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AT UN, PRESIDENT BUHARI RUES CORROSIVE EFFECT OF CORRUPTION IN AFRICA, URGES LEADERS TO FIGHT IT ‘24/7’
President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in New York urged African leaders to fight tirelessly to get rid of corruption, lamenting that the continent has remained at the far end of global development index because of its menace.
The President spoke in his capacity as the African Union Champion on efforts to eliminate corruption in the continent at a High-Level side event on ”Food Security Response: Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Securing Asset Returns for Sustainable Development’‘, on the margins of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Providing his perspectives on the effects of corruption in the continent and the way forward at the event co-hosted by African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian leader said he was honoured to serve as AU Champion on anti-corruption since 2018:
”As you are all aware, this will be my last official participation at the United Nations General Assembly as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
”I remain honoured and privileged to be President of Nigeria for two terms and I am grateful to the African Union for making me the Continental Organisation’s Champion on efforts to eliminate corruption nationally and continent-wide.
”Over the years, we came to the painful realisation on how deeply embedded corruption has become in our countries and continent, as well as how corrosive it can be.
”Corruption has dwarfed our growth and tainted our nations and continent. Africa remains at the far end of development index and concerted efforts made in the last few years need to be sustained, deepened by good governance and accountability that are guided by the rule of law.
”I have strong faith that Africa and our national governments can do this with strong resolve and commitment to eliminating Illicit Financial Flows.
”We need strong partnerships from our global partners to ensure that these efforts succeed. A developed and stable Africa will not only be a global partner for peace but for sustainable development and progress.”
President Buhari, therefore, challenged his colleagues that for the continent to rise to its full potentials, ”we must work tirelessly to get rid of corruption or by fighting it 24/7.”
”Our national resources must not find safe-havens around the world. This fight is a necessity and not a choice to give our citizens a better life through economic prosperity, social peace and security,” he added.
The President urged his colleagues to recall the United Nations General Assembly Special Session Against Corruption political declaration of June 2021 and ensure its effective implementation toward global food security and sustainable infrastructural development in the continent.
On food security in Nigeria, the President disclosed that the Nigerian government has financed 2.5million smallholder farmers to cultivate about 3.2million hectares of farmland across the country, creating 10million direct and indirect jobs.
He also acknowledged programmes initiated by the AU and ECOWAS to address food security, apprising that at the Federal level in Nigeria, the administration is working with state governments through initiatives such as the Anchor Borrowers Programme, to support local production of rice, maize, cotton and cassava.
He expressed delight that the implementation of such programmes has resulted in a significant decline in the country’s large food import bill, from $2.2billion Dollars in 2014 to $5.9million Dollars at the end of 2018.
The President said rice imports alone dropped from $1billion dollars a year to $18.5million dollars.
”Accordingly, we remain committed to improving productivity of small-scale farmers by promoting equal access to land, technology and markets, sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices across the country and beyond,’’ he said.
The President, however, cautioned that these lofty goals cannot be achieved if corruption, illicit financial flows, serious and organized crimes are not effectively addressed.
”Rice, wheat and fertilizer imports were riddled with gross corrupt practices such as over-invoicing and transfer pricing.
”It is only when these crimes are contained that we can secure the recovery and return of illicitly acquired assets to victim-countries, which will then provide the much-needed resources in the immediate term, to address development requirements,’’ he said.
The Nigerian leader recounted that the administration has demonstrated effective utilization of recovered assets with the notable deployment of funds to three major infrastructure projects across the country namely; the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.
The President, therefore, pledged not to relent in efforts to curb illicit financial flows, engender food security and achieve sustainable economic development.
He added that measures have been instituted based on policy advisories by EFCC to block revenue leakages arising from crude oil theft, tax evasion, pension fraud, foreign exchange manipulations, travel document racketeering and tax evasion:
”Furthermore, the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR) 2020 was recognized as taking a broader approach to include resources lost through any and all types of Illicit Financial Flows.
”It is therefore our hope, that the CAPAR can be a model for designing a global framework to address Illicit Financial Flows and I use this opportunity to call on the African Union to ensure effective implementation of the CAPAR in line with the vision encapsulated in the Agenda 2063.”
Commenting on the global food crisis, which the United Nations estimates that nearly a billion people went hungry in 2021, the President described it as ”a collective shame on the world’s conscience,” further exacerbated by increased illicit financial flows.
