Women members of the governing All Progressives Congress on Saturday converged on Calabar, Cross River State, for the South-South rally of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team.
At the event, which was held at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium, the First Lady and grand patron of the women’s team, Dr. Aisha Buhari expressed optimism that women and youths will deliver in the forthcoming general elections, noting that the party stands for peace and progress, and urged the women to be fully committed to the campaign.
The First Lady was represented by Zahra Buhari Indimi, her daughter.
Senator Remi Tinubu dancing in Calabar
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the APC presidential candidate and chairman of the women’s team, extolled the qualities of women from the South South region and pledged her commitment and that of her co-chairman, Hajiya Nana Shettima, to ensuring that women’s issues are prioritized if their husbands are elected. She further called on the women in the region to support the APC in its quest to win the upcoming elections.
Dr. Linda Ayade, wife of the Governor of Cross River State, urged women and youths to vote APC at the polls, especially as the current administration has performed well.
Governor Ben Ayade, in his remarks, thanked the women for the choice of Cross River for the women’s campaign flagoff in the South South region, and lauded the leadership qualities of the APC presidential candidate.
“Our support for Asiwaju Tinubu is not because he is perfect. Our support for Asiwaju is because of his proven excellent track record as a people person who can consolidate on the gains of the present, drive inclusive growth, and lead our country to become more prosperous. The Tinubu/Shettima ticket is the most experienced and the most progressive combination available on the ballot”, he said.
The APC National Women Leader, Dr. Betta Edu, who also hails from Cross River, assured the women of her commitment to ensuring women’s interests are protected and urged women to come out en masse to deliver a record number of votes for the APC presidential candidate.
On arrival in Calabar, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, who was represented by the Prime Minister.
University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), the umbrella body of all graduates of the University of Ibadan, on Saturday, 26 November, 2022, held its worldwide Biennial Election Congress.
Ballot boxes
As part of the convention which held at the International Conference Centre of the University, a new set of officers were elected and subsequently sworn-in to steer the ship of the association for a two-year tenure.
Ogun State Branch of UItes at the Election Congress
The immediate past Secretary of the association worldwide, Prof. Saawua Gabriel Nyityo emerged as President of the Alumni Association.
Senator Jonathan Zwingina and some college of past presidents
Also elected into the Executive Committee were; Fidelis Mbadugha Esq, 1st Vice President, Joseph Akaanan, 2nd Vice President, Prof. Joel Abolagba, 3rd Vice President while Dr. Sarah Akintola was elected Secretary worldwide.
Other members who were elected into Executive Committee were Chief C Uchemadu Abosi, 1st Assistant Secretary, Daniel Oghoghovbe, 2nd Assistant Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Oyinade Tomori Olujimi, Worldwide Treasurer and Dr. (Mrs.) Ruth Epochi-Olise, Financial Secretary.
UItes voting
The new Executive Committee also includes Comrade Abel Johngold Orheruata as Worldwide Publicity Secretary of the Association, Prof. Helen Adebola, Social Secretary and Ben Chuks Udoh Esq. as Legal Adviser. While Mr. Adewale Alao, Comrade Christian Purity Obileri and Mr. Patrick Oyameda were elected Ex-Officio members of the new UIAA Exco.
Electoral Officers
With the oath of office administered on the newly elected and returned executive members by, Barrister Eleri Maurice, the newly elected President of UIAA worldwide, Prof. Nyityo, commended his predecessors, Prof. Elsie Adewoye, Chief Dr. Kemi Emina, Dr. Nathaniel Merenu and Hyacinth Kyaagba, for the great work done to uplift UIAA.
While also commending distinguished Senator Jonathan Zwingina and other members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and college of past President, Nyityo appreciated UItes for keeping faith with the Association, that he loves the family life style UItes were living and appealed to all UI graduates to join the Alumni wherever they are since the Association has branches all over the world.
The Benue born Professor of History thanked the alumni for their support and called for a united front and support from every member, stating that the new executive committee will exemplify inclusion, development and expansion in the quest to reposition the alumni.
Earlier, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, who presided over the Election Congress on behalf of the other members of the BoT, called on the teeming members of the Association to rally round the newly inaugurated executive members by giving all necessary supports.
