TheNewsGuru

Tag: Governors

  • Biafra: We are committed to a united Nigeria – South-South, South-East Governors

    Governors from the South-east and South-south Zones on Monday rejected calls for the breakup of the country while rallying support for its continued existence as an indivisible entity.

    The governors made their position known in a communiqué issued at the end of an extensive meeting of the South-east/South-south Governors Forum in Owerri.

    They reiterated that a divided nation would not be acceptable to the people of the two zones and re-echoed the need for the country to remain united.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that eight governors and one deputy governor attended the meeting.

    The communiqué was signed by Chairman of the forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel.

    The forum commended the role played by stakeholders and patriots in instituting broad-based negotiations between the North and the South-east, saying this led to the setting aside of a quit notice issued to the Igbo by some groups.

    It, however, expressed worry over what it considered lack of significant federal presence in the region and called for more attention to be paid to the infrastructural needs of the affected states.

    The forum also resolved that the regions would unite in a way that would be beneficial to the political future of the people of the regions.

    It said that the bond between the South-east and South-south zones was much more than political party considerations.

    The forum also commended the efforts of security agencies in the regions, saying these had brought peace and stability.

    It commended the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for organising security summit in different zones and expressed optimism that the outcome would lead to better policing in the country.

    Governors who attended the meeting apart from Emmanuel were Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

    Others were Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ben Ayade (Cross River) while Anambra was represented by its deputy governor, Nkem Okeke.

     

  • Allow us take over, fix bad federal roads in our states – Governors tell Buhari

    Worried by the deplorable condition of most federal roads in the country, Governors have made a formal request to the Federal Government to allow them take over some of these roads for immediate reconstruction.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the request by the Governors was tabled at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Aso Villa on Thursday.

    Council members suggested that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing should come up with strategies to regulate the weight of heavy duty vehicles plying the roads, being responsible for the damage.

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State told State House correspondents after the meeting that governors noted that discussions were underway among the states to collaborate with investors and fix the roads under the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangement which will allow states to toll such roads to recover funds expended on them.

    He said: “We are highly concerned about the failure of our roads, even after fixing the roads, they would collapse with six months and we identified that tover loading is one of the major factors because you take an axil load in road design.

    “Most of the time you don’t use an axial load of more than 35 tonnes but we have noticed that a lot of our trucks carrying mainly fuel do 45 ,60,70 tonnes and that’s a major concern to governors and we said the minister for works and housing should come up with a strategy to regulate the weight of heavy trucks plying the roads which have been fingered as the root cause of road collapse.

    “The state governors are very much concerned about these failures, its being agitating our minds and we are thinking about strategies and we are soliciting that federal government give out some of the federal roads to states so that states can fix the roads through investors and toll the roads and we believe strongly that it will be more effective because the number of federal roads that is being handled by the federal government there is no amount of budget that can fix it but if some of these roads are given out to state government and they maintain a handful of it and of course the budgeted funds” he said.

    Council therefore resolved that interested states could write to the President requesting approval for takeover of some of the federal roads to ensure proper and efficient maintenance.

    He said: “The Minister of Finance had earlier made a presentation on special accounts of the federation and gave us the closing balances.”

    It was revealed that Stabilization Account Balance as at 26 September 2017 stood at N4.354,300,295,64k

    Development of Natural Resources Account balance as at 26 Sept. held N84.693,588,214,54k, while Excess Crude Account balance as at September 22 stood at $2,309,577,899.02.

    Umahi said: “You know there was a gentleman agreement entered into between the Minister of Finance in the NEC and the 35 governors and Lagos is not participating and that is a programme we call budget support and the agreement was because of the downturn of economic challenges that endangers a number of states not being able to pay salaries”

    “So, we came to understanding that any month that the total sharable revenue in the federation account is less than N600billion, then the minister of finance will give each state budget support. We concluded that in the last 12 months and that continued for the second year, states have done very well, some states have been able to pay their accumulated salary debts and then also increase their commitment to infrastructure and generation of revenue.