He expressed concern that criminals are taking advantage of global food crisis to perpetrate illicit financial flows, with the ongoing crisis in Ukraine disrupting energy and food supply chains, thus, negatively impacting the global economy.
”Such developments have been made worse by increased Illicit Financial Flows, arising from a combination of factors, including organized violence and conflict risks, economic downturn, natural hazards and climatic risks, as well as worsening access to humanitarian assistance.
“Such an atmosphere presents criminals and their associates with opportunities to take advantage of information developments that characterize such areas of disruption and conflict.”
He said the crisis in the energy and food supply chains demand urgent response from all leaders in governments, global institutions and businesses to re-think best approaches to address new and old global challenges.
He posited that food crises, illicit financial flows and asset recovery are cross-cutting issues that necessarily need to be addressed holistically through the effective adoption of multilateralism as highlighted in the theme of the 77th United Nations General Assembly: “A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges.”
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, said the event “is a continuation of the advocacy on good governance that started in 2017 and was adopted by the Forum in 2018 as an annual event with the objective to promote peer-to-peer learning for best practices and strengthen partnership for good governance.”
She added that, “if Africa’s population and land space are credibly and productively harnessed, it will not only address these challenges but will be a turnaround for world economic boost and sustainable development.”
Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said that “reports from law enforcement agencies especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) show that illicit financial flows (IFFS) undermine efforts to development including food security…the United Nations estimates that $1.6trillion is lost each year due to illicit financial flows, which has a negative impact on global growth and development.”
According to him, however, the Nigerian government is dealing with the situation:
“Just this year, Mr President has signed the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, (2022), the Proceed of Crimes Act just to mention a few.”
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of International Organisations as well as Development Partners.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 24, 2022
PRESIDENT BUHARI HAILS RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER, SUNMI SMART-COLE
AT 81
President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with ace photographer, musician and publisher, Sunmi Smart-Cole, and family, on his 81st birthday, September 25, 2022, celebrating the octogenarian for legendary impact on media, music and the country’s development.
President Buhari affirms that the diligence, excellence and experience of Smart-Cole on cameras, musical instruments and managing people and events over many years continue to inspire and guide a new generation, learning his wise counsels on turning skills into trade, and spreading influence.
The President notes the vision of the international professional photographer, who learnt his trade in United States, but sought growth and impact in Nigeria and Africa, sustaining a legacy of capturing history, storing and sharing memories, both of the highly placed, and less privileged.
President Buhari extols the warmth, candidness and foresight of the renowned photo-journalist, who worked with the Guardian newspaper as Photo Editor, before spreading his tentacles into private business and consulting, interfacing with leaders, home and abroad.
The President prays for the wellbeing of Smart-Cole and his family.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 24, 2022
PRESIDENT BUHARI SALUTES NIGERIANS EXCELLING IN DIASPORA, URGES THEM TO WILLINGLY GIVE BACK
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Nigerians living in the United States for the exemplary roles they are playing in their different areas of endeavour, urging them to continue in that line to earn the respect of their hosts.
Speaking Saturday at the Townhall Meeting With Nigerians In The Diaspora, in New York, President Buhari said:
“It is gratifying for me to note that many Nigerians in the USA have continued to excel in their careers leading to some being appointed into the cabinet of His Excellency President Joe Biden.
“Similarly, many have been elected/appointed into various responsible and competitive positions in the United States of America. I congratulate those who have brought honours and pride to our country. I thank and commend them for their respective successes as I equally urge them to demonstrate the highest sense of responsibilities in order that they continue to remain reference points of excellence as they serve human kind in this country.
“As always, I wish to emphasise the absolute necessity for each and every one of you to continue to remain law-abiding as you live in the United States of America and comport yourselves in such exemplary manners that should earn you the privilege of reference as good Ambassadors of Nigeria.
“In order to earn yourselves collective self-respect within the communities you live in, you must live with one another peacefully and continue to do so without sub-divisions amongst yourselves. As you may know, as a people, we shall always be stronger together.”
The President said the administration created the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to serve as a bridge between them and the country in the developmental agenda with the expectation that they will give back to the country:
“As our Diaspora Ambassadors, we expect your willingness to ‘give back’ to Nigeria some of your resources, talents, skills and global exposure in the development of our great country, Nigeria.”
