Category: Politics

Rep. Obi Aguocha (LP-Abia) and former President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina

Kanu
By Femi Ogunshola
Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Rep. Obi Aguocha (LP-Abia) has visited former President Muhammadu Buhari, with a request to intervene toward the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Aguocha, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia, disclosed the essence of his visit in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He stated said he was in Katsina “to seek Buhari’s intervention and elicit his support for a political dialogue and constructive engagement”.

This, according to him, is to engender a resolution of the salient issues surrounding the continued detention and trial of Kanu, “which could lead to his release on pragmatic national reconciliation considerations”.

He stated, “for the missteps, utterances and ill gestures of the past, especially on the part of my constituent and brother, Nnamdi Kanu, I am deeply sorry.”

Aguocha further expressed his belief that a political resolution would not only address the grievances of parties on all sides but promote greater understanding and unity in the country.

The statement quoted Buhari as commending the lawmaker’s humility and dedication to serving his people.

Buhari was further quoted to have assured the lawmaker that his approach was welcomed and that he would not be opposed to any political solution for Kanu’s release.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Aguocha recently led a group of 50 House members across the political and ethnic divides to sign a letter appealing to President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu.

The letter requested Tinubu to direct the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fegbemi (SAN) “to invoke section 174(1)(c) of the 1999 constitution to reach a desired outcome”.

The lawmaker further stated that the meeting with Buhari was part of a broad-based initiatives aimed at securing a speedy political resolution of Kanu’s detention and trial.

This, he said, “is to secure his release in the spirit of engendering dialogue and non-contentious approaches to resolving thorny national issues”.

Aguocha said that the initiative was anchored on the understanding that “Kanu was willing, ready and able to embrace the new dynamic in joining hands across the country in building a new Nigeria”.

Kanu had been in the custody of the Department of the State Services since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021 and being prosecuted for alleged treason and terrorism charges. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ODF/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

Committee

By Douglas Okoro

Abakaliki, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The Young Progressive Party (YPP), Ebonyi chapter, has inaugurated a 21-member caretaker State Executive Committee (SEC) to pilot the affairs of the party for the next six months.

The committee led by Mrs Mercy Nwaogbala was inaugurated in Abakaliki following approval by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Dr Sunday Opoke, the governorship candidate of the party in the state in the 2023 gubernatorial election who doubles as the leader of YPP in the state, advised the officials to see their appointments as a call to duty.

Opoke enjoined the committee members to put personal interest aside and work to actualise the collective goal of the party, among which is to make YPP a vibrant opposition that would take over power in 2027.

He further advised the officials to shun any temptation of anti party activities.

”Such activities will not be tolerated as it will constitute gross violation of the party’s constitution.”

He emphasised that the party must strategise to take power in order to provide credible leadership to the people of Ebonyi.

He said: “If you must take power, you must strategise; you must be dynamic and play with all your intelligence. 

“Taking power is not easy but it becomes easy when men are committed.

“I believe that the men gathered here are committed, and come 2027, will lead Ebonyi through YPP. We are not saying that to impress you; already, we are aware that they are having issues here and there.

“Why we are trying to address leadership issues early enough is so that we will not behave like them because we want to be sure that when people are coming to us, they are coming to us because we are matured.

“When they are coming to us, they are coming because we are capable and have the potential and capabilities to take power.

“So, if we do not express such capacity, then we are not doing party business; that is why as you have been inaugurated today, whom much is given, much is expected.”

Opoke pledged the support and loyalty of the members to the new leadership, urging them to stay committed to their new assignment.

Meanwhile, Nwogbala, in an acceptance speech on behalf of the members of the SEC, pledged to move the party to the next level, while  appealing for support and solidarity to enable the committee to succeed.

She noted that the duty of an opposition party was to make the ruling party, through a constructive and virile opposition, deliver good and credible governance anchored on democratic tenets.

She said that YPP under her watch would not antagonise the ruling party in the state but serve as a watchdog to ensure that the principles of natural justice and rule of law were upheld at all times by the government.

Nwogbala, while assessing the performance of the Gov. Francis Nwifuru-led State administration, appreciated the governor for achieving a lot within his one year in office.

She, however, urged the governor to pay attention to grassroots social and infrastructural developments and also create job opportunities for the youths.

“As the chairman of this party, I will make sure that I and my team will move the party forward to the best of our ability.

”I will do my best to ensure that YPP will produce the next governor of the state in 2027. All we ask is your support and solidarity.

“We, as opposition, will not engage in needless criticism of the ruling party but we will constantly serve as a watchdog so as to keep them on their toes to offer good governance and credible leadership.

