…Decries dumping of refuse in drainages

FEDERAL Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA at the weekend commenced intensive rehabilitation work on the ever- busy Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway which has in recent weeks witnessed traffic gridlock due to failures in some portions of the road.

The areas currently being worked on includes the portion between the popular Sharp Corner at Mararaba to the Chris Park Junction, the Building Materials area down to Check Point and other critical areas on the road.

The FERMA team led by the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer in charge of the FCT, Engr. Ambrose Omame worked throughout the nights over the weekend.

According to Omame, it would be thoughtless to carry out road rehabilitation works during the day, noting that such development will further compound the traffic gridlock in the area.

One of the major works done by FERMA was the removal of silt from the drainages which were totally blocked as a result of prolonged and excessive dumping of refuse by residents of the area into drainages.

The wastes evacuated from the drainage included plastic bottles and bags as well as other bio-degradable items used for domestic purposes.

Our correspondent reports that at a stretch of less than 50 meters on the road median along the Mararaba- Sharp Corner area alone, over four truckloads of household wastes were evacuated from the blocked drainage.

Omame who led a team of engineers and other staff of FERMA to repair failed portions of the road network said the decision to work at night was part of decision taken by the Managing Director of FERMA, Engr. Nurudeen Abdulraharaman Rafindadi who according to him is relentless in ensuring that roads across the federation are motorable at times.

The Federal Road Maintenance Engineer noted that FERMA would continue to fix failed portions on the Abuja-Keffi road until when the Federal Ministry of Works carry out the planned holistic expansion of the already congested dual carriageway.

While commending the Guards Brigade unit of the Nigerian Army for providing them with adequate security at night and the men of the Federal Road Safety Commission for controlling traffic flow, he noted that the rehabilitation and maintenance work will likely last for about one month due to some peculiar challenges on the road.

On his part, the Nyanya Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Arinze Agu, who also joined the FERMA team with his men to ensure free flow of traffic at night faulted the attitudes of motorists who drive on the road shoulders and overload their vehicles

It could be recalled that the FCT FERMA team had earlier worked on a very bad portion on the slope, just between Mogadishu Cantonment, otherwise known as Sani Abacha Barracks flyover and Kugbo community.

83 total views, 83 views today

The post FERMA commences rehabilitation works on Keffi – Abuja road appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Federal Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Prof. Tam David-West, on his 82nd birthday.

“President Buhari joins family members, friends and colleagues of the erudite scholar and social critic in celebrating all the years of sacrifice in serving the country he loves so much and worked hard to see grow, especially for the benefit of the poor and underprivileged.

The President believes David-West’s contribution to the economic and political architecture of Nigeria and his clear reasoning, wisdom and guidance through the transition phases to democracy will always be remembered and respected.

President Buhari commends the former minister, who also served as Federal Minister of Mines, Power and Steel, for always holding leaders to account, assuring him that his views on good governance remain invaluable,” a statement by Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, read in part.

The President prayed that the almighty God will grant Prof. David-West longer life and good health.

78 total views, 78 views today

The post Buhari felicitates with Tam David-West at 82 appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

SENATOR representing Rivers South East Senatorial zone, Magnus Ngei Abe, weekend in Port Harcourt, appealed to Rivers people to vote him come 2019 governorship election for the sake of justice equity and fair play.

Senator Abe revealed that, for the past 50 years of the existence of Rivers state, Ogoniland, one of the largest ethnic groups, was yet to produce a governor, arguing it was their turn to make the next one.

At the campaign ground, in Diobu area of Port Harcourt, where he addressed all waterfront residents, he noted that the leadership of the All Progressives’ Congress APC, and entire Rivers state, needed to come together, for dialogue and tell themselves the truth.

Testifying to know to governor Wike, the Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who are his friends and political contemporaries, the governorship aspirant, urged the waterside dwellers, to fight fearlessly, the impunity in his party, which vowed to stop his emergence.

The Senator said that the highest developmental projects of any leader, should be human capital oriented, and accused politicians, who dump the electorate, after using them to gain political positions.

Declaring that he too is a major stake holder and co-owner of Rivers state, he charged the people to arm themselves with their Permanent Voters Cards PVCs, and promised them empowerment, changed environment, and full representation in his government.

In his contribution, the former Attorney General AG and Hon Commissioner for Justice, Boms Wogu, stated that, he followed and supported Senator Abe, for he is the winning candidate

“If politics were a game of tribalism, I would have followed Wike, for he is my kinsman, but we follow Senator Magnus Abe, because he is the winning candidate.

“Make sure you deliver him, come 2019. If he does not emerge, APC will fail, and we’ll be in a big trouble,” he concluded.

Speaking on behalf of the waterside residents, one traditional ruler, the Eze Ukwu-nmini of Diobu, vouched that Senator Abe had already become their governor, effective from date, and vowed that nothing could stop him.

The Eze assured that Senator Abe will carry them along in aspect of employment, and maintained that the aspirant had merely come, not for campaign, but to thank and interact with them.

98 total views, 98 views today

The post Abe on why he should be next governor in Rivers appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the Nigeria Police to come out clear on the ‘fact-finding’ invitation extended to former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, to appear on Tuesday for alleged conspiracy, criminal defamation and inciting publication.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said yesterday that while the party is not against any lawful step by the police in carrying out its duties, the police must ensure that it is not being used by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in its desperate quest to muzzle free speech and subjugate Nigerians, particularly the opposition, ahead of the 2019 general election.

“This is particularly as the letter inviting Chief Kayode did not state in specific terms, the alleged issues or conduct bordering on ‘conspiracy, criminal defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehood and conduct likely to cause breach of peace’, for which he has been invited.

“We hope that the invitation is not a set up and part of the design to emasculate citizens, which is now being unleashed on media houses, journalists and other citizens for alleged comments and publications considered to be against the interest of the ruling party.

“This is because reports, already available in credible media, have it that Chief Kayode’s invitation ‘may not be unconnected’ with an interview he granted the Africa Independent Television (AIT) where he reportedly controverted claims by the Presidency and the APC that it was Senate President Bukola Saraki that masterminded the widely condemned invasion of the National Assembly.”

