I Grew Up As Motor Park Tout, School Drop-Out – Benue Gov, Ortom

December 28, 2021

Governor Samuel Ortom has recounted his growing up as a motor park tout after dropping out of primary school.

The Governor, who had a Christmas get-together at the residence of his former boss, Mr Mnenge Mtenave, and commercial vehicle drivers at Ipav, Mbadim, Gboko Local Government Area of the state, said: “at a time, my boss made me a cashier and treasurer of all the money that we made weekly and gave me a blank cheque to spend at will.”

The governor said that he never took the opportunity for granted and that on every occasion, he went back to his boss for approval whenever the need arose.

Governor Ortom said that the decision to visit his former boss and celebrate Christmas with him was revealed to him during his morning devotion, adding that the visit was to appreciate Mtemave for laying the foundation for him to be what he is today.

The governor charged the people not to despise their little beginnings and encouraged them to remain committed in their service to God, saying that they should also seek formal education even at old age to brighten their fortunes.

Mtemave had invited Ortom to work as a motor boy and later taught him how to drive. They worked together at the Gboko Motor Park in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The governor presented a Hilux Van to Mtemave and pledged to support him in any trade of his choice, even as he gave his former colleagues and communities cows, pigs, bags of rice and cash.

Speaking for the Ugbada family and the governor’s former colleagues, Abugh Vaaswem and Aondopine Tim thanked the governor for his good gesture and prayed to God to prosper him.

Mtemave also expressed gratitude for the honour done to him by the governor.

About 435 Abandoned Buildings, 600 Undeveloped Plots In Trouble In Abuja

Editorial staff

December 28, 2021

Owners of about 435 uncompleted and abandoned structures and 600 undeveloped plot of land in Federal Capital City (FCC), Abuja are facing sanctions, including revocation any moment from now.

According to a statement today, December 28, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration Director of Land Administration, Alhaji Adamu Hussaini, the sanctions are being contemplated as ways of ensuring adequate protection of lives and property in and around the city.

“In order to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in and around the 250 square kilometers of the FCC, the administration may have concluded arrangements to sanction owners of 435 abandoned/uncompleted structures.”

The director advised the owners of such abandoned and uncompleted buildings within the City to swiftly work towards the completion of those buildings.

“The security breach is of great concern to the government and it will not fold its arms to watch danger in the waiting to explode. This development has been a cause of worry for the FCT Administration.

“These abandoned and uncompleted buildings have become shelter for unintended occupants as well as other persons with criminal disposition, who use these uncompleted structures as hideout to perpetuate their nefarious activities against the residents.”

He emphasized that owners of about 600 undeveloped plots should act fast to avoid drastic action being put in place by the authorities, adding that such undeveloped plots have remained an eyesore in Abuja, in spite of huge amount of money spent to provide basic infrastructures in the districts.

Hussaini recalled that the owners of undeveloped plots scattered around the Abuja metropolis have been warned severally in the past, yet some of them have remained recalcitrant.

He said that though there exists thousands of uncollected Certificates of Occupancy in the vaults, the Department has conveyed 495 Certificates of Occupancy to owners from January to December 2021.

The director implored other allottees to come over and pick their Certificates as such act would help lubricate economic activities of the territory.

On the issuance of Rights of Occupancy within the year under review, Hussaini explained that the department released a total of 1,319 titles to the beneficiaries, saying that there are quite a huge number of uncollected Rights of Occupancy in the vaults.

The director, therefore, advised those who have applied for land in the FCT to endevour to come forward and check the status of their applications.

Hussaini said that the department had witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of fresh applications for land in the territory during the year under review.

He noted that a total number of 8,010 applications for land have been received between January and December 2021, adding that the department undertook and released 546 Certified True Copy documents to various allottees in the year under review.

Source: NAN.

There’s No Big Deal For Presidential Aides Contracting COVID19 – Femi Adesina

Greenbarge Reporters

December 27, 2021

Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina has made it clear that there’s nothing abnormal for Presidential aides testing positive for COVID-19.

Femi Adesina, who spoke on Channels Television yesterday, December 26, said that such incidents only confirmed that the presidential aides are human and not immune to happenings around them.

“Well, what I like to say is that presidential aides are just human. They can fall sick. If anything happens to human beings it can also happen to presidential aides.

”The fact that we are presidential aides does not make us to be immune to certain things. If there is a virus that is ravaging society. Well, it can touch anybody.

