Author: tdpel

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday discussed issues ranging from constitutional role to security, economy among others with two prominent traditional rulers in Delta.

Osinbajo was in Delta for the thanksgiving Mass of late Chief Patrick Ideh, a renowned legal practitioner and nationalist who passed away at the age of 95.

The thanksgiving Mass was held at the Mother of The Redeemer Catholic Church, Effurun, Warri.

After the Mass, the vice president, accompanied by Delta Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro, paid courtesy visits to the palaces of Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr Emmanuel Sideso, and Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

Receiving the vice president in his palace, Sideso thanked Osinbajo for his respect for traditional rulers.

He said, however, that traditional rulers in the country are not happy that the issue of constitutional role for the traditional rulers was not considered by the National Assembly.

“You have always been there for us; I am the Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Summit in Abuja.

“The last summit we held, you represented the president; you physically came and stayed with us throughout the summit.

“On behalf of the traditional rulers in the whole country, we are appealing to you and the president to look at this again; I don’t think it is too late to look at it and perhaps call us and advice us on why it cannot be done at the moment.

“We are the grassroots people; and if there is any problem, you people come to us and seek our prayers because you are our children,’’ he said.

He urged the vice president to intervene on the quest for constitutional role for the traditional institution.

In his response, Osinbajo said he was in the kingdom to honour late Chief Ideh who is an illustrious son.

The vice president said he is hopeful that the National Assembly would eventually attend to the question of constitutional role for traditional rulers.

“But I think that there is a genuine desire by traditional rulers to be more intricately involved; to be more directly involved in governance and government in Nigeria.

“And just going by the track record that we see even in this kingdom, it is very evident that your role has been instrumental in keeping the peace here.

“So, I think traditional rulership is so important in keeping law and order and in maintaining peace in all of our communities.’’

At the palace of Olu of Warri, Osinbajo congratulated Atuwatse for ascending to throne of his fathers.

He said the traditional institution has a vital role to play in addressing the security challenges in the country.

“As you know, coming into office, we had on top of our agenda, as the president stated, the economy, security, governance, and corruption.

“The role of the traditional council, the traditional rulership in our country is critical to security; absolutely critical and I am happy that this is something that you also, not only recognises, but accept as a major function of the traditional rulership.’’

Osinbajo said that he and the deputy governor had worked extensively in some of the conflicts in oil producing communities that had led to a decline in oil production.

He said that they were able to achieve results by going round to speak to various communities.

“We want to see that security challenges; oil theft and some of what we are seeing in the Delta and in many of our oil producing communities are swiftly brought to an end,’’ he said.

Atuwatse had earlier in his welcome remarks, said that Osinbajo’s visit was divine as it coincided with the end of the week the kingdom visited Itsekiri communities in other parts of Nigeria, including Ogun and Kogi States.

According to him, there is an affinity between Itsekiri people and Osinbajo as the vice president is their in-law through his marriage to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s grand daughter.

In response to the vice president’s remarks, Atuwase said that traditional rulers were committed to ensuring security and unhindered oil production.

“I am very happy that our deputy governor is here and will bear witness to our commitment to not only security in this axis but in ensuring that the oil production here does not dwindle, especially now with global events – oil is now approaching US$120 per barrel.

“And Nigeria has to, as much as it can, benefit from that development; not quite long ago, we did something unprecedented.

“Traditional rulers are here to ensure that they are bridge builders between government and the people.

“We have committed ourselves to ensuring that where we had a hitch in Ogidigben — where the production was shut down, we have committed ourselves to making sure that not only are things restored but the International Oil Companies (IOCs) commitment to the community, which as the cause of the breakdown, is finally resolved.’’

He said he is willing to collaborate with the Federal Government in ensuring lasting peace and transforming the Niger-Delta region.

“Please, let the president know that once there is anything that resembles a security situation, he can call on us and he has our full cooperation,’’ Atuwatse said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as he clocked 85 years.

Okowa said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Saturday in Asaba.

He said Nigeria benefited immensely from the former president’s leadership at various times as several tangible key infrastructure and, economic reforms, were hallmarks of his leadership.

Okowa commended the former president for always lending his voice on national issues and for his patriotic and unrelenting service to the country and humanity.

He described the octogenerian as an epitome of nationalism and statesmanship and lauded him for his sustained contributions to peace and unity in Nigeria.

Okowa remarked that the former president had, through acknowledged efforts and effect, etched his name and Nigeria’s in global reckoning, adding that he was a well-respected personality in global affairs.

“On the occasion of your 85th birth anniversary, I heartily rejoice with you and your family on behalf of the government and people of Delta.