PDP emphasized that the recent detention of the Premium Times reporter, the arraignment of Senator Isah Misau for allegedly making injurious statement against the IG of Police, the invitation of Mr. Kassim Afegbua, the spokesman of former military President Ibrahim Babangida for issuing a statement considered critical to this administration and the recent demolition of the studio of Flash FM in Ibadan, Oyo State capital for allegedly airing materials considered against the interest of the APC in the state, readily come to mind.

“We therefore urge the Police to come out clear on why it has invited Chief Kayode and resist attempts by the APC to entangle it with controversial political issues.”

61 total views, 61 views today

The post Come clear on Fani Kayode’s invitation, PDP tells IGP appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Michael Ade-OjoNigerian’s Dollar multi-millionaire, he is the founder and CEO of the Elizade Group of companies. He’s also on the board of directors of several Nigeria banks and other companies such as Ecobank, First City Monument Bank, and SMT Nigeria Limited (the official distributors of Mack trucks, Volvo trucks, & Volvo Construction Equipments). He is also the founder of Elizade University.

Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, from Ondo state, was born on June 14, 1938 at Ilara-Mokin, a town in Ondo state into the family of the late chief Solomon Ojo and Mrs. Beatrice Ademolawe Ojo. Michael was born in Nigeria on June 14, 1938 to two modest parents. At a very young age, he became a street vendor, and started selling charcoal, food and firewood to help make ends meet.

He attended St. Michael’s Anglican School, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State. He obtained his West Africa School Certificate at Imade College, Owo, (1954-1958). He proceeded to the great University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1961, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Business Administration in 1965.

After he graduated, he joined the work force at CFAO motors; a French distribution company. This same company paid the tuition for his last two years in the university. In 1966, while still working as a salesman for CFAO motors, he successfully sold 20 trucks to the defunct Electricity Corporation of Nigeria, but to his dismay, his manager took credit for the sale, which led to a protest by Michael, followed with him losing his job by the end of the year.

He took to take a daring step to approach the RT Brisco Group; an importer and distributor of trucking and automobile equipments. He made them an offer to sell their equipments for a commission on every successful sale. After careful consideration, the RT Brisco Group decided to give him a trial. Ade Ojo was determined and in just four months after he sealed the deal with Brisco, he sold about 40 cars. The commissions earned from the total sales, were overwhelmingly higher than his yearly salary at BP. This motivated him to quit his job, and pursue his dreams.

In 1971, he started the company, Elizade Independent Agencies (EIA), with his wife, Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo. The name Elizade, was derived from both his late wife’s name, Elizabeth, and his name, Ade. His company focused on the distribution of automobiles in Nigeria, especially Japanese cars. He later acquired the license to import Toyota Cars, with the name, Toyota Nigeria Limited, and single handedly, made the car brand, the most sought-after automobile brand in Nigeria. He later went on to acquire 100% of RT Briscoe in Nigeria, and subsequently acquired more shares, to make his total holdings in Toyota Nigeria Limited, sum up to 74%.

Ade Ojo conglomerates consists of Toyota Nigeria Limited, RT Briscoe Nigeria, Elizade Auto Land, Classic Motors Limited, Crow Motors Nigeria Limited, Elizade University, Okin Travels Limited, and a host of other investments. Like every successful investor, Ade Ojo had his challenges which made him determined to work extra hard in order to change is his family dynamics.

25 total views, 25 views today

The post Chief Ade Ojo appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Immediate past two time Governor of Abia state, Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji now a Senator representing Abia central Senatorial District in the National Assembly handed over power to the incumbent Governor, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu on 29th,May,2015 to further pursue his political aspiration in the red chambers of the Senate.

But then having taken a critical look at the 2015 elections and the attendant complaints that trailed the said poll resulting to PDP, the ruling party in the state losing about 11 out of 24 seats in the State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, he discovered to his chagrin that majority of the stakeholders he empowered did not allow the empowerment reach the ordinary people in the street, the masses.

To rectify this anomaly, on settling down in the Senate, he decided to embarked on a program tagged “Direct touch Initiative” where he supervises and ensures that dividends of democracy gets to the real people they are meant for and not diverted as was the case in the past.

Political observers in the Abia central Senatorial District in particular and Abia state at large are of the opinion this approach is yielding the desire result and therefore a desideratum for any elected political officer that wants to get it right and be in touch with the people he is holding the mandate on their behalf.

On this score, Senator Orji has been commended by his constituents on this “Direct Touch Initiative” which has seen massive renovation of schools in Abia central; sinking of boreholes; donation of transformers to schools and communities; skill acquisition for the youths in the zone; scholarship scheme where over180 brilliant and undergraduates students from Abia central Senatorial District in tertiary institutions in the country have so far benefited, cars, tricycles (Keke NAPEP) in addition to other empowerment largesse.

The direct touch approach has not only endeared the Peoples Senator, as Orji is often called, and even to observers outside his constituents to the effect that the critical media is not left out having bagged “Verbatim Beacon of Hope, Democracy Award for 2017, Authority man of the year award for democracy, 2017.etc

Similarly, the first son of the former governor, Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, a hardworking young man and a role model for the youths in Abia who showered them with empowerment when his father held forte as the number citizen of Abia state, has also followed the good steps of his dutiful father.

Elected into Abia state House of Assembly in 2015 under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party to represent the people of Umuahia central state constituency where he was eventually made the majority leader of the 6th house of Assembly also adopted “Direct Touch Initiative” introduced by his father which has attracted him to constituents who not only applaud his giant strides in renovation of schools, building entire new ones, donation of transformers, sinking of boreholes with over head tanks among others and also endorsed him for second tenure.

In his electioneering campaign in 2015, Engr Chinedum Orji had promised to give primary and Secondary schools in Umuahia Central state constituency a facelift in voted to power.

True to his promise, he had delivered the dividends of democracy to his constituents but the remarkable thing is that, like his Senator father, he personally supervises these projects executed by him to ensure compliance.

Three years into his representation, the people of his constituency have good stories to tell of his quality representation.

Speaking to Nigerian Pilot in Umuahia, the National coordinator of Ikwuano Umuahia PDP youth forum, Hon Emmanuel Dikeogu Nwoko lauded the giant strides made by Abia Majority leader in area of Education, renovation of schools, provision of toilet facilities, sinking of boreholes, and transformers to communities without electricity.

