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Tinubu, Shettima Bag Traditional Titles in Abia
The Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers on Friday conferred the traditional title of Omeziri Igbo 1, on President Bola Tinubu.
Also, Vice President Kashim Shettima was conferred with the traditional title of Enyoima Ndi Igbo 1.
The Chairman of the Abia Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mba, conferred the tittle on the duo at the thanksgiving, homecoming and unveiling of the Peace In The South East Project (PISE-P), in Bende Local Government Area of the state.
The event was organised by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu as part of his efforts to restore peace in the South East Geopolitical Zone.
The traditional ruler explained the the confirmation of the titles to the President and Vice President was in recognition of their contribution to national integration, unity and peace building in the country.
” We the entire traditional rulers in Abia state by the virtues of the powers conferred on us by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Igbo Natives laws and customs here by conferred on your Excellency the Vice President Kashim Shettima the high title of Enyoima Ndi Igbo 1.
” This is in recognition of your outstanding performance as the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria within the short period you have been in the office given under our heads this Friday, Dec. 29.”
Responding, Shettima reiterated the commitment of President Tinubu’s administration to work with all stakeholders’ to restore peace in the South East region.
” We are here because we have been given the mandate to guarantee the security of your lives and prosperities.”
The Chairman of the South East Governor’s Forum, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, thanked the Abia traditional rulers for honoring the leadership of Nigeria with such a prestigious title.
” On behalf of the Abia State Government all of us here are in solidarity to us encourage with the recognition given to the President and the vice president.
” Our vice president has shown sufficient goodwill to the people of the South East. From this part of the country we will continue to work with the rest of Nigeria to make the country a prosperous nation for the interest of all of us for service to God and humanity.”
Also, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia said, ” we the people of the South East here by declare that peace is what we stand for as a region.
” We declare peace and prosperity, we declare peace for progress, we stand for peace in the south east as a catalyst that will drive growth in all sectors of the economy.
” And rekindle the confidence of future generations, we declare that peace is better.
” May this day Dec. 29, 2023 at Bende Local Government Area of Abia, South East Nigeria before the president and the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
” So help me God,” he said.
Dignitaries present at the event includes, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Deputy Governor of Anambra State Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Others are the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, Sen. Osita Izunaso, Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna, Kano State APC Governorship Candidate and Chief Henry IKon, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development.
Also present are His Royal Highness, the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, His Royal Highness, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka.
(NAN)
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.