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PDP ready to provide better governance – Wike

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PDP ready to provide better governance – Wike

Mr. Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is committed to providing better governance in order to change Nigeria’s fortunes ahead of the 2023 general elections.
At a reception to formally welcome former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, into the PDP fold at Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday, he made the statement.

Governor Wike stated that, as a PDP-controlled state government, his administration has touched every aspect of Rivers State and provided the people with the best good governance that money can buy.

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PDP, he claims, has remained a household name and most trusted to savage the country because of what it has continued to do in terms of responding to the needs of Nigerians.
“Welcome to God’s domain (Nwuche).” It is God’s property. “No matter what happens, PDP remains very strong, very firm, and very willing to change the fortunes of this country.”

Chibudom Nwuche, according to Governor Wike, is a democrat with a recognizable name who can add value to the PDP while also not becoming a liability.
PDP woos people who can contribute to the party, work for the welfare of members, and speak up for their people, according to Governor Wike.

As a result, he urged party members to let go of their fears that Nwuche would usurp their position in the party.
Governor Wike insisted that more people should join the party because there is enough room for everyone and no one will be denied what is rightfully theirs.

“Today is yet another wonderful day in our political history, as one of those who has contributed to the strength of democracy, as one of those who has made democracy what it is supposed to be.”

Read Also:  Nigeria’s debt increased by N2.54tn in 3 month, hit N38tn

“Let everyone know that we are not at odds with anyone here.” We lack the sophistication to even suggest that people should not return. People should not claim that because Chibudom has returned, I will not receive what I am entitled to. He’s come to add to the number of people in our group. “It’s better if there’s a lot of it.”

Governor Wike went on to say that the opposition factions in Rivers State’s All Progressives Congress should be more concerned about whether his administration is performing or has been untruthful to the people of the state.
Chibudom Nwuche, on the other hand, explained that he made mistakes in his decision to leave the PDP because he was angry at the time.

He took a sabbatical, according to him, but has since returned to where he discovered people-oriented leadership.

He claimed that in the last six years, Governor Wike has transformed Rivers State and transformed Port Harcourt into a modern city with cutting-edge infrastructure.

“They can’t deny one fact, no matter how much they despise you: you’ve worked so hard, and you’ve put your heart in this state.”

Nigeria seeks concrete support in combating terrorism

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Nigeria seeks concrete support in combating terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit to provide concrete support to the African continent’s fight against terrorism and insurgency.

President Buhari said on Saturday at the third edition of the Summit that the boko haram terrorist group is still active and preying on soft targets, despite being fragmented by internal strife and degraded by Nigeria’s defense forces.

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The President expressed his delight that the Summit convened by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the issue of terrorism while also focusing on Africa’s development and infrastructure.

“Another area on which this Partnership should focus is the global challenge of climate change, which affects Nigeria, Turkey, Africa, and the rest of the world.”

“Food insecurity, lake drying, loss of livelihood, and youth migration, among other things, have all become catalysts for conflict.”

“The trend is the same all over the world, with communities being engulfed by forest fires, rising sea levels, flooding, drought, and desertification.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to call for support for initiatives like Africa’s Great Green Wall on Environment and Land Management, which aims to combat the effects of climate change and desertification in the continent.”

“By 2030, the initiative aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land in 11 Sahel-Saharan countries, capture 250 million tons of carbon, and create 10 million green jobs,” he said.

Read Also:  Number of new COVID-19 cases in Nigeria has reached 1,584, highest in ten months

COVID-19

President Buhari urged nations to follow the example of Africa-Turkey cooperation in combating the global coronavirus pandemic, which emphasizes solidarity and support.

“The pandemic is a global problem that necessitates global cooperation and solutions, and the Africa-Turkey cooperation model has proven to be a model for the rest of the world.”

“There has been mutual support not only in responding to the pandemic, but also in building resilience and sustainable development in other sectors.”

“We also applaud the African Union for the outstanding job it has done in coordinating the Partnership’s implementation,” he added.

In light of the increasingly unpredictable nature of today’s global challenges, the Nigerian leader stated that world leaders must continue to prioritize the well-being of humanity for the common good and prosperity of all.

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“In order to better equip us to address current and future challenges in a more equitable and sustainable manner, we must promote science, technology, and innovation, as well as share knowledge from research and development.”

“In this regard, Nigeria strongly supports both the Summit Declaration and the Joint Action Plan 2022-2026,” he said.

Trade

President Buhari welcomed the significant increase in trade figures between Africa and Turkey, reaffirming that international trade is an engine for development and sustained economic growth, as well as the global eradication of poverty.