He told our Correspondent that in 2014/2015, he was in the campaign train of the majority leader where he promised to, among other things, to renovate some dilapidated schools in the constituency and expressed optimism that he has indeed delivered.

He further explained that Hon Orji did not only renovated schools but also donated transformer and installed it at Urban Ward111 by Palm lane Extension Umuahia and Amuzukwu Community.

Dikeogu Nwoko also lauded Hon Orji for grading of Road 5 at Low Cost Housing Estate which was not accessible by the residents in the past but they are now happy for this intervention leading to endorsing him for second tenure.

He maintained that if a House of Assembly member has not done well in his first tenure there will not be need for supporting him to go again but because Ikuku oma Abia, as majority leader is called, has done exceeding well and that is why the clamour for his second tenure by his constituents.

However, our Correspondent decided to go on the assessment of some of the schools projects as claimed, interviews from the scores of teachers, principals and headmistresses. Our findings indicated that Abia Majority leader has actually delivered to his people as commendation galore dominates their reactions.

In an interview with the Administrative Head Mistress, Mrs. Mary Oluchi of the World Bank Model Primary School 1, Umuahia listed some of the projects embarked upon by the Majority Leader in the school include: the provision of reading chairs for the pupils and chairs and tables for the teachers, drilling of a borehole that is already functional.

She disclosed that Hon Chinedu Orji during his recent visit to the school promised to build and equip modern library for the School.

“What he is doing are part of our challenges. He has put smiles on the faces of the pupils, we cannot fail to thank him for his gesture especially in the development of education.

In her own contribution, Mrs. Salome Ebere Otagburuagu, who is the Headmistress of World Bank Primary School 2, also thanked the lawmaker for providing conducive learning environment.

“If you can see before he came here, the entire environment was bushy with grasses but now he has sent people who came and cleared it, even our school football pitch and playing ground has also been cleared. I can say that he has fulfilled some of his promises he made to the school”

At urban Mission Nursery and Primary School, Umuahia, Abia Majority leader also changed the new face of the school as gathered from the cchool headmistress, Mrs. Nwakuba Chidinma, who told our Correspondent that the infrastructural decay in the school before the intervention of Engr Chinedu Orji had forced parents to withdraw their wards from the School.

In her words “In the past the school was like a hell. The roofing of the school building and doors were removed by miscreants who turned it into their hideout for smoking of Indian hemp. With the intervention from Hon Orji three classroom blocks are currently been renovated.

“Before this time, we had gone to the host community for their assistance which we could not get. Our most worry now is on how to fence the school to prevent these hoodlums from coming into the school to damage what Engr. Orji has done within the School.”

For the Headmistresses of Ugwunchara Primary Schools 1 and 2, Deaconess Peace Nwankwo and Mrs Ngozi Ogbokiri, respectively, said when they assumed duties in the school they met a decayed classroom blocks which were in a state of total decay.

In the words of Mrs. Nnwankwo “Hon Chinedu Orji has renovated two classroom blocks and promised to provide reading desks for the pupils. These were his campaign promises and he has fulfilled them. He is ‘Ekwueme’ meaning that he keeps to his promises.

For Mrs. Ngozi Ogbukiri, ‘In the past no elected political office holder had remembered this school, Hon Engr Chinedu Orji may God bless you. We will vote you again for in 2019.”

At the Amuzukwu Girls Secondary School 11, the principal, Lady Ngozi Alighili described Hon Orji as man who matches words with actions.

Though newly posted to the School, Lady Alighili said the house member has started the renovation of a one storey building in the school, drilled a borehole, and constructed separate conveniences (toilet facility) for teachers and the students.

“This is for the comfort of the teachers and students. I thank Hon Chinedu Orji for his quality representation and wished him well in his second term bid.

“Second tenure should be for those who have performed well.”

In Urban 11 primary School, Umuahia, the story is not different. The school buildings were in all in state of disrepair. The Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Priscilla Egu said, “I have stayed in this school for two years, the buildings in the school was nothing to talk about as they were in deplorable condition not favourable for learning because of leaking roofs and broken doors and windows.

“Succor came when Hon Orji started renovating the affected classroom blocks. He has also planned to build toilet facilities and to drill a borehole for the school.

“On behalf of the school, I thank Hon. Orji for this gesture, at the end of this ongoing renovation, the teachers and pupils will be happy to study in a conducive environment. After the renovation of these school blocks, it will increase the enrolment of more pupils into the School next session.”

71 total views, 71 views today

The post Dissecting Orji’s “Direct touch Initiative” in Abia appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, SAAB Foundation has charged National Assembly and state houses of Assemblies in the country to enact law that will hand out the maximum sentence to anyone convicted of gender based violence in the country.

The call was made by the founder of SAAB Foundation, Saadat Bibire, at the 2nd Edition of the SAAB Foundation’s campaign walk against rape and gender based violence held in Ilorin.

Saadat who said the campaign was motivated through the need to create a wider and feasible acts in the public to kick against the menace of rape and gender based intimidation, says until the laws against rapist is strict the menace will continue in our society.

BIBIRE said the girl-child should have equal access to qualitative education and life changing economic opportunities in a healthy and safe environment within an equitable just society.

She added that governments and other non-governmental organisations can also develop strategic partnership with the stakeholders which will in turn reduce the high rate of unemployment of women in our society.

66 total views, 66 views today

The post NGO advocates maximum fine on female assaults appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Reinforcing the Buhari persona towards the 2019 elections

In 2015 Presidential election, Buhari’s handlers relied on optics, and perception management to build the Buhari brand. Sachet Milo, boarding commercial flights, inherited mud house in Daura, a lone three bedroom in Kaduna. The only former head of state not to have any meaningful property in Abuja etcetera, etcetera were the dominant narratives.

Towards the 2019 presidential election, Buhari’s handlers seem to be relying on the same strategy going by events of last week which was dominated by the 800 meters trek of the President in Daura and pictures of him seated on what was described as a decaying sofa in his country home.

In the build up to the 2015 presidential election, Buhari talked little on issues or not at all. His appearances were stage managed and choreographed to create the desired image: an austere disciplinarian, a man of little means irrespective of having occupied the highest office in the land. an anti-corruption czar, a no nonsense General transiting to a democrat.

