Tinubu To APC Governors: Let Us Work For The Good Of All Nigerians.

Tinubu To APC Governors: Let Us Work For The Good Of All Nigerians. 

President Bola Tinubu has implored governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to design and implement policies that prioritize all Nigerians and to always consider the national interest above political affiliations. 

The President, who received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) at the State House in Abuja, on Friday, said development policies would only find full relevance in people’s lives when there is inclusivity, ownership, and sustainability. 

President Tinubu told the governors that one of the biggest challenges the nation faces was divisiveness, but that the governing party must work towards healing and unifying the country by ensuring a collective national vision, and channelling energy and resources into nation-building.

“You can convert people. You can appeal to people to come to your side,’’ he stated. 

The President said Nigeria is too blessed with human, natural, and material resources to be struggling with a dearth of quality infrastructure, quality education, and world-class health facilities.

He said the entire financial system of the country would be re-engineered for inclusivity, effectiveness, and efficiency. 

“We have no reason to be poor. Looking back on where we are coming from, where we have been, why we are facing infrastructural decay, a lack of quality and comprehensive education, as well as a lack of health facilities. We are not a cursed country, but blessed,’’ the President said. 

President Tinubu asked the governors to come up with a framework that will make the implementation of the school-feeding programme more comprehensive and successful across all states of the federation, taking into consideration the peculiarities of each locality, but working towards having all children in school. 

“We have children of school age who are out of school. The way to promote education is to get all governors, including the opposition governors, involved in the school-feeding programme. Please, take it seriously.

“We should not measure the children as statistics. We should measure their return to classrooms as our achievement. We should see economic growth in terms of value and empowerment. We should set up a committee to look into the methods. I am ready to invest in school feeding," the President said.

The President said the school-feeding programme would encourage more investments in agriculture, particularly in livestock farming and dairy, adding that the former Kano State Governor and APC Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, had already worked on a proposal that would be shared for input and implementation. President Tinubu equally congratulated the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for restoring irrigation systems that provide water for year-long cultivation of crops. 

On security, the President said the deployment of forest guards was being considered, with better training, modern technological gadgets and weapons to strengthen security, and that the solid mineral and marine economic sectors will also be secured by special police. 

“We have a big marine economy, and I do not see why we should not have the marine police. We will have the same in solid minerals to keep the scavengers away. I am ready to invest in security. We will buy our own minerals and keep them in reserves, especially gold, which will be effective in our foreign exchange reserve,’’ the President told the governors.

The Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, thanked the President for involving governors in the design and implementation of polices, as well as for intervening with financial support in the states.

“We will continue to support you as your able ambassadors, willing ambassadors, and capable ambassadors,’’ Governor Uzodinma.

FG expands power generation in Kainji, commissions additional 300KWp power project.

FG expands power generation in Kainji, commissions additional 300KWp power project.

Project, part of administration’s turnaround agenda for reliable, qualitative power , says Adelabu

In furtherance of President Bola Tinubu‘s Renewed Hope Agenda to provide adequate , reliable and quality electricity to businesses and households in the country, the Federal Government on Thursday commissioned a 300KWp Solar PV pilot project in Kainji , Niger State. While commissioning the project, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu said the project will primarily increase power generation capacity, lower electricity costs while also fostering enhanced collaboration between the main concessionaire, Mainstream Energy Solution and its Chinese partner, HEDC in the renewable energy field.

A statement by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations to the Minister stated that the power project comes with 675KWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which is an integral part of the extension of 1G3 and 1G4 under the rehabilitation of the 1G9 in Kainji HPP project. The Minister who said efforts were progressing in achieving President Tinubu’s turnaround agenda on supply of reliable and quality power said the Power Ministry’s objective is to meet power demand by ensuring improved distribution and transmission infrastructure to minimize technical and commercial losses, closing the metering gap and resolving the liquidity, power theft and vandalism challenges.

The Minister also said the destruction of some power towers around the country has been reported to the National Security Adviser (NSA) in order to strengthen security around the power infrastructure.

“It is of no use to expend so much energy in providing power facilities if the delivery channel is weak, that is why the ministry is concentrating on improvement of the transmission and distribution capacity.”

On power theft and destruction of power infrastructure,

Adelabu again emphasized the need for Nigerians and the different Communities where the facilities are located to protect them.

“What is the essence of government and private companies expending resources on these power facilities while some elements within the society will deliberately move to destroy the facilities which are national.

Supreme Court: Sweet victory for Sanwo-Olu, seven other governors.

Supreme Court: Sweet victory for Sanwo-Olu, seven other governors.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Plateau, Zamfara States counterparts; Alex Otti, Bala Mohammed, Bassey Otu, Francis Nwifuru, Caleb Mutfwang and Dauda Lawal

The Supreme Court on Friday put to rest legal battles arising from the March 18, 2023 governorship elections in eight states.

