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.

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.

President Bola Tinubu has made some appointments, including that of a veteran journalist, Ali Muhammad Ali, who is appointed as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN).
The appointment was announced today, October 19, in a statement by the Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.
Others who have been appointed are Dili Ezughah as Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Offer of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC): Lanre Issa-Onilu as Director-General/CEO of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos as Director-General/CEO of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Others are Dr. Muhammed Bulama as Director-General/CEO of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): Charles Ebuebu as Director-General/CEO of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC): Jibrin Baba Ndace as Director-General/CEO of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Dr. Lekan Fadolapo as Director-General/CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
The President tasks the newly entrusted leadership in these sub-sectors to innovate and create new opportunities for Nigerians to leverage upon through the effective reform of these key institutions of government which function to unify the people, reshape mindsets, and showcase Nigeria to the rest of the world.
The statement said that all the appointments take immediate effect.