He gave assurances that the government will continue to act in their interests whenever the need arises, citing recent evacuations in Libya, South Africa, and recently in Ukraine. He added that he had also approved the same in UAE and India.
The President commended them for Diaspora remittances which stood at $20billon dollars in 2021, an amount four times the Foreign Direct Investment in the same period, as well as their investments in various sectors of the Nigerian economy such as Healthcare, Agriculture, Education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Housing and Real Estate, Transportation, Oil and Gas.
The President lauded Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission who coordinated the event, for her innovative programmes to bring the ambassadors closer home such as Diaspora Registration Portal, the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme and the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust (NDIT).
President Buhari reiterated the administration’s commitment to free, fair and transparent elections in 2023 as this is the only way Nigeria can continue to “set the right example for the rest of Africa and hopefully stop the recourse to unconstitutional changes of Governments in our sub-region and the rest of the African Continent.”
The representatives of Nigerians in the US who visited the President are:
- Bobby Digi Olisa, an American born Nigerian, current President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, New York, co-owns an international restaurant and a medical clinic in his community.
- Philip H. Moses, from Kaduna State, obtained his first Degree in Geology from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1991. Lived in Minnesota, United States for 25 years now as a Mental Health practitioner, Behavior Modification Assistant with Minnesota Department of Human Services.
- Dr. Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede, Ph.D, is a Professor of Global Affairs and Politics. She was recently awarded a four-year tenure as a Fulbright Specialist Scholar under the United States Department State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in recognition of her contribution and impact in the field of higher education and international affairs.
- Wale Adelagunja, Chairman, Council for Global Alliance (C-Glo) which identifies appropriate business opportunities in furtherance of Continental African and Caribbean Descent in the area of Commerce, technological and infrastructural development.
- Dr. Rukaiya Bashir Hamidu, Born and raised in Maiduguri and Yola, she later attended St. George’s University in Grenada/New York for medical school (Doctor of Medicine Degree, First Class). Currently, she is a Gastroenterology Fellow at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
- Dr. Dominic Chukwuemeka Valentine Onyema, 1977 recipient of Barclays Bank International scholarship to the UWC Atlantic College in Wales in the United Kingdom. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree from the University of Lagos in Nigeria and Medical Degree from St. Georges University. He is licensed in Medicine and Surgery in New York State since 1992. He is the Founder, Owner and President of Healthwise Medical Associates.
- Miss Aghaeze Favour. A scholarship student at the Millersville University doing her Masters in Clinical Psychology. She graduated with Distinguished Cum Laude from Philander Smith College in 2021.
- Obinna Anusiem is the CEO and Founder of NGEX, a provider of Data, Marketing and Research solutions that enable clients engage and drive awareness of their products and services with customers in Nigeria and in Diaspora.
- Colonel Gabriel A. Isioye is assuming command of the 865th Combat Support Hospital, following his assignment as the Chief Dental Officer at the 8th Medical Brigade in Staten Island, NY.
- Dr Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD, is the President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, the umbrella organization for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. A National Institute of Health (NIH)-funded researcher and award-winning educator, he also served as Professor and University Chairman of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
- Lieutenant Commander (Sel) Victor Agunbiade is an outstanding Naval Officer in the US Navy and has greatly impacted the mission at every assignment. He served as the Division Officer and Officer Recruiter at Navy Recruiting District, Richmond (NRD) from November 2015- July 2019 where he earned recognition as Active General Recruiter. He is currently the Reserve Program Director, Navy Recruiting Command (NRC), Millington, Tennessee.
- Dr Nelson Aluya, MBBS, MD is a Medical Doctor with extensive broad base training and clinical expertise in over three continents. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer of the Newark Community Health Centers.
- Alhaja Adenike Oyejide, BBA/MBA/MNI is a Retired New York City Government Official. By profession, she is a Forensic Accountant and a Banker. She is currently the Vice Chairman of African Advisory Council, Bronx Borough President Office, Bronx, New York.
- Prof. Augustine Esogbue is a Nigerian born Professor Emeritus (NNOM) of The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta. He was a recipient of the maiden American Universities’ Scholarship Program that sent him to UCLA in 1961 where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He obtained his Ph. D. in 1968, becoming the first Black person in the world to earn a Ph. D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering/ Operations Research.
