Nation
D-YEAF Hails Fubara Over Achievements .Tasks Outgoing LG Chairmen On Peace
The leadership of the D-Young Elite Advocacy Forum(D-YEAF) has poured encomiums on the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara on the monumental achievements of his administration within the past one year in office.
This is even as it has called on the chairmen of local government councils in the State to give peace a chance, and honourably bow out of office at the expiration of their tenure on June17, 2024.
The forum, which gave the indication in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr Opurum Loveday; and its Secretary, Mr Bright Nnadi, noted that Governor Fubara has so far demonstrated courage, steadfastness, determination and peaceful disposition towards governance, even in the face of political affronts and provocative political utterances by some individuals in the State.
“This rare attribute of His Excellency is worthy of commendation and emulation. You have not only shown inspirational leadership but very high level of humility and tolerance which is a major attribute of an outstanding leader”, it said.
The group also applauded the Governor’s detailed, expository and chronological presentation of his account of stewardship and performance report, during the one year in office celebration of his administration, describing it as a democratic testament which must be treasured by all lovers of democracy, political advancement and transparent leadership.
It further indicated that the forum is very pleased with Governor Fubara’s leadership and development strides, going by the quality of projects being commissioned and flagged off by his administration across the length and breadth of the State, adding that the Governor has, indeed, proven and shown his willingness and commitment in delivering quality service and projects to the people of the State.
“In view of the above, the entire members of D-YEAF, in solidarity with the good people of Rivers State are not only happy with your performance in the last one year in office but have consciously resolved to pledge their support and commitment to the government of the State and your administration for a more prosperous State and development of the youths in particular”, it said.
Against this backdrop, therefore, D-YEAF urged Governor Fubara not to be distracted or feel weak but to remain strong and focused in his resolve to defend democracy, sustain the mandate given to him by the fathers of democracy and the entire Rivers people, as well as continuously uphold the tenets of good, productive, impactful development and people-oriented governance, as always advocated by him.
The forum equally urged outgoing chairmen of local government councils in the State not to expose the youths and the people to needless political crisis by their negative utterances, instigating some youths and publicly blowing the trumpet of war, which it noted are capable of breaching the existing peace in the State.
“Attempting to disobey the rule of law, as their tenure elapses this June would be the height of dishonour both to their person and the exalted office they occupy”, the group said.
According to the forum, there is no justification that the council chairmen would remain in office beyond June 17, 2024.It, therefore, condemned in strong terms unguarded utterances credited to some of the council chairmen, particularly those of the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Engr Samuel Nwanosike.
“As a group of young elites, we specifically appeal to the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman to reconsider his position before June 17,2024, by following and obeying the rule of law, and not to maintain a stance that would expose our youths to political crisis.At this critical point in our political history as a State, all council chairmen must show high sense of responsibility, rationality, pragmatism, administrative competence and political maturity, which we believe they have”, it said.
According to the forum, what Rivers people need now is the voice of progress, advancement, unity, peace, equity, justice, equal rights and sustenance of our democratic heritage as a people.
The group advised the political class to regurgitate the eternal political words of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, which eschew political violence and bloodshed because as D-YEAF puts it, no politician’s ambition, aspiration and interest are worth the blood of any Nigerian.
In the face of the political crisis currently rocking the State, the forum advised the State government under the watch of Governor Fubara to rise stoutly and firmly to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in the State, particularly in the coming days when the tenure of council chairmen will elapse.
It also reiterated the need for the council chairmen to honourably bow out of office at the expiration of their tenure instead of becoming the instrument for the destruction and destabilisation of the State and the society.
The group appealed to the youths not to allow themselves to be used by political gladiators in the State to cause chaos and the breakdown of law and order but to solidly and consistently oppose illegality, while at the same time defending democracy and upholding the rule of law.
The forum, however, paid glowing tributes to leaders and founders of democracy in the State like Dr Peter Odili, Chief Rufus Ada-George, Sir Celestine Omehia, Senator John Azuta Mbata and a host of others for the roles they are playing to stabilise the polity.
By standing with Governor Fubara and supporting his administration, the forum said Senator Mbata in particular has shown that the feud between the Governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike has no ethnic undertone, and therefore, should not be given ethnic colouration.
The group also commended the Rivers State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Hon Chijioke Ihunwo for his steadfastness, consistency and practical commitment to the defence of democracy.
The people of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, have declared that the Ubeta Gas Project being proposed by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, must be located in their domain.
The company had proposed that gas from Ekpeye land would be piped to a treatment plant that would be located at Obite in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
The declaration was contained in a communique signed by His Imperial Majesty, Eze (Dr) Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III; Akalaka XII, His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr) Chigemerem David, Eze Emene Echi Ubie I, Secretary, Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs; and Dr. Michael U Nyemenim, President General, Uzugbani Ekpeye, on behalf of themselves and the entire Ekpeye people, after a meeting held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the palace of Eze Ekpeye Logbo III in Ula Upata Community.
The communique, which anchored on six points stated that, “The Ubeta Gas Project shall be built at Ubeta Community or elsewhere in Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.
“That Ekpeye people will not allow TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited in conjunction with few persons in Ekpeye Ethnic Nation to pipe the gas to Obite Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Ekpeye people have proscribed all groups or individuals discussing or dialoguing with TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited as regards to the Ubeta Gas Project.
All discussions on the Ubeta Gas Project shall be discussed by the people of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.Igbu Ubie is a part in Ekpeye and all companies operating in Igbu Ubie, or any other parts of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation shall be answerable to the people of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation. TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited shall meet with the people of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation to discuss the issue bordering on the exploration of the gas in Ubeta Community.”