    “From July, that was not paid and in the month of August, I think about seven states were paid because according to the minister, other states did not comply with the set down rules but more states have complied and we have requested that those states that have complied should be paid.

    “The good news is that in the month of September, the sharable amount is N630billion so there would be no budget support for the states,” he said.

     

  • FG blasts governors, says “stop blackmailing us over unpaid salaries”

    The Federal Government has advised state governments to desist from blackmailing it over unpaid salaries and allowances of their workers and pensioners.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, gave the advice when he featured at the News Agency of Nigeria’s Forum in Abuja.

    He said it was disheartening that some state governments still owed workers their salaries in spite of the bailout and part of Paris Club Refund given to them by the Federal Government.

    Enang said that the governments always misinformed their citizens, especially workers, about the availability of funds to pay salaries and the arrears as well as pensions.

    He stated that the bailouts were given to the states out of concern of the Federal Government for the workers, given the level of outstanding salaries and pensions to them.

    The SSA lamented that in spite of the efforts of the Federal Government in that regard, it was being blamed for the predicament of workers in the states over the accrued salaries.

    “The President is always very positively emotional when it gets to the welfare of workers and other citizens of the country.

    “He has been doing whatever he can to ensure that those who are working get paid by providing the bailout because when the workers get paid, they will generate something that will also affect the unemployed.

    “But, the way some governors have used it has made it very dampening,’’ he said.

    The presidential aide urged people in the states to always ask their governors questions about funds.

    He also called on Houses of Assembly in the states to rise to the occasion by holding the governors accountable.

     

    NAN

  • Army/IPOB clash: South East Govs hold emergency meeting with GOC, 82 Division in Enugu [Photos]

    Sequel to a recent clash between the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and operatives of the Nigerian Army in Umuahia, Abia State, the South East Governors on Friday met with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar at the Government House in Enugu.

     

    See photos from the meeting below:

  • Army/IPOB clash:Nnamdi Kanu shuns meeting with South East governors, says ‘they want to assassinate me’

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said he won’t honour Friday’s meeting with South East Governors in Enugu because the security agencies are working in collaboration to assassinate him on that day.

    The IPOB leader revealed this in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday.

    The statement reads: “Before now, prominent leaders and groups had insisted that I tow the line of peaceful dialogue and meet with the governors to find a lasting solution to our grievances. I conceded to that request which led to the 30th of August 2017 meeting with the South-East Governors Forum at the Government House in Enugu, in the company of the very eminent Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Evangelist Elliott Ugochukwu-Ukoh”.

    “In view of the concerted effort by the oppressive Nigerian state to shatter the peace and tranquility of the South-East and the rest of Biafraland through military intimidation, it has become necessary for me to clarify why, regrettably, I may not be able to attend Friday’s meeting with the South-East governors as earlier agreed, for three main reasons.

    “We are currently busy attending to our dead and injured from this latest round of unprovoked military onslaught against innocent civilians in our own land. All the casualties so far were shot by men of the Nigerian Army deployed to my house and those stationed along motor ways leading into Umuahia my hometown”.

    “I have been reliably informed also, that a detachment of these same soldiers responsible for the murder of innocent unarmed IPOB family members have now been stationed near Enugu to ambush and assassinate me on my way to the meeting with the governors on Friday.

    “On that same Friday the 15th of September 2017, the leadership of IPOB through the instrumentality of the Directorate of State (DOS) headquartered in Germany, will be meeting to vote on the viability or otherwise of continuing our struggle in this non-violent manner. There is urgent need to begin the process of defending ourselves in the face of relentless murderous attacks from the Nigerian state.

    “It is impossible to engage in any meaningful conversation with the governors in the midst of so much bloodshed, abductions and military siege of our town and villages. Accordingly, we will not engage in any meeting with anybody until the atmosphere is conducive and peaceful enough to allow for such.

