Ekiti Govt Sympathises With Rainstorm Victims, Pledges Immediate Support.

Ekiti Govt Sympathises With Rainstorm Victims, Pledges Immediate Support.

The Ekiti State Government, has pledged to roll out palliatives for the victims of rainstorm that destroyed some houses at Ilokun, a farmstead under Ado-Ekiti metropolis, on Saturday.

A torrential downpour, accompanied with heavy storm, that lasted for over two hours, had destroyed over seven buildings at the community located along Ado-Iworoko road, thereby rendering the victims homeless.

Speaking during a visit to the community for on-the-spot assessment, on Monday, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said Governor Biodun Oyebanji sympathised with the victims, promising that the government will lend a hand of support to cushion the effects on the victims.

Mrs Afuye, according to a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, urged the victims to compile their lists and send to the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency(EKSEMA) for immediate action.

The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied by officials of the EKSEMA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), appealed to residents to embrace maintenance culture on their buildings to checkmate recurrent cases of wreckage being witnessed during rainstorm.

"Let me on behalf of Governor Biodun Oyebanji sympathise with you on this unexpected occurrence. She directed me to be here for on the spot assessment of the level of wreckage on your buildings.

"We thank God that no life was lost and whatever that  had happened to your buildings can still be repaired, but any life that lost can't be replaced. This is the way I want you to view this matter.

"You know that our government is pro-masses, we are going to help you in whatever way we can to cushion whatever effect this occurrence is having on you.

"We thank God that the officials of NEMA and EKSEMA are here with me. They will  start acting immediately you submit your letters to their offices. 

"But I want our people  to always take actions that can prevent their buildings from being blown away by storm. We must try and make the right renovations on our structures before the beginning of the raining season. 

"What we lack majorly is maintenance culture and we have to change our orientation in the interest of our safety".

The Permanent Secretary, EKSEMA,  Mr. Jide Borode, promised that the agency will act appropriately as soon as it receives the letters 

Responding on behalf of the victims, Mr. Rasheed Akinrinade, applauded the government for deeming it for to assess the level of wreckage in the community, saying this further attested to the widespread notion that Governor Oyebanji is a pro-masses leader. 

Akinrinade appealed to the government to release the promised relief materials in time to help  mitigate the level of sufferings of those whose houses were destroyed by heavy wind.

Governor Obaseki Woos Chinese Investors.

Governor Obaseki Woos Chinese Investors.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is actively pursuing foreign investment opportunities, encouraging investors to leverage the business-friendly environment and incentives provided by his administration to invest in new sectors and expand their businesses within the state.

The governor, while attending the Belt and Road Global Chambers of Commerce and Associations Conference in Fuzhou, China, conducted an economic summit aimed at attracting more investors to Edo State. This aligns with the government's vision to drive economic growth and sustainability.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Edo State government, Obaseki showcased the significant reforms and programs implemented over the past seven years to attract and retain investments.

He stated, "These initiatives encompass streamlining bureaucracy, implementing business-friendly policies, ensuring the availability of raw materials and energy, and fostering the development of the skilled workforce necessary for these enterprises.

"Edo State has a fast-growing reputation as the energy and petrochemical hub of Nigeria, which should be a big attraction to potential Chinese investors with prospects of affordable gas exploration.

"I urge investors to take advantage of the business-friendly environment and other incentives provided by our administration to invest in new frontiers and expand their businesses in the state."

The governor's proactive efforts to court international investments underscore Edo State's commitment to becoming a thriving economic hub, fostering opportunities for both local and foreign businesses.

Niger not against use of hijab – Bago.

Niger not against use of hijab – Bago.

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has said that the state is not against the wearing of Hijab by female Muslim adherents.

Bago was responding to a social media report claiming that the state’s Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hadiza, denounced wearing Hijab by teachers, by allegedly saying she ‘sees no reason why a female teacher will wear Hijab and be comfortable with her teaching’.

The governor, in a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, maintained that his administration was not against the wearing of Hijab as it was a religious injunction with constitutional backing.

According to Ibrahim, the Commissioner of Education was quoted out of context and being a Muslim, would never speak against the Hijab.

The governor said, “The commissioner’s statement is contextual and does not reflect the position of the state government on the use of Hijab by women in any field of endeavor.

“The commissioner’s meeting with the principals, headmasters and other stakeholders was organised to sensitise them to the strategic plans of the Bago-led administration to boost education as well as the impending screening and competency test for teachers in the state.

“The state government is not, and has never been, against the wearing of a Hijab; the commissioner’s statement must have been misconstrued.

“The wearing of a Hijab is a religious obligation and the Supreme Court had, in June last year, ruled that the constitution allows Muslim students and, by implication, teachers to wear a Hijab.

“The commissioner, as a Muslim, was not unaware of the importance of the Hijab and could not have been an impediment to its use.

“Niger State is a law-abiding state. Since the Nigeria Constitution allowed Muslim students and teachers to wear the Hijab, the state government has the responsibility to ensure that the rights of the citizens are protected."

Ongoing Reforms by Fed Govt will Yield Positive Results, says AGF Fagbemi.

Ongoing Reforms by Fed Govt will Yield Positive Results, says AGF Fagbemi.

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has expressed confidence that the numerous reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will lead to economic prosperity and stability.

In a statement released yesterday in Abuja by his spokesman Kamarudeen Ogundele, the minister appealed to Nigerians for patience and encouraged support for the comprehensive reforms underway.

