Today's Headlines:I’ll Soon Return To NG–Akeredolu; SGF Denies Constitution Of Ad-Hoc Committee For Board Appointments

I’ll Soon Return To Nigeria–Akeredolu

Photo Credit:Daily Post Nigeria

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has stated that he is still recuperating in Germany and has not yet returned to Nigeria, contrary to circulating claims on social media.

Akeredolu, however, assured that he would soon be back in the country to continue his mandate of piloting the affairs of the state.

According to a statement released on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, the governor emphasised that his primary focus is on ensuring a complete recovery before returning to the country.

Speculation arose over the weekend when a video clip emerged depicting the governor disembarking from a helicopter, leading some to believe that he had returned from his medical vacation.

While acknowledging the enthusiasm of residents of the state as well as the governor’s supporters and well-wishers, Olatunde assured that Akeredolu intends to return to the state soon.

According to the statement: “The video in question, which is circulating, was captured during the Governor’s campaign tour in preparation for the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Governor Akeredolu is eagerly looking forward to reuniting with the people of the Sunshine State. He is deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support, and he can’t wait to continue working towards a brighter future for Ondo State.”

SGF Denies Constitution Of Ad-Hoc Committee For Board Appointments

Photo Credit:Leadership

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has denied a media report, which suggested that the federal government had set up a panel to reconstitute Boards of Parastatals.

The SGF, in a statement by the director of Information in the office of the SGF, Willy Bassey, stated that there was no truth in the story as published neither has government set up any ad-hoc committee as alleged, to review the resumes of individuals who would fill such board appointments as stated in the said publication.

According to him, the visit of the two former Governors of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, and Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru, to his office on Friday had nothing to do with such adhoc committee.

He said the visit by the duo had everything to do with their recent appointment as ministers.

“Also, the reporter inaccurately quoted the spokesperson of the OSGF as indicating that 14 agencies were stipulated to have been exempted.

“Whereas, the release in question at the time only recieved the President’s approval for two agencies – National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC),” he said.

In order to avoid inaccurate reporting, the SGF admonished media personnel to always cross-check information directly from authorised persons in OSGF rather than depending on some social media reports, which may be inaccurate.

Photo Credit:Google

Oyebanji Suspends Chieftaincy Commissioner Over Indiscipline

Photo Credit:Vanguard paper

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has given the newly inaugurated Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Olaiya Atibioke, two weeks suspension.

The suspension came on the heels a of Atibioke’s unauthorised departure from the venue of the three-day retreat for members of the State Executive Council and Permanent Secretaries held at Bishop Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Ado-Ekiti on Saturday.

Atibioke, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, had left the venue of the retreat without permission.

He was nowhere to be found when commissioners were called upon to sign the performance charter.

Governor Oyebanji had sat through all the sessions of the three- day retreat which commenced on Thursday. He had, in the course of his presentation, reiterated the administration’s zero tolerance for indiscipline and poor performance.

Rivers Gov Warns Monarchs, Others Against Disrupting Road Project

Photo Credit:Punch paper

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has warned against the disruption of the ongoing reconstruction of the Omoku-Egbema Road in Ogba/Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of the State or face dire consequences.

Fubara handed down the warning while addressing monarchs, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders from the area at Government House, Port Harcourt on Saturday.

This was contained in a statement signed by Boniface Onyedi, media aide to the Governor, and sent to newsmen on Sunday afternoon.

The statement quoted the Governor as saying it was offensive to receive threats of disruptions on the project from beneficiary communities when an initial contractor their leaders recommended failed to deliver after collecting N12.7 billion.

Fubara said, “When a group of people, irrespective of whatever prefix you attach to yourself, tend to threaten the government, we need to call you to order.

“Maybe you don’t understand the powers of state government. I have the power to dethrone. And I don’t need any letter.

“But what is important with power is how you use it. I feel very bitter, seeing some people, because of my calmness, are feeling they can take me for granted.

“If after this time, anything happens again, you will not believe what I will do to those connected to it.

“I got a report of a plan to stop the contractor. I got a protest letter from Ogba Egbema Peoples Forum, and another from a legal firm, demanding that the Omoku-Egbema Section of the road project be withdrawn from SETRACO and given to Julius Berger.

“I start wondering who gave such persons such power, to be so commanding?

“I don’t expect this from you. This project was approved for your people’s benefit. You nominated a contractor. The contractor failed. Now we re-awarded and paying another money.”

Continuing, he said, “Original cost of that job when it was awarded was N8.8Billion. It was reviewed to N13.3 billion.

“Total amount released at that time before the revocation was N12.7 billion, so you understand how we feel about this.

“Now we have re-awarded this job to SETRACO for N7.5 billion and we have already committed about N5.2 billion to show you our commitment.

“SETRACO is not a pushover company. To make my position clear, SETRACO will continue with this job. I expect you to give the necessary support and cooperation and you have a clean road.

“If you like to sabotage yourselves, don’t sabotage my own administration. I’m calm but I will do something you would not like.

“Every time shouldn’t be protest, condemnation or complaints. It gets to a time everyone comes together for the progress of their community.”

Earlier, the Oba of Ogba Land, His Eminence, King Nwachukwu Obuohna Obi, Eze Ogba III who led the stakeholders had told the governor that the protest of the people on the project was provoked by poor communication and engagements between the company and the communities.

Dunyanari (
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