Day: January 27, 2024

 

 

By Biola Lawal

Lokoja (Flowerbudnews): The Daughter of President Bola Ahmed. Tinubu, Alhaja Mujidat Folasade was among the dignitaries that graced the inauguration occasion of Gov. Ododo of Kogi State.

Ododo took over from Former Gov. Yahaya Bello who ruled the state for the past eight years.

Video clip showed the moment Chief Dr Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo arrived Muhammadu Buhari Mini Stadium, Lokoja, Kogi State for the Inauguration of His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his Deputy, His Excellency Salisu Joel Oyibo (Flowerbudnews)

The New Governor of Kogi State.

The newly sworn Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,has promised the people of the state that he would govern them with the fear of God and that he would not be an ethnic governor.

He gave the pledge on Saturday in Lokoja during in his speech after his inauguration as the 5th governor of the state.

The governor who presented the names of his commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval, said his administration would hit ground running by making the state, tourism destination and investment hub for local and foreign investors and tourists among other plans.

According to him,his government would build and consolidate on the solid foundation laid by the administration of the immediate past Governor Yahaya Bello’s infrastructural development, security,unity, agriculture,among others.

Highlight of the event was the highest honour conferred on the the former governor by the new governor as a mark of appreciation for Bello’s great input to the development of the State.

 

The Vice President,Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of APC, Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other stakeholders in the party as well as other members of the society attended the occasion.

Details later.

Our correspondent reports that the Chief Judge of the state,Justice J.Majebi administration the oath of office on the Governor and his Deputy, Mr.Joel Oyibo Salifu.

Details later.

 

 

By Flowerbudnews

Gov. Peter Mbah says Enugu State will strenthen existing partnership and ties with the Nigerian Army to consolidate on the current peace and conducive business environment in the state.

 

Mbah said this at the 2023 West African Social Activities (WASA) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army held at Abakpa Military Cantonment, Enugu on Saturday.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, noted that the state needed the help of the Nigerian Army to create conducive environment for the state to grow it target of monumental economic expansion, which it is currently driving towards.

 

According to him. the Nigerian Army remains instrumental to the ban of the illegitimate sit-at-home and checkmating activities of criminals and violent groups in the state.

“The State Government is appreciative of the Nigerian Army on a friutful partnership, which is yielding visible and practical results.

 

“We want to thank the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for his unrelentless support as well as the GOC and Garrison Commander for all the efforts they have put in making Enugu State one of the safest in the country.

 

“To build the modern Enugu State of our dream and its needed economic
expansion, we need the partnership with the Nigerian Army to ensure will create a peace, friendly and secured environment for economic and human activities to continue to strive.

“As a state, we will continue to nurture this partnership and ensure more positive outcomes as we join hands to make Enugu State the safest destination of all Nigerians and foreigners,” he said.

 

In an address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, said that
WASA was an annual event in furtherance of the Nigerian Army’s rich customs and traditions.

 

Dada said that the event was important, because it brings officers, soldiers as well as their families and friends together for close social interaction at the end of each year.

According to him, it is equally an avenue for cordial Inter-agency cooperation, synergy and civil-military relations with the civil populace in Enugu metropolis and its environs.

 

The GOC said that WASA also marks the end of training year and its activities.

 

“We had lots of successful training prigrammes in 2023 both for troops and officers as well as for various cadres and ranks within the Division.

“We also undertook and inaugurated lots of projects, which included the renovation and remodelling of 82 Division headquarters building, renovation of some blocks in the cantonment, new 82 Officers’ Mass and water reticulation projects among others.

 

“All these training programmes and projects is made possible by the fatherly support and direction of our amiable Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

 

“The Division also appreciate the COAS for approving the event as well as thank Gov. Peter Mbah, our guest of honour and other special guests including our families for gracing this colour occasion,” he said.

 

The GOC assured the residents of Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) of improved and adequate protection, while soliciting their coopeattion in 2024.

 

“We call on residents to assist the Nigerian Army and security agencies with timely security information as well as dial toll free “193” and press option 2 to get immediate security assistance when needed from troops of the Division,” he said.

The event featured award presented to outstanding 24 soldiers from the 24 units under the Division.

