Lifestyle, Politics

Soludo cancels taxes on wheelbarrow pushers, hawkers and others

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Governor Charles Soludo has cancelled all taxes imposed on wheelbarrow pushers, vulcanizers, hawkers and some other blue-collar job holders in the state.

Soludo made the announcement while addressing residents of the state at the second phase of the open bidding for revenue concessions at the Government House Awka.

He said;

“Wheelbarrow pushers must not pay any fee in the state. Vulcanizers operating along the road should also cease paying any fee to anyone. Hawkers shouldn’t pay any fees. These poor people should stop being harassed.

“This message is for the Market unions. If they are found with any evidence, that union will be dissolved with immediate effect.

We want to build a society where the poor feel empowered and where the rich can get more resources to create wealth and employment.”

Politics

Govs more responsible for states’ development than President –Fashola

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The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on Tuesday, said governors were more responsible for the development of their states than the President of the country.

In his speech at the 6th edition of the Gabfest, an annual programme of the minister, Fashola also pointed out that state governors were responsible for the security of citizens in their states alongside the Federal Government.

He said, “I do not know how many recall the contents of my speech about how I tried to show how more important the governor of my state is to my development than the President of Nigeria.

“For example, I pointed out that there is nowhere in the constitution that security is listed as the responsibility of the Federal Government or President alone.

“In the second schedule of the constitution where the responsibility of the Federal Government is set only, you will see responsibility for the police, the armed forces etc, which are law enforcement agencies; but you will not see the word ‘security’.”

He added, “If you take a narrow view of what security entails, you might be tempted to conclude that this is only a federal affair.

“But if you understand that these, agencies except for the deterrence that they may offer, usually arrive when there is a breach of security.”

The minister stated that security was an all-government affair.

“This is supported by section 14 2(b) of the constitution where the word ‘security’ is used. It provides that: ‘(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” Fashola stated.

He added, “It does not say which government and my view is that it is every government; local, state and federal.”

He said security, therefore, involved more than the deployment of armed personnel.

“It is the effective deployment of socio-economic resources to create a state of harmony,” the minister stated.

He added, “Breaches of security have evolved from conflicts over land, for which the Federal Government has no responsibility or control, to conflict over natural resources over which the Federal Government has responsibility and control.

“Governors have as much a responsibility to keep us safe. It starts in my view with how they oversee the development of the human capital. This is less of a federal responsibility and more of state because people live in states.”

Politics

‘Resign and contest for governor again to test your strength,’ Wike challenges Umahi

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The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against giving its presidential ticket to a potential defector in the 2023 elections.

The governor gave the warning during a meeting with PDP leaders in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Wike stressed that he was qualified to lead the country.

He said the recent defection of some prominent members of the party to other parties should not be allowed to continue.

He also challenged his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi, to resign from the position and recontest to test his popularity.

The governor said: “I have never left this party for one day. When PDP was in trouble, I stood firm and said PDP will not die. Don’t give the presidential ticket to the person who will run from the party tomorrow. I am the only one Nigeria knows won’t run from the party no matter what happens.”

Wike insisted that the opposition party would rise above the confusion engendered by defectors.

He added: “My colleague, David Umahi, hear me well wherever you may be. PDP had sleepless nights to win elections and you took the mandate of our people to another party. If you know you’re a man and very strong and can win an election, I challenge you to resign as governor and contest the election whether you will win again.”

He advised delegates to shun ethno-religious sentiments during the convention, adding that the party could not afford to lose in the 2023 elections.

“What PDP wants now is who can win an election. It is not about where you come from. Give me the ticket and let me go and win the election for you,” the governor concluded.

Politics

Ortom has broken record as governor with longest unpaid salaries – Presidency

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The Presidency has described Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state as a ‘failed politician’ who offers excuses for his state’s challenges, claiming he currently holds the country’s longest record of unpaid salaries and pensions.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu stated this in a statement titled “The Incongruence of Governor Samuel Ortom on Arise TV” in reaction to Ortom’s interview on Arise News on January 21, 2022.

The governor, who recently signed the amended Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 in Makurdi last Thursday lambasted the Buhari regime for the farmer-herder clashes in the state as well as the unpaid salaries of state government workers.

In reaction, Shehu said Ortom had continued to blame the President who didn’t owe federal workers for his woes, instead of raising money to settle unpaid salaries.

The statement read; “There are two types of politicians in Nigeria today. The first are politicians who are leaders that offer solutions to the challenges facing the voters and the country. They bring forward policies and implement them, to improve the lives of others.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is a leader. He inherited a treasury that successive previous administrations had emptied – and he sought and succeeded in repatriating billions of dollars of stolen funds from overseas. His administration discovered more than 500,000 bank accounts operated by Ministries, Agencies and Departments. In these accounts, the money belonging to the government was kept.