He urged the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA) to help boost trade between Africa and Turkey, resulting in a win-win situation for all parties.

President Buhari praised President Erdogan for establishing the Turkey-Africa Partnership in 2008.

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“We are confident that this cooperation mechanism will be a game-changer for our countries and set us on the path of sustainable development for our peoples, given the level of openness, trust, and commitment manifested in the Africa–Turkey Partnership,” the Nigerian leader added.

IMF approved $258 million loan disbursement to Kenya

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IMF approved $258 million loan disbursement to Kenya

The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board has approved a $258 million loan to Kenya.

According to the IMF, the board’s decision on the disbursement will bring total IMF financial support to $973 million under Kenya’s Extended Fund Facility and Extended Credit Facility programs.

“Kenya has shown remarkable resilience in the face of the COVID shock in 2020, and the country is on the mend economically.” “In 2021, growth is expected to accelerate to 5.9%,” according to the IMF.

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“Though uncertainty and pandemic-related pressures will persist until vaccinations become widely available,” it said of Kenya’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

Kenyan authorities have demonstrated strong commitment to their reform agenda in a difficult environment, according to the IMF, and have kept careful control of government spending to keep the deficit under control.

In Ogoni, CSO seeks to distribute portable water

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In Ogoni, CSO seeks to distribute portable water

Social Action, a civil society organization, has called for the immediate distribution of portable water across the four local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State, as recommended by a UNEP report.

The demand was made during a town hall meeting in the state’s Bori Khana Local Government Area, with the theme “Where is the water for Ogoniland?”

Dr. Isaac Osuoka, the Executive Director of Social Action, spoke out about his concern for the health of the people in the area.

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Despite the establishment of an interventionist agency such as the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to implement the UNEP report, he stressed that communities in Ogoni are still struggling to obtain portable water as a basic need.

Osuoka, who was represented by the group’s Communication Coordinator, Peter Mazzi, said the UNEP report recommended two phases of activities to address environmental contamination in Ogoniland: emergency measures and remediation.

He bemoaned the fact that the HYPREP is beset by priority misplacement, administrative bottlenecks, and politics, all of which have contributed to the people’s continued health problems.

“To address environmental contamination in Ogoniland, the UNEP recommended a two-phase tenure of activities,” he said. The phases of emergency measures and remediation.

“The emergency measures include a recommendation for providing access to clean water and forming a health organization, as well as providing immediate relief in the face of life-threatening environmental contamination.”

“The first goal is to address the critical needs of the communities in advance of a full-scale environmental remediation process that could last up to 30 years.”

“Administrative bottlenecks, politics, and priority misplacement have hampered the cleanup process. Until recently, HYPREP’s activities were primarily focused on soil remediation, which has a number of flaws and drawbacks.

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“Communities still lack access to clean drinking water ten years after the report was released and five years after the cleanup of Ogoniland was flagged off.

“This is despite UNEP’s warnings of a major health crisis and risk posed by contaminated soil, which has been reported to be 800 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) limit in some areas.”

He stated that the organization’s visits to various communities all faced the same challenges, which included a lack of portable water.

“All of the communities’ testimonies are the same: there is no safe drinking water.” People continue to drink and use water from the same contaminated sources identified in the report as death traps, with surface and underground water contaminated by hydrocarbons remaining the primary sources of water for most community members,” Osuoka said.

Some community members who spoke spoke about the difficulties they faced in obtaining clean water from far-flung communities.

“We need water in Ogoni because we don’t have water,” said Barilogbene Charity, a native of Kaani in Khana LGA. We are pleading with the government to provide us with safe drinking water.

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“We walk to the stream to fetch water, and we don’t like it when we have to trek through lonely bushes to get the water.” On the way, one could be kidnapped and no one would know. Even the water we have to walk a long distance to get is filthy. The water used to be blackish in color, and it is true that the water is not good.

“The water makes us sick all of the time.” We want the government to provide us with water and electricity.”

NYSC collaborates with Bank of Ireland, commercial banks on SAED

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NYSC collaborates with Bank of Ireland, commercial banks on SAED

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has received N3.6 billion in start-up loans from the Bank of Industry (BoI) and partner banks to boost the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program.

The industrial bank made the announcement at the 2021 NYSC-SAED festival closing ceremony in Abuja on Friday.

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“So far, BOI and other partners have donated N3.6 billion in setup loans to over 1000 beneficiaries,” according to BoI.

“Despite the obvious challenges in the business environment, several measures have been put in place, such as inflation of market negatives for an improved framework for effective project monitoring.”

Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the Special Guest of Honour, urged captains of industry and financial institutions to provide more credit and venture capital to corps members and entrepreneurs.

Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by the Vice-wife, President’s Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, said: “I am especially delighted that the NYSC has sustained the SAED Festival since its inaugural edition in 2017.”

“This demonstrates that the scheme has continued to play an important role in nation-building in its 48 years of existence.”

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Promoting national unity, integration, and providing manpower for critical sectors of the economy have all been part of this role.

The SAED’s current focus on youth entrepreneurship has raised the scheme’s relevance to new heights.

“I urge industry leaders and financial institutions to expand access to credit and venture capital for these service members and entrepreneurs.”

The corps members’ level of skill and the quality of their products demonstrated during the festival that Nigeria has the manpower to grow in leaps and bounds.

“I applaud the NYSC Director-General, Brig-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and the scheme’s management for their tenacity in ensuring the scheme’s relevance through the SAD program.”

In addition, the Director General of the NYSC, Gen. Ibrahim, stated that over 1.4 million Corps members have been educated on the importance of self-empowerment.

He went on to say that 764,677 people have completed the full skills and entrepreneurship training, and that up to 18,682 people have started businesses using self-help, bank loans, and grants.

“With the help of partners like the Bank of Industry, we’ve kept moving forward in our efforts to ensure the program’s success.”

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Access Bank, Unity Bank, Leventis Foundation Nigeria, British-America Tobacco Foundation, and a long list of others are just a few examples.

“Parts of the benefits of our collaborations include financial grants and loans to Corps members for the implementation of their business plans, as well as the establishment of zonal skill training centers across the country.”

“I am pleased to report to this gathering that successive batches of Corps members have shown more than a passing interest in the SAED program.

Gen. Shuaibu enumerated the challenges facing SAED, saying:

“As we celebrate our achievements today, I will not overlook the fact that implementing SAED is not without its challenges.”

The lack of training logistics and limited funding opportunities are two of the most significant. Only a small percentage of these Corps entrepreneurs have access to start-up capital.

“This influenced the proposal to establish the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund in part” (NYSCTF).

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“Aside from assisting with the provision of adequate operational infrastructure for the Scheme’s success, the Fund will make the SAED program more impactful, particularly through the provision of training logistics and start-up funds to help Corps entrepreneurs realize their business plans.”

Nigeria’s debt increased by N2.54tn in 3 month, hit N38tn

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Nigeria’s debt increased by N2.54tn in 3 month, hit N38tn

Nigeria’s public debt reached N38.005 trillion at the end of the third quarter of 2021, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).

According to a press release on DMO’s website, the total debt figure included the federal government’s total external and domestic debts, as well as the debts of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

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“In line with its practice, the Debt Management Office has published Nigeria’s total public debt as of September 30, 2021,” the statement said. Nigeria’s public debt was N38.005 trillion ($92.626 billion) at the end of Q3 2021, according to data that includes the Federal Government of Nigeria, 36 state governments, and the Federal Capital Territory’s total external and domestic debts.

“The increase of N2.540 trillion when compared to the corresponding figure of N35.465 trillion at the end of Q2 2021 was largely accounted for by the $4 billion Eurobonds issued by the government in September 2021,” the statement continued.

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“The issuance of the $4 billion Eurobonds has provided significant benefits to the economy by increasing the level of Nigeria’s external reserves, thereby supporting the naira exchange rate and providing necessary capital to enable the Federal Government to finance various projects in the budget,” the statement continued.

“The triple tranche $4 billion Eurobond, issued in September 2021, was for the implementation of the new $6.18 billion external borrowing authorized by the Appropriations Act of 2021.

Buhari’s achievements will go down in history – South East APC leaders

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Buhari’s achievements will go down in history – South East APC leaders

On the occasion of his 79th birthday on Friday, December 17, 2021, Southeast leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) evaluated President Muhammadu Buhari’s current leadership and also poured encomium on the Nigerian leader.

President Buhari said on Friday in Turkey that after the 2023 presidential election, he would hand over to his successor and return to his farm in Daura, Katsina State.

The president was in Istanbul, Turkey, for the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hosting.

Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, said Buhari began the day by cutting his 79th birthday cake, which was molded in national colors of green, white, and green, before chairing a planning meeting with officials in his delegation and then driving to the Dolmabahce Palace for a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Erdogan.

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However, in a statement issued on Friday, Nigerian Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development and APC chieftain, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, said that history will always be kind to President Muhammadu Buhari and will remember him for his exceptional leadership, adding that the Nigerian leader has left a legacy of accomplishments.

He insisted that Buhari has shown unwavering commitment to developing and uniting the Nigerian nation, and referred to the country’s number one citizen as “boss and leader par excellence.”

