News

Just In : Heavy gunshots as youths protest at Rivers LG secretariat

Published

5 months ago

June 18, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

… police claim ignorance of such gunshots

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Rivers State continues to escalate as youths reportedly storm local government secretariats, as there were sporadic gunshots at the Port Harcourt City Council on Tuesday morning.

It was alleged that policemen fired several times into the air to scare away scores of Ijaw youths who came to demonstrate at the Council’s Secretariat against the tenure elongation.

One of the protesters, who refused to mention his name for fear of being identified, said they were at the Secretariat to carry out a peaceful demonstration against the immediate past local government council chairmen, Allwell Ihunda, who they claimed had vowed not to vacate office despite the expiration of his tenure on June 17.

He, however, alleged that policemen started shooting in their direction as soon as they sighted the youths.

He said, “We are Ijaw youths and are here on a peaceful demonstration against those whose tenure has expired but refused to vacate their office.

“We are not here to make trouble. We were just on a peaceful demonstration, but surprisingly the police started shooting at us. ”

Speaking, one of the leaders of Port Harcourt City youths, identified as Ichemanti, alleged that one of the protesting youths was shot at by the police.

The situation had heightened tension in the metropolis as the gunshots could be heard far away.

The Port Harcourt City Council is located near the State Police Command and the State House of Assembly complex, which was bombed by suspected arsonists in the heat of the political crisis in the state last year.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was informed of reports of gunshots in the area but said it was not from the police.

Iringe-Koko said, “It is not the police that are shooting. Our men have been deployed already to identify and apprehend those disturbing the peace.

“As I speak to you now, the Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of Police are on patrol. Policemen that have been deployed there and they are visible.

“We will ensure nobody takes the laws into their hands under our watch. The CP on Monday said the police is ready to do its job, and that is what we are doing.”

News

HoR to Hold Interactive Session on Executive Tax Return Bills

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives is set to host an internal Interactive Session on the four Executive Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, on Monday, November 18, 2024, in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to him, this initiative, championed by the House Leadership, underscores our commitment to ensuring robust engagement and informed legislative action on critical policy reforms.

The statement reads in part: “It aims to provide Members of the House with a platform to engage directly with the principal promoters of the tax reform bills from the Executive arm of government.

“Thus, this engagement will enable Honourable Members seek clarifications, pose critical questions, and gain deeper insights into the proposed reforms. Such understanding is vital to strengthening the legislative process and enhancing Members’ contributions to the deliberations on these bills.

“Recognising the national significance of the proposed reforms and their implications for fiscal policy and governance.

“The 10th House of Representatives remains committed to its mandate of advancing the nation’s development through transparent, inclusive, and informed legislative processes.

“The public is invited to note that while this is an internal interactive session, it does not foreclose the customary public hearing—a crucial step in the lawmaking process. At such hearings, members of the public are provided with an opportunity to gain deeper insights into legislative proposals and make meaningful inputs aimed at shaping effective reforms”, Rotimi stated.

News

FG Commends Governor Bago For Intervention In Federal Road Projects Across The State

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has commended Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his intervention in several federal road projects across the state.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, gave the commendation during an interactive session in Abuja with Niger State Government, and contractors handling various federal road projects in the state, to reviewed ongoing federal road projects in Niger with the goal of addressing outstanding issues.

Umahi praised the Governor’s efforts, calling them “unprecedented,” and acknowledged his exemplary leadership in personally leading the state delegation to the meeting, this is even as he urged other state governors to follow the example set by Governor Bago, emphasizing the importance of effective and continuous project supervision.

The Minister also stressed the need for improved collaboration between federal legislators and the Ministry to ensure sufficient funding for the execution of these projects, and warned contractors to adhere strictly to project specifications, stating that failure to do so would result in contract termination.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, who also lauded Governor Bago, described him as a hardworking and passionate leader, and highlighted that the Governor’s people-oriented programs reflect his deep commitment to the wellbeing of his constituents.

In his remarks the Niger Governor revealed that the state government is intervening in 18 federal road projects, aimed at complementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Bago suggested that such peer reviews should occur quarterly and encouraged his fellow governors to participate, as it would motivate the Federal Government to further support the people.

The Governor also applauded the Minister of Works for his courage, capacity, and competence in managing his responsibilities.

News

#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.