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Northern coalition backs Akpabio for Senate President
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the North has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to support a former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to emerge as the Senate President for the 10th National Assembly.
The Chairman of the coalition, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary Hon. Adeyeye Olugbenga, made the call Thursday in Abuja at a press conference where they also called for zoning of the senate presidency to the south-south.
Muhammad, at the media conference said that after deliberation by the coalition members, they resolved to endorse and support the emergence of Senator Akpabio, who was also the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, due to his being the most competence and integrity.
The coalition said its decision was motivated by the patriot desire Akpabio had demonstrated towards the Northern region as a bridge builder through synergies of social relationship and peaceful coexistence.
“It is on this premise that we, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in the North, after a lengthy session of an intensely debated permutations and deliberations decided to endorse and support the emergence of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Executive Governor of Akwa-Ibom State and immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs as the next Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our decision to endorse and support Senator Godswill Akpabio for the coveted office of the Senate President, was motivated by the patriotic desire with so much love he has demonstrated towards our region as a bridge builder through synergies of social relationship and peaceful coexistences, also his zeal to ensure a smooth and amicable working relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government due to his wealth of experience in administrative and legislative management.
“The National Assembly being the engine room of democratic governance requires a man of positive action and uncommon leadership ability, like Senator Godswill Akpabio as its Chairman.
“From his antecedents and accomplishments, Senator Godswill Akpabio possesses the requisite quality of leadership and innate ability to lead the next National Assembly to successful deliberations, without crises or fracas to surmount the monumental challenges confronting the nation,” he said.
Muhammad noted that since the beginning of the 4th Republic on 29th May, 1999 till date, the office of the Senate President has never been occupied by a Nigerian of Southern minority extraction.
He said, “However, despite our views and sentiments we are bold to say that merit, competence, and integrity should not be sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity in considering who becomes the next Senate President of the 10th Assembly and we see Senator Akpabio is the right man for the job.”
“To this end, our various organizations have unanimously decided to formally appeal to individual members and Senators-Elect, on the need to support Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio as the next Senate President and Chairman of the joint Assembly.
“We appeal to the able leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to consolidate the party’s new political gains in the South-South geopolitical zone, as evident in the just concluded presidential election, by ensuring that Senator Godswill Akpabio emerges as the next Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Muhammad said.
The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that Nigerian security officials are planning to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who’s still in the US, claimed the move is linked to her participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York on 11 March, where she raised concerns about her suspension from the Senate and sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
She disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Sunday.
She said, “I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja.”
IPOB Lawyer Demands Probe By Security Operatives
Onitsha-based trader had been hospitalised following the
reported looting of her medicine store by officials of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The looting as contained in a viral footage, has attracted wild condemnation.
Consequently, a lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has demanded an investigation by security into the act perpetrated by NAFDAC officials.
As at the time of this report, NAFDAC is said to be preparing its response to the allegation.
While describing the heart-wrenching testimony of the devastated trader as both troubling and unacceptable, he said the woman is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital after suffering severe shock from the traumatic incident.
Ejiofor, also a lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in a statement said it is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being.
He said, “I am deeply saddened by the viral video showing a female trader alleging that her shop was looted by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This alarming footage exposes a grave injustice that demands urgent action.
“Recently, I strongly condemned the indiscriminate closure of shops under the guise of combating counterfeit drugs. While the fight against fake pharmaceuticals is crucial, it must be carried out through lawful and ethical means that do not jeopardize the livelihoods of innocent traders. Unfortunately, our worst fears have now materialized.
“In my previous public statement, I urged security agencies and NAFDAC to investigate their personnel implicated in these allegations. However, despite the gravity of the situation, no action has been taken.
“This latest evidence – captured on video – clearly exposes officials entrusted with regulatory enforcement, allegedly engaging in outright looting, betraying public trust.
“The heart-wrenching testimony of this devastated trader is both troubling and unacceptable. Disturbingly, information available to us confirms that this innocent woman is currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital after suffering severe shock from this traumatic incident. This is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being.
‘I, therefore, call upon the relevant security agencies to conduct a swift, transparent, and comprehensive investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for this reprehensible act.
“NAFDAC must urgently assess and provide commensurate reparations for this devastating loss, ensuring that justice is not only served but also felt by the victims. Justice delayed is justice denied. Immediate disciplinary and legal measures must be enforced to restore public confidence in our institutions.
“Such misconduct has no place in a society striving for justice, peace, and economic stability. The livelihoods of hardworking citizens must be protected, and those who abuse their positions of trust must face the full weight of the law. If we fail to act decisively, we risk enabling a culture of impunity that will only deepen public distrust in our institutions.”
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The quest to upgrade , promote and advance Secondary Education by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike through technological advancement is undaunted, not minding some drawbacks brought about by the operators before his assumption of duty.
Under his special arrangements and Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that is attracting massive infrastructure development, provision of equipment and manpower to the FCT secondary schools by discouraging the manual , local and outdated infrastructures, hence embarked by Wike led administration through massive construction, renovation and reconstruction of schools across the FCT with modest high tech equipment, including the provision of mobile clinics and portable water for students consumption, the desire to place them in line with the global standards with the attainment and provision of ICT equipment in line with the modest policies became germane.
Without mincing words , he announced the massive reorganisation, reactivation and rehabilitation of all facets of Secondary Education in the nation’s city , to bridge both the dearth of learning , equipment among many others lacking in the FCT, including the inculcation of Information and Communication Technology ICT facilities.
Aside the provision of secondary schools education to FCT residents , 36 states indigenes residents in the FCT including the adjoining states of Kogi , Niger, Nasssarawa, Kaduna and Plateau state took advantage of the proximity to move their wards into benefiting from the secondary education curricula in the FCT.
Since Secondary Schools Education is now inculcated into Basic Education in line with the new policy thrust of the federal government, the need to rejig it cannot be overstressed, therefore desiring Urgent and adequate attention through manpower reorientation, equipment rejigging ,provision and monitoring.
The Nyesom Wike led FCT administration as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed confronted by tackling the issue of Information and Communication Technology ICT, that will bring in tandem programs of the secondary schools , exposed the pupils and teachers , streamline it to compete favourably with both local and international programs.
Having tackled the gradual reconstruction, rehabilitation and replacement of major equipment including manpower and technical know how , he embarked on the provision of ICT equipment and facilities in all secondary schools in FCT with initial supplies of 850 computer tablets and 45 laptops distributed across 20 public senior secondary schools across six area councils of Bwari , Gwagwalada , Kuje, Abuja Municipal Council AMAC, Kwali and Abaji area councils with each school taken initial possession from the maiden distribution of Information and Communication Technology ICT facilities of 42 computer tablets for students and two laptops for ICT teachers and instructors.
According to the FCT Minister, the new policy thrust on provision of ICT facilities debuted in the 20 public schools will gradually trickle down to all the public schools across the FCT before the end of the first term of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu first term to boost not only information and communication technology ICT, not only in secondary schools, but across educational institutions in the FCT.
According to him, these resources will boost digital literacy, improve teaching methodologies, and ensure that students are equipped for the technology-driven world, it will also contribute positively to academic performance in FCT schools as training for optimal use will commence immediately .
Accordingly , these resources provided by the Minister , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will boost digital literacy, improve teaching methodologies, and ensure that students are equipped for the technology-driven world.
The facilities if used effectively and efficiently will contribute positively to academic performance in FCT schools as training for optimal use will commence immediately, in line with the vision and mission of the Wike led FCT administration.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.