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Keyamo Criticises Minister of State Appointment As “Constitutional Aberration”

After serving for four years as a minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Office of the Minister of State, calling it a “constitutional aberration.”

Keyamo stated this on Wednesday at the valedictory Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Keyamo, who thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment, criticised the limited role of ministers of state and the constraints they face in presenting their original ideas.

According to Keyamo, the individual performances of ministers of state are hindered by the discretion of their superior ministers, as any innovative ideas proposed by the former must be cleared by their colleagues before consideration by the council.

He said his remarks should not be misconstrued as ingratitude, but rather as his contribution to the country’s constitutional development.

“The concept or designation of ‘minister of state’ is a constitutional aberration and is practically not working for many so appointed,” Keyamo explained.

 

He highlighted the persistent issues between ministers and ministers of state, despite numerous attempts to resolve them through Ministerial Retreats held by successive governments.

Addressing the concern of unnecessary proliferation of Ministries, Keyamo noted that the argument of cramming two Ministers into one Ministry for cost-saving purposes is no longer valid.

 

He emphasised that both Ministers and Ministers of State already have separate offices, cars, security personnel, and personal aides, rendering the argument obsolete.

In a similar vein, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hajiya Ramatu Aliyu, shared her own experiences, highlighting the limitations faced by Ministers of State.

She questioned why the voice and actions of a Minister of State are dependent on another minister’s decisions, leading to the label of ineptitude if the latter fails.

Aliyu stressed the need for the next administration to address these issues and ensure that all ministers are given the opportunity to perform.

She commended the achievements of President Buhari’s administration but cautioned that if the roles of Ministers and Ministers of State are not clearly defined, it could hinder the progress of the government.

“While my experience was fantastic and worth the journey, it also exposed me to the challenges of operating within limited capacities.

It is my hope that future opportunities will unleash the untapped potential of ministers representing various sectors,” Aliyu stated.

[Leadership]

 

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Chimamanda writes preface of Pope’s new book

Highly decorated and award-winning Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has set the world abuzz with anticipation as Pope Francis unveils his groundbreaking new book, “Hands Off Africa,” which condemns the continuing exploitation of Africa by Western powers.

This is coming weeks after she wrote a controversial open letter to United States President, Joe Biden, about Nigeria’s ‘Hollow Democracy.’

The Vatican yesterday announced that the esteemed author had written the preface for the Pope’s extraordinary work, adding her powerful voice to the Papal’s visionary message.

 

“Hands off Africa! Stop choking Africa: It is not a mine to be exploited, or a land to be plundered. May Africa be the protagonist of its own destiny!”

These were the words of Pope Francis on his first day during his historic visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this year.

The release of this transformative book on Tuesday marks a momentous milestone in the quest for African empowerment and global solidarity.

In the thought-provoking preface of “Hands off Africa,” Chimamanda bestowed high praise on Pope Francis’ powerful message, describing it as a beacon of hope for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the entire African continent.

She passionately denounced the long-standing exploitation and conflict-induced exhaustion that have plagued the region, asserting that the world’s silence on these matters represents a tragic betrayal.

Adichie boldly underscored that this silence symbolises the continued devaluation of African humanity, even as the global community eagerly consumes the continent’s resources. She fervently described the Pope’s messages as “potent” and “a necessary rebuke” to affluent nations.

Adichie’s resounding words echo with unwavering strength: “His message is not merely that Congo – and, by extension, Africa – matters, but that it matters for one reason only. Not for its resources, which the global North depends on, not for fear that the continent could become again the scene of Western proxy battles as happened during the Cold War, but simply because of the people. Africa matters because Africans matter.”

The Vatican Publishing House shared that “Hands off Africa” is a compilation of Pope Francis’ speeches during his visits to the conflict-ridden regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in January/February 2023. This book also incorporates the authentic voices and stories of the individuals Pope Francis encountered throughout his transformative journey, ensuring their narratives are heard and cherished.

 

As the revered leader of the global Catholic Church and the esteemed Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis consistently advocates for world peace and harmony.

Crucially, however, the book does not contain only the Pope’s voice, but also those of those he met during his journey.

In both the DRC and South Sudan – two countries torn by vicious conflict – Pope Francis listened to the testimonies of war victims, and their stories, too, are included in the volume.

