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Terrorists will be crushed, Buhari tells residents in Kaduna

Published

2 years ago

January 22, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured residents of Kaduna of the resolve of the Nigerian Armed Forces under his watch to crush terrorists and other criminal elements operating in the state and other parts of the country.

The President stated this at a state banquet to commemorate his official visit to Kaduna State on Friday.

The President commended the support Kaduna State being given to security agencies especially through the establishment of a ministry dedicated to internal security.

He said, “I wish to assure the people and government of Kaduna State that the Federal Government is doing its utmost to contain and crush the terrorists that have been menacing our citizens and their property in parts of the country.

“On behalf of the Federal Government, I commend the efforts of the Kaduna State Government to respond to the demands of development.

“The relationship between our tiers of government represents an instance of successful collaboration between the national and state governments for progress, peace and prosperity.

“I urge Malam Nasir El-Rufai to push on and not relent in his efforts to accelerate change and progress in Kaduna State.”

Reviewing his programme in the State since he arrived on Wednesday night, Buhari said he was delighted to have commissioned projects undertaken by the State Government led by Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

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He said: “I have been most impressed by the consistent efforts of the Kaduna State Government to develop the state, to seek progress on so many fronts and to boldly confront challenges.

“Most of my visits to Kaduna State since 2015 have been in connection with clear strides of progress.

“I was here in 2017 to commission the hatchery and feed mill project of Olam, a multinational agribusiness company that has sited a major factory in Kaduna.

“In August 2019, I had the honour to commission Phase 2 of the Zaria Water Project and a road project.

“Therefore, I am not surprised that Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his team have undertaken such a major investment in infrastructure development.

“I am glad to say I have seen with my own eyes the remarkable changes across all the three Senatorial zones.”

Declaring that he looks forward to commissioning more and more projects in the State, the President lauded the Kaduna State Urban Renewal Programme “for its sheer audacity, breadth of imagination and quality of project execution.

“Projects under this programme have been described as an unprecedented investment in urban infrastructure in the state.

“When completed, these projects will define the city of Kaduna for the next 50 years.

“State Governments have direct responsibility for the quality of life of the residents of their state.

“Kaduna State is providing an example of how this can be done.”

Highlighting other achievements of the Kaduna State Government, the President said it was noteworthy that the hardwork of the present administration attracted $2.8 billion in foreign investment to the state since 2015.

He added: “This was further confirmed by Kaduna State being ranked as the Number One state for ease of doing business in the last published World Bank Doing Business Report for sub-nationals in Nigeria.

“We have also seen the El-Rufai government increase the internally generated revenue of the state by almost four times in five years, from N13 billion in 2015 to N50.7 billion in 2020.”

On health, the President recalled the strong response of Kaduna State in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria early in 2020, welcoming the completion of the 136-bed Infectious Disease Centre inaugurated on Thursday.

On education, the President noted that the State had also demonstrated commitment to equality of opportunity at the basic and senior secondary levels.

He said: “The policy of making education free and compulsory up to the completion of secondary school is a significant contribution to human capital development, and I commend it wholeheartedly.

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“I have been told that back in 2015, you inherited a school in the Rigasa area with reportedly over 20,000 pupils instead of the planned 1,500 pupils. We are impressed that Kaduna State Government has built more schools to accommodate these students.”

In his remarks, Governor El-Rufai called for further military action to stop the activities of terrorists in the State.

He said: “We have spent considerable sums to support federal security agencies in the State in order to promote the safety and wellbeing of our people.

“We are implementing a Safe City project, created a Vigilance Service to provide community level security services and established a Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to improve coordination among security agencies and intelligence sharing.

“We believe that further military action and more boots on the ground are needed to stop the terrorists that menace our people. But as we tackle security, we must also move forward with the things that our resources and planning enable us to do to make life better for our people.”

On ongoing road projects in the State, the Governor informed the President that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Way (the old Western bye-Pass) is being reconstructed into a six-lane concrete highway by the Dangote Group under the President’s innovative Tax Credit scheme.

He, therefore, appealed to the President to direct the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to end the two-year delay suffered by this project and give Dangote the go ahead to start the construction and completion of the earthworks before the onset of the rainy season.

He added that vital projects to reconstruct the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road up to the boundary with Niger State and Birnin Gwari-Dansadau Road, which passes through Katsina State and terminates in Zamfara State, are also stalled at the Federal Ministry of Works, despite the expressed readiness of the Dangote Group to work on them.

He said: “With the rapid progress in the construction of the Eastern Bye-Pass by the Federal Government, our government has completed plans to begin the construction of a new Western Bye-Pass to link with the Eastern Bye-Pass to create the Third Ring Road of Kaduna from the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway behind the Rigasa Train Station and the Kaduna International Airport and terminating at the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

“We need the commitment of the Federal Government to support this laudable project that will further expand economic opportunities for the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.”

The Kaduna State Governor thanked the President for the working visit to Kaduna State as well as his unflinching support toward the development State.

