News

Nsukka Journalists mourn Sen. Ayogu Eze, say his demise ‘left a vacuum’

Published

2 weeks ago

April 28, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Late Senator Ayogu Eze

The Nsukka Journalists Forum (NJF) has mourned Sen. Ayogu Eze, former Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone, which is within the Nsukka cultural zone of Enugu State.

“Sen. Eze demise has left a vacuum among members of the Forum,” the Chairman of NJF, Mr Benson Ezugwu, said in a statement on Sunday in Enugu.

The statement said that it was with deep shock and utter disbelief that “we, the members of the Nsukka Journalists Forum received the news of the demise of our dear brother, colleague and member, Distinguished Sen. Eze, who died on Thursday, April 25, 2024.”

According to the statement, there is no gainsaying that his death has left a vacuum in NJF as we the younger generation in the forum still looked up to him to tap from his vast experiences in journalism and politics.

It said: “Sen. Eze was a consummate journalist and politician, who had passion and untiring interest in the development of Nsukka as a Cultural Zone.

“While as a Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial district, he fought relentlessly for the creation of Adada State.

“The effort led him into facilitating the location of Voice FM in Nsukka and also initiated moves for a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) station to be located in Nsukka.

“He also facilitated the employment of many of our youths in several media houses in Nigeria. He did all these within his first four years in the senate and in his position as the Chairman of Senate Committee on Information.”

It said that Sen. Eze made valid contributions to the growth of Nigerian democracy through his incisive comments and motions on the floor of the Senate.

“He proved his journalistic acumen as the Chairman of Senate Committee on Information as he always gave the press clear and concise analysis of developments in the Senate.

“His early death at 66 therefore is but a monumental loss to, not only NJF but the entire Nsukka Cultural Zone.

“The Senator is simply irreplaceable.
We take solace in the fact that he made his humble contributions to the growth of humanity. May his soul will find eternal rest, Amen,” it added.

News

Tinubu rejects FEC memos on petrol vehicles, directs MDAs to procure CNG vehicles

Published

34 mins ago

May 13, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Tinubu rejects FEC memos on petrol vehicles, directs MDAs to procure CNG vehicles

President Bola Tinubu has directed the mandatory procurement of compressed natural gas, CNG, powered vehicles by all government ministries, departments, and agencies

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) who disclosed this in a statement noted that the directive was in line with the president’s commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility, and cut high fuel costs.

Ngelale further said the President’s directive is also in furtherance of Nigeria’s effort to transition to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers.

The presidential spokesman further revealed that while addressing members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House on Monday, President Tinubu affirmed that there is no turning back in the energy reforms initiated by his administration.

“This nation will not progress forward if we continue to dance on the same spot. We have the will to drive the implementation of CNG adoption across the country, and we must set the example as public officials in leading the way to that prosperous future that we are working to achieve for our people. It starts with us, and in seeing that we are serious, Nigerians will follow our lead,” the President stated.

According to Ngelale, “The President further directed the rejection of all memos brought by members of FEC seeking the purchase of traditional petrol-dependent vehicles, tasking the affected members of the council to go back and diligently seek value-driven procurements of CNG-compliant vehicles.

“The President remains committed to effectively harnessing the nation’s gas potential, alleviating the burden of high transportation costs on the masses while enhancing the standard of living of all Nigerians”, Ngelale said.

News

NLC ,TUC shut down ministry of power, TCN, NERC over electricity tariff hike

Published

1 hour ago

May 13, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

• NLC, TUC shut down ministry of power, TCN, NERC over electricity tariff hike

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are currently protesting at the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria in Abuja over the “Band A” tariff hike.

The protesting workers had earlier carried a peaceful protest at the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to demand for the reversal of the increment.

Some of the inscriptions on their placard list read; “Nigerian Workers and People Reject Electricity Tariff Increase” “NLC And TUC Say Reverse It Now.”

The placards-carrying protesters led by the NLC President, Joe Ajero upon their arrival at the Ministry of Power insisted that the Minister, Adelabu Adebayo, should come out and address them or risk the workers’ anger.

The Minister was given a few minutes to come out but he failed to show up.

The minister was said to have taken to his heels to hide himself upon the arrival of the protesters.

The development angered the protesters as the NLC President ordered the workers in the Ministry to cut the power supply to the building therefore leaving the Minister in darkness wherever he was hiding.

As at time of filing this report, the labour leaders have ordered all the staff of the ministry to vacate the building as they locked the main gate with padlock.

The protesters said they would be heading for the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to shut down its facility.

News

Naira slumps further, exchanges at over N1,500 against dollar

Published

1 hour ago

May 13, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

The naira continued its depreciation against the US dollar in the foreign exchange market.

Data from the parallel market section and FMDQ showed further depreciation against the dollar on Monday.

At the parallel market, a Bureau De Change operator in Wuse Zone 4, Mistila Dayyabu, that the naira was sold as high as N1,517 per dollar on Monday before settling at N1,500 per dollar.

“On Monday morning, the dollar was sold at N1,517 per dollar. However, on hearing the information about the coming of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives, we started selling at N1,500 this evening, ” he said.

The figure increased from the N1, 450 per dollar it traded at the weekend.

Similarly, at the official market, FMDQ data showed that they dipped to N1478.11 per dollar on Monday from N1466.31 last Friday.

This represents an N11.8 drop from the N1466.31 recorded last Friday.

Earlier, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will do everything to bring down soaring Nigeria’s inflation, which stood at 33.22 per cent in March 2024. (DAILY POST)