From Dan Amasingha,  Minna.

 Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional rulers and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya said former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, is the father of Nigeria’s unity.

The traditional ruler made this known in a brief interview on Thursday in Minna to felicitate with Gen.

Gowon ahead of his 90th birthday on Saturday.

He recalled that Gowon was instrumental to the formulation and implementation of many cogent policies and programmes that have cemented Nigeria’s unity and progress.

The traditional ruler listed some of them to include; the NYSC programme, unity schools, among others.

The Etsu Nupe also recalled that Gowon gallantly fought on the side of Nigeria during the country’s civil war, which birthed the unity that the country is currently enjoying.

“I am elated that God, in His infinite mercy, has kept this elder statesman, Gowon, up to this moment.

“His wisdom, patriotism and love for Nigeria are unparalleled.

“Gowon has also remained resolute and committed to the Nigerian Project, and has never wavered,” he said.

The Etsu also described Gen. Gowon as a wonderful personality, a very distinguished leader, who is renowned for his humility, integrity and honour.

“So, I’m praying to the Almighty Allah to keep him alive for him to continue with the good work he has been doing for Nigeria and humanity in general,” Abubakar said.

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to provide solar-powered electricity to 10,000 homes in rural communities across the state.

The project which aims to address the energy needs of off-grid areas is collaboration between the Cross River State Electrification Agency (SEA) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abuja.

The initiative came as a response to the challenging terrain hampering many rural areas from connecting to the national power grid.

Governor Otu’s administration, under its ‘People’s First’ agenda, has emphasized energy sufficiency and food security as cornerstones of socioeconomic development. The solar project is seen as a critical step in fulfilling this vision.

To bring the initiative to fruition, ASOLAR Systems Nigeria Limited, a company with specialty in sustainable energy, has been contracted as the sole supplier of Solar Home Systems (SHS). ASOLAR’s Managing Director, Hakeem Shagaya and his team recently met with Cross River’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, to finalize plans for the project’s launch.

 “This administration is focused on the people, especially those in rural areas who often feel left out of infrastructural development in the cities,” Rt. Hon. Odey stated during the meeting.

The project, funded through a 70/30 percent counterpart arrangement between the REA and the state government, is expected to bring the much-needed power supply to communities that have hitherto been underserved. The Commissioner for Power, Eka Williams, has described the initiative as a “welcome development.”

The Director General of the State Electrification Agency, Francis Ekpo, praised Governor Otu’s commitment to rural development and assured the public of the diligent distribution of the solar systems.

From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu

The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy (ACPM) in Enugu State said it was considering applications for clemency for convicted and prison inmates in the state.

The ACPM said that it would examine the applications and make recommendations to Governor Peter Mbah, adding that recommendations may either be for or against the exercise of the power of prerogative of mercy.

The Commissioner for Justice, Dr.

Kingsley Tochi Udeh in his speech noted that the Council is empowered by the extant laws of Enugu State and the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

According to Udeh, who doubles as the ACPM Chairman emphasized that the council would be guided by working guidelines and international standards towards ensuring transparency, credibility and fairness in the treatment of applications for clemency,  in line with governance philosophy of Governor Peter Mbah.

The guidelines and standards would assist the Council in determining whether to recommend to the Governor to grant clemency in the exercise of his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy. Pursuant to Section 212 (1) of the Constitution of Nigeria, the Governor, in exercising this power, may grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence created by any law of a state a pardon, either free or subject to conditions.

“Grant to any person a respite of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for an offence, substitute a lesser severe form of punishment for any person for such an offence.

Remit the whole or any part of punishment for any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence or of any penalty forfeiture otherwise due to the state on account of such an offence.

He pointed out that the Governor of Enugu State, in exercising his powers of Prerogative of Mercy, follows general principles that ensure fairness and equity, while taking cognizance that it is granted only in exceptional and truly deserving cases”.

The Attorney-General maintained that each application will be examined on its own merit, taking into consideration the circumstances of the individual applicants and their show of character reformation or good conduct in the course of serving their court sentence.

He however stressed that consideration may not be given to the hardship of anyone who may be affected by the applicant’s serving of court sentence, and the application may not be considered posthumously.

It will be recalled that Governor Peter Mbah recently inaugurated the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy in the pursuit of his vision for transformative criminal justice administration, prison reform and decongestion, and societal rebuilding.