Nation
Kogi Poll: No Ethnicity Issues-Minister
The Minister of Steel Development, Alhaji Shuaibu Audu, has said that issues of ethnicity are totally dead and buried in Kogi State as far as the November 11 governorship election is concerned.
The Minister made the assertion in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of the state, during the All Progressivee Congress (APC) Zonal Campaign rally.
The Tide’s source reports that Audu’s remark sunk into the people of Kogi East Senatorial District, who trooped out in their thousands to demonstrate their support for the APC governorship candidate, Usman Ododo.
Audu, who is the Director General, Kogi APC Governorship Campaign Council, said the only agenda for the APC was the Kogi agenda, adding that the party’s candidate is coming to build and consolidate on the laudable legacies of Governor Yahaya Bello.
“The only agenda for the APC is the Kogi Agenda. The party has the interest of the whole state. Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has a vision for the development of the entire State. He will build and consolidate on the legacies of Governor Yahaya Bello.
“We are proud today that Kogi is the most secure State in North Central Nigeria. The APC will provide massive jobs for our teeming youths through agricultural revolution.
“The APC is working on expanding the capacity to be able to produce several agricultural produce, particularly in Kogi East.
“I urge you to support the APC and Alhaji Ododo. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who appointed me as Minister of Steel Development, is interested in the vision and success of Kogi State through the development of Ajaokuta Steel.
“This will enable the provision of massive jobs for the entire youths of our dear State. He has asked that we do not hand over the State to a hustler government or to an opposition government.
“The President is concerned about the state and has said we cannot afford to handover a strategic state to the opposition”, he said.
The State Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, expressed satisfaction with the massive turnout and enthusiasm displayed by the people of Kogi East and urged them to sustain the tempo to pave the way for landslide victory in the governorship election.
Also, the lawmaker representing Kogi East in the National Assembly, Sen. Jibrin Echocho, called on the people of the zone, who had yet to come into the APC fold, to embrace the party, noting that elections are won on party structures.
“Let me appeal to our people to be passionate with the APC. Our candidate is marketable. Elections are won based on party structures. The people of Kogi East voted APC in the general election. We cannot afford to do otherwise in the forthcoming election”.
“Governor Yahaya Bello has laid a solid foundation in infrastructure, human capital development across the state. His achievements have done the major part of the election. Let’s all join hands in ensuring collective victory for the APC”, Echocho said.
Addressing the people, the Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Edward Onoja, urged the people of Kogi East to vote on the strength of continuity and cautioned against sentiments, saying that elections are about political parties and not tribe, religion or region.
Also, the State Governor, Yahaya Bello, cautioned the people against ethnicity, stressing that tribal politics has no place in this time and age.
“Ethnic politics is selfish interest. Igala agenda is about job creation, development, prosperity. Don’t be deceived. The APC will win landslide. Victory will be ours at the election. Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo is a refined gentleman with cognate experience in public service and in politics.
“On assumption of office, we met a state divided along ethnic and other fault lines. We have been able to cement all those fault lines. Today, issues of ethnicity have been buried. Fairness, equity, justice have replaced mediocrity, ethnicity.
“We have raised youths and women across board. We have built and distributed projects, infrastructure and empowerment across board. So much has been achieved in the state and we cannot afford to go back to our dark days”, the Governor declared.
Addressing the unprecedented crowd, the APC governorship candidate, Ododo, said his aspiration was about the people, progress and unity of the state.
“Let me appeal to the people of Kogi East. Let’s build a united and stronger Kogi state which we all can be proud of. Let this election be about our people, development, unity and prosperity. It is my fervent appeal that I’m ready to be a servant leader with no barrier”, he said.
The APC governorship falgbearer thanked Bello for his outstanding achievements and promised to build on the legacies.
While reminding Igala people that it would be counter-productive to play ethnic and minority politics, he specifically thanked Tinubu for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the growth and development of Kogi and Nigeria at large.
The Tide’s source reports that the rally was climaxed by the official welcoming of defectors from the PDP, SDP and other political parties to the APC.
The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme, has reiterated the commitment to service delivery for pensioners.
Ejikeme said this during the Customer Service Week in Abuja, yesterday.
He said that commission had a mandate to deliver good service delivery to the pensioners.
Ejikeme, who was represented by the Director Civil Service Pension Department, Mr Kabir Yusuf, said that the customer service week was important to operations of PTAD.
“Customer service is the support that you give to a customer, whether it is an existing customer or potential customer in the process of delivering or making enquires about a service.
“To be a good customer service representative you need to be knowledgeable, have good attitude and attribute especially to the senior citizens and have empathy,” he said.
