๐—™๐—š ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—จ๐—ก๐—–๐—›๐—˜๐—ฆ ๐—”๐——๐——๐—œ๐—ง๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก๐—”๐—Ÿ ๐—™๐—œ๐—ก๐—”๐—ก๐—–๐—œ๐—ก๐—š ๐—™๐—ข๐—ฅ ๐— ๐—จ๐—Ÿ๐—ง๐—œ ๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—”๐—Ÿ ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—ฆ ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—–๐—ข๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ฌ ๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง

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Di Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq don launch di Multi-Sectoral Crises Recovery Project (MCRP) today for Abuja.

Di MCRP Project wey dey under di North East Development Commission dey find more funding to take support all di BAY states (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) sake of to provide humanitarian plus including economic recovery for dem. Dem dey try to add to wetin Federal Gofment (FG) of Nigeria don alreadi dey do for North East States to help rehabilitate and improve all di infrastructure and give dem opportunity to find work.

For di launching, di minister tok say she dey happy wit everyting wey MCRP don achieve so far, come follow congratulate all di people wey gather dey di team for all deir hard work since di project start.

โ€œWe go continue to encourage una to do more; even tho we don do many good-good work for di North-East, na true say plenty work still remain to do. As e dey even show based on new target wey FG don start, and join wit world Bank to assist wit funding of di project.

โ€œDis additional money of di Multi Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project go bring more ginger for di work and to make our progress tanda gidigba to make sure say country pipul wey dey dis three states go benefit; dem go fit get work to survive, also get access to health care wey dey quality, plus including education for deir pikin dem, and other amenities like water, and good sanitation. Di project dey aim to improve im work wit good-good facility as well as quality service for dem.

โ€œNow wey di scope of di project don big for dis additional funding stage so, we wan put emphasis on top agriculture and farming for sake of development wey go fit dey sustainable. Our plan na to provide all the ting wey go make farming to dey easy for di pipul sotey dem go fit feed deirself come dey feed other neighbouring states join.

โ€œNigeria dey included for di Regional Project for di Lake Chad Basin Countries, wit our neighbour countries; Cameroun, Niger and Chad. E show say e dey important to share informate and plenti-plenti discussion about problem unemployment, climate change and all di fight wey dey hapun, because all dis problems no be only Nigeria problem, na for everywhere. So, we go gather dey come up wit lasting solution wey go help di whole Lake Chad region including our country.”

Other Oga-madam wey tok for di event include di Managing Director North East Development Commission Mohammed G. Alkali, plus including Representatives of World Bank, European Union, USAID and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO.

Saleh Farouq Gagarawa
External Media Aid
22-02-2022
For
NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE
SA MEDIA
22-02-2022

Social Plus Africa Pidgin English

Translation: Maymunah Zubair

๐—ž๐—ข๐—š๐—œ ๐—š๐—ข๐—ฉ ๐— ๐—ข๐—จ๐—ฅ๐—ก๐—ฆ ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ก๐—ข๐—ช๐—ก๐—˜๐—— ๐—ฃ๐—›๐—œ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—ก๐—ง๐—›๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—ฃ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ง, ๐—ฃ๐—ข๐—Ÿ๐—œ๐—ง๐—œ๐—–๐—”๐—Ÿ ๐—œ๐—–๐—ข๐—ก, ๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—›๐—”๐—๐—œ ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—”๐—ž๐—” ๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—™๐—” (๐—ช๐—”๐—”๐—Ÿ๐—œ)

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Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has expressed shock over the demise of a renowned philanthropist, political icon and an industrious Igala man, Alhaji Isiaka Alfa who died at the age of 90 on Friday, 25 February, 2022.

The governor, in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, said the Igala kingdom and the state as a whole has lost a political colossus and philanthropist par excellence.

He said Alhaji Isiaka besides being a great politician, was also an astute businessman and financier of many businesses.

Governor Bello particularly extolled the late Waali for using his personally acquired wealth to touch and influence the lives of several Igala people positively.

He recalled that the philanthropist had on many occasions sponsored many students through their university education and had also helped Muslims and Christians to make pilgrimage to holy lands.

