NATIONAL VIBES

                  By Pat PA Okon.                              Wednesday, May 30, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo inaugurated 150 patrol vehicles donated to the Nigerian Police Force by the Aliko Dangote Foundation. These are the pictorial details of the event held at the  Eagle Square,  Abuja.

Posted by Tony Okechukwu The Dangote Group, under its charity organisation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, yesterday donated a total of 150 fully kitted operational vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force. Speaking during the formal handover of the cars in Abuja, chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, explained that the gesture was informed by the fact that security is essential to economic development.                                                    Dangote promised that his foundation might also consider donating another batch of vehicles if the ones donated yesterday are well maintained. He said, “We are gathered here today to mark the formal handover of a total number of 150 GAC saloon cars to the Nigeria Police Force in order to help boost their operational efficiency. I am told that today marks the single biggest number of operational vehicles ever donated to the law enforcement agency by a private organisation.                                             “Consi

...Demand 13 Percent Component of $1bn Security Funds: ...Reject Bill on Water Resources Management By Pat PA Okon                                                               The Governors of the South South geopolitical zone have taken a firm position to support the growing demand for the restructuring of the country, true federalism and devolution of power. The Chairman of the South South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, who briefed journalists on the outcome of the crucial meeting at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt,  on Wednesday, said that the governors agreed to back the calls to restructure and return the country to its founding principle of true federalism. A statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Thursday quoted him as having said that the Forum also agreed to support the calls for devolution of power because  of the  excessive concent

By Aniekeme Finbarr From 1st October 1979 to 31 December, 1983, Sam Onunaka Mbakwe was Governor of Imo State (what is today, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi States). History validates him as one of the greatest leaders to emerge from the Eastern part of Nigeria. The name Mbakwe is synonymous with charisma, performance and activism, so much that the press nicknamed him, “the weeping Governor” for consistently arguing against the neglect of his state by the Federal Government. He was always advocating for his people.  Mbakwe without a doubt made fine imprints in his time building several roads, industries, a state owned university, etc. The Imo Modern Poultry Complex, Avutu, the Alumunium Smelter Company, Inyishi, the Amaraku Power Station, Imo state University and Progress Bank are some of his legacy projects.  One of Mbakwe’s most daring moves in office as Governor was to build an airport from communal efforts. It was a bold attempt that drew a fair share of praise and lashes. Mbakwe solic

Posted by Admin Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki on Sunday visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Abagana, Benue State in commemoration of the 2018 Children’s Day Celebration. The IDP Camp in Abagana is home to over 34, 000 women, children and men who are taking refuge, following the persistent attacks on their communities by gunmen. Saraki paid the visit alongside a delegation of Senators and they were received by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom. In a tweet on his official Twitter handle, the Senate President announced his visit to Benue State adding that efforts are on by the Senate to tackle security challenges in the country. “We chose to visit Abagena IDP Camp today, to spend some time with the children and inspect the facilities, as we actively work on solutions to the multi-faceted crises that are stretching our security,” he said. He also explained in his tweet why he chose to mark the children’s day celebration at the IDP Camp.

By Pat PA Okon The Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama has emerged the overall best by winning the first, second and third prizes in the just-concluded Essay Writing Competition organised by the state Ministry of Education. Master Africanus Noel won the first prize of N100,000 while his colleagues Miss Victoria Yoku Tarimoboere and Godswill Ifiemi Odiowei clinched the second and third positions smiling home with N70,000 and 50,000 naira respectively. Master David Anthony representing Government Model Secondary School, Ekeremor came fourth while Okoko Ayibaemi of Southern Ijaw Model Secondary School got the fifth position with consolation prizes. Presenting the awards at the Peace Park, Yenagoa, venue of this year’s Children’s Day Celebration, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite said the competition was organized to identify and develop writing skills in students. Hon. Obuebite, noted that the competition which has come to stay as an annual event, would go a lo

