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We are partners in progress, Uzodimma tells National Christian Pilgrims Commission

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….Gets Award as ‘Pilgrimage Governor of the year 2023’

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has told the leadership of the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) that they are partners in progress with him in the service to God and humanity.

He made the remarks on Monday at the Government House, Owerri while playing host to the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, who led his top officials on a thank you visit to Governor Uzodimma for sponsoring a historical 1000 Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land in 2023.

The Executive Secretary and his team did not come empty-handed as they presented the Governor with two souvenirs from NCPC, with Bishop Adegbite announcing him the “Pilgrimage Governor of the Year 2023” and consequently, the ‘’first Pilgrimage Ambassador of the Commission in Nigeria.”

Making the presentation to the Governor at the New Exco Chambers, Bishop Adegbite explained that “the award was necessitated by the unprecedented sponsorship by the Governor of 1,000 Christians from the State to the Holy land in 2023, which is the first of its kind from any Governor/Government of a State and FCT in Nigeria.”

He further appreciated the Governor for what he described as his “overall support to the National Pilgrimage, the Imo Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Christian Association of Nigeria in general,” and requested the Governor to “do more.”

Bishop Adegbite congratulated the Governor on his reelection for a second tenure, noting that his return by the people of Imo State “is not a surprise looking at the several achievements of the Governor in his first tenure.”

Describing the Governor as “a willing shepherd ready to lead his people, the man with the golden heart and full of expectations from his people,” Bishop Adegbite added that “the Governor has given hope to the hopeless, homeless, and the disadvantaged, as well as lives to the people.”

Bishop Adegbite who proceeded to reel out the things Governor Uzodimma has done in the different sectors of the economy in Imo State used the opportunity to woo the Governor to join in an ‘’Executive Pilgrimage’’ with his wife so that the Governor can experience in Israel, what he has been experiencing in the past 23 years of travelling to the place, and possibly tap from the country’s agricultural potentials, “though a country in the desert.”

He noted that the award to the Governor is to appreciate and encourage him to do more.

Receiving his guests, Governor Uzodimma thanked the NCPC for deeming it fit and necessary to honour him with the Award and right away, dedicated same to the Almighty God.

He recalled how Imo State, before 2023, was besieged by crime and criminality and challenged in all fronts, noting that “after applying kinetic solutions to no avail, it became necessary to seek the face of God by crying to God as a non-kinetic approach.”

“It is as a result of this that I decided to send 1,000 Christians in Imo State to go to the Holy Land to pray and seek the face of God. When they came back God heard their prayers and today Imo State is Safe.”

Governor Uzodimma added that “as Christians we must always commit to those activities in the scriptures,” insisting that, “we did it before, we will do it again, God willing.”

Earlier, he described Bishop Adegbite “as a committed and morally guided Christian whose appointment was acknowledged nationally as a round peg in a round hole.”

The Governor however requested the leadership of the NCPC to endeavour to give those who have not been to the pilgrimage before the opportunity to have the experience.

While welcoming the visitors on behalf of the Government of Imo State, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, said the State was not surprised over the Award to the Governor going by the unprecedented number of Christians he sent to pilgrimage in 2023. He said the appreciation was an indication that “one good turn deserves another.”

Iwu who joined the NCPC in congratulating the Governor on the Award and honour, described him as “a man of many parts who has carved a niche for himself in law making, governance, religion, education, empowerment, digital-economy and many others,” adding that, “the Award is another feather to the cap of the Governor.”

The Deputy Governor, Lady (Dr.) Chinyere Ekomaru, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other top Government functionaries joined the Governor in receiving the visitors.

The Executive Secretary and his national officers were accompanied on the visit by the Federal Commissioner representing South East in the Commission, Mr. Clement Nweke, the CAN Chairman in Imo State, Rev. (Dr.) Eches Divine Eches, the Very Rev. (Dr.) John Iwe (Vicar General Okigwe Diocese who represented the Bishop of Okigwe Diocese), the Chaplain, Government House, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Gilbert Alaribe and other Christian faithful.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor
May 13, 2024.

