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We’ve successfully concessioned Onitsha River Port – FG

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The federal government has confirmed that it has successfully concessioned the Onitsha port in Anambra state.It also disclosed that it is pursuing plans for the concession of other ports across the country.This was made known by George Moghalu, managing director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, on Thursday, April 20.Moghalu who revealed that this would attract more revenue, added that discussions are ongoing for concessions of Baro port as well as Oguta and Lokoja ports that are still under construction.He said;“For Onitsha river port, we have successfully concessioned and handed over to Universal Elysium. It is a company that is partnering with the port of Antwerp for the next 30 years.“Now, because of limited resources and to reduce pressure on the government, we opened up the discussion with other interested organisations, unsolicited proposals have come for the concessioning of Baro, for the concessioning of Oguta and Lokoja — though still under construction.“So, we are discussing it with them. The advantage here is that it will reduce pressure from (sic) the government, these people own this port, complete the port, put the port to use and pay royalty to the government. So, it has a lot of advantages. We are working conscientiously on that.“Before I came to office, Oguta River port was not on the budget for quite a while, but we eventually brought it back to the budget.“As we speak, we have finished fencing the Oguta River port. And we are doing little by little, depending on resources available to put in place some basic infrastructure that are required for a port to operate.“Same is applicable to Lokoja. So, we are taking it from two perspectives. Completing the building by government and concession or concession it so that the new concessionaire can complete the ports and put it to effective use.”Moghalu who further revealed that big ships are expected to berth at Onitsha port soon, also stated that dredging is not the only priority for the agency as other activities must be fixed.He added;“All the resources, all the money available for NIWA this year, are not all dedicated to dredging or to opening up of channels.“There are other issues that take up resources; human capital development, development of infrastructure, building new jetties, building new ramps across the country and then getting vessels also and putting them to effective use.“So, what we are doing is, as much as we have, we try to prioritise, but the important thing is that the key aspect of it, is the human, the Nigerian, what affects them more, is what gives us the opportunity for more benefit.”

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Two Reasons I’m Supporting Akpabio to be Senate President – Ndume

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Ali Ndume has revealed why he’s supporting Senator Godswill Akpabio to become the next Senate President. Ndume who represents Borno South, spoke during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday. Ndume said it is because Akpabio is the preferred candidate of President Bola Tinubu. Tinubu has also asked Ndume to lead Akpabio’s campaign and ensure he becomes the number three citizen.“There are so many that contributed to my reason to stand for Akpabio, because one the president had interest and had Akpabio as his preferred candidate and number two, he had the confidence of asking me to lead the campaign.“Most importantly, it is about justice, about equity, about the constitution and doing what is right and standing for what is justful for this country,” Ndume said. Even though the All Progressives Congress (APC) has chosen Akpabio to be senate president, the likes of Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara, and Orji Uzor Kalu, chief whip of the senate, have insisted on contesting the position.

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Democracy Day: FG Declares June 12 Public Holiday

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To commemorate Democracy Day, the Federal Government has declared Monday, June 12, 2023, a public holiday.In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians on the occasion.She said; “Nigeria’s democratic journey has, like in many other climes, encountered both stormy and smooth sails, but the ship of State, it’s institutions and most importantly, the Nigerian people have remained steadfast on the tenets of democratic governance.“On this memorable occasion therefore, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria are invited to appreciate the progress that has been made, celebrate the milestones covered and look forward to a better future for the country’s democracy.“The Permanent Secretary wishes all Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day celebration”.

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Nasir El-rufai Satanic, a threat to National Peace – Primate Ayodele

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The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has said that former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is an enemy of Nigeria and the peaceful co-existence of its many ethnic groups. Ayodele was reacting to El-Rufai’s recent statement concerning Muslim-Muslim ticket. The former governor in his statement justified his choice of Muslims to occupy relevant positions in Kaduna state because they are the ones who vote for APC in the state. He also mentioned that the current governor of the state will follow in his footstep and the coming one to prove that Islamic leadership doesn’t discriminate. In his reaction, Primate Ayodele described Nasir El-rufai as someone who will start a religious war in Nigeria with his careless statement. He fumed at the statement of the politician, describing the ex-governor a satanic agent. Primate Ayodele alleged that El-rufai has an agenda to Islamize Nigeria and that if President Tinubu allows him in his government, the country will plunge into a religious crisis that may lead to war in the country. The cleric accused him of being the brain behind APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidency and the religious crisis of Southern Kaduna. He warned Tinubu against giving him any position in government to avoid the sudden collapse of the country. “El-Rufai is satanic, he should not be trusted. The election in Kaduna was rigged in his candidate’s favor and God will take it back from him. How can he make such an insensitive statement, why is he mocking Christians? He is a religious hypocrite and a representative of the Taliban in Nigeria. “The statement of El Rufai is unacceptable, we want a peaceful nation but El-Rufai is a threat to national peace. He is the one behind the Southern Kaduna crisis all this while. He should be warned or he will destroy Tinubu’s government. God will destroy his plans before his time and if Tinubu brings him in, he will destroy the government completely.’’ “El Rufai is an agent of satan and God will soon expose his plans. He lost Kaduna but the real winner will reclaim his mandate. El-Rufai is a devil who wants to enslave Nigeria and sell the nation to the Islamic Republic. We must rise against his evil agenda. He is a religious and ethnic racist. He is one of the backbone of Muslim-Muslim presidency in Nigeria and of course, Nigeria will soon see the repercussion.’’ “Tinubu should stop El-Rufai before he creates a religious war in this country. Christians are peaceful people, God will deal with El Rufai because he wants to create a fight in the country.’’ “If El-Rufai becomes anything in Tinubu’s government, he will burn the country, he will start a religious crisis and he has a devilish agenda that will soon be exposed.”

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