Month: August 2023

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has approved the Appointment of Yahaya Ade Ismail as Commissioner for Special Duties.

A statement by the secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade reads “Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello, CON has approved the appointment of Yahaya Ade Ismail as the Commissioner for Special Duties.”

“This appointment underscores Governor Bello’s dedication to recognizing exceptional individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment and service to our beloved State.

“Yahaya Ade Ismail, who has previously served as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, has consistently shown outstanding dedication and an impressive track record of service. His deep-rooted commitment to the progress of Kogi State has earned him this esteemed recognition.

“It is important to note that the appointment of Yahaya Ade Ismail as Commissioner for Special Duties is currently pending confirmation by the State House of Assembly. This process aligns with established procedures, ensuring that the selection is carried out in a transparent and accountable manner.

“The Governor firmly believes that Yahaya Ade Ismail’s extensive experience and insights will greatly contribute to the advancement of our State’s development objectives.

The Action Alliance (AA) candidate in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, Otunba Olayinka Braimoh has expressed sadness that on the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the State, the level of development and standard of living of the people are still very low and nothing to write home about.

In a statement from his campaign office in Lokoja, Braimoh who assured the people that he will turn the situation around for the better if elected as Governor in November, also noted that though the past administrations in the state did their best to serve the people but it has become obvious that the people are yet to enjoy the advantages and benefits of having a state and a democratic government.

“It is quite worrisome to realise that after 32 years of existence, Kogi State is still struggling to survive. A very good majority of citizens live in abject poverty even in the midst of plenty. I sincerely sympathise and empathise with the entire people on this needless suffering.

“At this point, let me once again reaffirm my commitment towards a prosperous Kogi State under my watch. We will create, distribute and spread wealth among our people becauseour state is naturally blessed and geographically positioned to adequately provide for the needs of its people.

“The primary problem is purely that of lack of visionary leadership which I have come to resolve. With my wealth creation (STAT) agenda, our economy will be revived through creative management of our common patrimony for the benefit of the present and next generation.

“Even though, the wealth creation agenda is very clear, realistic and can be seamlessly achieved, the choice lies in our hands. Collecting peanuts from politicians in exchange for our votes is our greatest undoing but unflinchingly supporting the well-thought out initiative to use solid minerals, tourism, agriculture and trade (STAT) to improve the standard of living of the people with our votes, will, no doubt, bring the much desired prosperity to our land.

“While expressing my sympathy and showing my empathy with our people who are holding the short end of the stick, I want to assure them that your votes for me on November 11 is all we need to change the fortunes of our dear State for the better”, Braimoh stated.

An oil and gas monitoring group, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement For Radical Change (NDIMRC) has rained heavy knocks on the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara for saying it was wrong to award such the pipelines Surveillance contract to ‘one man’.

The Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had on Saturday, August 26th, 2023, fumed over the crude oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services led by former militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemepulo (aka Tompolo) by the Federal Government.

The governor said in Port Harcourt that it was wrong to award such a contract to ‘one man’.

He said the decision would not achieve the objective it was meant to serve because,in his view, an individual should not have control over the assets in another’s territory.

Though the Governor failed to mention a name, he told a high powered Federal Government delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, that “Security of pipeline should not be given to one man or one person.”

The team also comprises Defence Minister Muhammed Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources, Ekperipe Ekpo; Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.

He said: “How can someone from Kalabari be controlling the pipeline in Ogoni? There is no way it will work. We must look at bringing all the key people in the various communities.

But the oil and gas monitoring group, (NDIMRC), said that the Governor was not being fair to the people of the Niger Delta Region and other stakeholders and implored President Bola Tinubu to be wary of the Governor and also call him to order now for interest of peace.

In an open letter to President Tinubu, the group expressed shock over the ultrances of the Rivers State Governor, saying that his words were capable of disrupting the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta Region, saying that since the pipelines Surveillance Contract was awarded by the administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari to Tompolo, the region has known peace and crude oil thieves milking the nation dry put under control.

Nelly Emma, John Sailor, and Stanley Mukoro, President, Secretary, and Public Relations Officers respectively of NDIMRC, said in the open letter to the President that while illegal oil dealers are enemies of the country, mischief-makers and crude oil thieves are actively working to prevent renewal of the contract because it has crumbled their illicit empires, saying that; “We hate to believe that the Governor of Rivers is encouraging these enemies of the nation who are stealing our crude oil for selfish reasons”.

