PDP Logo

By Kingsley Okoye

Some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators on Wednesday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for what they called his unique approach to governance.

Two of the PDP lawmakers, who spoke at plenary, commended Buharis leadership style for prioritising the interest of Nigerians over partisanship.

Under Order 43 of the Senate standing rules, the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP Taraba South), praised Buhari for commencing the construction of Ibbi bridge in his constituency.

He stated that the people of his constituency had written a letter of appreciation commending Buhari for a promise kept.

According to the lawmaker, the resuscitated project, which connects Taraba and Plateau States, is a dream come true for the people of Taraba South Senatorial District.

We are very happy and want to extend our appreciation to President Buhari by presenting this letter on behalf of my constituents, Bwacha said.

Another lawmaker, also under Order 43, Sen. Matthew Urhogide (PDP Edo South), was full of praise for Buhari over his efforts in ensuring transparency in the conduct of the governorship election in Edo.

According to him, the outcome of the election signals the return of the countrys electoral process to the path of transparency and fairness.

I want to put on record that the people of Edo State wish to thank Mr President for making INEC and the police to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

This is why Im coming from the Senate to say it openly and clearly that what Mr President did to ensure free and fair election on the 19th of September in Edo State gives hope to this country.

I want to tell the Senate that we are not ashamed, even though we are in the opposition to commend Mr President.

I want to commend some of the institutions like INEC that discharged their duties to the best of their ability by ensuring that the will of the people prevailed in that election.

The Inspector General of Police, whom we met, promised that the Nigeria Police will carry out its duties fairly; and indeed they did that.

INEC promised fairness to all, and they did that, from when the votes were cast at the polling units to collation centres, and we found out that they did the correct thing, Urhogide said.

In his remark, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan said that the day was a very good day for democracy in Nigeria.

Even though, some of our colleagues here are in the opposition, the two distinguished senators who spoke, eulogized the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration; and they have very solid grounds for doing so.

This is how it should be.

I want to congratulate the PDP and people of Edo State for winning the election.

We look forward to October, when the APC would do the same here, and congratulate the President, the IGP and everybody for free and fair elections in Ondo.

I hope that the opposition will not see that election as compromised, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

PDP Logo

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, says it is time for Nigeria to thoroughly examine itself on wasted opportunities.

Secondus said this in his congratulatory message to mark Nigeria at 60 independence celebration, issued by his Media Aide Ike Abonyi in Abuja on Wednesday.

Secondus said that while he gives all the glory to God for keeping Nigeria one and alive to see her 60th birthday, its leaders had questions to answer before God and humanity for their failings.

He said that Nigeria as a nation owed God a lot of explanations over a wasted opportunity after such rare gifts to us as a nation.

We have some explanations to make before God over what we did with what was made available to us as a country.

This country needs a resetting and our leaders deserve some spiritual reawakening to get their acts together and be able to utilise the abundant gifts for the elevation of the citizens.

Secondus said that the excitement that greeted the successful conduct of the governorship election in Edo state on Sept. 19, showed clearly what and where the country could be when things were done correctly.

After Edo election, the nation was in elated mood, the Electoral Commission, the security agencies, the voters, the winners and the losers all went home fulfilled that there was no unjust act.

No nation grows on injustice.

That is what it should be in a country that allows the principles of democracy to prevail and allows the peoples mandate to prevail.

Secondus congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and the country for the nations 60th independence anniversary but urged him to listen to the cry of the people.

He said that the heavy burden on the ordinary citizens was too much, adding that there was need to address hunger in the land as well as insecurity.

The multiple taxation policy in the country is killing business especially at this challenging times. Government must address this burden.

He prayed God to grant Nigeria and its citizens greater future where sanctity of human lives would be respected.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

INEC

By Muftau Ogunyemi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has appealed to all religious leaders in Ondo State to ensure peaceful conduct and support the commission in the forthcoming Oct. 10 governorship election in the State.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Rufus Akeju, made the appeal during an interactive with religious leaders in the state on Wednesday in Akure.

Akeju said that it was imperative for the leaders to sensitise and educate their congregation to the need to avoid violence.

He explained that INEC would continously conduct a violence-free, fair, credible, conclusive, peaceful and acceptable election.

He pointed out that thuggery was not a job but a death warrant saying, that is why we need our religious leaders support in order to talk to their people, especially the youth, to shun violence at all times.

We are counting on your support, our religious leaders. You have done it before and we want you to improve on it.

INEC has made preparation for peaceful election and nobody will be allowed to vote without permanent voter card and face mask.

We are appealing to those who are eligible to vote to come out en masse and vote for the candidate of their choice. INEC has secured safe environment to cast your vote, he said.

The REC said that distribution of non sensitive materials to all the 18 local government areas of the state had been done.