The stoic image of General Buhari soon to become President Buhari was in sharp contrast to that of the leaders of the time. They were the corrupt and gluttonous, epicureans drenched in choice wines living in opulent palaces while the masses suffer deprivation. Buhari was the chastising whip needed to flog everybody into line and chase the corrupt elements out of government and enthrone a new era of a corruption- free society, where things would be so cheap because the new leader would stabilise oil prices and make the Naira equal to a Dollar.

Buhari never really spoke of a manifesto or his plans; his image as choreographed by his handlers was enough to create the Buhari brand, a brand achieved largely by positive associations and imagery. It has been scientifically proven that people remember images better than verbal or written communication. Images are concrete while raw information is often abstract.

The outstanding success of the APC in wrestling power from the ruling PDP in 2015 is attributable to its foreign consultant who crafted the campaign strategy to focus more on the creation of a new image for Buhari rather than on issues.

It was about the packaging, David Axelrod of AKPD Message and Media did an excellent job for the APC. Give it to him. The bow tie- the suit- the mahogany desk- the little boy giving a high five to the General, the customised attires meant for different locations, the whole mix resonated with a lot of people. It was a complete make-over with emphasis on imagery

The Buhari who was a pariah, Sharia proponent, religious zealot and perpetually ‘unelectable’ after three previous attempts became a major force in the election.

Three years down the line and as the 2019 elections approach, there seems to be clear attempts by handlers of the Buhari campaign team to rely on what seems to them a tried and tested winning strategy that relies on optics and perception management to reinforce the badly damaged Buhari brand.

In Daura, last week the President reportedly trekked 800 meters from the Eid praying ground in Daura to his private residence. It was reported that after the Eid prayers, President Buhari shunned protocol and opted to trek some 800 metres, acknowledging cheers from his kinsmen who lined up on his home route to catch a glimpse of him.

To supporters of the President, this news was an opportunity to celebrate the fitness of their folk hero considering that he just came back from the United Kingdom few days earlier on 15 days medical vacation.

Earlier, a presidential aspirant and incumbent governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, had lampooned the 75 years old Buhari for being“too old’’ and frail to rule the country beyond 2019.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is just too old to be Nigeria’s leader, despite his integrity and impeccable character,” Tambuwal reportedly said.

However, the 800 meters walk by the President, made him an instant celebrity and was expected to dispel all concerns about his health and fitness. Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said the trekking by the President was a positive response to Tambuwal’s diatribe.

“I think there are two things here; one is to say that the President is responsive to the enormous support and commitment of his own people who had come out in their numbers to see him and he just decided that he couldn’t go on riding in a black vehicle and he came out and walked to the distance.

“The second thing, he is curious that these days, one or two people who are aspiring to be President are campaigning on their youthfulness and good health.

“I think the President has done one thing today – that the issue is not how old one is but how fit he is; how healthy he is. Now that the President has proven his fitness and well-being, to continue in office is a settled matter.

“I think that if people want to campaign against him, they should do so on issues that are of significance to Nigerians. The President is fit, he is healthy; he is good to go for the second term,’’ the presidential spokesman said.

Evidently, the presidency itself made the 800 meters trek an issue and sought to reap political dividend from it.

Shortly after this event, pictures of the President’s Daura country home began to surface in the media. The President met with different groups of people who had come to pay him the traditional Salah homage and to confer with him on sundry issues. Rather than pay attention to what matters, the focus was on the furniture in the President’s apartment.

Pictures of plastic chairs, cheap wooden doors and a weather beaten and decaying sofa that had the President seated were circulated in the social media. Those who circulated these pictures had one aim in mind: to show that the President is not living in worldly opulence, that he is poor and deserves to be commended for the great personal sacrifice and discomfort he is enduring on behalf of the nation. Some even went to the ridiculous extent of juxtaposing these pictures with those of the home of a prominent Senator all in efforts to create the imagery of the opulence of an “ordinary Senator” while the President of the nation lives as it were, in penury.

It was all about the optics, perception management, positive association and reinforcement.

While this strategy worked in 2015, it is strongly in doubt if it would work in 2019. After three years in office, brand Buhari has been badly battered and bruised, the public is no longer docile and unsuspecting and prepared to ask tough questions including how he has managed the trust reposed in him in the course of his first term. Moreover, how does trekking for 800 meters equate to good physical and mental health? If anything, it actually draws attention to the President’s health and age since we are now forced to pay attention to any physical exertion by the President who by virtue of his position is expected to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year in year out.

If truly the handlers of the President want to prove that he is physically and mentally fit to undertake the task of leadership for another 4 years after his first tenure, the best and most convincing thing to do is make public his medical history and give a full disclosure of the real reason behind his frequent medical trips to London. The 800 meters walk is only an issue because the health status of Mr. President is an issue.

Similarly, simulating images in an attempt to sell Buhari as a poor, honest and modest man would hardly sway public sentiment this time around. That a man chooses not to refurbish the decaying furniture in his house does not equate to being poor. In the last three years, information in the public domain has aptly demonstrated that the Buhari who had to borrow money from his bank manager to procure his presidential nomination form in 2015 is by no means a poor man. He had all his children educated in UK universities and owns a sprawling property in a high brow area of Abuja. Be that as it may, portraying the President as poor is actually a disservice to his person. Poverty or the inability to create wealth and enrich lives is not a yardstick to aspiring to the highest office in the land.

But beyond all these pedestrian preoccupation and simplification of complex political issues, Nigerians should be prepared to engage their leaders and those who seek public office on real issues as they affect the country and the well being of its citizens.

If Buhari is seeking re-election his handlers should focus on his achievements in his first term and use that as a means of convincing the electorate to giving him a second shot at the presidency. The resort to optics and perception management may well be an affirmation that Buhari has nothing concrete to show as achievement in his first term.

QUOTE:

That a man chooses not to refurbish the decaying furniture in his house does not equate to being poor. In the last three years, information in the public domain has aptly demonstrated that the Buhari who had to borrow money from his bank manager to procure his presidential nomination form in 2015 is by no means a poor man.

50 total views, 50 views today

The post From 800 meters trek to decaying sofa: appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for the 2015 Niger State governorship election, Alhaji Umar Nasko who is again aspiring for the PDP ticket has scored the incumbent low, by declaring that he can do a better job if given the opportunity.