- Dr. Adeola Popoola is the President and Consultant, Poppy Physical Rehabilitation Consultants with Specialty Centers for the physically and mentally impaired and disabled, and remediation of pain syndromes. He had an extensive professional calling spanning 40 years, 1982-2022 in Universities across Nigeria. He was President, Nigeria in Diaspora Organization, NIDO-New Jersey.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 24, 2022
OUR REACTION TO BABA AYO ADEBANJO AND HIS NEW OHANIFERE VENTURE
Papa Ayo Adebanjo does not speak for Afenifere. He is free as an individual to support anyone he likes, in furtherance of his democratic right.
We know for a fact that Baba has turned Afenifere into his personal estate as Acting Leader. We are also certain that there was nowhere Afenifere, as we know it, met and took a decision to adopt Mr. Peter Obi as a candidate for 2023 presidential election.
We respect the age of Baba Adebanjo but he cannot turn Afenifere into his personal franchise for any political alliance.
We are very much aware that Baba Reuben Fasoranti, the real leader of Afenifere had stated clearly that Pa Adebanjo has always been speaking for himself on many national issues using the name of the group.
It is our well-considered position that Pa Adebanjo cannot appropriate Afenifere. Baba is just an individual who is free to support any politician of his choice. As an individual, he cannot equate himself with the socio-cultural and socio-political organisation.
Bayo Onanuga
Director, Media and Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council
September 24,2022
TINUBU NEVER OFFERED WIKE SENATORIAL TICKET.
Our attention has been drawn to a misleading report in some national dailies and online newspapers, particularly, Sahara Reporters that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, offered the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, senatorial ticket to defect the APC.
Governor Wike was alleged to have disclosed this during the media chat that was aired on Channels Television, African Independent Television, Nigerian Television Authority and TVC on Friday, 23 September, 2022.
We wish to state emphatically that this news is false, baseless and ludicrous as the Rivers State governor throughout the media chat never mentioned the name of the APC presidential candidate or alluded to him offering him a senatorial ticket.
To lay the facts bare, we have decided to include herein the transcript of what governor Wike said concerning senatorial form.
“First of all, this is how you know those who are prepared to run an election. Some of them collected presidential form at the same time collected senatorial form. You’ll know that those people are not serious to run.
“I never collected senatorial form. Even after the whole thing, people said come and go for Senate, I said no. I won’t do that. I’ve already made a commitment that this Senate ticket should be zoned to this area (Etche) because they’ve never had it before. I must not be in power.”
In an era of increasingly divisive political climate, the tendency to pervert the truth is extremely high. It is on this basis that we wish to remind journalists that journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.
“At this critical juncture in our nation, we wish to remind journalists that getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. Journalists are enjoined to always strive for accuracy and give all the relevant facts in their report.
“We, therefore, urge the unsuspecting public not to give any credence to this false, baseless and ill motivated reports.”
Kelvin Ebiri
Special Assistant on Media to the Rivers State governor.
24th September, 2022.
$23m Abacha loot: SERAP sues Buhari, Malami over ‘failure to publish copy of agreement with U.S.’
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari over “the failure to publish copy and details of the agreement the Federal Government recently signed with the United States for the repatriation of $23 million stolen by the late dictator Sani Abacha.”
Joined in the suit as Respondent is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The United States government had in August signed an agreement with the Federal Government to repatriate $23 million Abacha loot to Nigeria. The $23 million adds to the $311.7 million Abacha loot repatriated from the U.S. to Nigeria in 2020.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1700/2022 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel President Buhari and Mr Abubakar Malami to release and widely publish copy of the agreement on the Abacha loot with the U.S.”
SERAP is also asking the court to “direct and compel President Buhari and Mr Abubakar Malami to publish details of the transparency and accountability mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not mismanaged, diverted or re-stolen.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that, “The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s international obligations impose transparency obligations on the Federal Government to widely publish the agreement on the $23 million Abacha loot.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Publishing a copy of the agreement with the U.S. would allow Nigerians to scrutinise it, and to monitor the spending of the repatriated loot to ensure that the money is not mismanaged, diverted or re-stolen.”
According to SERAP, “the repatriated $23 million Abacha loot is vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement. Substantial part of the estimated $5 billion returned Abacha loot since 1999 may have been mismanaged, diverted, or re-stolen, and in any case remain unaccounted for.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Publishing a copy of the agreement would ensure that persons with public responsibilities are answerable to the people for the performance of their duties including the management of repatriated loot.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Atinuke Adejuyigbe, read in part: “The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s international obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.”
