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  • At 28, Delta witnessing better days – Okowa

    As Delta state marks the 28th year of its creation, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowas has saluted the people of the state, saying ‘the state was witnessing better days’.

    In a statement issued in Asaba by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the governor thanked the people of the state for their resilience, patience, cooperation and support to all administrations that had governed the State in the last 28 years.

    He assured that his administration would continue to build on the gains recorded by his predecessors in order to create a stronger Delta.

    “Our beloved State has continued to blossom in spite of challenges confronting us as a people.

    “My administration appreciates Deltans for their resilience and peaceful co-existence among us.

    “In the last four years that we have been on the saddle, we have continued to build on the gains recorded by our predecessors and I assure you that better days are here for all Deltans as we work towards building a stronger Delta of our dream.

    “Through Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, we have done a lot in the past four years, to make Asaba and environs a befitting state capital.

    “We have initiated measures to resolve the nagging flooding in the capital territory through network of storm drainages, which are nearing completion, in addition to two new ones whose contracts were recently awarded.”

    The governor restated his appreciation to the people for renewing their mandate to him through a resounding victory at the last general elections, engendered by their overwhelming votes.

    “With the re-election and inauguration, we have been re-energised to vigorously deliver on our SMART Agenda drive. I assure Deltans that with their support, we will do more,” he said.

    He added that to address critical infrastructural needs in Warri and Effurun axis, “we have created Warri/Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, and we will continue to scale up development in rural and riverside communities in the state.

    “The recent inauguration of road projects in Ijaw and Itsekiri coastal communities by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a testimony of our resolve to build a Stronger Delta for our people.

    “As Deltans, we have every reason to celebrate our 28 years anniversary as a State as we remain on the right trajectory to development.

    “We will continue to operate within the principles of equity, fair play and friendship, which have largely created the atmosphere for peace and development in the State,” he said.

    Delta and 11 other states, including Edo, were created on Aug. 27, 1991 by the military regime headed by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

  • Primary: APC NWC approves 9 Kogi governorship aspirants

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved nine Kogi governorship aspirants out of the 16 screened to contest for party’s primaries scheduled to hold on Aug 29.

    The party  in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in Abuja on Wednesday,  said that the NWC of the party took the decision after deliberating on the report of  screening and appeal committees for the party’s Kogi governorship aspirants.

    “After a comprehensive review of the submissions by the two committees, relying on the party’s guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act, nine aspirants were finally cleared to contest the Aug. 29, 2019 Indirect Governorship primary.

    “Seven other aspirants did not meet the requirements for participation in the exercise.

    “Those cleared by the NWC are Gov. Yahaya Bello, Hadiza Ibrahim, Yahaya Audu, Sani Abdullahi, Alhaji Abubakar Bashir, Mr Danlami Mohammed, Yakubu Mohammed, Hassan Abdullahi and Blessing Ekele.

    “The aspirants who are not cleared are Prof. Mohammed Onaili, Usman Jibrin, Mustapha Mona Audu, Rukkaya Ibrahim, Gen. Patrick Akpa, Babatunde Irukera
    and Muhammed Audu,” Issa-Onilu said.

    NAN

  • 12th African Games: Team Nigeria now fourth on medals table after Day 12

    Team Nigeria to the 12th African Games in Morocco on Tuesday moved up the medals table to the fourth position with 20 gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze medals.

    The development meant Nigeria, who were second at the 2015 Games, now have a total of 49 medals after 12 days of competition and with only four days of competition left.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Games tagged “Rabat 2019” and slated for Aug. 19 to Aug. 31 had began on Aug. 16 and will end on Saturday.

    The medals table has defending champions Egypt leading with 40 gold, 64 silver and 38 bronze medals for a total of 142.

    South Africa are in second position with 56 medals, comprising 25 gold, 17 silver and 14 gold, while hosts Morocco are in third place.

    They are with 22 gold, 21 silver and 29 bronze in a total of 72 medals.

    Algeria are in fifth place hot on the heels of Nigeria with 19 gold, 19 silver and 39 bronze in a total of 77 medals.

    Tunisia are also close behind the front-runners in sixth place, with 18 gold, 15 silver and 19 bronze in a total haul of 52 medals.

    NAN reports that only 36 of the participating countries have gained places on the Games’ medals table.

  • Theatre, films, will foster national integration, says UNICAL VC

    he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, says the interpretation of plays and films will promote national unity and integration in Nigeria.

