NEWS
Tinubu Returns from overseas Trips, Gets Overwhelming Reception in Lagos
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his profound gratitude to Nigerians for the overwhelming reception accorded him on Tuesday, conveying his best wishes to all Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations as he arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA, Lagos.
The President received a tumultuous welcome from a massive crowd of Nigerians upon his return to Lagos, following his seven-day trip abroad.
Tinubu had traveled to Paris, France to attend the summit on ”A New Global Financing Pact” and had also made a brief private visit to London, United Kingdom.
As the President’s convoy made its way from Ikeja to his private residence in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagosians lined the road from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), enthusiastically waving and expressing their joy.
This marks his first visit to Lagos since his inauguration as Nigeria’s 16th President on May 29, 2023.
Upon his arrival at the presidential wing of MMIA, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Acting Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Senators and Representatives from Lagos State, as well as party officials warmly received President Tinubu.
The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with personnel from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force also mounted a guard of honour for him, while the standing troupe of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture entertained guests.
Tinubu is scheduled to join fellow Muslim faithful for the Eid prayers on Wednesday, at the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground, located at Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the Nigerian government.
NEWS
Maiduguri Flood: Over N12b Support Generated for Victims
Borno Government says it has realized over N12b cash and material donations for victims of Alau Dam flood disaster in Maiduguri.
Abdurrahman Bundi, the Senior Special Adviser on New Media to Borno Governor, gave the update on the donations for the Maiduguri Relief Fund on Thursday in Maiduguri.
Bundi said the donations came from corporate entities, state governments, State and National Assembly members, individuals, and Non-Governmental Organisations.
List of donors showed that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) donated N3b and food stuff, Aliko Dangote N2b, Aminu Dantata N1.5b, and Mohammed Indimi N1b.
Other donors were Borno LGAs; N1.
2b, Oluremi Tinubu; N500m, Bauchi and Niger states; N250m each while the people of Southern Borno donated N200m.Dahiru Mangal, Atiku Abubakar, Rep. Mukhtar Betara, Ali Modu Sheriff, House of Representatives, Abdulsalam Kachala, and JAIZ Bank states comprising Kebbi, Yobe, Kano, Taraba, katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara gave N100 each.
The Director General of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Buba Marwa and Matrix Energy donated 10 trucks of fertiliser and foodstuff worth over N120m each.
Those who gave N50m include Adamawa state, Mr Peter Obi, Rabiu kwakwanso, Ahmed Lawan, Mohammad Maifata, Ibrahim Umar, Mohammad Imam, Ali Dalori, Bauchi APC chapter, Sen. Tahir Monguno, and Sen. Kaka Kaka Shehu and I8th Engineering Company, while the State Assembly donated N60m.
The Nasarawa Government also presented six trucks of rice, spaghetti and sugar.
Many other people donated between N1m and N30m respectively. (NAN)
NEWS
Jigawa Reviews mid-year Performance of MDAs
The Performance Delivery and Coordination Unit (PDCU), says it has concluded mid-year performance review of Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs), to enhance good governance in the state.
The PDCU being supervised by the office of Gov. Umar Namadi, conducted a three-day retreat on the review mid-year performance of the MDAs.
This is contained in a statement by Hashim Hashim, the unit’s Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Facilitator, in Dutse on Thursday.
He said the unit interfaced with representatives of the MDAs to verify submitted data on the progress recorded against set targets in the performance bond earlier signed in January.
According to him, the workshop is pivotal in streamlining government achievements into one single scorecard and finalising the mid-year performance reports for the attention of the governor.
The statement quoted the PDCU Coordinator, Adamu Muhammad, who doubles as Public Private Secretary to the governor, as stressing the importance of the exercise in driving the manifested 12-Point Agenda of the governor.
Muhammad was quoted as emphasising the need for the members of the unit to scrutinise and fine tune all the submitted evidence for accuracy, relevance and completeness.
The coordinator lauded the FCDO-PERL programme for the support to the state government in actualising the PDCU and supporting the review process.
“The PDCU comprises of professional technocrats selected based on merit and specialisation to support the delivery of the Governor’s 12-Point Agenda”. (NAN)
NEWS
Benue State Enjoys Relative Peace, Prepares for Floods- Alia
Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue, announced on Thursday that his state is experiencing relative peace, enabling farmers to return to previously abandoned farms due to farmers/herders clashes.
He made this statement while briefing State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Alia visited the President to update him on Benue’s state of affairs, highlighting the high levels of peace during the current farming season.
“Since 1999, our people have paid less attention to farming, but since last year, and particularly this season, they have returned to the farms.
“We need to produce more and fill our basket to capacity.
”He said that Benue had made significant security strides, with minor skirmishes persisting in two to three local governments.
Alia emphasised the need for attention in these areas to eradicate all skirmishes.
Regarding the federal government’s flood warning, Alia said his administration had implemented measures to prevent flooding.
“We are prepared to tackle flooding, having carried out adequate sensitisation for riverbank residents.
“We seek the Federal Government’s assistance to dredge the River Benue.
According to the governor, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is equipped to handle flood-related challenges.
“We are prepared, not just waiting. We have SEMA, an emergency management team, and they are armed to respond.”
The governor noted that in spite of warnings, some residents refused to evacuate flood-prone areas.
“However, the government will persist in appealing to them, simultaneously highlighting the risks associated with staying in these vulnerable locations,” he said. (NAN)