The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has rolled out his governance agenda to Nigerians in Diaspora.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Nigeria Diaspora and Capacity Building’, in Michigan, United States, on Monday, Obi stated that if elected president, his administration would drastically reduce the cost of governance.
This was contained in a statement by the Obi-Datti Media office, made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday.
According to Obi, the reduction in cost of governance will help you reduce the nation’s debt and tackle corruption.
“We shall pursue a drastic reduction in cost of governance and corruption; Improve ease of doing business to attract FDI to jumpstart industrialization and when borrowing is unavoidable, it will be strictly for regenerative purposes and production,” Obi said.
Speaking on power, the former Anambra State governor said, “Even though I am aware that power has been moved from exclusive list to the concurrent list, we will go beyond it; we will aggressively support the private sector to invest in the power chain through a multifaceted approach particularly the transmission infrastructure.
As we all know, two components of the power sector (generation and distribution) have been privatized and liberalised leaving the most critical component (transmission) in the hands of government which is causing inefficiency and darkness.
“We will, therefore, vigorously pursue the liberalization of the transmission infrastructure in addition to a robust power mix- embedded power and renewable energy.”
Obi further appreciated the youths and encouraged them to be more resilient.
He said, “The journey to rescue Nigeria could not have gained momentum without the proactive role of our youth. I salute them.
The race is far from over; the campaigning has only just started. Yet I am confident that given their resilience, they will stay the course.”
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has said that the embattled priest, Rev father Ejike Mbaka was not removed as the spiritual director of the Adoration Ministry as widely reported.
CSN said the vocal priest having been told to take time away in solitude, was asked to propose a priest to administer the Adoration Ministry in the interim, and with the approval of his Bishop, Mbaka introduced Fr Anthony Amadi to his followers.
A statement signed by the Director of Social Communications CSN, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, however, said, unfortunately, some people were still not pleased and would prefer that Fr. Mbaka remains.
Going by an interview with the Director of Communications, Enugu Diocese, Rev. Fr. Ben Achi, the fiery priest was not removed from the Adoration Ministry, as many reports are suggesting.
Rather, according to Fr. Achi, since it was recommended that Fr. Mbaka takes time away in solitude, in order to listen to what the Spirit of God has to tell him, he was allowed to propose a priest to administer, in the interim, to the faithful at the Adoration Ministry.
With the approval of his Bishop, on Sunday, 2 October 2022, Fr. Mbaka introduced Fr. Anthony Amadi to the worshippers.
“Unfortunately, some people were still not pleased and would prefer that Fr. Mbaka remains.
“What every true Christian, and especially every true Catholic, should do at this moment is to commit our dear brother and priest, to God in prayer so that he may, through this moment, encounter God specially, come out stronger and better in recognizing His will for him and gain more graces to channel those rare gifts for His glory and for the sanctification of the people of God and society at large.
The Church loves Fr. Mbaka and cherishes him as an illustrious son. May our Mother Mary, the Queen of all Apostles, intercede for him. Amen,” the statement noted
Charismatic Enugu priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has been transferred out from the Adoration Ministry.
However, in the place of Fr. Mbaka, another clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Anthony Amadi has been posted to take charge of the Adoration Ministry.
A top member of the ministry, who confirmed the posting to the media, said the development was unfortunate.
According to him, “all along, the Bishop has been trying to take over the Adoration Ministry. But I can assure you that no priest will succeed there. So long as Fr. Mbaka is not there, nobody will come there to worship.”
The ongoing 4 million march for ‘OBIDATTI’ in Lagos is unprecedented and the crowd are beyond what the organisers anticipated . Security agents ,agberos (touts) , Area boys, security forces have joined the peaceful rally, singing and dancing in solidarity.
Various groups are advancing in large numbers from all the 51 local government areas and local council development areas in Lagos State.
The group from the National Stadium in Surulere is advancing towards Maryland part of the state.The group from Lekki , island is advancing towards national stadium.
A leading member of the organising committee, Barrister Promise Adewusi said:
“The rally is massive and peaceful. The police and soldiers have been so friendly with some joining in the singing.
No ugly incident so far, we hope there won’t be any. We’ve gone past Ojuelegba, approaching Fadeyi from the National Stadium to terminate at Maryland. It’s been so orderly with agberos, drivers and passengers who have to endure slight inconveniences passing through the crowd hailing, applauding, shouting that they are tired of eating agbado (corn).
Our police escorts have had virtually no work to do as the mass movement of the people is so peaceful and orderly.”
