The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has flagged off the construction of the 73 kilometre Apo-Wasa dual carriageway, with a total cost of N8.62 Billion. The road which is part of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), would pull up the Apo-Karshi road, currently under construction, to the heart of the Abuja city. The minister said, while flagging off the commencement of the construction of the road today, Monday, that the segment of OSEX would run through Wasa District and Kuje Town and end at Gwagwalada, which he hoped would open up the major parts of the Territory for economic activities and estate development. He said that to ensure speedy completion of the projects within a 12-month times pan, the two carriageways have been awarded to different construction companies namely: M/S CGC, (Nig) Ltd – for Left-Hand-Side carriageway of 15km and Gilmor (Nig) Ltd – for Right-Hand-Side carriageway measuring 5km. He said that the contract sums for both roads are N6.17billion and N2.45billion respectively. The minister said that his government is thinking of engaging in Public-Private Partnership initiative with interested investors for the purpose of completing the other part of the expressway, measuring 52 kilometres. It ends at the Abuja-Lokoja highway. The minister said that the flag off of the first phase is symbolic of the next phase of the Administration’s roadmap for infrastructural development and provision of social services in the satellite towns and rural communities. Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, said that the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) is one of the Regional Road Networks provided for in the Abuja Masterplan and makes access available for the City Centre from the Southern axis of the FCT. He said that it covers 73 kilometres, running from the Aso Villa Roundabout at its intersection with the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) right on to Abuja-Lokoja Road at Gwagwalada. The Executive Secretary said that the OSEX stretch defines areas designated for the land-swap scheme, adding that the project would fast-track the relocation of Apo Traders and mechanics as well as open up Takushara settlement. Takushara is a national heritage site identified as the first historical iron smelting place in West Africa by the renowned British archaeologist, Professor Thurston Shaw.
Former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, has described the death of Dr Alex EKwueme as a great loss of a fine gentleman politician. Describing Ekwueme, who was the foundation chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, as a nationalist, Anenih said that the former Vice President played politics without bitterness. In a statement in Abuja, Anenih said: “with the death of Dr Alex Ekwueme, the tribe of principled politicians has been further depleted. “Nigeria has lost a nationalist, a detribalised politician and one who was not given to impropriety in the conduct of government business. “Dr Ekwueme will sorely be missed by a vast majority of Nigerians who had the privilege of his leadership, political association and interactions. The PDP where both of us played leading roles will remember him for his sterling contribution to its birth and development. “While I pray that the Almighty God would grant his soul eternal repose, it is my earnest wish that his family would be strong in this moment of grief to be able to bear this great loss.”
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
The Presidency has rolled out the drums to celebrate another high rating of its economic measures by the National Bureau of Statistics in a latest GDP figures it released. The Presidency said that the high rating is a clear indication of ongoing progress in the major sectors of the economy, like oil, agriculture and industrial development. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said that Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will continue to work diligently on a daily basis to ensure inclusive growth, “to which we have always been committed through the active pursuit of a raft of policy initiatives, past and present. “Such initiatives include but not limited to the Social Investment Programmes, Anchor Borrowers Scheme, longstanding Budget Support Facilities to the States, plus other bailout packages, ensuring the comprehensive payment of workers’ salary & pension backlogs among others. Equally, the Federal “Government will be ramping up the implementation pace of the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan. Full text of the Statement of the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, after the Q3 figures is reproduced here: “The latest NBS GDP figures show that the Nigerian economy grew by 1.4% year-on-year in real terms in the third quarter of 2017 (Q3 2017). This is a steady continuation of the positive growth of 0.55% (now revised to 0.72%) experienced in Q2 2017 and reinforces the exit from the 2016 recession. “The positive growth in Q3 is consistent with the improvements in other indicators. Foreign exchange reserves have risen to nearly $34 billion while stock market and purchasing managers indices have also been positive. “The naira exchange rate has stabilised while inflation has declined to 15.91% from 18.7 in January 2017. While inflation is not declining as fast as desirable, it is approaching the estimated target of 15.74% for the year in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. “Agricultural growth was 3.06% in the third quarter of 2017, maintaining the positive growth of the sector even when there was a slow-down in the rest of the economy. “The industrial sector grew at 8.83% mostly due to mining and quarrying. The oil sector grew very strongly as forecast in the ERGP and partly as a result of the policy actions in the plan to restore growth in the sector. “The service sector is yet to recover but should soon begin to be positively affected by the improvements in the real economy and the effects of the dedicated and focused capital spending of over N1.2 trillion on infrastructure by the Federal Government. “It is expected that the economy will continue to grow given these developments and the reform, and improvements in the business environment shown by the upward movement of 24 places in the recently released World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings which was better than the target of 20 places specified in the ERGP. “The overall picture that emerges is that the economy is on the path of recovery. As inflation trends downwards, and with steady implementation of the ERGP, real growth should soon be realised across all sectors in a mutually reinforcing manner.”