Politics

Kebbi ADC suspends state chairman, two others

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has suspended its chairman, Engineer Sufiyanu Bala, along with his deputy, Junaidu Muhammed Mudi, and the state secretary, Hauwa Muhammed.

Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the party’s publicity secretary, Jamilu Muhammed, accused the Sufiyanu-led leadership of making decisions without consulting other executives.

“We address you today to announce the immediate suspension of Sufiyanu Bala, his deputy, and secretary Hauwa from the party with immediate effect,” he said.

Muhammed alleged that the suspended leaders allowed Abuja nomadic politicians to dominate the party, a move strongly opposed by the founding members.

“We will not, after tailoring the party to its present status, allow Abuja politicians to dominate it,” he added.

According to him, the decision came after an extraordinary meeting of loyal ADC members and stakeholders who have been with the party long before the coming of Abuja impostors.

The party has appointed Abdulrazaq Abubakar Isah Iko as interim chairman and Adamu Aliyu as acting secretary until a new congress is held.

The Kebbi ADC warned the suspended members to stop identifying themselves as party officials or carrying out activities in the party’s name.

It also condemned political gatherings organised by the suspended officials, saying such actions violate the Electoral Act.

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Ekwunife blasts Soludo, says government House not his birthright

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Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife has warned Governor Soludo to get ready to hand over power, insisting that the government house is not his birthright.

Senator Ekwunife stated this while addressing party faithful in her country home in Nri, Anaocha Council area of the state where she described the administration of the governor as an abysmal failure in all round development and security of lives and property.

“Soludo and I are not at war, what is happening is that what he is currently holding is what we want. The constitution of Nigeria made it four year term for every elected governor. And if you do well, you will be re-elected but in the case of Soludo, it is obvious he has lost touch with governance and that is why APC has presented veritable platform for the people of the state to reclaim their state from APGA misrule.

“The governor, rather than concentrate on positive governance, has been going about crying like a baby, calling my name up and down and we are not losing sleep over his rantings. He has not done well to deserve a second term and that is why the state seems to be on autopilot for four years.

“I make bold to say that Soludo was smart to have hurriedly parked into the uncompleted Anambra State government House, which goes to tell his state of panicky mood of losing this election which is going to happen. But he has forgotten that government is a continuum and when one stops, another person takes over and that is why we presented a veritable alternative to Ndi Anambra.”

Also speaking during the programme, the former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh described the governorship election in the state as very vital in order to connect the state to the mainstream politics of Nigeria and called for total and massive votes for the party and her candidates, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Ikoh said the time for the party to clinch Anambra State has come with the massive mobilization of stakeholders across the state and county in general to support the party and ensure smooth victory in the November 8 governorship election.

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I consulted for 6 months before dumping PDP for APC – Gov Eno

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In an interview with Channels Television, the governor said his state can’t be in the opposition after producing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

He said: “I consulted for six months before moving, I didn’t just wake up and decided to move. We have stayed in the opposition for so many years.

“There are enormous benefits to align with the centre. First of all, we have a Senate President in this country who is from here and we have to give him the support to be able to help.

“We can’t have the Senate President in another party and we are here in the opposition, you know how politics plays out here, it will keep weeping up sentiments.”

The new APC member said he believes in the policies of President Bola Tinubu.

He said Tinubu is making much efforts towards repositioning the economy, which was in a bad shape when he assumed office.

“Two, I believe in the programme of Tinubu – this economy was battered and we were really low by the time he took over power.

“We have seen the efforts he is making, the reforms he is making and he should have our support.

 

“States governments, I speak for Akwa Ibom have benefitted from those reforms and is why we are able to have the funds to do what we are doing.

“If somebody is doing well, you say he is doing well and if he is not doing well we say he is not doing well.

“If I can see him and discuss our issues and he listens to our issues and helps us where he can, why should I work against the President?”

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