Nasko stated this while speaking to newsmen shortly after submitting his letter of intent to the state PDP Chairman, Barrister Tanko Beji at the party secretariat in Minna.

The PDP governorship hopeful who vowed to run a clean campaign, noted that while the act of governance is not an easy task, pointed out that, it is often easy for people seating on the fence to criticise those in authority even when the challenges are daunting.

“I have travelled this way before as a member of the executive, I know for a fact that my religion enjoins me to respect constituted authority and pray for them, but I also know that from what we have on ground I can definitely do a better job if given the opportunity.”

Alhaji Nasko who served as a Commissioner of Tourism, Environment and later the Chief of Staff to former Governor Muaizu Babangida said he was re contesting the Governorship position to unify the state and run an all-inclusive government for the benefit of all citizens of the state.

He reiterated his determination to ensure that if given the opportunity, every segment of the state will feel the impact of his administration but however pledged to do only a single term in the spirit of the rotation policy in the state in order to promote equity, Justice and fairness.

The former Chief of staff who described himself as a bridge between the youths and the older generation stressed that “if voted into power I will take advantage of the wisdom and experience of the older generation to work with the youths to reposition the state since I relate to both groups very well”.

On his likely choice of running mate, the PDP governorship aspirant disclosed that if he clinches the party’s ticket like 2015, he intends to pick his running mate from Niger South senatorial district, but that this time, he will be strictly guided by tribal and religious consideration for better showing at the polls.

Speaking on the disadvantage position of his party as an opposition party ahead of the 2019 polls in the State, Umar Nasko said the incumbent Governor was in similar position during the last polls, but went ahead to win the election.

“Power belongs to God and he gives it to whomever he desires so I have full confidence in our party to win”.

76 total views, 76 views today

The post Niger: PDP Aspirant promises better leadership appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration has learnt useful lessons on the dynamism of Nigerian society, saying ‘We needed to deploy our resources to address our common needs rather than the greed of a callous few.

The President said this yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference.

He also said that ‘given the enormity of the challenges his government inherited and the yearnings of a citizenry earnestly desirous of a new way of running national affairs, his first challenge was to transform Nigeria speedily into a society where impunity in the management of national resources would be replaced with a culture of accountability and transparency.

“The theme of this 2018 NBA Conference — “Transition, Transformation and Sustainable Institutions” — is one which is apt in the light of our contemporary domestic and global challenges.

“I also consider it significant in view of the fact that it demonstrates the willingness of the NBA to address issues, not only related to the immediate practice of law but more importantly, to solutions of wider society’s problems. Since the inauguration of this administration, I have had the privilege of observing at firsthand how societies experience transition, attempt transformation and build or strengthen institutions to manage these processes.

“As you will recall, this administration’s emergence marked the first successful civilian transition in Nigeria’s democratic history, following the outcome of the 2015 General Elections. Given the enormity of the challenges we inherited and the yearnings of a citizenry earnestly desirous of a new way of running national affairs, our first challenge was to transform our country speedily into a society where impunity in the management of national resources would be replaced with a culture of accountability and transparency.

“We needed to deploy our resources to address our common needs rather than the greed of a callous few. In order to achieve this, we have had to disrupt age-old assumptions and unsettle ancient norms in the management of our national patrimony, as you have all witnessed in the last three years.

“While we have made appreciable progress in several sectors, including public awareness of the need to challenge the corrupt and the brazen in our midst, we have also learnt useful lessons on the dynamism of our society.

“I also urge you to work to uphold and improve the sanctity and integrity of our judicial and electoral institutions which play a fundamental role in the sustenance and growth of our democracy.

“However, let me remind you all, my dear compatriots, that the law can only be optimally practiced in a Nigeria that is safe, secure and prosperous. As you go into this Annual Conference, let me assure you of the resolve of this administration to promote measures that will achieve a vibrant economy under which the practice of law will thrive.

“It is equally significant to emphasize that our willingness to hold persons accountable for offences against society, through the judicial process, will equally transform the future of public service in Nigeria in a positive manner. I believe that lawyers can contribute to another core objective of enhancing our business environment and promoting social justice by promoting respect for the Rule of Law; contributing to the law reform process and putting national interest and professional ethics above self in the conduct of their business Rule of Law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest.

“Our apex court has had cause to adopt a position on this issue in this regard and it is now a matter of judicial recognition that; where national security and public interest are threatened or there is a likelihood of their being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take second place, in favour of the greater good of society.

“I trust that this Conference will achieve tremendous success and I urge you all to participate actively in its various intellectual and social activities in order to build new bonds and strengthen old relationships.

“I congratulate the incoming National Executive of the NBA led by Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, and wish them a successful tenure in the task of advancing legal practice in Nigeria. In conclusion, may I wish you all, once more, a very fruitful Conference.

“It is my hope that the outcome of your deliberations will impact positively on the socio-economic fortunes of our country and Africa in the years ahead and improve access of the poor and under-privileged in our society to justice. I look forward to reading the conclusions of your conference.” He said

70 total views, 70 views today

The post Greedy, corrupt politicians criticizing my govt – Buhari appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

FORMER aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and renowned critic of President Muhammadu Buhari, Reno Omokri has reacted to a report yesterday, alleging that President Donald Trump described Nigeria’s president as lifeless.
According to Omokri who reacted yesterday via his tweeter handle, Buharis decision to appoint dead people into sensitive positions in his cabinet had vindicated Trumps statement.

“So President Donald Trump called Nigeria’s President Buhari a “lifeless person and said I dont want to meet him again! And this is the same lifeless person the APC is promoting for a second term? No wonder our economy has become so lifeless that 10 million Nigerians lost their jobs! No wonder our economic went into recession. No wonder they said it is better to give land for cattle ranching than to die!
“Before you attack Trump, remember that Buhari appointed dead people into boards and other sensitive positions. Does that not vindicate Donald Trump’s position about him being lifeless?

“Even after walking 800 meters, Trump still called Buhari a lifeless person! If the leader of the Free World can’t stand Buhari and believes that he is absolutely lifeless, can Nigeria expect any cooperation and coordination from the Western world with Buhari in charge?
“The question Nigerians should be asking themselves Is this: Is Buhari the type of character we want as our leader, as our face to the world? We need a leader who is assertive, who can look Trump in the eye and say NO! Buhari is not that leader,” he tweeted.

