NEWS
Group Hails Appointment of Jonathan, Commends Buhari for Support
By Idris Umar, Abuja
A sociocultural organization, Unity Group (TUG), has hailed the recent appointment of former President, Goodluck Jonathan as a member of the international advisory board of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East (ECAM Council).
The appointment of former president into the board was made public in a statement by his media aid Ikechukwu Eze,
who disclosed that by the appointment, Dr.
Jonathan has become the first sub-Saharan African leader to serve on the board of the ECAM Council, which he said, is a non-profit organisation established with the purpose of promoting and developing relations between the countries of Europe, Africa and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, with Italy playing a leading role.Reacting to the development, The Unity Group in a statement Tuesday May 17, 2022, said the appointment is another testimony of Jonathan’s ever rising profile as an international statesman and a rare personality of focus.
The Group also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for what it described as presidential and diplomatic protocols extended to Jonathan, to enable him function maximally on his international assignments.
Chief Jonny Chukwudi Metchie, is the National coordinator of the group who signed the statement was signed by the National Coordinator of TUG, who is also the President General of Umueri General Assembly and the National Secretary, Bonaventure Phillips Melah, a veteran journalist and author.
The statement which was released Friday said- “We consider it a privilege, to send you this congratulatory message, on your latest appointment as a member of the Board of the international advisory board of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East (ECAM Council).
“This congratulatory letter, is a token of our appreciation to you, on be behalf of millions of our members across Nigeria, for standing in the gap for Nigeria and helping to positively impact our country’s global perspective as one of the countries with competent human resources needed to make the world a better place.
This is even so, as we recall, that you are currently the Chairperson of the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP), ECOWAS Special Envoy on Mali and Chairman of ECOWAS Council for the Wise, Chairman, West Africa Elders Forum and United Nations Crisis Manager for Africa, among many other international appointments.
“Your various international appointments and global engagements as well as credentials as a democrat, truly confirm you, as an Inspiration to the present and future generations; as have been conferred on you in the past, through awards, by many national and international organisations.”
TUG also commended President Muhammadu Buhari, under whose administration Dr. Jonathan’s image has soared to greater heights, saying it was to Buhari’s credit that the former president has been given unfettered access to information and presidential protocols to function effectively in all the positions and challenges of his various international appointments.
“We want to use this medium, to also commend President Muhammadu Buhari, for his total support to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as well as the unreserved deployment of presidential and diplomatic protocols at his disposal, as he shuttles from one country to the other, to carry out his global assignments of waging peace and reconciling countries and peoples in conflict, among other callings,” TUG stated.
The group, therefore, prayed that Jonathan may have good health and other fruits of grace to further serve Nigeria and the world as God may direct him.
“We hereby pray that God grant you good health and all other fruits of divine grace to be able to carry out the responsibilities He has placed on your shoulders and the courage to answer the call to duty, when Nigeria needs you, as may be the case this time,” the group said.
The Kaduna State Government plans to spend N93 billion over four years for the rehabilitation of the water sector in four tranches to address the neglect the sector has suffered over the past 10 years.
Ibrahim Hamza, the Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday in Kaduna.
Hamza said that Gov.
Uba Sani has directed the payment of all outstanding salaries and wages to the staff of the Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC), amounting to N800 million.He further disclosed that the staff of the corporation would be put back on the state’s payroll until 2027 when it must have fully stabilised to run as a commercial entity.
The commissioner recalled that the Governor had declared a state of emergency in the water sector three months ago.
Hamza said , ” This led to the appointment of Kabir Rufai as the substantive Managing Director of KADSWAC.
”The corporation will collaborate with the local governments to maintain generator operations.
”This will strengthen existing water laws to support corporate employment policy.”
He said that the state was investing heavily in the rehabilitation and retrofitting of all water treatment plants and distribution mains, with an emphasis on sanitation and hygiene
Hamza said, “The N93 billion will be invested in four installments, starting with N17 billion this year.
“N35 billion will be invested next year, N30 billion will be invested in 2026 and N11 billion will be invested in 2027.” (NAN)
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fix the internal crisis in the party as the PDP is capable of fixing the country.Makinde, who spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the Board of Governors and Unveiling of Roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), said that as the nation approaches 2027 for another general election, it was clear that the PDP has the capacity to provide direction for Nigerians.
The Oyo State Governor, who was the special guest at the occasion, asked rhetorically, “What would you want to be remembered for? This is a question every politician who has had to serve at any capacity in our great nation should ask themselves. Because players would come and go.”The situation is so dynamic, but you have to be remembered for something.”From 2019, I’ve been benefitting from PDP. So, I want to say thank you to our great party, and all the stakeholders gathered here today, for giving me the opportunity to get not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella.”The only thing I can promise you is that since I have fetched water from that well I have been drinking since 2019, I will not pollute the well when it is time for me to exit that position.”The journey to this day has not been all smooth, but I’m thankful that we are able to overcome all the obstacles along the way.”On the PDI, Makinde said that with inauguration of the institute Board of Governors, the PDP is moving a step closer to defining the ideology that the party stands for, and cementing what the party as a whole will want to be remembered for.He said, “Let me especially thank all the people that are members of the party that has put aside grievances, and played a role in the re-establishment and revitalisation of the PDI” recalling that the institute was formed during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.”So, one will take a pause and say okay, what happened during the 16 years of PDI in power nationally? “You can see that with the PDI, there is a pivotal rule, and during those years, we can rightly refer to as the golden years, because since we are working through the plan, we got debt forgiveness, we were interacting with everybody around the world, we were not in pariah relations,” he said.He called on members to rally round the party and set aside their differences, saying there was need for true reconciliation and unity to wrestle power from the APC in Ondo State, whose governorship election has been slated for November 16, 2024.In his contribution, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, noted that parties are built on ideas, philosophies and policies, stressing the need to move away from building ideas on self and ambition.Sakari said: “We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts from. This is the foundation that is important. “Let us desist from talking about who is running for councillor, or who is running for governor, or who is running for president in 2027. Let us talk about what PDP is. What does PDP represent? What are the issues and policies that we must take into account?”This is what is important for us. This is what Nigerians outside want to know. This is what is important.”Earlier the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb Umar Damagum ,who was represented by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, said there needed to reposition and unite the party to play its opposition role.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu has expressed profound sadness over the sudden death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who, until his passing, was Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army.Describing the death of Lagbaja as a great loss to the Nigerian Army, the military, and the entire nation, Governor Otu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, said: “The late Chief of Army Staff’s untimely departure is a devastating blow and a monumental loss not only to the military but to our nation as a whole.
”Lamenting the painful death of Lt. General Lagbaja while acknowledging his bravery, Governor Otu noted that “he was known for his unwavering commitment, exemplary leadership, and dedicated service to Nigeria. Throughout his distinguished career, he played a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and enhancing the security of our citizens.”The governor praised the fallen Chief of Army Staff and his strategic vision, saying: “His relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of challenges was inspiring to all who served under him.”As the nation mourns the loss of Lagbaja, Governor Otu urged Nigerians to celebrate the late Chief of Army Staff’s legacy of courage, bravery, and dedication, adding that “Lt. General Lagbaja’s service to Nigeria will forever be remembered, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of military personnel.”On behalf of the government and the good people of Cross River State, Governor Otu extended his deepest sympathies to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Army, adding: “May his soul rest in peace, and may we find solace in the memories of his service to our nation.”
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