By Pat PA Okon The Administrator of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Dr. Abdul-Ganiyu Obatoyinbo has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) becomes a true centre of excellence via development of curriculum that will make the Institute the hub of Capacity Development in Nigeria and beyond. Speaking while receiving representatives from Philip Roy Education Nigeria, Obatoyinbo said the PSIN has developed strategies that will guide the activities and programmes of the Institute towards building the capacity of Public Servants that will enable them reflect the transformation currently driven by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation through the Federal Civil Service Strategy Implementation Plan (FCSSIP).  He said that the newly developed training modules will instil in Public Servants the core values, ethics so as to restore the integrity of the Public Service.  He added that the transformational tr

…Says appointment well deserved Posted By Admin Group under aegis of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Northern Youths has hailed the appointment of a female, Dr. Baraka Umar as Director Political Affairs for Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation . According to the PDP youths , Dr. Umar’s appointment is a clear evidence that the former Vice President , Atiku Abubakar and presidential aspirant has women in mind all times . Speaking after an emergency meeting of PDP Northern Youth held at the weekend in Kaduna , leader of the group , Honourable Ibrahim Ahmadu said the appointment of a woman for such a sensitive position is not only apt ,but commendable. While noting that the appointment of Dr. Baraka Umar necessary considering , the need to encourage women participation in politics , the PDP youths pointed out that , ” Women are veritable source of inspiration and that is why the PDP as a party has never toiled with influence and support . PDP was able to retain power for over

- Presents awards to schools By Pat PA Okon                                                       .                                                            Children in Katsina State were celebrated on Sunday, 27th May, as part of activities for this year's  Children's Day.                                          The event was held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina with a match pass and awards presentation to the Governor, forming the highlights. The occasion was blessed by the Executive Governor of the State, Rt. Hon.  Aminu Bello Masari, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Education,  Special Adviser to the Governor on Girl Child Education and Child Development, Hajia Binta Abba; His Royal Highness, the Emir of Katsina represented by Marafan Katsina and the Commissioner of Police amongst others. Masari in his adress explained the efforts of the State Government on Education through effective learning environment, security through fencing o

 Posted by Pat PA Okon The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, among other former members of the New PDP, have met to decide their political future. The meeting was held on Thursday night at the residence of a former governor in Abuja.                                                       Sources at the meeting said a number of options were considered during the meeting, prominent among which was dumping the APC for PDP. A statement released Saturday by the chairman of the group, Kawu Baraje, said the meeting was convened to brief members of the group about the outcome of their meeting with APC leaders. “Nigerians may recall that members of the former New PDP Block within the All Progressives Congress (APC) addressed a letter dated April 27, 2018 to the Chairman of APC where we informed the party of our grievances and e

- Says consultations yielding results By Pat PA Okon.                                      The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to the meeting reportedly held by the New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, where top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, including the senate President were said to have attended. The main opposition party said without prejudice to crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, it is still forging ahead with plans to woo members of the defunct new PDP bloc in the ruling party. The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said when he spoke with Punch, yesterday, adding that the task of rescuing Nigeria was too critical to be abandoned. Ologbondiyan noted that the PDP was still in talks with “all Nigerians of goodwill, genuine democrats and those who love the country and want to rescue her from the situation in which we have found ourselves as a country today.” He said talks with its former

Posted by Tony Okechukwu.                      For the 13th time in history and by far most all time, Real Madrid is once again king of the Champions League.                                                  On Saturday, Los Blancos beat Liverpool 3-1 on an absolutely magical, baffling bicycle kick goal from Gareth Bale to win a third straight Champions League crown.                                                    Two very bad bloopers from Liverpool's goalkeeper also proved to be the difference. It all happened in the second half, as Real took advantage of momentum in a match that saw Liverpool lose superstar Mohamed Salah to a shoulder injury in the first half.                              Real Madrid manager and legendary soccer figure, Zinedine Zidane became the first manager to win three consecutive Champions League titles. Real opened the scoring with Karim Benzema taking advantage of an stunning gaffe from Loris Karius in goal early in the second half, but

By Tony Okechukwu. Manchester United supporters are eager to bring Gareth Bale to Old Trafford this summer after his stunning performance in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday. The Welsh international came off the bench against Liverpool to score two goals for Real Madrid. His first strike, an overhead kick from a Marcelo cross, was one of the greatest goals ever scored in a major final. He’s the first player to ever goal a double off the bench in a Champions League final and the win means he has now won 11 major career honours, including four in the big European competition. The performance was enough to spark frenzy amongst Manchester United supporters, who absolutely loved seeing him destroy one of their fiercest rivals. They’re now begging the decision makers at the club to sign the £63m-rated attacker this summer, believing he’s exactly what they need to compete for trophies next season.

