2023: We Have A Solid Base To Build On- Ayom

By Emmanuel Obisue

Presidential aspirant in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, Chief Moses Ayom, has said that the current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has set a clear roadmap to the greatness of Nigeria, and thus forms a solid base to build upon.

The entrepreneur and presidential hopeful under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, made this affirmation on Monday at the inaugural Conference of the APC Professionals Forum held on Monday at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

According to Ayom, the group of professionals are inspired by the policies of the APC and the exemplary leadership of the “President and Vice President are the delivery vehicles of the laudable policies of our progressive administration”.

He said the interventions of the two leaders has ensured the rebirth of Nigeria and infrastructural revolution, adding that Nigeria under the APC is gradually moving from the previous state of professionals “scavenging the streets for paid white collar jobs to a more desirable situation of breeding entrepreneurial professionals who are creating wealth, adding value and growing the economy”. 

Ayom noted that supporting a Christian candidate from the North Central which is the only region that has neither produced a democratically elected President or Vice President, would reinforce the “widely held belief” that the President Buhari is for all.

Speaking on the Ease of Doing business, he said “a lot of these successes can be traced to Nigeria’s vast improvement in the Ease of Doing Business index. This policy championed by our President have seen young people break previous barriers especially in fields like ICT, Engineering and the creative industry”.

“It is on record that policies like the social intervention programmes, access to micro credits, the agricultural boom and the fight against corruption have seen an escalation in the participation of young people in the economic sector.

“For me personally, I can testify here that I am one of the biggest beneficiaries of the ease of doing business policy of the APC government. In 2016, I was on President Buhari’s delegation representing the mining sector to the very successful trade mission to China where landmark agreements and partnerships were consummated.

“It was on that trip that the historic currency swap agreement was signed. On the same trip, technical agreements for the iconic Dangote Refinery were signed. My company, Granite and Marble Ltd also signed a ground breaking agreement with the world’s largest manufacturer of mining equipment, SBM China Ltd to establish Africa’s biggest mining processing plant here in Abuja,” he added.

He further commended the never-say-die spirit of the Nigerian professionals, many of whom he said have taken up the vast opportunities provided by our government to excel. 

Speaking at the inaugural conference convened by by former Governor of Bauchi State, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo called on Nigerian professionals to jettison ethnicity, religion and others he called 'parochial considerations', in making crucial decisions for the development of the country.  

Osinbajo noted that only politics devoid of ethnicity and religious considerations can promote and facilitate development in the country.

The VP thus stressed the need for Nigerian professionals to embrace politics that is driven by merit rather than throw up base considerations especially as the silhouette for the 2023 election draws nearer.  

“The usefulness of professionals in politics is that you have people who are used to being assessed on the basis of their own achievements, who are unafraid to make competence the first advertorial of their acumen. In other words, professionals emphasize the role of merit in public life,” he said.

Group Alleges Timi Frank, Ude Bent on Sabotaging the Progress at Nigerian Content Board

Timi Frank, Ude Bent on Sabotaging the Progress at Nigerian Content Board, Group Alleges

A group, Nigerian Oil and Gas Indigenous Operators Association (NOGIOA), led by its Chairman Alhaji Galadima Auwal has alleged that Timi Frank who is described as an associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and an online news publisher, Jackson Ude are bent on sabotaging the progress being made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) through a massive media attack and blackmail campaign against its Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Wabote 

The group noted that in its bid to extort public or private individuals, especially public office holders and appointees of President Buhari’s led federal government, the duo of Timi Frank and Jackson Ude has made a habit of constantly embarking on an inglorious mission and a campaign of calumny to either extort or where not successful, critically damage the reputation of their targets. 

The group lamented as it regretted that many Nigerians have fallen prey to Jackson Ude and Timi Frank’s actions using their media platform of Point Blank News in perpetuating their heinous blackmails. 