He warned those who might want to engage in vote buying to desist or face the wrath of the law, if caught.

This is your responsibility to decide the next governor of the state, and please dont collect money in exchange for vote.

If you sell your vote or if you buy votes, you will be caught and dealt with, he said.

Reacting, Rev. Ayo Oladapo, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), appreciated INEC for its readiness to conduct credible election.

Oladapo promised that CAN would continue to pray and support the commission for peaceful poll.

He added that the Christian body had been sensitising its members and would continue to preach peace to them.

Similarly, Alhaji Akinpelumi Abibullahi, the state Chairman of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), stated that the organisation was in support of INEC to allow peace to reign before, during and after the election since the state belonged to all of them.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Ken Ukaoha, a Trade and Economic Development Law Advocate

By Emmanuella Anokam

Dr Ken Ukaoha, a trade and economic development law advocate, says there must be synergy between Nigerias industry, trade and investment policies as well as its development strategy to realise desired economic growth.

Ukaoha, who is the President, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja, while speaking on trade policies of Nigeria at 60.

Speaking on the countrys evolved trade and foreign development strategies between the 1960s to date, Ukaoha observed a disjointed outlook between its comprehensive development strategy and policies.

According to him, government needs to look into the countrys policies; it must either be intertwined or directly linked with development strategy.

Again, our foreign policy must also have direct linkage with our trade and investment policies. This means that our foreign policy must be driven by economic diplomacy.

Economic policy, trade policy, how much are we gaining from these countries. What is the political economy and value addition in terms of impact, monetary and economic gains? he asked.

In a comparative analysis, he said that policies of the 60s evolved majorly from the precolonial perspective when Nigeria was just new in formulation of policies.

But it is also noteworthy to point out that most of the policies at that time were drafted in a way to suit colonial masters capacity to draw from our raw materials and assist their own industries.

And that was part of the industrialisation strategy of our colonial masters.

But moving from the 1960s towards 1970s, we began to see a new dimension in investment and trade and economic-related policies which helped in building investment infrastructure and majority of them are what we have till today.

In the 70s, you could also see a lot of our commodities were exported, so the export of our commodities in the raw form started from that particular end, he said.

Ukaoha noted that between the 70s and 80s, raw materials export reduced a bit as it saw the evolvement of many industries and factories, hence employment generation was at the peak at that period.

The trade and investment expert said between the 1980s and the 1990s, some level of stability was observed in the sector except, when Nigeria became involved in IMF-driven Structural Adjustment Programmes.

The programmes reduced Nigerias growth level in terms of industrialisation, micro economic, monitory, physical and trade policies that tilted towards import orientation.

From 2000, we now began to see some level of inconsistencies in policies, especially in trade and economic policies which did not help our economy.

The year 2010 was another shade; at that time, we were at the peak of our democracy but then lacked some level of professionalism and astute autonomy in ensuring that we have very strong resolute policies, he said.

He however emphasised the need to track these policies to the point that it would be well evaluated to know their value addition.

At 60, we should learn from the mistakes we have made to propel us to the next level. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) market capitalisation crossed N14 trillion mark on the last trading day of September due to sustained confidence.

Speficially, the market capitalisation on Wednesday rose by N118 billion or 0.84 per cent to close at N14.025 trillion against N13.907 trillion achieved on Tuesday.

The increase in the market capitalisation was as a result of the listing of 146,878,241 ordinary shares of Dangote Sugar Refinery.

The additional shares listed on NSE arose from the Scheme of Merger between Dangote Sugar Refinery and Savannah Sugar Company Limited.

With this listing of the additional 146,878,241 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid up shares of Dangote Sugar Refinery increased from 12,000,000,000 to 12,146,878,241 ordinary shares of 50k each.

However, the All-Share Index increased by 201.80 points or 0.76 per cent to close at 26,813.76 compared with 26,611.96 posted on Tuesday.

The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Total, Dangote Cement, MTN Nigeria Communications, Guaranty Trust Bank and UACN.

Consequently, market sentiment closed positive with 20 stocks in contrast with eight losers.

Total led the gainers chart in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent to close at N96.80 per share.

Eterna followed with 9.60 per cent to close at N2.74, while UACN rose by 9.45 per cent to close at N6.95 per share.

Wapic Insurance rose by 5.71 per cent to close at 37k, while Jaiz Bank appreciated by 5.17 per cent to close at 61k per share.

Conversely, University Press dominated the losers chart in percentage terms, dropping 6.77 per cent to close at N1.24 per share.

Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of 6.76 per cent to close at N49, while PZ Cussons Nigeria lost 5.88 per cent to close at N4 per share.

Wema Bank shed 5.26 per cent to close at 54k, while Union Bank of Nigeria depreciated by 2.91 per cent to close at N5 per share.