    “The siren-blaring military convoys and armoured vehicles occupying the entire region is not only designed to intimidate our people but also deliberately primed to scuttle the IPOB/South-East governors meeting of Friday 15th September.

    “I would like to use this opportunity to thank all men and women of good conscience from all over the world that have risen to condemn the barbaric slaughter of innocent Biafrans by the Nigerian military.

    “Above all, I salute the steadfastness, devotion and total commitment to freedom from eternal slavery by the great IPOB family in Biafraland. I assure you that I remain resolute and dedicated to our shared vision of freedom regardless of the cost and visionless antics of the mindless oppressor.

    “We have since crossed the Red Sea and arrived at the shores of the promised land. We have our trumpets ready to begin the great march around the evil walls of Jericho, and I assure you that in no distant time, the walls of Jericho will come crashing down.

    “We can still hear the cries of Pharaoh and his horsemen as they are swallowed up by the Red Sea, chariots and all. Victory is ours! Victory is assured!!

    Collaborators and agents of the oppressor are hereby advised to embark on self-exile as there will be no hiding place for them”.

  • N760.17b Paris Club refund: We’ll expose governors who lavish funds on mundane things – Wabba

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has promised to name governors who wasted the first and second tranche of the Paris Club refund released to them by the Federal Government.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that so far the federal government has so far released N760.17 billion to the governors.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that President Muhammadu Buhari recently expressed his displeasure at how the funds was poorly utilized by the governors.

    Angered by the refusal of the governors to clear workers’ backlog of salaries and pension despite the release,the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba on Tuesday said President Buhari should demand that the governors account for the money earlier received before any further release is made.

    Wabba said it was unfortunate that despite their promises to pay workers’ salaries and pension, the governors refused to live by their word.

    He said that some of the governors had even refused to disclose how much they received and how it was spent.

    Wabba accused the Chairman of the Governors Forum, Zamfara State Governor Abdulazeez Yari, who made a commitment on behalf of his colleagues of not spending the money judiciously.

    He said the President was reacting to its letter asking him not to approve the release of the third and last tranche of the fund to the governors until they account for what they have received.

    Wabba said: “It is our letter he was reacting to. At our CWC meeting, we called on him not to release the last tranche of the Paris Club refund to the states because the governors have not kept their word.

    “You remember that Chairman of the Governors Forum alluded to the fact that they are committed to using the money to address the liability of pension and salaries. Unfortunately, the Chairman of the Governors Forum has not lived up to those words.

    “As you are aware, our workers in Zamfara have shut down the state. He himself who made the pronouncement could not honour the words that he pronounced on behalf of his colleagues. That is to show the level of deceit that is actually in the system and that is why we decided to write to the President to ensure that there is a level of accountability to show that he is actually on the same page with the governors.

    “Before the second tranche was released, they made commitments and used the payment of workers salaries and pensions as a bait to get the President to approve and get the money across to them. But immediately they got the money, majority of them diverted the money. Right now, we have a standard data as to what the situation is in all states of the Federation.

    “Let me make the point that some has actually judiciously untilised their own, but some states… have refused to make available how much they received.”

    Wabba recalled that at the Kogi State House of Assembly, a member raised a motion to demand accountability on the Paris Club refund “and that resulted in the chaos we witnessed in the Assembly. That member had his head broken and the Speaker removed. That is the level of decay that is prevailing in some of those states.

    “It means that Mr President is in touch with the real issues that is happening in every state. The fact that he is aware that some of the governors have not utilised the money in the direction that he appealed to them means that he is aware of what is happening.”

    The NLC chief spoke also on the use of consultants to get the refund.

    He said: “We learnt that about 5 per cent was deducted from source and used for the payment of consultants which eventually ended up in people’s pockets. We are also aware of those who diverted the money to build hotels and pay mortgages. It is really a bad situation.

    “If we must fight corruption, those issues are issues that we must follow up and fight to their logical conclusion.