While saying that the Election Congress was held within the ambience of the UIAA Constitution guidelines, Zwingina thanked the BoT Chairman Dr. Michael Omolayole, who consulted with other members to appoint him as BoT representative to preside and supervise the conduct of the Congress.
Senator Jonathan Zwingina giving Comrade ABEL JOHNGOLD a congratulatory handshake
“It’s a privilege for me to be selected by members of the BoT to preside over this event”. He added.
While commending Chief Dr. Kemi Emina for his devotion to the Association which he said extended to Prof. Elsie Adewoye, Zwingina charged Prof. Nyityo to follow the footsteps of his predecessors in raising the ladder of the Association.
“Please learn from the good example of the two immediate past presidents of the Association. Dr. Kemi Emina worked hard and attracted laudable projects to the University. Surpass your predecessors and know that you are leading a group that’s passionate about their alma mater”: The former Nigeria Senate Leader stated.
While encouraging the new UIAA President to always respect and relate with the authority of the University of Ibadan, Zwingina charged the University management to maintain the projects that has been attracted and handed over to the school.
Some past presidents of the Association including Mr. Hyacinth Kyaagba, Dr. Nathaniel Merenu, Chief Dr. Kemi Emina and Prof. Elsie Olufunke Adewoye that attended the event in their separate statements, prayed for Nyityo to surpassed their achievements and advised the new executive members emphasized on open door policy and good team work.
Prof. Elsie Olufunke Adewoye and Comrade Abel Johngold
Other notable alumnus of the University including Dr. Michael Omolayole, Dr. Cicilia Ibru, Senator George Akume among others monitored the Election Congress via zoom.
The new executive committee will steer the affairs of the Alumni Association for the next two years.
A foremost political strategist and former member of the House of Representatives, RT Hon (Dr) Olise Enebeli Imegwu has described as uninformed and unfortunate, Chief Okemuo Tilije’s comment, during a television programme in which he faulted Lauretta Onochie’s nomination as the prospective chairman of the governing board of the NDDC, based on the erroneous premise of her not being an indigene of oil mineral producing community.
Lauretta Onochie and PMB, President Mohammadu Buhari
The former federal legislator, who is also a lawyer and speaker emeritus of the Delta State House of Assembly, observed that Tilije’s views can neither trivialise nor vitiate the extant procedure of nominating a chairman and members of the governing board of the NDDC.
“Chief Tilije simply gave his personal opinion which, at best symbolises crass ignorance of the NDDC act especially, Section 2(1a) which states that the chairman of the board shall be from an oil mineral producing states.
He further emphasised that Chief Tilije is obviously incognizant of the fact that,the President has the constitutional prerogative and latitude, to appoint a chairman from any of the oil mineral producing states in consonance with the enabling act.
“President Buhari is within the ambit of the Constitution and the enabling NDDC act to so appoint. Every well meaning Deltan should applaud President Buhari for appointing an indigene of the state as chairman of the body, because Delta State has been clamouring for her citizen to occupy that position”.
A coalition of women groups in Delta State on Friday stage a road walk as parts of efforts to end violence and harmful cultural practices against the female folk in the society.
The walk which held in Asaba was also to mark the 2022 International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women with the theme: United Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
Speaking, the state Focal Person, Women Aid Collective (WACOL) Mrs. Pat Gbemudu said the day officially kick started the 16 days activism against gender based violence.
Gbemudu said the objective was to create awareness and demand a more effective action from stakeholders to stop violence against women and girls.
She commended the state government for setting up a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at Asaba Specialist Hospital to handle cases of sexual abuse, rape and defilement.
Gbemudu however demanded effective implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and other laws criminalizing violence against women and girls especially harmful widowhood practices.
The focal person also called for the effective implementation by all communities of the state of emergency on violence against women and girls declared by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in 2020.
“Communities with immediate effect to integrate the Supreme Court judgement on the right of girl-child to property inheritance into their constitution.
“All communities to include women and girls into leadership positions of community governance structure such as cabinet, town union and youth wing, through more inclusive processes for elective classes clearly spelt out in the constitution,” she added.
