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12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 COMMISSIONING: From left; Abubakar Abubakar, Lolade Temitipe-Ogungbe, Clementina Arubi, Prince Agidotan Yonwuren (Olare-aja) Ugbuwangue, Sophia Eniola Odenore, Basil Odenore, Pa J. J. Ogle, Mrs Eiyi Yonwuren as Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPCL, in partnership with TotalEnergies commissioned and handed over solar-powered poultry incubator hub with starter-packs to the people of Ugbuwangue community, Warri South LGA, yesterday. Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire. Lift restrictions on payment to NDDC contractors, stakeholders urge Buhari, Reps TRADITIONAL rulers, elders, women groups, youth groups, and a peace advocacy group in the South- South known as the Movement for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta, MSDND, has called on President MuhammaduBuhari and the National Assembly to hearken to the agitations of the people of the region to lift restrictions and allow the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to urgently commence payment to hundreds of NDDC contractors across the region as floods ravages communities with hundreds dead, while millions of persons are displaced. According to the MSDND, though the National Assembly through the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on NDDC, Dr. OlubunmiTunji-Ojo, is on the right track to question the legality of payment due to the delay in the defence of the commission’s budget, however, the urgent commencement of payment to contractors will ameliorate the hardship and sufferings of the people across the region amidst the crushing effects of flood devastation and hunger in the region. The group requested that the management of the NDDC should be cleared to urgently commence contractual payments to hundreds of NDDC contractors, and for the President, the Minister, and the House Committee Chairman to work in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Finance to release the over N200 billion of NDDC fund that has been withheld by the Federal Ministry of Finance within the past years, in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people in Niger Delta and for the sustainable development of the region. The group in a statement via electronic mail and signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Ayibatekena Olodin, said: “In spite of the support for the National Assembly committee to ensure proper corporate governance, accountability and probity at the NDDC, there is the need to urgently commence payment to contractors while the perfection of the NDDC budget defence is ongoing.” Olodin called on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Umana, and the management team of the NDDC to urgently seek presidential approval for the previously approved N46 billion in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for emergency procurement of housing facilities, food and medical assistance for millions of displaced families across Niger Delta states. The group said: “We are calling on President Buhari, the National Assembly committee on NDDC to urgently work to end the sufferings of Niger Delta contractors, who have lost so much as many of their businesses and property have been confiscated by banks for failure to repay the loans they took to fund their NDDC jobs. The House Committee should lift payment restrictions and allow the management of the NDDC to pay hundreds of suffering contractors for the contracts executed for the commission. “The Niger Delta stakeholders will continue to request that the NDDC pay for services rendered by competent and performing contractors of the NDDC. However, we are saddened by a situation where contractors will not be mobilised by the NDDC to execute projects, instead, contractors will use their personal property as collateral to borrow money from banks at high interest rates to execute projects, yet they will be owed by the commission for five years and more without payment.” Ogoni threatens shut-down of East-West Road By Davies Iheamnachor PORT HARCOURT— The people of Ogoni Ethic Nationality in Rivers State have given the Federal Government seven days ultimatum to totally reconstruct the Eleme-Onne axis of East West road or be ready to face a total shutdown of the road. The Ogonis disclosed this in a warning demonstration, yesterday, at the Aleto area of the East-West road following the deplorable condition of the road, which claimed over 10 lives last week. They cried that the road has become a dead trap for commuters with reference to incident of October 6 and 10, 2022 in which lives were lost. Speaking, the President- General of Ogoni Liberation Initiative, Dr Douglas Fabeke, who read out the position of Ogoni on the state of the road accused the Federal Government of failing in its promises and mandate of ensuring the good infrastructure and welfare of the people. Fabeke, while recounting how the Federal Government announced the release of billions of naira for the rehabilitation of the said road when the people shut down the road for seven days, wondered why a government that can spend N4 billion on pipeline surveillance job cannot spend less in fixing a road housing over 200 companies generating revenue for the country. He said: “As you are all aware, the deplorable state of the Eleme section of the East West Road has been a major concern for residents of the area and commuters. Day in day out, we hear cases of accidents leading to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of property that were bought with millions of naira. “The road has been a death trap for commuters as travellers are always scared while using the roads alongside heavy duty trucks from companies. Our people have suffered so much in the midst of plenty and we cannot sit and watch our people die painful and untimely resulting from the bad state of the road. “We, therefore, call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately within seven days, commence work on