PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, June 5 reminded security and intelligence agencies in the country of the importance of sharing information and intelligence among themselves, as hoarding such resources could be counter-productive in the fight against terrorism.

While acknowledging past efforts in counter-terrorism and the state-of-the-art facilities at the two facilities he visited, Tinubu, in a statement by the Director Information, State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, highlighted the importance of backing such efforts with knowledge.

The President, while undertaking a tour of the new Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and facilities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, said his administration recognised that to achieve economic revival, prosperity and development, security should be of optimum priority.

He stated: “It is a great joy to see that we are getting proactive resources to prepare ourselves. Terrorism is not unique to Nigeria alone; it is across the world and we have to fight it. We have to eliminate it completely.

 “If we as Nigerians are looking for economic revival, prosperity and development, then we have to give priority to security. What I have seen here is a demonstration of intelligence efforts to counter-terrorism. This must be backed by knowledge.

“Counter-terrorism that is not backed by knowledge and intelligence is not going to be of any service to any nation. We are going to work on that together.

“The effort of the entire armed forces of this country must be put together in a way that there will be one single focus on securing the country. You can’t have disharmony in an orchestra. We must focus on one tunnel; coordinate, share information, share intelligence and work harder.

“You cannot hoard information. You cannot hoard intelligence. I am glad that Nigeria is on the path to succeed. We will, I assure you.

“We will make it a priority and that is why I am here this morning.”

Tinubu described the facilities as very important, expressing willingness to do whatever necessary to support the security architecture.

In his remarks, the NSA, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), thanked the President for making the visit his first engagement outside the Villa, saying: “It reinforces his commitment, dedication and inflexible rigidity to ensuring that the security misfortunes of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and by extension the sub-region, are overcome within the shortest possible time.”

Monguno pledged the total commitment and dedication of ONSA to ensuring that Tinubu realises the promises he made to the Nigerian people on security.

ENUGU State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has commended civil servants, transporters, business community and other institutions in the state for the significant compliance with government’s directive for residents to shun the Monday sit-at-home order and go about their normal businesses.

Many residents of the state on Monday,June 5, 2023 traders defiled the sit-at-home order initially imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and went about their businesses.

The governor had stated that about 70 per cent of the people heeded the directive and expressed hope of total compliance on subsequent Mondays.

Mbah, while monitoring compliance with the directive by government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), markets and business concerns, restated government’s resolve to secure lives and property.

Mbah, who also visited markets, where he was warmly received by traders and their leaders, said productivity was key to all the promises he made to the people to drive investment inflow into the state, create jobs, and provide quality services.

He reminded them that the power and mandate belonged to them, charging them not to allow people who had no stake in the state’s economy to undermine its peace and prosperity.

He later said: “The primary objective of my visitations is largely to observe the level of compliance of the directive that we gave last week, declaring that we do not have sit-at-home in Enugu henceforth. The directive was meant to ensure that our people come out on the first working and productive day of the week.

“We do have a compliance level of about 60 to 70 per cent and the order took effect from today. I am aware the circular to this effect was sent out on Friday last week. It may well be that not all the workers got the information that we no longer have sit-at-home on Mondays.

“Whether we succeed or fail in ending sit-at-home, we do that together as Enugu people. If we succeed, our collective success means we can rise together against intimidation. It is not anybody’s or government’s success. We need to take collective responsibility for our decision.

“But the truth is that everything we have promised our people in Enugu is anchored on getting the flow of private sector investments into our state; and the private sector cannot come into a state where the people are not productive. The private sector thrives on big markets and a vibrant workforce.

“So, our people are known by their hard work, by their industry and commerce. So, we cannot have people, who kill these spirits in our people and dictate to us the day we should go to work and the day we should sit at home.

“We have to revive that spirit of hard work and culture of commerce and industry that our people are known for. We want to reinstate that; and that is exactly what we are doing.”

The governor assured the people of government’s commitment to the security of lives and property every other day of the week, including Mondays, adding: “Security of lives and property is essentially the oath we took and that is at the top of our priorities. We must ensure the safety of our people. And we have also said repeatedly that our people should go about their businesses.

“Let it not ever be heard that we are going to be listening to people, who do not stake in our economy and social welfare dictate to us when we must come out to work. It should not be heard of.

“Think about it, we are here today because we got the mandate of the people. So, could you then have somebody make you inferior without your consent? Someone you have not given your mandate to lead you tells you to sit down and, somehow, you begin to sit at home. And he tells you to go, and you begin to go. That should not be acceptable.