Receiving the women, Permanent Secretary at the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Kevwe Agas who stood in for the commissioner, Flora Alatan, said most of the demands had already been adopted by the state.
The Concerned Niger Delta Stakeholders (CNDS), has admonished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Delta born second in command of Nigeria’s red chamber, against stonewalling President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees’ list of Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) governing board, recently transmitted to the senate for clearance.
NDDC
In a statement available to journalists, the group’s spokesperson, Pere Jackson Zuokmo, disclosed that, this call has become auspicious, in view of Omo-Agege’s preference for the outdated list which had his preferred candidate, Benard Okumagba, his kinsman as the prospective Managing Director of the interventionist organisation.
The outmoded list was allegedly prepared and ferried to the national legislature for clearance in connivance with the DSO but without Mr President’s assent.
He further revealed that “ the inability of the list to sail through thus, engendered resention on the DSP’s part, which allegedly prompted him to declare that “no list other than his will see the light of the day at the Senate”.
DSP Ovie Omo-Agege
The group expressed fear over the DSP’s habitual insistence on determining membership of the governing board and other agencies where President Muhammadu Buhari would have normally, exercised his constitutional latitude to nominate individuals to such bodies.
Examples of this challenge syndrome are plethora. One that readily comes to mind is the inability of Lauretta Onochie’s clearance to the Independent National Electoral Commission, where partisanship and sundry spurious reasons were advanced to scuttle that process.
Lauretta Onochie
He also cited the instance of an interactive parley with APC faithful at Ute-Okpu in Ika North-East, where he was captured on video preening over his yeoman’s attribute that saw to the smooth adoption of the 2022 amended electoral act”.
From the group’s submission, this high ranking senator may not be unconnected with the recent appointment of a junior officer as the interim(Acting) Managing Director of the NDDC by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana.
“This reeks of deliberate travesty of Muhammadu Buhari’s directive after the disengagement of the erstwhile interim administrator, Mr Akwa. The president had instructed that the most senior director in the commission should be appointed to run the affairs of the interventionist body. Rather, a junior third ranking director, Engineer Emmanuel Audu-Ahwaworua was appointed”, the statement added.
Zuokmo stated that impeccable sources close to senator Omo-Agege disclosed that he(Senator Omo-Agege) is poised to bloody President Buhari’s nose as, he averred that” he(the senator) is believed to have initiated subterranean ploys to stall the clearing process of the nominees except those he fancies, thereby exposing the commission to continual mismanagement and plundering of its revenue.
“The plot is thickening, as he(Agege) has engaged lobbyists including a southern governor to challenge PMB’s list of nominees, because according to the him, “PMB has no right to choose for Niger Deltans”, allegedly boasting that “He(the senator) would always have his say and way, because he saved President Muhammadu Buhari from impeachment”.
Ovie Omo-Agege
The (CNDS) therefore urged Niger- Deltans, to pray against any iota of confrontation to the smooth sail of the NDDC’s governing board list coming after over thirteen months in abeyance.
“ Let’s all hope that this imperial senator won’t stagnate President Muhammadu Buhari’s lofty rapid developmental drive for Niger Delta”, the statement affirmed.
Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in the state have been charged to join in the implementation of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Human Rights issues in the state.
The charge was given by the leader of the State Advocacy Team (SAT), Pastor Greg Sifo during the monthly coordination meeting, held with the various communities based organisations across the state to get reports on their success stories, recommendations and their challenges within the month.
Pastor Sifo urged the
CBOs to always put in mind the issues of GBV and Human Rights in the course of implementation in their various communities.
He said that so many did not know their rights and even when they know, might not be able to effectively implement it, considering the political, economic and social gaps that were in the society, adding that the CBOs should instantly step in to stem any of such issues promptly.
During the course of the meeting, the state programme Officer, Miss Juliet Obiajulu, disclosed that the SAT visited the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe ESQ; the Delta State Coordinator of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Faith Ireye; the office of the Drug Revolving Fund in the state, the Sarki of Nupe Community in Cable, Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp, Asaba Oshimili South on advocacy visits within the period.
She stated the success stories submitted by the various CBOs across the state.