“The Federal Government has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how any repatriated stolen funds are spent, to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.”
“It is in the public interest, and the interest of justice to grant this application. Nigerians are entitled to their constitutionally and internationally recognized human right to information.”
“The Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee to everyone the right to information, including to a copy of the agreement on the repatriated $23 million Abacha loot.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
25/9/2022
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202
Okowa deplores poor services by BEDC
Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has deplored poor supply of electricity to consumers in the state by Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
Okowa expressed his displeasure over the situation at the official opening of Lumen Christi College, Maryhill, Owanta, Ika North East Local Government Area of the State on Thursday.
He said that even when residents and communities procured transformers and handed over to BEDC, “they will still charge them to energise it”.
According to the governor, sometimes you install a transformer, the distribution company will ask you to come and pay even when you are handing over that transformer to them.
He regretted that “even when you are ready to pay, they will delay you for six months and even for one year. It’s frustrating.
“Sometimes when we try to help communities, it is difficult because of BEDC’s delay.
“Even, when the transformers are energised and handed back to the distribution company, to get them to energise it, it will look like you are begging them to do so; it ought not to be so,” Okowa stated.
He lauded Rev. Fr. Mario David Dibie, the Proprietor of the school, for his philanthropy and care for the poor and vulnerable in the society.
“While men are busy pushing after fame and ego, here is a man with God’s grace thinking about the very lowly in the society.
“It is a lesson and a story that should change our lives because when you see the life of a man like Fr. Dibie, every part of his story tells about his desire to assist the less-privileged.
“If we have more of him Nigeria would be a better place. He is beginning to build a crop of young ones that will grow up to become responsible adults.
“It is not about the beauty and ambience of your school but about the character you come out with from here will pave way for you in the future.
“Due to the suffering in our nation, things are getting so bad and people are afflicted from the inside because of hardship. People are resorting to kidnapping and banditry because of hardship and it is a time for collective prayer for our nation,” he said.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate and rejoice with Fr. Dibie for this great feat because he is building a great society for Nigeria by helping to train our children,” Okowa added.
Welcoming guests earlier, Rev. Fr. Dibia said he was always guided by the Biblical injunction to always consider the poor in his dealings.
He disclosed that he had a Covenant with God that 20 per cent of whatever he got would be for his maintenance while 80 per cent would go to the poor.
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Wike: Atiku still open to dialogue – Spokesman
Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr Charles Aniagwu says the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was still open for further dialogue with Governor Nyesom Wike and his group.
Aniagwu who spoke on Arise Television on Wednesday night said Atiku’s reaction to the alleged boycott of the Presidential Campaign Council by Wike’s group was not a foreclosure of further reconciliation with the group and other stakeholders in the party.
He said that Atiku’s call on the party to move was a call to focus on the real issues bothering Nigerians and not necessarily meant to leave any stakeholder behind.
According to Aniagwu, we don’t have any faction in the party just a group with interest which is allowed democratically.
“As a party we are quite comfortable that in the course of time these issues will give way for everybody to be on board.
“Atiku didn’t say its time to move on because he wants to leave anybody behind, he is asking members of the party that its time for them to move on to talk about those issues that affect Nigerians.
“There are a whole lot of issues that affects us in this country and so Atiku said its time to move on meaning that every hand has to be on deck to carry every Nigerian along and to address those many challenges that confronts Nigerians in their everyday life today.
“Atiku is not just looking for anybody to come and vote, he is looking forward to unite every member of the party and by extension Nigerians so that at the end of the day he would have been able to carry everybody along.
“He has asked everybody to come on board and we are quite optimistic that in the course of time everybody will indeed be on board,” Aniagwu stated.
[22/09, 17:45] Nelson Egware: Okowa gives technical college project contractor October deadline
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday directed the contractor handling the Obiaruku Technical College, Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area on October 31 completion deadline.
The governor gave the directive while inspecting the project and said that prompt completion of the project would enable students already admitted for current academic session to commence studies.
He said that the needed staff for the college had already been recruited and pointed out that the contractor had no reason to delay the project longer.
According to the governor, I sent for the contractor last week and told him that this school must resume by the end of October. So, he just have to put in a little more speed.
“The classrooms are ready and the equipment are already on ground. I have been reassured by the commissioner and the consultant that they would be able to get the resumption done.
