Our correspondents
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has fulfilled its campaign promises to Nigerians despite dwindling revenue.
Mohammed made the pronouncement at the presentation of the National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP), Report Card event to mark the second anniversary of Buhari’s administration in Abuja.
The theme of the report card presentation was “Showcasing the Achievements of National Social Investment Programmes: A Smile for Every Nigerian.â€
He said through N-SIP, the federal government provided employment to 200,000 unemployed graduates, engaged 57,000 people through Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and empowered about 26,000 ordinary Nigerians through Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT).
Mohammed said under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), government was able to serve about 25 million meals to 1.2 million pupils all over the country in order to make leaning conducive.
The minister added that the APC-led federal government under its school feeding programme had employed no fewer than 12,000 cooks across 36 states and the FCT.
The minister said that in spite of dwindling resource, between since 2016, the federal government was able to add an additional $7 billion to its foreign reserves.
Mohammed disclosed that the Buhari administration had been able to attract $500 million to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), and increased the Excess Crude $87 million.
“All these we did despite the very tight resources,†the minister said.
Wike: Our Investments in Infrastructural Devt Have Engendered Growth
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that his administration has over the last two years made unprecedented investments in the development of infrastructure which have engendered growth in the service sectors leading to economic boom in the state.
In a state address at a town hall meeting and accountability forum to mark the second year anniversary of his administration yesterday, Wike stated that his administration has placed the state on the path of rapid development after the failure of the immediate past government.
The governor declared that moribund businesses are gradually re-opening shops in the state while new local and foreign investments have also been attracted to the state.
He said his administration had also eliminated multiple taxation to ensure that businesses thrive for the benefit of the people.
I Have Not Betrayed Trust of A’ Ibom People, Emmanuel Boasts
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel who is celebrating his second year in office and 18 years of interrupted democracy yesterday said he has not betrayed the faith the people of the state reposed in him when elected as the governor of state two years ago.
Regrettably though, the governor, during a broadcast and at a rally held at the Uyo Township Stadium to mark the anniversary in the state, expressed concern that despite efforts to stabilise the polity and the economy, there is still clog in the wheel of progress of the state as a people.
“On this second anniversary of our administration, we have come here to celebrate prosperity, report progress and renew our deep and unbridled commitment to the development of our beloved state, the land of promise, undying hopes, dreams and aspirations.â€
Ayade Employs another 1,000 Workers in Garment Factory
In the spirit of the Democracy Day celebration, Cross River Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has announced the recruitment of additional 1,000 workers in the state garment factory.
The governor, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday during the inspection of some ongoing projects in the state, said the gesture was a deliberate measure to put food on people’s table.
According to him, “We the government and people of the state are declaring an additional recruitment of 1,000 people unto the feeding table. These people will be fully recruited, taken and absorbed by this garment factory.â€
We’ll Complete all Inherited Projects, Says Sokoto Govt
Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, has said the state government is determined to complete all road projects inherited from the immediate past administration.
Aliyu, who is also the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, made the assertion yesterday while briefing journalists on the achievements recorded by the state government in the past two years.
He maintained that the state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, would not abandon any single project left by his predecessor.
According to him, some of the road projects left by the immediate past administration had been completed while others are still ongoing.
Bauchi Seals Deal for $27.5bn Investment
A Bauchi State Government delegation has arrived in China to sign a partnership agreement worth $27.5 billion investment in solid minerals to explore selected minerals as well as establish a Pithead Power Plant project that will contribute 3,500 megawatts of electricity to the national grid in partnership with a Chinese consortium of investors.
The state Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who disclosed this yesterday while presenting his score card in the second year anniversary of his administration, said his administration had delivered dividends of democracy given the paucity of resources; unrealistic monthly wage bill of over N5 billion and corruption in the system.
He revealed that the projects, when completed, would generate 10,000 direct and indirect employments to youths in the state.
Ahmed: Why Kwara Stepped Down Democracy Day Celebrations
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday said his administration decided to step down the 2017 Democracy Day celebration due to the ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the state.
Ahmed in a statement issued and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, also rejoiced with Kwarans as the nation marks the 2017 Democracy Day.
The governor, who advised Kwarans to uphold the prevailing peace and understanding in the state, said such understanding is crucial for overall development of the state.
He stressed the need for Kwarans to live in peace and harmony and respect for one another’s differences.
