Obaseki free to fix federal roads in Edo, says minister.

Obaseki free to fix federal roads in Edo, says minister.

....‘Governor should not trivialise critical infrastructure’.

Works Minister Dave Umahi yesterday clarified that governors can rehabilitate federal roads in the states, following approval by the Federal Government. 

He said the administration will prioritise maintenance of federal roads across the country.

Umahi said the Federal Government cannot prevent governors from road repairs, which can enhance the welfare of residents. 

He spoke on the infrastructure battle of the Tinubu administration while inspecting ongoing road  rehabilitations in Lagos.

He said the Federal Government will carry out resurfacing of the Third Mainland Bridge and pay more attention to concrete reinforcement of other roads in the country.

Umahi rejected what he described as blackmail by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who had complained about the poor state of federal roads in the Southsouth state. 

At the inauguration of Ven. Ebenezer Saiki as the second Bishop of Akoko-Edo Diocese held at St. James Cathedral, Ugbogbo, Igarra, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area,  Obaseki alleged that despite many entreaties by his administration, the Federal Government has refused to allow him fix the dilapidated federal roads.

Also, the governor called on residents and other road users to plead with the Federal Government to allow the state to fix them.

However, Umahi cautioned Obaseki against politicising road rehabilitation,  saying that election is over.

The minister said: “The  ministry is willing to speedup approval for the state government to carry out rehabilitation of the bad potions. 

“I will advise my brother and friend, Governor Godwin Obaseki, to stop playing politics with the lives of his citizens. He should stop trivalising the lives of his people on the alter of politics. Election has been won and lost”.

“If he approaches  me by whatever means to seek permission, even if he sends me requests by WhatsApp or whatever, I will give him approval within two hours so that he can start. But I am going to visit Edo State and I am going to look at those roads.” 

Umahi added: “I saw where something was credited to him; I believe he didn’t say so. But if he said so, this is the answer: that was not the true position. The true position is that all governors, and when I was governor, we also intervened in federal roads. My position is that when the people are suffering due to bad roads, the people do not know which one is federal, which one is state, and which one is local government.

“He doesn’t need our permission as such to intervene, to give a better life to the people of Edo State and other Nigerians that are using the roads.

“I want him to approach the Ministry of Works and seek permission. I am going to visit Edo State, and I am going to look at those roads. Every road in this country becomes a priority and we are going to face the challenges within the limit of the scarce resources.

“My good brother Obaseki, I want you to send your request on WhatsApp to me and I will give you approval within two hours when I get it. But I want to know what you are building and I will advise you to use bitumen. I have seen some of those things in the pictures. If you use rigid pavements, and you can get the design within one hour from me, you will be very much safe.

“But we are also working in Edo State, from Lokoja to Benin, we are doing that. There are other jobs that are also ongoing on in Benin, Edo State, that I cannot tell you off heart. But we are very committed in Edo State, and Mr. President is also very committed to every part of this country.”

The minister expressed concern over  the bad conditions of almost all critical bridges in Lagos, saying: “Almost all the bridges in Lagos are having problems, but we are going to look at them.”

Umahi said the Third Mainland Bridge which had been closed for heavy trucks was beset with deflection of slabs and removal of structural elements, which have exposed road users to danger.

Umahi said CCTV cameras will be installed to enhance security on the bridges.  

The minister, who also inspected Carter Bridge in Lagos said government was more concerned about what was happenings underneath the bridges.

He said the ministry has been liasing with the contractor handling the project, adding that they would be mobilised as soon as the ministry receives the necessary details of the ongoing investigation.

Umahi also inspected the 30.5 kilometre Ikorodu-Sagamu road, which is currently about 85 percent completed, saying that the Ikorodu axis would be redesigned. 

The Nation.

LIVETransfer news & rumours across the world.

LIVETransfer news & rumours across the world. 

Chelsea reach agreement to sign Cole Palmer from Man City

Chelsea are close to signing Cole Palmer from Manchester for a transfer fee in the region of £40-£45million, according to The Athletic.

Cole Palmer.

Liverpool in talks to sign Man Utd target Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich.

 Ryan Gravenberch.

Brighton set to sign Barcelona's Ansu Fati on loan.

Ansu Fati

Lenglet set to join Aston Villa on loan

Clement Lenglet is all set to leave Barcelona to join Aston Villa on loan this summer, according to Sport.

Clement Lenglet

Bayern insist on getting Chalobah from Chelsea.

Man City reach verbal agreement with Wolves for Nunes.

 Armel Bella-Kotchap: Verbal agreement with @BVB is done now.

Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi joins Lazio.

Wolves make €25m offer for Strasbourg's Habib Diarra.

Nico Dominguez set to join Forest from Bologna while Remo Freuler goes other way.

President Tinubu is Passionate About Reducing Price of Fertilizers for Nigerian Farmers— VP Shettima.

President Tinubu is Passionate About Reducing Price of Fertilizers for Nigerian Farmers— VP Shettima.

.....FG to receive 33,000 mt of potash from Uralchem Group.

President Bola Tinubu is very passionate about reducing the cost of fertilizers for Nigerian farmers in the overall interest of achieving food security in the country, says Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima.