They wrote; “Mr President, we must say that we were shocked by the ultrances of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Saturday, August 26th, 2023 when he played host to high powered Federal Government delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. His words are capable of generating bad blood among the peace loving people of the Niger Delta Region. We have been wondering since he said such things if the Rivers State Governor is a beneficiary of crude oil thieves in the Region because it is only those romancing with crude oil thieves and enemies of the country could have made such a very sensitive statement at a time when Tompolo through his company, Tantita has been able to chase away crude oil thieves from our Creeks. It should be made clear that Tantita is just a coordinator of the good job that Tompolo is doing as every community handle their own job and Mr President, this has brought peace to everyone and we are not going to allow the Rivers State Governor to cause bad blood among the people”.

They also wrote that; ” The Rivers State Governor MUST not be allowed to destroy the good work of the Federal Government. The Governor of Rivers State know very well that before Tantita, people were unable to dry their clothes openly in Rivers state as a result of the activities of crude oil thieves, but all that has been checked and changed by Tompolo and Tantita. Let it be known that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is one of the beneficiaries of Tantita, the records are there for all to see. Before the contract was awarded to Tompolo, the current governor of Rivers State and other stakeholders were aware of it and commended it. Why is the Governor singing a different song now? Has the Governor compromised his conscience to oil crude thieves in the Region? The Governor should be grateful to Tantita and he should also be happy that he was visited on Saturday, August 26th, 2023 by the Federal Government team even though he was RUDE to members of the team.

Please, Mr President, encourage the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ribadu and the Department of State Services (DSS) to name and shame those behind the illicit oil deals in the region”.

They said that; “We are by this open letter to Mr President tasking the NNPCL and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to reveal the names of those behind illegal oil bunkering, because it is the only drastic and decisive measures by the government would deter operators of the illegal industry. When the current NSA was the Chairman of the EFCC, he did very well in the fight against corruption and so we are expecting him to support NNPCL fully in fighting corruption in the oil sector for our production to go up and the common man will benefit greatly,” it stated.

“We want to let the President and the whole world know that Tompolo means well for our nation and those kicking against the renewal of his pipeline surveillance contract are out to frustrate the efforts of a selfless man who is opposed to the selfish interests of a few as against the general interests of the nation and the people,” they said.

They further wrote that; “Some disgruntled ex-militants who are opposed to the contract awarded by former President Buhari are working hand-in-hand with those stealing our oil and they have vowed to ensure that the pipeline contract to Tompolo is not renewed. Mr. President, these people do not mean well for your administration and the Nigerian people, and we are pleading with you not to listen to them”.

“Mr President, the former militant groups who are urging you against renewing the contract for Tompolo do not mean well for your administration. Oil production data has shown that renewing the contract for Tompolo is in the interest of the country’s economy. We want to commend how Tompolo-led Tantita has helped to beat oil bunkerers to their own game, because oil production has gone up and more money has been generated by the Federal Government, thanks to the relentless efforts of Tompolo. The pipeline surveillance contract is also germane to growing peace that has engendered unhindered oil exploration and exploitation activities across the areas. We are satisfied with his protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure, eradication of oil bunkering, and increased generation of internal revenue and therefore the Federal Government should go ahead and renew his pipelines surveillance contract and the likes of the Rivers state Governor who are entitled to their rights and opinions should not be listened to”, they wrote in the open letter.

“We want to let the President and the whole world know that Tompolo means well for our nation and those kicking against the renewal of his pipeline surveillance contract are out to frustrate the efforts of a selfless man who is opposed to the selfish interests of a few as against the general interests of the nation and the people. Some disgruntled ex-militants who are opposed to the contract awarded by former President Buhari are working hand-in-hand with those stealing our oil and they have vowed to ensure that the pipeline contract to Tompolo is not renewed. Mr. President, these people do not mean well for your administration and the Nigerian people, and we are pleading with you not to listen to them and in the same vien, be wary of the Rivers State Governor and do not fail to call him to order and the time to do that is NOW! He was not friendly at all to the Federal Government delegation to Rivers State on Saturday”, they also wrote.