”So Malam Garba Shehu has confirmed that, yes, he tested positive but he said it’s mild. And I believe that by now, because it happened since Wednesday, by now, he should almost have beaten it if he had not beaten it already. There is no cause for alarm.”

Commenting on his contact with Shehu recently, the media aide said: “Well, I also believe God for the best. If it happens, I’ll recover. So that’s it.”

Asked how many of the President’s aides in the State House have been infected, Adesina said: “no. That will not be within my purview to discuss. Maybe if you get the Presidential doctor or anybody in the medical side, they will tell you,

”I wouldn’t know because, it is a private thing. If it happens to anybody, it is between that person and possibly the doctor. It’s not going to be general knowledge.

”So I may not be able to say.”

Adesina also dismissed the fear being expressed in some quarters over the president’s health, because of his exposure to his aides, believed to have been infected with the virus.

“Well, I think Mr. President is quite fine. He is doing his normal routine, following his normal schedule. But if anybody close to him tests positive, that person is required to stay away till he tests again, and he test negative.

”So, Mr President is following his normal schedule and routine.”

Source: NAN..

Buhari Describes Bishop Tutu As Iconic Teacher, Rights Activist, Leader Of Thought

Editorial staff

December 26, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has described Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, who died today, December 26, at the age of 90, as iconic teacher, human rights activist, leader of thought, scholar and philanthropist.

In a message of condolence to his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, people of South Africa and the global Christian body, particularly Anglican Communion, Buhari said that Tutu’s death had created a void in a world in dire need of wisdom, integrity, courage and sound reasoning.

“These were qualities that the Nobel Peace Prize Winner, 1984, typified and exemplified in words and actions.”

The Nigerian leader acknowledged the historic role Archbishop Tutu played in the fight against apartheid, and the enduring physical assaults, jail terms and prolonged exile that took him beyond the pulpit to global, political relevance.

He said that the position of the departed human rights activist, under President Nelson Mandela, in heading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, provided healing and direction for his country and the world.

President Buhari sympathized with his wife, Leah Tutu, who he said is a lifelong partner in the struggle against injustice, corruption and inequality.

He also sympathized with the Tutu’s family, board and staff of Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Elders and Nobel Laureate Group.

Buhari wanted the bereaved to take solace that the voice of the scholar and teacher, his published works, and inspirational quotes that will continue to resonate through generations, bringing more light and clarity to religious diversity, democracy and good governance.

The President prayed for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Tutu, “whose life and times sent an unforgettable message on love and forgiveness.”

Hazard Allowance Of Nigeria’s Doctors, Nurses, Others Increased To Between N34,000 And N40,000

Greenbarge Reporters

December 26, 2021

Hazard allowance of the Nigeria’s medical doctors has been increased from N5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000 while that of the nurses and other health workers has been reviewed to between N15,000 and N34,000.
The new structure was contained in a circular with reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/11/406 dated December 22, 2021 and signed by the Executive Chairman of the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission.
The circular read in part: “Concerning the review of the hazard allowance applicable to health workers in the services of the federal hospitals, medical centres and clinics in ministries, departments and agencies, the hazard allowance was reviewed to a flat rate that ranges from N5,000 to between N15,000 and N34,000 for health workers on the CONHESS salary structure, while doctors on CONMESS had theirs reviewed from N5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has disagreed with the new rate.
The association’s position was contained in a statement jointly signed by the National President, Dr. Godiya Ishaya; Secretary General, Dr. Suleiman Ismail; and Social Secretary, Dr. Alfa Yusuf.
The statement titled, “Press statement on the review of hazard allowance,” they expressed the dissatisfaction of the association with the proposed payment rate.
The association called on the Federal Government to review the rate to prevent the need for further negotiations in the future.
Source: The Punch.

South African Noble Prized, Bishop Desmond Tutu Dies At 90

Greenbarge Reporters

December 26, 2021

South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of the leaders of the anti-apartheid movement, has died at the age of 90.
Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his campaign of non-violent opposition to South Africa’s white minority rule.
Desmond Tutu was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the late 1990s and has been hospitalised several times in recent years to treat infections associated with his cancer treatment.
“Ultimately, at the age of 90, he died peacefully at the Oasis Frail Care Centre in Cape Town this morning,” Dr Ramphela Mamphele, acting chairperson of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust and coordinator of the Office of the Archbishop, said in a statement on behalf of the Tutu family.
Ms Mamphele did not give details on the cause of death.
“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
The statement described Tutu as a man who “turned his own misfortune into a teaching opportunity to raise awareness and reduce the suffering of others.”
It said: “He wanted the world to know that he had prostate cancer, and that the sooner it is detected the better the chance of managing it.”
The statement added: “Courageous, gracious, and concerned for the welfare of others to the very end.
“As Mrs Tutu says, although he was not physically imposing, he had the inner strength of a lion.”
Source: Sky News.