Obaseki Says All Hands on Deck
Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has assured the people of the state that his administration is committed to adhering to democratic conduct that would deploy democratic ideals to develop every sector of the state in order to make it an international model of good governance.
This was as the governor issued a statement congratulating the state and Nigeria or sustaining democracy and remaining united and focused on its path to greatness.
The governor, however, stated that democracy, like Rome, was not be built in a day and that it took conscious efforts from both the people and the government to make the system of governance work.
Okowa Dedicates Success to God, Thanks Deltans
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State yesterday dedicated the success of his administration within two years in office to God and the support of Deltans.
In an inter-denominational praise and worship programme christened ‘Delta State 2017 Thanksgiving and Praise Day’ held in Asaba, Okowa who attended the ceremony with his wife, Edith; his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro and his wife, Ebi, said the event was in obedience to the word of God.
While noting that with such event, “Delta State will continue to prosper and glorify God,†Okowa thanked God that peace had returned to all parts of the state after security challenges in the creeks which led to the destruction of pipelines in the state.
He expressed confidence that the state would recover speedily with full repairs of damaged pipelines as he thanked Deltans for their support for his administration.
Ugwuanyi Pledges Good Governance, Dividends
Enugu State Government yesterday rolled out the drums to celebrate of the second anniversary of the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, even as the governor reaffirmed his readiness to leave lasting legacies by the end of his tenure.
The event which was held at the Michael Okpara square, Enugu, attracted notable personalities including past and present leaders of the state such as the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and other members of the National Assembly.
The governor, who addressed the crowd, promised to continue with his vision to provide good governance and other basic needs of the people of the state in order to “build the Enugu State of our dreams,†notwithstanding the economic difficulties in the country.
While thanking the people of the state for their unparalleled support, solidarity and prayers, he also promised that his administration will continue to run an open and accountable government.
Kano Benefits from Buhari’s Fight against Terrorists, Says Ganduje
Governor Abdullahi Umar of Kano State has described the state as a great beneficiary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s sustained offensive against Boko Haram terrorist group
Speaking at a town hall meeting convened to showcase his two-year score-card as governor yesterday, Ganduje said the president is the one who can be said to have achieved his goal on security100 per cent, adding that with the punitive steps he had taken to nip the insurgency in the bud, he has proven his mettle as a leader worth his salt.
He, however, stated that the people of the state had been made to groan under the savage occupation of the Boko Haram elements before the president came on board on May,29, 2015, affirming that he exhibited the courage of a fearless and intrepid leader whose resolve on engendering peace in the Boko Haram enclaves was never shaken in the face of any threat.
Benue Grants 43 Prisoners Amnesty
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday granted amnesty to 43 indigenous inmates serving jail terms in various prisons across the state as part of the activities to mark this year’s Democracy Day.
He announced this during the official launch of this year’s cropping season/fertilizer sales and distribution ceremony which also commemorate with his second years in office, held at the IBB Square, Makurdi.
The governor disclosed that he decided to used the powers conferred on him, as the executive governor of the state to freed those inmates in the prisons as a democracy gift to them.
Despite Challenges, We are Making Steady Progress as a Nation, Says Senator Adeola
The senator representing Lagos West senatorial district, Senator Solomon Adeola, has called on Nigerians to continue their active participation in Nigerian democratic practice as this is the only way to nurture and strengthen all the institutions of the system of government.
In his goodwill message to mark the nation’s 18 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, Adeola noted that the nation has not done badly in running its democracy as well as creating strong democratic values and institutions that make it difficult for anyone to contemplate any other rule aside democracy.
In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday by his Media Adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, the Ogun State gubernatorial hopeful said: “At 18 years of uninterrupted democratic rule with Nigeria overcoming democratic challenges, and sometimes desperate economic situation, we can only continue to grow our democracy to greater heights like other advanced democracie
Your Vote is Your Power, Uzodimma Reminds Nigerians
For sustaining democracy for 18 years, Senator Hope Uzodimma has lauded Nigerians, even as he urged them to always use their votes to elect political leaders who they can hold accountable.
In a goodwill message in Abuja to mark Democracy Day celebrations yesterday, Uzodimma who represents Imo West in the Senate, said Nigerians should see the occasion of Democracy Day anniversary as deep reflection on the power of their votes without which no political office holder can assume office.
He noted that the awesome power of votes must be used wisely to elect God-fearing leaders who would protect and defend the interest of the people particularly the less privileged.
