Connect with us

News

Nationwide Protest: Kalu Urge Youths, Nigerians To Dialogue With FG

Published

on

…say assent to South East Devt Commission will aid infrastructural rebuilding
 
By Gloria Ikibah 
 
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has charged the youths of South East geopolitical zones and Nigerians to shy away from the planned nationwide protest and have a discuss with the Federal Government so as to address the numerous challenges facing Nigeria.
 
Naijablitznews.com reports that Nigerians have vowed to embark on a nationwide peaceful protest as a way of registering their grief to the government over the current economic hardship, unemployment, fuel hike among others. 
 
The proposed nationwide protest is scheduled for Friday August 2, 2024, across the country. 
 
The Deputy Speaker also speaking at a media conference in Abuja on Wednesday, on the signing of the South East Development Commission SEDC Bill into law by President Bola Tinubu, said assent to the Bill, will aid in infrastructural rebuilding in the region, following many years of neglect by successive administrations. 
 
He said, “To my fellow South-Easterners, I implore you not to join the planned looming anti-government protests. Instead, let us view the signing of the SEDC bill into law as a testament to the President Bola Tinubu administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumours of the “marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone,” and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio-cultural renewal.
 
“I also implore Nigerians from all walks of life and the entirety of the country to not heed the calls for protest but instead continue to trust in the process. The reforms of the current administration will take time but will soon start to suffice, including a reversal of inflation and stabilization of the economy.
 
“This will trigger multiplier effects in a massive employment boom as a result of industrialisation, and the outcomes of the work organisations like the SEDC will engineer.”
 
Rep. Kalu added that the commission “Will receive and manage funds from the allocation of the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone as a result of the civil war.
 
“It will also tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the South-East States including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.”
 
Naijablitznews.com reports that the SEDC Bill was sponsored by Rep. Kalu and all other lawmakers from the South East region. 
 
 
He commended President Tinubu for signing the bill into law, and described the development as a demonstration of official readiness to reposition the South East zone to tap into its resources for the good of its people in particular and the nation at large. 
 
He further reiterated his commitment to use the carrot and stick approach in addressing the security challenges in the region. 
 
“Aside from our legislative interventions and ongoing hard work in the National Assembly, my colleagues and I from the South-East have set the ball rolling with non-kinetic measures as remediation to the insecurity situation in the region.
 
“Through the Peace in South East Project, a non-governmental special purpose vehicle with thematic and programmatic leadership, we intend to execute this flawlessly,” he added. 
 
Fielding questions from journalists on the significance of the law, Rep. Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia state, and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, said the SEDC will propel the people to leverage agriculture and entrepreneurial skills that will enable industrialisation of the region.
 
 “Our innovative mindedness will leverage the opportunities in the digital economy, our creativity will birth a greater cultural and entertainment platform such as Igbowood and our youth and women demography will play a major role in the energy of our development.
 
“It is time to put our huge gap deposit in the region to use for industrial parks that will bring value to the nation. Most of the radicalized youths will now have jobs to engage them productively among others,” he added.
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

15 huts razed, one injured in renewed Jukun-Tiv violence

Published

on

By

A fresh outbreak of ethnic violence between the Jukun and Tiv communities has erupted in Taraba State, with suspected Jukun militias launching an early-morning attack on Dekeh Village along the Wukari–Kente Road.
According to security sources available to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

About six armed assailants stormed the village, opening fire indiscriminately and setting 15 huts ablaze. The attack forced residents to flee in panic, leaving behind food items, including yam seedlings, which were destroyed in the blaze.

One resident identified as Mdue Saaondo, sustained gunshot injuries during the assault. He was rescued by a joint team of police and military personnel and transported to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Wukari for medical treatment.

The Taraba State Police Command has launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities have also scheduled a security meeting with the Wukari Local Government Traditional Council as part of efforts to restore peace and encourage dialogue between the Tiv and Jukun communities, who have long-standing disputes over land and territorial claims.

Advertisement

“Patrol and surveillance operations are ongoing to forestall further violence and ensure stability in the area,” police authorities stated.

The incident adds to the growing list of violent clashes that have plagued southern Taraba in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the communal tensions.

Continue Reading

News

2025 U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles zoom into quarter-final after draw with Kenya

Published

on

By

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked a place in the quarter-final at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after playing out a 2-2 draw against Kenya.

Aliyu Zubairu’s side finished second in Group B with five points from three games.

The Atlas Cub of Morocco top the group with seven points after beating Tunisia 3-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.

Kenya started the game strongly, and deservedly took the lead after six minutes.

Advertisement

Nigeria defender Emmanuel Chukwu handled the ball inside the box, and after initially awarding a free kick to Kenya, the centre referee pointed to the spot following consultation with VAR.

Captain Kevin Wangaya Colly slotted the ball past Ebenezer Harcourt to give the Rising Stars the lead.

The Flying Eagles fought back seven minutes later with Lillestrøm striker Kparobo Arierhi netting after he was put on through on goal by Simon Cletus.

Nigeria dominated the game in the second half but failed to test the Kenyan goalkeeper.

Advertisement

Kenya took the lead for the second time in the game through substitute William Nwangi on 68 minutes.

Nwangi lashed home Humphrey Kegengo’s free kick from inside the box.

Daniel Bameyi, however, converted from the spot to hand the Flying Eagles a share of the spoils.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Trump announces judicial nominees, accuses US court of obstruction

Published

on

By

United States President Donald Trump has announced a fresh slate of judicial nominees in a series of posts on Truth Social on Tuesday.

The president, who has repeatedly expressed frustration over what he sees as judicial obstruction, followed up on Wednesday with a post criticising the judiciary for allegedly preventing him from carrying out the mandate of the American people.

The Republican leader, whose second-term agenda has encountered multiple judicial roadblocks, wrote: “Our Court System is not letting me do the job I was Elected to do.

“Activist judges must let the [Donald] Trump Administration deport murderers, and other criminals who have come into our Country illegally, WITHOUT DELAY!!!”

Advertisement

Trump named Maria Lanahan, Missouri’s Principal Deputy Solicitor General, as a nominee for a judgeship on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He praised her as “a true patriot” in a post on Tuesday.

The 78-year-old also nominated Judge Cristian Stevens to serve on the same court, describing him in another post as “a Great Patriot.”

The announcements came a day after a federal appeals court declined the Trump administration’s request to revoke temporary legal status from hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Cubans living in the United States.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News