Minister Lai Justifies His Campaign Against Fake News, As Heat Turns On Him

Greenbarge Reporters

December 26, 2021

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has justified his campaign to stamp out fake news in the country, against the background of a news that circulated yesterday, December 25 that he was tested positive for Covid-19.

In a statement today, December 26 by his spokesman, Segun Adeyemi, the Minister said that the report of his COVID19 positive was first published by an online newspaper and then

latched on to “by some mainstream lapdog media.”

The sensational report, Lai Mohammed said, “once again, highlights the uphill task we face in our campaign to stamp out fake news and

misinformation.

“A journalism mantra says ‘when in doubt, leave it out’. Also embedded in the code of ethics for journalists are the basic principles of

truthfulness and accuracy, among others. The report in question did not meet those standards.”

The Minister said that he was at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, an extraordinary FEC meeting on Thursday and also witnessed the swearing-in of the Minister of State for Works and Housing on

Friday.

“All these events took place at the Villa, where the correspondents of many media organizations are deployed. In fact, the Minister coordinated the post-FEC press briefing on Wednesday and Thursday. Could he have done this from the imaginary isolation centre where he was consigned by a mischievous reporter?”

Lai Mohammed stressed that as a member of the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19, he had the added responsibility of leading by example, hence would not have hesitated to publicly announce his Covid-19 status if, indeed, he has contracted the virus.

“After all, I was not only fully vaccinated, I have also taken the booster shot, a situation that offers me different layers of protection even if I contract the virus. For those who contract the virus, they deserve our empathy and

prayers, not stigmatization.

“The media does itself a great disservice by making ‘exclusive news’ out of beer parlor gist. Sooner or later, the truth will come out and a fake-news-peddling-organization will have its credibility dented for good.

“In the best tradition of journalism, we expect the online newspaper behind this fake news not only to retract the publication but also to apologize to the Minister for causing him such embarrassment, especially in a season of joy.”

Task Force On Illegal Arms Boss Hopes Insecurity In Nigeria Will Soon Be Over

Greenbarge Reporters

December 25, 2021

Director-General of the National Task Force on Prohibition of Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE), Dr. Baba Mohammed has

expressed strong hope that insecurity in Nigeria would soon be a thing of the past.

In a statement today, December 25, to felicitate with Christians in Nigeria and in ECOWAS Member States on the occasion of the Christmas celebration, Dr. Baba called on Nigerians to remain optimistic that Nigeria’s security challenges would not last long.

Describing Christmas as a season that symbolizes hope for humanity, he is hopeful that the NATFORCE bill before the National Assembly would soon be passed and upgraded to Commission status in line with the ECOWAS treaty where the decision was taken unanimously.

According to the Director-General, the bill has passed the first and second reading and is currently awaiting the final stage to give NATFORCE the required legal framework and backing to carry out its activities as required.

He said that as a legally recognized Organization, NATFORCE when fully established, will be known as National Commission (NATCOM) and is independent from any other Agency or Center.

“It is an Organization with unique community based structures and mandate as agreed by the leaders of the ECOWAS member States.”

He said that the National Assembly has made significant progress on the bill since the beginning of this year and has assured Nigerians of their commitment to expedite the process because the establishment of NATFORCE/NATCOM is critical to our national security.

Dr. Baba advised citizens to emulate God’s love to mankind and replicate same by helping to make Nigeria free of illegal arms, ammunition and light weapons “in the spirit of this season.”

He thanked the officers of the Task Force for their dedication and patriotism in helping to eliminate illegal arms, ammunition, and light weapons in West Africa, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to Nigeria’s Safety and security.

He said that despite obstacles, the President had remained unwavering in this cause and has made some appreciable successes.

He insisted that there has been remarkable and notable improvement in security agencies growth and development under the Buhari administration.

This Insecurity Is A Phase That’ll Pass Away, Like Others In Past – Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

December 25, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to stick to their indomitable spirit for which they are well known, in the face of the security and other challenges that have been confronting the country, and the world.