“Many youths who are graduates in various disciplines, engage in commercial motorcycle and tricycle riding; this has to be addressed,” Nwogbala said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ODO/EMAF
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

Group applauds Tinubu’s creative steps to boost digital economy
Tinubu
By Emmanuel Mogbede
Abuja, June 30,2024(NAN) The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the 3 million Technical Talent (3MTT) and Project 774 initiatives of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration as the strategic plan to achieve the two million digital jobs milestone.

The TDF said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, jointly signed by Chairman, Chief Wale Adedayo and its Secretary, Malam Danjuma Muhammad.

The group expressed optimism that the projects, which were the administration’s goal for 2025, were bound to pave the way for a new generation of skilled workforce versed in digital technology.

“The programme would make the President’s vision of creating two million digital jobs by 2015 to be easily achieved.

“Alongside the training of the three million talents is the grand initiative to connect all 774 council areas in the country with the Internet in the unfolding plans.

“The programme will help to drive the country’s digital economy agenda successfully,” the group explained.

It stated that the Tinubu-led administration had taken a creative step to achieve one of  its campaign promises to create two million digital jobs by 2025.

The statement added that the training of three million technical talents for the nation’s digital economy was a clear measure that would guarantee the vision.

“It is one initiative that had never been seen in the country, in spite its immense human capital resources.

“It is bound to further position the country to challenge India as a net exporter of talents in the technological world.

“We also see the commencement of Project 774 which seeks to link all Local Government secretariats with Internet conectivityas a spirited effort by the administration.

“To galvanise the pursuit of advanced education and creativity among young Nigerians across the country for the benefit of the nation’s economy,” the group said.

It said the move was a deliberate effort to open the windows of opportunities that would enhance rural dwellers’ inclusivity in efforts to realise Nigeria’s projected one trillion dollar economy in a few years.

This, it said, was similar to the economic method and policy which currently made India an exporter of 55 per cent of the world’s ICT talents.

The statement added that in a world where global demand for ICT skills in professional causes stood at 85 per cent, it could not, but to commend the President.

This, it said, was especially for embarking on the task of building a fortress of economic future for Nigeria by harnessing the technical talents of three million youths.

The TDF said the administration was also ensuring uninterrupted internet network connectivity to all the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.

“This is in addition to revealing the extent to which President Tinubu is prepared to go in dealing headlong with our national inadequacies.

“His action on 3MTT and Project 774 underscores the depth of his acknowledgement of the potentials of Nigerian youths and the need to harness their potential for economic growth and development.

“This initiative is worthy of commendation,” the group added.

It commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani for driving the twin projects to a successful commencement.

The group called on the minister to remain steadfast and sustain the tempo and focus with which he had managed the project thus far.

It assured the people that the minister’s footprint would remain indelible in the history of advancement in Nigeria’s Digital Economy drive.

The group urged Nigerian youths, especially the beneficiaries to see the 3MTT project as a lifetime opportunity.

It added that they should see the project as a unique gesture from the government to secure a greater future for themselves, in the ever-competitive and dynamic global tech market.

“It is our view that the youth should make a success of the 3MTT project by lending their moral and political support to Tinubu’s administration.

“This will make for a smooth funding and management of the project a  guarantee,”it said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
EEM/YI/YGA
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Gabriel Yough

Without Massive women votes, I wouldn’t be governor – Alia

Women

By Emmanuel Antswen

Makurdi, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, has acknowledged that without the massive votes of women in the state, he would not have won the 2023 Governorship Election.

Alia stated this on Saturday in Makurdi, during the launch of the 774 Explode Project, an initiative of Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that 774 Explode Project, is being promoted by Dr Mary Alile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Woman Leader.

The governor said without the massive votes of women, he and President Bola Tinubu, would not have won elections in 2023, and therefore, reassured them of their continued support.

He said since he did not have a first lady, all great women of Benue State were his first ladies, while Mrs Tinubu was the mother of the state.

He assured women in the state that he would continue to support them to attain their goals and realise their potential.

On 774 Explode Project, Alia said his administration would ensure that Benue remained number one in its implementation nationwide.

He said after training and skills acquisition by the women in their chosen skills, they would each receive N500,000 take-off support from the state government.

He commended Mrs Tinubu for the initiative, and the APC national woman leader for promoting it across the country.

He said the state was very grateful to Mrs the first lady for all the support, both in cash and in kind, to Benue women.

He said so far, Benue women had benefitted from the provision of grains, fertiliser, scholarships, and several other things from the office of the First lady of Nigeria.

Inaugurating the project, Alile said only five per cent of women were currently in governance in Nigeria.

She said out of the 469 national assembly members, only 20 were women, adding that 15 out of the 36 current state houses of assemblies had no female representatives.

She said women represented 49.3 per cent of the country’s population, and therefore, needed to wake up and make things happen for them.

Alile commended Alia for funding the launch of the project in Benue.