    “In some of the states, our members used the Freedom of Information Act to demand how these money was utilised, but there has been no responses and I think that is most unfortunate. We have records of those states. We have also promised that we are going to name and shame those states that have not adequately utilized the bailout.

    “We are working on the data and once they are ready, we will make them, available and we are going to engage states that have not transparently utilised the bailout fund for the purpose that it was meant for and for the benefit of their people. That is where we are now… that is why the situation of workers have not improved.

    “ Let me emphasied that some states have done extremely well and we are going to point this out very clearly.”

     

  • Don’t release fresh tranche of Parish Club refund to governors – NLC tells Buhari

    …Says Buhari should probe investments in power sector

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to release the third and final tranche of the Paris Club refund to state governors until they account for past releases and make a concrete commitment to the final release to settle outstanding salaries, allowances and pension of workers and retirees in the country.

    The congress is also demanding an immediate and comprehensive audit of all monies so far spent in government effort at reviving the power sector in the country since 1999 which it said has failed to yield result, but rather produce several billionaires as a result of diversion of the funds.

    In a communique made available to newsmen at the end of its Central Working Committee meeting, the Congress is asking the government to immediately inaugurate the National Minimum Wage negotiating committee in view of the impoverishment of workers.

    The communique signed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary, Dr, Peter Ozo-Ezon also wants the federal government to compel state governors to properly account for the bailout they received from the federal government as well as the two tranches of the Paris Club refund which was supposed to be used for the payment of salaries and pensions, but diverted to other uses.

    The Congress regretted that government has not lived up the expectation of Nigerians and are in the habit of reneging on signed agreements with unions, pointing out that the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities was avoidable.

    The congress said that “many of the discussions around restructuring have not paid adequate attention to the question of health. It resolved to set up a committee to harmonise the various views expressed at the meeting with a view to articulating a congress position on the issue for subsequent presentation to the organised labour.

    “It reviewed the continuous non payment of months of outstanding salaries of workers in some states of the federation as well as various arrears of pension which has also run into several months which is the actual situation despite President Buhari’s passion to address this matter since he assumed office by giving bail out to governors to clear this shameful state of affairs with the nation’s workforce.”

    The Congress also deplored the poor service delivery in the power sector saying, “since the current administration came to power in May 2015, it had given N740 billion to the power sector as intervention fund without much to show for it. CWC therefore cannot comprehend the rationale behind the administration’s preparedness to give a further N39 billion bailout to DISCOs for metering purpose.”

  • Eid-El-Kabir: Governors urge sacrifice, love, unity, continuous prayers for Buhari

    Eid-El-Kabir: Governors urge sacrifice, love, unity, continuous prayers for Buhari

    As Muslims celebrate the 2017 Eid-el-Kabir festival today, Governors of the 36 states have urged both Muslims and non-Muslims to imbibe the values of sacrifice, love and keep fostering unity even as the task to build a better nation continues.

    The governors also unanimously urged Nigerians irrespective of religious or political divide to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari’s final recovery and energy to lead the nation to a greater destination.

     

    Ambode preaches discipline, sacrifice before and after festival

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, in his message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

    He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, adding that as Muslims prepare to offer animal sacrifice in the prescribed days of the festival, the real essence was not in the meat or the blood of the animal but to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice.

    Ambode, therefore, called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values for the good of the country and shun any act capable of heating up the polity or causing distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.

     

    Akeredolu, Ahmed, Ugwuanyi, Wike greet Muslims

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has felicitated with Muslims over this year’s Sallah celebration.

    Akeredolu advised them that even as they wine and dine during this period, they should not forget to extend their hands of love to the downtrodden in the society.

    The governor asked the Muslim community to also use the celebration to pray for the prosperity of the Sunshine State and the country.

    Kwara State Governor Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed has congratulated Muslims on the celebration, urging them to be peaceful, generous, law-abiding and prayerful.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, Ahmed said the opportunity by Allah “to enable us witness yet another celebration should be used to pray for peace and unity in the country”.

