NEWS
Minister Tasks Stakeholders on National Development Plan
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba has enjoined various stakeholders on Regional development to evolve strategies for the successful implementation of the approved National Development Plan (2021- 2025), soon to be launched by the Federal government.
Agba who stated this while addressing the coordinating meeting on Regional development held in Abuja on Tuesday, noted that the central task of the authorities responsible for regional development, “is to create conditions for cooperation among various regions and states that constitute the regions for the formation of a shared vision”.
The Minister further charged the meeting to harness ideas that will challenge the participants to take full ownership and proffer concrete recommendations regarding the NDP and the Nigeria Agenda 2050.
According to him, their recommendations should include:
*Align/realign the targets of your organisations to meet the National objectives/targets as encapsulated in the National Development Plan;
*track progress of regional organisations and align your strategic and operational plans with overall National Interests and priorities;
*establish the Guidelines for the development of periodic meetings to be held by regional bodies and engage regional stakeholders for enhanced dialogue, among others.
Earlier in a welcome speech, the permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Olusola Idowu, said the objective of the meeting “is to rub minds together for the purpose of tracking progress made by your respective organisations, create synergy and strengthen effective coordination in the course of advancing regional growth and development in Nigeria “.
She disclosed that the approved Plan took cognisance of the relevance of regional development adding that, “it informs the need for this coordinating meeting”.
“It is my expectation that the outcome of this meeting will assist the stakeholders appropriately to come out with clear roadmap on how Nigeria can take full ownership of regional potentials as contained in the MTNDP 2021 -2025”, she added.
NEWS
NSCDC Arrests 3 Suspects with 1,625 Litres of Adulterated Diesel
The Anambra Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects with 1,625 litres of adulterated diesel.
The NSCDC Commandant in Anambra, Olatunde Maku, told newsmen on Friday in Awka, that the suspects were arrested on March 23 along Atani Road, in Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
He said that his team arrested Oluchukwu Okeke, 28, from Ogbaru in Anambra; Emeka Chukwuma, 34, also from Ogbaru in Anambra; and Ifunanya Ike, 29, from Mbano in Imo state.
According to Maku, they were conveying 65 kegs of 25 litres each of suspected adulterated diesel, estimated to be 1,625 litres in four different vehicles.
He said that the vehicles were two shuttle buses, a white-colored bus with registration number AWK429XY and another ash-coloured bus with registration number GDD277XB.
“This arrest was made possible in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, and preliminary investigation revealed that the illegally refined products were loaded at Ogbakuma and headed to Okoti community, both in Ogbaru area.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Navy for their support in the fight against criminality in the state.
“This type of synergy is what is needed to wage a full-scale war against perpetrators of this heinous crime.
“NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of critical national, state, and local government assets and infrastructure, is known for its zero tolerance in crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.
“We remain focused on freeing Anambra state of illegal petroleum products racketeering and other related criminalities,” he said.
Maku added that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations were completed.
He called on members of the public to assist the command in its renewed vigour to stamp out illegal oil refining activities in the state through the provision of intelligence on illegal oil bunkering activities within their domains. (NAN)
NEWS
Good Friday: Catholic Bishop urges Leaders, Nigerians to Emulate Christ’s Sacrifice
As Christians celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has urged leaders and Nigerians to emulate Christ’s sacrifice.
Badejo made the remark in his Good Friday message made available to Newsmen on Friday in Ibadan.
Badejo enjoined all leaders, people in authority and Nigerians to emulate Jesus in order to improve society and institutions.
The catholic bishop emphasised that Good Friday teaches us the best qualities of leadership in service, humility and love.
He noted that Good Friday represents all the challenges and problems in life, at work, in family and country at large.
According to him, those problems will be solved not just by praying, but by serious, honest and selfless efforts by everyone to do good and oppose sin and evil.
“Nigeria is not beyond repair, but it is righteousness that exalts a nation.
“Good Friday is the day on which Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving His life on the cross for the salvation of the world.
“That is exactly what is good about it, even though his suffering and death are painful and unjust.
“Jesus Christ, the son of God, gave his life in love and humility, leaving His glory aside. By His death on Good Friday, Jesus taught us that there are benefits in making sacrifice for the good of others.
“Such suffering or sacrifice, like that which a mother makes for her children, or a friend for another, is pleasing to God.
“Good Friday invites us to repent, do away with sin, but do something for the good of others and thus, enjoy God’s favour,” he said.
Badejo remarked that Easter Sunday is the celebration of the victory of Jesus Christ, which reminds all that the victory of good over evil is inevitable.
He said that, just as all conspiracies against Christ’s resurrection could not stand, similarly, all the evil happening in the world cannot stop the celebration of Easter as planned by God.
“That is why Christians rejoice at Easter. Alleluia! Easter Sunday answers all the questions of Good Friday. Why should good people suffer sometimes?
“Well, because God always has a superior reason and for allowing such to happen.
“If Jesus had not died, salvation would never have come. To all who suffer, I say: “Be comforted: with Jesus, Good Friday is not the last word, Easter Sunday victory is.
“I urge all Nigerians to emulate Jesus’ way of love and sacrifice for others,” Badejo said. (NAN)
Foreign News
Earthquake Shakes Western Greece
A strong earthquake has shaken western Greece on Friday morning, but no casualties reported.
The Greek Geodynamic Institute in Athens, said the 5.8 magnitude quake occurred at 9:12 am (0812 GMT) local time.
The epicentre of the quake was about 20 kilometres below the seabed off the west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula near the islet of Stamfani, also known as Strofades.
It was preceded by a smaller quake with a magnitude of 4.
1.Greece’s Civil Defence organisation did not initially say whether there were any casualties or damage to buildings.
A tsunami warning was not issued.
“We felt the tremors very strongly,” a resident of the nearby Olympia region said, adding that
“everyone here is on the streets.
”Local media reported that many schools had been evacuated as the quake was felt throughout western Greece, and on the tourist island of Zakynthos and as far away as Athens, about 300 kilometres away.
The deepest point of the Mediterranean Sea is located between western Greece and Sicily in Italy, with a depth of over 5,000 metres.
The African and European tectonic plates meet in this region, which make it prone to strong earthquakes. (dpa/NAN)