Burkina Faso Army Captain Ibrahim Traore has announced the ousting of military leader Paul-Henri Damiba, dissolution of the government and suspension of the constitution and transitional charter.
Mr Traore announced the coup in a statement on national television on Friday evening, saying a group of officers decided to remove Mr Damiba over his inability to deal with a worsening Islamist insurgency.
Mr Traore announced that the country’s borders were now closed indefinitely and that all political and civil society activities were suspended. More than 40 per cent of Burkina Faso is outside government control.
On Friday morning, multiple reports noted soldiers on the streets and heavy gunfire near the main military camp and residential areas of Burkina Faso’s capital. Explosions were also heard near the presidential palace.
This is the second coup seen by the African country since January. On January 22, police in the capital Ouagadougou clashed with protesters at a banned protest over the government’s handling of its insecurity concerns which it has battled since 2015.
On January 24, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was arrested by soldiers after gunshots were heard near his private residence.
In February, Coup leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was inaugurated as president on February 16 and in March, the military junta signed a charter establishing a three-year transition period before the country would hold its elections.
Last week, Mr Damiba travelled to New York where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, defending his January coup as “an issue of survival for our nation,” even if it was ”perhaps reprehensible” to the international community.
Whenever I read any member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), such as Ifeanyi Ejiofor or Emma Power[less], calling for “unconditional” release of Nnamdi Kanu, I know they are not reasonable and not realistic. Who told them that Governments release people accused of treason unconditionally?
Unconditional release means that Nnamdi Kanu should be allowed to continue to gather some people and continue to agitate for a separate country of Biafra. Then why arrest him in the first place if they could release him “unconditionally”?
So, both Ejiofor and Powerless are jokers. They are playing with themselves. The only release they can ask for now is a highly “conditional” one.
It has to be a release that will guarantee that Nnamdi Kanu will no longer tell our young men and women to go into the bush or to attack policemen. It has to be a release that will carry many terms and conditions.
Every competent lawyer representing a person in a criminal trial will apply for bail and ask the court to grant his client bail on “lenient terms and conditions”.
In fact, that was what Ejiofor tried, but failed woefully to achieve. After the court refused to grant bail on lenient terms and conditions, the same Ejiofor tells the same court to release him without any conditions whatsoever. How logical is that?
If these guys are serious-minded people, they should meet with Nnamdi Kanu and discuss the sort of compromise and concessions he will be willing to make without losing face, more than he already has. He has to make concessions if he wants to come out of detention. After all, this is a highly politically sensitive case.
One thing you should know about governments, especially African governments, is that they don’t like to lose face. They are dictatorial in orientation. So, to expect Nigerian government to swallow its pride, and lose face, and release Nnamdi Kanu UNCONDITIONALLY, you got to be joking.
Such call only shows Ejiofor and Emma Powerless as a bunch of idiots. They want Nnamdi Kanu to die in detention. That is why they are asking for unconditional release.
The only logical way Nnamdi Kanu will be released is when the next Government comes to power and starts some amnesty program. IPOB leaders, together with other militants’ groups will be considered for amnesty.
Earlier today 29th Sept. 2022, the Governor of Anambra Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo received in audience, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General U. T Musa at the Governors Lodge, Amawbia. Governor Soludo while welcoming Major General U.T Musa and his entourage who is barely two months in the Command also congratulated him for the new assignment.
“I am happy you came, and of full appreciation of the security challenges in South East and Nigeria and also very pleased to have identified very critical points where we have high intensity points particularly along the borders Towns and Local governments of Anambra, Imo, Abia and Enugu,from where they came and lunch their attacks.” Governor Soludo said.
Governor Soludo further described the activities of the group as lucrative criminality that has nothing to do with agitation.
“Anybody in any camp in Anambra state is a criminal, we consider the person as a kidnapper and we treat the person as such, there is no way light and darkness can co-exist. Without law and order nothing else will work”, Soludo concluded.
Governor Soludo further stated that Anambra people are very enterprising and law abiding and reiterates his commitment to do everything possible to contend with the criminal elements in the state. Governor Soludo also seized the opportunity to commiserate with the Major General for the death of the soldiers who have lost their lives in the series of attacks in the state and call for partnership for security and development.
Earlier in his speech Major General U. T Musa, said they came to pay a courtesy call as customary, having been busy since the assumption of duty in the command two months ago,studying the security situation in the zone and think of how to go about some of the challenges, but definitely studying the environment will not be complete without paying a courtesy visit to familiarize himselff with the chief executives of the state.
Major Genral U. T Musa further said that security can not be achieved without getting in contact with the chief security officer of the state and thanked the Governor for supporting them.
