News
Senate will give Tinubu support to complete East-West Road, Says Akpabio
***Says it is committed to ameliorating the problems of Ogoni People
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has reassured the Ogoni people of the determination of the 10th Senate and the National Assembly to do everything within its powers to support President Bola Tinubu to complete the East West Road.
The East-West road in southern Nigeria runs across the Niger Delta, a wetland which has peculiar environment, geomorphology and soil characteristics.
The strategic road connects the country’s busiest and foremost commercial cities in the region, however, successive administrations in Nigeria had allowed the road to degenerate to such a state of disrepair.
The road, according to records, extends 188 kilometres and connects the Niger Delta cities to Lagos in the West and Calabar in the East. On its route, the road links up with the vital commercial hubs of Port Harcourt and Warri.
Akpabio gave the assurance while receiving in courtesy, His Royal Majesty, Mene (Dr) Suanu Timothy Yormaadam Baridam Gbenemene, Kasimene Bangha VII of Ogoniland and the Acting President of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in River State, in his office on Tuesday.
A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted the Senate President to have stated that,” the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is totally committed to the completion of the East West road during his tenure as the President.
“When I was the Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry, we did our best to move it up to almost 89 percent completion. What was left was a major stretch from Eleme junction. The human factor also played a major part in the delay.
“We can’t do anything without security and that is why we will continue to appeal to our youths to cooperate with any company that comes there to add value. It isn’t the Federal Government that uses the road, it is our people. The condition of the road affects economic activities and that is why whatever must be done to put it in shape, would be done.
“We are happy to receive you on behalf of other Ogoni traditional rulers. This Senate, is indeed concerned about the East West road and that is why we had to set up a committee headed by Senator Abdul Ningi to come down and study the East West road and bring back a report for the Nigerian Senate to look at why the road has taken so long to be completed, despite the economic importance of the road to the country. That shows the seriousness the Senate attaches to that road,” he stressed.
He promised that the Senate under his leadership will support the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to continue to work for the peace and development of the oil producing community.
He thanked the Ogoni leader for the continued peace in the Niger Delta Region, saying, ” I want to congratulate you and your people on the peace in the Niger Delta Region today.
“Niger Delta Region is very peaceful today because of the efforts and sacrifices of the people like you. The Ogoni people have sacrificed a lot for the peace, progress and development of this country and may the souls of those who paid the supreme price for this to happen rest in peace.”
According to the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, “Apart from the East West road, we are also aware of the other needs of the Ogoni people, such as water and electricity.
“When I was the Minority Leader of the Senate, I provided borehole water and street light to the Ogoni people as my part of my constituency project. We will work with your Senator to make sure that we assist you in the area of water and electricity.”
Earlier in his speech, the Ogoni monarch thanked the Senate President for his roles in the construction of the East West road, when he was the Niger Delta Minister, saying,” let me sincerely thank you for agreeing to see me at a very short notice. It also shows the respect you have for the institution and your Ogoni people.”
According to him, “I specifically thank you for the works you have done on the East West road. I remember very well that it was from that meeting we had severally with you, that resulted into what the Minister of Work is doing today. I want to sincerely thank you for the love you have for us, as a people, of course, you always say that you are part and parcel of Ogoni.”
He thanked the Senate President for recognizing one of his sons in the constitution of Senate Committees, saying,” I specifically thank you for appointing our son as the Senate Committee Chairman on Works. It is a good thing what you have done for us and we sincerely appreciate it and won’t take it for granted.
“Let me use this opportunity to formally request from you for a date that you would be publicly appreciated and celebrated by the Ogoni people for all what you have done for us as a people,” he declared.
***Blames love for personal enrichment in public service for poverty. Insecurity in the region
A former National Health Insurance Scheme secretary, Usman Yusuf has expressed concern over the disparities in development and resource allocation between the north and south of Nigeria.
He lamented that while the south is investing in massive infrastructure projects like a 15.6 trillion naira highway, the north is struggling with poverty and insecurity
Yusuf criticised the prioritisation of personal enrichment in public service, citing examples of corrupt practices and the need for accountability.
He emphasised that holding public office is not an end in itself but rather a means to serve the people, and that true leadership requires dedication to the well-being of all citizens.
