Edo APC primary: Ganduje congratulates Idahosa on victory.

Edo APC primary: Ganduje congratulates Idahosa on victory.

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has congratulated the winner of the Edo state governorship primary election, Hon Dennis Idahosa. 

Congratulating Idahosa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, the national chairman urged the party’s flag bearer to carry all aspirants along to deliver the party at the September state governorship election. 

Ganduje equally commended Governor Hope Uzodinma’s election committee, noting that its transparency in the conduct of the election was highly commendable. 

The chairman then urged all aspirants to put aside their differences now that the primary election is over and join hands with the winner to deliver the party at the election 

Ganduje said: “I want to congratulate the winner of the Edo State governorship election, I want to equally commend and appreciate Governor Hope Uzodinma’s election committee for their hard work and the transparent manner in which the primary election was conducted. 

“At this point, I want to call on all the aspirants to bury the hatchet and work for the interest of the party so that our party will emerge victorious “

The national chairman also commended all the party stakeholders and assured them that the party will do everything possible to ensure that Edo state is delivered.

RAINSTORM: Aiyedatiwa Visits Ita-Ogbolu, Promises Timely Assistance To Victims.

RAINSTORM: Aiyedatiwa Visits Ita-Ogbolu, Promises Timely Assistance To Victims.

 

Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Saturday visited the people of Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State over the rainstorm that wreaked havoc in the community last week Friday.

The storm, which followed the first rain of the year, claimed one life and destroyed about 200 buildings in the town.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who inspected the damages, sympathised with the victims and promised that the government will come to their aid.

Accompained by his deputy, Chief Olayide Adelami and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Olamide Oladiji, the Governor also paid a visit to the residence of the woman who died as a result of the storm.

Earlier at the palace of the Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, the Governor said he was saddened by the loss of life and the huge number of affected properties. 

The Governor said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had been on ground to compile and assess the affected houses and would ensure succour gets to the victims on time.

"I want to sympathise with kabiyesi and the people of Ita-Ogbolu on this unfortunate disaster. We thank God that it was not more than that. May God give the family of the one that lost her life the fortitude to bear the loss.

"The government has arrangements for such disaster and I can assure you that we will do the needful when we see the detailed reports", the Governor said.

Governor Aiyedatiwa later advised that residents should cultivate the habit of planting trees around their residential buildings so that it would serve as a windbreaker.

The Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Oba Idowu Faborode, appreciated the governor for the concern and show of love.

A member of the House of Assembly representing Akure North, Hon. Kolawole Ologede and a former Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Mr. Dele Ologun, thanked the Governor for personally visiting the community.

Aiyedatiwa Flags Off Construction Of Rural Roads In Ondo State.

Aiyedatiwa Flags Off Construction Of Rural Roads In Ondo State. 

....Oda Cocoa Board in Akure South, Ode-Omi-Ebute Iyara in Irele and Ifira-Afo in Akoko South East to benefit in first phase.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his commitment to the development of the grassroots, while also ensuring food security by constructing access roads to farms.

The Governor gave this assuarance at the project launch and groundbreaking ceremony of 15.5km Oda Cocoa Board - Camp 2 - Langbodo Road in Oda town in Akure South local government area on Friday.

The first phase of the project cuts across the three senatorial districts of the State in Oda - Cocoa Board - Langbodo at Akure South LG in the Central; Ode - Omi - Ebute Iyara in Irele LGA for the South and Ifira Akoko - Afo in Akoko South East LG for the North. The construction work will commence simultaneously across the three locations.

The second phase of the road contracts are expected to be awarded in the first quarter of the year and it will also cut across many LGAs in the State. 

The Governor assured that his administration will continue to embark on  more developmental projects for the benefit of the people of the State, especially at the grassroots.

Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized the need for all stakeholders to take ownership of the projects, stressing that the contractors handling the construction of rural roads must be closely supervised to ensure that the quality of roads is not compromised under any guise.

He added that the fact that the roads have been in a deplorable state for many years makes it imperative that the ongoing intervention must be carried out to the expected threshold of standard.