According to the report in an article titled, ‘Africa looks for something new out of Trump’, president Trump had allegedly described his meeting with president Buhari as lifeless and that he does not intend to meet him again. Trump hosted Nigerias president in Washington, as the two leaders discussed issues including tackling terrorism and other threats to peace and security.

“The first meeting with Nigerias ailing 75-year-old Muhammadu Buhari in April, ended with the US President telling aides he never wanted to meet someone so lifeless again, according to three people familiar with the matter,” part of the report read.

114 total views, 114 views today

The post Buhari’s appointment of dead people vindicates Trump’s statement – Omokri appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

NASARAWA State House of Assembly is to screen nominees submitted to it by the state Governor, Umaru Al-Makura, for possible confirmation as Overseers of the 18 Development Areas of the state.

Speaker of the Assembly, RT. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, announced this in Lafia after the majority leader of the house, Tanko Tunga (APC-Awe North) read the governor’s letter at the floor of the house.

Balarabe-Abdullahi said that the appointment of the nominees would not only bring the government closer to the people at the grassroots but would also promote growth and development at the rural areas if confirmed by the state legislature.

“We have received a letter from his Excellency, Gov. Umaru Al-Makura through the majority letter and we slated August 29, for the screening of the Overseers of the 18 Development Areas in order to boost grassroots development”

“The Clerk of the House is hereby directed to communicate to the appointees and they are to submit their Curriculum Vitae, CV, Tuesday, August 28 for their screening which will take place on Wednesday, August 29 by 10 am, “he said.

The speaker restated their commitment to continue to enact laws and pass resolutions that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.

The nominees are Amos Tsaku, Emma Yaro, Shuaibu Zanuwa, Suleiman Agyo, Bello Akoza, Obadia Agida, Ismaila Riri, Hashimu Jada as Overseers of Agidi, Akun, Lafia-East, Lafia-North, Ekye, Jenkwe, Daddere and Azara development Areas respectively.

Others includes Obadia Gomna, Joseph Dadu, Mikaila Salihu, Danladi Umar, Salihu Adamu, James Dantaro, Asibi Ubam, Usman Iliyasu, Halidu Sani and Ibrahim Saidu as Overseers of Akwanga West, Farin Ruwa, Agwada, Loko, Udege, Panda, Karshi, Umaisha, Gadabuke and Giza Development Areas respectively.

86 total views, 86 views today

The post Devt Areas Overseers: Assembly to screen Al-Makura’s nominees appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Chairman of Igueben Local Government Hon Engr. Josie Ogedegbe has offset the accumulated medical bills of a woman who gave birth to triplets in a private Hospital in Igueben.

Ogedegbe who visited the hospital accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner for Finance, Osagie Inegbedion made available the sum of two hundred thousand naira, while the commissioner added one hundred thousand naira.

After a brief meeting with the Head of the hospital, who was on ground to receive the Chairman and his team, the council boss said “he decided to respond following information that the triplets were born as premature babies and needed immediate medical attention.”

He said “he was surprised to hear that the father of the triplets ran away immediately he heard that the woman was pregnant.”

The Chairman who described the action of the father as irresponsible asked the Medical team of the council to work with that of the Hospital and other well-meaning Nigerians to ensure the mother and her triplets get the best medical attention possible.

74 total views, 74 views today

The post Council boss provides succour for stranded mother of triplets appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Following reports quoting United States President, Donald Trump describing President Buhari as “lifeless” opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Monday said that President Muhammadu Buhari and his handlers have opened Nigeria for international ridicule arising.

The party said through its Spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, that such embarrassment is a backlash a nation gets when incompetent leaders, out of inferiority complex, resort to jumping around the world, desperately shopping for endorsement from world leaders.

According to the party, President Buhari has been seeking international recognitions that are not predicated on any achievements from his three years in office.

“PDP hereby charges Mr. President to take a cue from the comments ascribed to President Trump by settling down at home and discharge his responsibilities to Nigerians or humbly accept his failings.”

Mr. Ologbondiyan declared that “while the PDP has strong reservations on the reported comment by President Trump, for which we demand a response from the Buhari Presidency and the US White House,” the party further holds that had our dear President not cheapened the exalted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by his woeful outing during his visit to the United States, President Trump would not have had the opportunity to assess his level of incompetence and make such an embarrassing statement about our President.

“The PDP and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians are now sore worry over how other world leaders have been perceiving our President, who has not only failed in governance but has continued to demarket our nation in the international community.”

The opposition party urged Nigerians not to be downcast by the embarrassing situation the nation has found itself, especially as the 2019 general election, which comes in the next six months, offers the nation the ample opportunity to get it right on the choice of competent leadership Nigerians can be proud of.

79 total views, 79 views today

The post …Buhari causing Nigeria global ridicule – PDP appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Former Interim Chairman and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ahmed Mohammad Makarfi, has that said all aspirants for Presidential primaries are working together to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are defeated in 2019.

Makarfi also stated that the alleged umbrage by him against former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was false, saying that all the PDP aspirants were united in ensuring that Buhari’s Government terminates next year.

A statement issued by Senator Makarfi’s spokesman, Mallam Mukthar Sirajo, yesterday averred that “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Makarfi wishes to make it clear that he holds former Vice President Atiku Abubaker in very high esteem and that the relationship between them is very cordial and mutually respectful”.

“I therefore reiterate my respect for him and all the other aspirants whom I considers as brothers and comrades in the struggle to return Nigeria to a path of real democracy and sanity”.
The statement reads: “the attention of Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi has been drawn to some news headlines making the rounds to the effect that he said he didn’t need money to defeat Atiku Abubakar in the quest for PDP presidential nomination”.

“We want to categorically state that this could just be an inference drawn by the reporters from the answer the distinguish Senator gave to one of their questions during his engagement with them”.
“The question had to do with what they considered his relative disadvantage in a contest that required funding and in which more financially loaded aspirants were involved.”

“His answer, which did not mention Atiku or any body’s name, was that, one did not need to be loaded to lead, and went on to cite examples of previous and even current leaders who had no money when leadership beckoned on them”, he restated.

