage them productively among others.I therefore urge you to participate more in governance by following the right channels of engagement with your respective state governments and the legislators representing you in the National Assembly and the 36 state Houses of Assembly. It is through active and constructive engagement that we can make our voices heard and drive meaningful change,” Kalu stated at the press briefing.
Former governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Friday said he won’t contest against President Bola Tinubu in 2027 because he has no presidential ambition.
In a statement signed by Michael Ohiare, his Media Director, Bello expressed surprise and shock over a video post of his 2022 rally, claiming he had started campaigning against President Tinubu for 2027.
The statement read: “While we state categorically, that our principal, Bello, has no 2027 presidential ambition, we want to also stress his unflinching commitment to the re-election of President Tinubu come 2027.
“The indices cannot lie. The President and his team have done exceedingly well for the country, despite global challenges.
On merit, he deserves the support of well meaning Nigerians.“Nigerians should disregard the mischievous post insinuating a fresh presidential support rally as what it is – a senseless post by a confused, witless mind
“The fabricators forgot that the 2022 dates are boldly written on the banners on display. Yet, they expect reasonable people not to see this as the handiwork of detractors. ” he said.
Ohiare described the post as a “senseless post” by mischief makers, who have no other job than to fabricate falsehood and disseminate same to mislead unsuspecting Nigerians.
According to him, the fabricators have tried so hard in their “bring-him-down-at-all-costs” mission against Bello but have always failed woefully.
The director stated that it was not the first time detractors and their co-travellers would fly absolute falsehood with the aim of setting the former governor against President Tinubu.
“But this latest slant of reposting a 2022 rally afresh and insinuating that it is just happening, connotes nothing but sheer mischief.
“Nigerians should be wary of witless persons who concoct stories without thinking, just to satisfy the interests of their paymasters, ” he said
He stressed that the post was out of desperate bid to create crisis where there is none. (NAN)
The Progressive Governors Forum on Thursday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit held in Abuja endorsed President Bola Tinubu as sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The endorsement, which was moved by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chairman of the forum Chairman, was seconded by Gov.
Uba Sani of Kaduna State.Uzodimma, who spoke on behalf of the forum, emphasised commitment to mobilising resources and ensuring victory for Tinubu in their respective states.
The governors expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and reforms, promising to deliver their states in the upcoming elections.
This endorsement follows similar moves by other APC regional leaders, including the North Central governors who recently passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu’s administration, praising his developmental strides and inclusive governance approach.
(NAN)
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate yesterday passed into law a bill for the establishment of a Federal Medical Center, Adikpo in Benue state.
The bill which was sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende (APC, Benue North East) was read for the third and final time during plenary with an unanimous approval by the legislatures when it was committed to the Committee of the whole.
The bill, according to Udende, seeks to establish a federal medical center in Adikpo which will not only cater for the health needs of the people of Benue North East senatorial zone but Benue state and Nigeria in general and beyond.
“The bill awaiting presidential assent seeks to bring medical care closer to the people, especially in times of emergency.
The distance between Adikpo , a Nigerian boarder town and Makurdi, Benue State capital where a Federal Medical Center exists is over 300 kilometers, so patients who need medical care within the Adikpo axis are on a danger line, hence my resolve to use the instrumentality of the parliament to address the troubling health challenge”, senator Udende said.He explained that the people of Kwande who share boundaries with the Republic of Cameroon most often are required to seek medical attention outside their country and in most cases are frustrated or cannot afford the cost.
According to senator Udende, the strategic location of the health facility will provide potential economic benefits of trade and cultural exchange, giving its proximity to the Republic of Cameroon.
He stressed that the Federal Medical Centre will also trigger infrastructure development, healthcare and open up the locality in terms of education while expressing concerns that the absence of such institutions on the side of the Nigerian border town has grossly caused underdevelopment.
The senator however commended the senate Committee on Health and Tertiary Institutions for conducting a public hearing which gave rise to the final parliamentary journey of the bill.
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