While hoping for a speedy completion of the projects, the Governor commended the efforts of the contractors so far. 

The State Project Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAMP), Mr. Femi Adetanmi, said the project enjoys fundings from the World Bank, French Development Agency and Counterpart contribution by the Ondo State Government.

Adetanmi emphasized that when the road is completed, it will connect the people in the rural communities with the urban areas which will allow free flow of farm produce.

"Ondo RAAMP project cuts across all the 18 Local Government Areas of the State with about 700km of roads digitalized, designed and ready for construction. The design of 9 of Agro-Logistics Centers (ALCs) to be built across the State is equally ongoing", he said.

He, however, called on farmers to ensure that through this gesture, farm products are made available in sufficient quantities to the markets in order to eliminate food scarcity that is being experienced due to poor road network in rural/farm areas.

Also, the Administrative Secretary, Directorate of Rural & Community Development, who doubles as the Chairman, State Project Monitoring Committee of RAAMP, Mr. Wole Akinkuotu, reiterated that the present administration's decision to be one of the participating states in RAAMP was borne out of the concerned attitude of the Governor and the desire to change the negative narrative associated with getting access to the rural parts of the State.

Those present at the event included the Deputy Governor, Chief Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, Chief of Staff to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Prince Segun Omojuwa and traditional rulers.

Fubara Gifts Nwabali N20m, State Honour.

Fubara Gifts Nwabali N20m, State Honour.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has on Friday, said his administration will sustain purposeful governance and administrative efficiency because they are helping the people of the state to engage in ventures that bring honour.

Fubara spoke when he hosted the Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who participated in the just concluded 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The Governor, who announced a N20 million Naira reward for Nwabali said he will also be bestowed with the honour of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State.

Fubara also gifted N30 million to the Super Eagles’ crew who were present.

In a related development, for emerging as champions in the Louis Edem National League competition, Fubara gifted N50 million to the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Team.

This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the governor, Boniface Onyedi, and made available to newsmen.

Fubara said in providing leadership, his focus was to create an enabling environment in which Rivers people will continue to feel encouraged to do the right thing to align with what he is doing in changing the narrative of how Rivers State is perceived globally.

The governor commended the Rivers-born Nwabali for his excellent goalkeeping in the Super Eagles team, playing alongside other patriots in the just concluded AFCON, which has made Nigeria proud.

He said, “I want to join the great and wonderful people of Rivers State to congratulate you, our brother Stanley Nwabali and our wonderful team.

“We are here again in just about four months after you won a local trophy.

“Today, you have brought a national trophy. So, when people say or talk behind us to ask what we are doing, we are achieving those things that are not, maybe, seen physically but they give joy and fulfilment.

“If we have not encouraged you in a way that motivated you, you won’t be where you are. So, it is part of purposeful governance and administrative efficiency.

“So, I want to thank you and assure you that we will continue to do our best.”

He urged residents of the state to continue to consciously do positive things that promote the state and attract honour.

The state Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, lauded Fubara for his support that motivated the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Team to clinch the national league trophy as champions.

Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Justice and one-time Super Eagles player, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, while recognising the impact of sports development in the state, commended the purposeful leadership of Fubara.

Workers, Students in Ikere Ekiti to benefit from EKSG free bus service.

Workers, Students in Ikere Ekiti  to benefit from EKSG free bus service.

Students and workers in Ikere Ekiti will start enjoying the state government’s free bus services, beginning from Monday, February 19, 2024. 

  

This is sequel to the directive of the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji  that the free bus service be extended to students and civil servants in Ikere- Ekiti as part of the administration’s  efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship being faced across the country.

The buses will ply major routes in Ikere Ekiti and will convey students and workers in the morning and afternoon. 

The free bus service for students and civil servants commenced in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital last year as part of the palliative measures introduced by the Biodun Oyebanji administration to cushion the effect of the economic hardship. 

Plans are underway to increase the fleet of buses and extend the free bus service to other major towns in the state. 

The Biodun Oyebanji administration is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens and will continue to prioritize programmes and policies that will boost their productivity in line with its shared prosperity agenda.