the reconstruction of the road and the remodeling of the existing connecting Aleto bridge which is near collapsing, failing which the Ogonis shall mobilise again and shut down all forms of transportation and economic activities on the road.” Edo community lauds Obaseki on security By Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY —THE people of Orhua in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State has commended Governor Godwin Obaseki on his efforts to check insecurity in the state, particularly kidnapping but requested that the road linking them to other parts of the state be repaired. Speaking on behalf of the Odionwere (eldest man) and the people of the community, Dr. Julius Ahanor, said: “We are highly impressed by your development strides since your assumption of office as the governor of Edo State.Your tenure has witnessed massive road construction across Edo State. “It is pertinent to mention that the old earth road from Irhue through Ekpan-Umokpe-Orhua to Iruekpen has now been seriously degraded because of the recent usage by heavy-duty trucks as a detour route occasioned by the complete damage to the Benin-Auchi-Abuja Road between Ehor, Ekpoma and Agbede stretch of the federal road. “We, therefore, crave the indulgence of the state government having severally captured this road in the budget, to at this point consider the asphalting of the road to the benefit of all. “It is no gain saying that the Orhua community and the four other communities namely Oke- Irhue, Irhue, Epkan, and Umokpe towns that make up the Irhue ward (ward 4) in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State have been unduly deprived and underdeveloped over the years, thus making growth and development elude the community. Sell crude oil to local refiners, Itima tells FG By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South- South AN Ijaw youth leader in Delta State, Mr Mike Itima, has urged the Federal Government to sell crude oil to local refiners in the Niger Delta and collect tax, instead of killing their knowledge. Itima, who spoke to Vanguard on phone, said: “None of the country’s oil refineries is currently refining petroleum, yet the government has not deemed fit to bring together the local refiners and fashion the best way for them to improve petroleum products production. “Why kill the ideas of local refiners; why not gather the operators, discuss and know the ways to improve what they are doing in the larger interest of the country? “I appeal to G o v e r n m e n t Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to incorporate local crude oil refiners in the oil industry. “These local crude oil refiners are refining crude oil at the lowest cost, government should find an avenue to sell crude to them to refine because no government refinery is working. The local refinery will help the nation to maximize advantage in the current regime of high oil prices. “If Zamfara State can mine its natural resource, gold, then the Federal Government should also sell crude oil to the people of Niger Delta to operate their locally fabricated refineries and pay taxes on monthly basis. “The money they use to settle the navy, army, civil defence, police and communities is enough for them to buy crude oil to operate their locally fabricated refineries.” NNPC, TotalEnergies empower 300 women on poultry mgt By Akpokona Omafuaire WARRI —THERE was joy in Ugbuwangue community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, as 300 women were empowered on solar powered poultry incubation management by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Limited, NNPCL, in partnership with TotalEnergies. The women who had undergone five-day training on improved local chicken production techniques and how to obtain alternative feed and supplements were joyous as the NNPC management flagged off the distribution of their testimonials and starterpacks. Business Development Manager of TotalEnergies, Mrs. Moyosola Areola, in her address, expressed the hope that the business initiative would boost food security and also lift the community women economically. Areola who was represented by the Executive Director, People and Country Services, TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. George Oguachuba disclosed that the project handover to the Ugbuwangue community women in Warri was the third phase of poultry projects, they have successfully implemented in Biliri, Gombe State and Sagamu in Ogun State, benefitting over 600 women and their families. According to her, “At TotalEnergies, we believe that encouraging people to engage in activities that increase agricultural productivity is a necessary solution to addressing this challenge of global food security and there are several strategies that we have put in place to achieve this. “We all know that women are integral part of every home and subsequently every environment, yet, in our society, they often fall under the vulnerable group due to poverty and lack of education, which give them an economic disadvantage. This intervention is, therefore, targeted at women to support them and improve their financial capacity, towards sustainable poverty alleviation in our society.” Mrs. Clementina Arubi who represented the Group General Manager, NNPCL Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, noted that the completion and commissioning of the project was in furtherance of the corporate social responsibility initiatives of the Federal Government through its oil and gas sector. “We will continue to consistently champion the implementation of Sustainable Community Development projects that will positively impact the lives of the citizens of this country. “We know that this facility will help provide relief to the people for the purpose it is intended. We also encourage the graduates to take advantage of the opportunity to empower themselves economically. “Today distinguished guests, the project we are commissioning is a purpose built, fully equipped with state-of-the art facilities.”
Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 — 13 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 SESSION: From left, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State; Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State; Director, Arewa House, Dr. Shuaibu Aliyu; All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; Plateau State Governor and Director-General of Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign, Simon Bako Lalong; Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina; APC Governorship candidate in Kaduna, Senator Uba Sani, and Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, when Tinubu held an interactive session with Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna, yesterday. We'll deal with banditry, other subversive elements if elected —Tinubu •Says North has no better friend in the race like him •Urges Atiku to endorse him for presidency By Ibrahim Hassan- Wuyo P RESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, yesterday assured the North that he would deal with those threatening Nigeria's peace, security and unity if elected president in 2023. This is as Tinubu urged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to support him for the presidency. Speaking yesterday at an event organised by the Arewa joint committee in Kaduna, Tinubu said he supported the former vice-president when he contested the presidency in 2007, saying "From the late Shehu Yar'Adua, I'm standing before you saying this, even my greatest rival met me with Yar'Adua; that is, Atiku Abubakar. He was just out of customs at that time. Ask him to go and read the civil service regulation." "They asked him questions: 'how did you make your money?' He said from selling cars. Can you as a civil servant be involved with other trade and businesses? You have attracted disqualification and you don't deserve to compete with others. Nuhu Ribadu was on our platform. "I supported Atiku Abubakar in 2007 then. Don't blame me if I ask for a payback period. It's payback. Let him endorse me now instead of him conducting rally around Kaduna while I'm talking to you people here." The former Governor of Lagos State howerver, detailed how he intends to tackle, the security, economic, educational and other challenges confronting the nation to his audience. He said " I guarantee you we will end kidnapping and banditry not only through increasing our policing footprint and capacity but also through other soft approaches that would promote inclusion and boost the economy of our local communities. "Every inch of our national territory will be secured and defended. As for the North, I believe you have no better friend in the race like me. I am not like those who only remember they are from here when it is time to ask for your votes. I have proven to be a good manager of our diversity. As Governor of Lagos State, we had instances where our peace and stability were threatened by criminal activities of militia groups; I stepped in and fought them to a standstill." Tinubu commended the organizers of the event for bringing him back to Arewa House, saying "The dream of Sardauna, and indeed that of our other great leaders such as Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and our first and only prime minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was for one indivisible and prosperous nation built on shared values of patriotism, equity, justice and brotherhood. "The dream of those forefathers, was for a nation "Where no man is oppressed", a nation "with peace and plenty", and these - unity in diversity, peace and prosperity - are the fulcrum of my mission in this contest. They also form the bulk of my address to you this afternoon, in line with the areas the organisers wanted me to address." Security "I acknowledge the primacy of security as the number one function of government. If you give me the mandate, my administration will give it all the necessary attention and consolidate on the recent investments in our security agencies and successes being recorded in this regard. "As you are aware, security is a function of resources. I am committed to mobilizing all assets within our national power to Secure Nigeria. We did this in Lagos through many initiatives, especially the Security Trust Fund, through which we addressed many needs of our security forces which helped to sanitize Lagos State. As you may recall, when I assumed office as governor in 1999, the situation I met was basically a case of banditry where urban gangs ruled the streets. I returned law and order, tamed what could have been a huge ethnic war and made Lagos one of the safest states in Nigeria. I will replicate that across the country. "We will address the welfare and training needs of our security personnel and strengthen our security institutions with modern technology and equipment to better position them to respond to modern challenges that we face in a fast-changing world. Under my leadership, the Nigerian military will receive a much needed injection of trained personnel to strengthen the heroic efforts of the troops that are currently in service. "We will deal decisively with all elements threatening our peace, security and unity. I guarantee you we will end kidnapping and banditry not only through increasing our policing footprint and capacity but also through other soft approaches that would promote inclusion and boost the economy of our local communities. I assure you, under my leadership; every inch of our national territory will be secured and defended. "In view of the anxiety around security and safety of our people, there has been an increasing call for states to be allowed to establish their own police forces. I am aware of the recent resolution of northern governors and traditional rulers on the issue of state police. "However, it is pertinent to note that the issue of State Police, just like the larger debate around restructuring, is a constitutional matter that requires consensus-building. Restructuring means different things to different