News
Gov. Mbah flags off palliatives distribution in Enugu
…Orders immediate distribution of 52,000 bags of rice, 52,000 bags of maize to the poor
… beneficiaries, persons with disabilities commend exercise
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, Wednesday, flagged off the distribution of palliatives in Enugu State, ordering the immediate delivery of 52,000 bags of rice and 52,000 bags of maize to the urban and rural poor in the state.
The palliatives include 200 bags of rice and 200 bags of maize to each of the 260 wards in the state.
Mbah, however, said the palliatives were part of the short-term strategies to fighting poverty, saying the medium and long-term plans of his administration remained to eradicate poverty in the state in line with his manifesto.
“Part of our vision is to eradicate poverty in Enugu State. And we knew that at the time we were saying that, there was a high rate of poverty in the state. But, a few days into our administration, we have had to contend with a number of policies initiated by the Federal Government such as the removal of the petrol subsidy, and also the unification of the foreign exchange rates.
“What that meant was that the people we have in our poverty bracket suddenly expanded because their purchasing power declined drastically.
“As a government that is pro-people, we have the quick fix or short-term strategy to reduce the pressure on our people, while still bearing in mind the long-term goal of eradicating poverty, making sure that we introduce strategic programmes that would in the long run get our people constructively engaged, and make a living from such engagements.
“So, what we have simply come to do here today is to present palliatives to the people of Enugu State, particularly our rural poor, urban poor and our downtrodden.
“We have also put a structure in place to make that happen by decentralising the distribution, involving local council leaderships, the town unions, the religious institutions, among others such that once we leave here, these items will begin to get distributed across the 17 local governments from today”.
The governor also announced the procurement of busses to subsidise transportation and enable the people to go about their socio-economic activities with ease, recalling that his administration had earlier set up committees to verify and clear all arrears of pensions and gratuities owed public servants in the state. This he said would ensure that the elderly and most vulnerable were able to live a meaningful life in the midst of the economic hardship.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, who is also a member of the state palliatives committee, assured that the items would trickle down to the poor immediately.
“As the ALGON Chairman, I promise you that I will work with my colleagues to make sure that these get to the downtrodden. It is not for everybody; it is for the poor, and it must get to them based on the expanded social register that has been compiled”, he said.
Meanwhile, different sections of the beneficiaries have commended the Enugu State Government for transparency and inclusiveness in the management of the palliatives.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Enugu State chapter, Onyebuchi Mbah, said: “I wish to say kudos to the current administration in Enugu State because they deemed it fit to practice inclusiveness, involving the most vulnerable groups, persons with disabilities in this exercise. I want them to continue in that direction.
“Let me also say that in the exercise so far, the state governor has played his own role and we hope that the directives he has given will be followed so that these items will get to the most vulnerable population”
Also speaking, Mrs Chika Nwankwo, Councillor representing Awgu Ward I in Awgu LGA described the palliatives as “sweet news to the poor in the rural areas where I come from”.
“The poor, the sick, and many who cannot afford one square meal in a day are eargerly waiting for us to return with the goodies”, she stated.
News
Some people not interested in making power sector work — Nigerian Govt
The Nigerian government said on Thursday that certain people are not interested in making the power sector function properly because they are only thinking about their interests.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said despite the numerous ministers who have served in the sector, the power industry still encounters obstacles.
Speaking in Abuja, he said: “We have had over 40 ministers in the past and we are still here. We know there will be resistance and distractions but Nigerians will start seeing our overwhelming impact the moment we complete the TCN projects.
“Nigerians should not be cheated and that is why I don’t call this new tariff cost-reflective but service-reflective.”
The minister mentioned that the Ajah mobile substation is meant to boost transmission capacity, improve energy access, and contribute to reaching the goal of increasing power generation from 4000 MW to 6000 MW.
“Its strategic placement at key sites such as Okene, Amukpe, Potiskum, Apo, Ajah, Birnin Kebbi and others underscores our dedication to enhancing transmission efficiency and reliability nationwide.
“The versatility of this mobile station cannot be overstated. From addressing major load centres to serving as a stopgap measure during maintenance and emergencies, its flexibility ensures swift responses to fluctuating power demands, thereby contributing to uninterrupted service delivery,” he added.
News
Nigerian Governor attacked abroad (Video)
A video of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State being attacked by critical Nigerians abroad with insults has emerged on the social media.
The verbal attack in a foreign country saw some Nigerians accusing the governor as he approached a building of walking on good roads whereas they claimed that his state lacks good roads.
The governor who was attired in a suit was walking alone as he approached a building for an engagement. Governor Obaseki, however, did not mutter a word to the crowd who attacked him with verbal insults as he kept his cool and walked across the hostile crowd.
A voice over to the video stated thus:
This is Obaseki right here. Your state has failed. That is Obaseki of Edo State. See as you are. You see the good roads here. Obaseki did you see good roads? Obaseki o-e, Obaseki -le. He is walking on a good road. That is the governor of Edo State. He is walking on a good road but his state doesn’t have good roads. That’s the governor.
Governor Obaseki has repeatedly alleged that the bad roads in Edo State are mostly federal roads which he claims the federal authorities have refused to repair.
The Edo State Government is yet to respond to the video and the date of the attack and specific place of attack are presently unknown.
Watch the video of how Governor Obaseki was verbally attacked:
Obaseki is a failure only his SA and SSA plus PDP hallelujah boys disagree.
Watch as he gets booed abroad.@chiditweets042 See your governor pic.twitter.com/EwaqJ3UPdP— Osaro PhD, Csu. (@official_osasb7) May 2, 2024
News
Fake worshipper jailed 3 years with hard labour for stealing 5 phones
Delivering judgment, magistrate, Mrs O.O. Latunji said that she convicted and sentenced Adeshina based on the evidence made available to her as well as his plea of guilt.
Latunji added that she sentenced the convict to three years in prison in spite of his plea to court to temper justice with mercy so as to serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
“I hope that the convict is truly remorseful of his action because you shall be subjected to stiffer punishment if caught again after completing your jail term.
“Therefore, Adeshina is sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour,” Latunji said.
Earlier, the prosecution, Insp Oluseyi Akinola told the court that the convict was arraigned on a five-count charge of stealing.
Akinola further stated that the Adeshina committed the crime on Dec. 26 2023, Jan. 12 and Feb. 16 respectively in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to him, Adeshina went to different churches around Mokola community, disguised as a member of the congregation.
The prosecution said that convict asks his victims to allow him make use of their phones for an emergency and takes off with the phones.
He said that nemesis caught up with the convict on April 8 when one of the victims apprehended him at Saint Stephen area of Mokola in Ibadan.
The prosecutor stated that Emmanuel Julius, Tosin Jimoh, Blessing Ogunniyi, Deborah Babatunde and Modupe Olalere had reported the matter at Mokola police station about the serial theft of their mobile phones.
He said that the convict stole an Infinix Alt6 worth N60,000; a Techno pop C valued at N55,000, Itel 860, valued at N78,000; Iphone XI valued at N180,000 and Infinix Max7 valued at N110,000.
Akinola said the offence contravened the provisions of section 390 (9) of the Criminal Act Cap 38 Vol II Law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000. (NAN)
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