Governor Willie Obiano, winner of the just concluded gubernatorial election in Anambra State has said that the victory was for all the people of the state, even as he extended an olive branch to all those who contested with him to join in building what he called a ‘new’Anambra state.
In a statement today, Sunday, accepting to carry on with the leadership of the state for a second term, governor Obiano said: “this victory belongs to all of us! Umu nnem. This victory is not a winner takes it all. For in the New Anambra of my dream, everyone is a winner. Everyone!
“So, I reach out a hand of brotherhood to my fellow contestants…Oseloka, Tony, Osita, Godwin and others whose names I cannot easily recall here. And I say to you;my brothers, we have all fought a good fight. But Anambra State is the WINNER! The interest of AnambraState is bigger than the private ambitions of anyone of us.. Therefore, I pray you to join hands with me and build a better place for Ndi Anambra!”
Full text of the statement reads:
Ndi b’ anyi, ekenem unu
With utmost humility, I stand before you to accept thehistoric mandate you have bestowed on me today!
Umu nnem, the victory we savour today belongs neither to Willie Obiano nor to our great party, APGA. No! This sweet victory belongs to Ndi Anambra!
It belongs to the wheel barrow pushers and the Okada riders who have clearly seen in our recent political experience, a glimmer of light in the horizon.
It belongs to the farmers in Ayamelum, Onono, Ogbaru, Omasi, Omor and Ufuma who have now realized that Agriculture is the future of Nigeria.
It belongs to the teachers and civil servants who have seen that a motivated workforce is the greatest asset of any government and have rewarded our faith in them with an overwhelming verdict at the polls.
It belongs to the illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra State who have seen the STAR of this great state rise in the Eastern Skies and have answered our call for Aku luo uno; bringing home their Naira and Dollars to put our dear state on the investment map!
This victory belongs to all of us! Umu nnem, this victory isnot a winner takes it all. For in the New Anambra of my dream, everyone is a winner. Everyone!
So, I reach out a hand of brotherhood to my fellow contestants…Oseloka, Tony, Osita, Godwin and others whose names I cannot easily recall here. And I say to you;my brothers, we have all fought a good fight. But Anambra State is the WINNER! The interest of AnambraState is bigger than the private ambitions of anyone of us.. Therefore, I pray you to join hands with me and build a better place for Ndi Anambra! Our beloved state needs our talent and our time. The time to build a better place is NOW!
Indeed, this victory is a referendum on the solid resolve of Ndi Anambra to rise above average in all we do. We have demonstrated that we are indeed capable of taking charge of our lives and making difficult decisions that will brighten the future of our children. I have no doubt in my mind that we shall continue to lay the building blocks for a prosperous tomorrow for all.
Ndi Anambra, this mandate is dear to my heart. I see it as a historic call to inspire my people to greatness. I see it as a call to deny myself sleep that my people might sleep better. Umu nnem, I will not give myself rest until our beloved state has fully assumed the status of the model state of Nigeria. This is my promise to you all.
Fellow compatriots, this victory did not come by chance. It is the final product of the combined efforts of brilliant men and women who sacrificed their personal comfort to ensure that Anambra’s steady march to progress is not derailed.