“It actually undermines our dignity as a people and we shouldn’t endorse that.”

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Monday, June 5, 2023 met with former governors of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi, as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) preferred candidate for the position of senate president in the 10^th National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

It was Wike’s second meeting with Tinubu  in 72 hours.

  The former Rivers governor had told correspondents after the earlier visit, in the company of former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, denied insinuations that he was about to defect to the APC, insisting they had come to show support as a Nigerians. 

The reason for Monday’s visit was unclear, but analysts say it may be connected with the leadership of the 10th Assembly due to be inaugurated this month.

Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has commended civil servants, transporters, the business community and other institutions in the state for the significant compliance with government’s directive ending the Monday sit-at-home order.

Our correspondent who went round Enugu observed that many traders defiled the Sit-At-Home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and opened their shops.

This was even as Mbah put the compliance level at about 70 percent, expressing hope of total compliance on subsequent Mondays.

The Governor stated this during the monitoring of compliance to government’s directive by government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), markets, among others, restating government’s resolve to secure lives and property.

Ministries and offices visited included Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry Capital Territory, Ministry of Inter-Ministerial Affairs and Special Duties, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant-General, Office of the Head of Service, Office of the Surveyor-General, among others, where he was received by the civil servants and heads of MDAs.

Gov: We’ll Be Fair, Equitable To Deltans

IMMEDIATE past governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed appreciation to the Ika nation and Deltans for the honour done him and his family and expressed appreciation of everyone who supported his administration’s success story.

  Okowa charged the people to extend the same support to the Oborevwori administration to advance the state through its M.O.R.E. agenda, adding: “You have shown me love, please extend same to Oborevwori. He has promised us that he is going to do more and ! am convinced that he is prepared for the job.

  Speaking at a grand reception in his honour held yesterday at Owa Model College, Boji-Boji, Owa in Ika North-East Local Council, the former governor said: He stated: “I am truly very excited to be back home and to be received in this manner and I must thank you all for honouring me and my family.

“Coming home in this way gives me a lot of peace and joy, because when your people receive you the manner they have received us, it gives us a lot of comfort, because it shows that we can return home any time.

  “Throughout my eight years, Ika nation was very peaceful and that gave me the opportunity to perform my duties very well, and I must thank our youths and all stakeholders for the peace we are enjoying across the state.

  “Let me appreciate all Deltans for their prayers and support and I owe you all gratitude, because Delta has continued to prove its worth in the comity of states in this nation.

  “I thank God for the support we got from all elected and appointed public officials. We are proud to have done the best we could, given the circumstances that we found ourselves, but we were able to impact on the lives of our people. 

  “Your Excellency, we are proud of you and I thank Deltans for voting for you and our party.”

  In his remark, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori reiterated that his administration would be fair, just and equitable to all parts of the state, vowing that every senatorial district would be treated equally, in terms of projects and appointments.

Oborevwori also promised to do more for Deltans, with the fear of God, for voting him and his team to power, adding: “I want to serve you people and to be a governor for all Deltans. I will be fair to you all in everything we are going to do in this administration.”

  To Okowa, he said: “You have done very well for the people of Delta and your eight years in the saddle have been very wonderful and impactful on the lives of our people.

  “There is nothing as good as your people celebrating you, because some people will finish serving in public office and they cannot return home. But here you are being celebrated and given a hero’s welcome by your people and Deltans have come in their large numbers to honour you today in appreciation of your good deeds.

  “I want to appreciate the Ika nation for organising this in your honour and I appeal to Deltans to extend same love and support shown you to our administration.” 

The governor described Okowa as very experienced in governance and leadership, adding that he has learnt a lot from him in the last eight years.

  Oborevwori announced his approval of the request of the chairmen of Ika North East and Ika South Local Councils to name the Old Lagos-Asaba road cutting across  the two councils after Okowa.

  Welcoming guests earlier, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr.Nduka Irabor, said the honour for Okowa was for his outstanding accomplishments in the administration of the state and for making Ika nation and the entire Delta proud.

  Dignitaries at the ceremony include wife of the governor, Tobore; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, represented by Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor; former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; immediate past deputy governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro and former deputy governor, Chief Benjamin Elue.

Also present were Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu; Senator James Manager; Senator Ighoyota Amori; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Johnson Erijo; Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo; Olorogun John Oguma; Mr. Hope Oborevwori and Olorogun Talib Tebite, among others.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, on Friday, June 2, 2023, appointed the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).