Ogah, on the other hand, congratulated the President on the auspicious occasion and prayed to Almighty God to protect and strengthen him so that he can continue to serve Nigeria and her people selflessly.

“As my leader and boss, you have shown unwavering commitment to the development and unity of our dear nation,” the Abia-born minister said in part. Your life has left an enviable legacy of accomplishments that span the entire stratosphere of a typical Nigerian’s life.

“I pray that Almighty God will continue to protect you and grant you many more years of good health so that you can continue to serve and lead the nation selflessly.”

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On Friday, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s sense of integrity, patriotism, and devotion to humanity has given Nigerians unwavering confidence in the country’s dignity and well-being.

Umahi also congratulated the President on his birthday, saying he was proud to be associated with his charming personal character and the discipline with which he leads.

“Our prayers and solidarity are with you always,” Umahi says, “and we pray God to continue to give you strength and wisdom as you advance our nation’s cause.”

Senator Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo State, praised Buhari in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on the occasion of his birthday on Friday, describing him as a visionary leader who has exhibited uncommon wisdom, remarkable vision, and exemplary leadership in steering the nation’s affairs.

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He believes that the President’s thoughtful leadership and vision have had a positive impact on every aspect of the country and have dramatically changed Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

Uzodinma went on to say that the President’s abilities and leadership style had elevated democracy to new heights, calling him an inspiration to the country and Africa.

Number of new COVID-19 cases in Nigeria has reached 1,584, highest in ten months

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Number of new COVID-19 cases in Nigeria has reached 1,584, highest in ten months

As the country’s daily COVID-19 tally continues to rise, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 1,584 new infections.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the CDC provided an update on the disease outbreak in the country, revealing that new cases had been confirmed in ten states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of cases reported on Friday is the highest in the last ten months.

The last time the country had a single-day tally higher than this was on February 6, when the health agency announced that 1,588 new infections had been confirmed.

This comes as Nigeria’s case count surpasses 1,000 for the third day in a row, following 1,424 and 1,051 cases reported on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

Nigeria had 1,588 cases on February 6, 2021, according to a screenshot.

Authorities in Lagos have declared a fourth wave of the pandemic in the state, citing concerns about a recent spike in the number of cases reported daily.

Lagos had the highest number of new cases with 906, followed by FCT and Rivers with 258 and 217 new infections, respectively.

Edo has 85, Oyo has 50, Ogun has 16, Ondo has 14, Bayelsa has 12, Osun has 10, Bauchi has nine, and Kano has seven.

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While the states of Ekiti and Sokoto reported no new cases, the NCDC said one more person died, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 2,984.

Nigeria has confirmed a total of 222,655 cases since the disease’s outbreak in the country in late February 2020, with 211,373 infected people discharged.

According to the NCDC, 3,686,403 samples have been collected and tested, with 8,091 cases still active in various states and the FCT.

Buhari at 79: Nigerians faced most difficult, challenging times under Buhari’s leadership -Tinubu

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Buhari at 79: Nigerians faced most difficult, challenging times under Buhari’s leadership -Tinubu

Nigerians have faced some of the most difficult and challenging times during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, according to Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Despite the challenges, Tinubu said Buhari had continued to steer the country in the right direction.

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In a congratulatory statement on Buhari’s 79th birthday, he made the remark.

The president celebrated his 79th birthday yesterday by cutting a cake in Istanbul, Turkey, where he is attending President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit.

Former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on the other hand, praised Buhari as a great reformer and democrat.

“Your legacy as a great reformer and democrat will live long into the future,” Tinubu says.

“You are a man of exceptional intellect and character.

“Your presidency has coincided with some of the most difficult and challenging times this country, and indeed the entire world, has ever known.

“Economic crises, global pandemics, insecurity, and criminality have all contributed to the people of our great country having a difficult time in recent years.

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“Yet, despite everything, you continue to steer the ship of Nigeria through the most turbulent of waters, calmly and with uncommon dignity.”

Four people killed, one injured In new militia attack in Southern Kaduna

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Four people killed, one injured In new militia attack in Southern Kaduna

Four people were killed in a new attack by suspected Fulani militia at Zaman Dabo village in the Atyap Chiefdom of Kaduna State’s Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.

The Atyap Chiefdom has been targeted by suspected Fulani militias on several occasions, killing a small number of people, setting houses on fire, and destroying other property, including crops.

According to a source who requested anonymity, the attackers stormed the village at night and carried out their evil plan.

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“Apart from the four people killed by the attackers, one person was seriously injured and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment,” the source said.

When contacted, ASP Mohammed Jalige, the State Police Public Relations Officer, promised to contact the Area Commander and get back to them.

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