There was donation of 30 chairs, canopy and tables at Umuagu Primary Healthcare Centre ( PHC) and vegetation control at the Cable Point PHC in Asaba.
Also, there was donation of a brand new ekectricity generator at Ogberikoko PHC and donation of public address equipment along with test kits at Ohorhe II PHC, both in Uvwie Local Government Area and provision of potable water in Illah PHC, Oshimili North.
Among other success stories recorded in other communities, the challenges of community restiveness, insecurity, lack of health consumables for patients were faced.
The group, Niger Delta Patriots (NDP), has reminded the Federal Government of Nigeria not forget in a hurry that the activities of militants in the creeks of Niger Delta nearly crippled the Nigerian economy some years ago, with a threat that if the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board is not constituted within the next 14 days, the whole world will hear from them.
Niger Delta Patriots (NDP) briefing the Press today in Asaba
The NDP made the threat today while briefing journalists in Asaba, on their demand tagged “A STRIDENT CALL ON LEADERS OF OUR NATION TO URGENTLY CONSTITUTE NDDC BOARD”.
At the Press briefing, the group, led by Dr. Victor Okwureogu, Convener, Chief David Omoru, Co-Convener and Prince Obaro Unuafe, Secretary, expressed worries that there is a growing concern that some Niger Delta leaders are beginning to tinker with the idea of replicating the NDDC in the North of Nigeria.
According to the NDP “More worrisome lately is the Federal Government’s plan to pipe gas from the Niger Delta to Kaduna for onward sale to Niger Republic and Chad. The cost of this project will gulp billions of dollars of tax payers’ money. The Federal Government seems not to be worried about the cost as the motive is just to replicate whatever the Niger Delta has in the North.
“Note also that the Buhari Administration is hell bent on discovering oil in the North at all cost which has materialized according to the FG. It also appears that some Northern States are becoming uncomfortable with the derivation principle which gives some Niger Delta States more revenue from the federation account than some Northern States”.
While alleging that the idea of probing the Interim Management Committee (IMC) was diversionary and would certainly be counterproductive, the Convener, Dr. Okwureogu said NDP want all campaigns of calumny against the NDDC to stop henceforth. That everyone should exercise patience while they urgently call on Mr. President to commence actions on the IMC report and constitute NDDC board immediately.
“We equally call on all warring stakeholders in the Niger Delta, especially as it pertains to the NDDC to sheathe their swords in order so as to stop being used as cannon fodder by enemies of our region. If there are tendencies that want the Federal Government to scrap the NDDC, our own sons and daughters in the Niger Delta should not join them with excuses to succeed through their own bickering.
“Finally, we need to sound it clearly that Nigeria is not prepared for another round of militant agitation in the Niger Delta to add to the challenges currently faced by the citizens. The goose that has been laying the golden eggs for the nation is at verge of extinction”. He added.
The Niger Delta Patriots equally call for immediate action by the FG on critical infrastructures destroyed by the flood in the Niger Delta region.
Delta State Chairman of the Civil Society in Malaria Control and Immunisation (ACOMIN), Pastor Greg Sifo, has urged communities to take ownership of the Primary Healthcare centres (PHC) in thier localities.
The chairman stated this at the state media meeting on the global fund malaria community led monitoring project implemented by Acomin to showcase their success stories in the eight local government areas they selected to work in.
Pastor Sifo noted that the National Malaria Strategic plan to transit from malaria control to malaria elimination should be consolidated by providing free Long Lasting Insecticide treated Nets (LLINs) and deployment of volunteers to carry out interpersonal communication at the grassroots level.
Others are the provision of free malaria test kits and medicines at some health facilities to ensure accountability in malaria interventions in the Primary Healthcare centres in their communities.
He charged the Community Based Organisations (CBOs) to regularly make the community members owned the PHC in their localities by utilising all the facilities provided for thier benefit.
He further stated that they should protect the facilities from vandalisation and work in synergy with the health workers to benefit from the free health facilities before moving to the secondary or tertiary health facilities.
The state Programme Officer of Acomin, Sir Austin Uwede, disclosed success stories from the various PHCs engaged.
