22032021 - Govs, APC, PDP, othersrally against attack on Ortom

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12 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 Nothing to show for federal allocations, IGR in N'Delta —Stakeholders •Commend Akpabio, Akwa, NDDC interim administrator By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South U YO—NIGER-DELTA Stakeholders Forum, NDSF, weekend, complained that there was nothing to show for the huge federal allocations and Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in Niger Delta region. The stakeholders also berated the six governors of South-South states, saying they have not done much with the resources available to them. On questions over Niger Delta governors utilisation of fund allocations to the region, Governor Nyesom Wike said, no citizen from the region, except Rivers State indigenes, can question how he utilises Rivers State resources. Briefing news men after a meeting of the Forum at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to brainstorm on key issues affecting the region, chairman, NDSF and South-South Front SSF, Chief John Harry, said "The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and state governments as developmental agencies are not in any way comparable. The six South-South governors, individually and collectively, have little to show for the billions collected as Federal Allocation and Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. "The South-South geo-political zone can no longer be held hostage by a few people whose sole aim is to work <strong>against</strong> the plans of the Federal Government," adding that the recent demands of the South-South governors on NDDC had sinister import and was meant to distract the Federal Government. "The views of the South- South governors are really borne out of crass ignorance and mischief. The NDDC is working. Things are really happening in the region. The commission is embarking on people-oriented projects. There are development projects going on in the region. The South-South governors did not talk from facts at least concerning the current efforts of the Commission to develop the region," he said. PDF Compressor Free Version COMMISSIONING: From left—Dr. Chike Ihekweazu D-G, NCDC, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State Health, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba and Senator Abdul Karim Jajere, Chairman of the board, FMC, Asaba, during the commissioning of capital projects FMC, Asaba. Photo: Onojake Nathaniel. The stakeholders urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to play into the hands of those contributing towards the underdevelopment of the South-South geo-political zone, commending NDDC, and its managers for taking concrete steps to ensure quality service delivery. "The Niger Delta people are now beginning to witness genuine and practical intervention in their lives and environment as opposed to mere linguistic, lackadaisical and chaotic involvement of past management team," he said. By Samuel Oyadongha YState ENAGOA—BAYELSA government has urged traditional rulers and security agencies to complement its efforts in implementing the state anti-grazing law to forestall herders-farmers crisis in the state. Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made the call, yesterday, in Yenagoa, during a meeting with first class traditional rulers, chairmen of local government areas and some top security officers. He said, "I can tell you substantially that most of our communities are undergoing espionage. We have some intelligence, though not yet confirmed, that there is a mass build-up of arms in our various forests, which we are not aware of. "I can assure you that some of these people, who come into our communities in the name of fishing and farming, know our forests more than us and they are just waiting for the time to strike. That's how it started in the South West and other places in this country. "It is already here with us. So, we should stop playing the ostrich by trying to cover the smoke with a basket. It is better to open up the smoke and deal with it. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to nip the herders/farmers problem The group praised the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for confronting the challenges of the development of the Niger Delta region and bringing a positive difference in the lives of the people of the oil rich region and their environment. It also lauded, Chief Edwin Clark, for holding NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr Effiong Akwa, in high regard. Specifically, the key stakeholders praised Akpabio for addressing the needs of the oil producing areas and attending to such priority projects as roads, bridges, electricity, water supply, foreshore walls, jetties and land reclamation. Only Rivers can ask how our monies are spent ---Wike Reacting, Wike said, "No citizen of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states has any right to question how the resources of Rivers State is expended. "Only Rivers State citizens who elected the Government have moral justification to demand for accountability from my administration which has implemented several infrastructural projects in all the 23 local government areas of the