In a press statement made public on Wednesday, NOAGIOA alleged that as an associate of the Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Jackson Ude, and Timi Frank have proven to be bent on blackmailing the NCDMB Boss, Engr. Simbi Wabote. 

The NOAGIA Chairman through the statement explained that it was quite unfortunate that instead of concentrating on proper investigative journalism, the duo of Timi Frank and Jackson Ude has chosen the part of perdition and have resorted to using the media as a tool for blackmail

The group worried that the intention of the duo of Ude and Frank was not to ensure accountability of public officers as they claim since there was no question of lack of accountability but their intention is to malign, distract and ultimately sabotage the work of the NCDMB, a critical agency of government, through a vicious and vigorous media abuse and attack of its Executive Secretary, Engr. Wabote 

The statement reads in part ‘‘Timi Frank the former Executive Publicity Secretary of APC is also in on it, not forgetting that he is on self-exile due to questionable activities. 

‘‘Painfully, this two are messing with a man who is focused on his work and should not be toiled with. I enjoin Jackson Ude and Timi frank to focus on the pending defamatory case brought against them and desist from media stunts as a means of distracting the court process. 

‘‘Also let me add that for CNPP instead of them focusing on burning National issues at a time when Nigeria is faced with topical issues, they are busy collaborating with blackmailers. No right-thinking Civil Society Group should be in support of such questionable characters that are known to the Nigerian public as Timi Frank and Jackson Ude.

‘‘We are asking Engr. Wabote to not be distracted by persons with questionable character. 

“So much negative publicity has come from this duo to President Buhari’s appointees and even his administration and how come the two have decided to now seek the president’s intervention against Engr. Wabote, someone performing excellently well to give the president’s administration a credible image. 

“It is obvious that their actions have made them leave the country with a megalomaniac attitude which I insist that Nigerians should not take them seriously. 

‘‘There are pictures all over the Social media of this two taking pictures with Atiku who we believe may not be unaware of their way of life. 

‘’We however urge these two to focus on the case brought against them by Engr. Wabote in the USA court as we believe that the truth will stand the test of time and stop the diversionary tactics. Of course, he that alleges must prove, so let them, go and provide proof’’ 

“As you may well know, Timi Frank has no pedigree. He was a tea boy at Government House when the Late DSP Alamieyeseigha was Governor. He never went to any University 

“As for Jackson Ude was recruited by Late Oronto Douglas to work in his office as Special Adviser on Research and Documentation, he never worked directly with Former President Goodluck Jonathan as he always claims” the statement concluded.

Host Community Urges Halkin Exploration to commence operations in Atala Marginal field

 

By Our Correspondent

 

With the new license for exploration given to Halkin Exploration and Production Company, the people of Ekeremor constituency 2 and other host communities have urged Halkin Exploration to commence operations in Atala Marginal field as soon as possible.

 

The host community noted that this will bring the long awaited dividends to the people of the community.

 

In a statement signed by the member representing Ekeremor Constituency 2 and Deputy Minority Leader in Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Wilson Ayakpo Dauyegha, the host communities congratulated the new owners of the OML 46 and urged them to, as a matter of urgency commence operation to assuage the anger of the people occasioned by the long years of deprivation and injustice meted by the former operator.

 

The community noted that the people of Ekeremor constituency 2 and other host communities have been short-changed since the discovery of the Atala Oil Field, and yet did not resort to hostility because they were hopeful of better things to come.

 

The group said the unproductiveness of the Atala Oil field since its discovery in 1982 and its subsequent award of exploration license in 2003 has been a thing of dwindling hope as it has been decades of hopeful waiting, owing to the fact that the BOCL failed to deliver on her responsibilities and as such we have lost trust in her.

 

They warned that the operating company should no longer delay in the commencement of operation because the patience of the people of Ekeremor constituency 2 is running out as time wasted is resultant of wasted opportunities and further deprivation for them.