 

it also featured various Nigerian traditional and cultural cuisines, attires and dances as well as tug-of-war.

 

The guest of honour, Gov. Mbah ignited the bonfire, which signalled the end of the colourful event.(Flowerbudnews)

 

By Flowerbudnews

The former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has lauded Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his compassionate approach to alleviating the hardships faced by citizens, particularly those who lose their lives in service to the state.

Nwodo, who is a former Minister of Aviation and Information, gave the commendation during the funeral of Senior Fire Officer, Mr Chigozie Ugwu, at Maria Assumta Catholic Parish in Ibule Umuofiagu village in Ukehe community, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area in Enugu State.

Ugwu tragically lost his life on December 13, 2023, while bravely battling a midnight fire outbreak at the Motor Spare Parts Market in Coal Camp, Enugu.

Nwodo, while addressing family members, colleagues and others present at the burial, also expressed his gratitude towards Gov. Mbah for his genuine concern towards the well-being of the late fire officer’s family.

 

He revealed that he personally contacted Gov. Mbah, who assured him of providing substantial support to the bereaved family.

 

Nwodo, who also described himself as a non-card-carrying member of the Labour Party, said: “I called Gov. Mbah over the welfare of the deceased’s family, and he said he has been thinking of what to do to assist the family, and that he intends to see the wife one-on-one.”

 

He applauded the governor’s empathy and willingness to extend a helping hand, citing it as a testament to Gov.Mbah’s dedication to the well-being of Enugu State residents.

Earlier, Mr Emeka Ugwu, an elder brother to the deceased, expressed doubt regarding the government’s efforts in supporting the family.

 

He was skeptical and questioned the adequacy of the assistance provided and raised concerns about the overall support system for families of deceased public servants.

 

He also highlighted the need for continued transparency and effective communication from the government in such matters.

 

Responding, the Director of Enugu State Fire Service, Engr Okwudiri Ọhaa, reassured the public that the state government, under the leadership of Gov. Mbah, is committed to ensuring the welfare of Senior Fire Officer Chigozie Ugwu’s family.

Ohaa emphasized that the government would cover all burial expenses and logistical arrangements; thus, demonstrating Gov. Mbah’s dedication to honoring the memory of a dedicated and reliable public servant who prioritized humanity.

 

The director noted that Gov. Mbah had personally wrote a tribute to the deceased, which was presented to the wife.

 

“Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has assured of giving the family of Senior Fire Officer Chigozie Ugwu maximum support. He was a dedicated and reliable staff that believed in humanity first.

 

“Gov Mbah’s compassionate response to the tragic loss of Senior Fire Officer Chigozie Ugwu reflects not only a commitment to public Service but also a recognition of the responsibility to care for the families of those who serve the state.

“As the community mourns the passing of a dedicated public servant, the governor’s actions serve as a testament to his leadership style, prioritizing empathy and support for the citizens of Enugu State,” he said. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Flowerbudnews
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Borno State Government has began moves to forge collaboration with North-East state governors and the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to deepen help and restore hope to displaced persons in the state.

Gov. Babagana Zulum disclosed this while speaking in interview with newsmen on the sideline of the Nigeria Housing Design Competition tagged “Home After Crisis”, an event organised by the IOM through funding from the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF).
in Abuja on Friday.
.
The governor said that the partnership would boost measures towards safety of lives and property of displaced persons in the North-East region.

Gov Zulum said that the partnership would boost measures towards safety of lives and property of displaced persons in the North-East region.

According to him, Government of Borno and the North-East states will provide the political will needed to partner the IOM and other organisations, to build more hopes to the families of the displaced persons.

”We are into an agreement with the IOM and we will see how we can partner, and do more; most importantly the fact that the First Prize winners of the competition are from Nigeria means a lot.

”The University of Maiduguri and Yola are good to go. The security situation in Borneo has improved by not less than 90 per cent. We are doing very well, so we have many safe areas.

”We will do everything possible to ensure the houses when built and completed are set in dignified manner, in line with the Kampala Convention”.

The governor disclosed that about 90 per cent of housing in Borno has been destroyed by Biko Haram within the past 12 years.