“As a country, we recall with nostalgia, the economic reforms in the banking, communication and health sectors, introduced during your administration which paved way for the revolution in the Nigerian economy.

“At 85, you have continued to give yourself to the service of our nation in various ways, including your frequent fatherly admonitions to the nation at various levels.

“I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life and to pray that He continues to bless you with robust health, guidance, protection and enduring provisions.

“I wish you, our dear father, a well-deserved 85th birth anniversary celebration,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Naomi Sharang

The National Chairman, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Malam Falalu Bello, says the party has not zoned out any of its political seats ahead of 2023 general elections.

He made this known in Abuja on Saturday during a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) with the Board of Trustees (BOT) and other party stakeholders.

Bello said: “We have not zoned out the presidency to any part of Nigeria. Anybody from anywhere in Nigeria is free to come and contest for the presidential seat in PRP.

“We are not considering zoning. Anybody can come from any part of the country to contest. What is important to us is someone who has integrity.

“We will develop a template for selection of leadership in Nigeria and that template will cover the presidency, the governors and members of the national assembly.”

On the level of preparedness by the party, Bello said: “We shall contest, we have members that have indicated interest.

“We are in all the 774 local government. We have held congresses. We are now ready to move to the last level of leadership in the party which is the national convention.

“This meeting will look at what it takes to have a national convention and arrange for one to be held very shortly,” he said.

Bello further said that PRP was considering alliances with other political parties to form mega parties to challenge the ruling APC and the PDP.

“We are in discussion with some groups; the NC Front, and Rescue Nigeria Mission”.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says with the evolvement of technology, there is the need to equip Nigerians with the requisite knowledge and skills to drive innovations to solve challenges.

Osinbajo made this known in Abuja on Saturday, at the 2021/2022 First Lego League (FLL) Championship in Robotics with the theme: “Cargo Connect’’.

The championship which has students drawn from the six geo-political zones held in collaboration with the Coderina Education Technology and Foundation.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Education Intervention, Mr Fela Bank-Olemoh, said Nigeria needed to prepare its students for the future.

Bank-Olemoh noted that the competition aimed at equipping children between the ages of nine years and 16 years with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) skills using robotics.

“This event is indeed very important as it reminds us that the future of our dear country, Nigeria, is in safe and capable hands.

“Seeing 600 students from the six geopolitical zones gathered and exploring the unlimited potential of robotics as it applies to STEAM gives me hope that we are raising a generation ready to take technological innovations to higher level.

“As technology rapidly evolves, it is imperative and critical that we equip Nigerians with knowledge and skills to enable them to drive innovations that will provide solutions to challenges,’’ he said.

Bank-Olemoh said that Nigeria and Africa had been left behind in STEAM-driven society but that government understood the need to close the gap in technological innovations and ultimately become one of the STEAM hubs in the world.

He added that the use of robotics as tool to teaching STEAM was a great approach to education because it struck a certain level of curiosity in students, makes learning easier and a good catalyst for the pursuit of knowledge.

“Our population as the largest gathering of Black people and influence as Africa’s largest economy give us an advantage that we must utilise effectively.

“ Nigerians are known to excel everywhere they go; hence we need to create more opportunities and an enabling environment for them to excel.

“Research has shown that the use of robotics in STEAM learning enables the learner to stay focused and motivated,’’ he added.

The aide commended FLL and Coderina Education and Technology Foundation for the initiative and efforts at developing STEAM skills in young Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that selected unity schools across the six geo-political zones and some private schools participated in the competition.

Some of the schools are Federal Government Colleges, Vandeikiya, Kano, Rubochi, Ikom and Orozo.

Others are Federal Government Girls Colleges in Oyo, Abuja, Akure and Queens College, Lagos.

Vivian Fowler School and Hillside Schools were among those that participated from private schools. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Constance Imasuen

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), Mr Chiedu Ugbo, says the new Lafia Transmission Substation will become Nigeria’s transmission hub with back feed to Abuja.

The NDPHC’s Head, Communication and Public Relations, Mr Emmanuel Ojor, who said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja explained that Ugbo said this at the substation in Lafia.

Ugbo said the facility was expected to boost electricity supply to at least one million households and businesses, and also improve the wellbeing of Nigerians in Nasarawa State.

“The new 2X150 Mega Volt Ampree (MVA) and 2x60MVA 330/132/33 Kilo Volt (KV) transmission substation built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari, recently.”

He explained that before the substation was built, Lafia was served by a single 70 Km distribution line from Akwanga.

He added that with a lot of connections on the way, the power that eventually got to Lafia was very dim.

“So, there was no useful electricity in Lafia and its environs,” he said.

He said that the three-in-one project took five years to build.