Vice President Shettima made the statement today at a Fertilizers Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) stakeholders’ meeting with the Federal Government, on the 33,000 metric tonnes of Potash donated to the Federal Government by Russia’s Uralchem Group and UN Partners, in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the Vice President “our goal is to serve the Nigerian people. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very passionate about reducing the cost of fertilizers for the Nigerian public.”

Continuing, he said “no strings attached, no vested interest and the President will be happy if the price of fertilizers collapses by 50 percent after this exercise”, VP emphasized.

Vice President Shettima disclosed that President Bola Tinubu gives high premium to achieving the agenda of food security in the country, noting that this accounts for the declaration of state of emergency in food security sector by the Tinubu administration last July.

Stressing that though “we have many challenges with food security in the country, we are however very lucky because the President is very empathetic and very passionate about achieving food sufficiency in the country.”

Speaking to Stakeholders at the meeting which includes the Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari and Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Vice President expressed the seriousness attached to the donation and distribution of the potash from Uralchem Group.

He charged stakeholders that “there has to be transparency, equity and fairness in the distribution exercise for the reason that the end beneficiaries are the Nigerian farmers and their leadership is seated here.”

The Vice President assured stakeholders “that there will be transparency, there will be full disclosure and we are going to use our own blenders and the beneficiaries have to be the Nigerian people.”

On the entire exercise, Vice President Shettima disclosed further that the NEMA, World Food Programme (WFP) and AFEX, a commodity Exchange firm have the data base and other requirements that will assist the Federal Government in reaching out to the farmers in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security driving the process.

It would be recalled that at the last Russia-Africa Summit held in St. Petersburg Russia last July, the Federal Government delegation met with the leadership of Uralchem Group and WFP over the donation of a consignment of 33,000 metric tonnes of potash.

In attendance at the Stakeholders’ meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Ernest Umakhihe; Director General, National Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Ahmed; President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Arc. Kabir Ibrahim; President, Fertilisers Producers And Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), Sadiq Kassim; the Country Director of World Food Programme, Kucro Jawed and representatives of National Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Associated Foreign Exchange (AFEX).

Olusola Abiola

Director Information

Office of the Vice President

29th August, 2023

Hajj 2023: VP Shettima Commends Hajj Commission, Urges Improvement in Pilgrims’ Welfare, Education.

Hajj 2023: VP Shettima Commends Hajj Commission, Urges Improvement in Pilgrims’ Welfare, Education.

The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for a successful 2023 hajj operations in spite of many challenges faced by the Commission.

Sen. Shettima gave the commendation today when he received briefing from the management of NAHCON led by the chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the Vice  President, “we have to offer praises to Allah for the successful conduct of 2023 hajj, in spite of harsh conditions faced by people in the Saudi Arabia occasioned by the climate change and other factors. The temperature rose to unimaginable level, though Nigeria was not the only country affected by the effect of the climate change.”

While commiserating with the families of the 29 pilgrims who died during the 2023 hajj, Vice President Shettima urged the Commission “to learn lessons from the last Hajj operations and gird our loins and make efforts to address all the short comings in the upcoming hajj operations.”

Speaking on the welfare of 95,000 pilgrims which performed hajj last year, Vice President Shettima remarked that the welfare of the pilgrims is at the core of the pilgrimage and as such the Commission must give it the priority it deserves.

He advised the management to make adequate preparations to take care of the pilgrims, noting that though it is a spiritual exercise, the Commission must not neglect the wellbeing of pilgrims throughout their stay in the holy land.

Emphasizing the need to develop a robust mechanism to curtail the challenges faced by the people, he stated that “it is absolutely essential that we review this mechanism and make it practical and effective to give us maximum success in managing the hajj operations from year to year.”

On the problem of the volatility of the exchange rate on the Commission’s finances which was caused by the unification of the different forex windows, the VP advised the management to be proactive as it prepares for the future, stating “you have to rigorously review your exchange rate and come up with a much more acceptable figure.” 

He further advised them on the need to educate pilgrims on their rights in the holy land by making use of the social media platforms and other traditional media to enhance your visibility.

The Vice President also commended the Commission on the  various initiatives to further enhance its activities especially the launching of Hajj Savings’ Scheme, the Hajj Institute of Nigeria and Public Private Partnership Arrangements for Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri and Ilorin Projects.

Earlier during his briefing, Alhaji Hassan disclosed that last years’s hajj was successful largely due to the prompt airlift of pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the provisions of accommodation to pilgrims, feeding and efficient medical services at all phases of the hajj activities.

It would be recalled that recently President Bola Tinubu put the supervision of NAHCON under the Office of the Vice President.

Olusola Abiola

Director of Information

Office of the Vice President

30th August, 2023

President Tinubu Mourns Designer of Nigeria’s National Flag, PA Taiwo Akinkunmi.

President Tinubu Mourns Designer of Nigeria’s National Flag, PA Taiwo Akinkunmi. 

President Bola Tinubu conveys his deepest sympathy to the family of Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, OFR, who designed the national flag in 1958 and left a generational legacy, following his passing into glory at the age of 87.

