NEWS
Reps Speaker Receives Africa Aquatics Trophy for Formal Presentation to President Tinubu
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… As 32 Countries Get Set For 1st African Championship in Abuja
By Our Reporter
As swimmers and aquatic sport stakeholders from thirty two African countries get set to converge on Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Teritory for the 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship, tagged, ‘Peace and Progress’ in honour of ECOWAS chairman and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt.
Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has commended Africa Aquatics Zone 2 and Demakers Business Roundtable for the initiative.Rt. Hon. Abbas who made the commendation when the International Director of Planning and implementation of the championship, Dr.
Godwin Tammy N, presented trophy of the event to him on Thursday in Abuja, preparatory to the official unveiling/presentation to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on a later date in Abuja said he was elated by the choice of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for such honour in appreciation of his charismatic leadership and growing regional influence of as ECOWAS chairman in turbulent times in the sub-region.The Speaker, under whose lead role the 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship is being organised by Africa Aquatics, Zone 2, Dakar, Senegal and Demakers Business Roundtable Abuja, noted that sports creates job opportunities for the youth population either directly or indirectly in other related sectors, such as infrastructure and services, transportation, accommodation, and security which in turn helps to reduce unemployment to improve household income levels, and boost economic growth.
Rt. Hon. Abbas maintained that the forthcoming swimming championship would be a good platform to discover credible talents that could be groomed and monitored to represent Nigeria at international championships in future as the event would inspire all levels and age grades to participate competitively in a secure environment, where values such as teamwork, patriotism and courage would imbued in the citizens.
While handing over the tournament trophy to the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, the International Director, Planning and Implementation of the 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship, tagged, ‘Peace and Progress’, Dr. Godwin Tammy N, explained that the event was being put together by Africa Aquatics Zone 2, Dakar Senegal and Demakers Business Roundtable, Abuja in appreciation of the charismatic leadership and growing regional influence of the ECOWAS chairman, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in turbulent times in the sub-region.
Dr. Tammy expressed his deep appreciation to the Rt. Hon. Speaker for his sacrifice of love and commitment towards President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, describing the 1st. African International Invitational Swimming Championship as a moment of aquatic sport festivity.
He informed that the organisers would be grateful to unveil the trophy during the formal presentation of the trophy to the ECOWAS chairman and President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu to signal the commencement of the event on a later date.
Dr. Tammy also hinted that championship, which is being organised collaboration with relevant institutions within and beyond the African continent, would be hosted by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Teritory (FTC), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
“This is the first of its kind ever organised for an African leader. It promises to be an exciting event and a moment of glory, laced with blissful ectacsy, finese and alluring quality of talents dotted across Africa with over five thousand male and female swimmers from 32 countries converging on the beautiful city of Abuja to fight for the continental crown. It will attract a collection of regional stakeholders in sports development who are committed to youth development and empowerment,” Dr. Tammy hinted.
He expressed the hope that the international invitational swimming championship would help to unveil young talented swimmers, who will represent Nigeria in future international championships.
Dignitaries present during handing over of the trophy to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives include Prof. Dan- Azumi, Jake, (Chief of Staff to the Speaker), Hon. Dr. Aliyu Mustapha (Vice chairman, Upstream Petroleum), Dr. Chamberlain (Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker and Hon. Jingi Rufai, among many Honourable Members of the House of Representatives.
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
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Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
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By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
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There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.