“We expect the project to improve the well-being of every resident of Lafia and entire Nasarawa State and improve economic activities and creation of jobs.

“Also, because of the big nature of the project, we expect it to become the transmission hub in the country.

“TCN is already working on the connection. A 330KV connection from here to Abuja, to back feed Abuja,” he said.

Ugbo maintained that NDPHC decided to build the substation essentially to step down electricity from the high voltage transmission line to a lower voltage level.

“Where the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) can now draw electricity and serve close to one million households and businesses in the state.

“It will thus help boost economic activities in the state, with positive knock-on effects on employment and socio-economic uplift of the residents of the state,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Director, Networks, NDPHC, Mr Ifeoluwa Oyedele, said that though the company was primarily a power generation, it had executed intervention projects in transmission and distribution to ensure improved power supply to Nigerians.

“In the last 15 years, NDPHC has built 10 power stations and that is our main focus, however, we do realise that when you generate power it has to get to the consumers.

“That is why we have been intervening in constructing transmission substations, injection substations and so on.

“This is because no organisation can do what we do with the speed that we do it, with the quality that we do and at the cost that we do it.

”We are arguably the largest power company in Africa,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Olawale Jokotoye

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Saturday in Abeokuta that Nigeria needed to embrace and prioritise nation- building to attain greater heights.

He spoke at a symposium with the theme: “African narrative with the Nigerian Situation’’ organised to mark his 85th birthday.

Obasanjo listed the ideals of nation building to include equity, justice, common ideals, popular education, shared values, mutual respect and equality of opportunities.

He explained that the fundamentals needed to be anchored and propelled by leaders who are persons of integrity, honour, morality, competence, great virtue and must be courageous to do what is right.

He added that such leaders must be humble and be able to put a team together to work in selfless devotion and service with the fear of God.

“From personal experience and clinical observation, there is no substitute for steady and uncompromised process of nation-building as we have had in some notable examples in the past that have stood us in good stead.

“Fixing Nigeria must begin on the principles of nation-building; not necessarily on emotions, sentiments, euphoria, ignorance, incompetence, ethnicity, nepotism, bigotry, sectionalism, regionalism, religion or class.

“The issues of security, stability, development, economy and our relationship within Africa and with the rest of the world can only be taken care of if we get the issue of nation-building right,’’ he said.

Obasanjo advised that Nigeria must first seek to be a nation rather than a country, stressing that: “the cart should not be put before the horse, otherwise, Nigeria, in no time will not be a country, but countries.’’

For the statesman, such task was beyond one person, political parties, professionals and commercial politicians.

“It demands and requires all hands to be on deck. I mean Nigerians in all walks of life including, politicians, community leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, diplomatic leaders, leaders in the academia, leaders in all aspects of government and leaders in other aspects of the civil society,’’ he said.

Concerning the 2023 general elections, Obasanjo advised Nigerians to prioritise principles above personalities in their choice of leaders.

“We need to be clear about what Nigeria needs today and why Nigeria needs it. Only then can we answer the question of how. The answer will inform us of the criteria and characteristics for determining who.

“I believe in principles before personalities and taking personalities before principles is putting the cart before the horse,’’ the former Nigerian leader said.

He added that what was uppermost for him was how to transit Nigeria from being a country to a nation.

“When we have adequately taken care of nation-building measures, especially management of our unity and taken care of every anomalous situation, then we must zero on personalities.

“In situation like the one we are in, I will not rush into naming names without necessary consultations and well-defined principles and criteria.

“Each contender must be properly x-rayed and profiled from birth and Nigerians must be educated to be able to make a choice that will be in the national interest and propel Nigeria forward,’’ Obasanjo stressed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Stephen Adeleye

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has felicitated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 85th birthday.

Bello in a statement by his spokesperson, Onogwu Muhammed, on Saturday in Lokoja, described Obasanjo as one with an uncommon wisdom whose exemplary leadership had brought remarkable impact to the country, Africa and across the globe.

He lauded Obasanjo on his recent interventions in the unrest in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

“Happy birthday Your Excellency; in the course of the decades as a Military General, Head of State and the first democratically elected president at the return of democracy in 1999, you have made extraordinary memories and woven your own unique story into the Nigerian narrative.

“You have exhibited uncommon wisdom, remarkable vision, and exemplary leadership to deserve our greatest respect for the lives you have touched and the stability you brought to our country during your stewardship as the Head of State and president respectively.

“Though you renounced participation in partisan politics, you do not hold back advisories on matters of governance,” he said.

According to him, as a true Pan-Africanist, his peace and mediation roles in other African countries including your recent intervention in the unrest in Tigray region of Ethiopia is a clear testament of your love for peace and stability on the African continent.