There was donations of spygnamanometer at Ofuoma PHC in Ughelli North; donations of drugs shelf at Umolo PHC in Ughelli South and donations of signposts with repairs of bad pumping machine in Ekrerhavwen in Ughelli North local government Area.
Others are the donations of plastic chairs at Amukpe and Bulu -Apelebiri PHC in Sapele and Patani; connections of light from the national grid to Ogbe-Ogume PHC in Ndokwa with the repairs of leaking roof and provision of benches at Odovie PHC, among others.
Sir Uwede thanked the CBOs for their impacts in their push towards actualising the desired results of Acomin, saying that they would continuously see how they could resolve all the challenges along their way.
With the mission to play active role in providing best in class real estate development and investment through environmentally sustainable architectural landscape in the country, Pentland Realties Limited (PRL), a member of the PENTLAND GROUP, is set to present Felicity Park- Asaba.
This was disclosed today by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PRL, Emeka Eboageu, during a press briefing in Asaba to announced the official Ground- Breaking of the Park which took place yesterday in Asaba.
He said Pentland Realties Limited is a real estate investment and management company with focus on meeting customers’ need through cutting-edge architecture design that is sustainable and yet affordable.
While saying PRL was incorporated in 2016, and geared towards providing the best in service delivery, infrastructure, environment, security, and style through strategic and value-driven partnerships with stakeholders, Eboagwu revealed that the total project turnover was estimated to be circa N2bn, as they intend to have a mix of Land Sale and Property Sale, plus investment in infrastructure within the estate through Strategic partnership with other Home and Construction partners.
Located in Azagba- Ogwashi of Asaba Territorial district, a five (5) minutes’ drive from the Capital City and 4 minutes’ drive from Asaba Airport, Felicity Park is a 21.13 Hectare Green- Field Land as stated by the CEO of Pentland Realties Limited.
Flanked by two other directors of PRL, Patrick Mbono and Joseph Umeh, Director of Projects, Eboagwu noted that as a result of the need to continue to provide best in class real estate investment to the citizenry in the east of the Niger, and to provide best in class site and service estate in Asaba, the proposed development is a secured residential layout with estimated 267- 300 housing units catering for varying residential building styles.
“With a family- styled oriented scenery, from Greenery to Children Parks and Park Club house for all sports activities (Lawn Tennis and an Astroturf), Felicity Park also plans for a commercial buffer partitioned out of the estate to allow for Commercial activities – Like Schools, Health center and a World class Mall.
“This Development is encapsulated in a spectacular architectural design combining environmental and functional element to ensure occupier satisfaction, resource management and climate change alignment – a PRL strategic real estate investment policy”. He added in his briefing.
On target market, the CEO of PRL stated that Felicity Park is targeted to initially start with a sale of plots for just 20% of the initial land allotment circa (50-60 plots) to allow for the initial funds for infrastructure development and key component of the Park Development.
“Target market will be upwardly career mobile citizenry and Diaspora looking for a world class estate and a secured living experience within the Asaba region”.
Eboagwu noted in his briefing that living experience within the park would commence by the second Quarter of 2023, as they hoped to execute development in Phases. That they have also engaged the services of World class Architects, Structural engineers and Builders, Project management consultants, Estate and Quantity surveyors as part of the team to deliver this project.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving all the monies acruable to the Niger Delta states since1999.
Wike made the commendation while speaking at the commissioning of the Doctor Nabo Graham Douglas Law School built by the Rivers state government on Friday.
According to Wike, part of the money was used for the numerous projects built by his administration. Wike commended the president for not playing politics with the money despite being in a different political party.
He stated, “Monies that were not paid since 1999, the 13% deductions, Mr. President approved and paid all of us from Niger Delta states.
“For me, it will be unfair not to say to the public. It is not from FAAC money it is the money paid to me as Rivers State, Delta State, Akwa Ibom State, Edo State and Bayelsa State.
“So I want to sincerely, from my heart and on behalf of the government and people of the state, thank Mr. President for this because as an opposition government, he may have as well say don’t pay, you can’t do anything.
“After all since 1999 they money has not been paid. Did we do anything? “So I want to sincerely thank him just on that one,” he said.