Chimamanda, the first woman to receive a chieftaincy title in her hometown of Abba in Anambra State, continues to lend her literary prowess and unwavering commitment to causes that guarantee world peace and freedom. Her poignant preface in Pope Francis’ book further amplifies the call for global unity and empowerment.

In her preface, Adichie focuses in particular on the Pope’s trip to the DRC, “a country whose resources have long been exploited, a country exhausted by pillage and conflict, a country desperate to be made whole again.”

The greatest tragedy of the situation, she says, is “not the internecine conflicts but the silence of the world”, which “speaks to the continued devaluing of African humanity by a world that nevertheless eagerly consumes African resources.”

In this context, she says, Pope Francis’ visit to the DRC, and his “potent” messages there, read as “a necessary rebuke” to wealthy nations.

“His message”, she continues, “is not merely that Congo – and, by extension, Africa – matters but that it matters for one reason only. Not for its resources, which the global North depends on, not for fear that the continent could become again the scene of Western proxy battles as happened during the Cold War, but simply because of the people. Africa matters because Africans matter.”

And that had an effect that went into the second round.”

Williams outraised and outspent Mobolade in both the general election and Tuesday’s runoff.

[Guardian]

 
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Countdown to handover: FEC holds last session, govs dissolve cabinets

With barely four days to the end of his regime, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday, in Abuja, presided over a valedictory meeting of the Federal Executive Council, thanking ministers for their loyalty since 2015.

He also gave a short thank-you address to all members of the State House Staff, at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Details of the six-hour meeting held behind closed doors were later disclosed to journalists in a statement signed late Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and a post-FEC briefing anchored by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

After ministers took turns to express their minds, Buhari thanked them for their steadfastness in pursuing the goals of his regime, urging support for the incoming Bola Tinubu-led administration, even from the outside government.

“I am proud to say we gave our best,” said Buhari.

He directed all cabinet members to return to their ministries, tidy their desks and avoid last-minute rush that could jeopardise their years of work.

He stated, “In the cause of our years together, ranging from our newest addition to the oldest members of the team for the past seven and half years, we have differed on many issues.

“I urge that we understand that those positions were for the collective good, and no one should keep grievances or carry these differences forward.

“For those of us that will not directly be in government, I know that I am one of such, I ask that we continue to provide our support, in whatever way we can, if called upon by our great party, All Progressives Congress that gave us the platform to stand and we must continue to support it in every way we can,’’ the President said.

Buhari also ascribed the achievements of his regime to God’s intervention, saying “I also thank God for the strength and for keeping us together.’’

Return to cattle-rearing

“I will also be happy to do the many things that I have not been able to since May 29th, 2015, one of such is my favourite pastime of taking care of my cattle.’’

After the meeting, Buhari met State House members of Staff at the forecourt, thanking them for “tolerating” him and assuring them that he had not withheld any benefits that were due them in the past eight years.

“I thank you very much for your cooperation. Thank you for tolerating us as a government and particularly for tolerating me as a leader.

 

“I tried to lead myself with a clear conscience. Whatever was constitutionally your right according to the conditions of service, this government hasn’t cheated you,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, described the atmosphere in the Council Chambers, saying all cabinet members were given a few minutes to describe their time in office.

He also debunked a rumour claiming that FEC had been dissolved, saying the council was still in force.

Mohammed said the President had directed Ministers to continue work in their various offices till May 29, 2023.

“The news that the Federal Executive Council has been dissolved is not correct. We’ve been directed by the President that we should all go back and return to our offices.

“So it is not true that the Federal Executive Council has been dissolved, it is still very much alive. And I’m sure that we’re going to work up till May 29. So please ignore the fake news,” he explained.

The minister revealed that ministers adopted minutes of the two extraordinary FEC meetings as they took turns to give their farewell speeches.

“It’s instructive to note that each and every minister present today, and I’m not aware of any who was absent, was given between two to five minutes to make his or her own valedictory speech and I think largely everybody commended Mr President and thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the country at this level.

“Many also took the opportunity to reel out what his or her own ministry or department had achieved over the last eight years. There are about three categories of ministers; there are ministers that came in 2015 and us who were retained till 2023. There are ministers that came in 2019 and have been there till 2023 and there are the last batch of ministers that came in about nine months ago.