state." Anti-grazing law: Bayelsa tasks traditional rulers, security agencies on implementation in the bud "So, this meeting is to enable us set an agenda on how to do what is called 'due diligence and person mapping' for us to clearly know the people who come into our communities in accordance with the law. "Henceforth, there must be a way of profiling any person who is not an indigene that comes into our communities: where the person is from, how long he or she will stay and what the person will be doing during his or her period of stay," he said. He restated his advocacy for government to ascribe a well Stow emerges leader of Bomadi LGA Legislative Arm By Onozure Dania B OMADI—EBIYEKEFE Stow has emerged leader of the 9th Assembly, Bomadi Local Government Area Legislative Arm of Delta State. This followed the unanimous decision by the 20 councillors at the maiden session of the Legislative Arm at the Bomadi council. Stow, in his address to the House, thanked God Almighty for given him the opportunity to serve and commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for being a true democrat and allowing the defined constitutional role and authority to traditional rulers to enable them contribute more effectively towards community and national development. The meeting had in attendance, the Chairman, state House of Assembly Committee on Security, Benard Kenebai, Chairman, state Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mike Okoli, the State Director of Security, Local Government Chairmen, first class traditional rulers and Divisional Police Officers, DPOs. will of the people to prevail in the March 6, 2021, Delta State council polls. He also thanked and appreciated the Senator representing Delta South senatorial district, James Manager, the House of Representatives, representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, Mr Nicholas Muturu and hierarchy of the People's Democratic Party, <strong>PDP</strong>, in Bomadi council. Stow said that, he would be guided by the local laws alongside his colleagues to make bye laws for the good governance for the people of the council. Nigeria's in a difficult time —Okowa By Festus Ahon ASABA—GOVERNOR If eanyi Okowa of Delta State, weekend, said Nigeria is in a very difficult time, adding that the more the government pays special attention to the vulnerable people, the better the society would be. Consequently, he said the country would experience peace if 25 percent of the subsidy funds are deployed for an insurance scheme for the lessprivileged. Okowa, when he received the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olurunnimbe Mamora, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba, urged the Federal Government to use 25 percent of funds expended on fuel subsidy to provide health insurance for vulnerable Nigerians. Okowa said: "I am glad that you are in Delta State to inaugurate the ECR machine at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. Although we have lost some lives, God has kept us safe and the anticipation of the world didn't come to pass. We are in a very difficult time in our nation Nigeria and the more we pay special attention to the vulnerable people, the better the society we will have. "I thank God that the 7th Senate passed the National Health Bill which became an Act, and I must commend you and the Ministry for making funds available for the running of the basic health care fund provision. The basic health care fund provision has •Urge FG to expend 25% of subsidy funds on health insurance scheme come to the aid of local government areas and the primary health care centres. "If we are able to address health insurance for the vulnerable in our society, it will help us to reduce maternal mortality and the more we are able to reduce those indices, the better for us as a nation. "The money being used to subsidise fuel today, if 25 per cent is spent to provide health insurance for all Nigerians that cannot afford health care, it will help us as a nation. We must continue to direct our policies in favour of the poor because if the family is well enough, it can take care of itself. "If a reasonable chunk of that money is spent on the education of the poor children, it will help to check insecurity and unemployment to a large extent and we must continue to voice this narrative to change things in this country." Speaking further, Okowa encouraged Nigerians to make themselves available for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, saying that it was safe. The Minister, Dr Olurunnimbe Mamora, who spoke earlier, told the governor that he and his delegation were in Delta State to inspect facilities at the FMC, Asaba and thanked him for his contributions to the management of COVID-19 in Nigeria, adding that as a Senator and Medical Doctor, Dr Okowa distinguished himself at the Red Chamber, and had continued to distinguish himself as governor. Agitators to S-South govs: Work with Akpabio to develop N-Delta By Emma Amaize YENAGOA—A coalition of Niger Delta agitators, weekend, called on governors of South South to work with Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to develop Niger Delta region and its people. The group meanwhile, called out governors of Niger Delta states, saying recent revelation by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, that they (governors) collected N100 million each as Covid-19 palliative has exposed their hypocrisy. Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Patrick Ayo Akinyelure, last week, told reporters in Abuja that NDDC officials told the committee that each of the nine governors of the Niger Delta states got N100 million as Covid-19 palliatives. Coordinator of the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience, 21st CYNDAC, selfprofessed "General" Izon Ebi, in a statement, yesterday, said "The N100m palliative controversy just raised by the National Assembly indicting the governors of the nine states is another eye opener concerning the hypocrisy of our governors towards the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio and NDDC. "We advise the governors to work in synergy with Senator Akpabio, who has demonstrated leadership and given to his people dividends of democracy when he was the governor of Akwa Ibom state, rather than playing politics with the development and well-being of the Niger Delta region and its people. "The 21st CYNDAC takes exception to the blackmail and derogatory language used by one of the governors of the South- South accusing the minister of sponsoring militants <strong>against</strong> South- South governors. We never wanted to join issues with our governors but for the sake of posterity and to put records straight. We ask the governor of Rivers State to tell Nigerians how much he gave the 21st CYNDAC when we threatened fresh oil war and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to restrain Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi in March 2019. "We appeal to governors of South-South to concentrate more energy on their various states and think of how to deliver the dividends of democracy to their people, build industries to employ the unemployed youths, organise meaningful programmes to engage and discourage the idle and unemployed youths from crime and criminality in their various states in order to attract foreign investment to boost their states' economy. "We expect the governors to look for an avenue to partner with Senator Akpabio to change the ugly narrative of NDDC and Niger Delta region, ensure the forensic audit sees the light of day and culprits punished for the mismanagement and stealing of N19 trillion meant for the development of the region."
Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021 — 13 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 S'East benefitted more from <strong>APC</strong> govt than <strong>PDP</strong>'s 16 years —Umahi •Blames Biafra agitations on marginalisation •Insists, President of S'East extraction'll stop agitations By Chioma Gabriel L AGOS—GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State and Chairman of South East Governors' Forum weekend, said the South East benefitted more from the Buhariled All Progressives Congress, <strong>APC</strong>, federal government than from Peoples Democratic Party's sixteen years of governance. Speaking to Vanguard in Lagos through his Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Umahi said the Igbo have had a fair-play under Buhari's administration in terms of economic and infrastructure development. According to him, the N10Billion Airport rehabilitation, the 2nd Niger Bridge, the Enugu -Port-Harcourt Expressway and other infrastructures are pointers to the benefits the South East States are getting from the Buhari administration. "These are indications that this administration is helping the South East a lot more than ever.” He blamed the issue of Biafra agitations on marginalisation of the southeast and urged the Igbo to embrace togetherness of purpose. Pointing out that the Igbo are republicans, independent and enterprising in nature, he urged the people to embrace togetherness in pushing for a common agenda. “We must agree that there is strength in unity. Every person in the southeast wants fair-play, wants freedom, wants love and peace, wants harmony and equity. If these are given to every section of this country, there will be more peace, more love and more cooperation. “Passing through the civil war has made the Igbo more aggressive. But in the midst of these perceptions, we have Igbos that have generosity of heart. They are very hospitable. Infact, the Igbos regard visitors more than any other tribe. While we concede that no tribe is perfect in their perception and conception of things, I want to say that there is nothing wrong with Igbos having different perception of PDF Compressor Free Version VISIT: Gen. Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff (4th left), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM (4th right) with other top Military Personnel, during the visit of the NIDCOM boss to Defence Headquarters in Abuja. things, but we must know that at the end of every disagreement, there must be an agreement. This is acceptable in a democratic setting. “We believe in constituted authorities, we believe in establishments. That is why we still have the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. We also believe in the leadership of governors and so, our various shades of opinion will not be a barrier to governance. “The South East has abiding faith in Nigeria as a nation. The labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain. One of our most respected founding fathers, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was in the frontline of championing the cause of one Nigeria, the cause of an independent Nigeria and we cannot for any reason renege from that vision. People express opinions based on a lot of factors. There have been issues of marginalisation and under-development. You'd recall that the 16- year rule of <strong>PDP</strong> did not give the S-East any progress. So, these accumulated issues made people to share different opinions but the majority opinion goes. Our leaders believe in one Nigeria where there is peace and I think it is high time Nigerian government considers the issue of conceding presidency to the S-East no matte the political party. It is important to give everybody a sense of belonging, no matter the party. We should fight for the corporate existence of Nigeria.” Asked if Umahi is interested in running for Presidency, the commissioner said the governor has not said so. “ I know the governor does anything when he is inspired. For now, he is content and really saddled with how to deliver the dividends of democracy in Ebonyi State. So far, so good. We have seen in him a man of extra-ordinary ability, a performer, a pace-setter and God's instrument and a vessel of honour in Ebonyi State. There is a great difference. Before he came on board, we have no confidence as a people but all that has changed. We were marginalised, denigrated but all that has changed. Today, we have a sense of confidence, a sense of self-worth and self-contentment. That, you can see in the face of every Ebonyian. Everywhere we go, we are proud to say we are from Ebonyi State. That is what is giving our governor joy. The next thing he will become is in God's hand. Honestly, if truth must be told, if somebody like Governor Umahi replicates what we are seeing in Ebonyi State in the Nigeria nation, other Nigerian leaders will begin to ask what is happening. Is it a miracle or magic? And I think the time has come for the Nigerian nation not to look at sentiments, not to look at race and tribe but to look at the track-records of the leaders and see that Umahi has the credentials, the stamina, the morale and mental character to deliver in the mandate that will launch Nigeria into the comity of advanced nations of the world. “I want to say that despite our emotions, despite our sentiments, despite some encounters we must have had in the hands of criminals or bandits, whether they are of herdsmen or of kidnappers, that should not derogate from the fact that we can get criminals anywhere in any part of Nigeria. But essentially, government of every s tate under this federal system that we operate, including the federal government has a primary responsibility under the constitution to secure and protect the lives and properties of the citizens. That is not negotiable. If any government does compromise that, that government will fail in its responsibility. Having said that, I want to say that the South East governors are doing very well. In Ebonyi State, we have a strategic blueprint on how to tackle insecurity comprehensibly. On the issue of criminals, we have fortified security and we have put in place necessary facilities to checkmate criminals including making Ebonyi a smart city state whereby CCTV cameras were installed in different junctions in the state to monitor the activities of these criminals. We have also gone ahead to establish a monitoring committee to monitor herders/farmers activities and ensure there is harmony and peaceful co-existence between them. Over the years, we have had traditional herdsmen in our various states in the southeast. What is important is that when there is any issue of herdsmen and crime committed, we consult with the leaders of the herdsmen to track such incidents and treat them accordingly. "We have also registered herdsmen in Ebonyi State. We know their locations and we also know possible areas of their operations and when an offence is committed by them, we know what to do to ensure there is no future occurrence of such crime. We have also strengthened our laws involving herders/farmers issue, armed robbery and other things. “The South East Governors Forum has a committee on security that is developing a template that will have a common application in the states of the southeast. Don't listen to anybody that says there is a S-East regional security outfit. The constitution on security recommends no regionalism. There is no central body that controls security in a zone. It is being controlled by the individual governors in the state but there is a central committee aimed at having a clear view, cooperation and collaboration to ensure resolution in the security issues of the zone. That is actually what is happening. As I speak, various states in the Southeast are working on what will enhance security in the states. They have commonality of spirit and intentment and that is the only thing any zone can do. “The issue of the agitation for Biafra is just a product of marginalisation, under-development and it's not the issue of this current administration. It has continued to be even right from independence. I can say authoritatively that