 

They noted that the recent calls for cancellation of the license to a new oil exploration company by the Bayelsa State Government and the IYC is not only insensitive, unnecessary, irresponsible but will only incite unrest amongst the host communities who have been patient for so long.

 

This they said will ultimately lead to further delay and more unproductive years which will ultimately succeed in further short-changing us of the long anticipated dividends.

 

They posited that the Bayelsa State Government should as a matter of urgency congratulate the newly licensed exploration company and avail them the enabling environment to thrive, as her current position is also misleading.

 

The host communities further advised the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC to remain apolitical in matters of such, as it negatively affects its reputation and motive as a pressure group for development.

 

Rather it depicts the Youth Body as a tool of government, as all through the years of its unproductiveness, the youth body never thought it necessary to urge the previous owners to do the needful as the host communities were at the losing end of it.

 

The group however applauded the Federal Government for doing the needful by awarding the Atala Oil Field to indigenous oil Exploration Company, the group said any other decision would have been perceived as utter neglect towards the interest of the host communities.

Abuja Lawyers League: Sports is a unifying factor – Minister

By Our Reporter

 

As the Abuja lawyers’ league came to an end over the weekend, the Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has described sports as a unifying factor insisting that it has the capacity to provide a more unifying atmosphere in the country.

 

The minister noted this at the closing ceremony of the Abuja Lawyer League tagged the MAIKYAU CUP 2021 with GLA FC defeating Afe babalola FC in a 2-0 finals at the King’s Turf Arena, Panorama  Wuse Zone 3, Abuja.

 

Represented by Special Adviser Projects, Arch Biodun Owoborode, the minister stated that it is very phenomenal to see lawyers let loose and engage in sporting activity without any discrimination of tribe or religion.

 

According to Owoborode, law is a serious minded profession and the lawyers must be commended for finding time out of their busy schedule adding that this will encourage many other professionals to emulate Abuja lawyers.

 

‘‘Witnessing the finals between GLA FC and Afebabalola FC, you will discover that we had lawyers from all sections of the country, tribes and different religious affiliations showing that sports is a unifying factor’’ he said.

 

 Also Speaking was Chief Sponsor Yakubu Maikyau, SAN who noted that the aim of organising the tournament has been achieved stating that it has afforded the lawyers the opportunity to do something different which in the long run helps in the wellbeing of the lawyers.

 

‘‘You can see the unity and civility displayed here by lawyers, spirit of sportsmanship, I must say that it is a great honour to be part of this success story’’ he stated.

 

Speaking earlier, Olujimi Olujide Poko, the coordinator of the competition which is 5th edition in the series explained that the major reason for the tournament is to bring lawyers in the Nation’s capital together in a separate platform outside the courtrooms.

 

‘‘This is the end result of 9weeks of fun and entertainment, we have legal juggernauts here sitting with the young lawyers. The essence of the competition is more than just about winning, it is the opportunity to network, exercise and promote unity amongst members of the bar.

 

‘’We also had our medical outreach to sensitise our lawyers on the need to be cautious of their health as it is important to exercise and keep up to date on their health status’’ he explained.

 

MAIKYAU CUP 2021 First prize of N500 thousand is GLA FC, Afe babalola FC is 2nd place with 400 thousand while 3rd place of N350 thousand goes to Chris Uche FC.

We have lost our shinning light: RIP HIGH Chief Chris Adokeme

By Our Reporter

The National Executive Council, NEC of University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association wishes to announce with a deep sense of grief, but with total submission to the will of God, the sudden and untimely death of our National President, High Chief, Barr, Comrade Chris Adokeme who passed away during the night of Monday 5th July 2021.

In a Press statement signed by First National Vice President Citizen Uduak Ewitat states that in this time of sorrow, a thought of comfort and condolences go out to the grieving family and to the entire body of the University of Portharcourt Alumni Association,world wide. 

"Our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy and grief at the untimely and sudden passage of our dear President.