She also commended the governors over their support for the initiative, noting that it would benefit the states immensely.

She said from the initiative, Nigerian women would acquire skills, political mentorship, capacity building, trainings, and many others.

She disclosed that the beneficiaries of the initiative would be between the ages of 18 to 35 years old.

Mrs Christie Ode, wife of the state’s deputy governor, said women played special roles in nation building.

Ode expressed concerns over Nigeria being among countries of the world where women still had less participation in politics and governance.

She said the launch of the 774 Explode Project was a significant step in the right direction in closing the gaps and including women in politics and governance.

She commended the first lady for all she was doing for women in the country, and also Alia for giving the Benue women a fresh breath of life.

In a keynote address tilted: “Enhancing Gender Space in Politics and Mentoring”, Mr Dennis Dzawua said without the support of women, no candidate would win election in Nigeria.

Dzawua said women were the architects of their problems, and until they started supporting each other, they might not get their deserved political positions in the country.

According to him, politics plays a significant influence over the decision-making process that impacts lives, so all women must strive hard to be in politics to influence such decisions.

In his remarks, Benue APC Acting Chairman, Mr Benjamin Omakolo, said the project would further enhance women’s participation in politics beyond the state.

Omakolo said women occupied a special place in APC and Alia’s administration.

He commended the governor for his massive infrastructure strides within the last one year in office, saying under Alia, “everything has suddenly changed positively “.

He said the governor had made history in Benue by becoming the first governor to be paying salaries, pensions, gratuities, executing projects, human capital development among other achievements without borrowing a dime.

Earlier in an address of welcome, Scholastica Ben-Sor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, said Benue women who voted massively for the APC in the 2023 polls, were solidly behind the governor and and the president.

Ben-Sor said the women had resolved to continue to support Alia and Tinubu to succeed.

“Benue women voted massively for the governor, the president and the APC. Wherever the governor goes we will go with you. No turning back,” she declared. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AEB/DOR
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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Campaign

By Usman Aliyu

Benin, June 30, 2024 (NAN) A former aspirant for the 2024 Edo gubernatorial election, Prof. Sylvester Akhaine, has expressed disappointment over the failure of the vying candidates to drive their campaigns with how to solve the state’s challenges.

Akhaine, who contested in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, expressed the disappointment in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Benin.

He regretted that the campaigns had been devoid of substance, with candidates focusing on rhetoric rather than presenting tangible solutions to the state’s challenges.

According to him, Edo has suffered years of infrastructure deficit as a result of a self-serving crop of leaders that had governed the state.

“Today, the landscape of Edo State is visibly underlined by infrastructural deficit and the absence of basic social facilities.

“The condition of schools is damnable to the extent that only an insignificant number of staff is on the government payroll.

“Others are hired by development associations and old boys associations. Education budgets are among the lowest in the country.

“Indeed, this reality contradicts claims by successive governments to the effect of having addressed them with billions of our hard-earned resources,” the professor said.

The APC chieftain, who also decried the security situation in the state, said the state needed a new government bold enough to invest in infrastructure and education.

“Whoever wishes to govern the state must pre-occupy him/herself with the issues outlined above.

“The aspirant must explain the issues clearly to our people, including how resources will be mobilised to solve the problems beyond the monthly allocation from the central pool.

“We need a government bold enough to invest in infrastructure and education.

“We need policies and programmes that are meaningful to the ordinary people, not social media figures and propaganda,” Odion-Akhaine said.

He added that in comparative and relative terms  Edo State could not be ranked as a leader in any notable sector of socio-economic activities due to neglect by successive governments. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AUO/JI

Edited by Joe Idika

Security: Each region deserves its own military — Okupe

Military
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Doyin Okupe, says the creation of state police will help address the security challenges facing the country.

Okupe, gave the view in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

He was reacting to calls by some stakeholders for the adoption of state police, to address the security challenges in the country.

The constitution only empowers the Nigeria Police Force(NPF) ,a federal police,to be in charge of policing in all the states of the federation.

Prof. Pat Utomi ,a political economist,is one of  the stakeholders calling for adoption of state police.

Okupe, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) , said a central police had failed and that states should be empowered constitutionally to take care of their security.

According to him, the excuse that governors will abuse state police is not a justification for not having the policing system, that can guarantee security of lives and property.

“We only need to find a constitutional way to stop abuse by the state governors.

“We cannot build and encourage what is  wrong and not working, just because we fear certain things. Policing should be totally and completely decentralised,” he said.

Okupe also canvassed that each of the zones in the  country should have its own military ,with its own chief of army staff, to strengthen  security .

“Each of the zone can have their own army and we have a central command somewhere, where each zonal chief of army staff links up.

“In this situation, the issue of coup does not arise again.