My first and deepest gratitude goes to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President MuhammaduBuhari for proving to Ndi Anambra that under his watch, democracy will sink deeper roots in the Nigerian soil. Mr President promised us a free and fair election. Today, we can all see that he has kept his promise. Thank you so much Mr President!
I must also thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what has been widely adjudged a transparent election in Anambra State. With this election, INEC has shown that it has fully braced up for the 2019 elections. Thank you so much.
I will also not forget the vigilance of the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Army and other law enforcement agencies whose alertness ensured that the expressed will of the people was not thwarted. Indeed, you have done an incredible job!
To the indefatigable DG of my re-election campaign organization, Chief Victor Umeh, Ibobo Aguleri, Ohamadike! You and the entire Campaign Team have written your names in gold. My immense gratitude goes to every member of APGA, from the Ward Chairman to the members of the National Executive Council; you have made us proud! Chukwu gozie unu nine.
And to all the members of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, all the PGs and members of the various town unions across Anambra State, all the Bishops, Reverend Fathers and Pastors, the members of the organized Labour, the youths of Anambra State, the traders, the farmers, the ordinary men and women who look up to government for a better day, I assure you that my team and I shall never fail you.
Indeed, Ndi Anambra, on behalf of my capable Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, I thank you all for renewing this mandate and I urge you to prepare for the speedy transformation of Anambra State into a prosperous sub-national entity in the next four years.
Umu nnem, we have stepped into our finest hour. We have finally hit the proverbial bend in the river. Our journey into greatness is now assured. We are ready and willing to work with anyone who has something to share that will make Anambra State great.
We are open to new ideas, new visions of society and a New Hope![myad]
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has resisted calls to step down, ending a much-anticipated televised address to the nation without announcing his resignation.
Earlier on Sunday, the ruling ZANU-PF party had expelled Mugabe as its leader, and gave him a Monday noon deadline to step down as president, or face impeachment.
The ultimatum given to the 93-year-old leader, who has been in power for 37 years, came five days after the military seized power and placed Mugabe under house arrest.
In a rare sign of solidarity between the people and the army, which has often been a pillar of support for Mugabe’s rule, thousands took to the streets on Saturday to express support for the military’s action and call for the president’s removal.
But in his national address, following a meeting with military commanders, the veteran leader acknowledged criticism but made no reference to the calls for him to resign.
“Whatever the pros and cons of how they (the army) went about their operation, I, as commander-in-chief, do acknowledge their concerns,” said Mugabe, seated alongside the army commanders who were behind the military’s action in the early hours of Wednesday.
“We must learn to forgive and resolve contradictions real or perceived in a comradely Zimbabwean spirit,” he added.
Despite having been dismissed as ZANU-PF’s leader, Mugabe vowed to preside over a key party conference next month.
“The party congress is due in a few weeks and I will preside over its processes,” said Mugabe.
Earlier on Sunday, ZANU-PF had said Mugabe would face impeachment proceedings in parliament on Tuesday if he did not step down by noon on Monday.
Party members also expelled his wife, Grace, from its ranks and voted to name the sacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whom Mugabe fired on November 6, as new party leader.
Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, said “a lot of people are surprised” Mugabe had not stepped down “after all this pressure”.
“There is no celebration on the streets, just disbelief,” she said.
“Sources behind the scenes say that he is being stubborn and for now he isn’t going anywhere,” added Mutasa.
“It could be a plan he’s working on to exit gracefully, or it could also be that he doesn’t understand there is such a massive unhappiness,” she added, noting that all eyes would now be on the Monday midday deadline.
Georgina Godwin, a Zimbabwean journalist, pointed to the presence of army officials next to Mugabe to argue that his speech had been approved by the military.
“I’m sure the army must have agreed to this – all the generals were sitting there,” she said from Britain’s capital, London.
