TheNewsGuru

Tag: Governors

  • Udom Emmanuel elected Chairman South East/South South Governors Forum

    Udom Emmanuel elected Chairman South East/South South Governors Forum

    The South East, South South Governors’ Forum on Sunday elected Akwa-Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, as chairman of the forum.

    The forum at the end of its meeting in Enugu also agreed to pursue regional cooperation and integration for the economic benefit of the two regions.

    The governors, after the three-hour meeting, also agreed on political cooperation.

    The governors in their first meeting in the current dispensation, also resolved “to work together and realign as a people that share common heritage, culture and and affinities”.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the forum agreed to hold its next meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on August 27, 2017.

    The communique of the meeting was read by Governor Udom on behalf of the governors.

    The meeting was attended by eight governors and a deputy governor; while two governors were absent.

    The governors present include: Igwenyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa-Ibom), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), and Nyesom Nike (Rivers).

    Others are; Okezie Ikpazu (Abia), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Anambra Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke, who represented Governor Willie Obiano.

    Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Godwin Obaseki of Delta and Edo states were absent at the meeting.

  • Photos: Wike attends South-South, South-East Governors meeting

    Photos: Wike attends South-South, South-East Governors meeting

    Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State on Sunday attended the South-South and South-East Meeting held in Enugu State.

    See pictures from the meeting below:

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, being welcomed by the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House in Enugu for the South-South and South-East Meeting on Sunday evening

     

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, being welcomed by the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House in Enugu for the South-South and South-East Meeting on Sunday evening

     

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu at the Government House in Enugu for the South-South and South-East Meeting on Sunday evening

     

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi and Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House in Enugu for the South-South and South-East Meeting on Sunday evening

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, (m) Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Deputy Senate President Ike (r) at the Government House in Enugu for the South-South and South-East Meeting on Sunday evening

  • MASSOB chides S’East governors for wearing Hausa/Fulani attire

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, on Wednesday chided South-East governors for wearing “Hausa/Fulani traditional attire” at public functions.

    MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu in a statement berated governors of Ebonyi and Enugu states, Dave Umahi and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, respectively, for putting on Hausa/Fulani attire at the recent meeting between Igbo leaders and the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa.

    He said the governors were wrong to have worn a Hausa/Fulani traditional attire while leading a delegation of Igbo leaders to a sensitive meeting with the Acting President.

    He added that no Hausa/Fulani governor would ever wear an Igbo attire in public.

    “Although, MASSOB has respect and regard for Igbo governors, we openly disagree with them on certain moves that are against the general interest of our people.

    “MASSOB condemns the attitude of Dave Umahi and Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, governors of Ebonyi and Enugu states, respectively, during the Igbo leaders’ meeting with Osinbajo, where they wore Hausa/Fulani traditional attire.”

    The group also faulted the exemption of pro-Biafra leaders in the discussions over an ultimatum given to Igbos in the North to leave.

    The MASSOB leader claimed the governors and other political, traditional, religious and opinion leaders that met with the Acting President were not actually in charge’ in Igboland.

  • Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable – Governors

    Nigerian governors have said the unity of the country is sacrosanct and non-negotiable.

    Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi who spoke on behalf of his colleagues said this at the end of a meeting called by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as part of consultations for peace on Wednesday.

    He made the appeal against the backdrop of rising hate speeches and secessionist agitations in the south-east.

    Ajimobi said the governors do not want a repeat of incidents in Rwanda and Somalia.

    He added that the areas of poverty, unemployment and hardship which led to secessionist agitations will be addressed.

    “It has been unanimously agreed that the unity of this country is sacrosanct, it is non-negotiable and we have all agreed to work together to educate people,” he said.

    “Any time you have agitation, usually there will be poverty, there will be unemployment, there will be hardship. So, we should address fundamentally these areas of poverty, unemployment and hardship.

    “Nigerians are by nature a united people; nobody cares whether you are from the north, south or the east.

    “There unity must be there and we cannot play with the unity of this country. The consensus has been that there must be unity.

    “The message is for Nigerians to work more together and collaborate. We have more to gain when we are united. We cannot afford to break, and anybody is thinking of that is wasting his time and we will not allow it, not in this country. All of us are unanimous about that.

    “To you the media look for what unites us and not sensational news. If we fight everybody will lose, have you ever seen a country that fought a civil war and remained the same? We don’t want to be another Rwanda and Somalia and all these places. The government is doing its best.”

  • We’ll clear backlog of workers’ salaries from Parish club refund – Governors

    We’ll clear backlog of workers’ salaries from Parish club refund – Governors

    Nigerian governors, under the aegis of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, on Friday said they will off-set outstanding salaries and allowances owed their workers as soon as a second tranche of funds from the Paris Club loan refund is released.