Tinubu also appointed a former deputy governor of Jigawa State, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, as Deputy Chief of Staff and a former governor of Benue State and former minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The appointments were announced in a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Gbajabiamila CoS, Ibrahim Hadejia, DCoS, George Akume, SGF.’

THE Labour movement in Nigeria, under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared a nationwide strike from Wednesday, June 7, 2023 to protest the decision of the Federal Government to increase the pump price of petrol, following its discontinuation of fuel subsidy payments.

The NLC said the strike action would be implemented if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) fails to reverse the new pump price for the Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) by then.

President Bola Tinubu had during his inaugural speech on Monday, May 29, 2023, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, declaring: “Subsidy is gone.”

His media minders in separate statements later tried to douse tension by  saying their boss was misquoted by some sections of the media.

The President’s announcement resulted in immediate rise in panic buying, with some filling stations pegging the pump price of petrol to as high as N600 per litre.

But on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, the NNPCL announced new pump prices for different states.

Following dissent from the Labour, government representatives met with the officials of the NLC,but the meeting ended without any resolution.

The NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, at the end of the emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Friday, June 2, 2023, said: “The NLC NEC directs all state councils and industrial unions to commence mobilisation from this moment.”

THE Governor of Delta State, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, has said he is an unrepentant believer in the unity of the state, assuring Deltans of his administration’s zero tolerance for sectionalism and nepotism in the management of government business.

Oborevwori, who stated this in Asaba while swearing in Dr. Kingsley Emu as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo as Senior Political Adviser (SPOLAD), congratulated the duo on their well-deserved appointments, urging them to key into the M.O.R.E agenda of his administration to break new grounds in infrastructural renewal, human capital development and social investment programmes.

He charged all political appointees in his administration to shun ethnic politics and sectionalism, but regard the entire state as their constituency; hence they must be fair and just to all Deltans.

“Let me sound it loud and clear that this administration has zero tolerance for sectionalism or nepotism. I am an unrepentant believer in the unity of Delta State. Therefore, both of you must always strive for unity by ensuring that there is fairness, equity and justice in all your actions and utterances.

“This administration is set to build on the legacies of the previous government and break new grounds in infrastructure renewal, human capital development and social investment programmes.

“In this regard, Emu’s broad experience in government will be very useful in the implementation of our MORE agenda. He has a firm grasp of our policy direction and, therefore, in a position to properly integrate it into the operations and activities of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

“A major requirement for success in this office is the ability to marry policy and politics. Policy generally points the direction of the government, but good political skills enable their seamless execution.  

“As the engine room of government, the SSG interfaces with and coordinates the operations of all the MDAs; hence the SSG must be a consensus builder with the wisdom to marry policy with politics. Indeed, how the SSG carries out this function is very critical to the success of this administration.

“With his vast experience in corporate governance and the public sector, Emu is well equipped to handle this responsibility. I advise him to ensure that he is accessible to all.  

“This office will certainly task your patience and resourcefulness, because you will be confronted with all manners of issues from all manners of persons. But you must never lose your cool,” Oborevwori stated.

The governor assured Deltans of his faithful implementation of the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda and appointments would be based on capacity and merit, saying his administration would be an all-inclusive, whether in terms of projects distribution or appointments.  

Responding, Emu thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve, assuring that they would remain loyal to administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda aimed at advancing Delta.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Monday Onyeme; former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; a former deputy governor, Chief Benjamin Elue and Senator James Manager, among others.

THE Central Bank of  Nigeria (CBN) has denied rumours that it devalued the naira, making it N630 to $1, describing it as fake news.

  The social media has been awash with news of the devaluation from about N465 to N630 to a dollar, but the apex bank, in a statement by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isa AbdulMumin, said: 

“The attention of the CBN has been drawn to a news report, titled, ‘CBN Devalues Naira to 630/one dollar.’

“We wish to state categorically that this news report, which is the imagination of the newspaper, is replete with outright falsehoods and destabilising innuendos.

  “For the avoidance of doubt, the exchange rate at the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) window traded this morning, June 1, at N465/one dollar and has been stable around this rate for a while.

“The public is hereby advised to ignore the news report in its entirety, as it is speculative and calculated at causing panic in the market.

“Media practitioners are advised to verify their facts from the CBN before publishing in order not to misinform the public.”