Author Archives: Admin

“There Will Be A Dawning Of A New Day For Nigeria!” -Fadojoe Remarks In His Merry Christmas Message.

Comrade Faduri Oluwadare Joseph aka Fadojoe, the leader of Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative aka Rescue Movement For New Nigeria and a former presidential aspirant under Labour Party, has said no matter the thickness of the night there will be the dawning of a new day for Nigeria and the country will take her place of pride again among the Comity of Nations.

This is contained in his Christmas good wishes message to Nigerians made available to pressmen. While wishing Nigerian a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance, the activist noted that as the year is ending, there is need for reminiscence on the political situation in the year 2023 in our dear country, Nigeria. Stressing that “the year, 2023 started with a ray of hope as in February Nigerians were enthusiastic in electing new leaders that they hope will bring positive change to the nation and lift Nigeria gradually out of the gulf of political and social-economy downturn the nation has been plugged into over the years, but unfortunately as the new administration took over power, the country is nosediving deeper as economy is crashing more, naira on free fall cost of everything on the rise, yet our political leaders are still spending lavishly and borrowing to finance their extravagant cost of governance.

“However, no matter the situation we still have reasons to give thanks to God, if not for anything at least for life: that you and I, are still in the land of the living. And certainly there is always light at the end of the tunnel and there is no thickness of the night that can prevent the dawning of a new day. So let us be hopeful that Nigeria will rise again and take her place among the Comity of Nations.

“Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year in advance from all of us at Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative aka Rescue Movement For New Nigeria”, he concluded.

Again, Zulum Provides Free Christmas Transportation to South

For the fourth time since 2020, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum
of Borno State Government, on Thursday, approved free transportation for 630 families who intend to travel to their various states for the Christmas celebration as a way of cushioning the effect of the current hardship faced by citizens as a result of the subsidy removal.

The move was to support the less privileged who could not have afforded fares and foster peaceful coexistence among non-indigene groups.

Mr Emmanuel Egwudike, the Coordinator of Ohanaeze All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Group, at the flag off said the Governor also provided money to widows for Christmas celebration.

He commended the Governor for providing free transport for the less privileged, who wouldn’t have travelled without the support.

He noted that it was not the first time that Governor Zulum had been magnanimous as he regularly supported non-indigenes and gave palliatives to widows to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

“He has been doing this since 2020. Every Christmas, he makes sure that every non-indigene, especially the most vulnerable, can travel. Due to hardship and economic situations, as well as subsidy removal and an increase in transportation, a lot of families wouldn’t be able to get themselves to celebrate Christmas in their state without this gesture from Zulum’s administration.

“You can see the number of people that are here at the park and the joy in the faces of the people, which is the mood of happiness.

“From the record we have, over 630 families will be going to their various homes to celebrate this Christmas and this is something that is quite appreciated by all non-indigenes in the State,” he said.

He, therefore, urged other governors to emulate Zulum to further boost the unity in their respective states.

“This is what is expected from every governor because, when we talk about unity, it is beyond lip service. This is an avenue to cement the purpose of the people and this will strengthen the unity in the State,” he said.

President of the Tiv Community in the State, Mr Abraham Kaanti, said the Governor had exhibited his love for the downtrodden and the less privileged by this gesture.

He added that the Governor’s gesture came when many had lost hope of travelling home for the festivities.

Also speaking for the Yoruba Constituency in the State, who are among the beneficiaries, Chief Saka Ganiyu Abiodun expressed gratitude to Zulum for the gesture, saying that the Governor is known for his attitude of not wanting to see people suffer.

He said the selection of the beneficiaries was done on the vulnerability of each of them, especially those who wished to go home but could not afford the cost of taking themselves home.

In a similar vein, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Borno State, Pharm Napoleon Egbonu, who said he was sent by the Igbo Community to supervise what is happening and appreciates the Governor, said the gesture is directly touching the downtrodden.

“It is a tro and fro programme. It has been going on for the past five years and the people are really happy with the Governor,” Egbonu said.

For the leader of the Eggon Community in Borno and a native of Nasarawa State, who said he has lived in the state for over 40 years, working for the Nigeria Railway Corporation, the Governor’s gesture is timely considering the economic hardship bedevilling the people presently.

CSOs Dismiss Allegations of Religious Discrimination, Fraud Against Gov. Zulum

Northern based Coalition of Civil Society Organisations have dismissed allegations of religious discrimination and fraud against Borno State Governor, Alhaji Babagana Umara Zulum.