Candidates and their parties who felt the elections should have swayed their way had approached the Supreme Court.

However, the apex court on Friday affirmed the victory of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Plateau, Zamfara states counterparts; Alex Otti, Bala Mohammed, Bassey Otu, Abba Yusuf, Francis Nwifuru, Caleb Mutfwang, and Dauda Lawal.

The court affirmed the election of Sanwo-Olu which was earlier upheld by the tribunal and Appeal Court in the state.

The Labour Party candidate in the election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, had in his appeal claimed that Sanwo-Olu’s running mate, Obafemi Hamzat, had renounced his citizenship as a Nigerian.

The court held that Sanwo-Olu’s deputy is a Nigerian by birth, adding that renunciation of citizenship of a citizen by birth must be registered by the Nigerian president, adding that the appellant did not provide any evidence to that effect.

The court, however, dismissed the appeal by the Labour Party candidate for lacking in merit.

Also, Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, who is the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, on his part, contended that the name Sanwo-Olu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission was different from that contained in his WAEC certificate.

The apex court, while dismissing the appeal, described it as “academic”.

Also, the apex court affirmed the election of the governor of Cross River Governor, Bassey Otu. 

The court, while dismissing the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Sandy Onar, described it as a waste of judicial time and resources.

Otu was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Meanwhile, the court threw out the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State, Sadique Abubakar’s appeal, and affirmed the election of Governor Bala Mohammed.

Abubakar had alleged massive non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the poll at the two courts. 

Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, in his lead judgment on Friday, resolved all six issues against the appellant and held that the appeal was devoid of merit

Meanwhile, despite the initial scare, the Supreme Court set aside the lower courts’ decisions sacking Governor  Abba Yusuff of Kano State.

The tribunal had set aside the governor’s victory after declaring 165,663 of his votes invalid.

The tribunal held that the deducted votes were from ballot papers that were neither stamped nor signed. 

The court, however, declared Nasiru Gawuna of the APC winner of the election.

But the Supreme Court on Friday ordered that all the ballot papers from which the appellant votes were deducted should be restored to the governor.

Reading the judgment, Justice John Okoro, said the said paper contains the logo of INEC and the coat of arms as prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act.

He also held that the issue of party membership is an internal affair of the party.

The Supreme Court also upheld the election of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.

Reading the lead judgment at the Supreme Court, Justice Emmanuel Agim described the decision of the appeal court as perverse.

He held that the respondents did not provide substantial evidence to prove their allegations of overvoting among others.

Agim said, “The court of appeal’s decision is perverse. It has no evidential foundation. The appeal has merit, it succeeds and it is allowed. The order that the election is inclusive is hereby set aside. The election of the appellant is upheld.”

Also, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Ebonyi Governor, Francis Nwifuru.

The PDP and its candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, had challenged the election of Nwifuru of the APC in Ebonyi state.  Odii had lost at both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

Reading the lead judgment on Friday, Justice Tijani Abubakar held that Section 177(c) of the constitution didn’t provide for consideration on how the political parties arrive at the decision to sponsor a candidate.

He held that once a candidate satisfies the provisions of 177 and is not disqualified by Section 182 of the constitution, the candidate becomes automatically qualified to contest the governorship election.

He held that the appeal was unmeritorious and dismissed it.

Meanwhile, the apex court also affirmed the election of Alex Otti as the duly elected governor of Abia State.

The court dismissed the appeals by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Okey Ahiwe, and Ikechi Emenike of the APC.

Otti of the Labour Party polled 175,466 votes to defeat his closest rival, Okey Ahiwe of the PDP, who scored 88,529 votes in the March 18 governorship election.

The Supreme Court upheld the election of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.

Reading the judgment of the apex court on Friday, Justice Emmanuel Agim held that the APC and its candidate are not members of the PDP and cannot challenge the primary election of the PDP.

He also held that the tribunal and court of appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the issue.

Agim noted that the petition of the APC in the first place was an abuse of the court process and faulted the appeal court for sacking the governor.

He said, “The petition by the APC and its candidates are abuse of the court process. I wonder why the matter came to court at all. This appeal is allowed.”

“My worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of this,” Justice John Okoro said while agreeing with the lead judgment.

Kano youths celebrate Supreme Court judgement.

Kano youths celebrate Supreme Court judgement.

Many youths on Friday thronged some major streets to celebrate the Supreme Court judgement following the affirmation of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the duly elected governor of the State.

The youths were seen in troops along all the streets across the metropolis chanting solidarity songs and dancing in the streets, raising placards and party insignia.

It was observed that some of the jubilating youths were seen stunting with motorcycles and cars in the city while others were seen dragging brooms which is the logo of the All Progressives Party.

One of the jubilating youths, who simply gave his name as Hassan, noted that the Supreme Court averted what would have been a violent reaction.

“The Supreme Court has saved Kano from violent reaction because, if the judgement had not favoured Abba, the situation would have been different by now.

“But with what you are seeing now, there is relief all over. People are going about with their normal businesses,” he said.

At the marketplaces that were hitherto closed down in the early hours of Friday, like the Rimi and Kantin Kwari markets, traders have already started opening their shops and places of business.

As of the time of filing this report, armed security personnel that were deployed to strategic places were still there keeping vigil.

Security has also been beefed up along all routes leading to the Government House as people going through the roads were being subjected to thorough checking.

The Supreme Court had earlier on Friday set aside the lower courts’ decisions sacking the Kano governor.

The tribunal had set aside Yusuf Abba of the New Nigeria Peoples Party victory after declaring 165,663 of his votes invalid. The tribunal held that the deducted votes were from ballot papers that were neither stamped nor signed.

He then approached the appeal court for redress. The appeal court upheld the tribunal’s decision and faulted the lower court for not disqualifying the governor.

The appellate court said the governor was not properly sponsored by the New Nigeria Peoples Party, thus violating the provisions of Section 177 (c) of the constitution.

Tinubu Unveils New Leadership for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Sector.

Tinubu Unveils New Leadership for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Sector.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In a strategic move to invigorate the nation's creative landscape, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eleven (11) new Chief Executive Officers for key agencies under the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy. The appointments, effective immediately, signal a commitment to fostering vibrancy and robust growth in the country's cultural and creative sectors.

The newly appointed leaders are poised to take charge of critical agencies, each contributing to the multifaceted tapestry of Nigeria's artistic and cultural expression. The appointees include:

Tola Akerele — Director-General, National Theatre

Dr. Shaibu Husseini — Director-General, National Films and Censors Board

Mr. Obi Asika — Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture

Aisha Adamu Augie — Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture

Ekpolador-Ebi Koinyan — Chief Conservator, National War Museum

Ahmed Sodangi — Director-General, National Gallery of Art

Chaliya Shagaya — Director-General, National Institute of Archeology and Museums Studies

Hajiya Khaltume Bulama Gana — Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria

Otunba Biodun Ajiboye — Director-General, National Institute for Cultural Orientation

Ali Nuhu — Managing-Director, Nigerian Film Corporation

Ramatu Abonbo Mohammed — Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments

These appointments underscore President Tinubu's commitment to repositioning and advancing the creative economy, recognizing the pivotal role that culture and the arts play in national identity and development.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, conveyed the President's charge to the appointees. They are tasked with discharging their duties with the highest standards of professionalism, diligence, and patriotism, with the overarching goal of making the creative sector more vibrant and robust.

This move is anticipated to inject fresh perspectives, energy, and expertise into the cultural and creative landscape, setting the stage for a dynamic era of artistic expression and economic growth. The President's vision aligns with the potential of the arts and culture to drive innovation, tourism, and socio-economic development in Nigeria.

FG releases N17bn for Abuja-Kano highway.

FG releases N17bn for Abuja-Kano highway.

The Federal Government has released N17bn to the contractor handling the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway to hasten completion of the project.

The FG also stated that all sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway will be completed in 24 months.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this during an inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna section of the highway on Friday.

Umahi, who was accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Wale Edun, said the government made the new timeline after reaching an agreement with the contractor of the road, Julius Berger Construction Company.

A week ago, the minister had promised to complete the road this year, reminiscent of numerous assurances on several occasions to complete the project since December 20, 2018, when the contract was awarded.

In October 2022, the former minister of State, Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub, said work on the Kaduna-Abuja highway, and Zaria-Kano road would be completed in early 2023 to reduce negative effects on road users.

Similarly, the former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in April 2023 stated that the past administration could not fulfill its promise due to security challenges experienced in 2022 and the relocation of some communities on the Zaria section of the 265km road project.

The road which would have been completed, according to design, dragged on till the end of Fashola’s tenure with only the Kaduna to Zaria section completed from the three sections.

Speaking during the inspection, Umahi blamed the delay on a paucity of funds but assured of the government’s commitment to end the road on time, adding that payment of N17bn has been approved and other finances would be endorsed in due course.

“This is the second time I have inspected this road since we came in and it shows you how much Mr President is in touch with happenings all over the country. He directed us to move in and provide lasting solutions here.”

“And I can inform you that The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority has been informed to pay the contractor the outstanding certificate of N17bn. then another certificate of N23bn is already being processed and so we assure you that funding will no longer be a problem.”

Explaining reasons for the new date, the former Ebonyi governor disclosed that the new date was set because Julius Berger agreed to complete 15 kilometers every month.

“We are looking at 24 months to finish the project, it can only be Berger that will finish in 24 months. So with an assured financing model by the Minister of Finance, it will be completed. The total section of 290km dual way is uncompleted but if we look at the total four sections, we are looking at 15km completion every month, which is very serious and a tall order.”

“The total road length is 375km, which is equivalent to 750km of dual lane. Now, Kaduna to Zaria is completed. We have only 20km left between Zaria and Kano. We are looking at redesigning it, with concrete pavement. Already the contractor is aware. I know we have the issue differences in terms of reviewing the contract price but we’ve sorted all that out and I’m happy we have progressed. We’ve sent the geotechnical team to re-examine the strength of the subgrade,” he added.

On his part, Edun stressed that the timely completion of the road remains a top priority for President Bola Tinubu, who views road infrastructure as a key element in revitalising and stabilising the nation’s economy.

He added that infrastructure is a critical priority of this administration and a source of getting food prices down through good transportation, and easy transportation of agricultural products.

Edun said, “As the Coordinating Minister of the economy in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are here to get commitment from the contractor and encourage them.”

“We are headed for a dry season and eventually the harvest season so we want the goods to move freely across the country. That will bring down food prices; that will bring down inflation and then stabilize the economy and then we’ll be doing more.”

Ekiti LG Boss, Ogungbemi Salutes Tinubu for Being Apolitical, Unbiased with Anti-Graft Wars.

Ekiti LG Boss, Ogungbemi Salutes Tinubu for Being Apolitical, Unbiased with Anti-Graft Wars.

.....Lauds Oyebanji's selfless, sacrificial leadership style.

The Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, Hon. Prince (Amb) Michael Ogungbemi who also doubles as the Ekiti State Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), a socio-political group has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being terrific and non-partisan in prosecuting the wars against graft and pilfering of public funds.

Ogungbemi, who was sworn in recently for his second term tenure, praised President Tinubu for his zealous and dispassionate postures in the way he handled the reported alleged graft related cases in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

The President recently suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu over alleged misappropriation of a sum of N543m, while also removed the 

Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Hajia Halima Shehu, from office due to alleged financial impropriety.

In the same fashion, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, had begun an extensive probe into alleged diversion of a staggering sum of N37 billion under the leadership of the former Minister in the Ministry, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq .

Reacting to the alleged scams, Ogungbemi, in a statement released from Ayedun Ekiti, headquarters of the LCDA, on Friday, posited that President Tinubu, had further gained the trust of Nigerians by these recent actions.

Ogungbemi stated that the fact that the President rose above the primordial sentiment of partisanship to carry out the actions in line with the thinking and wishes of Nigerians showed that the era of sacred cows in the wars against sleaze in the country was over.

The council boss commended the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, for exhibiting high level of professionalism, urging him to keep the tempo to help the current government combat highly possessive ill-gotten wealth spirit among public servants.

He added further that Nigeria would find it herculean to develop and join the comity of advanced nations if the egregiously pervasive and endemic corruption in the system is not cleansed. 

The council boss urged the anti graft agencies to extend their tentacles and beam their searchlights across all the layers of government, so that monies appropriated for Nigerians are not diverted into private purses.

Ogungbemi stated that "with the recent gale of sacks and suspensions blowing in the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, it was obvious that the fight against graft has gained tremendous traction and acceptability under President Tinubu.

"I was particularly dazzled that President Tinubu started the war from within by sacking and suspending his appointees to show to Nigerians that it is no longer business as usual. 

"By the time the war will be extended across, no opposition will cry of victimisation or vindictiveness. This was the signal Mr President was sending across.

"Time has come for all public servants to see the public funds as a Commonwealth and collective patrimony that must be used for the citizens judiciously, so that we can overcome the challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality and social disorders in the system".

At the homefront, Ogungbemi praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for being selfless, simple, and sacrificial in his service to Ekiti, saying these the governor displayed by running a government that is spartan and financially disciplined for the citizens to reap democracy dividends.

"By actions, deeds and dispositions, Governor Oyebanji remains one of the most prudent and financially disciplined governors in Nigeria. He runs a government in such a way that would conserve public funds and that was why he told his appointees that no luxury of official cars and payment of some special allowances for now. 

"This connotes that the APC government of Ekiti has keyed into the Anti-graft war being prosecuted by President Tinubu at the federal level and we are gradually feeling the gains by the quantum of Infrastructures and other social intervention programmes being enjoyed under Governor Oyebanji's government".