"No words can describe how pained we are for this great loss at a time like this. We are however consoled by the word of God in Isaiah 61:3 that says  " To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning…” Rest in peace High Chief Chris Adekome. More information will be provided after NEC meeting which is scheduled to hold shortly" he stated.

Housing sector is equally affected by Insecurity- Oke

 

By Ere-ebi Agedah 

 

The CEO Lifestyle Asset Hub Limited, Mr Abioye Oke has stated that the housing sector in Nigeria is also affected by the ongoing state of insecurity in the country noting that this has frightened companies in the western world from investing in Nigeria.

 

He insisted that that the current precarious security challenges in Nigeria has made companies unwilling to come to Nigeria to support the housing needs of Nigerians explaining that a forward thinking developer must be innovative, creative and should be open for collaboration.

 

Oke, who was recently decorated as the Africa CEO of the Year 2021 during Africa Lives Development Conference and Awards at the Rwanda Capital City of Kigali expressed dissatisfaction at the housing deficit in the country stating that a concerted effort from private individuals must be encouraged to support governments effort at ameliorating the menace of housing deficit ravaging the continent of Africa and Nigeria.

 

According to the Lifestyle Boss, lack of use of our sky space, the land use policy of government and inconsistency in policies has remained some of the challenges of the housing sector in the country, adding that every human being has the right to decent and affordable home.

 

‘‘In Nigeria housing sector there are lots of inconsistency in policies, the land use policy of government is also not supporting access to prime locations, also the kind of technology we still use to build today, they are very expensive, they are not very efficient and even the quality of design too makes up, because what makes an apartment affordable, it is not even the structure itself, it is the way it was designed by the architect from day one. 

 

‘‘Also, our lack of use of our sky space, we are not building vertically in this country enough. what I am trying to say is we need to start encouraging developers to start building more vertical structures, so long that the developer can prove that there’ll be enough parking spaces for all the occupants.  I believe that by the time we start building vertically, the cost of selling each unit will drop with the right technology’’ he stated.

 

While stressing that the housing needs of Nigerians must not be left to government alone, Oke noted that Lifestyle Hub through its structured Social Funding System has already settled the issues of affordable housing.

NDDC: Shutting Down Niger Delta Not An Option – IYC

Ijaw Youths Council, IYC Abuja Chapter, has reaffirmed that shutting down the Niger Delta region in protest against the managerial system of allowing the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to be run on interim administration basis, is not an option to be adopted by youths of the oil-rich region.

Briefing the press over the weekend in Abuja, Barr. Ogbofini Dennis, National Deputy Director of Mobilization of the IYC Abuja Chapter was responding to plans by members of the IYC to shut down the region upon the expiration of a one-month ultimatum to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate a substantive board for the NDDC.

Ogbofini called on other IYC members to embrace peace and adopt dialogue in resolving the issues, considering other security challenges facing the country, as well as youth restiveness in the region.

He noted that any attempt to shut down the region will affect the aged people, adding that it will also confirm the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva’s warning that violence in the region will scare away oil companies from coming to invest unless peace is guaranteed.

“We should also consider that giving such ultimatum amounts to arm-twisting the President who in his wisdom, based on consultations and advice by the Niger Delta governors, ordered a forensic audit of the commission.

“As a serving executive member of the IYC Abuja Chapter and a key stakeholder of the Niger Delta, I also want the board to be inaugurated. But I have since observed that having a board has never been the problem of the NDDC.

“We should also consider the hunger strike that our mothers and fathers may face if eventually we shut down the region, we should think of the resulting effect of the planned protest,” he added.

Also speaking, General Momos Wilberforce an ex-agitator urged the president and his exco to shed it's sword and call for dialogue between the Federal Government and stakeholders of the region that will bring long lasting solution to the demands of the people, 

He also used the opportunity to plead to  president Mohammad Buhari to increase the fundings of the NDDC and the Presidential Amnesty program