“Other little jobs can be done even when the school has resumed in October because the teachers are already engaged and the students have taken the entrance exams into the school and all the other processes of admmission have been completed,” he said.
Okowa, who is Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) further said that the road leading to the technical college was already contracted to same contractor and would be constructed after the rains.
He also inspected ongoing construction of a bridge across River Ethiope in Obiaruku and the road to Eziokpor-Obiogo, Eziokpor-Umuoshi and Eziokpor-Unor road all in Ukwuani Local Government Area.
Okowa was conducted round the projects by the Commissioner for Works (Urban and Highways), Mr Noel Omodon and his Technical Education counterpart, Princess Shola Daibo-Ogbemi. He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of the work.
He expressed optimism that the bridge across River Ethiope would be completed in December, 2022, saying “as you can see, a lot of work has been done.
“It was just started a few months ago and I have been told by the contractor that they would be finished in December.
“As we have been told, across this river, we have a lot of plan there to create a lot of expansion for them because with this bridge, we can now cross over and hope that in the future, we can also use the road to neighbouring villages.
“For now, the major purpose is to ensure that the people are able to access all the expanse of land beyond the river.
“The contractor is doing quite well. I didn’t know that they have gotten to this level. I am very pleased with what I have seen here and they have assured me that in three months, they would be through with the entire bridge project,” Okowa stated.
PDP Crisis: Calls for Ayu’s removal ill-timed – Aniagwu
Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Charles Aniagwu, says the call for the removal of the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, is ill-timed, with the 2023 general election a few months away.
Speaking on “Good Morning Nigeria” on NTA Network, on Friday, Aniagwu said those calling for Ayu’s removal based on equity and justice were not wrong but appealed that they look at the bigger picture because the period was too close to the 2023 general elections.
The Presidential Campaign Spokesman said Ayu never denied agreeing to quit if a presidential candidate emerged from the North, noting that Ayu will quit if the party wins the presidential election. The national chairman was clear when he said if the Party ask him to quit he will. The party did not make that request, the NEC passed a vote of confidence on the NWC.
According to him, Ayu has never denied what he said, be let us look at what he said and the laws of the party. Let us always think of the country first and not about North and South that tends to divide us.
“In developed climes nobody talks about zones and regions they talk about what works for the people. President Buhari is from Katsina today but I am not too sure that life has become far better for those in Katsina than it was in 2015.
“In 2006, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was President and Ahmadu Ali was National Chairman, the primary was conducted and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of blessed memory emerged Presidential candidate of the party.
“Ahmadu Ali prosecuted that election and Yar’Adua became President before the party held a Convention to bring in somebody from the South and nobody asked Ahmadu Ali to leave because a presidential candidate had emerged from the North.
“When Jonathan became President after the death of Yar’Adua, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor remained National Chairman of the party until it was time for another election.
“These are tenured offices and the issue of zoning is only in the offices and positions, the position of a presidential candidate is not an office, it only becomes an office after winning election,” Aniagwu said.
He said the presidential candidate is not opposed to Ayu stepping down however it should be done after the general elections.
“The difference between what we are saying and what Governor Nyesom Wike and his group are saying is time line.
“Our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and our National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu are on the same page with them to return the National Chairman to the South but that can only be done after the general elections because we have a bigger picture in view.
“Again Ayu’s stepping down is not the problem, going by our party constitution, moving the Chairman from the North to the South is the problem because the Deputy National is expected to take over from him by virtue of Section 45 of the party’s constitution.
“So even if Ayu leaves, what happens to Iliya Damagun who is the Deputy National Chairman?
“What happens to the National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu who hails from Imo State. By the convention and principles of our party both of them don’t come from the same zone because both of them actually run the party,”
He said when leaders come together to hold meetings the majority of the people are not usually part of those meetings, pointing out that “it is the law that represents and protects the interest of those people who are not opportuned to be in that meeting.
“Ayu has said if the party asks him to go he will leave, but the NEC of the party has met and they have considered the issues and came to a conclusion that it was not the right time for that move.
“And so we appeal to our great leader, Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders of the party to respect the decision of NEC on the matter by exercising patience with the party until after the general elections.
“The reason why we are pleading with them is because Atiku wants to run with everybody on board, in six months time this election would have been done and dusted and these changes would be effected,” he said.