In his message to Nigerians today, December 24, as the world gets set to celebrate Christmas, the President philosophized that it is in the midst of hardship that the true test of a nation emerges.

“I urge Nigerians to invoke the indomitable spirit in us and see the present order of things as a phase that will also pass, just like other unsavory situations in the nation’s history.”

According to President Buhari, despite the remarkable successes generally recorded, Nigeria still has some challenges.

“Our courageous security forces, bolstered by the necessary support from this administration, daily confront the wicked ones amongst us, who continue to threaten the peace of the land.

“Recently, during the meeting with fellow Heads of State of the ECOWAS, I discussed the need to intensify efforts to jointly confront this menace causing instability in our sub-region.

“I am confident that with the renewed commitment and empowerment of our committed security personnel, all these issues which inflict pain and trauma on us will soon be history.

“Let us utilize the opportunity that this festive period brings to encourage ourselves so that the machinations of the wicked ones in our midst will find no place to thrive.

“Christmas is a season when hope is rekindled. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love are the recurring themes of this time.

“This government will not abandon the promises made to Nigerians for a better lease of life.”

Buhari said that the diversification of the economy embarked upon is yielding fruits, adding that his government would continue to create opportunities for the teeming youths to ventilate their tremendous energy.

“As we felicitate with family, friends, colleagues, associates, let us spare moments to reach out to the less privileged.

“Let us also pray and give words of encouragement to our gallant security personnel fulfilling their oaths to keep us safe.

“I assure my compatriots that this administration remains resolute at ensuring that the standard of living of the average Nigerian is elevated.”

The President regretted that for the second Christmas running, the world will not be able to celebrate as it used to be in years past.

He said that the COVID-19 pandemic, with its attendant debilitating impact, has remained with mankind, mutating and leaving in its wake devastating consequences on the economy, social interaction, and curtailing certain freedoms.

He said that the silver lining, however, is that humanity has been able to rise up with one voice and purpose, to confront the foisted conditions.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our dear citizens to embrace vaccination, which is the best scientifically known bulwark against the pandemic.

“Recent events have shown that vaccination greatly reduces the effects of the virus on the human body.

“I will also urge those that have taken the two doses to go ahead and take the booster as advised by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC).

“I commend the efforts of members of the PSC under the headship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as they continue to chart a roadmap out of the pandemic and associated issues.”

Agency Holds Agric Workshop On Climate Information Services To Farmers

Editorial staff

December 24, 2021

Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has held a day stakeholders workshop on climate information services to help farmers improve their output.

The workshop, which was held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was co-organised by Oxfam in partnership with the NIMET.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from NIMET, Kwara ministry of agriculture, ARMTI, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and farmers.

Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of HEDA), Arigbabu Suleiman, said that the importance of climate information services to farmers in the country could not be over-emphasized.

He said that climate change impacts on the food crises and poverty induced conflicts experienced in Nigeria.

He said that the annual Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) and other forecasts from NIMET to the agriculture sector are parts of critical efforts to building the resilience of smallholder farmers in the nation.

He said that it is important for stakeholders to improve the dissemination of data and forecasts from NIMET for the agriculture sector in the grassroots.

“This programme is important to food security, our agriculture is climate dependent that is why we do seasonal farming.

“Our aim is to mobilise stakeholders on how to properly optimise climate information being provided by NIMET to empower our farmers so that we can build resilience into our food system especially food production.”

Arigbabu said that government should help farmers to access climate information, adding that agricultural research institutions need information on climate change in order to help the farmers avoid food shortages.

He noted that agriculture remains the mainstay of the nation’s economy and employs about seventy percent of rural workforce who contribute a larger proportion of food consumed in Nigeria.

A representative of NIMET, Desmond Oyinlo, in his presentation, highlighted the importance of SCP to farming saying that it would help in agricultural planning towards food sustainability.

Oyinlo said the agency was ready to partner with NGOs, CSOs and agricultural groups on SCP towards ensuring food security.

Mohammed Hassan, a representative of the Kwara Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the state government was ready to bridge the communication gap among stakeholders.

Hassan said this would be done by updating its network base, engaging more agric extension workers and also building synergy with NIMET to ensure adequate information get to the farmers even in the remote rural areas.

Participants hailed the organisers for the workshop, saying that it has brought together stakeholders to rub minds, design a workable information system and in all help resolve key challenges confronting farmers in the area of climate information.

Source: NAN.

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