Recalled that the Center for Justice on Religious And Ethnicity in Nigeria (CJREN) had accused Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State of deliberately excluding Christians in the state from the Federal Government palliatives and assistance brought to the state including the N3billion given by President Bola Tinubu to help those whose family members were killed by Boko Haram insurgents and other terrorists in the state.

Reacting to what it termed, “concocted false and misleading” allegations levelled against the Governor ,the CSOs in a statement jointly signed by Chairman and Secretary,Comrade Musa Abdullahi Danbatta and Comrade Yusuf Ibrahim Kudan said it quite unfortunate that the CJREN is promoting acrimony and religious division in a state already devastated by insurgency .

The statement further reads: “We are deeply worried about the tension being stirred up by the religious group , especially about a dispassionate Governor, widely known across the country for his hard working disposition and commitment to tackle prolonged menace of Boko Haram Insurgency in the State .

“We have keenly studied the Press Release Shared by The CJREN Director-General, Reverend Kallamu Dikwa and concluded , it was more of a mischief than conflict resolution.

“At this critical period , we expect Leaders , whether religious, political or traditional to always talk more issues that promote and unite people than those that create cracks and division.

“It is in the public domain that Governor Zulum has carve a niche for himself a leader with passion for progress and development of Borno State regardless of any bias .

“We can authoritatively defend Zulum as an individual who demonstrated high sense fairness ,justice and equity with distribution or state resources since he assumed office as Governor of the State.

” We recalled that The governor during his inaugural speech did promise to promote unity and work with all stakeholders for the development of the state and he has been visibly doing exactly that. “

On the allegation of fraud , the forum acknowledged how the Governor has managed state funds judiciously and manner of equitable distribution of palliatives and assistance to victims of Boko Haram Insurgency and disaster over the years .

His Policy formulation and initiatives have always being targeted towards financial viability of Borno State in revenue generation and expenditure

The Forum however , urged the citizens of Borno and Nigerians to disregard the malicious release by CJREN and support the Governor to continue to provide good governance and dividends of democracy.

Forum Holds Workshop  to discuss accessible ,affordable  health system in Nigeria

In a bid to find a sustainable solution  to funding problems within the healthcare system in the country , Group  under aegis of Assessible and Affordable Healthcare  (AHF) has concluded arrangements to organize a Workshop to discuss Nigeria’s health problems and affordability. 

According to the forum, the  workshop holding in Kaduna on Saturday will focus  on  Northern Nigeria and the peculiar health challenges and solutions. 

In a statement signed by the Secretary  of the Forum for Assessible and Affordable Healthcare, Dr. Muhammad  Umar ,the programme with the theme: “Exploring the Affordable and assessable aspects of the Health sector Renewal and investment initiatives and compact” will direct conversations on how the poor can benefit from health reforms policies. 

It will equally discuss How society’s cultural and religious norms can fit into the health care system . 

In the statement the forum further said the discussants will dwell much about   public and private health issues facing the country,  especially northern region. 

The forum has invited resource persons across  the world with vast solutions experience in providing  solutions to challenges facing healthcare delivery system. 

Participants  and drawn from the  healthcare facilities across Nigeria and other Stakeholders within health sectors are expected to attend. 

Governor Radda Launches Empowerment Drive in Daura, Praises Former President Buhari for Transparency and Commitment

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has reiterated his commitment to protecting the interest of the people of the state.

He stated this during the launch of an empowerment Programme benefitting 3,623 orphans, vulnerable individuals, women, and APC officials in Daura.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Nasiru Yahya Daura received praises from the Governor for committing over thirty-four million naira to support the less privileged in his Daura constituency.

Governor Radda expressed appreciation to legislative members addressing the needs of their constituents through empowerment packages, urging them to uphold the integrity of the electorates.
The programme’s initiator, Speaker Alh. Nasiru Yahya Daura, vowed to sustain it, reaching more vulnerable individuals in the constituency.

Speaker Daura,while acknowledging the former president’s presence, highlighted his personal efforts in constructing eleven Islamiyya schools across the local government areas.

State APC Chairman Alhaji Sani Aliyu Daura noted this empowerment package as the tenth initiated by the Speaker since his election.

Deputy State Chairman, APC, Bala Abu Musawa urged legislative members, especially at the National Assembly, to initiate similar empowerment packages for orphans and vulnerable individuals in their constituencies. He thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari for transparent leadership and emphasized on the need for honesty in elective positions.

