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PRESIDENT TINUBU URGES GOVERNORS TO MEET TARGETS ON FOOD SECURITY; APPROVES IMMEDIATE ROLLOUT OF NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION AND HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT PROGRAMME

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate rollout of the National Construction and Household Support Programme to cover all geo-political zones in the country.

Items under the National Construction and Household Support Programme include:

(1) One-off allocation to states and the Federal Capital Territory of N10 billion for the procurement of buses and CNG uplift programme.

(2) Delivery of N50,000 uplift grant each to 100,000 families per state for three (3) months.

(3) Provision for labour unions and civil society organizations.

(4) Deployment of N155 billion for the purchase and sale of assorted foodstuff to be distributed across the nation.

Speaking during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja, President Tinubu urged state governors to work together to meet the needs of citizens, stating that he is willing to provide the needed support to ensure that Nigerians are relieved of hardship.

While emphasizing the urgency of boosting food production, the President noted that the Sokoto-Badagry Highway is a pivotal project as the states within this axis form the food belt of the nation, and with Badagry being an important artery for food export.

“Our states must work together to deliver on the critical reforms required of us to meet the needs of our people. Time is humanity’s most precious asset. You can never have enough of it. It is getting late.

“We are ready and able to support you in the form of the mechanization of your agricultural processes and the provision of high-quality seedlings.

“We are prepared to provide solar powered irrigation facilities to support our farmers across seasons, but we must now produce. We must produce the food our people eat, and it will require coordination and intentionality between members of the National Economic Council (NEC).

“There is nothing we are doing that is more important than producing high-quality food for our people to consume, buy, and sell. We create jobs in the production of it. And that is before we generate wealth by exporting the excess. It is not beyond us to achieve this for Nigerians.

 

“How much support do you need from me and in what form? I am prepared to provide it. But we must achieve the result. We must deliver on our targets at all levels. Please report back following your consultations and submit to my office within seven days,” President Tinubu said.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

June 27, 2024

Politics

He was my mentor – El-Rufai reveals how Buhari made him Kaduna gov

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A key member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, coalition, Nasir El-Rufai, has disclosed how the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari was instrumental in his emergence as former governor of Kaduna State.

Describing Buhari as his mentor, El-Rufai disclosed that the late ex-President encouraged him to contest for governorship in 2014 and stood by him through his victory.

He disclosed this while mourning Buhari’s death in a clinic in London.

Posting on X, El-Rufai said Buhari stood up for Nigeria during war and peace.

He recalled how Buhari directed him to lead the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Renewal Committee after the 2011 elections.

He wrote: “I mourn the departure of President Muhammadu Buhari. He was a leader who stood up for our country in war and peace.

“I had the privilege of working with him in the CPC. President Buhari was my political mentor. He nudged me to contest for the governorship of Kaduna State, encouraged me by attending the flag-off of my campaign in November 2014, and stood by me to victory.

“I am profoundly grateful for his support during my tenure as governor and for the remarkable access he afforded me, even during rare moments of disagreement on policy matters.”

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Politics

Nigeria’s political class destroying our country – Senator Seriake Dickson warns

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Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has accused Nigeria’s political elite of systematically destroying the nation’s democracy and institutions.

Dickson made the accusation in a speech at a one-day workshop organized by the Nigeria Civil Society’s Alliance for Democratic Change (NCSADC) in Abuja.

Dickson, who served as a two-term governor of Bayelsa State warned his fellow politicians of “unknowingly committing class suicide.”

According to him, their actions have not only weakened the nation’s democratic institutions but has also pushed the country further into crisis.

“The Nigerian political class has killed this country, and you guys [civil society] should not let it happen. “They are killing Nigeria; they are making this country look small.”

The Bayelsa born lamented the widespread practice of politicians moving from one party to another.

He said that politicians have formed the habit of manipulating institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to rig elections and silence opposition.

He expressed frustration with the subversion of institutions like the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, accusing politicians of manipulating them to rig elections and silence opposition.

“Our own democracy is the wishes and caprices of the president or a governor. They don’t even care how the world looks at Nigeria,”

Dickson slammed the judiciary, describing it as “helpless” and often reduced to reading “body language.”

He stated that court rulings have become predictable tools in the hands of those who control power.

Dickson further accused the ruling political elite of abusing federal institutions for electoral gain, using security operatives, soldiers, and the police to intimidate, harass, or even kill civilians during elections.

“They want to control INEC, they want results written for them. They use DSS, police, and the army, not to protect the people but to kill and suppress them during elections. That is the hallmark of a failed country.”

The lawmaker highlighted the growing disconnect between elected officials and the people.

He said many Nigerian politicians no longer relate to their constituents, nor do they feel accountable to them.

“They don’t even take calls from their people. Their homes are too big, too beautiful. Their people can’t even access them,” he lamented. “They know they don’t need the people to win elections. The system allows them to impose themselves.”

He charged civil society groups with the responsibility of holding the political class accountable, urging them to rise and defend democracy from total collapse.

“If a political class does not believe in free and fair elections, in the rule of law, in an impartial judiciary, then they are not just destroying the country, they are destroying themselves. That’s class suicide.”

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Politics

ADC moves to take over Imo, begins membership drive

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Imo State has bowed to take over Imo State in the 2027 elections.

The party in order to achieve it’s target has set up mechanism to admit individuals from other political parties who share its values and vision

The chairman of ADC in Imo State, Prof.James Okoroma stated this in a statement made available to newsmen, in Owerri on Tuesday.

Prof. Okoroma highlighted that the party is committed to good governance and promises to run an all-inclusive administration.

He said: “ADC welcomes individuals who share its values of progress, development, discipline, integrity, and honesty. ADC marks a new beginning, ending politics driven by corruption and deceit.”

He extended hand of fellowship to politicians to join the ADC, while assuring a level playing groud.

The 2023 governorship candidate of the party called citizenry to support and enrol with the party, assuring good governance as a reward for loyalty and consistency.

He explained that ADC’s consolidated agenda is tailored towards attracting like-minded persons and build strong and viable visibility across the geo political zones.

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