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Anglican Church Lists Nine-Point Agenda For Tinubu’s Govt
With seven days to the inauguration of a new government on May 29, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has congratulated the citizens for their resilience and patriotism, especially the young people, for the change in the political landscape of the country, saying the birth of a new Nigeria was possible.
The Church said this was the best time to test the resilience of the nation’s judicial system in the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
The Primate of the Anglican Church, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, stated these in his presidential address delivered last Saturday during the first session of the 12th synod of Abuja Diocese with the theme: “Synodality: The Transforming Journey with Jesus Christ.”
While congratulating the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the incoming governors, and members of the 10th National Assembly, he said they should be magnanimous in victory and see their victory as “a call to duty and an opportunity to make a difference in the service of God and humanity.”
According to him, Tinubu, governors, and national and state legislators should give due diligence to the security of lives and property, education, healthcare, the economy, the rule of law and law enforcement, all-inclusive government, addressing infrastructural neglect, the completion and operation of critical industries, and the building of a united and prosperous nation.
He said, “Having interacted with political actors, the Anglican Communion demands of the President-elect and his team, the Governors-elect and the national and state legislators that emerged victorious at the polls to give due diligence to the following, namely:
“Nigerian citizens demand that government put high priority on the security of lives and property of citizens by providing adequate security for all citizens. The present state of insecurity and attacks on Christian churches, communities, and indeed the citizens of this country, is worrisome. The security of lives and property of citizens will foster economic growth of the country.
“The government should ensure that education of our children at all levels is given top priority, as this is the best legacy our country can bequeath to her youth. The government should improve the healthcare delivery system, so that the current medical tourism among top government functionaries and privileged few can be completely eradicated or reduced. We have the capacity to provide and be a destination for health tourism, at least in Africa.
“We have great apprehension over the rising inflation, debt servicing burden, fuel subsidy and fear for the future of Nigeria. Alleviating the suffering of the masses should be the priority of the government, hence the Church demands adequate provision of education, economic empowerment and job creation/employment opportunities for the teeming youths and citizens.
“The provision of grants and loans for indigent people as a social safe-net for the citizens will offer every citizen the opportunity to contribute to the development of the country they call their own.
“The Church frowns at the negligent attitude of the leaders and lack of political will to enforce the rule of law. We, therefore, advise the government to maintain the rule of law and uphold civil rights, justice and equity. The judiciary should be made to serve the citizens in matters of justice and equity. Decentralising the police force and creation of state police will help to improve security and maintenance of law and order.
“The Church requests that our leaders should make a comprehensive assessment of the policies and procedures of governance to be able to make governance in Nigeria an all-inclusive affair. The government should ensure that appointment into political offices is not lopsided or done based on sentiment or sectional interests. We have an opportunity to give a new direction to this country, therefore competence and sacrifice for the good of all the citizens must be a priority consideration. The enforcement of the federal character and other regulatory policies will help to restore balance and fairness in the country.
“We encourage the incoming government to address the problem of infrastructural neglect and see to the full execution and completion of road construction, projects, schools and other basic infrastructure and make up for the long infrastructural deficiencies we have suffered in the country. The Church demands that the government should provide social amenities especially electricity, good public transport system and housing for the citizens because this will enhance better life for the citizens.
“The government needs to take as very important the development of key critical projects that are strategic for more economic and technological development of the country, especially, the Ajaokuta Steel Industry, our refineries and the need for modular refineries, textile industries, and other agro-based industries. These sectors will engender fast economic growth and employment opportunities in the country.
“The Church yearns for a rebirth of our nation through the leadership that ensures security of lives and property, a growing economy with a great future, respect for the rights, welfare and equity for all citizens, irrespective of tribe, religion, political affiliations and other preferences, but above all, we need a Nigeria where no person is haunted or oppressed.”
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Let’s Approach Regional Development Issues Differently – Fubara …As S’South Govs Host Fubara To 50th Birthday Celebration
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has sued for a change in the current approach adopted by South South Governors in their pursuit to achieve holistic regional development and economic prosperity.
The governor insisted on de-emphasis in vested individuals’ political interests while looking at the bigger picture of achieving enduring regional integration that will strengthen unity of purpose to change the trajectory of development in the region.
Fubara made the appeal during the meeting of Governors of South-South States, under the auspices of BRACED Commission, at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yanagoa on Tuesday.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi.
BRACED is an acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta.