”Beginning with my predecessor, I think we have built more than 30 per cent of that, but we still have huge significant deficits amounting to not less than 50, 000”, Zulum said.

Also speaking in an interview, Mr Laurent De Boeck, Chief of IOM Mission in Nigeria, said a lot would be achieved through the partnership with the government of Borno in such regard.

According to him, the IOM has an aim of one million housing plan in Maiduguri and Yola only. We hope it will also grow for the country? so we want the private sector to look at the protection support.

”This is why we have associated our work with the Nigeria Architecture in different situation. We have a commitment by the state which is quite encouraging.

”So, we hope we will be able to build 23 million houses in Nigeria. It is a shift of mind we want, we want a way of responding to the needs of displaced population.

”If we do it for North-East, we will do it everywhere as an organisation. We basically want to promote that way of thinking in response to displaced population,” Boeck said.

Meanwhile, the initiator of the ”Home After Crisis”, Davies Okoko, said the idea was conceived during the presentation of 1.9 million returnees and 2.3 million IDPs in Maiduguri in 2021, and the thought to return them to a home.

According to Okoko, Programme Manager of Shelter and NFI, we are trying to see how best to address housing deficits for displaced persons in the North-East, we have now settled not less than 9 000 IDPs.

”It is an indicator that they have crossed the lines. Our next step is that we want to go into duale housing whereby an IDP can get a house that has relative space in areas they choose to settle.”

Highpoint of the event was presentation of 5 000 Euros to Sabon Gida, Sabon Farko, “New Home, New Beginning” as the First Prize winner

Zuhura Zuhair won the Second Prize of 3 000 Euros, while the ‘Be coming Home’ emerged third with the Prize of 2000 Euros. Flowerbudnews

 

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja:  A Diaspora group, under the auspices of Plateau State Association, USA, Inc., (PSA-USA), has donated relief materials to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of PSA-USA, Francisca Keyen, made the statement available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

She said the President of the association, Dr Bartholomew Shepkong, embarked on a first-hand assessment visit to the Central IDP Camp on Friday.

Keyen said food items, consisting of bags of rice, vegetable oil, flour and other valuables, were distributed to the displaced at the camp situated at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN Central).

The group’s President, Dr Shepkong, during the assessment visit, expressed surprise at the level of condition the victims of the violent attacks were subjected to.

“I wish to offer to you our deepest condolences at PSA-USA over what has happened because it is inhumane and at the same time it bothers us; those in the Diaspora as we have brothers and sisters back at home.

“As a matter of fact, one of us was affected because seven of his cousins were killed, and so you can imagine how much it hurts,” he said.

(The President of Plateau State Association, USA, Inc., (PSA-USA), Dr Bartholomew Shepkong, during the donation of relief materials to the internally displaced persons in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday.)

He was hopeful that in no distant time, the period of trial would be over.

According to him, I think it’s just a matter of time that everybody will definitely be all right.

“We have to be here to offer our support, to let you know that we, as an organisation, are always thinking about you and we’ll continue to do our best to offer the assistance that we can,” he said.

Former LGA Chairman of Bokkos and member of the IDP Support Committee, Mr Zakka Akos, informed that the situation was not only in Bokkos.

(Some of the relief materials donated to the internally displaced persons in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau on Friday by Plateau State Association, USA, Inc., (PSA-USA).)

According to him, we have this situation in Mangu as well but the staff here are not resting at all as they constantly have to ensure they attend to the needs of the people.

“Our people prefer to stay in their homes ordinarily, but the homes are not safe at all and we can’t afford to take them back home when the enemies are still lurking around,” he said.

Chairman of the IDP Support Committee, Rev. Mandong Bitrus, thanked the PSA-USA for their thoughtfulness and support.

He said there were about 13 IDP camps and that no fewer than 6,000 displaced persons were recorded with the exception of those seeking shelter in the homes of their relatives.

“And the total number of people that have been dislodged from 32 different communities of Bokkos is about 19,000,” he added.

Bitrus said they streamlined the aid to those whose houses were destroyed and looted and had nothing to hold on to “and we’re still collecting statistics.”