Bello expressed his condolence to family members of the deceased, particularly, Hon. Rabiu Isiaka Alfa; the Ankpa people and the entire people of Igala kingdom.

The governor prayed to God to grant the deceased Aljannah Fidaus and fortitude for his loved ones to bear the loss.

He said the late Waali lived a good life and left behind, legacy of philanthropism and service to humanity.

๐—ž๐—ข๐—š๐—œ ๐— ๐—œ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐— ๐—–๐—ข ๐—•๐—ข๐—ฆ๐—ฆ ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—จ๐——๐—ฆ ๐—™๐—š ๐—ข๐—ก ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐— ๐—ข๐—ฃ๐—” ๐—”๐—ฆ๐—  ๐—š๐—ข๐—Ÿ๐—— ๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—–๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ก๐—š ๐—–๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง๐—ฅ๐—˜ ๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง

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The Chairman of Kogi State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, ๐—›๐—ฎ๐—ท๐—ถ๐˜†๐—ฎ ๐—›๐—ฎ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐—ข๐˜‡๐—ฎ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ฒ ๐—ฆ๐˜‚๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ป has lauded the Federal Government through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development on the creation and development of a Gold Processing Centre in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, during a 2-day inspection visit led by the Honourable Minister for Mines and Steel Development, ๐—”๐—ฟ๐—ฐ ๐—ข๐—น๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ธ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—”๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ฒ and team.

Also present were ๐——๐—ฟ. ๐—ข๐—น๐˜‚๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ผ๐˜†๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—”๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry, as well as representatives of Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals who formed part of the team.

In a statement made at the Centre, Hajiya Suleiman appreciated the initiative calling it forward thinking of the Ministry.
“Not only will the centre cater for the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners within Mopamuro and its environs, it will also spark economic growth in the immediate environment,” she said.

Arc. Adegbite who was satisfied with the progress and quality of the work so far, said that the processing centre promises to be at par with what is obtainable anywhere. He urged other states and investors to borrow a leaf from this government initiative and replicate processing centres everywhere.
“We are no longer going to make the mistake we made with crude oil, where we export raw crude only to import refined products. Our raw gold will be processed and refined here and can then be exported anywhere in the world,” he stated.

Speaking further, The Minister in response to the Chairman’s comment on paucity of funds for Artisanal miners, clarified that there are two categories of funds: one which requires collateral and the other which does not. He stated that loans of up to ten million and two million naira respectively can be accessed, with interest rates for both categories set at 5% and payable over a period of 15 years.

The working visit concludes tomorrow with an inspection of the coal rich areas

๐˜”๐˜ฐ๐˜ฑ๐˜ข๐˜ฎ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ, ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ด๐˜ฅ๐˜ข๐˜บ 24๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜๐˜ฆ๐˜ฃ๐˜ณ๐˜ถ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜บ, 2022

By Maymunah Zubair.

NCPC BOSS CHARGES POWA TO REMAIN THE BACKBONE OF THEIR HUSBANDS

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The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has charged the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) to remain the backbone of their husbands. He made this statement in his office at the NCPC corporate Headquarters on 23rd February, 2022 when the delegation of the Police Officers Wives Association, Abuja Chapter paid him a courtesy visit.

The Executive Secretary said he was elated with the delegationโ€™s visit because having lost his mother; he knows the value of mothers. He charged the delegation to always support their husbands no matter the challenges they face in their marriage as there is no marriage without challenges. According to him, โ€œthe Police Officers face a lot of challenge in the field as such, they should return home to meet a serene atmosphereโ€.

He further tasked the Officers Wives to support their husbands by sharing in their pains and also take good care of the family and handle the affairs at the home front when the husbands are out in the field.

The NCPC boss further encouraged the Association to use their platform to reach out to relevant organizations that could partner and support the group. He assured the Association of his support when necessary.

Earlier, the leader of the POWA delegation, Hajiya Maryam Babaji, wife of the Commissioner of Police FCT, said they were in the Commission to identify with the Executive Secretary, having heard of his good works and so they have come to encourage him and assure him of their support.