“So everybody made his or her own valedictory speech, depending on how long he or she had been occupying the position. But generally, I think it was just a glorious moment for all the ministers to thank the President, thank their colleagues and also give gratitude to God, that a journey that started in 2015 is ending very well in 2023,” Mohammed explained.

“Everybody, including the Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of Service, the Vice President, all made their valedictory speeches and then the President responded, and I think, largely, he thanked all of us for our contributions and prayed for us in our next endeavour.

“He reiterated the fact that we should all go back to our offices so that we can carry out the assignments and tasks assigned to us in respect of the transition program”, he added

Also at the FEC on Wednesday approved N281bn worth of projects for the Ministry of Power including the provision of a new power plant for Daura, Buhari’s hometown.

State cabinets

Meanwhile, state governors on Wednesday started dissolving their cabinets.

In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the dissolution of his cabinet ahead of his swearing-in for a second term in office on Monday, May 29.

According to a circular issued on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, all appointed commissioners, special advisers, and others would officially vacate their positions on Friday, in line with the directive of the governor.

The governor directed the appointees to declare their assets in line with “the provision of paragraph 11 (1b), Part One of the Fifth Schedule of Nigeria Constitution on End of Tenure Assets Declaration.”

The circular stated that “It is hereby notified for general information that Mr Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has directed that political appointees, specifically honourable Commissioners, Special Advisers (cabinet and non-cabinet), all Assistants (Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, Technical Assistants, personal aides, etc) be notified of the end of the term of their appointments, with effect from the close of work on Friday, 26 May 2023.”

The circular, however, added that tenures of political appointees, whose appointments were by legislation or are tenure-based and members of statutory commissions and governing councils had not lapsed.

“Therefore, all affected political office holders are expected to prepare individual handover notes and return any government property, including utility/project vehicles in their possession to the accounting officer/most senior director of their respective ministries, department and agencies.

“In addition to handing over to their respective permanent secretaries, cabinet members are to send a copy of the handover notes to the permanent secretary, Cabinet Office not later than Friday, 26, May, 2023,’’ it further noted.

The governor, while wishing the affected political officeholders success in their future endeavours, appreciated their contributions and roles to the development of the state, especially the significant milestones recorded under the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.

Sanwo-Olu thanked the appointees and wished them well in their future endeavours.

The governor would be sworn in on Monday for his second term in office after winning the March 18 governorship election in the state.

In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde disbanded the state’s executive council and terminated the appointments of all political officeholders.

The directive was conveyed in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chairman of the Transition and Inauguration Committee, Segun Ogunwuyi.

The governor instructed all affected officials to immediately hand over government properties in their possession to the most senior civil servant in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

 

The governor’s first term in office will end in five days.

Political officeholders in statutory commissions are excluded from the directive.

The governor expressed gratitude for the contributions of the appointees to the development of the state and wished them success in their future endeavours.

The letter read, “I have the directive of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde to inform you of the dissolution of the Oyo State Executive Council and the termination of the appointment of all political officeholders with effect from today. Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

 “All political officeholders are required to officially hand over and submit all government properties in their possession to the most senior civil servant in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

“Please note that political officeholders in statutory commissions are excluded from this directive.

“His Excellency appreciates your tremendous contributions to the development of our dear State and wishes you success in your future endeavours. I thank you.”

Similarly, the outgoing Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje has ordered all political appointees to hand over the affairs of their offices in line with the established procedure.

The directive was contained in a statement titled, ‘Handover Activities’ from the office of the Secretary to the State Government and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Bilkisu Maimota.

The governor directed all commissioners, special advisers, chief executives of parastatals, government-owned companies and other political appointees to hand over to the permanent secretaries and directors, administration and general services in their respective establishments.

He further ordered that all the government properties in possession of the appointees be handed over to the permanent secretaries or directors, administration and general services or directors, and personnel management, as the case may be latest by May 26.

Kano gov-elect

Meanwhile, Ganduje has presented the 2023 transition report to the Governor-elect, Abba Yusuf.

In a short meeting at the Kano Government House ante chamber on Wednesday, Ganduje who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Allah, reiterated his commitment to ensuring a seamless transition on May 29.