54 total views, 54 views today

The post PDP presidential aspirants unites to defeat Buhari, APC – Makarfi …Denies criticising Atiku appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

One of the leading Presidential Aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Rabui Kwankwaso, yesterday said he stands the better chance to fly the party’s flag because Kano state where he hails plays a major role in who wins presidential election in Nigeria.
He said the last Census as well as the number of registered voters in Kano puts it as the most populous state in the country arguing that since politics is a game of number, that has already placed him ahead of other Aspirants.

He spoke in Ebonyi state when he came on consultation visit to Governor David Umahi and other party leaders on Sunday night at Banquets hall government House Abakaliki.

He disclosed that people had been wanting to know what makes him different from other aspirants, but he could simply say, he is lucky to come from Kano, the most populous state in the country.
He commended the people of Ebonyi state for having a governor whom he said was doing very well.

“I, can comfortably recommend him for you for a second tenure. Anybody like him deserves 8 years so that he can complete the projects and programs he has started and even do more in the future. So, I congratulate the people of Ebonyi state and I’m so happy that we have such Governors in the PDP”.

He pledged to carry all party members right from all levels along if elected president of the country.
Kwankwaso said he was in the Ebonyi to handover Kwankwasiya group to the Governor Umahi as the leader of the party in the state as all of them them were now in PDP after his defection from APC and urged the governor to try as much as possible to accommodate them.

He stated that Kwankwasiya group was a movement whose membership cut across the country including Ebonyi state, saying that the Governor may be surprised to know that even some people working under him belong to Kwankwasiya movement.

“Your Excellency, let me say that we have a movement and that movement was started in Kano many years ago. It started from my ward to local government down to the state and to the entire Northern Nigeria and now, across the country. And that movement is the Kwankwasiya movement. Your Excellency, many people at your level won’t know the level of mobilization across the country even in your state.

“Because when we started, we did not involve this people at thia table; because when we started, to them, it was too early and probably that was not the best way to start but we have witnessed expansion. When I contested governor in 1998 in Kano, there was no senior person that would say he was my leader in Kano.

“What we did was to mobilize market women, youths and people from motor parks; to the extent that one senior politician came to me and said only God can stop you Kwankwaso. And I asked him why? He said he has gone round Kano and have seen the level of mobilization and that if PDP refuses to give you ticket, the party will be in a mess.

“When the governorship primary was held and thank God, direct primary was adopted, where all party members with membership cards were allowed to vote, I won all the 44 LGAs of Kano. Your Excellency, today that mobilization is everywhere in the northern Nigeria. Today, you can hardly get any household without a member of Kwankwasiya.

“You may not know your Excellency especially when you are not supporting me that those under you are carrying the membership cards of kwankwasiya group in their pockets. A friend of mine told me that when the pressure was much to join Kwankwasiya movement, he called his family to convince them to join the group, they started laughing at him and when he asked them why they were laughing at him? They told him they were already members of Kwankwasiya and that why they did not tell him earlier was because he is always criticizing Kwankwasiya”.

Governor David Umahi, in his response said Kwankwaso demonstrated his abilities to govern when he was Kano Governor, adding that he was eminently qualified to become the president of the country.
He said Ebonyi and the entire southeast would negotiate with any presidential Aspirant they were going to support so as to know what they stand to benefit if the person is elected.

Umahi also noted that there was need for equity, justice and fairness to be upheld in the dealings with the entire people of Nigeria by any government in power to end the growing disunity and suspicion in the land.

64 total views, 64 views today

The post Coming from Kano puts me ahead of other Presidential Aspirants – Kwankwaso appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

As Nigeria hosts the Chad Basin Commission Stabilization Strategy meeting, Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu has disclosed that Nigeria and the five countries that make-up the Lake Chad River Basin Commission, LCBC, is ready to integrate former members of the Boko Haram sect into the fabric of the society to bring a lasting peace to the region.

Adamu made this disclosure yesterday in Abuja at the Committee of Experts Meeting for the Validation of the Regional Stabilization Strategy for the areas of Lake Chad Basin region affected by Boko Haram.

He said, ‘’ the formulation of a Regional Stabilization Strategy was borne out of the need to develop a framework to curtail the mayhem and ravaging activities of the Boko Haram insurgents to uphold human rights principles and to protect lives and properties especially the most vulnerable , children, girls and women.’’

The Minister note that the massive internal and cross – border displacements due to activities of the sect in the region has prompted the African Union, AU, and the Lake Chad Basin Commission, LCBC, to develop the stabilization strategy as a way of bringing lasting peace to the area by integrating former members of the sect back into the society.

According to the Minister the over 40 million inhabitants in the Lake Chad Basin Region from six countries, namely Chad, Central African Republic, Cameron, Nigeria, Niger and Libya have suffered untold socio-economic and political losses due to activities of Boko Haram sect, adding that lives and properties have also been destroyed to the unleashed mayhem.

The United Nations, UN, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon congratulated the key partners and noted that the meetings are stepping stone to a resolution of crisis around the Lake Chad region.

Kallon said, “ these meetings are a critical stepping stone towards a resolution of the crisis around Lake Chad’’, which for decades has been plagued by underdevelopment, weak governance, low levels of education and exclusion of women and youths in decision- making structures and a myriad of environmental challenges that have exacerbated by drastic climate change in recent times.’’

Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu noted the process of producing a regional stabilization strategy for affected areas by Boko Haram insurgency first started in N’Djamena from 2-4 November 2017, adding that the last leg of the meeting would afford stakeholders and top- level decision makers to adopt the final strategy.

Nuhu further urged affected countries to embrace and implement the strategy without any delay.

Nigerian Pilot reports that the weeklong Validation Meeting is attended by Commissioners of the LCBC, and the Ministers of Defence of Troops Contributing countries of the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF.

64 total views, 64 views today

The post Boko Haram: Nigeria, others to integrate former sect members appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

There was a mild drama on Sunday night in Ebonyi state when the state Governor, David Umahi, rejected the state campaign Coordinator of Senator Rabui Musa Kwankwaso and appointed another person in his place.

Kwankwaso while introducing his team during his consultation visit to Ebonyi state had introduced among others his campaign Coordinator in Ebonyi state,Barr. Ikeuwa Omebe, who hails from the state but Umahi quickly told Kwankwaso he could not work with him and immediately appointed his Principal Secretary, Chief Clement Nweke, as his replacement.