    Akpagu made this known on Thursday during the 2nd Calabar International Conference of Theatre and Media 2019, holding at the Chinua Achebe Arts Theatre in the University of Calabar.

    The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by Prof. Uche Amalu, Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, said that theatre performances could enhance the unity in diversity, thereby encouraging oneness among Nigerians.

    He said that theme of this year’s conference, “Theatre Media and National Integration in a Globalised World’’ is apt as it is borne out of the need to foster national integration.

    The vice-chancellor expressed satisfaction with the activities and performances of the Theatre, Film and Carnival Studies Department, saying it had harnessed the potential of different cultural values through stage performances.

    “I am very confident that the papers that will be presented at this conference will no doubt espouse ways to re-engineer, restructure and reposition our great country, Nigeria for greater heights,’’ he said.

    Prof. Emmy Unuja-Idegu, Head of Theatre, Film and Carnival Studies Department, said that through the instrumentality of entertainment, theatre could enhance societal development.

    Unuja-Idegu said that theatre could deliver a serious message with great impact through music, plays, songs and dance.

    “The role of the Nigerian home movies in trying to unite the country through different plays is highly commendable.

    “The cultural and ambassadorial role that Nollywood is playing is exceptional and that is only an arm of theatre that we are talking about.

    “Government should realise the potency of media and theatre and begin to invest massively in it to promote their image laundry,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were various stage plays by students of the department to showcase Nigeria’s unity in diversity.

  • Meeting Iran counterpart, Japan minister says he hopes to ease Mid-East tension

    Japan will try to help ease tension in the Middle East, Foreign Minister, Taro Kono, said on Tuesday as he began a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Zarif.

    Zarif said he looked forward to discussions with Kono as both countries had special interests in the security of the energy market and stability in the Gulf.

    “We are worried about tension in the Middle East and we hope to make some diplomatic effort to ease the tension,’’ Kono told reporters as he stood with Zarif.

    “We wanted to have a direct and frank conversation with you today,’’ he said to Zarif.

    The two smiled and shook hands before sitting down for talks as the media were ushered out.

    Japan has historically had friendly ties with Iran and is also a close U.S. ally.

    The tension between Iran and the U.S. has risen since President Donald Trump’s administration in 2018 quit an international deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and began to ratchet up sanctions.

    Iranian officials have denounced the new penalties as “economic warfare”.

    French President Emmanuel Macron opened an avenue towards a diplomatic solution to the U.S.-Iran standoff at a Group of Seven (G7) summit at the weekend.

    Macron added that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had told him he was open to a meeting with Trump.

    Trump told a news conference it was realistic to envisage a meeting with the Iranian head of government in the coming weeks.

    Both leaders are scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in September.

    But on Tuesday, Rouhani said Iran would not talk to the U.S. until all sanctions were lifted.

  • Kogi APC gov ticket: Bello thanks delegates, seeks aspirants’ support

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Friday expressed his gratitude to delegates for electing him as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Governorship election in the state.

    Bello in a statement in Lokoja, commended the delegates for their conduct and maturity during the party’s primary election held on Aug. 29.

    He promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him, calling for unity among party members to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the coming election.

    “Your votes demonstrated your esteemed confidence in my leadership. This show of faith is highly appreciated and shall serve as a boost to our collective aspirations of moving Kogi State to the next level.

    “I am assuring you that I would do you proud by coasting home to victory for the party in the Nov.16 general election,’’ he said in the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Onogu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello emerged winner of the APC governorship ticket by polling 3,091 votes to beat nine other aspirants who contested the governorship primary.

    The primary election was conducted at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja on Thursday.

    The governor also hailed the democratic posture of all the aspirants and appealed to them to join hands with him to retain Kogi State for APC come November.

    “I thank God Almighty for this victory. I want to appreciate the National Leader of our party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his advice.

    “I want to express my appreciation to the National Chairman of our party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole and the National Working Committee for the quality of leadership they have provided.

    “My sincere appreciation goes to the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, His Excellency Badaru Abubakar and his members.

    “In this contest, there is no winner, no vanquished.

    “I, therefore, called on all aspirants, stakeholders and members of our party to come to work with me to ensure victory for our party on Nov. 16,’’ Bello said.

    NAN

  • Gov. Masari Urges Parents To Prevent Children From Joining Bandits

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has called on parents and guardians to be particularly watchful of the companies their children and wards keep, to prevent them from joining bandits and other criminals.

