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Leave the NDDC alone: An Open Letter to the Leadership of the National Assembly

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By Comr. (Chief) Frank Akiefa

The Ijaw Youth Council has keenly watched the recent happenings going on in the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC). Activities relating to a parastatal responsible for the development of our Ijaw communities is not just a topic of interest for us; monitoring its activities is also part of our responsibilities.

In recent months the various NDDC leaderships have been in a series of conflicts with the National Assembly. This is coming at a time when the running of the NDDC has been visibly effective. This is coming at a time when the looting of years past is finally being exposed. The current head of the Interim Management Committee; Professor Keme Pondei is a respected Ijaw son and his safety and well-being is of importance to us. We will in no way tolerate the bullying of any Ijaw son.

We call on the leadership of the National Assembly and the few politicians bullying the NDDC and its supervising minister; to refrain from such.

We appreciate Mr. President for turning his torch light on the activities of the NDDC. With just a few months of this new leadership, the NDDC has been able to complete its headquarters; a project that was abandoned for over 15 years. We also want to thank the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, for his doggedness and resolve to clean up the NDDC.

The revelations coming out from the Forensic Audit, has exposed a lot of wrongdoings. We just hope the Minister has what it takes to fight to the end and expose the corruption that was in the NDDC.

On the accusations made by the former Chairman of the Interim Management Committee, Barr. Joy Nunieh against the Minister of the Niger Delta, we see no evidence of facts; as against the documents members of the IMC have provided, indicting the leadership and members of the National Assembly. We call on all Ijaw sons and daughters to protect agencies set up for our development.

Let us resist these enemies who use propaganda to weaken our institutions. It is now clear that the Forensic Audit of the NDDC is what is shaking the political atmosphere. We are watching.

 

 

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SANWO-OLU FELICITATES WITH BUHARI AT 78

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 78th birthday

President Buhari clocks 78 on Thursday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory message issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said President Buhari has demonstrated unparalleled leadership skills, patriotism, integrity and courage in steering the ship of Nigeria.

He said: “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos State, I congratulate our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 78th birthday. You have sacrificed the greater part of your adult life in service of our dear country. Therefore, you deserve to be celebrated.

“We appreciate your contribution to the unity, growth and development of Nigeria right from your youthful days till date. As a Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of State and currently President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander of the Armed Forces, you have demonstrated unparalleled leadership skills, patriotism, integrity and courage in bringing about responsive and responsible governance in Nigeria.

“Your passion for Nigeria and quest for good leadership in our country made you to contest for presidential election for four consecutive times before you were elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. Your integrity and forthright attitude to governance got you another mandate in 2019.

“Since you assumed office on May 29, 2015, you have provided honest and transparent leadership and your achievements in the fight against corruption, has earned Nigeria respect in the comity of nations. You are a true leader that’s worthy of emulation.

“I hereby join family, friends, associates, leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in celebrating our leader’s 78th birthday. I wish our President more prosperous years in good health and wisdom as he continues to serve our dear nation.”

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LAGOS BEGINS PRE-FESTIVE SEASON DISINFECTION OF LIVE BIRD MARKETS

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Lagos State Government has commenced disinfection and decontamination of 33 major live bird markets across the metropolis.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who disclosed this today in Lagos, noted that the exercise is aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly avian influenza and other zoonotic diseases as residents prepare for the festive period when the demand for live birds will increase.
Olusanya listed the markets where the disinfection and decontamination would take place as Awolowo Live Bird Market, Mushin; Main Live Bird Market, Mushin; Cairo Live Bird Market, Oshodi; Bolade Live Bird Market, Arena; Olaleye Live Bird Market; Bariga Live Bird Market; Ketu Live Bird Market; Mile 12 Live Bird Market; Tejuosho Live Bird Market; Oyingbo Live Bird Market; Jankara Live Bird Market, Lagos Island and Pelewura Live Bird Market, Lagos Island.
Others are Oja Oba Live Bird Market, Agege; Abattoir 1 & 2 Live Bird Markets; Idera Live Bird Market, New Garage; Isale Oja Live Bird Market, Agege; Ikotun Live Bird Market; Alayabiagba Live Bird Market; Alaba Suuru Live Bird Market; Agboju Live Bird Market and Festac Live Bird Market.
According to her, the exercise would also take place at the Ojo Cantonment Live Bird Market; Alaba Rago Live Bird Market; Okokomaiko Live Bird Market; Ejina Live Bird Market, Ikorodu; Sabo Live Bird Market, Ikorodu; Odogunyan Live Bird Market, Ikorodu; Ajah Live Bird Market; Sangotedo Live Bird Market; Akodo Live Bird Market; Arasi Live Bird Market, Ibeju Lekki and Agbalata Live Bird Market, Badagry.
The Commissioner, therefore, urged members of the Live Bird Marketers Association of Nigeria and all stakeholders to give their full support and cooperation in order to ensure the success of the exercise.
Meanwhile the President of Live Bird Marketers in Lagos State, Mrs. Olushola Osoba, who witnessed the commencement of the exercise at the Awolowo Live Bird Market, Mushin, commended the State Government for its continuous support to the Association.
She noted that the exercise was the fifth time that the State Government was disinfecting the markets this year, resulting in the members of her association recording low mortality of their birds to avian influenza.
“The Lagos State Government is really doing well for us. This year, this is the fifth time the State Government will be disinfecting our market for us. Because of this, the mortality rate of our chickens has reduced”, Osoba said.

 

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OGSIEC TRAINS STAFFERS ON COVID-19 PREVENTION IN WORKPLACE

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As part of efforts to prepare ahead for the local government elections, the Ogun State government has charged the staffers of the Ogun state Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to embrace attitudinal change towards work and be a Covid-19 compliant by wearing nose mask, washing of hands and uses of hands sanitizers at all times.

The Permanent Secretary, OGSIEC, Mrs. Mojisola Dosunmu made this known during a-day training programme organized for the staff and members of the commission, held at OGSIEC office, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, the State capital.

Mrs. Dosunmu said the programme was birthed in order to further encourage the staffers to gear-up to their attitude to work, as well as adhering strictly to preventive measures of covid-19, especially in their offices as the virus still very much within, noting that it was important to prevent ourselves from contacting it than be looking for the cure.

One of the resource persons, Mrs. Idowu Kehinde, Director, Management Services and Zonal Administration, implored the staffers to cultivate the right attitude to work, while upholding the principles and ethics of the civil service, as this would foster achievement of organizational goals set by the government.

She added that officers should be willing and ready to learn as well as be a team player at every point in time, saying this will enhance their productivity at the workplace, especially through working together as a team.

Also, Dr. Olalekan Sodeinde of the State Ministry of health, in his lecture said Covid-19 was very much within, noting that observing physical distance reduces the risk of contact with droplets from an infected person’s sneeze/cough.

Dr. Sodeinde admonished the staff and management of the Commission to always wear a face mask, wash their hands frequently with soap under running water, cough/sneeze into their bent elbow and maintain physical distance, saying that as far as there are no vaccines for the virus yet, the state government was taking laudable steps to stem the communal spread of the virus, by creating centers across the 20 local government areas of the state for free Covid-19 testing and home treatment packages for people with mild symptoms.

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