    Ahmed, who urged Muslims to pray for safe return of pilgrims from the holy land, said Nigerians should be ambassadors of a united and prosperous Nigeria rather than engaging in hate and inciting speeches or fanning embers of disunity.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi felicitated with Muslims on the celebration, urging them to use the period to continue to promote and abide by the core values of Islam for the sustenance of peace, progress and unity.

    Ugwuanyi, in a message, noted that there is every reason for the country to celebrate the goodness of God, pointing out that the continuous engagement of both Christians and Muslims in prayers for the sustainability of the peace, unity and development of the country, has ultimately proved that with God all things are possible.

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has also felicitated with Muslims on the celebration.

    In a goodwill message on Thursday, Wike urged Muslims to pray for the unity and peace of the nation as they celebrate.

    The governor called on the Muslim faithful to use the celebration to re-dedicate themselves to the ideals of peace, security and friendship.

     

    Tambuwal urges Muslims to Imbibe the spirit of charity, godliness

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto has urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of godliness, charity, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation as the country celebrates Eid-el-Adha.

    In a message to commerate this year’s Eid-el-Adha sallah celebration issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam in Sokoto Thursday, Tambuwal further urged his countrymen and women to always promote acts that enhance national integration and brotherhood.

    He described the Sallah period as one that honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to show submission to Allah’s command.

    “As we’ve read from the Glorious Qur’an, just when Ibrahim was about to kill his son Ishmael, the Almighty Allah (SWT) put a sheep in his place. As such, we Muslims use Eid ul-Adha to celebrate Prophet Ibrahim’s complete obedience to the will of Allah and as a reminder of our own willingness to make sacrifices in obedience to God,” he added.

    Tambuwal assured the citizens of Sokoto of his determination to make the state a model for good governance, security of lives and property and economic prosperity.

    “Our determination to make impact in critical sectors like education, health, agriculture, water supply, rural development among others remains unshaken. I assure you that this administration will continue to prioritise the welfare of the citizens. We will continue to find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting us. We will continue with practical steps to impact on the lives of our citizens. The commendations we have received from far and near will only spur us to do more,” he added.

    While wishing all Nigerians, especially those of Islamic persuasion a happy sallah celebration, the Governor appealed to them to continue their prayers for total healing of President Muhammadu Buhari.

     

    Ajimobi cautions against hate speeches

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi admonished Nigerians to shun acts capable of disrupting the unity, togetherness and peaceful co-existence of the country.

    In his message to Islamic faithful, he said it was only in an atmosphere of peace and unity that the country could achieve the desired greatness.

    Ajimobi, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi layinka, condemned what he called hate speeches and the ember of discord being stoked by ethnic agitators in some parts of the country.

    Time to fix Nigeria, says Bello

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration is working hard towards fixing the nation after years of decay and mismanagement.

    Bello urged Nigerians not to allow the zeal and commitment of the present administration to slip away.

    In a message signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Mr. Jide Orintunsin, the governor stated that the administration will not allow the present opportunities to slip off, adding that all is being put in place towards ensuring that the future generations do not meet a nation of decay and mismanagement.

    Umahi seeks unity

    The Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi felicitated with Muslim faithful. He urged them to identify unity and religious tolerance as panacea to achieving peace and growth.

    Umahi, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, described unity and religious tolerance as sine qua non to achieving cohesion and peace in any country.

    He called on Muslim faithful to preach peace as they celebrate.

    Fayose urges sacrifice

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has advised Nigerians to be ready to make the necessary sacrifices for the country’s progress.

    In his message through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, the governor urged the people to imbibe the spirit of love, obedience, sacrifices and sharing that the festival teaches.

    “We must appreciate God for sparing our lives and giving us good health to be part of the celebration of this year’s festival. As we celebrate, we must not forget the lessons we need to learn from the event.