Governor Umahi’s action nearly aborted the visit as Senator Kwankwaso and so many others were not comfortable with the development.
Barr. Ikeuwa was a former local government chairman of Ezza north local government area and was in the political good book of Umahi until recently.

He was appointed member, House of Assembly Commission by Governor Umahi, but reportedly fell-out with the Governor when he started attending political meetings in Abuja without the Governor’s notice.
He resigned his appointment earlier this year after Governor Umahi had allegedly threatened to sack him.

Since then, Ikeuwa went out of public circulation only to resurface during the visit of Senator Kwankwaso.
As at the time of filling this report, it is still unclear whether Kwankwaso was going to respect the decision of Umahi or not.

54 total views, 54 views today

The post Mild drama …as Umahi rejects his campaign coordinator By Samson Nwafor, Abakaliki appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

As Nigerians gear up for the 2019 general election, a pan-Igbo political group, Nzuko Igbo Bu Igbo, has called for the emergence of a president of Middle Belt extraction to douse the increasing ethno-religious tension occasioned by mutual suspicion among the regions and ethnic nationalities in the nation’s polity.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri yesterday, signed by, Mazi Nwama Ibe and Mr. Okechukwu Onwubere, the group remarked that its position is anchored on the fact that a careful study of the nation’s current political situation has shown that electing the next president from the Middle Belt can restore the confidence of the people in a united Nigeria.

Observing that the nation’s polity is already heated and overcharged, Ibe and Onwubere argued that , the Middle Belt have been short-changed in the governance of the country, since Independence.

Recalling the fact that Middle Belt leaders have been at the vanguard of the restructuring of Nigeria ever before it became a theme of national discourse, the group maintained that sectional agitations for sovereignty was being fueled by the imbalance and exclusion in the present structure of the country.

The statement read, “In some parts of the country, the feelings of exclusion from the scheme of things is so palpable to the extent some were forced to demand for sovereignty as exemplified by the agitations of some separatists groups, like the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and other incipient nationalistic agitations from many minority groups in Nigeria.

“It is a well known fact that restructuring of the polity to engender inclusiveness in governance is in the DNA of the Middle Belt man or woman. It goes back to the days of the military Governor of Old Plateau State, late CP Joseph Gomwalk, a University of Ibadan first class graduate of Zoology, who was reputed to have influenced emergence of Benue Plateau State.

“These myriad of problems prompted the suggestion in enlightened circles that the solution lies in restructuring Nigeria into eight regions and to return to the 1963 Federal constitution as was canvassed by a Jos-based Izu Umunna Cultural Association in an advertorial in the Sun Newspaper of 10 January 2018.

“Believing that the Northern Nigerian owned newspaper, ‘New Nigeria Newspaper’ was not giving adequate coverage of the Middle Belt, he established Nigerian Standard Newspaper. He pulled Benue Plateau out of Northern Nigeria Marketing Board to set up Benue Plateau Marketing Board.

“Fearing same of Ahmadu Bello University, he got his alma mater, University of Ibadan, to establish a campus in Jos that became the University of Jos. He broke away from Radio Television Kaduna and established Benue Plateau Television, the first colour TV in Africa.

“Our conclusion is also premised on the fact that since the major political parties have zoned the position of the president of Nigeria to Northern Nigeria in 2019, only a president of Middle Belt extraction can be trusted to solve the problems.

“It is no rocket science that he will have the political will to restructure the nation as it will dove-tail with the aspirations of his people, notwithstanding the part of the Middle belt he hails from.”

The group went further to explain that the Middle Belt region is abundantly endowed with impeccable men and women who have the capacity to lead the nation to greatness and make her take her rightful place in the comity of nations.

The group called on other Nigerians to support and work for the emergence of Nigeria’s President of Middle Belt extraction in 2019 considering the immeasurable sacrifice the region had made for the peace, unity and development of the country.

59 total views, 59 views today

The post 2109: Igbo group drums support for M/Belt Presidency appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Federal Government is to spend the sum of N22,699,176,016.86 on the rehabilitation of Mayo Belwa-Jada-Ganye-Toungo road in Adamawa State.

This was in a statement issued yesterday by the Director, Information, Mr. Theodore Ogaziechi, in Abuja.

According to the statement, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, disclosed that the 112km road was due for rehabilitation having been built since 1999.

The contract was awarded to Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited.

Fashola was represented by his Minister of State 1, Mustapha Baba Shehuri and supported by his counterpart, Minister of State 11, Surveyor Suleiman Hassan Zarma, at the Flag-Off Ceremony in Mayo Belwa town.

Fashola stated that the road, which is presently characterised with failed sections, potholes, alligator cracks, depressions and washouts at the edges, is an important economic route.

He said the road links and passes through the agriculturally predominant towns of Mararaba, Jamtari, Jada, Dashen, Ganye and Toungo. “It also leads to the neighbouring Taraba State.

The contract which has a completion period of 36 months, the Minister said, provides for the reconstruction of 112km road to a required 7.3m carriageway width and 2.75m shoulders.

The carriageway, he noted, is to be overlaid with 60mm asphalt concrete binder course, 40mm asphalt concrete wearing course with pavement of 200mm thick and 200mm stone base.

Other ancillary benefits to the road users on that corridor, Fashola added, include stone pitching, kerbs and chutes to avoid washouts, kilometre posts and most importantly, road signs to give direction and make driving less cumbersome and pleasurable.

In his response, the Special Guest of Honour, the Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Bindow Umaru Jubrilla appreciated the Member representing Jada-Ganye-Mayo Belwa-Toungo Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas for finding it worthy to invest so much on the corridor.

He stated that the Federal Government is bound to generate huge revenue from the investment in the area of increased rice production and livestock farming.

The ceremony attracted many illustrious sons and daughters of the constituency and state some of whom included Senator Ahmed Abubakar, Senator Binta Massi Garba, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.

Other dignitaries that showed solidarity to their friends in Adamawa State were the Senate Committee Chairman on Works, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, Chairman House Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Nebo among others.

63 total views, 63 views today

The post Govt to spend over N22bn on roads in Adamawa appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.