News
Appointments: Tinubu fair to all regions -Arthur EzeBy
A billionaire businessman and philanthropist from the South East, Prince Arthur Eze, has commended President Bola Tinubu for being fair in his recent appointments of ministers and heads of agencies to all segments of the country.
He said this in Abuja at the Holy Mass to mark the 65th birthday of Rev Fr Patrick Alumuku at St. Louis Catholic Church, EFAB Global Estate, Mbora, Abuja.Prince Eze said that President Tinubu’s recent appointments have shown that he is the ideal president for Nigeria.
Accoding to him, the president has been fair in his appointments to the three major regions: the East, West, and North and, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the president as he continues his transformational agenda.
Commenting on the celebrant, Prince Eze, who described Father Alumuku as a good man, recalled that he met him through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and that he is a man worthy of emulation.
On his part, the celebrant, Father Alumuku, while speaking with journalists, said the occasion was for him to thank God for his love and kindness, which he has shown in many ways in his 65th year.
“I realise that every day we live in God’s presence, and we need to thank him, especially at a moment like this. We give thanks to God. I want to use this opportunity to say to everyone that every birthday is a major event in our lives and to thank God.
“Indeed, every day is important to thank, so we cannot live without God’s presence before us. We need to be consciously and continuously aware of God’s presence and be grateful to him for what he has done in our lives,” he said.
Also, the Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council of the Church, Sir Vincent Ukaoma, in his address, described Father Alumuku as a man of many paths.
“We, the nuclear family of Father Patrick, would like him to live and enjoy this fast-approaching stage of his life gracefully. After labouring so much in God’s vineyard for more than forty years as a priest in Makurdi, in Vatican City, and now in Abuja, it will be fitting to slow down.
“We, the parishioners of St. Louis Pastoral Centre, consider ourselves so blessed to have Father Patrick as our first parish priest. Within a period of three years, through his subtle pushing, our community has been positively transformed progressively, spiritually, and structurally,” Ukaoma said.
Also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, expressed excitement on the ceremony to celebrate Alumuku on his birthday.Akume, represented by Mr Simon Tyungu, the director, in his office described Alumuku as a hardworking priest and someone who make positive impacts on people and the society.
President Bola Tinubu has mandated the formation of a Presidential Task Force aimed at eliminating numerous checkpoints that impede free movement.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, revealed this initiative during a visit to the Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.
“We are commencing with the Seme-Badagry Corridor. A committee has been established under the auspices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon begin addressing this matter.
“We have taken note of all the concerns raised, and I assure you that the Nigerian government will tackle the other issues mentioned subsequently.”
Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding the excessive checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which adversely affect the seamless movement of individuals and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Ambassador Nuhu emphasized, “This is the most trafficked border in West Africa regarding the flow of goods, people, and services. If free movement is to be effectively implemented in West Africa, it will be evident at this border.”
Motorists attending the meeting expressed their frustrations about the numerous checkpoints and the extortion practices by security personnel along the route.
In response, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that any fees paid by motorists should be accompanied by official receipts.
He expressed concern that the proliferation of checkpoints and the extortion of citizens within member states undermine ECOWAS’s goal of fostering a more integrated region.
“While we must inspect passengers and road users, we should move beyond arbitrary charges that lack receipts. If payments are necessary, they should be properly documented.
“It is one thing to request that someone open their bags for inspection, but it is entirely different to demand payment that is not receipted.”
The suspects were apprehended for selling prohibited exotic birds and wild animals contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with the National Park Service, has arrested three persons over alleged illegal trade in endangered wildlife species in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor.
The suspects, identified as Musa Usman, Samila Abdullahi, and Saidu Jagaban, were arrested in different parts of the country’s capital.
According to her, the suspects were apprehended for selling prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.
She stated that Usman and Abdullahi were found with 15 Senegalese parrots and one African grey parrot, while Jagaban was arrested for hawking three dead antelopes.
“The suspects were arrested in different parts of the city for the illegal sale of prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act,” the statement read in part.
“The trio is to remain in custody while investigation continues.”
NESREA Director-General, Innocent Barikor, reiterated that trafficking in endangered species remained a crime under Nigerian laws, and anyone caught culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.
Barikor emphasised on the need to protect endangered species, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He added that all living things play different roles in ensuring biodiversity sustainability.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday warned against the creation of a one-party state, saying any nation that must practice it must do so carefully and with a well-planned process and projected outcome.
He stated this in Abuja while paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, at a memorial lecture and day of tribute.
Jonathan warned that any attempt to bring about a one-party state through political machinations to soothe only personal aspirations will be detrimental to the country.
The former president also called on the family of the late former federal commissioner to, among other things, set up a yearly memorial lecture in his honour to continue to push his ideas and what he stood for, which is a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the endemic poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
He maintained that the labour of people like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off, as the sacrifices people like Pa Clark made were in vain today.
The chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that the task of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and indivisible must be ensured by all, as the nation could only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.