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Tinubu unveils resettlement scheme for conflict victims
President Bola Tinubu on Friday laid the foundation for the official launch of the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict to address the humanitarian crisis caused by internal displacements across Nigeria.
Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the at the launching of the pilot phase of the project in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State.
He said, “There couldn’t have been a better place for the take-off of this intervention than this diverse state,” according to a statement by the VP’s spokesperson, Mrs. Stanley Nkwocha.
He also said, “Kaduna State has offered us a launchpad to venture into the communities dislodged by conflict. For so long, we have been held hostage by the fear of ourselves and allowed preventable incidents to escalate into transgenerational disputes. Today, we gather to say, ‘Enough is enough.
“The project marks a shift in the government’s approach to internal displacement and conflict resolution.”
Earlier in February, Shettima inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative in fulfilment of Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of all Nigerians.
The committee chaired by Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, also has representatives of governors of the benefiting states as members.
Other members of the committee include the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; representatives of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, BUA Group, Dangote Group and the Director General of NEMA, among others.
The project will initially focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by farmers-herders conflicts.
They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna State.
Tinubu said the administration is determined to break the cycle of violence and displacement that has plagued various parts of the country for years.
“Our journey to this point has been long and arduous, but today, we converge in this historic city to demonstrate our resolve to overcome adversity,” he noted.
The RSPIC is designed as a multi-faceted intervention that goes beyond mere infrastructure development.
According to the President, the scheme will construct residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities for victims of conflict” while also providing “a dignified environment to live and to dream.
He praised Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani’s efforts in promoting unity saying he has been an “inspiration for unity in this beautiful state. His approach is not only a template for other state governors but also for the nation at large.”
Tinubu added that the non-kinetic interventions explored by his government since taking office are best demonstrated by the state governors and “Kaduna is a light of hope in this aspect.”
The President noted the national significance of the project saying “Conflict and displacement, to us, are not merely regional issues; they are national concerns that demand a unified response.
“They threaten the very fabric of our society, and it is only through justice, distribution of democratic dividends, and collaboration that we can overcome these challenges.”
He also appealed to those affected by conflict, “To those who have been displaced by conflict, I say this: We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.
“Your strength and resilience inspire us all, and under my leadership, we commit to bolstering our nation’s security infrastructure and advancing peace.
“Now is our time for permanent solutions. This intervention is ours together,” the President added.
Earlier in his address, Sani praised the initiative, stating, “Today is a day of joy because we are about to set the stage for the transformation of this community.”
He outlined ongoing efforts to support Tudun Biri, including “constructing a six kilometres road and building a skill acquisition centre” and a clinic to cater to the medical needs of the people.”
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, noted the broader implications of the project as it translates to the improvement of the welfare of the citizens.
Umar stated, “Let us remember that every brick laid, and every path paved is a symbol of our shared commitment to a future where peace and prosperity and unity reign supreme.”
She added that the project would “pave the way for similar initiatives in other states that would follow.”
Responding, the Dangaladiman Zauzau, District Head of Rigasa, Mohammad Idris, said, “We are happy that this pledge is being fulfilled. This is a commitment on the part of the government which we are very proud of.”
Idris expressed gratitude on behalf of the Zazzau Emirate Council, noting, “We sincerely thank Mr President for honouring this promise.”
Dignitaries who attended the event included the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Balarabe; Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa; representatives of the governors of Kano, Katsina and Kwara States.
Others are the representative of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Sen. Kaka Lawan; the representative of the Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, Joseph Bassey; Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman; Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Dr. Abdulkadir Mayere, among many others.
News
Obasanjo narrates how he escaped becoming drug addict
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he almost became a drug addict.
He spoke in Abeokuta over the weekend at the second edition of ‘Fly Above The High’ anti-drug campaign conference organised by the Recovery Advocacy Network.
Obasanjo stated that smoking during his youthful age led to chronic coughing and almost became an addiction.
The former President, while lamenting the increase in drug abuse among Nigerians and other West Africans, urged Nigerian students and young people to refrain from abusing psychoactive drugs, saying that they ruin life rather than enhance it.
“If I had persisted, I could have become addicted. Once you get involved, it is difficult to get out.
“There’s nothing drug can do for you except destruction.
“We found out that West Africa has equally been a centre for drug consumption in a very bad way. That was more than 10 years ago, so the situation has since gone worse. And whatever applies to West Africa applies to all other parts of Africa,” Obasanjo said.
He cautioned against stigmatization and urged individuals who are already addicted to psychoactive drugs to get help.
News
We saved $20bn after Petrol Subsidy Removal and FX Rate Reforms, Says Finance Minister
Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, says Nigeria has saved $20 billion from petrol subsidy removal and market-based pricing of the foreign exchange rate.
Edun spoke at a ceremony recently held to mark the first 100 days in office of Esther Walso-Jack, head of civil service of the federation, in Abuja.
“An amount of five per cent of GDP is what those two subsidies were costing when there was a subsidy on PMS; when there was petroleum product generally for a long time and when there was a subsidy of foreign exchange. Between them, they were costing five percent of GDP,” he said.
“If you say GDP was on average, let’s say $400 billion. We all know what five percent of that is – $20 billion of funds that could be going into infrastructure, health, social services, education.”
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Okpebholo restores statutory rights to Oba of Benin, abolish traditional councils created by predecessor
The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has restored the statutory rights of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, abolishing the new traditional councils in Edo South created by the last administration.
He also backed the Federal Government’s Gazette, which gave the ownership of the returned artefact to the Oba’s palace, which was looted during the 1897 Benin massacre by the British colonial forces.
Also, the state government is withdrawing the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last administration to be used as a motor park.
These were contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Sunday.
The statement further read, “This administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose.
“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration.
“Accordingly, Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council and has ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now abolished councils be maintained.
“The Okpebholo administration is backing the initial plan of the state Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous administration fronted as the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts before the federal government intervention on the matter.
“The Federal Government has also issued a Gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. This was done through a Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.”
The statement added that Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll, and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the Monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.
“It is in recognition of this that the administration of Governor Okpebholo shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Benin artifacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin massacre of 1897.
“The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people and my administration respects customs and traditions in the land and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artefacts.
“Okpebholo said his administration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.
“The governor is using his constitutional powers and the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof, ” the statement read.
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