    In a statement issued by the forum’s spokesperson, Abulrazque Barkindo, the governors said, “The 36 governors last night resolved to offset the backlog of salaries and pension arrears owed civil servants in the country as soon as the next tranche of payment from the Paris-London Club loan refunds are made

    “This decision was arrived at in Abuja at a meeting hosted on Thursday night by the chairman of the NGF and governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar at his Maitama residence.

    “The governors met in anticipation of the release of the other half of the Paris-London Club refund which has been gratuitously approved for payment by the Vice-President Professor Yemi Osibanjo. The funds are expected to hit the states accounts within the month.

    “The governors who are not oblivious of the hue and cry over the non-payment of the backlog of salaries and pension arrears and the precarious predicament of the Nigerian worker deliberated on the matter and concluded that in order to set the country on the path of growth, something immediate must be done to ameliorate workers plight by offsetting the backlog of their pay and emoluments.

    “We all agreed that a substantial amount from the next tranche of the Paris-London refunds be used in the settlement of workers salary and pension arrears.”

    The first tranche of the Paris Club refund was released for payment of salaries but some of the governors still did not pay salaries to their workers.

  • Adopt laws to end violence against children in your states – FG tells governors

    The Federal Government has urged state governors to adopt laws and policies that would bring an end to violence against children and other cultural practices that hinder their development.

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, made the call in Lafia on Saturday at an event to mark the celebration of 2017 Children’s Day celebration with the theme “Child Protection and the Sustainable Development Goals: Issues and Opportunities”.

    Osinbajo’s speech was read by the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Bamaiyi Anangba, who also represented Gov. Tanko Al-Makura at the occasion.

    The acting president renewed federal government’s commitment in ensuring that the rights of the Nigerian child are protected.

    He urged other stakeholders to join in the fight against child violence and ensure that Nigerian children enjoyed their rights.

    Osinbajo also disclosed that the federal government was providing one free nutritional meal to over 1, 274,620 pupils in 9,212 schools in nine states of the federation under its Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

    The acting president also reaffirmed that the federal government would continue to accelerate programmes and investment through ministries and agencies to build protective services and empower families and children.

    “As a country and as a government, we cannot afford to delay efforts that will ensure protection and development of our children through preventive approaches,” he said.

    He appreciated security agencies for their efforts so far in protecting Nigerian children against danger and violence in line with the provision of extant laws, but urged them to redouble their efforts.

    Osinbajo congratulated the Nigerian children as they celebrate their day.

    Earlier, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Mary Enwongulu, admonished parents in the state to take proactive measures that would protect children against any form of violence.

    “Children are social gifts and blessing from God. Let us recommit and rededicate ourselves to ensure their protection and wellbeing in all situations and circumstances,” she said.

    The commissioner also renewed the state government commitment to continue to key in to good policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians at large.

     

     

    NAN

  • Fayose did what other S/East, S/South Govs dare not – IPOB

    …names him honourary Governor of Biafra Republic

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday said Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State was fearless and courageous in identifying with the struggles of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, a feat it said governors from the South East, South South (who are more concerned) region did not have the audacity to do.

    It therefore named Fayose the honorary Governor of Biafra Republic.

    This was contained in a statement released on Sunday, where IPOB thanked Fayose for his solidarity towards Nnamdi Kanu.

    The statement was signed by the media and publicity secretary of the group, Comrade Emma Powerful.

    “We also acknowledge the immense contributions of the honorary Biafran Gov. Ayodele Fayose who did what no South East or South South governor had the courage to do,” it read.

    IPOB also commended former Aviation Ministers, Osita Chidoka and Femi Fani-Kayode, Professors Chukwuma Soludo and Pat Utomi, Senators Ike Ekweremadu and Enyinnaya Abaribe and others for their support in the release of Kanu.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that Kanu regained his freedom on Friday after spending close to two years in detention by the Federal Government.

    He was driven out of the detention facility by former transportation minister Osita Chidoka after perfecting his bail conditions.

     

  • EFCC planning to raid houses of former PDP governors – Jonah Jang

    Former Plateau State Governor, Jonah David Jang, on Thursday raised an alarm that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is planning to raid houses of all former governors who served on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    Jang also said officials of the anti-graft agency were particularly warming up to invade his house in a bid to discover looted funds.

    Jang revealed this when he spoke during a Town Hall meeting with his constituents in Jos.

    The Senator however, warned that anybody who breaks into his house would repair any damaged part of it.