However, the total volume traded decreased by 21.87 per cent with an exchange of 322.77 million shares, worth N4.04 billion traded in 4,046 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 413.10 million shares valued at N4.53 billion traded in 4,681deals on Tuesday.

Transactions in the shares of Sterling Bank topped the activity chart with 83.69 million shares worth N105.44 million.

Access Bank sold 46.10 million shares valued at N308.35 million, while Zenith Bank traded 24.87 million shares worth N443.39 million.

Lafarge Africa transacted 18.70 million shares valued at N280.59 million, while Fidelity Bank exchanged 17.19 million shares worth N32.18 million. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigeria Police logo

By Oladapo Udom

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, has instructed officers and men of the command to disallow any group from staging rallies or protests within the state to mark the nations 60th Independence anniversary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria will attain 60 years as an independent country on Oct.1,2020 having gained independence from the British Government on Oct.1, 1960.

Odumosu, in a statement signed by the commands Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday, said that the Lagos State Government had cancelled the ceremonial parade in adherence to COVID-19 regulations.

According to him, the cancellation of the ceremonial parade by the state government is to discourage the gathering of more than 50 people inorder to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

We will not allow any gatherings, rallies or protests against the sovereignty of Nigeria in Lagos State as the country marks its 60th Independence anniversary, Odumosu said.

The commissioner appealed to parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to desist from being mobilised to wage war, join any rally or protest against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Any youth arrested for such act will be prosecuted.

I urge the general public to be law-abiding and desist from violence and any act that is capable of disrupting the sovereignty of Nigeria, Odumosu said.

The statement also quoted Mr Celestine Okoye, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) , Department of Information and Communication Technology, as saying that it was important to maintain law and order in the state.

Okoye also warned the officers and men of the command to act within the ambit of the law in every situation and repel any force capable of disintegrating the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile,

By Yahaya Isah

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Wednesday in Abuja, immortalises some of its fallen heroes and officers including late Tolulope Arotile, for their contributions to the country.

The Director of Administration, NAF, AVM Aliyu Pani, says it is the tradition of the service to immortalise its fallen heroes by naming blocks of accommodations after them.

Pani made the statement at the inauguration of 10 blocks of accommodation for officers/airmen at NAF base Asokoro, constructed by theMinistryof Defence, as part of its 2018 Capital Projects.

According to the director, inlinewith the NAFs tradition, all the blocks have been named after nine officers and oneairman to immortalisethemin recognition of their sacrifices.

In this regard, at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, one of the two blocks of 10 x 1 bedroom transit accommodation was named after Fg. Offr. AA Mohammed (NAF/5082) who was killed in action (KIA) on Sept. 5, in Birnin Gwari.

While the second block of 10 x 1 bedroom transit accommodation was named after Flt.- Lt. Akweke Nwakile (NAF/3014) who was KIA on July 21, 2014 while participating in Operation Lafia Dole in the North-East.

Additionally, the two blocks of 42 Bedroom Married Offrs. accn. were named after Fg. Offr. Tolulope Arotile (NAF/4512F) who died as a result of Road Traffic Accident on July 24, at NAF Base Kaduna.

As well as Flt.- Lt. John Ayonoteh Adams(NAF/3104)whowasKIAon Feb. 19, 2013while participating in among others, Pani explained.

He says that the projects arespread between NAF Base Asokoro, and NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive along airport road.

The projects fit perfectly into NAFs aspirations for providing quality and conducive accommodation for its personnel. The provision of these blocks of accommodation will alleviate the accommodation challenges faced by NAF personnel in Abuja, Pani said.

He observes that since the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, assumed duty in 2015, the service has witnessed tremendous development and transformation.

Earlier, the Guest of Honour, the Minister of Defence, Retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, while inaugurating the blocks of accommodation, says the welfare of personnel is a key factor in sustaining the operational successes so far attained by the armed forces.

Magashi was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Babangida Husaini.

What we are witnessing today is part of the drive and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to support the Nigerian military, particularly NAF to gradually and progressively attend to the welfare needs of officers and airmen/airwomen, the Minister said.

He reiterates Federal Governments support and commitment in ensuring members of the armed forces are well equipped to better perform their constitutional roles.

The minister commended the CAS for his efforts toward improving the living standards of personnel and the operational effectiveness of the NAF.

I believe that these achievements attest to your relentless drive to reposition the service into a highly professional and disciplined force, Magashi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Nigerian Law Students Association (LAWSAN) has urged youths in the country to wake up and take their place of leadership in every aspect of the nation, be it politics, law, business, environment or sciences.

National President of LAWSAN, Ms Blessing Agbomhere, said this in an statement to mark the 2020 Oct. 1 Independence Anniversary of the country on Wednesday in Abuja.