“MDAs are now compelled to use the Treasury Single Account, TSA, domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. And the President brought forward the first and only plan to address farmer-herder clashes in 100 years, supporting states to rediscover grazing reserves and create ranching lands that have successfully reduced tensions while increasing harmony and saving lives.

“MDAs are now compelled to use the Treasury Single Account, TSA, domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. And the President brought forward the first and only plan to address farmer-herder clashes in 100 years, supporting states to rediscover grazing reserves and create ranching lands that have successfully reduced tensions while increasing harmony and saving lives.

“Governor Samuel Ortom, office holder, is that other politician. He inherited unpaid salaries and pension arrears – and rather than find a way to raise funds to pay them, he has blamed the President.”

Politics

Masari a drunkard, Katsina’s worst governor – Miyetti Allah

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The Fulani socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, on Tuesday, described the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, as a drunkard for saying most bandits are of the Fulani stock.

Masari, who featured in a Channels Television’s programme, “Politics Today” on Monday, alleged many of the bandits causing havoc in Katsina and other parts of Northern Nigeria are Fulani indigenes whose main occupation is rearing cattle.

He said: “They are the same people like me, who speak the same language as me, who profess the same religious beliefs as me.

“So, what we have here on ground are bandits. They are not aliens, they are people we know. They are people that have been living with us for 100 years.

The infiltration we have from some West African countries and North African countries are also people of the Fulani extraction.

“Majority of those involved in this banditry are Fulanis whether it is palatable or it is not but that is the truth.

“I am not saying 100 percent of them are Fulani but a majority of them are, and these are people who live in the forest and their main occupation is rearing of cattle.”

However, in its reaction to Masari’s remarks, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Saleh Alhassan, asked Nigerians to ignore the governor.

He told journalists that nothing good can come out of Masari because he was a drunkard.

He said: “No one should take that drunkard seriously. Nigerians should just ignore that man as he has nothing to offer.

“Just looking at him, one would see he is tired. Do you take him serious? Records should come from security operatives, not a confused human being.

“He knows them now, is he not a Fulani man? All of them talking are stealing security votes. They should find solutions, create ranches for these herders and accommodate them.

“Which people do you find along the Sahel Sahara desert? They are many tribes. Is it by a physique that you now identify a Fulani man?

“The bandits are criminals, why should you attach tribe to it? That’s why we are not happy. You don’t need to attach a tribe because it will affect an innocent person.

Forget that man, that man is the worst governor Katsina has had; we are just praying for his time to lapse.”

Politics

I became poorer as governor – Rochas Okorocha

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Senator Rochas Okorocha, has said he became poorer after spending eight years as governor of Imo state.

The lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate, said this on a Channels TV programme, Sunday Politics.

According to the former governor, people seem to have forgotten so easily that he was a successful person before becoming governor in 2011.

Okorocha also dared anyone to come forth with evidence that he is corrupt and mismanaged Imo State funds while in office.

He said; “I challenge anybody to prove that I acquired any property with any government fund. I think people have forgotten that I was Rochas before becoming the governor of Imo State; I think they have forgotten completely.

If anything, becoming a governor made me even poorer than what I was in the past. I don’t know whether I acquired any property here in Abuja, there is none.”

The lawmaker said the hotel linked to him belongs to his wife which is also a source for their foundation. Okorocha wondered how he could have stolen the “meager” monthly allocation the State receives from the Federal Government.

Speaking about his ordeal after he was called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the senator said he was invited by the commission based on a report written by others.

The invitation was based on a statement made by other people, but I said to them that I have not come to honour your invitation because the matter was already in court and once a matter is in court, we cannot talk about it.

Imo state government has taken me to court on the same subject matter, and we are at the Federal High Court in Abuja, so I told EFCC I cannot be called, so I was arrested, and I made my statement” he said.

Entertainment

Young man who built power plant from local materials gets full scholarship to university

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Fortune has smiled on a young Nigerian man who went viral after he built a power plant that is powered by crude oil.

Solomon Ukoha, a native of Ohafia in Abia state, had built it to enable members of his community charge their phones and other devices.

While showing how the electricity substation works, the 24-year-old man powered bulbs with it and also called people to come and charge their phones with his innovative machine.

Months after Ukoha went viral, the governor of Abia state, Okezie Ikpeazu, has met the inventor and said he is very much impressed by his work and how he created everything using locally sourced materials.