                                              MY view on the above topic as the leader of the main opposition party in the country is not going to be fundamentally different from that of the rest of Nigerians. As objective as one would want to be even as an opposition person you cannot but score the three years of the administration poor and below average in all ramifications.              The only reason why some generous teachers award certain marks to a badly written work is for the sympathy of the ink and the paper used.                          Similarly, why anybody outside those driven by selfish interests should take a critical examination of Nigeria in the last 36 months and claims he or she has seen something to eulogize about the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and President Muhammadu Buhari is because something just needed to be given out. Recall that this government rode to power clutching their magic change propaganda promising to do wonders in so many a

By Tony Okechukwu The mace of the Gombe State House of Assembly forcefully taken away by its All Progressives Congress (APC) minority members during plenary on Thursday has been recovered, the police disclosed yesterday. However, as one mace was recovered in Gombe, another was stolen in Abuja, the federal capital. The mace of the legislative arm of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) is missing while part of the council’s chamber was destroyed after a tussle between the members on Thursday. AMAC is one of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In Gombe, the state police commissioner, Mr Tairu Shina Olukolu, said the mace was found by men of his command behind the National Industrial Court complex in Gombe town where it was abandoned. He also disclosed that the vehicle used to whisk away the mace from the Assembly complex was also recovered. The police commissioner, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday shortly after handing over the mace to the Spe

Posted by Tony Okechukwu Women politicians under the auspices of the Conference of Nigerian Female Parliamentarians (CONFEPA) have called for the position of the vice president to be reserved for women in subsequent elections in the country. The women made the appeal yesterday when they visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja. CONFEPA chairperson, Hon Elizabeth Ativie, who led a delegation composed of female lawmakers from the nation’s 36 states, told the president that Nigerian women politicians were being marginalised by their male counterparts. According to her, the country has had only one female principal officer in each of the two chambers of the National Assembly since the return of democracy in 1999. She appealed to Buhari to use his good offices to compel states to allow more women into elective positions. “Whenever the president is a man, the vice president should be a woman. For every three senatorial seats in the states, one should be a woman.

By Tony Okechukwu . About 200 days after presenting the 2018 appropriation bill before a joint session of the National Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday received the budget estimates for the current fiscal year. The senior special assistant to the president on national assembly matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, acknowledged the receipt of the budget passed by the National Assembly last week Wednesday. Enang confirmed yesterday evening that he had received the budget from the Clerk of the National Assembly and was set to transmit same to President Buhari. “I have received the 2018 appropriation bill for onward transmission to the president as soon as possible. I can confirm to you that the budget has left the National Assembly”, he said. Asked about the destination of the document, he said, “Since the appropriation bill has been received, what is left is for it to be transmitted immediately to the president. When the budget leaves the National Assembly, it goes to

…NDU To Reopen  soon  By Pat PA Okon                                                             The Bayelsa State Government, on Friday, took positive steps to resolve the crisis that engulfed Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. The State Governor,  Honourable Seriake Dickson, who held meetings with various stakeholders, including the leadership of the community and the Governing Council of the Niger Delta University (NDU), expressed regrets over the sad incident and assured that the government would pick the bills of the injured and the burial expenses of the victims. He said a formal delegation would also be sent to commiserate with the bereaved families while those detained by the police would be released, stressing that efforts were on to ensure the reopening of NDU to resume academic activities as soon as possible. He called on the people of the state to be wary of those he described as failed political leaders and desperate aspira