The ceremony’s highlights included special awards to former President Buhari and Governor Radda for their outstanding commitment to transparency, fighting banditry, and supporting education. Former President Buhari received an award and a Bull, while Governor Radda was awarded and presented with a horse. Other awardees included State Deputy Governor Alhaji Faruq Lawal Jobe and Speaker State House of Assembly Nasiru Yahaya Daura.

Governor Dikko Radda and former President Buhari later commissioned a new secondary school, mosque, and clinic constructed by Nigerian counsel to Benin Republic, Muntari Ali, in Yardage District, Zango Local Government.

Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed,
Chief Press Secretary to the Katsina State Governor.

December 20th, 2023.

Sunusi,SERAP’s Allegations of Non Remittance of Revenues, Forex by Kyari’s Management Unfounded , Frivolous,says  Energy Monitors Coalition 

A Group Energy Monitors Coalition of Nigeria (EMCN)  has described  as frivolous the demand by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and  Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, to disclose details of barrels of oil Nigeria produces and exports every day and the total amounts of revenues generated from oil since the removal of subsidy on petrol in May 2023.

Recalled SERAP and the former Kano Emir that made the demand separately , also accused Kyaril led NNPCL of allegedly failing to remit enough foreign exchange into the treasury despite the removal of fuel subsidy. 

But in a reaction to the allegations , the Energy Monitors Coalition of Nigeria in a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Mr. Theophilus Abraham and Musa Ibrahim Danbatta which concedes to issues of allegations of corruption and mismanagement  in the oil sector and entrenched impunity of perpetrators which over the years  undermined public trust and confidence in the oil company, said Mele Kyaril led management has demonstrated that capacity combined with hardwork can yield positive results.

According to the group, the cheering news about Port-Harcourt refinery coming on-stream this December; and improved crude production as well as drive for profit making under Kyari’s are enough evidence to exonerate his management of blame. 

While stating that  in the last four years , NNPCL has with records promoted transparency and accountability in barrels of oil the country produces and exports as well  revenues generated from such production and exportation which were  duly  remitted, there is need for caution when apportioning blames . 

The statement  further reads:  ” We want SERAP and the former Kano Emir to know under that the Kyari led Management of NNPCL did not only  demonstrate a high sense of focus and commitment to uninterrupted and smooth operations of the National oil industry, but also posted its second consecutive year of ‘profit’ announcing N674.1 billion in the 2021 financial period and growing it from N287 billion in 2020. The figure represented an increase of N387 billion or 134.8% when compared to the previous N287 billion recorded in 2020.

Reacting to issue of transparency,the group which said Kyari’s reform programmes has enhanced transparency and efficiency in the operations of NNPCL. Adding that the idea of setting up of a new trading subsidiary, establishment of a new crude oil marketing division, and the implementation of a new performance management system enhanced accountability 

The group further said  ,” We want Nigerians to know that when Mele Kyari assumed duty as the Group Managing Director of the now-defunct  NNPC on July 7, 2019, it was at a critical period, but with his appointment in 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari as chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Oil Company Limited (NNPCL), and the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, which came into force in 2021, the TAPE became the standard for steering the new company forward in a global economy still reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which devastated the world in 2020 and 2021.

“The  on-going reforms  has helped the   company’s growth from a loss-making one into a profit-making commercial entity, as the efforts at checkmating crude oil theft and illegal refineries  boost daily oil production. 

“That Nigeria has regained its position as the largest crude oil producer in Africa, ahead of Algeria’s 1.021mb/d and Angola’s 1.088mb/d in November 2022 was not a case out of the blues, but someone’s action that was responsible for it .

“We are quick to forget that  lingering fuel scarcity characterised by long queues at filling station are gradually becoming history, with constant availability of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

“It is no longer news that the  $2.8bn Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project  constructed by Oilserve Limited will be inaugurated December. The 614km-long pipeline to transport natural gas from southern Nigeria to central Nigeria.

“One of the landmark achievements of Kyari’s stewardship at NNPCL is the  commencement of commercial oil  to  exploration in the Northern part of Nigeria.The Kolmani Oil Field, estimated to have a reserve of about one billion barrels of crude oil, OPL 809 and 810, lie in the Gongola Basin of the Upper Benue Trough, straddling Bauchi and Gombe States. 

“We want the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and SERAP to know that running affairs of NNPCL is not only issues of  figures about how much oil  produced daily or sold, but implementation of reforms that will help the federal government generate revenue and  ensure sustainable progress and development of the national oil industry.”