President Tinubu condoles with friends, and associates of the retired civil servant, who dedicated his life to the service of the nation, sharing knowledge and experience with old and young, and inspiring many to think and act patriotically.

The President affirms that the Green and White flag is a legacy that has consistently reflected the fruitfulness, resilience, and harmony enjoyed by the nation, and the boldness and uniqueness with which Nigerians characteristically reach for and achieve success around the world.

President Tinubu believes Pa Akinkunmi lived and worked for the greatness of the country, and rests eternally with a place of honour in Nigeria’s history.

 

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 30, 2023

Governor Oyebanji presents N150 million gratuity cheques to retired LG, workers.

Governor Oyebanji presents N150 million gratuity cheques to retired LG, workers.

….restates commitment to welfare of senior citizens.

Barely three months after presenting N130 million naira gratuity cheques to retired local government workers and primary school teachers, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday again, distributed gratuity Cheques of 150 million naira to another batch of retired local government workers and primary school teachers in the state.

In Pic: Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Executive Governor of Ekiti State. 

Speaking during the presentation of Cheques to the 64 beneficiaries at the conference hall of the Governor’s office in Ado Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji said his administration would continue to prioritize the welfare of all Ekiti citizens especially the workers while in active service and at retirement.

The Governor said that despite the lean resources available to the state, his government has paid over 600 million naira as gratuities to 189 retired local government workers and primary school teacher in the state since the inception of his administration in October 2022, adding that he will continue to place high premium on the payment of pension and gratuity as and when due.

He said his administration was making efforts to address the situation and that very soon the state would get out of the woods as far as clearing backlog of gratuity arrears is concern. He added  that his government is passionately committed to utilizing available resources to the greatest advantage, pleasure and comfort of all Ekiti people.

While congratulating the beneficiaries, the Governor charged them to utilize the money wisely saying their wellbeing should be of utmost importance and paramount to them.

“Today’s ceremony is coming in fulfillment of our promise to always make you smile at each milestone of the journey of the mandate you gave me as your Governor. As we are marking the  300days anniversary of our administration, I am pleased to announce the disbursement of the sum of N150 million as gratuity to retired local government workers and teachers.

“it is important to place on record that, since the inception of our administration in October 2022, we have paid a total sum of six hundred and five million, eight hundred and seventy-nine thousand, four hundred eighty-six  naira and eighty kobo (N605,879,486.86) as gratuities to one hundred and eighty-nine (189) retired local government workers and primary school teachers. With God on our side, we will continue to do more. Be rest assured that this administration would continue to place high premium on the payment of pension and gratuity as and when due.

“I stand before you today to reiterate the commitment of our administration to the welfare of all Ekiti citizens. We are passionately committed to utilizing available resources to the greatest advantage, pleasure, and comfort of our people” .he added. 

Earlier in his welcome address, the commissioner for Local government affairs,  Chief Folorunsho Olabode thanked the Governor for prioritizing the wellbeing of the senior citizen.

He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the money, adding that others on the waiting list will smile very soon.

In his goodwill messages, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of pensioners, Elder Joel Akinola, appreciated the Governor for being a promise keeper and someone who takes welfare of the elderly very serious.

Mr Sunday Adeosun, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the Governor for working his talk and for keeping to his campaign promises.

Mr Sunday therefore assured the Governor that the senior citizens in the state will continue to support and pray for his administration.

Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Secreatry to the State Government Dr Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe, among others.

Governor Makinde Distributes Palliatives to Alleviate Economic Hardship, Says FG’s N5bn Still Intact.

Governor Makinde Distributes Palliatives to Alleviate Economic Hardship, Says FG’s N5bn Still Intact.

 In a remarkable display of compassion and commitment, Governor Engr Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has taken proactive steps to ease the burden of economic challenges faced by the citizens. In response to the recent fuel subsidy removal by the Federal government, Governor Makinde launched a food relief palliative distribution initiative aimed at supporting the most vulnerable residents of Oyo town.

The launch event, held at the prestigious Oba Lamidi Adeyemo 111 Mini Stadium in Oyo town, saw Governor Makinde kickstart the distribution of essential food items to households in need. Addressing the crowd, the Governor emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to tackling economic difficulties. He unveiled the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAFER) program, designed to address the root causes of financial struggles rather than merely addressing the symptoms.

Governor Makinde's administration has gained recognition for its transparent policies and unwavering integrity. Demonstrating a dedication to serving the people, the state government procured an impressive 37,000 bags of rice, complementing the 3,000 bags provided by the Federal government. This combined effort resulted in a generous total of 40,000 bags of rice, ready to be distributed to around 200,000 households across the state.

In addition to the substantial rice contribution, the Governor announced the inclusion of locally sourced food items. The distribution will feature 5kg bags of Gari, 5kg bags of beans, and 5kg bags of Yam flour (Elubo), ensuring a well-rounded assortment of essentials to address various dietary needs.

Governor Makinde's proactive response and commitment to alleviating the economic strain on his constituents exemplify effective governance and a strong sense of duty. As these palliatives reach the households they are intended for, they bring not only sustenance but also a glimmer of hope during challenging times.