Ejikeme said that all PTAD staff had most of the attributes of a good customer representative.
“We provide excellent customer service by going to verify our aged pensioners who cannot do it by themselves anywhere across the country.
“There is a dedicated team that was mandated to go round to confirm the aliveness of those who can not confirm their aliveness either because the are too old or have health issues,” the executive secretary said.
The National Coordinator, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said that the official theme of the 2024 customer service week was “ We Go Above and Beyond For Our Customers.”
She commended PTAD and the SERVICOM team for organising the 2024 customer service week.
“This is in line with the best practice of celebrating frontline workers and service takers.
“Customer service week is celebrated annually during the first full week in October.
It calls attention to the importance of people to boost morale team work and departmental collaboration in supporting pensioners.
“ It is a platform to reward employees for the significant work they do,” Akajemeli said.
She said that the objective of the customer service week was to celebrate the hard work and dedication of employee who strived to create positive customer experiences.
She said that it was time to show customers that the organisation valued their experience and feedback, through comment cards, dedicated hotline, among others.
Akajemeli said that it raised awareness internally and externally about the importance of good customer service in building customer loyalty and satisfaction.
She said that the benefit was to increase motivation, show appreciation, encourage friendly competition, boost employee retention, create a positive workplace and increase productivity.
The Head, Surveillance Department at the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mr Abdulrahman Saleem, said that good service delivery was the key success of every establishment.
Salem said that PTAD operated with standard, considering the success it had achieved so far.
Saleem said that pensioners required the best service attitude and behavior.
“ I give kudos to PTAD for its efforts and encourage it to do more.
“Therefore I urge PTAD staff to keep up the standard and continue to give good service to the pensioners,” he said.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has honoured Flying Officer David Sangokoya for winning the 2023/2024 Royal Air Force College Cranwell International Cadet Sword of Honour.
Abubakar honoured the officer during the presentation of cheques to 13 beneficiaries of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP) in Abuja, yesterday.
He described the achievement as ground-breaking as it was the first time an African cadet had won the prestigious award since the Academy’s creation over 100 years ago.
According to him, the feat underscores the excellence that exists within NAF, and proof that NAF officers and cadets can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.
“To our awardee, you have set a new standard, not just for your peers, but for every cadet and officer that will come after you.
“This accomplishment is a powerful reminder that no goal is out of reach when one is armed with dedication, discipline and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Your journey as an officer has begun with this prestigious accolade, but the true measure of your success will be seen in how you serve, lead and contribute to the mission of NAF and the defence of our great nation.
“As we celebrate this historic occasion, we extend our deepest gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for its unwavering support in providing world-class training opportunities to our personnel.
“This has enabled our officers and men to gain invaluable skills and knowledge, strengthening not only our bilateral ties but also our collective ability to address global security challenges,” he said.
The CAS said that the NAF looked forward to continuing the fruitful partnership for the mutual benefit of Nigeria and UK countries.
He expressed gratitude and unflinching loyalty to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare and training of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and NAF in particular.
“I must also take a moment to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the instructors who helped to mould and prepare this cadet for the global stage.
“Their dedication and commitment to developing top-notch officers is evident in this ground-breaking achievement.
“You have not only trained a leader but have given the Nigerian Air Force a legacy we will all cherish,” he said.
National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has advocated private sector involvement to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Director-General of the authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, made the call at a high-level policy dialogue on sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that the dialogue was organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a coalition of private sector stakeholders, to address the multifaceted challenges plaguing the country’s healthcare system.
The dialogue has “Private Sector Support for SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) in Healthcare” as its theme.
Represented by Dr Yakubu Agada-Amade, the NHIA Director of Standards and Quality Assurance, Ohiri explained the crucial role of private sector collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system
He highlighted the “One Plan” under the SWAp framework, which seeks to unify health sector efforts, ensuring efficient resource use, effective governance and expanded healthcare access.
He also stressed the importance of overcoming barriers that historically hindered the implementation of healthcare interventions in Nigeria, such as inadequate financing, weak governance systems, and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He added that “the dialogue explored innovative approaches, including digital health innovations and financing mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of the National Health Act and mandatory health insurance coverage.
“With enrollment in health insurance growing by 14 per cent over the past year, NHIA can push for greater inclusivity, particularly targeting the informal sector through flexible payment systems and partnerships with telecommunications companies.”
He called for stronger synergy between public and private health actors to ensure universal access to quality healthcare and sustainable reforms in line with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Panelists from the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) and Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) echoed the sentiments, underscoring the private sector’s role in expanding insurance coverage and improving healthcare delivery.
They commended NHIA’s efforts toward driving reforms to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).