Pope Francis has called on the warrying parties in the Hamas-Israeli conflict to end the war, amid fears it could widen. He also called for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into to the Gaza Strip. “War is always a defeat, it is a destruction of human fraternity. Brothers, stop! Stop!” Pope Francis said yesterday, October 22, after his traditional Angelus prayer in Rome’s Saint Peter’s Square: “I renew my call for spaces to be opened, for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive and for hostages to be freed.” The 86-year-old pontiff said that he is worried over the consequences and aftereffect of the conflict. Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people. Israel’s retaliatory bombing campaign has killed more than 4,300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and reduced swathes of densely populated Gaza to smouldering ruins. Alarm has grown about a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has cut off water, food and power. A first trickle of aid entered the besieged Strip on Saturday, but UN officials said the 20 trucks permitted to cross were not enough given the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation for 2.4 million people. Two US hostages were released Friday but over 200 people abducted by the militants are still being held. Source: CNews.
The Nigerian Army have confirmed that those who attacked the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on his way to Abuja to attend an official assignment were in military uniforms and not the real military personnel. This is coming on the heels of the governor’s denial of any attack on him, against the backdrop of a statement credited to his Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, that the governor escaped assassination in the attack. The Director of Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Brighter General Tukur Gusau, who reacted to the incident stressed that the attackers were criminals who cladded in fake military uniforms. In an interview with PUNCH, Tukur Gusau said that Yahaya Bello’s attackers were criminals clad in fake military uniforms. “The attack is unfortunate and we are not happy with what happened. However, the Governor did not say it was the military that attacked him. “Military personnel will never attack the Governor. He said his attackers were in military uniforms. His attackers are criminals.” The military spokesman called on the police to investigate the matter to unravel the circumstances and ensure that the culprits were brought to book. “We urged the police to investigate the matter and unravel the circumstances and those involved in the attack.” The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, was quoted as having said that the attackers, who were clad in military uniforms, ambushed the Governor’s envoy and started shooting at his vehicle. He said that the attack was foiled by the quick intervention of security agents, and that security officers at the national level would investigate the incident.
It has been generally acknowledged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio-led Senate is undoubtedly applying the Wisdom of parliamentary imperatives to strengthen Nigerian institutions and also rejuvenate the economic policies of President Tinubus administration for Nigeria’s accelerated growth. This is evident in the conduct of activities of the leadership of the 10th Senate in recent times .
The leadership of the 10th Senate has not only recently galvanized some extraordinary parliamentary initiative’s through retreats but also invited the participation of experienced past Nigerian paliamentary leaders like former Senate Prsidents, Adolphus Wabara, Ken Namani, Olusola Saraki as well as the immediate past Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, currently serving as Chief of staff to President Tinubu, to the just concluded parliamentary retreat held at 4 POINT by Sheraton Hotel Rafia City Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State with a view to sharing the wealth of their legislative experience in Nation building.
This leadership approach by Senate President Akpabio, according to analysts connotes an exceptional wisdom, humility, visionary , intelligence, dynamism and capacity inclusive. This process is an extraordinary agenda towards achieving success through uncommon synergic team work.
During sessions of retreat, Senator Akpabio did not mince words in assuring Nigerians that the 10th Senate is unreservedly committed to effecting appropriate legislation process that will surely enhance the economic viability of the Nigerian Nation through robust legislation. importantly, Senators and other speakers in the retreat shared same vision with the Senate president Akpabio
Very important issues bordering on correcting past mistakes, setting new standards, new initiatives, new approach over government and governance, institutional and policy re-forms, to socio economic renaissance, as well as service delivery etc were at the center burner of deliberations and debates.
From all indications, Senate President Akpabio has not only demonstrated his capacity to accomplish the task but has unequivocally affirmed the notion that synergic corporation is the Hallmark to success.
Facts check; Senators at the parliamentary retreat expressed great satisfaction in the conduct of the retreat as it created uncommon perspectives towards widening the scope of legislative imperatives in the task of Nation building through oversights.
Truth be told, Senate President Akpabio is one Nigerian leader with immense leadership attributes. His success in whichever responsibilities is often accredited to his pro active spirit, team work, regards to people irrespective of age, gender or faith. That explains why he is always seen as the man of the people. In summary, the 10th Senate has recorded great commendable success in the just concluded parliamentary retreat.
The Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has landed in Luanda, Angola for the 147th IPU Assembly as the Leader of Nigeria’s delegation. Senator Akpabio who was accompanied by four Senators and five members of the House of Representatives was received on arrival at the Luanda International Airport today , October 22, by the Nigerian Ambassador to Angola, Professor Monique Oshame Ekpong and top officials of the Angolan government led by Joao Diogo Gaspar, Deputy Secretary UIP Angola. A statement by the Special Assistant (Media/Communication) to the Senate President, Anietie Ekong, quoted Mr Gaspar as saying that Angola was honoured by the presence of the Nigerian President of the Senate. Gaspar noted that Akpabio’s attendance at the IPU Assembly with the Nigerian delegation would foster good relations not only between Nigeria and Angola but among African countries to reach consensus on issues affecting the continent. Senator Akpabio said that he was delighted to attend the IPU Assembly hosted by Angola and commended the Angolan Government for a good bilateral relations with Nigeria. “It would have been a disservice to Africa if Nigeria did not have a strong delegation at the IPU. Our presence here is to ensure that our bilateral relationship is strengthened. With our presence we can forge a strong bilateral parliamentary relationship for the interest of our nations.” Senator Akpabio led Nigeria’s delegation to the first meeting of The African Group at the IPU Assembly.
The 147th IPU Assembly is holding in Luanda, Angola, from 21 to 27 October 2023, hosted by the National Assembly of Angola. The IPU Assembly will provide a platform for parliamentarians, partner organizations and experts to share good practice and commit to the overall theme of Parliamentary action for peace, justice and strong institutions. The theme is closely linked to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, a key enabler of the entire development agenda. The Assembly will consider actions to strengthen trust between people and governance structures, to make public institutions more effective, accountable and representative, and to better equip parliaments to address the multiple interconnected geopolitical, economic and environmental crises facing the world.
The Independent National Electrical Commission (INEC) has described as fake news, a statement signed by one I D. Ijele, Director of New Media of the Governorship campaign team for Murtala Ajaka’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State.
A statement from the INEC today, October 21 said that the SDP spokesman’s statement alleged that three staff of INEC are right now maliciously re-configuring the BVAS machines in the Government House, Lokoja, with the intention of manipulating the forthcoming Governorship election in a part of the State in favour of a candidate.
INEC stressed that such story is untrue, adding that the three persons mentioned are not associated with the configuration of the BVAS machines and not even in Kogi State at the moment.
“Mr. Nicholas Ocholi is on his duty post in our Ondo State office in Akure. Ibrahim Egbunu is attending to a very close family member hospitalised in Abuja and Mohammed Adara retired last year and is no longer a staff of the Commission.
“The configuration of BVAS is done simultaneously and exclusively in our offices in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States professionally and strictly handled by teams deployed from the national HQ, Abuja.”
INEC called on members of the public to disregard the story as fake news, and asked political parties to desist from engaging in malicious rumour mongering of this nature.
The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has asked Igala people in the Eastern part of the State to embrace Kogi agenda and reject those who are playing ethnic agenda. Speaking at the Kogi East Zonal campaign rally of the APC in Anyigba, Dekina local government area today, October 21, Ododo said: “I represent the Kogi Agenda and I am connected to all parts of the state by historical antecedents, work experience, knowledge, exposure and understanding of the workings of the state government. I am more Igala than those parading themselves as ethnic champions and I will prove it by January 27, 2024 when we assume office by the grace of God.” He emphasized the need for Kogi State to maximize the advantages of its new status as an oil producing state by utilising returns on oil derivation to catalyse socio-economic development through investment in critical infrastructure. The APC Governorship flagbearer who was received by a mammoth crowd of political leaders and members of the ruling APC from Kogi East, said that Kogi East is key to his economic development agenda with its solid mineral desposit, vast arable land and water resources which he noted will be harnessed for tourism and agriculture in line with his marine and blue economy masterplan. Ododo promised to embark on the expansion of on-going rural electrification and roads rehabilitation projects in East if elected in the November 11 election in the state. He assured the people of the East that his administration will build on the solid foundation laid by Governor Yahaya Bello by uniting the people of the state through the creation of more opportunities for every citizen of the state to grow in their chosen endeavours, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political affiliations. He appreciated the support he received from prominent sons and daughters of the Senators area, asking them to remain resolute on the Kogi Agenda and to reject politicians promoting ethnic agenda whom he said do not mean well for the unity, security, peace, progress and prosperity of Kogi state. The APC Governorship candidate promised to undertake human capital development initiatives through investment in vocational education, information and communication technology and agriculture to unlock the enormous potentials of young people in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has complained of being thrown into darkness by the court over the candidacy of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the Bayelsa State governorship election.
