All posts by Ugboma Chioma

Buhari’s speech, demonstrates purposeful leadership – Lagos Lawmaker

Buhari

By Yemi Adeleye

Lagos, May 29, 2018 (NAN) The President’s message to Nigerians as we mark another Democracy Day is a demonstration of  purposeful leadership, candor, honour and courage, Mr Tunde Braimoh, a Lagos lawmaker has said.

Braimoh, Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee on Strategy and Security, made the commendation in a statement he issued on Tuesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmaker, representing Kosofe Constituency II in the Assembly, is reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s national broadcast to commemorate 19 years of democracy and his third anniversary in office.

“By that insightful speech, the President has displayed great intuition and has rekindled the hope of the common man.

“Standing on the tripod of security, corruption and the economy, the President lucidly addressed the worries and concerns of not a few countrymen and women,” Braimoh said.

The lawmaker commended Buhari over government’s activities on security, which include the subduing of insurgency, capacity for the military and “de-radicalisation’’ of the insurgents by way of rehabilitation.

He lauded the President for not attributing the successful strides on security exclusively to himself or to his government but to the cooperation and collaboration of elders and good people of the affected areas.

Braimoh added: “The President rightfully basked in the popularly and internationally recognised prowess of his administration in combating corruption, one of the major challenges plaguing our polity.

“Wastage, leakages and pilferage are perhaps the most inflictive of our economic problems. His speech portended great hope as he gave indication of renewed and even more efforts to tackle the `hydra headed monster’ of corruption.

“Perhaps the most heart warming part of the President’s speech is on the economy. The President spoke glowingly on his administration’s efforts to create wealth and reduce poverty.”

The lawmaker also commended the government for supporting the weak, the vulnerable, the youth, fresh and non-graduates, to find their feet

According to him, the school feeding programme is promoting healthy living and providing jobs.

The lawmaker, who lauded the President for unprecedented investments in transportation, added that importation of rice was reduced by 90 per cent.

According to him, this is impacting on the foreign reserve and by implication the economy.

Braimoh said: “His announcement on the “Not Too Young To Run Bill’’ depicts a father of the nation with undying love for the youth, manifesting his eagerness to transmit power whenever expedient.”

NAN reports that the President, in his nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, expressed his re-commitment to achieving the three cardinal points of security, corruption and economy, to lead the country into a new era of justice and prosperity.

In his scorecard, Buhari said that his administration had delivered on security, fight against corruption, employment, transport, power, education among others and was working hard to revamp the economy.

The President also commended Nigerian women and thanked them for the motherly roles they play in the nation.(NAN)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ify Omowole

Aspirant

By Chioma Ugboma

Lagos, May 27, 2018 (NAN) A governorship aspirant in Imo, Mr George Emenalo, popularly called Boy George (BG), on Sunday, expressed optimism to become the next executive governor of the state.

Emenalo, who has just joined the gubernatorial race in Imo, expressed the optimism while addressing newsmen in Lagos.

He said that his confidence was from God, whose mandate was for him to liberate the people of the state from their sufferings.

“The situation in Imo has made it compulsory for honest men with the fear of God to rise up and pick up the mantle of leadership.

“It is God’s time in Imo; I do not have the financial muscle like some of the other aspirants but with God and the people, the impunity in the state will come to an end in 2019” he said.

He said that his decision to join the race was influenced by agitations from the people for God fearing men with good reputation to take over the leadership of the state.

“The issues emanating from governance in the state; sufferings by all and sundry, non payment of staff salaries, neglect of the rural dwellers are some of the reasons why there must be a shift in leadership.

According to him, if the people of Imo do not get it right in 2019, they may remain in abject poverty and sufferings for a long time to come.

“If elected, I will ensure that past leaders, who have used the state’s resources for personal use are brought to book.

“The fight against corruption must be extended to states and their leadership, including past governors, commissioners and council chairmen among others.

On the platform he intended to use for the election, Emenalo said that he would announce it later.

“I am currently talking with some political parties and as soon as we reach a decision, I will make the outcome known,” he said.

Emenalo is a 51- year- old businessman and a Mass Communication graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. (NAN)
CHOM/YEMI

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

Movement

By Chioma Ugboma

Lagos, April 24, 2018 (NAN)  of the Movement, Mr Tony Uranta, convener of “We Care Movement” (WCM), a non-governmental organisation, says the value of security officers in the country should not be underestimated by the citizenry.

He spoke at the inauguration of the organisation on Tuesday in Lagos.

The organisation is to give support to families of Nigeria’s fallen heroes.

“The security forces including the military and para military make so much sacrifices for the people.

“If we do not take care of these men who risk their lives everyday, then our security may not be guaranteed.

“We are all at risk if the security architecture falls apart.

“We must show them that we care for them and theirs if harm should befall them.

“This is why some like minds came to a conclusion that it is overdue to create a foundation or movement for them” Uranta said.

He said that the movement also intends to create advocacy for better condition of service for living servicemen.