Stop hoarding foodstuffs, Nasarawa Gov urges traders.

Stop hoarding foodstuffs, Nasarawa Gov urges traders.

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has sought the support of members of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association towards mitigating the rising cost of food items.

The governor stated this when he recently met with the traders and marketers association at the Government House, Lafia, due to the prevailing economic hardships being experienced by the people of the state.

Sule decried the situation where traders purchase and hoard food items solely for profit maximisation, and urged the members of the traders and marketing association to sensitise their members on the ills of hoarding food items, especially at a time when people find it difficult to feed.

Sule said, “It is high time we come together to help ourselves. It is inconsiderate for someone to hoard food items while waiting for the prices to soar before selling them.

“It is even possible that at the time, such a person wants to sell his food items, he may lack buyers because of the scarcity of money. It is not good for someone who bought a 50kg bag of sugar at N32,000 to now turn around and sell it at N72,000.

“Stop hoarding food items. Hunger is ravaging the people. If we continue to hoard food items and people continue to die, we would answer before God.”

Also speaking, the President, Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, Musa Turaki-Gamji, said members of the union had started touring the zones across the state to sensitise traders on supporting the government’s plans to assuage the plight of the people.

Turaki-Gamji pointed out that the association had taken it upon itself to intervene by assisting the government in reducing the hardships presently being faced by the people of the state.

Edo 2024: Ize-Iyamu quits race as 11 battle for APC ticket.

Edo 2024: Ize-Iyamu quits race as 11 battle for APC ticket.

An Edo State governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, unexpectedly withdrew from the race yesterday, 24 hours from today’s primary of the party.

Ize-Iyamu had flown the APC flag in the 2020 election and the PDP flag in 2016.

He was one of the 12 aspirants earlier cleared from a field of 29 by a committee put in place by the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

Ize-Iyamu, in a six-paragraph letter to the National Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, said his withdrawal became “imperative after an exhaustive consultation with my family, friends, political associates and supporters.”

He said: “Few months ago, after extensively interacting with family, friends, political associates, and supporters, I joined the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial race, as a result of my passion and commitment to the cause of rescuing Edo State from the current condition of decrepitude.

“I entered the contest as a progressive democrat, with an open mind to keenly contest and accept the result of a process that is fair, credible and transparent. I appreciate the commendable effort made by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to correct the erroneous impression maliciously created by certain persons that some aspirants, including myself, had been disqualified from the gubernatorial contest. The NWC constituted the authentic screening committee, and all twelve aspirants who purchased and completed the nomination forms were successfully screened and subsequently issued clearance certificates. This step was praise worthy and helped in restoring our integrity in the eyes of the public.

“Having been cleared to contest, I regrettably wish to announce my withdrawal from the race. Although painful, this decision has become imperative after an exhaustive consultation with my family, friends, political associates and supporters. I make this sacrifice in the interest of the peace and unity that the party desperately requires at both state and national levels.

“I humbly appeal to the good people of Edo State to accept my decision, which is very personal, and I promise to be there for them at all times.

“Thankfully, I acknowledge the fatherly role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as well as the party’s national leadership for the fairness and commitment to the democratic process. Likewise, I remain grateful to members of the State Working Committee for their principled stand to allow a level-playing field for all aspirants. I am extremely appreciative to my family, friends, supporters, well-wishers, and the extraordinary hardworking men and women of our campaign organisation, who were prepared to stop at nothing to see me fly the party’s flag. I salute your great works, your steadfastness and courage.

 “Finally, as a loyal party man, I wish to pledge that I and my teeming supporters shall support any candidate that emerges in the primary election holding tomorrow (today).”

Political observers in the state said yesterday that Ize-Iyamu’s withdrawal might not be unconnected with his realization that the permutation seemed to favour Dennis Idahosa, who is the House of Representatives member for Ovia.

Still in the race however are: Clem Agba, Monday Okpebholo, Lucky Imasuen, Anamero Dekeri, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Gideon Ikhine and David Imuse, Charles Airhiavbere, Oserheimen Osunbor, Blessing Agbomhere, Dennis Idahosa and Ernest Umakhihe.