The Commission’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, answering questions when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme, said that the commission awaits the court’s decision on the matter.
According to him, since the court had disqualified the APC candidate, Timipre Sylvia and an appeal is ongoing, INEC cannot make any decisions until a final court order is given. When asked whether the APC has a governorship candidate in the state, Oyekanmi said: “This is the situation: when there are legal cases, you have to wait until the end of the legal issues. “Because things can happen within a few days or a few weeks. If you have something today and the person is appealing to a higher court, you have to wait until the higher court takes a decision. “What I am saying is that, when the final decision on that particular matter is taken, the commission will come out to say, ‘This is exactly what the situation is’. But please, let’s take it easy, and let’s wait till the commission takes that decision.” The INEC spokesman said that the commission respects court orders, adding: “When a court order comes and says we should drop a particular name and accept another, we do so. And then in the remarks column, we now say ‘by court order’.”
As a fallout from the third Belt And Road Initiative (BRI), holding in Beijing, China, Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and three Chinese partners today, October 19, signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) for new projects valued at $2 billion.
Also, $4 billion has been earmarked as the worth of letters of intent for new projects and investments.
This is just as the Federal Ministry of Works also signed an MoU with China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd for the construction of the Lekki Blue Seaport contract at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Belt And Road Initiative Forum in Beijing, China, witnessed the event, which also had the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Power, Works and other top government officials present.
The MOUs to partner NASENI for investments in Nigeria were listed in a release by NASENI to include: i. Shanghai Launch Automotive Technical Co Ltd – an MOU to establish a new energy automobile facility for the production of new energy electric vehicles.
China Great Wall Industry Corporation – an MOU for the turnkey delivery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) assembly line projects.
iii. Newway Power Technology Company Ltd – an MOU for the transfer of technology on lithium batteries, electric vehicles and allied technologies.
The ten Chinese firms who presented Letters of Intent to the Vice President to pull together 4 billion US Dollars in investments are TBEA (solar products); DongFeng Vehicles Co. (vehicle design and production) and HiLong Energy (CNG, LNG, methanol)
Others are Space Star Technology (Drone technology transfer); ENRIC (clean energy utilization technology); and Hidier Group (development of new industrial park), China State Construction Company (building technology and materials); CIMC (natural gas infrastructure delivery); Value Platform International Services Ltd (vocational training) and Acadia Technologies (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (smart grids and microgrids).
During the signing of the MoU on the construction of the Deep Blue Sea Port at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, said the massive project was yet another indication that Nigeria still remains an industrial haven for many investors.
The event was held at the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing.
Vice President Shettima commended all stakeholders and their Chinese counterparts, saying that Nigeria has never been this ripe and ready for businesses to thrive in.
He said that with the painstaking efforts by the Tinubu administration to ensure a level playing ground for all investors following the removal of all bottlenecks, the coast is now clear for deepened economic and trade collaborations.
Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, said that the crystallisation of the agreements was a fulfillment of NASENI’s commitments towards boosting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) drive of the Tinubu administration.
“This is a very important day for us at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure because it is a day to show the results of some of the work that we have been doing in the last six weeks since I assumed the leadership of NASENI.”
Vice President Shettima took time off to meet with several communications, tech, railway, power and construction giants.
They include the China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), China Railway Construction Corporation ( CRCC), China Communications Construction Co. Ltd (CCCC), HUAWEI Technologies, Senteng International Company Nigeria Limited, China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has assured that he will complete the ongoing rehabilitation of the Abuja National Mosque.
The Minister who, received in audience, a delegation of the Abuja National Mosque Management Board, led by its Chairman, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, said that the FCTA will continue to give support to the Abuja National Mosque to ensure the preservation of the national monument.