She informed that the Association also came to pay a condolence visit and to commiserate with him and the entire family over the loss of his mother.

Godiya Mathew (Mrs)

Information officer 1

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES REV. PAM AND COMMENDS HIM FOR HIS GIANT STRIDES AT NCPC

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President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam for taking good care of his mother, Late Ngo Zimi Pam who died at the ripe age of 97.
The President who spoke through the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen stated this over the weekend in Tahei, Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State during the burial service of late Ngo Zimi Pam, the mother of the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam.


The representative of Mr. President averred that Late Ngo Zimi Pam was a great activist who played her own part well while on earth. She further posited that, โ€œif we want to live well we should take care of our mother,โ€ she said.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs revealed that President Buhari is very proud of the good work Rev. Pam is doing in NCPC, he urged him to keep it up by transforming NCPC better than he met it. Her words; โ€œMr. President is very proud of you and urge you to continue the good work you are doing in NCPCโ€.
It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier sent a condolence letter to Rev. Pam through his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu over the loss of his mother.
His words; โ€œPresident Muhammadu Buhari joins the Christian community, friends and associates of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam in mourning the loss of his mother, Ngo Zimi Pamโ€.
The statement further reads; โ€œ The President believes the testimonies about the Rev. Pamโ€™s mother already reflect her life on earth as a caring mother, devoted Christian and a community leader, who lived sacrificially an honestlyโ€.
In his good will message, the chairman of the Governorโ€™s Forum and the Executive Government of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi thanked God for the life of Ngo Zimi Pam.He extolled the good virtues of the late Ngo Zimi Pam whom he said had clearly lived a fulfilled life. He further affirmed;โ€mama was a good woman in all ramifications โ€œ.
Dr. Fayemi further stressed that late Ngo Zimi Pam fought a good fight and had kept a good faith. He therefore challenged everyone to be conscious of the life we live on earth so that when one is gone, what shall be said of the life one lived on earth.
In his good will message, the Executive Governor of Plateau state, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong described Rev. Pam as a Peace maker who had been able to bring peace in most troubled communities in the state and beyond.
He Commended the NCPC boss for his giant strides at NCPC. He stated that Rev. Pam had so far been able to revive NCPC and every Christian now looks forward to going on Pilgrimage to Israel.
Governor Lalong further affirmed that the death of Late Ngo Zimi Pam was not a loss, but a call to glory. According to him, โ€œTo us is not a loss because God took her at a time like this. He added, โ€œour prayer is that God grants her soul eternal comfortโ€.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr Yakubu Pam, said his mother was a source of strength to him. He said he was consoled by the fact that the mother lived to see the better part of him,โ€ she saw it all before she diedโ€, he said.
Late Ngo Zimi Pam died on 15th January, 2022 at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, JUTH after a protracted illness.
Her burial over the weekend at Tahei Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area of Jos was a carnival of some sort; who is who in Nigeria attended the funeral service at Polo Field, Tahei, Gyel including the entire leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.

Celestine Toruka
Head Media& Public Relations
21st February, 2022

BORNO IDP FIRE CAMP HUMANITARIAN MINISTER SYMPATHIZE WIT VICTIMS

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Di Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, don express sorrow for di pipol wey lose life  and property for di fire wey hapun at Muna El- Badawy, Internally Displaced Persons ( IDP) Camp,  for Maiduguri, Borno State.

For inside the paper wey Permanent Secretary of di Ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali write, he talk say de Minister don send i-sympathy to de family of pipol wey dier persons die for de fire outbreak.

Madam Minister tok say from report wey reach-am edon confam say many pipol die, and over 3,000 houses don kaput, wey come make plenti-plenti families nor get where to stay again because of dis fire.

She follow tok say, dis frequent fire outbreak wey dey hapun for IDP Camps don dey worry gofment, say Federal Gofment wit oda agencies don join togeda to find lasting solution to dis problem for sake of to safeguard life and property of Internally Displaced Pipul dem.