Major General U.T Musa is the General in charge of five eastern states and Delta state. Chief of Staff to the Governor; Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, SPAD to the Governor on Security Air Vice Marshal Ben. Chiobi Mni Rtd., the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Mr. Christian Aburime.
Road infrastructure is as basic as the air we breathe. It is a linear way for the conveyance of traffic which, to a great extent, has an improved surface for use by vehicles; both motorized and non-motorized, including pedestrians. Roads play the very vital role of aiding transportation.
Before now, Anambra State prides as a state with the best network of roads. This entails that nooks and crannies of the state can be easily accessed from community to community without hitches. Sadly, this may no longer be the case, as most roads in the state have become death traps, causing untold hardship to the populace .
During the campaign which ushered in the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration, one resounding request across communities was the provision of roads. Thus, when Governor Soludo mounted the saddle of governance, one of the major thrusts and focus of his government centered on how to provide access roads across the state.
However, restrained by scarce resources, Governor Soludo has narrowed the focus and prioritized the construction of strategic roads. By this, the Soludo-led administration is constructing roads that link and open up communities, support economic growth and improve the lives of Ndi Anambra.
To achieve this target, Anambra State Government decided to ‘sprinkle’ roads in strategic parts of the state. For instance, Governor Soludo flagged off the construction of nine roads in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area that are approximately 14.3 kilometers. When these roads are completed, they will give the people of the area, who feel they have since been neglected, a sense of belonging.
Work has also commenced on the eleven kilometer Mmiata Anam-Nzam road. When completed, the road will boost agro-economy of the area in particular and Anambra State in general.
Also, Governor Soludo has flagged off construction and rehabilitation of about sixty-point-two kilometers of roads across the state. Works are already ongoing in the sites. These include the twenty-six kilometer Awba-Ofemili-Amansea road. The communities in this stretch who will benefit are as well agrarian communities. They are Amansea, Ebenebe, Ugbene, Ugbenu and Awba-Ofemili all in Awka North Local Government Area. Similarly, the 26.4 kilometer Amansea-Ndiukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma road which links the state Capital, Awka and Orumba North and South axis which is targeted to be completed within four months will not only improve economic activities, but drastically reduce travel time.
Other roads currently receiving the attention of the state government are: the six hundred meter stretch Isu/Igbo, Isuofia/Igboukwu section of the Ekwulobia/Nnobi Road popularly called Isu-Igbo river, the seven point-seven-nine kilometer Akpaka- Basilica road in Onitsha North Council Area, the flood control work at the Ogidi/Ogbunike road, and the rehabilitation of the failed portion of Mmili John road in Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area.
At the last count, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has flagged off over eighty kilometer roads across the state. This is out of the two-hundred and twenty kilometer roads he targets to complete in his first year in office. In his words, in no distant time, Anambra will become a massive construction site. According to the pact signed between the state government and contractors handling the different roads, it is expected that the roads will have a twenty year life span.
These projects are according to the People’s manifesto, Governor Soludo’s promise to Ndi Anambra. He assured that his administration will modernize and maintain existing roads, connect more communities with new roads, build flyovers, spurs and bridges, insist on durable roads, explore alternative business models including concessioning to provide more and better roads. So far, he is fulfilling the promise.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the N122.4 million bribing allegation against the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) members.
The Party, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba described the report as misleading.
The party said: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to misrepresenting reports in a section of the media alluding strange and unfounded motives to the Housing Allowance duly approved and paid to NWC members and staff of the Party
“The NWC has noted that this misleading report stemmed from an unfounded publication by a particular media outlet which suggested that the Housing Allowance, an entitlement duly approved and paid to national officials and staff of the Party amounted to bribery.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP states in an unequivocal term that no funds were paid into the account of any member of the NWC as a bribe for any purpose whatsoever for that matter.
“To set the record straight, the Housing Allowance being referred to went through the Due Process of the Party in line with the Conditions of Service and Entitlement of the Staff and Principal Officers of the Party.
If any individual, for any reason decides to return money duly approved and paid, such does not in any way suggest that the money was paid as a bribe or indicate that it was illegitimate or unlawfully paid.
A bribe is defined as ‘money or any other valuable consideration given or promised with a view to corrupting the behaviour of a person, especially in that person’s performance as a public official…’. This is not the case in the payment of Housing Allowance duly approved for officials and staff of the Party.
“The PDP therefore urges all members, teeming supporters and the general public to disregard the report and misleading insinuation which are clearly designed to malign the PDP, cause disaffection and distract our Party from our mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