Related Topics:Featured Kaduna president Buhari Terrorists

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JUST IN: Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters

Published

39 mins ago

May 10, 2024

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JUST IN: Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters

About 30 armed policemen have taken over all the entrances to the House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

It was gathered that both the first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate were safeguarded by the police with about 30 patrol vans used to block the entrances.

The development came shortly after the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly claimed that the governor was planning to demolish the quarters following his recent surprise visit to the facility.

But the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had explained that his visit to the estate on Thursday was harmless.

The governor said: “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?

“You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people.”

It was learnt that following the alarm raised by Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers including some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) kept vigil around the estate till daybreak.

Armed policemen were seen barricading the gates on Friday to secure the facility.

However, the Sim Media Volunteers (SMV) called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to monitor the activities of policemen in the state and ensure they observed the rules of engagement.

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The convener of the group, Frank Kilsi, decried the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police saying the development could lead to anarchy.

Kilsi, who spoke in Port Harcourt, on Friday, said: “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restrain by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good.

Kilsi appreciated the overwhelming support of Rivers people to Fubara and their decision to stand firm in defence of democracy despite challenges.

He said: “We, the youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers, do hereby emphasize the need for peace, justice and development in Rivers State.

“We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times.

“To this end, we would like to acknowledge and applaud the great youths of Rivers State for being peaceful and law-abiding even in the face of provocation”.

Kilsi commended the governor’s peaceful disposition and commitment to the security of lives and property in the state and asked him to continue on such a path of development.

He said Fubara’s commitment to the advancement of the state had opened up the space and the state for investors.

He said: “This is clearly justified by the forthcoming Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit slated as part of the first anniversary of His Excellency.

“It is obvious that detractors may not acknowledge this bold step that has eluded the state in the past, but with cutting-edge leadership imbued in fortified strategic procedures, our state is about to witness another season of economic prosperity.

“It is on this note that we want to address the sore losers of the inglorious October 30, 2023 impeachment plot against the governor to stop their callous, mischievous, and barefaced sabotage and evil against the governor and his government.

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“We urge them to desist from every act of thuggery, banditry, and violence as well as subtle connivance with the police to harass, intimidate, arrest and incarcerate followers and supporters of Governor Fubara”.

Kilsi applauded the sterling leadership of Fubara commending his efforts to improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N12bn to N27bn within a year of his administration.

Describing the feat as unprecedented, Kilsi said it had singled him out amongst his contemporaries as he highlighted other developmental successes in human capital development, quality Infrastructure delivery, provision of the functional healthcare system, revamping of the educational sector, job creation, security and welfare of citizens.

“These remarkable achievements reflect Governor Fubara’s acumen and steadfast dedication to prudent fiscal management of resources, ensuring equitable and sustainable development of the state.

“We further seize this opportunity to commend the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his painstaking efforts at actualising the renewed hope agenda for the nation”.

Kilsi backed the factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and Leader, Sokari Goodboy describing their emergence as a welcome development in the journey to liberate Rivers from the bondage.

He said: “Indeed, true redemption has begun in Rivers State and we shall stand firm as youths of our dear state to support the new leadership of the House and the indefatigable governor of Rivers State.

We are indeed gladdened by the news of our Leader and Governor of Rivers State rolling out drums to celebrate his one year in office beginning with the commissioning of projects on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

“In fact, the exercise elates Rivers people because, despite the barrage of attacks and antics of detractors to distract His Excellency from delivering dividends of democracy to Rivers people, he has stunned them and set unprecedented records in the areas of infrastructure, social welfare, and economic development.

“Having evaluated the people-oriented leadership style of the Governor, which is centered on Rivers first and the growth and development of our dear state, we the youths of Rivers State hereby pass an absolute vote of confidence on the governor”.

JUST IN: Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters

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BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona

BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale

President Bola Tinubu has conferred the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria (GCON) on the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to national development.

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The president was represented by his Vice, Alhaji Kashim Shettima on Friday at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, for a book presentation on “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria”, as part of activities marking his 64th coronation as a Paramount ruler and 90th birthday.

The President described Awujale as an extraordinary royal father and hero of Nigeria’s democracy who is adored all over the country for his sincerity of purpose and courage in the face of any adversity threatening national development.

The ceremony also featured the inauguration of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale

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Detained reporter Daniel Ojukwu regains freedom after public outcry

Published

3 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

Daniel Ojukwu

Detained reporter Daniel Ojukwu regains freedom after public outcry

Daniel Ojukwu, a dedicated journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has regained his freedom after enduring a harrowing period in police custody. Ojukwu’s ordeal began on May 1 when he was taken by police officers in Lagos under unclear circumstances.

For two days, his family and the FIJ were left in the dark about his location, until it was discovered that he had been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja. The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police later moved him to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).

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The conditions for Ojukwu’s bail were initially stringent, but the tide turned when civil society organizations rallied at the Force Headquarters, demanding his immediate release. Their collective voice was heard, and Ojukwu was released on Friday.

Abimbola Ojenike, representing FIJ legally, expressed deep concern over the incident, labeling it “one of the most egregious cases of human rights violation and an abuse of police authority against members of the press.”