we have had a fair-play under this administration in terms of economic development and infrastructure." We need neighborhood, forest guard laws in Igboland to end killings —ASETU By Chinonso Alozie OWERRI—THE National President of the Association of Southeast Town Unions, ASETU, Emeka Diwe, yesterday, said that the South East region should come up with a neighbourhood watch and Forest guard laws to stop continued killings by herdsmen. Diwe made this call in Owerri when a group of newspaper columnists and editors led by Chinedu Opara, gave an integrity award to him (Diwe). The ASETU national president said that the call to establish the above mentioned laws was to make farmlands in Igboland safe for cultivation. According to him, "We have resolved that there is a necessity for anti-open grazing laws, neighbourhood watch laws and forest guard laws in the southeast. We have written the southeast governors and all the state Houses of Assembly thrice in three years over the need for these laws. "Such laws, as we have since conceptualized, will define an enforceable framework that takes cognizance of appropriate punishment to defaulting herdsmen, restitution to victims and restoration of losses. "The laws will also restore hope and confidence to our poor and defenceless people at the grassroots. It is unfortunate that till this day, the laws have not been enacted." He further said: "We have made representations to the United Nations and the government of the United States of America over this matter. Never again shall we allow innocent men and women to be murdered by these herdsmen." Anambra 2021: 24 support groups converge for Soludo, hold prayer rally By Vincent Ujumadu AWKA —TWENTY-four political groups working for the realization of the governorship aspiration of the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Charles Soludo converged for a prayer session in Awka at the weekend to seek the face of God in the project they have embarked upon. The groups, under the aegis of All Soludo Support Groups (ASSG), have been mobilizing support for the former CBN governor, who had indicated interest to contest the November 6 governorship election on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA. It was gathered that the groups, which were being funded by some individuals across party lines in the state since 2019, have been wooing Soludo to join the governorship contest on the premise that he has the capability to move Anambra State to greater heights. The session, which took place at Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in the state capital featured rally and prayers from Christian denominations, including the Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches. Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ifeanyi Ibezi who chaired the event said the groups were formidable enough to constitute an intimidating political structure for Soludo. He said: "All the 24 support groups now constitute the structure of the aspirant and we urge all the other people going around as aspirants to step down for Soludo. "We will use Soludo to teach other political parties the same lesson we have always taught them. In 2017, most people said Obiano would not return but at the end, he won 21 out of the 21 local government areas." Addressing the groups, Soludo said he was moved to tears seeing the crowd of people from all the 24 groups, who have been working for his emergence as governor, despite having not met him personally before. Nigeria's a breathing tragedy —Catholic Bishop By Chidi Nkwopara OWERRI—THE intracta ble state of insecurity that has gripped Nigerian citizens is said to have reduced Nigeria to "a horror movie and a breathing tragedy". The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Anthony J. V. Obinna, made his feelings known in Owerri, after assessing the current state of affairs in the country. His words: "Nigeria has now become like a horror film, a vivid and breathing tragedy due to the constant unease and fear which intractable state of insecurity has generated in the citizens. "Like the leaders, priests and people of Judah, Israel at the time of their captivity and exile in Babylon, we (Nigerians) live like captives in our nation. Nigeria is witnessing the anguish and misery of so many of our people." The cleric was irked that Nigerians are kidnapped, raped and killed everyday, adding that even school children are not spared from the trauma. He said: "Nigerians are kidnapped, raped and killed, even school children. Their homes and forests are invaded and sometimes set on fire, as their churches, mosques, schools and businesses are destroyed with daily livelihood threatened and normal life suspended." Archbishop Obinna was also disturbed that commuters on the nation's highways are not only traveling in fear but are also unsure of arriving safely to their destinations. He reminded Christians that: "We are in the season of Lent, God given time to repent of our sins, of our infidelities to God, of the abominations in our nation and state, and of the pollutions and corruption in our personal and corporate lives."
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22032021 - Govs, APC, PDP, othersrally against attack on Ortom

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