News

Nigeria At 60: Wike Harps on Effective Power Devolution

Published

3 years ago

October 2, 2020

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says Nigeria’s development will remain stunted without strong institutions that will promote devolution of power.

Governor Wike made the assertion at an event to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Day celebration at Government House, Port Harcourt.

He said it was time for Nigerians to confront core political and economic issues that hamper sustained growth.

According to him, to put Nigeria on the path of progressive growth, the rule of law, a fraud-proof electoral system, an effective neutrality of law enforcement agencies and independence of the judiciary should be put in place.

“We may gloat in the limited progress that we have made since independence. It is true that we have achieved relative expansion in access to education, healthcare and the socio-economic infrastructure.

“But if we fail to give considerations to the serious challenges preventing us, we cannot build a free, fair and just nation that will command the total loyalty of all nationalities.

“Let us therefore, resolve to take the right step to institutionalise the necessary constitutional and political systems that will enable us to build a free, sovereign democratic and functional nation”, he stated.

Governor Wike noted that at independence, there was an effective democracy, regional autonomy and fiscal federalism.

Those principles, he said, guided the political, social and economic relations between the central government and the regional constitutional regions until they were frustrated.

“Our founding fathers envisioned to build our nation with due regards to our diversities and with visionary enthusiasm. They provided basic building blocks for sustaining a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria with a functional constitution document.

“No one part or region was deliberately denied against what was due to it. No ethnic nationality was politically and economically favoured unduly above all others by the central government.

“Under this arrangement, Nigeria thrived on a peaceful and progressive path. Unfortunately, the fundamental principles of negotiated constitutional regional autonomy and federal government were blatantly jettisoned,” he said.

Governor Wike restated that Rivers state would continue to promote the unity of the country and ensure peaceful coexistence of all residents.

According to him, efforts will be sustained in improving the standard of living, expand healthcare delivery and pursue accelerated economic growth.

” There is an unprecedented investment in the provision of socioeconomic infrastructure across the state.

” We are constructing roads, flyovers, jetties, markets and expanding healthcare and education facilities throughout the state including the rural areas. This is to accelerate economic growth and make life more meaningful for our people.

“We have spared no effort in advancing and achieving security. Rivers state is now reckoned as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria with much improved business environment that is attracting investors. Clearly, we have a bright future”, he emphasised.

The Governor also commended the military for their efforts in curbing banditry, and all forms of insurgency to defend the sovereignty of the country.

Earlier, Governor Wike had inspected the parade mounted by the Nigeria Police at the brief ceremony that also featured the released of Peace Pigeons.

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News

Remember there’s a God of second chance” – Ooni tells inmates during visit to Kuje Correctional Centre

Published

2 hours ago

December 6, 2023

Adeyinka

Ooni of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday, kickstarted his annual coronation anniversary with a humanitarian visit to the Kuje Correctional facility in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

According to Director of Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch told the inmates to always remember that God created everyone and that he’ss the God of second chance.

Ooni Ogunwusi was on an official duty in the F.C.T. when he decided to visit inmates at the facility for a programme organized by Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) under his Chairmanship to motivate those who are often ignored by the society.

Addressing the gathering of inmates and prison’s officials after being welcomed into the facility by officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Ooni Ogunwusi who was flanked by his Queen & Deputy Convener of Hopes Alive Initiative HAI Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, explained that the best part of human life is the one spent to serve others particularly the poor and vulnerable individuals.

“We should always remember that God created all of us and that is the God of second chance, we have seen in this country from prison to presidency, right from prison all the way to become the president of this country.

“So please do not write off yourselves, whatever the situation you might have found yourselves here remember that their is a God of second chance.

“I am here to tell you that there is a life after here, it does not end here and that is why you all must see this current phase of your life as a learning stage for the lessons with which you will live for life after here.

“I have not come here to tell you that it is not difficult but I am here to tell you that it is possible for you all to be better and be amongst the best members of the larger Nigerian society when you eventually leave here.”

Highpoint of the event was when five (5) inmates were freed after fulfilling all requirements including payment of bail/fines through the assistance of the HAI, with a promise to keep an eye on them and also empowering them in the trade they learned while in the Correctional Centre.

Other event earmarked for the Ooni Ogunwusi’s coronation anniversary is the Staff Appreciation Night during which all staff members (Traditional and Official) working with His Imperial Majesty will be honoured and gifted series of items including cars for the best performing ones.

In the same vein, parts of the statement said the Palace is not unaware of false, malicious and misleading reportage particularly by some unprofessional bloggers and armchair journalists about the event which does not tally with the event or any of its realities.

“These purveyors of fake news who are bent on blackmailing top personalities for income (Online traffic), prominence or whatever reasons predetermined by them wrote nonsense from the figment of their imagination and got it circulated by armchair (lazy) journalists with no regard for principles, laws and ethics of the prestigious pen profession.”

The Ooni’s Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) has in the last five years engaged in the charity work which targets to give hope to the hopeless and vulnerable members of the society. Ooni Ogunwusi through the NGO has donated befitting homes to the orphanage and destitute, water borehole facilities to several market’s across the South West in Nigeria, educational materials to several schools in the country.

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News

Osun NUJ to hold commendation service on Friday in honour of late Adesunmbo Abioye

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2023

Adeyinka

NUJ

The Nigeria Union of Journalists,Osun State Council will on Friday hold a Commendation Service in honour of late Bishop-Elect, Adesunmbo Samson Abioye.

A statement by the Chairman of the union,Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and Secretary,Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin indicate that the service will hold at NUJ Press Centre, Iwo /Ibadan Road,Osogbo by nine in the morning.

The statement calls on members of the union,friends and associates of the deceased to be part of the ceremony.

Late Bishop-Elect, Adesunmbo Samson Abioye was a former Secretary of NUJ,Osun State Council.

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Crime

IPOB/ESN Commander Killed As Police Raid Terrorists’ Camp In Imo

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2023

Adeyinka

Police

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said that the second in command of an outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) Commander, Ebube Virus, has been killed in a fierce gun battle.

The deceased suspect was on the Imo State Police Command’s wanted list due to his nefarious activities in the Aboh Mbaise area of the State.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Police spokesman, Henry Okoye, on Tuesday.

According to the CP, “Following the confessions made by the suspected IPOB/ESN Terrorist allegedly involved in the killing of DPO Ahiazu Mbaise and other dastardly acts in the Mbaise axis, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa on Monday 4th of December, 2023 stormed the criminal hideout of a deadly IPOB/ESN Terrorist Syndicate led by Ebube Virus and Ishaka, at Umuogu Amuzu in Aboh-Mbaise LGA of Imo State and dislodged the terrorists.

“In the process, a ferocious battle broke out between the terrorists and the combat-ready Police agents, neutralizing the Second in Command Ebube Virus, who is well-known on the Command’s wanted list due to their nefarious actions in the Mbaise axis. Others who had been shot at had escaped. From the neutralized terrorist, one AK-47 rifle with 19 rounds of live ammunition was found.

“An operation is underway to find additional fugitive suspects and bring them to justice.”

While praising the brave officers for their unwavering efforts in the fight against all violent crimes in the State, CP Danjuma affirmed the Command’s commitment to working with other security agencies with the aim of restoring peace in the state.

CP Danjuma called on Imo residents to support the Police and other sister security agencies with timely and actionable information that will assist in the crusade against terrorism in the state.

He encouraged owners of hospitals and first-aid outlets to report any person seen with or treating gunshot injuries to the nearest Police Station.

Source: Leadership