In di meanwhile, di Minister tok say e-don direct di National Emergency Management Agency  make dem carry relief materials quick-quick to di victims for di camp. And say as dat one dey go on, dem go begin find out wetin cause di fire and also di level of damage.โ€

Madam Farouq don urge all di pipul wey dey live for inside IDP Camps for our Naija country to dey very safety conscious so dat dis kain fire disaster no go hapun again.

Signed,

Rhoda IshakuIliya

Deputy Director Information

Social Plus Africa Pidgin English

Translation: Maymunah Zubair

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONS IT INNOVATION CENTRE IN KATSINA STATE

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PRESS STATEMENT

Pursuant to its digital skills empowerment drive, the Federal Government of Nigeria, today Tuesday 15th February 2022 commissioned the Muhammadu Buhari IT Innovation Centre in katsina state, Northwest Nigeria.

Commissioning the fully completed project on behalf of the President, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) noted that the centre was established to empower the youths with the requisite digital skills, drive innovation and challenge creativity as part of the economic digitalisation agenda of the Federal Government. โ€œThere is a paradigm shift globally with emphasis on proven skills over certificates, there is also the need to diversify away from natural resources like oil and gas and Nigeria is no exception in the quest for digital capacities in the fourth industrial revolution. It is because of this we feel the necessity to establish innovation centres in at least every geopolitical zone in the country, identify existing talent, support and provide the enabling environment and mentorship so that in the next few decades, Nigeria can boast of its own Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.

Speaking further, Professor Pantami noted that the leading economies in the world today are innovation – driven and with the commitment of the present administration to digitalise the Nigerian economy, the inherent potential Nigeria is abundantly blessed with, it is achievable.

Present at the commissioning were the Katsina State governor His Excellency, Rt Honourable Amina Bello Masari, members of the Stateโ€™s Executive Council, The Director General of NITDA, Mallam Kashif Inuwa Abdullahi, Chairman Nigeria Communications Commission Governing Board, Professor Adeolu Akande and a host of top public and private sector officials.

Earlier, the Honourable Minister was at the Katsina State Talent Hunt Award Ceremony where prizes were awarded to deserving young innovators in various fields ranging from ICT to creativity in arts and entertainment.

Uwa Suleiman (Mrs)

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy

15th February 2022

๐—›๐—จ๐— ๐—”๐—ก๐—œ๐—ง๐—”๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—”๐—ก ๐— ๐—œ๐—ก๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—ฅ๐—ฌ ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—”๐——๐— ๐—”๐—ฃ ๐——๐—˜๐—ฌ ๐—–๐—ข๐—ก๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง ๐—ช๐—œ๐—ง ๐—ก๐—”๐—ง๐—œ๐—ข๐—ก๐—”๐—Ÿ ๐——๐—˜๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—Ÿ๐—ข๐—ฃ๐— ๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง ๐—ฃ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—ก -๐—ข๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ก๐—•๐—”๐—๐—ข

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๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—ฆ ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—Ÿ๐—˜๐—”๐—ฆ๐—˜

Di Federal Gofment don tok say di Strategic Roadmap of di Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development dey in line wit di National Development Plan.

Na for di launch of di Strategic Roadmap of di Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, na im His Excellency, di Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, tok am today for State House. Him tok say na dis roadmap na im di ministry go use take contribute to all d good-good tings wey gofment dey do.

For inside press release wey Deputy Director of Information, Rhoda Ishaku Iliya tok say di event wey be di launch of the Roadmap, His Excellency wey dey represented by di Deputy Chief of Staff to di President, Mr. Adeola Rahman Ipaye tok say โ€œd Roadmap na im go stamp d important of joining hand wey di Federal, State, and Local gofments dey do, dis cooperation dey part of wetin go bring real transformate for we peopleโ€.

Him tok say, “we dey see say dis Roadmap go follow all di oda plan and program wey gofment don put for ground, and im go dey effective sake of say we go make sure say we put all we effort, untop di support wey Federal Gofment don alreadi dey support us from begining reach ending.”