He urged the incoming administration to study the transition report and provide feedback where necessary as he appreciated the members of the outgoing government transition committee for producing three volumes of the report that cover all sectors of the state.

In his remarks, Yusuf, represented by the Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party Gubernatorial Transition Committee, Dr Abdullahi Bichi indicated that his committee will report to the incoming governor and revert with any observations, if any.

“At this time, we have just 105 hours to formal handover and takeover of government in Kano State; as such we are committed to a hitch-free transition in the interest of Kano and its people,” he stated

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor-elect, Sanusi Tofa explained that the details of the inauguration ceremony would be made available to the public after some certain agreements have been reached between the outgoing and incoming governments.

[Punch]

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[PRESS STATEMENT] Why Accusatory Tactics Won't Help Matawalle And Other Governors On The EFCC Watch List

The Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) is concerned with the adoption of accusatory tactics by some politically exposed persons (PEPs) who have decided to use malicious accusations to intimidate public officials, particularly those working in law enforcement, anti-corruption and the judiciary in the hope to divert public attention from their cases of humungous corruption and mindless stealing of public resources.
 
Nigerians have suffered dramatically from the consequences of deliberate misgovernance in the hands of politicians, particularly state governors, many of whom have failed to deliver on the provision of essential government services because they have diverted allocated state resources for their private use and the security of their future and that of their immediate family.  
 
Undoubtedly, many State Governors are jittery and apprehensive as their tenures end and the days of reckoning with their use of state resources are fast drawing near. These fearful governors, including their appointees, have abused the trust of public office by corruptly enriching themselves instead of using the resources of their states to improve the security and welfare of the people.
 
Therefore it doesn't come as a surprise that one of them, Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, has chosen to stretch the expiring fortunes of his immunity as a sitting governor to make allegations against the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, knowing that, according to information at our disposal, investigations on the malfeasance of his administration are nearly concluded and that he would be indeed arrested immediately he leaves office.
 
CASER, therefore, urges the EFCC and the Nigerian public not to be deceived by the antics of the Zamfara State governor but insist that he immediately makes public the details of his allegations against Bawa as the expected public sympathy he had hoped to get by his sensational accusation would not help him escape the thorough investigations that the EFCC had begun against him.
 
Anyone can make wild allegations against any other person but such a person peddling damaging statements against the reputation of another must be prepared to substantiate such allegations or face the consequences of such a misadventure. 
 
Nigerians and the in-coming administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu must not allow this Matawalle’s new accusatory tactics to stand as it would serve as an odious means to be adopted by other governors facing investigation to adopt it by simply throwing accusations against judges, prosecutors and investigators in the hope to discredit them as a way of diverting attention from their act of corruption and financial crimes.
 
But on the other hand, nevertheless, if the allegations being levelled against the EFCC chairman do possess a scintilla of evidence corroborating Matawalles’s claims, he must immediately be investigated by the appropriate committee of the National Assembly and, if not true, then Abdulrasheed Bawa must be given all the necessary support to withstand the nefarious antics of unscrupulous and corrupt politicians and public officeholders who would stop at nothing in their attempt to bring him down. They must not succeed!
 
FOR: CITIZENS ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL & ECONOMIC RIGHTS (CASER)
 
Collins Abia, Esq.
Programme Officer (Socio-Legal)
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Shettima backs Akpabio, Barau for Senate President, Deputy

Says the Choice Of Akpabio Is For National Stability, Unity, And Competence

 

The Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima has thrown his weight behind Senators Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President in the yet-to-be-inaugurated 10th Senate.

Addressing the over 70 Senators-Elect, who are members of the Stability Group rooting for the emergence of Akpabio and Barau as Senate President and Deputy, led by Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South at his campaign office in Abuja, Senator Shettima described the choice of Akpabio as the number three citizen in the country as the best decision made by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the interest of a stable polity based on competence.

The Vice President-elect said, “Politics shouldn’t be a means of disuniting our people. It should rather be a means of uniting us. The President-elect and the vice-president-elect are both Muslims. It is in the interest of the stability and unity of this country that the next position be given to the Christian faith, if not, it would further validate the alleged Islamisation agenda of the APC-led administration. It would be perceived as a gratuitous insult to our Christian brothers and sisters who stuck out their necks to support us.