     

    Amosun urges respect and love for one another

    Amosun Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun advised Muslim faithful to demonstrate the virtue of selfless sacrifice as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

    Amosun urged Muslims to live a life that mirror selflessness, love and peace.

    In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, the governor said Muslim brothers and sisters should reflect on the essence of the festival as they celebrate it.

    Lalong: pray for Buhari, economy

    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong urged Muslim faithful to use the Sallah period for continuous prayers for improve health for President Muhammadu Buhari as well as for the faster recovery of the nation’s economy from recession.

    A message signed by his Director of Press Emmanuel Nanle said: “The governor also expressed delight that with the deepening of the gains of democracy and the consolidation of peace and security by the APC led government, the nation was surely on the threshold of progress.

    “He noted that, as people of faith, Moslem faithful should continue to demonstrate the virtue of love, good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence always.”

  • No going back on Nigeria’s unity, greatness – Southeast/Southsouth governors

    Governors of the Southeast/Southsouth region on Sunday met in Rivers State and reiterated their commitment to a united Nigeria despite agitations in some part of the region.

    The governors who decried their obvious ‘marginalisation in the distribution of national cake’, said Nigeria is greater together than apart.

    They subscribed to the destiny and greatness of Nigeria with an urge to compatriots to place the country on the front row in the comity of nations.

    The governors’ pledge was contained in a communique issued on Sunday at the end of their second meeting under the aegis of the Southeast/Southsouth Governors’ Forum at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    They agreed to promote the unity of the country but urged the Federal Government to encourage investors in the oil and gas industry to have their operational headquarters in regions of operation to attract more and investments in the sector.

    The communique, signed by the interim Forum chairman and Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, stated that the governors resolved among others:

    • To pursue inter-regional cooperation and integration for the common good of the regions’ people.
    • To work together politically, align and re-align as a people that share common heritage, culture and affinity.
    • To articulate and advocate for issues affecting the wellbeing of the regions. The issues may not necessarily materialise immediately, but for the benefits of future generations.
    • To continue to subscribe our faith to the destiny and greatness of Nigeria and call upon Nigerians to put their hands on the plough and rise to claim our rightful place in the comity of nations.
    • To condemn hate speech in national discourse, whether in individual communication, or utterances of political actors or parties and to urge security agencies to set up joint border patrols and develop more proactive strategies in combating crime and criminality.
    • To urge the Federal Government to come up with a clear policy on concession of Federal roads and to fast-track the process in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the regions.

    They further resolved to pursue inter-regional cooperation and integration for the common good of the regions’ people.

    The forum, however regretted that: ”The deplorable state of federal roads in the two regions. That none of the airports and seaports located in our regions is reasonably functional, and that neither of the two regions are linked by any rail services. That the Federal presence in the regions is very minimal and only noticeable in the presence of policemen.”

    The meeting, chaired by the Akwa Ibom governor had in attendance seven governors and four deputy governors. The governors are: Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (Rivers); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).

    The deputy governors who represented their principals Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Bayelsa); Dr. Nkem Okeke (Anambra); Philip Shaibu (Edo) and Prof. Ivara Esu (Cross River).

    The forum will reconvene in Owerri, Imo State on October 8, according to a statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor.

  • Osinbajo demonstrated great loyalty to Nigeria in your absence – Governors tell Buhari

    Governors of the thirty-six states have acknowledged the competence and loyalty with which Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo administered the country while President Muhammadu Buhari was on medical vacation in London.

    The governors revealed this is a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Speaking on behalf of the governors, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi said: “In your absence, the Vice President demonstrated great loyalty to Nigeria and to you Mr. President,” Umahi said.

    President Buhari who also acknowledged Prof. Osinbajo’s indefatigable roles while away said the Vice President deployed his energy and intellect well.

    In his words: “Indeed. I’m grateful for the way Vice President Yemi Osinbajo deployed his energy and intellect to take charge while I was away.”

    Details later…