Fagbemi conveyed these sentiments on Friday during a prayer organized in his honor by his family in his Ijagbo country home in Oyun Local Government of Kwara State.

The minister assured Nigerians of the President’s unwavering determination to steer the country towards progress.

He stated, “The President is not looking for self-aggrandizement. He’s seeking a better future for the country.

“Immediately after his swearing-in, he has been all out to seek investors’ buy-in. As a result, positive responses have been trailing his discussions with foreign investors.

“The only thing we need is to exercise some patience. Even if you plant a tree, it won’t grow into fruition until after a while.

“Nigerians need to be patient. Things will improve greatly in the coming days. The sacrifices of today will translate to a greater future for the country.

“I know with prayers and support of Nigerians, the country will emerge stronger.”

The AGF's optimistic outlook underscores the belief in the transformative potential of the ongoing reforms, emphasizing the need for collective patience and support to pave the way for a more prosperous and stable future.

Federal Government welcomes Mexican investors, restates incentives to boost mining.

Federal Government welcomes Mexican investors, restates incentives to boost mining.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, has lauded the decision of investors from the Republic of Chile to visit Nigeria in search of investment in solid minerals.

Welcoming the investors to his office in Abuja, Alake said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had put in place incentives to ease business for investors in the mining industry.

The incentives, the minister said, include zero duty on equipment imported for solid minerals extraction, easy movement of profits to the countries of origin and tax holidays.

He said investors in the mining industry are expected to sign Community Development Agreement with the communities in the mining area to ensure the socio-economic development of the region and their people.

Alake said the current administration was sanitising the industry, citing the recent revocation of titles of companies that failed to comply with the law on annual service fee

Introducing the investors, Nigeria’s outgoing Ambassador to Mexico and former Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Adejare Bello told Alake that the embassy had screened the investors and confirmed that they were genuine and serious businessmen.

The former ambassador assured the minister that the Mexican investment would boost the economy.

He said the Nigerian Embassy had been engaging the investors in talks over two years and decided to lead them to the minister after it certified their status.

“The honourable minister is aware that ambassadors have been recalled. This visit is the reason I stayed back so that I could bring them to you. Now, that I have achieved my mission, I will go back, pack my luggage and return home,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of other investors, President of Seccion Internacional Para Africa, Dr. Heriberto Garcia Cortes, thanked Alake for the parley.

The Mexican businessman said they saw Nigeria as their African home that deserved support to expand its economy.  

Kwara to Tackle Open Defecation with N200m.

Kwara to Tackle Open Defecation with N200m.

Kwara State Government is poised to tackle the issue of open defecation through a collaborative effort with donor agencies, allocating a substantial sum of N200 million for the cause.

The commitment was affirmed by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Yunusa Lade, during a visit to his office by Mrs. Theressa Pammer, the Wash Specialist from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Lade emphasized the state government's determination to eliminate open defecation, stating that the allocated funds would be utilized to establish toilets and essential facilities discouraging the practice.

He further highlighted ongoing engagements with lawmakers at both state and federal levels, seeking their support to complement the state's efforts in eradicating open defecation.

In her remarks, Mrs. Theressa Pammer, the UNICEF Wash Specialist based in Kaduna, expressed her purpose in visiting Kwara State — to explore avenues for her organization to assist in the elimination of open defecation.

The proactive approach of the Kwara State Government and its collaboration with UNICEF indicate a concerted effort to address sanitation challenges, demonstrating a commitment to creating a hygienic environment for the citizens.

This move aligns with the broader national goal of achieving open defecation-free status and underscores the significance of collaboration between government entities and international organizations to attain sustainable development goals.

Minister intervenes in cooking gas price hike.

Minister intervenes in cooking gas price hike.

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has waded into the challenges bordering on the supply and pricing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, in the Nigerian domestic market.

The intervention follows the rise in recent months in the price of LPG per kg from about N700 to above N900 in some parts of the country.

Key challenges identified as responsible for LPG price increase include FX sourcing for imports and insufficient supply to the domestic market by producers.

The minister’s spokesman, Louis Ibah, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, November 26, said the meeting for the intervention at the instance of the minister, was held at the NNPC Towers Abuja recently.

According to him, it had in attendance top officials of Chevron Nigeria Limited led by Sansay Narasimi; Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) led by its Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ahmed and the NNPCL.

Ekpo expressed the concerns of President Bola Tinubu over the astronomical increase in the price of cooking gas and the attendant hardship on the majority of citizens.

The minister, who noted that Nigeria is abundantly endowed with gas reserves, said the situation where some of the multinational firms were more concerned with gas exports without dedicating huge volumes to the domestic market was unacceptable and should be discouraged.

Ekpo said: “With the exponential increase in the price of LPG, there is the need for the Federal Government to intervene and I am representing this at this moment. We acknowledge that some producers are exporting while we are faced with the challenges of importation. Public interest is the overriding interest all over the world for the government, and the demand for LPG will increase as we approach December…you have a public service obligation to collaborate with the government to ensure the security of gas supply, we need to therefore bend backward and find solutions, to ensure that we have sufficient supply and stability in-country and that Nigerians have gas.”

The gas minister thereafter constituted a committee headed by the ACE of NMDPRA with a mandate to come up with recommendations on how to boost supplies and crash LPG prices within a week