Ikpeazu gave the man a five-year scholarship to any university of his choice. He also asked Solomon to train other youths in the state.

He said that his interest to make the man hone his skill is in the interest of solving the power challenges in the state and country at large.

Politics

Zamfara gov, Matawalle, denies giving support to bandits

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The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle has denied rumours making the rounds that he donated some new Hilux vehicles to repentant Boko Haram bandits in the state.

Governor Matawalle denied the allegations on Thursday during an interaction with traditional rulers, religious leaders and security chiefs at the Government House in Gusau, the capital.

The governor who was furious at the allegations levelled against him also denied providing logistics to neither operating bandits nor the repentant ones domiciled in Zamfara State.

During the interactive session, Governor Matawalle also asked the 1 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, Gusau, to mention if he ever made such donations.

“I am in receipt of report that l bought Hilux vans to repentant bandits which l never did. Brig. Gen. Bello, have l ever given any vehicle to even repentant bandits in the state as reported recently?” he quipped.

In his response, Gen, Bello said that soldiers in the state, including himself, were surprised when they saw the report.

“Matawalle never did that apart from the 200 operational vehicles given to the security agencies by the state government in 2020,” Gen, Bello said.

Entertainment

Meet Kogi State Governor And The Shortest NYSC Corps Member

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The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello facilitate with the shortest NYSC Corps Member at his residence.

Governor Yahaya Bello has been the major Corps employer in the year under review. Corps members have worked in private and public sectors to contribute to the social-l economic development of the State.

The shortest Corps member Abu is a student of Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigerian State. Abu graduated from department of Library and Information Technology.

The size of the shortest guy has made him to be more popular right from his school and as well as within the NYSC camp, as most ladies are even dying to be around him.

From the report, Abu seems to be between 3 to 4.0 feet tall, which is the normal height of a 4 or 5 years old child. Throughout his academics, he proved to be obedient, hardworking and faithfulness toward his academics activities.

Politics

Governor Wike welcomes former governor of Imo State for the commissioning of road project on Monday

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The Rivers State government headed by governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike are in for another busy week beginning from Monday 11th January, 2021 as they have set aside dates and venues for the commissioning of projects in the state.

According to the commissioner for information and communications, pastor Paulinus Nsirim who announced the various dates scheduled by the Rivers State government for the commissioning of five projects in four different local government areas this new week.

Today being Monday 11th January, is the scheduled date for the commissioning of Rumuche-Rumuakunde-Ohna Awuse Road in Emohua local government area of Rivers State.

The event is expected to start at 11am on Monday with the former governor of Imo State. Senator Okorocha Rochas as the special guest of honour of the day and the Rivers State governor barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike as the chief host.

Information gathered late Sunday night reports that Governor Nyesom Wike had already welcomed the former Imo State governor to the brick house in port Harcourt ahead of the project commissioning which is to hold on Monday.

On this note, the Rivers State government has called on the residents of Rumuche -Rumuakunde in Emohua local government area to turn up in large crowd for the program.

They also warned that COVID-19 protocols will fully be observed and urged everyone to appear in their face mask.

Politics

Kaduna Residents Protest Against Elrufai’s Bad Governance

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Some residents of Rigasa in Kaduna State have staged a protest against insecurity and demolition of their shops without prior notice or compensation by the state government.

The protesters took to the streets in Rigasa under Igebi Local Government on Friday with placards chanting anti-government songs to express their displeasure over what they described as a gross injustice.

Rigasa was the most densely populated community in the area and was said to have witnessed a series of attacks by the bandits leading to many villagers’ death.

Despite paying rents through the local government with official receipts, the state government demolished their shops without compensation or prior notice, they claimed.

The protesters also lamented about daily attacks, kidnappings and rape by bandits in the community.

The residents, while accusing the senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Uba Sani, of insensitivity to their plight, said the senator had never been to the constituency since he was elected to the office.

They explained that his constituency offices across the local government had remained locked since after the election.  

The residents vowed to continue with the protest until their demands are met.

Politics

Gov Makinde vows to sanction erring personnel of Amotekun over alleged high-handedness

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January 9, 2021

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has vowed to deal with any member of the Western Nigeria Security Network; code-named ‘Amotekun’ found to be involved in alleged highhandedness.

Governor Makinde made the comments in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, who informed that an investigation into the allegation is already underway.

Adisa said that setting up of a probe panel to look into the allegation follows the recent face-off between some personnel of the Amotekun corps and some youths in Tapa town, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the state.

The statement further noted that the government was doing everything to address the matter squarely in the interest of the security and wellbeing of residents of Oyo State.

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