people. But it should be noted that my aspiration to lead this country is a testimonial for my strong belief in its unity and indivisibility. These, however, are matters that require consultation with critical stakeholders which include the Council of State, the Legislature, the Judiciary, State Governments, Traditional Institutions, and groups like yours. "I am willing to listen to all opinions to help us arrive at a definite stand that would be in the interest of the country. Economy "We will mobilize resources to enhance the welfare of personnel and provide the right equipment and training required for them to secure us all. We will sustain ongoing efforts of increasing the boots on ground commensurate to our geography and population. These recruitments will be tailored to suit needs for specific cadre and expertise for each organ of the security architecture." "Nigeria is sitting on a gold mine with abundant natural resources. With strategic investment in research and development and effective management, we will explore and exploit these resources to the fullest. There is no local government in Nigeria that has no resource or endowment that can be harnessed for greater economic development. Our major economic challenges are underinvestment and effective management, and these are what I am bringing to the table. "Our economic plan would utilize the vast natural resources we have, through strategic investment in infrastructure which will lead to the diversification of the economy and wealth creation across the entire country. We will pay attention to modern economic drivers such as the digital economy, creative industries, sports and entertainment sectors for the benefit of our young people." He also spoke that his government will address issues of Power supply, Agriculture, education, corruption, among others. Strike: Unijos, BUK announce resumption of academic activities •BSU, JOSTUM urge govt By Bashir Bello, Peter Duru & Marie-Therese Nanlong JOS—THE University of Jos, has approved the continuation of the registration exercise for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University for the 2020/2021 academic session ahead of full resumption of academic activities. Similarly, Bayero University, Kano, BUK, has fixed Monday, 24th October, 2022, for resumption of academic activities. This came as the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, Benue State University Makurdi and Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi JOSTUM, branches suspended their eight months old strike following directives from the national secretariat of the Union. Both branches also appealed Fidelity Bank partners with BOSS Money to boost diaspora remittances LAGOS—As part of its strategy to provide seamless disbursement options to its over 7 million customers, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has partnered with BOSS Money, a fast-growing provider of money transfers in the United States. The partnership would enable Fidelity Bank customers to receive funds sent from the U.S. at any of the bank’s 250 branches across Nigeria. BOSS Money is the money remittance brand of IDT Corporation US. Customers can initiate transactions through the BOSS Money app, BOSS Money website, or an authorized BOSS Money retailer. BOSS Money to the Federal Government to fulfil its part of the bargain by paying the salaries of the lectures to enable them resume classes fully without further delay. The Deputy Registrar, of Information and Publications of the Institution, UniJos, Abdullahi Abdullahi, in a statement yesterday, urged all students who were yet to register to do so between Monday 17th and Sunday 30th of October 2022 when the University's Online Registration Portal on www.unijos.edu.ng will be opened. According to him, "In view of the suspension of the strike earlier embarked upon by the University-based Staff Unions, the Management of the University of Jos has approved the continuation of the Registration exercise for Undergraduate and transfers are fee-free for first-time customers sending up to $300. Desmond Ohamma, Group Head, Remittance and Diaspora Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc said: Our partnership with Boss Money is a demonstration of our commitment to improve service delivery to our customers especially in the area of remittances. Through this partnership, our customers now have another channel to receive funds seamlessly from abroad and we are pleased to have BOSS Money collaborate with us in achieving this. “We are delighted to collaborate with Fidelity Bank to expand payout options for our to pay salaries Postgraduate Students of the University for the 2020/2021 Academic Session. "This is preparatory to the full resumption of Academic activities for the first Semester 2020/2021 Academic Session which had been suspended due to the strike. All Students who are yet to Register are advised to do so between Monday 17th and Sunday 30th of October 2022 when the University's Online Registration Portal on www.unijos.edu.ng will be open. In Kano, a statement by BUK, Deputy Registrar, Public Affairs, Lamara Garba said the university management after its meeting held on Thursday, October, 13th 2022 approved the resumption date. Garba said, "Consequently, students are to resume academic activities with effect from Monday, 24th October, 2022," the statement however reads. customers with friends and family in Nigeria,” commented Alfredo O’Hagan, SVP for Consumer Payments for IDT. “Together, we provide a very convenient, fast and affordable way to send money to over seven million Fidelity Bank account holders all across Nigeria.” Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 7 million customers serviced across its 250 business offices and digital banking channels. In recognition of its commitment to product innovation and strong corporate governance, the Bank was recently recognized as the Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking & Finance Awards.
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