He said: “I want to appeal that if we have to succeed in this drive, we need to keep our political differences aside and understand that the struggle, as at today, is for posterity, for the development of our region.
“It is really sad that in Niger Delta that is the economic base of this country, the construction of a road that you tagged ‘East-West Road’ could be an issue, that we need to beg, protest, and complain to get it fixed. I don’t think it is proper.”
Governor Fubara stated that it is not that the federal authorities do not understand that Niger Delta needs the road but quickly added that they have seen that even the people of the region do not take themselves seriously.
The governor said the moment Niger Delta people stopped playing to the gallery, and place value on themselves, outsiders will have no option than to accord the region and its people due regard.
Fubara said: “On my part, I want to say this: This is not the first time we are meeting. For me, I followed the course of the region meeting in a forum that we tagged “BRACED Commission.”
“BRACED Commission is also one of the bodies that was constituted at that time to support and work out development strategies for this region. But what I am seeing today is just limiting this meeting to only BRACED COMMISSION.
“We need to widen the scope where other leaders of the region should be part of the discussion of the development of the region, and I think this is the direction that will help the region.”
Reading the Communique of the meeting, the new Chairman of the Forum of Governors of South-South States, and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, said they support the Federal Government Tax Reform Bills, and urged President Bola Tinubu to extend the Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing percentages to oil and gas derivation.
He stated the Forum’s request to the Federal Government to urge relevant stakeholders and agencies to extend remediation of polluted environment ongoing in Ogoni land to other impacted communities and States in the region.
Governor Diri also said that the Forum resolved to establish a structural regional security network to enhance safety and security, foster stable Niger Delta region conducive for economic growth and prosperity.
Highlight of the event was the hosting of Governor Fubara to a surprise 50th Birthday celebration by the Governors of South-South States at the Government House in Yenagoa.
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Fubara Lauds Tinubu For Setting Up Education Load Fund … Vows To Ensure Rivers Benefit Maximally From Scheme
The Rivers State Government has applauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for conceiving the idea of setting up the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) which has opened up opportunities for youths to acquire tertiary education irrespective of their financial status.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, gave the commendation while playing host to a delegation from NELFUND who came on an advocacy visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said in developed countries it is common for people to go through school with loans which they sometimes pay all throughout their lives, noting that “for us, it is more accessible and more friendly because you would be required to pay back the loan two years after your National Youth Service.
“It is a win-win situation; it is a situation where the youths in Nigeria should not say because my parents are poor or passed away I cannot improve on my educational growth. This offers them a golden opportunity and I am glad you came for this advocacy.”
The governor urged NELFUND to intensify its advocacy to let the people know how they can benefit from it, adding that it is more important when talking about vocational institutions.
“If you look at the developed countries it is people that went to the vocational schools that make so much money, because it is pricey to get somebody to do anything, we need to instil this into our people, our youths, because people sometimes tend to look down on people that went to vocational schools, it should not be,” he said.
Fubara expressed delight with the NELFUND programme and assured that the State Government would do whatever it can to ensure Rivers State benefits maximally from the scheme.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NELFUND, Dr. Akintunde Sawyer, informed the governor that they were in Rivers State to seek the support of the State Government towards the loan, stressing that President Tinubu has directed them to ensure no Nigerian student who has the ability and desire to get educated at tertiary level is denied the opportunity due to lack of funding.
He explained that the scheme provides interest-free loans to students who apply, adding that these loans are not repayable until two years after their Youth Service when they must have gotten a job.
A British-Nigerian politician, Florence Eshalomi, has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy to Nigeria.
Her appointment makes Eshalomi the second Nigerian to hold the position.
Confirming her appointment on X on Tuesday, she wrote: “It is an honour to have been appointed as the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria.
“I’m looking forward to building on my close ties with Nigeria to promote a strong and flourishing economic relationship between our two great nations.
“I am looking forward to strengthening the UK’s relationship with Nigeria to explore shared growth and opportunities for both countries.”
Announcing the appointment in a statement on Tuesday, Jonathan Reynolds, the UK’s Business and Trade Secretary, said the decision was aimed at attracting investment into the UK and boosting economic growth.
“I’ve launched a new team of trade envoys who will use their experience, expertise, and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, attract investment into the UK, and ultimately drive economic growth,” Reynolds said.
Eshalomi, 44, is an MP representing the Vauxhall and Camberwell Green constituency.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political and International Studies with Law from Middlesex University.