” That was why I was quite pleased with the choice of the party leadership that my uncommon brother and leader in the person of Senator Godswill Akpabio should be the number three citizen of this country. The stability of this nation is much more important than whatever political considerations we may think of. We need to have a stable and united nation before we can talk about politics and positions. This is what our leader could do to unite this country in the current circumstances”.

On Senator Akpabio, he said, ” he has the exposure, competence and experience to occupy the office of the Senate President in the 10th Senate, ditto Senator Barau, his deputy. Apart from the need for religious balancing, competence and experience also came into play in our choices.

“Senator Abdulaziz Yari, is my brother and friend. We became governors together from 2011-2019 on the same political platform, but the nation is superior to other personal considerations. I am quite happy with what I see here today. It is a reflection of those who crave for the stability and unity of this country in a bipartisan manner.”

Shettima who thanked Governors Nyesom Wike and David Umahi of Rivers and Ebonyi states respectively, for their contributions and support for the party, said, “The Governor-General of the South-South, is a man of honour and integrity, whatever you see is what you get as far as Wike is concerned. These are people that have contributed immensely to the stability of this country. Umahi is the best-performing Governor in the South East. He’s a man of honour and integrity. He wanted to contest for the Senate Leadership but he had to drop it in reverence to the party’s decision.”

The Vice President-elect who promised to get in touch with APC Senators-Elect, who are yet to come on board with the choices of the party, said, “I have seen the names of those who are yet to join us. Be rest assured that we will positively engage them and make them see the reasons why they have to come on board. My principal, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a veteran politician. He knows how to go about bringing them into the fold before the inauguration of the National Assembly.”

In his response, Akpabio, on behalf of the Solidarity Group congratulated the Vice President-elect on his election and described his choice as the incoming Vice President as the right step in the right direction saying,” your choice is putting a square peg in a square hole”. He also thanked the Vice President-Elect for hosting the group in his campaign office.

The former Senate Minority Leader told Shettima that members of the Group were drawn from all political parties who have decided to come together to produce the leadership for the 10th Senate in order to stabilize NIGERIA, not on the basis of a political party, religion or tribe but on the basis of conviction based on integrity.

Akpabio who noted that the Stability Group believed that the success of the Tinubu- Shettima administration would be the success of Nigeria, said, “We know very well that once somebody crosses the door into the Red Chambers, you are no longer a Senator of a political party but a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Stability Group members are going to work with the incoming administration to evaluate the policies and ensure the stability of the country.

“We are not here because the party zoned the position to the most ranked Senator from the South-South, Senator Godswll Akpabio. We came together to ensure national cohesion and the stability of the polity and to ensure that NIGERIA moves forward in the right direction.”

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VIDEO: Murphy Afolabi Is Owing Me N1.4M – Nigerian Woman Alleges

A woman has alleged that late Nollywood actor, Murphy Afolabi is owing her the sum of N1.4 million.

The revelation was made by the businesswoman during the Firdau Prayer held in honor of the late actor on Monday, May 22nd, 2023, in Lagos State.

As the event unfolded, the woman courageously stepped forward and informed the Islamic clerics in attendance about her business dealings with the deceased actor.

She stated that she had engaged in a business transaction with Murphy Afolabi involving the said amount which he had failed to pay before his passing.


When asked about her intentions and how she sought resolution, the woman revealed that a committee had already been established to recover the owed funds from the late actor’s family.

The video serves as evidence of her claim and has garnered attention and discussion among Nollywood enthusiasts and the wider public.

It remains to be seen how the committee established to address the issue will proceed with the recovery of the owed funds and negotiate a resolution with the late actor’s family.

Media
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Declare Your Assets Before May 29 – CCB to Tinubu, Shettima, Governors

The Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, has directed the President-elect, his Vice and all the state governors-elect to declare their assets before May 29.
 
The directive was given by Mustapha Musa, the Special Assistant to CCB Chairman, Mohammed Isah while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
 
He said CCB had already issued the asset declaration forms to all newly elected and re-elected public officers in Nigeria, adding that there would be consequences if they default.
 
Musa informed that asset declaration is part of the prerequisites for occupying or exiting a public office.
 
