Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State on Sunday called on the state House of Assembly to make laws that would ensure peace and security in the state.
He made the call at the First Anniversary/Thanksgiving Service of the fifth Delta State House of Assembly, held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Asaba.
Uduaghan, represented by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, explained that such would help the state, as well as the country, to overcome some security challenges.
Uduaghan called for legislation that would also fast- track development in the state.
The Pastor of the church, Tunde Abdullahi, who spoke on “Make your Life a Praise’’, urged the lawmakers to always praise and seek God’s guidance in their deliberations.
Abdullahi advised the lawmakers to consider who they are before God, adding that God was more interested in a man who would praise Him.
The Speaker, Mr Victor Ochei, said members decided to thank God because no life was lost in the past one year.
Ochei said the occasion was also an opportunity to commit the rest legislative years into the hand of God as well as to ask for His leadership in all their deliberations. (NAN)
I stand by my promise not to fail Nigerians – Jonathan President Goodluck Jonathan has re-assured Nigerians that his administration will not let the people down in the delivery of dividends of democracy.
The president gave the assurance on Sunday in a presidential media chat broadcast on national television and radio.
Jonathan said that the nation is currently going through a gestation period and that was why there were complaints of perceived hardship.
He assured that by 2013, the results of the transformation policies put in place by his administration would begin to yield results.
“I stand by my promise not to disappoint Nigerians and the people must learn to trust this administration.
“I promise to deliver credible election and as an incumbent president, we’ll ensure that there are no rigging and manipulations.
“I know that Nigerians are abusing me; they have not abused me enough. What we are passing through now is a gestation, by 2013 Nigerians should expect to see results,’’ he said.
Contrary to speculations in some quarters, the president said that Nigeria was not broke and the economy growing.
He said though the economic growth had not begun to directly impact on the common man, it had attracted good number of foreign direct investments to the country.
The president also appealed to Nigerians to give his government time to address the problem of electricity supply.
He said government had made significant improvement in the area of electricity generation and Nigerians would begin to get the results with time.
On the area of job creation, Jonathan said government would generate 370,000 jobs with each State and the FCT getting 10,000 each.
The president said that the new electricity tariff was not to inflict pain on the common man, but was part of the power reform agenda to attract investors.
He said the new tariff was designed to allow the common man pay less for electricity, while the big consumers pay more.
He said his administration had made significant improvement on the rehabilitation of railways and roads to boost the economy.
Specifically, on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Jonathan said government would follow due process in reviewing the agreement signed with the contractor handling its rehabilitation, Bi-Courtney Ltd.
Jonathan said he was aware of the delay of work on the project, and assured that government was negotiating with the contractor on the best way to actualise the rehabilitation of the road because of its economic importance. (NAN)
Gov Aliyu applauds removal of Defence Minister, NSA Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger said on Sunday that the removal of the Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Haliru and the National Security Adviser, Lt.-Gen. Aziza Owoye (rtd) was timely.
Aliyu said in Lapai, Niger at annual Nupe Day, that “by this bold decision, President Goodluck Jonathan, has shown that he is concern with the security situation in the country. ’’
He said that the change would bring a great relief to Nigerians that were traumatised by the growing insecurity in the northern parts of the country.
He insisted that the present security challenges required a proactive measure by governments at all levels, urging all Nigerians to support Jonathan in this direction.
“The President has shown that he is concern with what everyone of us have expressed concern about in the country.
“I will like to urge all Nigerians to support the President in our own little way so as to bring the situation under control because anybody can be a victim of this terrorist act,” Aliyu said.
He also urged Nigerians to do everything to secure their environment, town and people, while expressing the hope that the changes would bring the needed relief to the people.
The governor then urged all sons and daughters of Nupe to reflect more on the possible ways to put Nupeland on the path of economic prosperity.
“I challenge you all to rise above sentiments and put aside your differences.
“Encourage one another, offer sound suggestions and invest hugely in the development of Nupe Kingdom for the benefit of all children of Nupe extraction both home and in diaspora.” (NAN)