Him come tell all stakeholders wey follow attend say make dem gather together to cooperate wit di Ministry sake of make Nigeria dey socially secure.

Untop all dis, โ€œdi Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq been tok say, โ€œin order for make d ministry go take do im work wey President send am wella, dem don gather tink, come create dis strategic Roadmap for 2021 – 2025 wey go serve as guiding light to use see road to fulfil the work.โ€

According to madam, โ€œdis Strategic Roadmap wey dem name, โ€œ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜ ๐—ฎ ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ฒ ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ป๐—ถ๐˜๐˜† ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—นโ€, dey in line with di ogbonge work wey di Ministry get to carry di responsibility wey dey important to di economy of we countri, and well-being of we countri pipul. Di Ministry dey gallant to deal with issues, including natural palaver and palaver wey man cause, also to porvide chop, and equal-equal sharing of social amenities wey gofment provide, make e reach all our countriman dem.โ€

She continu di tok say โ€œas we formulate di 7 (seven) agenda for di Strategic Roadmap, we look di 9 (nine) critical area of President Buhari agenda, as well as di Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and di National Development Plan wey Oga President launch on Wednesday, 22nd December last year, we try to do alignment of di Ministry strategic pillars with dis national plans so dat all go gather dey work for di same direction wey go bring growth and development wey go fit sustain.

  1. Di roadmap also follow join implement, monitor, evaluate, review and report of all di engine wey we go fire so dat good-good result go show clear-clear. Na all dis tings we go take measure our performate over di five-year period 2021 – 2025. Untop dis, the full implement of di roadmap, plus including federal gofment plans, na im we go use improve Di life of pipul wey dey suffer for di country.
  2. Di 7 (seven) point agenda wey Ministry put head for now include

a. To make all di policies and foundation of do ministry tanda gidigba;
b. To build System wey go dey transparent to di pipul;
c. To dey monitor all di program effectively;
d. To dey find opportunity for money to take implement all dis project;
e. To dey find partners to cooperate wit, and to dey include pipul wey get disability;
f. To implement system wey go add untop the humanitarian service wey di Ministry don alreadi dey provide, and to improve communicate between ministry and dj pipul; and,
g. To put all d Sustainable Development Goals wey don alreadi dey ground for front, come dey push am with all dis strategem dem.

โ€œWe don provide informate on all of the strategic pillars one by one – we come follow highlight all di action plans, and identify di important oga-madam dem wey dey di sector. Di roadmap sef don show all di activities wey we go do in different steps. We don also gather di stakeholders into groups and all deir work don dey inside di map.

โ€œWe dey expect say after dis launching, everyting wey we don dey do go align. All our department and unit go follow join dis new direction wey we dey go so. We go dey review our progress every three-three months to see how far we don go, and wetin remain to each our goal.โ€

Di Minister tok say dis Strategic Roadmap na di product of plenti-plenti tok and discuss with ogas and madams wey be oga pata-pata for inside and outside di ministry, and all di oda pikin agencies wey di ministry dey control. Na all disbocku pipul gather contribute to di roadmap.

Di Permanent Secretary of di Ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, follow tok say after dis launch of di Roadmap, say Ministry go organise trainings and workshops for all di stakeholders.
“Effort bocku wey we don put inside dis strategy, so we go need pipul wey sabi the work wella to help implement am to di fullest,” na im be wetin Permanent Secretary use mouth tok.

Ogbonge ogas wey gather dey di event include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, wey pesin represent am, Di Minister of Information and Culture, di Minister of Finance and Budget Planning, di Minister of Trade and Investment, di Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Senate and House Committee Chairmen on Poverty Alleviation; IDPs and Refugees, di representative of Borno State Governor, International Partners and Donors, members of di diplomatic corps, among plenti-plenti oga-madam dem.


Rhoda Ishaku Iliya
Deputy Director (Information)
February 14, 2022

๐—š๐—ข๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ก๐—ข๐—ฅ ๐—•๐—˜๐—Ÿ๐—Ÿ๐—ข ๐—ฉ๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ง๐—ฆ ๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—œ๐——๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง ๐—•๐—จ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—œ

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Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday, paid a visit to President Muhammad Buhari at the Aso villa in Abuja.