“If there is a war, all the zones will contribute soldiers to prosecute the war and after that everybody goes back to their zones.These are the things we need,” Okupe  said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

LG autonomy :FG erred dragging  states to court– Okupe

Autonomy

By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council , Dr Doyin Okupe, has faulted  Federal Government’s on its suit against states  over  local government autonomy.

Okupe, a former Presidential spokesperson ,expressed the position  in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos

Okupe, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), described the Federal Government’s legal battle against the states  for autonomy as needless and unfortunate.

According to him, in a true federal system, there are only two component units- the federal and the states.

“We should run a true federal system in which there are two bodies coming together for a union: the Federal Government and sub-nationalities.

“The local governments are principally and completely issues of the state, it absolutely has nothing to do with the federal government and it (the idea of LG as a third tier)should be expunged from the constitution.

“Let the nation’s money be shared between the Federal government and the states. The Federal government asking for local government autonomy in a  federal system is an aberration.

“I t is becoming so sad that we seem not to know what is right and what is wrong in the country

“Then, the state government can decide to have as many local governments as it desires for grassroots development and fund it as they like,” Okupe said.

NAN recalls that the Federal Government has instituted a legal action against the governors of the 36 states of the federation at the Supreme Court over what it calls their interference in the  administration of local councils in their respective states.

The suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is seeking full autonomy for all local government areas in the country.

In suit, the Federal Government specifically prayed the court to issue an order, prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

The suit is also asking for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the federation account in line with the provisions of the constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

FG also prayed the Supreme Court for an order stopping governors from further constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system.

It equally applied for an order of injunction restraining the governors, their agents and privies from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the federation account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

AU says Nigeria exceptional in implementing School Feeding Programme

Feeding

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The African Union (AU), says no fewer than 65.4 million children in 51 countries now benefit from School Feeding in Africa, with Nigeria standing out in implementation of the programme.

Ms Kefilwe Moalosi, Project Manager for Nutrition and Food Safety, Africa Union Development Agency-New partnership for African development (AUDA-NEPAD), said this in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.

Moalosi, who spoke during a school feeding stakeholders’ strategic meeting, themed: “Encouraging State Driven Implementation and Best Practices for School Feeding Towards Local Agricultural Value Chain, Community Engagement and Economic Development”, called on other African countries to emulate Nigeria.

She specifically called on Africa’s leadership to follow Nigeria’s example in transitioning the school feeding programme from a Federal Government-led initiative to states governments’ project.

“Recent disruptions to African economies add traction to the movement and the need to think local, especially in a continent where farming remains a top source of income and jobs, particularly for women.

“By working together, we can leverage on our collective expertise and resources to develop comprehensive programmes that address the multifaceted needs of our children,” she said.

The project manager e explained that from nutrition and health, to education and economic empowerment, funding for school meal programmes coming directly from governments could vary widely.

She noted that though investing in home-grown school feeding programmes was not without its challenges; its rewards far outweighed the costs.

Moalosi reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to the well-being of African children, and the prosperity of its communities, saying in unity, a brighter future for generations to come could be built.

“We will only reach our goal to zero hunger if we all walk together, we have to run together towards our goal,” she stressed.

She thanked the Nigerian Government for collaborating with AUDA-NEPAD, to domesticate the continental school feeding guidelines through the engagement of school feeding implementers, especially at the community level, to contribute to the food and nutrition security outcomes.

Moalosi expressed optimism that state driven implementation and best practices for school feeding, could significantly enhance investments and promote local agricultural value chain.

She noted that it would also promote community engagement and economic development in school feeding programmes in Nigeria.

“School feeding programmes play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition, improving children’s health and educational outcomes.

“Promoting local agriculture and Investing in home-grown school feeding programmes is not merely expenditure; it is an investment in our collective future.

“By leveraging on the resources and capabilities of the state actors, we have the opportunity to transform the lives of millions of children across our nations.

“However, by providing daily meals sourced from local farmers and producers, we ensure that our children receive the essential nutrients they need to thrive both in schools and beyond,” Moalosi said.

According to her, data compiled by the AU in 2019, indicates that the figure drawn from 51 countries represents a massive increase from 38.4 million in 2013.

She said the development should not be seen as surprising since African leaders, through the Assembly of Heads of States and Government in 2016, acknowledged the contribution of School Feeding to human resources.

She said they had also recognised capital development in Africa, and endorsed the Home- Grown School Feeding to be commemorated annually on March 1.

Moalosi added that the statistics also indicated that only 27 per cent of children in sub-Saharan Africa accessed a school meal, which was affecting learning outcomes.

She, however, expressed delight that the programme was at least benefitting more than 65 million children in 51 African countries, representing 84 per cent funded by domestic budgets. (NAN)

EEM/DOR
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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore