EKSG Strengthen Fire Fighting Service With Eight Vehicles, Pledges Improved Response.

EKSG Strengthen Fire Fighting Service With Eight Vehicles, Pledges Improved Response.

Towards ensuring the fulfilment of the promise to reposition the State Fire Services for quick response to distressed calls during emergency situations, the Ekiti State Government, has strengthened the sector with eight fire fighting equipment.

Giving the breakdown of the fleet while test running the vehicles in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aliko, said the new vehicles consist of refurbished six FIre Fighting Trucks and two Water Tankers to be deployed to various offices for effective emergency responses.

Aluko, had in a meeting held with the State Fire Service personnel during the 2024 work plan meeting of the ministry, said the parastatal has been making remarkable strides under Biodun Oyebanji Administration by swiftly responding to the yearnings of the citizens.

He stated that Governor Oyebanji during a visit to the Ado Fire Service Headquarters, promised that the State Fire Services will be better equipped, describing the procurement as keeping to the pledge made during the assessment tour.

With the new equipment and many still in the pipeline, Aluko urged the personnel to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to achieve a high fire safety status across the state.

” I encourage the Fire Service personnel to focus more on fire prevention and safety to reduce the incidents of fire outbreaks and distressed calls in the state by making judicious use of these equipment”.

While test- running the equipment during a fire fighting platform and fire drilling exercise in Ado-Ekiti, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Olumide Ajayi, charged the Officers of the Service to discharge their duties maximally, especially in times of emergencies.

He stated that Fire fighting equipment would be distributed to the seven Fire Service Stations located in Ado, Ikere, Omuo, Ikole, Ijero, Aramoko and Ido Ekiti to effectively curtail fire outbreaks and loss of property to inferno.

“The existing fire stations will be upgraded in coming years, and more will be built across the state to reduce response time. So the staff must work assiduously towards accomplishing the mandates of state fire services, which include: extinguishing, controlling and preventing of fire outbreaks in public and private facilities”.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser/Director General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr John Ekundayo, commended the efforts of the State Government for repairing the faulty Fire fighting equipment.

He charged the officers in charge to make judicious use of the equipment for the benefit of Ekiti people and conduct themselves well in the discharge of their duties.

Ekundayo, advised the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, in conjunction the Fire Service Department to embark on more awareness and sensitization programmes that will help people to always take precautions to avoid fire outbreak, especially during the dry season.

Dangote thanks Tinubu, Nigerians over refinery’s takeoff.

Dangote thanks Tinubu, Nigerians over refinery’s takeoff.

President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has expressed  appreciation to President Bola Tinubu  for his vision and support which  he said encouraged him to embark on the Dangote Refinery project some years back.

The refinery formally took off  on Friday with the production of diesel and aviation fuel.

Speaking with stakeholders in the oil and gas industry on the historic start of domestic refining of petroleum products that will eliminate dependence on importation of refined products in the country, Dangote recalled the support, encouragement, and thoughtful advice he got from President Tinubu towards the actualisation of the refinery project.

 “This production, as witnessed today, would not have been possible without his (Tinubu’s) visionary leadership and prompt attention to detail,” Dangote said.

He added: “His intervention at various stages cleared all impediments, thereby accelerating the actualisation of the project.”

The Group Head, Corporate Communications, Dangote Group ,Mr Anthony Chiejina quoted Dangote as saying the diesel and aviation fuel from the refinery would be available at the stands  within the next two weeks.

Dangote said: “We have started the production of diesel and aviation fuel, and the products will be in the market before the end of the month.

“This is a big day for Nigeria. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone.

“This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects.

“This is a game changer for our country, and I am very fulfilled with the actualisation of this project.

“The refinery has so far received six million barrels of crude oil at its two SPMs located 25 kilometres from the shore.

“The first crude delivery was done on Dec. 12, 2023, and the 6th cargo was delivered on Jan. 8, 2024,” he added.

He said that the refinery can load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries.

He added that the products from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications.

Dangote boss said that the refinery design complies with the World Bank, US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms. State-of-the-art technology.

He also acknowledged the support of the  Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigerians for their support and belief in the historic project.

“These organisations have been our dependable partners in this historic journey,” he said.

The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, told  The Nation by  phone yesterday that members of the association could not wait to have the price list of all the products.

“We want to know Dangote petroleum products prices. We will request the list so that we can give it to our members,” Maigandi said.

He also said the association was pressing for allocation of the products to independent marketers from the refinery.

Tinubu is a beacon of rule of law – Bala Mohammed.

Tinubu is a beacon of rule of law – Bala Mohammed.

Bauchi state governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has described President Bola Tinubu as a true federalist and advocate of the rule of law.

The governor highlighted that, under the Tinubu’s led administration, the judiciary has flourished independently, free from external influence.

This is coming on the heels of the Supreme Court judgment which upheld his election as the governor of Bauchi state.

The Nation reports in a judgment delivered on Friday, January 12, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa who read the lead judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by Sadique Abubakar of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for lacking in merit.

Addressing mammoth crowd who trooped to the Government House’s house on Saturday to celebrate with him, the governor said: “I’m grateful to the Nigeria judiciary. I’m going to President Tinubu for allowing the rule of law to persist, irrespective of the lies. No amount of mischief will bring us down”

“President Tinubu is a beacon of the rule of law worthy of emulation by all.”

According to him, the outcome of the court case right from the tribunal up to the Supreme Court has made him to have more confidence in the judiciary.

National Assembly Postpones Resumption to January 30, 2024.

National Assembly Postpones Resumption to January 30, 2024.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In an unexpected development, the National Assembly has decided to postpone its resumption date to January 30th, 2024, instead of the earlier scheduled January 23rd. The announcement was made by the Clerk to the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, in Abuja on Saturday.

The announcement, titled "Announcement" and signed by Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, was directed to all Honourable Members of the House of Representatives. It stated: "I am directed to inform Hon Members that the resumption date for both Senate and House of Representatives has been shifted upwards from Tuesday, 23rd January, 2024 (earlier announced) to Tuesday, 30th January, 2024, at 11:00 am prompt. All inconveniences are regretted."

The decision to postpone the resumption comes as the Senate and House of Representatives had extended their Yuletide recess to allow for the consideration and passage of the 2024 budget. The revised date provides additional time for lawmakers to prepare for the upcoming plenary sessions.

While the postponement may inconvenience some members, it allows for a more comprehensive approach to the legislative duties ahead, including the crucial task of reviewing and approving the national budget for the year 2024. The shift in the resumption date emphasizes the importance of a thorough and well-prepared deliberation on critical national issues.

FG set to amend guidelines for ICT Service providers.

FG set to amend guidelines for ICT Service providers.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) service providers and contractors have been informed of plans by the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive review of guidelines for their operations and registrations.

The government announced that the review has become imperative, considering the fact that the existing document has been in use since 2018, coupled with the necessity of nourishing the growth of the local Information Technology (IT) companies in the country.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the purview of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy made the announcement in Abuja yesterday.

The Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, said the review was “designed to streamline the process for the delivery of IT services to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

She said in a statement: “These guidelines, initially issued in 2018, has outlined the registration process for indigenous IT service providers that guarantees the delivery of high-quality IT projects to the federal government, uphold the highest standards of professionalism in IT services, and nourish the growth of local IT companies, all in adherence to the relevant Presidential Executive Orders.

Taiwan ruling party wins presidential election despite China’s threat.

Taiwan ruling party wins presidential election despite China’s threat.

Taiwan ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Mr. William Lai Ching-te was yesterday declared winner of the island nation’s presidential election despite China‘s threat.

Lai’s closest rival, Hou Yu-ih of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)conceded defeat before the declaration of final result yesterday.

Lai had been labelled a troublemaker by China, which warned people against voting for him. KMT had promised better ties with Beijing and peace in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan is a democratic island of 23 million people that governs itself – but it is claimed by mainland China.

About 113 legislative seats were also contested yesterday.

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is an island separated from China by the Taiwan Strait. It has been governed independently of mainland China, officially the People’s Republic of China (PRC), since 1949. The PRC views the island as a renegade province and vows to eventually “unify” Taiwan with the mainland.

Representative and Chief of Taiwan Trade Mission in Nigeria Mr. Andy Yih-Ping Liu declared that the election showed the resilience of Taiwanese despite China’s military threat.

He added: “Despite ongoing pressure from Chinese regime, we are determined to defend our way of lives and our democracy with an independent judiciary and the free press.

“Moreover, Taiwan’s democratic resilience has been further strengthened by its international alliances and support. Despite facing diplomatic isolation due to China’s pressure, Taiwan has successfully cultivated close ties with like-minded democracies such as the United States, Japan, European, Latin American and other Asian countries. These alliances serve as a testament to Taiwan’s commitment and achievements in democratic governance.

“As a shining example of democracy in East Asia, Taiwan’s ability to sustain its democratic resilience serves as an inspiration and a testament to the enduring power of democracy. This is simply an echo of what Nigerian citizens have achieved in West Africa as the role model of democracy.”

Taiwan has also been a key flashpoint in the tussle for power between the United States and its allies on one part and China in the region.

China People’s Liberation Army increased pressure on the island over the last few years with a record number of incursions.

On Friday, the PLA said it would “smash” any Taiwan independence “plots” and that it “remains on high alert at all times”. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also warned voters in Taiwan to make the “right choice”, claiming that Lai would further promote separatist activities if he were elected.

The Biden administration doubled down on its support for Taiwan’s democratic process ahead of the presidential election.

Tensions between China and Taiwan in the 1950s resulted in armed conflict over strategic islands in the Taiwan Strait.

On two separate occasions during the 1950s, the PRC bombed the islands. The United States responded by actively intervening on behalf of Taiwan.

A’Ibom gov dedicates S’Court victory to God.

A’Ibom gov dedicates S’Court victory to God.

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, on Friday, reflected on his legal battles in life.

He said God had seen him through 26 different court cases, out of which eight were dragged before the Supreme Court.

The governor stated this at the Peoples Democratic Party Secretariat in Uyo while celebrating the recent Supreme Court victory which affirmed him as the duly elected governor of the state.

The Supreme Court had, on Thursday in Abuja, dismissed three separate appeals by the All Progressives Congress, Young Progressive Congress and the New Nigeria People’s Party and their candidates against the governor of Akwa Ibom State.

The governor said, “It has been the tradition of all previous governors to come to the party house to celebrate New Year with the party members. This being my very first, I had looked up to it and we had fixed this date but God who knows the end from the beginning had a divine calendar.

“So, yesterday, by the special grace of the Almighty God, the Supreme Court affirmed our governorship, affirmed all of your labour, your campaigns, your belief, all of your votes and so this calls for a double celebration. It has become both a New Year visit and a victory celebration so we return all the glory to God.

“I appreciate God for seeing me through 26 court cases, out of which 8 were dragged to the Supreme Court.

“I acknowledged the party structure’s unwavering support before, during and after the election, the victory has further renewed my commitment to do better as a servant leader.