“There is no government that will hesitate to support the maintenance of a national monument, be it Islam, be it Christian. All of us, we are in authority; everyday, we say may God help us. “If we say may God help us, what of the centres of worship of that God you call to help you? If that centre of worship is not there, how then do you begin to say may God help us?
“So, you also have a role to make sure that that centre of worship is well maintained for the worship of God. So, let me declare to you here, whatever assistance you think the previous administration or authority has been helping, if we do not surpass it, we will continue to do that.”
Wike cautioned some politicians who use religion as a tool to settle political scores and cause disaffection amongst the populace, asking them to desist from such actions and instead preach the message of peace.
He cited the example of false narratives recently circulated, insinuating that the visit of the Israeli Ambassador to the FCTA was in some way connected to the on-going Middle East conflict, explaining that discussions held with the Ambassador during the visit centered on agriculture and not international politics.
He said that such visits were at the instance of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and that he does not determine the country’s international relations.
The Minister used the occasion to reiterate that cattle rearing is restricted to the rural parts of the FCT, saying that rearing of animals within the city center was an anomaly.
He said that meetings will be held with the herders to sensitise them and chart a better way forward.
Speaking on the three-month deadline given to land allottees in serviced areas in the FCT to develop their plots or risk losing them, the FCT Minister promised that concessions would be made for plots belonging to religious bodies to allow adequate time for development considering that thay had to source for the funds to complete their projects.
He reiterated FCTA’s stance against unorganized markets and motor parks in the city centre, saying that such would no longer be tolerated.
Earlier, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar had commended the FCT Minister for his foresight, passion and commitment to the job and prayed that Allah would guide and give him the wisdom and good health to continue to pilot the affairs of the FCT.
The Chairman informed the Minister that the Abuja National Mosque was designated as a national monument by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, following which funds were raised to renovate it.
He said that the FCDA subsequently assumed the responsibility for its maintenance for which the Board was immensely grateful.
The Etsu Nupe appealed to the Minister to complete the ongoing rehabilitation exercise.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Professor Ishaq Oloyeded and and other members of the National mosque Management Board and senior officials of the FCT Administration.
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has refused to grant the request of the Acting Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to reverse the Customs land within the capital city that was revoked by the minister. The Customs boss, who during a courtesy visit today, October 19, begged the minister to reverse the revocation of its plot in the serviced part of the FCT, got a blunt response from the Minister, who warned that such request will not be honoured. “If we say we will give you back the land that we have revoked, it would look as if we are not serious.Every agency of government will come. “Nigeria is such a country that the moment they hear that we have given it back to Customs, all the other agencies will also come back.”
He said however that he would grant the request of the Customs boss for a land to build a school for staff but that the allocation would be approved on the condition that the Agency commits to a timeline for its development as well as make payment for ground rent. “I will not allocate land that will be till thy kingdom come. You must convince me that really you are serious about building schools for your staff and their children within a number of years and if that is not done, FCT will take back the land. “Even though the condition for granting certificate of occupancy is that you must pay your ground rent, I want to go further and say that in granting you this, that you must pay your ground rent as at when due. “Even though it is stated in the C of O, this time around, we shall not give you notice to pay. “A tenant must know he is a debtor. You don’t need your landlord to come and tell you that you have not paid for land. You know you are a debtor.” The Minister stressed that he is out to discourage land speculation in the FCT, saying that he will not hesitate to revoke any allocation that is not developed within a specified period. “My policy now, before I approve land to any agency, that agency will commit that it will develop this land within so, so number of years. If you do not develop, the FCT should take back your land.” Rarlier, the Acting Comptroller General, Adewale had expressed confidence that the Minister will leave a record of performance in the FCT, with transparency and integrity. He assured the Minister that compliance with FCT laws and regulations is a very important mandate of the Service, adding that the FCT, as the location of its Headquarters and Command, is very critical and strategic to its operations.
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The 147th IPU Assembly is holding in Luanda, Angola, from 21 to 27 October 2023, hosted by the National Assembly of Angola. The IPU Assembly will provide a platform for parliamentarians, partner organizations and experts to share good practice and commit to the overall theme of Parliamentary action for peace, justice and strong institutions.
How Akpabio Is Applying Wisdom Of Parliament To Rejuvenate Economy, By Aminu Ebong