The declaration, according to the communique, was not foisted on the people but was taken after much deliberations that followed democratic process, in the presence of some Kings of the Kingdom , heads of important traditional, socio-cultural organs, women groups and youths from all the seven Kingdoms that make up the ethnic nation.
Some notable individuals that were present were the Eze Igbus such as HRM Eze Joshua Eyiba, Eze Igbu Igbuduya II, HRM Eze(Dr) Felix Enene Otuwarikpo; Eze Igbu Upata III, represented by HRH Nye Udu Nnodi Micheal; HRM Eze Anderson Egbuluka, Eze Igbu Ugbobi II; HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, Eze Igbu Orlukwor II.
Others were Uzugbani Ekpeye President General, Dr. Michael U. Nyemenim; Ekpeye Youth President, Senior Comrade Justice Ewoh; the National Chairman, Ekpeye Oil and Gas Pipelines Host Families Association (EOG), Comrade Dogini Chidi; Vice Chairman, Ekpeye Oil and Gas Contact Committee, High Chief (Engr.) Samuel Ekiye; and Ada Ekpeye, High Chief (Mrs) Patricia W. Ogbonnaya.
The statement acknowledged the indivisibility of the people, anchored on filial cultural heritage and further declared that; “Ekpeye Ethnic Nation is one and all parts of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation are what constitutes the people and the place known as Ekpeye! Ethnic Nation. All the stakeholders spoke for the unity of the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.”
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has called for a more inclusive approach to tax reforms in Nigeria.
Yilwatda made the call in Abuja, yesterday at an Inclusive Tax Reform town hall meeting with leaders in the disability community.
The meeting was organised by The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa, in collaboration with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.
Yilwatda emphasised the importance of providing better support for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups.
According to him, there should be specific tax relief measures that will address the unique challenges faced by them.
The minister proposed that tax relief be introduced for disability-related expenses such as medical care, assistive devices, and accessibility modifications to existing structures.
He also suggested reviewing Value Added Tax (VAT) policies to reduce or exempt taxes on assistive technologies, mobility aids, and specialised healthcare services.
These measures, he said, would help ease the financial burdens often faced by PWDs, allowing them to live more independently and participate fully in society.
“We need to explore the possibility of tax reductions for disability-related expenses.
“Assistive devices and healthcare services can be very costly, and these tax exemptions or reductions will significantly reduce the financial strain on PWDs,” Yilwatda said.
The minister also emphasised the need for corporate incentives to encourage businesses to employ PWDs.
He proposed offering tax breaks or holidays for companies that exceeded a certain threshold of employees with disabilities, encouraging inclusive hiring practices and improving the economic standing of PWDs.
Yilwatda further called for a portion of tax revenues to be allocated to a National Disability Fund, which could provide long-term financial support for social protection programmes aimed at PWDs.
The Chairperson of the House Committee on Disability Matters, Rep. Bashiru Dawodu, highlighted the importance of tax reforms in strengthening the rights and social protection of PWDs.
He also mentioned the potential role of the Vulnerable Trust Fund in supporting PWDs in the future.
Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a fair and inclusive tax system.
He stated that the ongoing tax reforms aimed to reduce economic burdens on vulnerable groups.
Additionally, the Founder of TAF Africa, Mr Jake Epelle, expressed support for the reforms and commended the government’s efforts to ensure accessible engagement platforms for PWDs.
The Tide source reports that the meeting aims to produce practical suggestions that will guarantee social justice, equity, and fairness in Nigeria’s tax policies.
Economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, says the country’s 3.84 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the fourth quarter reflects a gradual economic recovery and the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Yusuf, Founder of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), stated this in a statement yesterday in Lagos.
He noted that in spite of the significant macroeconomic and structural challenges, private investors had continued to push forward.
He added that macroeconomic conditions began to improve in the second half of 2024, with the naira exchange rate stabilising.
According to him, inflationary pressures have slightly eased, and energy prices have also seen a marginal decline.
“Overall, the outlook for investors confidence has been positive over the past few months.
“These are the explanatory variables driving the modest GDP performance.
“One striking outcome of the Q4 GDP report was the recovery of the petroleum refining sector from decades of recession to a positive GDP growth of an impressive 9.6 per cent .
“This was one of the best sectoral performance among the strategic sectors of the economy,” he said.
Yusuf, however, noted that in the period under review, service sector continued to outperform the real sector of the economy.
This, he said, could be attributed largely to the legacy structural impediments to real sector productivity.
“The GDP report highlights the gradual recovery of the economy and the resilience of the Nigerian private sector.
“It also underscores the need to consolidate the stability gains in the macroeconomic environment and address the productivity challenges hindering real sector performance,” he said.
-
Business20 hours ago
Bakassi Deep Seaport Project’ll Be Funded Without Loan – Otu
-
Featured21 hours agoNigeria’s GDP Expanded By 3.84% In Q4 2024 -NBS
-
Business19 hours agoCustoms To Facilitate Trade, Generate Revenue At Industrial Command
-
Rivers20 hours ago
RSG Launches 2nd Round ‘Big Catch-Up’’ Vaccination Campaign
-
Business20 hours ago
Nigeria Seeks Deepened Maritime Security With Gambia
-
News21 hours agoJAMB Rules Out Extension, Says UTME Registration Ends March 8
-
Business19 hours agoIPMAN Wants Marketers To Patronize PH Refinery
-
Rivers20 hours ago
Rivers Government-Owned Sec Schools’ PTA Back Ogbuku