He also appealed for more support and attention from spirited individuals to assist with food items and roofing materials as the houses of displaced persons would need to be rebuilt when the situation is brought under considerable control.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bokkos LGA, Rev. Steven Saleh, thanked the PSA-USA for the uncommon brotherliness displayed.

He advised that the same act be conveyed to all other members in the Diaspora.

“It is a fact that whoever visits you in time of trouble is your own. I have no doubt that PSA-USA has earned a special place in the hearts of our people.

“May God repay you in great measure for your show of support to the brothers and sisters in need for no fault of theirs,” he said.

Other members of the IDP Support Committee at the event include Mr. Steven Manshigil, secretary; Ms. Sarah Danchin, member of the Red Cross and Ms. Victoria Jeremiah, committee member.(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

We are not discouraged with results in Education Sector, Makinde says

 

By Adewale Owoade

 

 

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says his administration will not be discouraged with the seemingly slow results the state is getting in Education Sector.

 

 

Governor Makinde made this known while receiving a Sweden delegation led by the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and ECOWAS, Her Excellency Ms Annika Hahn-Englund, at his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan.

 

 

He expressed the readiness of the state to provide necessary support in the areas of education infrastructure and the recruitment of more teachers in order to improve the quality of education.

 

 

“As an administration, when we came in in 2019, we put together a roadmap for accelerated development of Oyo State. We focused on four major pillars – Health, Education, Security and also expansion of our economy through agribusiness and development of our infrastructure.

 

 

 

“That was why in my first budget we ensured that we met the UNESCO recommended standard, and since then we’ve tried to improve on that.

 

 

 

“If the result has not been commensurate with the investment, but we are not discouraged, because we know that if we have to treat something that has been on for so many years, we don’t expect that we will get a quick turnaround.

 

 

 

“But surely we know the gap that we have in terms of infrastructure

 

 

“I look forward to us having some breakthrough with the discussion we had,” Makinde said.

 

 

Speaking to Journalists, Hahn-Englund said the Swedish Government is interested in partnering with and complementing the efforts of Gov. Makinde in developing the state.

 

She added that Sweden is also ready to learn from Oyo State on ways to better improve the economy.

 

 

“The purpose of the visit is looking to possibilities to collaborate with Oyo state. So, with me I have a delegation of Swedish businesses, business in the urban transport sector, renewable energy, agriculture and education.

 

 

“These are all areas that we think we can do more together. It was a very good meeting with the governor, am very happy and honored that he made it possible to meet with us,” she said.

 

Similarly, the Regional Director, West Africa & Transport Industry Lead- Africa, Ms. Anthonia Adenaya Huard, said Nigeria was becoming a major interest of Swedish companies, indicating their

interest in working more with Oyo State in several sectors.

 

“Nigeria is becoming one of the major interests of Swedish companies in Africa and a major hub for West Africa. We see more and more interest, and for us, it’s not just looking at Nigeria, we are looking at proactive states.

 

 

 

“We are quite interested in working more with Oyo State in several sectors that the State is focusing on, like; sustainable urban transport, renewable energy, agriculture, education, and we have several companies today represented in this areas.

 

 

 

“We are also interested in other areas that we see we can share experiences from Sweden and learn from Oyo state as well on how we can better improve our relationship, trade wise, but also socially and environmentally,” She said.

 

 

The Executive Adviser to Gov Makinde on Agribusiness, International Cooperation and Development, Dr Debo Akande, reiterated the effort of Gov Makinde in growing the economy of the state.

 

 

 

“Responsibility of a government is to create enabling environment, develop infrastructure, and bring in right programmes and then allow private sector to drive it.

 

 

 

“This government under Gov Makinde is actually doing all those three.

 

 

 

“This is a big thing for us in the state the more of this, the better it is for the economy of the state and for the growth of the state as well, both at short and long term.

 

 

 

“In my new role as the International Development and corporation adviser for Gov Makinde is why we are bringing all these people,” Akande stated. (NAN)

OWO

R-L::Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) “stepped aside” on Saturday, January 27,2024 in Lokoja after the successful completion of his eight years in the governance of Kogi State.
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo(OAU) stepped in