A Presidential aspirant, soon to emerge, Ibrahim Abubakar Lajada has promised to empower over 9.2 million youths across Nigeria if he is elected in the 2019 election. Ibrahim Lajada, who spoke to news men recently in Abuja, said that 250 youths from each of the nation’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), would be so empowered. He said that the youths would be made to undergo some vocational training after which they would be granted soft loans to carry on in various trades and crafts they are so trained for. Ibrahim Lajada said that his government would go into productive partnership with private sector to revive the numerous industries that have since dead, in addition to opening up new ones. The Presidential hopeful made it clear that in his attempt to address the high level of poverty in the country, his government will first attack the evil of illiteracy, by giving serious emphasis to education and public enlightenment. He said that with adequate and productive education, the youths, who finish their secondary and tertiary education would be able to be self-reliance, instead of waiting endlessly for white cola jobs. “Under my government, no youth should be found roaming the streets in search of job. They will be self-employed and proud to be Nigerians. “We will give the youths abundant opportunities to excel in whatever vocation they choose. We believe that once the youths are fully engaged in productive ventures, half of the country’s social, economic and security problems will have been resolved.” The aspirants emphasised that his government will wisely utilise the abundant natural gifts God had endowed Nigeria with, for the benefit of all the citizens. [myad]
Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) have emerged the 2017 Best Nigerian companies in Sustainability Innovation in Africa, beating two other finalists at the 11th edition of the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs) for Corporate Social Responsibility. Shell companies also defeated three other contestants to win the Best Company in Affordable and Clean Energy, and got the second runner-up prize for the Most Socially Responsible Nigerian Company for the year. An elated Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and country Chair, SCiN, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, said: “we’re delighted at the continued recognition of our modest support to Nigeria and Nigerians to make life better and to create opportunities to individuals and institutions, particularly in our host communities. “We are challenged by these laurels to do even more as CSR remains part of the DNA of the Shell business, and we are striving to improve our partnership with NGOs, government and communities to ensure our people participate more in the execution of programmes and own them for greater sustainability.” Leveraging its support for entrepreneurs for bright energy ideas through the globally acclaimed Shell LiveWIRE programme, SPDC showcased its numerous social intervention programmes, including the training and empowerment of hundreds of youths particularly in its host communities to clinch the prize as the best company in affordable and clean energy. The sustainability innovation award resulted from the renewable energy solution as an alternative for powering the Shell-supported Obio cottage hospital, Port Harcourt which led to significant cost savings in energy consumed and enabled the hospital to focus its resources on its core aspiration of providing quality healthcare for the people. Due to its success, the solution has been replicated in seven other Shell-supported health facilities in the Niger Delta. The SERA–CSR Awards is an annual event to celebrate organisations investing resources in the improvement of lives of stakeholders and contributing to the development of Africa through their social performance and investment programmes. A total of twenty-six awards were won by corporate organisations and individuals in recognition of their sustainable development and social investment efforts in Africa. Apart from their three winning entries, Shell companies also got nominated in four other categories: Best Company in Poverty Eradication; Best Company in Provision of Clean Water and Sanitation; Best Company in Partnership for Development; and Best Company in Support of SMEs. Shell Companies in Nigeria – SPDC, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) work with government, communities and civil society to implement programmes that have a lasting impact on lives in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as whole. Social investment activities focus on community and enterprise development, education, health, access-to-energy and since 2016, road safety. This, however, excludes community-driven development programmes and initiatives delivered through the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) which focuses on various themes as determined by benefiting communities. In 2016 alone, Shell Companies in Nigeria spent $29.8million on social investment projects and awarded 94 percent of their contracts valued at over $0.74billion to Nigeria companies while $1.4 billion was paid to the Nigerian government in royalties and corporate taxes, and another $106.8million contributions made to the NDDC as required by law. Since 2003, SPDC and SNEPCo have trained over 6,550 Niger Delta youths in enterprise development and have awarded scholarship grants to over 7,652 secondary school students and 4,435 university students in the last six years.[myad]