According to him, “Our people in the north are lining up like defeated people, while in the south, they’re building a 15.6 trillion highway. We in the north are not doing well. We are here in Abuja distributing money to themselves, Ningi Gate, you forgot. So the failure is ours; I’ve said it again and again: position means nothing; all these SUVs you’re going around in mean nothing because, all of you, we’ve had Chiefs of Army staff, Chiefs of Service, and Ministers; when they retire, nobody can go back home and spend the weekend without these big black guns.”
Usman Yusuf is a Nigerian professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation and an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and has practiced medicine across three continents – Africa, Europe and North America – after his MBBS in 1982. He was appointed the executive secretary / chief executive officer of the National Helath Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in August 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A faith-based Civil Society Organization, (CSO), that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR) has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country.
This is coming as the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday this week.
In a statement on Monday signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed the IHR indicated that over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days.
The Statement observed that such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country.
“While we appreciate the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, we call on the federal government to order and activate a high-level security surveillance system to monitor and protect the movement of pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.
“We also urge State Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members as such increases the likelihood of security breaches especially
when airlift operations demand that pilgrims can be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night.
State governments should complement the federal security architecture by mobilizing local vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team and provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.
“As journalists who worked closely with security agencies during hajj operations, IHR had in the last few years honour security institutions during its annual hajj lectures and awards to appreciate and encourage them to improve on their daunting tasks of maintaining security of lives and properties across the country.”
IHR further appealed to Security forces to take necessary “measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialize will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time”. The statement said.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket as the candidate of the party for the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state by sefeating fifteen other aspirants in a landslide victory
The Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, made the declaration on Monday morning in Akure, the state capital.
Ododo said Aiyedatiwa clinched the APC ticket with a total of 48,569 votes followed by his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who trailed behind with 15,343 votes, while Chief Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes.
Below is a breakdown of the final results of the election.
Total number of voters – 117922
Total number of accredited voters – 95,178
Total votes cast – 95178
Invalid – Nil
Jimi Odimayo – 490
Omogoroye Judith – 115
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – 48,569
Isaacs Kekemeke – 1045
Soji Ehinlanwo – 492
Olugbenga Edema – 395
Jimoh lbrahim – 9456
Adekojo Funmilayo – 529
Akinfolarin Samuel – – 15343
Wale Akinterinwa – 1952
Olusola Oke – 14,915
Olamide Ohunyeye – 424
Morayo Lebi – 290
Diran lyantan – 348
Prof Dayo Faduyile – 353
Ife Oyedele – 462
1: Ilaje LG
Lucky Aiyedatiwa 2,485
Wale Akinterinwa. 26
Olusola Oke. 2,511
Jimoh Ibrahim 589
2: Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Jimoh Ibrahim: 282
AIYEDATIWA: 1225
WA: 474
3: Ondo West LG
Jimoh Ibrahim: 2668
Aiyedatiwa: 10610
4: Ese Odo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 298
Akinterinwa – 0
Oke – 147
Jimoh Ibrahim – 174
5: Owo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2,123
Akinterinwa – 345
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 192
6: Idanre LG
Aiyedatiwa – 1, 579
Akinterinwa – 119
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 120
7: AKOKO NORTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 664
Akinterinwa 135
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 505
8: AKOKO NORTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa 5, 430
Akinterinwa 198
Oke 2, 721
Jimoh Ibrahim 728
9: AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 533
Akinterinwa 43
Oke 391
Jimoh Ibrahim 67
10: AKOKO SOUTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2, 747
Akinterinwa – 272
Oke – 415
Jimoh Ibrahim – 466
11: No results for IFEDORE LGA due to alleged violence
12: OSE LGA
Aiyedatiwa 1, 091
Akinterinwa 39
Oke 800
Jimoh Ibrahim 267
13: IRELE LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 203
Akinterinwa 15
Oke 93
Jimoh Ibrahim 139
14: ODIGBO LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 631
Akinterinwa 114
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 845
15: AKURE NORTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 860
Akinterinwa 177
Oke 1, 239
Jimoh Ibrahim 1, 606
16: AKURE SOUTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 3, 265
Akinterinwa 86
Oke 328
Jimoh Ibrahim 294
17 OKITIPUPA LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 622
Akinterinwa 27
Oke 1, 571
Jimoh Ibrahim 109
18: ONDO EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 4, 803
Akinterinwa 141
Oke 1, 171
Jimoh Ibrahim 406
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