According to the chief press secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Mohammed, Bello and President Buhari had detailed discussions on politics and security.

“The Governor, in his usual concern for matters relating to governance, peace and security, was at the villa for progressive talks with the President. They shared ideas and also reached certain conclusions that I won’t want to disclose for confidentiality purposes,” he said to press.

The Governorโ€™s publicist stated that Bello applauded the Presidentโ€™s efforts in curbing insecurity in the North and other parts of the country , adding that the people of the zone will soon start reaping the dividends of those efforts.

Mohammed also noted that President Buhari, who wore a calm demeanour, received the Governor with joy.

Bello is one of the leading aspirants seeking to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 and he has enjoyed support from various groups across the country.

Earlier in January, no fewer than 600 women groups, drawn from different parts of the country, converged in Abuja for a solidarity walk calling for Governor Bello to run for presidential election.

Akpabio Negotiating with CBN for Agricultural Development in the Niger Delta Region- Alasoadura.

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PRESS RELEASE

The Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Donald
Omotayo Alasoadura has said that the Ministry is making relentless efforts in
collaborating with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through First Bank on Agricultural
Revolution Initiative in the Niger Delta region.
He said this in an interview session with the Ministers Platform recently held in Abuja.
According to him, โ€œagriculture is a veritable area that is to be tapped into in the Niger
Delta regionโ€ adding that First Bank is ready to give as much as N50billion grant to
develop agriculture especially in the area of low land rice cultivation and fishery. He
made this assertion with the promise that the region can produce rice that can feed
Nigeria as a whole. โ€œI believe that when this comes through, the Niger Delta area will
not be the same again as far as agriculture is concernedโ€.
He alluded that the Ministry has made notable efforts in the area of training and
empowerment of youths, women and artisans as over 1,500 participants were trained
and empowered last year with N500,000.00 given to each person as grant to start their
businesses or expand existing ones, assuring that 2022 training programmes would be
more elaborate.
Senator Alasoadura stated that the Ministryโ€™s master plan for the Niger Delta region is
tailored towards giving basic priorities and improving the Niger Delta holistically, from
education to agriculture, empowerment, electricity, housing, infrastructure, land
reclamation, health, construction of jetties and canalization, provision of available funds
for development, geared towards uplifting the living standard of the Niger Delta people.
In the area of environmental degradation and pollution caused by Hydrocarbon activities
such as gas flaring, crude oil exploration and oil spillage, Senator Omotayo commended
President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring that the Ogoni water and sea pollution is
being addressed vigorously stating that โ€œthe Ministry is also partnering Ministries of
Environment and Petroleum Resources respectively in tackling the menace and
bringing lasting solution to the problemโ€.
He reiterated that the greatest legacy the present administration would be remembered
for, through the platform of the Ministry is the completion of the East West road and
through the efforts of the Ministry; N10billion from the 2021 Sovereign SUKUK
Insurance was secured for construction work on the East- West Road.
He further stated that the Ministry has been able to handle to a large extent
industrialization and economic challenges confronting the region by promoting the
welfare of the people and ensuring that peace and tranquility is maintained adding that

the Ministry ensures adequate intervention, consultation with the Traditional rulers,
major stakeholders, youths etc. to maintain peace and progress in the region.
The Ministry has also revamped various abandoned projects, located at various
communities in the 9 States of the Niger Delta region commissioned and handed over to
communities, institutions and so on to be used for their benefits. Such projects
according to the Alasoadura are: Skill acquisition centers, Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC) Headquarters, 66 flats Police residential quarters, amongst others.
Senator Alasoadura noted that the Ministry is coordinating to ensure that the 3% from
the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) meant for the development of host communities in the
region is utilized judiciously for the communities to reap its benefits.
He therefore urged the youths and the people of the Niger Delta region to give the
government maximum support to succeed in all its endeavours towards the Niger Delta
region.

Deworitshe Patricia
D (Press & PR)
10/02/2022