He said: “As an agency of government, we have already done our work according to the constitutional mandate; we have issued assets declaration forms to the newly elected and returning public officers.
 
“But since asset declaration administration is a continuous process, we have started receiving some completed forms from some of them while some are yet to return theirs.
 
“The constitution is clear on defaulters; hence they should declare before they are sworn in or they face the consequences.”
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Buhari Doesn’t Need To Run To Niger Republic, I’ve Forgiven Him – Ortom

The Governor of Lagos State, Samuel Ortom, has taken a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari over the his comment that he will run to Niger Republic if anyone comes for him after his tenure ends, telling the president he has been forgiven of his wrongdoings.

Ortom who spoke on Arise TV on Wednesday has been a strong critic of the president, whom he said failed to protect his state from relentless attacks from Fulani herdsmen.

Benue has remained an epicentre of herdsmen attacks with tens of thousands killed and displaced, and camped at internally displaced camps.

Just last week, over 30 were killed when attackers hit the IDP camp.

Ortom was responding to what Buhari said on Tuesday during the commissioning of the new corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in Abuja.

The president had said, “When I became the President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because, based on personal and national issues, the neighbourhood is very important.

“So it is very good that I established a relationship with my neighbours. I said these few things about my personal belief because I have only six more days to go. And I try to plan to be as far away from Abuja as possible.

‘’Thank goodness, I come from an area which is far away from Abuja. I said if anybody forces me, I have a good relationship with my neighbours, Niger people will defend me.”

But Ortom replied saying, “For me, as a born again Christian, I have forgiven President Mohammadu Buhari. He has taken us from top to bottom but that does not mean we should continue to hold it on him. Thank God the constitution provides four years, after four years, you can go in for a second term and then another person will come.

“So, we hope that the incoming administration will provide succour, will provide security for our people and provide economic development and peace for our people. We have suffered for 8 years.

“For me, I have forgiven him. He doesn’t need to go to Niger, he should stay here with us and all of us should stay here and work with the incoming administration that God will put in place and by the grace of God, we shall move again from bottom to top,” Ortom said.

The governor also made excuses on why he was defeated during the senatorial election of February 25, saying, “I know how much that was given to Benue state to ensure that I lose the election; fine and good. God has permitted it and I have accepted it and I have accepted to move on.

“’I have also accepted that if another person comes, I should support that person. If they need my support, I will always be there and if they don’t need it, I will go back to my farm and my business and I can even be a freelance journalist,” Ortom added.

He still took a swipe at Buhari, whom he said presided over the government that “seem to be complicit” in the manner the herdsmen are killing the people of Benue.

“But it is unfortunate and that is what I have been saying since 2016 when I came in as the governor of Benue state that the federal government seem to be complicit in the manner the herdsmen are killing our people.

“I have interfaced with the federal authorities, Mr. president, I had sat with him and I brought these things before him, but his thinking is different from the way I thought we should have been able to handle this matter because the truth is that when you allow the Fulani herdsmen to carry AK47 and then allow the local people and even the community volunteer guard, I think the least they have is a pump action.

“But you know a one hundred community volunteer guard can not confront two people from the Fulani herdsmen with AK47.

“That was what led me to apply to the president and the federal government to also permit us to at least allow the community volunteer guards to be armed with automatic weapons so that they can truly confront these herdsmen who are creating terror and pain in our people.

“But unfortunately, when we applied, we were told that those weapons are prohibited for citizens to carry. They cannot allow us license to have them.

“But the challenge I have with the federal government response to my request to automatic weapons for my community volunteer guards is that why are they allowing Fulani herdsmen to carry these weapons? Where have they arrested these Fulani men, taken them to court and prosecuted them? That is the challenge I have”

The outgoing governor however sounded coy when asked if he would defect, pledging to support the incoming government of Bola Tinubu.

Responding to the question on if he would affect, Ortom said, “That is not on my table, I’m in PDP, and I worked for the Southern presidency, which Tinubu and Obi were part of. Defecting is not on my table now.

“If Tinubu is sworn in, I will continue to pray and support him to succeed.

“I remain the leader of PDP in Benue State but will continue to work for equity and justice in Nigeria.”