In their words also; “Mr President, the former militant groups who are urging you against renewing the contract for Tompolo do not mean well for your administration. Oil production data has shown that renewing the contract for Tompolo is in the interest of the country’s economy. We want to commend how Tompolo-led Tantita has helped to beat oil bunkerers to their own game, because oil production has gone up and more money has been generated by the Federal Government, thanks to the relentless efforts of Tompolo. The pipeline surveillance contract is also germane to growing peace that has engendered unhindered oil exploration and exploitation activities across the areas. We are satisfied with his protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure, eradication of oil bunkering, and increased generation of internal revenue and therefore the Federal Government should go ahead and renew his pipelines surveillance contract and the likes of the Rivers state Governor who are entitled to their rights and opinions should not be listened to”.

“Finally, Mr President, all the Tank Farms visited by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ribadu and his team on Saturday in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State should be investigated properly. We have our reasons for saying that the searchlight should be beamed on them. Also, the Ship loaded with crude oil and recently freed by the Navy should be probed. We do not want these matters that we have raised to be swept under the carpet, otherwise, we will be forced to publish what we have at our disposal in foreign media and the whole world will know that this administration is not serious in the fight against corruption. Mr President, thanks for your attention and hoping you will do the needful for the interest of the nation and the people”, they told President Tinubu.

As Kogi State marks it’s 32nd Anniversary, General Manager of the State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Hon. Richard Osaseyi has congratulated Governor Yahaya Bello and people of the State both within and outside on the auspicious of the occasion.

Hon. Osaseyi in a statement made available to Newsmen in Lokoja on Sunday, explained that the State is moving on the right pedestal under the new Direction Administration of Governor Bello.

According to him, the present administration has added value to the Governance of the State with increased youths and women participation, describing it as first of its kind in the history of the State.

He stressed the need for all citizens of the State to come together and support the cause of peace, equity, fairness and proud Kogi State that its founding fathers will be proud of.

The General Manager particularly urged electorate in the State to support the Candidature of Alhaji Usman Ododo, Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC in the November 11th Governorship election, adding that the outcome will determine the future of the State.

Hon. Osaseyi lauded Governor Bello for laying a solid foundation of religious tolerance and United Kogi, saying his achievements are eventful.

JANET SAMUEL, ABUJA

President of the 9th Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has urged Nigerians to stay hopeful in the face of challenges occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy by the federal government.

Lawan made the appeal, on Saturday, while flagging-off the distribution of 9,000 bags of grains as palliatives to his constituents in Yobe North Senatorial District.

The intervention scheme which was undertaken by his foundation – The Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Empowerment Foundation held at Filin Katuzu in Bade local government area of Yobe State.

The beneficiaries of the intervention are from 60 wards in the six local government areas of Yobe North Senatorial District.

Also to benefit are Muslim religious groups, Christian communities and Persons with Disabilities.

Lawan, while speaking with Newsmen at the venue of the event, sympathized with Nigerians over the high cost of living that trailed the removal of petrol subsidy.

He expressed optimism that the policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led government would overtime yield the much desired result.

“We are in dire straits; most of our people are in need of foodstuffs because of recent events and situations and, of course, interventions of government that would yield the desired results in the future.

“People are in serious trouble of feeding themselves. But the federal government has taken a lot of measures, some of which include giving N5 billion to every state; and 5 or 6 trucks of grains to every state including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“This intervention is my token to complement what the federal government and my state has done for my community. These 9,000 bags of grains that I have given is a way of saying, ‘I know your situation, I can do only this, I wish I could do better.’

The former Senate President explained that the distribution of grains as palliatives targets the most vulnerable of his constituents who are unable to cope with high living costs.

Thousands of constituents from Yobe North Senatorial District, on Friday afternoon, stormed the Wachakal airstrip to welcome former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

A statement by his Media aide, Ezrel Tabiowo said Senator Lawan arrived Wachakal in Nguru local government area of Yobe State from Abuja at exactly 12:40pm.

The former Senate President during his tenure between 2019-2023 facilitated the reconstruction of the airstrip.

The approval for the revival of the Wachakal airstrip – one previously considered the hub for local and foreign missions within the North East region – was given by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in August 2021.

Lawan who is visiting Yobe North Senatorial District, is set to flag-off the distribution of palliatives to his constituents by his foundation – The Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Empowerment Foundation, on Saturday.

Lawan’s foundation is set to distribute 9,000 bags of grains to constituents in 60 wards across the five local government areas in Yobe North.

The intervention is in support of efforts by the Yobe state government and the Federal government to ease the hardship faced by the people.