Agbomhere maintained that Nigeria needed the energy, creativity and innovative abilities of the youths to move from a third world to a first world nation.

According to Agbomhere, its either you lead this nation or this nation will lead you and If we dont do it, no one will do it.

We the youths are the origo fortress that can guarantee a new Nigeria; we must rise up to the challenge of uniting and developing our nation, just the way our fathers rose up to demand for the independence of Nigeria in 1960.

We are working hard to reposition LAWSAN as the second most intelligent and erudite body after the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

We have commenced several projects to bring LAWSAN to the limelight and put it in a position to fill the leadership lacuna in Nigeria, Agbomhere said.

The LAWSAN president called on members from every Nigerian University, and all Nigerian youths to seek knowledge, engage in good governance advocacy, combat human and environmental rights abuse and preach against corruption.

The president also stressed the need for the youths to stand up for the defense of the rule of law, imbibe the culture of rendering community service and participated in every algorithm of nation building.

She implored Nigerians and the youths on the occasion of the countrys 60th independence anniversary to remember and acknowledge the labour and efforts of the heroes past.

She also urged all to be thankful to God for being alive to celebrate 60 years as an independent nation and to also appreciate great leaders, who put their lives on the line for the country to gain independence.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the theme for the 2020 independence celebration is Together.

Source: NAN News

FG distribute palliatives to 47,020 vulnerable households in Enugu

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, distributed palliatives to 47,020 vulnerable households in Enugu State to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The palliative items included 1,584.09 tonnes (53 trailer loads) of maize and 766.9 tonnes (about 26 trailer loads) of garri (cassava flakes).

Sadiya Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, who presented the items to the state government in Enugu, said the palliatives were for vulnerable households that depended largely on others for their daily survival.

Farouq noted that the gesture showed Federal Governments commitment to cater for the vulnerable and the downtrodden in the society affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said we are here to present to you, assorted grains from the National Food Reserve, approved by President Muhammadu Buhari as palliative for distribution to vulnerable persons affected by the restriction directive to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Farouq, who was represented by Mr Charles Anaelo, the Deputy Director in the ministry, said we all know that the outbreak of the pandemic has brought about changes and challenges to our normal ways of living.

Most obvious of this is on the vulnerable persons that depend largely on others for their daily survival.

She listed such vulnerable persons to include the aged, people living with disabilities and persons of concerns that deserved support in terms of basic necessities including foods.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, thanked President Buhari for remembering Enugu State for the palliatives, especially vulnerable households in the state.

Ezeilo, who represented Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, noted that the Buhari administration had continued to give special attention to issues concerning the state.

According to him, just two weeks ago, President Buhari reopened the newly upgraded and rehabilitated Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

On behalf of the entire state, I appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for this special intervention, as well as the minister for the gesture to give succour to our vulnerable people.

It will be distributed judiciously to the vulnerable persons mentioned, she assured. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC Logo

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has charged Nigerians to reflect on the countrys history and show more love to one another as the nation marks its 60th independence anniversary.

Mr Yekini Nabena, the partys Deputy National Publicity Secretary, gave the charge in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja while felicitating with Nigerians on the occasion of the independence.

We call on Nigerians to reflect on this moment of ours, reflect on where we have left, where we are now and where we ought to be.

It is high time we showed love to ourselves and the country at large more than ever before.

It is high time we got more security conscious, support the programmes and policies of the current administration for the betterment of all, he said.

Nabena, however, added that it was the responsibility of all to contribute to making the country greater.

He stated that there was need to pray more and love our nation the more while doing the right things at all times.

As we celebrate, may the labour of our heroes past never be in vain, he said.

He congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and the countrys past and present leaders at all levels and Nigerians of all shades as the country celebrates its independence.

The APC spokesman assured Nigerians that the countrys golden years would return under the current administration of President Buhari.

There is no doubt that Nigeria has made great national history and nationalistic history makers from her economic and political evolution in the last 60 years.

As a nation, we are better than where we were and with determination, faith and commitment to our fatherland close to where we should be.

Today, we remember and salute our founding fathers who fought for the independence of our great country and also members of our Armed Forces, many of whom have paid the supreme price to defend Nigerias territorial integrity and keep our country united, he said.

He added that as a nation, we are better together than we are apart.

He noted that in spite of our perceived differences, our strength and progress depended on our ability to harness our rich diversity.

The APC spokesman further added that in spite of inherited and current challenges, President Buharis administration had made commendable strides on so many fronts.

He added that most significant of this was the fight against graft, diversifying and revamping the countrys economy.

Others he said include: curbing insurgency and emerging crimes, promoting positive values in our national life, strengthening the countrys democratic institutions and processes and achieving a respectable international standing.

Source: NAN News