    Masari made the call on Thursday in Katsina, while speaking at a security meeting between traditional rulers, herdsmen leaders and security agencies in the state.

    “Herdsmen leadership at all levels should counsel their children to desist from joining criminal gangs killing people or destroying property.

    “A situation where people are being killed on daily basis is unacceptable.

    “Therefore, these criminals must repent or we as government, will know how to deal with them’’, he added.

    The governor lamented that Katsina, the home state of the President, is now being portrayed in bad light as a result of the recurring banditry.

    Masari, however, assured that the government would work with any group that is ready for peace, to make sure that sanity return to rural communities in parts of the state.

    Also speaking, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, called for immediate halt to the shedding of blood of innocent persons.

    He urged communities in his domain to continue to live in peace with one another, describing the present spate of killings in the state as counterproductive.

    In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, said government had committed huge resources in sustaining peace and protecting lives and property. (NAN)

  • Kaduna Govt. Meets With Contractors In Bid To Revive N6.4bn Schools Projects

    (FLOWETRBUDNEWS)   Kaduna State Government said it would ensure the completion of all the 51 ongoing capital projects in the education sector, awarded between 2016 and 2019.

    The state’s Commissioner for Education, Dr Shehu Makarfi, made this known at a meeting with some of the contractors on Thursday in Kaduna.

    According to the Commissioner, the meeting was  to discuss the challenges hampering the completion of the projects and agree on  the way forward.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that only four out of the 55 projects were fully completed while the rest were at between zero per cent to 80 per cent completion stage.

    A document obtained by NAN indicates that the projects, awarded at the cost of over N6.4 billion were mainly on construction, renovation and rehabilitation of classrooms.

    It also included provision of drainage, solar-powered boreholes, toilets, solar streetlights, furniture, and perimeter fences in schools.

    The document revealed that about N2.4 billion was disbursed to the contractors out of the N6.4 billion.

    At the meeting, the commissioner said that the state government was now ready to pay outstanding liabilities to the contractors.

    He, however, noted that some of the contractors had collected mobilisation fees and disappeared, warning that their contract would be revoked and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.

    “We equally observed that some of the contractors are not executing the project as specified in the Bill of Quantity.

    “This is unacceptable and such contractors will not be paid until the projects meet minimum standard.

    “We will, therefore, recommend payment to only performing contractors and those who are willing to go back to site and complete the projects according to specifications,” he said.

    Makarfi also said that the state government has began compilation of a compendium of accredited contractors, urging the contractors to avoid being blacklisted.

    Also speaking, the Director, Education Sector Project, Malam Ubale Salisu, urged the contractors to be diligent in executing the projects.

    Salisu added that Bill of Quantity would be released to all relevant stakeholders to monitor and ensure quality delivery of the projects.

    Responding, Malam Ibrahim Balarabe, who spoke on behalf of the contractors, identified non payment and security challenges as the major challenges militating against completion of the projects.

    One of the contractors, Malam Sambo Salisu, of Salzi Nigerian Ltd., acknowledged that some contractors had disappeared after collecting mobilisation fee.

    He noted that scarcity of funds was common with day-to-day running of government, pointing out that some committed contractors mobilised to site without payment.

    “I mobilised to site the moment I collected my contract award, because I am very confident that the government will pay me in full.

    “For example, I renovated the whole of Government Girls Secondary School, Kabala Costain, without mobilisation fee and I was paid in full upon completion of the project.

    “We did same thing with the renovation of Rimi College Phase I, and now I am on Phase II,,” Salisu added.

    He advised his colleagues that have no capital to execute projects to stay away from construction business, stressing that without capital, there was little or nothing that a contractor can do. (NAN)

  • Kano Hisbah Board apprehends 46 beggars

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS)  The Kano State Hisbah Board says it has arrested 46 suspected beggars in Kano metropolis for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state.

    Alhaji Lawan Ibrahim the Public Relations’ Officer of the Board disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Kano.

    He added that the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a special raid carried out between 1p.m and 3 p.m at Audu Bako Secretariat, Oasis Bakery at Taurauni, Magwan road and Iyaka road in the metropolis.

    “The number comprises of 32 adults and 14 children.

    “The board will properly screen them, counsel and thereafter release them since there are first-time offenders,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that on Aug. 28, the board arrested 60 other suspected beggars in Kano metropolis for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state. (NAN)