    Jang said, “Somebody came to my house and told me that there is plan to raid the houses of all former PDP Governors. My house is very open for them to come and search, but I want to say this to the hearing of the public, if anybody breaks my house, they will hear us up to supreme court.

    “You cannot break into my house and go free, you must come and repair it, if they think I hide money in the ceiling or anywhere, they should have equipment that can trace the money, but if they come to start breaking walls, they will repair my house because they will not find a kobo, I didn’t steal money.”

    The Senator however, warned that anybody who breaks into his house would repair any damaged part of it.

    Jang said, “Somebody came to my house and told me that there is plan to raid the houses of all former PDP Governors. My house is very open for them to come and search, but I want to say this to the hearing of the public, if anybody breaks my house, they will hear us up to supreme court.

    “You cannot break into my house and go free, you must come and repair it, if they think I hide money in the ceiling or anywhere, they should have equipment that can trace the money, but if they come to start breaking walls, they will repair my house because they will not find a kobo, I didn’t steal money.”

  • Governors not meeting in Abuja over Buhari’s health – Lai Mohammed

    Governors not meeting in Abuja over Buhari’s health – Lai Mohammed

    …Warns rumour mongers to stop overheating the polity

    The Federal Government has debunked reports in the section of the press that governors are meeting in Abuja on Thursday to send emissary to see President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated the position on Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation of the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative (PCNI).

    “I want to say categorically and emphatically that there is no iota of truth in this.

    “Governors are not meeting in Abuja because there is no need for it. There is no plan to send emissary to London to see the President.

    “Again, I want to say that the president is hale and hearty in London where he is observing his 10 day vacation.

    “Let us all shun the negative reports insinuating the president illness and death.

    “We implore those behind this outright falsehood to desist.

    “It is because Nigeria exists that they can practice their profession. We implore them to stop overheating the society.’’

    The minister told the delegation that his ministry is very passionate about the North-East and has put the region’s concerns and developmental agenda in the front burner of its activities.

    He explained that until Nigeria took possession of the insurgency war in the region, full rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement would not take place.

    According to him, the country is winning the war against terror and there is need to celebrate the military that is prosecuting the war.

    “We are also aware there is bigger war to be won which is healing the wounds that have been created by the insurgency.

    “The ministry is particular about ensuring that correct information about the North East is disseminated,’’ he said.

    The minister said that the PCNI had a tall mandate but expressed confidence in the leader and members of the committee to deliver.

    He pledged the readiness of his ministry to assist the committee in any way, particularly in information dissemination.

    Leader of the delegation and Chairman PCNEI Economic sub-Committee, Mr Yusuf Yakubu said the committee was committed to restoring stability to the North East through sustainable socio-economic activities.

    In achieving this, he said the committee harmonised all intervention planning for the region into a national strategic road map tagged “The Buhari Plan’’.

    Yakubu solicited partnership with the ministry in mobilisation and changing negative narratives on the Northeast region.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the PCNI was inaugurated by the president under the leadership of Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (rtd.) on Oct. 26, 2016 with three-year mandate to guide, coordinate, facilitate and support all interventions and relief activities across the North East.

  • I hope other governors can defend their people like Fayose – Adeboye

    I hope other governors can defend their people like Fayose – Adeboye

    General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, urges state governors in the country to emulate their Ekiti State counterpart, Mr Ayodele Fayose, in standing up for and protecting the interest of their people.

    Adeboye stated this in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday at the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi 111.

    The renowned cleric, visited the monarch before attending a crusade at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, described Governor Fayose as a great defender of his people and their cause.

    Adeboye also commended Fayose for taking great risks to defend and pro‎tect the interests of his people.

    ‎”Your Excellency, we thank God for your life, courage, boldness and being willing to take the risk so that your people can be protected and I know you know what I am talking about.

    You can be sure that we are praying for you and you will succeed.‎ I hope other governors will stand for their people like you and defend their people and say enough is enough‎,” Adeboye said.

    Adeboye, who prayed for the restoration of the lost glory of Ekiti, also commended Oba Adejugbe for leading his people in the way of the Lord.

    Earlier, Governor Fayose said Nigerians appreciate the efforts of Adeboye at taking the gospel round the world‎.

    ‎”We ‎know that it is at this time of the year that you go round and we pray that God strengthens you.

    Your visit is annually and when a man of God passes by, we want to take that advantage for him to bless us.‎

    We appreciate your efforts at taking the gospel round the world‎,” he said. Oba Adejugbe also described Adeboye’s visit as a blessing to the palace, and the people of the state in general.

    Pastor Adeboye later held a revival at the stadium and later visited Ilawe and Ogotun-Ekiti.