Aisha, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been invested as Global Grant Patron of Nigeria-Morocco Businesswomen Summit in recognition of her commitment to uplift the living standards of women and children. She was decorated during the maiden edition of the Nigeria-Morocco Businesswomen Summit in Marrakech, Morocco on November 15. Aisha was represented at the event by Mrs. Gimbiya Dogara, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Hassan Lahlou who chaired the award event, said that Aisha Buhari’s efforts at empowering women has been widely recognized and should be encouraged. He said that thousands of women have become self-reliant by learning vocational skills, courtesy of her Future Assured Programme. Hassan Lahlou said that the Summit itself is meant to establish Nigeria-Morocco Business Women Forum in order to strengthen business relationship between women of the two countries. He said that it also provides an opportunity to connect, share, collaborate and make plans on how to invest, grow, and develop women’s businesses both in small and large scale. An exhibition was held to display products from Nigeria and Morocco. In her acceptance speech, Aisha Buhari said that her passion for improving the lives of women and children is the reason she organizes medical outreach programmes, skill acquisition sessions, women empowerment programmes as well as advocacy for the rights of women and the girl child. She said that the initiatives are the contributions she is making to ensure that the future of women and children is assured, the acronym for her pet project; Future Assured. Aisha Buhari said that the Summit provides an opportunity for business women from the two countries to take advantage of opportunities and called on the women to support each other and contribute to the economic development of their countries. At the event were wives of governors, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Dr. Hajo Sani and Director-General, National Center for Women Development, Barrister Mary Etta.[myad]
A None Governmental Organisation, De club 10 Nigeria, has commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state for the courage in carrying out civil service reforms and audit of staff that uncovered thousands of ghost workers in the pay roll of the state government. De Club 10 Nigeria, in a communique at the end of its pre-Annual General Meeting in Abuja recently, said that the sordid discovery of thousands of ghost workers and absentee civil servants, who stay in major cities of Nigeria and draw their salaries from Kogi State treasury, is enough to justify the staff audit. The Communique, which was signed by the Club’s President, Alhaji Saidu Yusuf, called on the governor to be decisive in determining the work force that it can sustainably engage. “It has become imperative for the Governor to address the true status of our state, including the debt profile he inherited.” The Club lamented the tension created by the workers’ salary palaver that has dominated the print and social media in recent time, and acknowledged that it is legitimate for workers to demand for their wages as at when due but that dialogue and consultations between Government and Nigerian labour congress are inevitable in resolving the issues at stake. De Club 10 also wanted the state government, to as a matter of priority, conclude all unresolved issues relating to payment of salaries and pension so as to alleviate the pains suffered by affected workers. “We observe that despite the rancour in the polity, government has made visible strides in some areas that can not be ignored. “For the first time in the history of Kogi State, government has transparently embraced the principle of equity, fairness and justice in all government activities. Previous administrations openly displayed the propensity for ethnic marginalisation, not minding that the unity of Kogi State hangs on tripodal relationship between the Igalas, Ebiras and Okuns. “Government’s efforts to diversify in agriculture and solid minerals’ sectors, in addition to other measures, put in place to increase the internally generated revenue, is worthwhile.” The Club commended the ongoing infrastructural developments in areas like hospitals, roads, schools and security, even as it noticed that the political rift between the Governor and some individuals has portrayed the state in bad light. It said that peace and tranquillity are vital for cordial corporate existence, calling on the political leaders across the divide to eschew bitterness and collaborate with government to move the state forward “as we have no other state we can call our own. We advise more consultations with the people on Government policies to reduce rumour peddling.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has prayed to God to grant ex President Goodluck Jonathan good health, wisdom and strength to continue serving Nigeria. The President, in a message on the 60th birthday of his predecessor in office, described the history of the ascension of Jonathan to the Presidency of Nigeria as unique. Jonathan, Buhari said, is a leader, “who within a short period, rose from being a Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President to becoming Nigeria’s President for six years.” President Buhari said that Dr. Jonathan’s foray into politics and ascendency to the highest political office in Nigeria “from a humble riverine background testifies to the greatness and inclusiveness of Nigeria’s democracy, and serves as an invitation to all those with interest to add value to the nation.” He congratulated the former President on behalf of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and all Nigerians, for the birthday that comes up tomorrow, November 20. President Buhari called on members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), professional colleagues, associates and his family to. Join him in celebrating the life of Dr. Jonathan. [myad]
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[myad]
Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) have emerged the 2017 Best Nigerian companies in Sustainability Innovation in Africa, beating two other finalists at the 11th edition of the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs) for Corporate Social Responsibility.