“We have seen situations where families of servicemen who fall in action are evicted from their barracks two or three weeks after their death.

“This movement, in addition to providing succour to the widows and children of such fallen heroes, will also create life insurance policies for them,” he said.

In her speech, the Executive Director of the Movement, Dr. Joe-Okei Odumakin said the movement is non political and non partisan.

Odumakin said that the WCM is a humanitarian service movement that has to do with networking partnership, aimed at honoring and providing for living security officers.

“We Care as the name connotes will cover all those who put their lives in danger for Nigeria, including policemen, customs, immigration, military and intelligence units among others.

“These are the people that will put their lives on the line for all of us. We Care remains the lubricant for their commitment,” she said.

Odumakin said that the movement would partner with credible individuals in society to make the dream possible.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration, held at Sheraton Hotels, attracted Nigerians from all walks of life.

Those in attendance include a former Minister of Education, Dauda Birmah; Sen. Tokunbo. Ogunbanjo and Mr Peter Eselle, a former President of the Trade Unions of Nigeria (TUC).

In his goodwill message, Sen. Ogunbanjo said that the movement should include care for nurses and doctors and the road safety corps Marshals.

The senator said the society must show some level of compassion to families of fallen heroes to make them more passionate about sacrificing for the nation.

Eselle, in his submission, said that such a movement that would encourage the nation’s security officers was long overdue.

He said that Nigeria could achieve better security through them, if better conditions of service were set for them.

Birmah, on his part, charged Nigerians on humanitarianism.

“When we care, we are redeeming ourselves.

“We must not turn our backs or block our consciences.

“This initiative must go beyond the original concept to include victims of rape” he said. (NAN)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-26
APC
Lagos Jan.19, 2018(NAN) Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, says though the delay in holding the party’s national convention does not look good, it is in the interest of the party.

Abdullahi spoke with newsmen in Lagos on Friday, promising that another convention would hold soon.

“We will hold our convention this year. We know the delay doesn’t look good on us, but it was in the best interest of our party,” he said.

The party spokesman said that the delay, contrary to speculations, had not in any way violated the constitutional provisions regarding party conventions.

Abdullahi also fielded questions on recent endorsements of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term and the reported reappointment of Mr Rotimi Amechi as the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation.

According to him, the President has yet to inform the party of his intention to run for a second term.

He, however, said that being its leader, the party would support him when and if he does.

“The APC is not involved in Amechi’s appointment as DG of the Buhari Campaign organisation because it is at the level of aspirant.

“His appointment has nothing to do with the APC and the emergence of our candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

“The President would have become the candidate of the party before it can get involved with its campaign.

“It will be wrong for the party to be involved because it will undermine its credibility to other aspirants for the presidential ticket,” he said.

Abdullahi said that the APC constitution has laid down procedures for the emergence of candidates, which the party would strictly adhere to.

“We will ensure that we obey our constitution as far as the selection of candidates is concerned,” he  said. (NAN)

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-21
Adamawa

By Chioma Ugboma

Lagos, Dec. 6, 2017 (NAN) A House of Representatives member and former Speaker of the Adamawa House of Assembly, Hon. Kwamoti Laori, on Wednesday blamed the deepened face-off between farmers and herdsmen in the state on unguarded statements by some opinion leaders in some Northern states of the country.

Lauri, representing Demsa/Numan /Lamurde Federal Constituency of Adamawa, addressed newsmen in company of some persons from the state in Lagos.

Attacks by opposing sides in some parts of Adamawa has led to dozens of deaths in the last two weeks.

On Monday, fresh fighting erupted in a predominantly Bachama community, in what locals said was a reprisal by their Fulani neighbours whose relatives had earlier been killed.

Lauri said the only solution to the crisis remained justice, while dismissing some insinuations that the crisis was religious.

“The heinous killings in Adamawa are not caused by religious differences. The situation would not have gotten to this extent, if not for statements from some respected opinion leaders that had been found to incite.

“I lost two uncles in the crisis. The carnage of many villages being totally wiped out is not only inhuman, but unfathomable.

“There is an urgent need for serious and meaningful security intervention for victims; this is to avoid a spill over to the entire North Eastern states” he said.

According to him, survivors should be protected and provided with necessary amenities to cushion the effect of the crisis.

He, however, said that security apparatus in the areas ought to have done more to nip the crisis in the bud, rather that moving in after the devastation.

“It is not rocket science to monitor events in the crisis areas. The security can send drones to get pictures of happenings in the area with a view to capturing any group planning attacks.

“The maiming, killings and destruction of property cannot continue. We urge well meaning Nigerians to also step in to see that those responsible for the carnage are brought to book” he said.

Laori said that the UN Amnesty International, Green Peace and ECOWAS, among others, need to send observers to see the disaster in the area with a view to providing some succour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was in Numan, Adamawa State on Tuesday, to condole with the people of over the recent spate of violence which led to several deaths. (NAN)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Oluwole Sogunle