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CBN’s Naira Redesign Policy Cuts Nigeria’s GDP Growth Rate To 2.31% In Q1

Nigeria’s economy has declined by 2.31 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The NBS disclosed this on Wednesday in its Gross Domestic Product Report for the first quarter of 2023.

The Bureau said GDP declined from the 3.11 per cent in Q1 2022 to 2.31 per cent year-on-year.

Nigeria’s economy also declined by 1.21 per cent to 3.52 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The NBS said, “This growth rate declined from 3.11 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2022, and 3.52 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022, the reduction in growth is attributed to the adverse effects of the cash crunch experienced during the quarter.”

On a sector basis, NBS however, noted that the GDP performance in the first quarter was driven mainly by the services sector, which recorded a growth of 4.35 per cent and contributed 57.29 per cent to the aggregate GDP.

The report also indicated that the agriculture sector and the industry sector contributed less to the aggregate GDP in the quarter under review compared to the first quarter of 2022.

Further breakdown of the report, showed that agriculture fell by -0.90 per cent, lower than the growth of 3.16 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2022.

However, it noted that the growth of the industry sector improved to 0.31 per cent compared to – 6.81 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2022.

The oil sector fell –4.21 per cent on a year-on-year basis in Q1 2023, indicating an improvement of 21.83 per cent relative to the rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022 at -26.04 per cent.

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Tinubu Swearing-In: ‘No Cows Will Loiter Streets Of Abuja’ – Miyetti Allah Assures

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the FCT has promised that no cow will be seen loitering the streets of Abuja, during the Presidential inauguration on May 29.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Janet Peni, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Deputy Director information on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Chairman of MACBAN, FCT chapter, Alhaji Usman Muhammad said “we will help to ensure that no cow is seen loitering the city Centre before the big day.

“It is our culture to receive a visitor in a very clean and tidy environment and in this case, the in-coming Government is the visitor.

“We promise to clear and clean the city for a government that we elected”.

Muhammad said the meeting is not only timely but it is strategic because it provided the opportunity for their concerns to be brought to the attention of the FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello.

He recalled that they held a meeting with the FCT Minister and some investors from Dubai, that showed interest on investing in improved cattle rearing in the FCT for greater profit.

According to him, this portends potential for generating revenues for both the FCT Administration and the local cattle rearers and also to introduce herders to modern methods of cattle rearing.

He expressed optimism to get a feedback from the FCT Administration on the way forward.

The chairman appealed to the incoming government to come to their aid, as cattle rustling remains a big threat, stating that over 300 cows were stolen from his blood brother recently.

Also speaking, Alhaji Adamu Rabo, chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) branch of the association promised to immediately take the message to every herder in his domain on the need to cooperate with the Government to ensure that the inauguration is peacefully and successfully done, in a tidy and neat environment.

He assured that a message would be convened to herders not to allow their cows graze on the streets of FCT.

Rabo appealed to the FCT minister to urgently provide grazing areas to herders in the FCT where they can immediately relocate their cows to, for a lasting solution.

In his opening remarks, Director AEPB, Mr Osi Braimah, stated that the meeting was meant to rob minds with leaders of Miyetti Allah cattle breeder’s association, FCT Chapter on finding a lasting solution to the intractable problem of cattle grazing in the FCT.

“As we all know that cattle grazing in the FCT is against the law, and in a bid to resolve the problem, quarterly meetings are held to address the matter.

“It is more pressing now, because soonest the entire world will be focused on not just Nigeria, but on Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, the venue of the inauguration of Nigeria’s President-elect.

“The inauguration which will host over 47 Presidents and heads of states and other important dignitaries across the globe, hence the need to keep the city very clean and to ensure that no cow is seen grazing in the FCT and its environs,” Braimah noted.

He said that they have all arrived at a resolution and gotten the assurances of both the chairman of the FCT chapter and the chairman of AMAC branch of the association not to loiter the FCT with cows.

He also warned that any herder seen flouting the law would be arrested with their cattle by a combined team of AEPB enforcement officers and law enforcement agencies like the Police and the rest, already on ground.

The AEPB director revealed that AEPB is doing its best to keep the city very clean in preparation for the inauguration and beyond, keeping to the very high standards it has set for itself and justifying the tremendous support given to it by the FCT Minister.

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