Bello stated that Obasanjo had remained a source of encouragement, especially, in his pursuit of national peace.

“During a meeting with you last year, I could not but marvel at your ageless wisdom and passionate love for the country.

“We had a fruitful discussion on insecurity and national development and every word from you conveyed yoyr optimism that Nigeria will get to the promised land.

“You also encouraged me to sustain the effort in providing security for Kogi, and that the fight against insecurity should have everybody on board”, the governor said.

Bello then prayed that God should continue to protect the elder statesman with good health and long life.

Obasanjo, a former military Head of State and a two-term President under civilian rule, clocked 85 on Saturday. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)

By Stephen Adeleye

APC Stakeholders in the North Central Zone says the 2023 presidential ambition of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi will not be jettisoned for the party’s chairmanship position.

The group said Bello’s ambition to become Nigeria’s next president would not be negotiated even if the zone produced the National Chairman of the APC in its forthcoming convention.

“Even if the party’s chairmanship is zoned to Okene Local Government, Yahaya Bello will contest and we will ensure victory for him by God’s grace,” the group said.

The group said this in a statement by the Director-General, North Central Coalition for Leadership, Mr Williams Oluwatoyin, on Saturday in Lokoja.

They said this on the sideline of official presentation of Staff of Office to newly approved, graded and upgraded traditional rulers in Kogi by the governor, in Lokoja.

They were reacting to a statement purportedly issued by another group, Stakeholders in Nasarawa State Council of the APC

They claimed that the group had allegedly appealed to Bello to sacrifice his presidential ambition for the rumoured national chairmanship position awaiting the zone.

The group said that the purported appeal for Bello to relinquish his ambition “belittles the zone.”

According to the APC chieftains, Bello holds the overwhelming mandate of the North Central and Nigerians as a whole to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

“A Bello presidency can’t be sacrificed on the altar of ‘cash and carry politics,’” they maintained, while wondering what kind of zone will be satisfied more with producing a chairman than producing a president.

“Without mincing words, we are the authentic APC Stakeholders in the north central and there is no other apart from us.

“We want to state categorically that we are in full support of Yahaya Bello’s presidential ambition and we regard the purported appeal for him to back out from the race as standing logic on its head.

“By saying this, we do not by any means, infer that anybody should not vie for the chairmanship position in the north central,” the group said.

According to the group, what has come to stay, through popular demand, is that Bello will contest the presidency, notwithstanding where the party’s chairmanship position is zoned to.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the north central has produced the national chairman of the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, not less than five times. What has this brought to our zone?

“Gov. Bello has demonstrated capacity, excellence and unequalled competence in governance and he holds the overwhelming mandate of the north central and Nigerians as a whole to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

”Bello’s presidency can’t be sacrificed on the altar of cash and carry politics,’’ they said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the Russian Armed Forces resumed offensive operations in Ukraine at 18:00 Moscow time.

The decision was made “in connection with the unwillingness of the Ukrainian side to influence the nationalists or extend ceasefire.

As stated in the department, units of the Russian armed forces took control of the settlements of Malaya Tokmachka, Marfopol, Removka, Novokarlovka, Orlinskoye, Volodino and Malinovka.

On Saturday, March 5, the Russian Defence Ministry declared ceasefire for humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha. However, not a single civilian left those settlements through these corridors, since the population was held by nationalist formations as a human shield, the ministry said.

The Mariupol City Council, in turn, announced the postponement of the evacuation time.

On March 3, the Ministry of Defense accused the Armed Forces of Ukraine of obstructing the withdrawal of people from settlements. it was also said that Mariupol, Kiev and Kharkov were on the brink of the humanitarian catastrophe.

The siege of Mariupol continues for more than a week.

Mariupol is the second largest city in the Donetsk region, where all Kiev-loyal structures were moved after the formation of the Donetsk People’s Republic. The Donbass militia have made several attempts to capture the city, but they never managed to succeed.

Mariupol is located ten kilometers far from the territories controlled by the LPR and DPR. The geographical position of the city makes this city strategically important, since the capture of Mariupol will create a land corridor from Luhansk to Donetsk and further to Crimea, Janes agency said (the agency analyzes publicly available military issues).

The land corridor will give Moscow an opportunity to safely control the Ukrainian coast of the Sea of ​​Azov. The port of Mariupol is the largest and most well-equipped port of the Sea of ​​Azov.

Other ports in the region, including ports in the Russian cities of Azov, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog and Yeysk, have capacity restrictions, whereas the port of Mariupol has deep berths, which makes it attractive for shipping.

Control of a port, like the port of Mariupol, would significantly reduce shipping times and logistics between Russia, Donbass and Crimea, Janes also noted.

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