Resins I’ve not been commissioning projects – Ortom

Politics

Governor Samuel Ortom

By Peter Duru – Makurdi

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Sunday gave reasons he had not been commissioning the projects executed by his administration in the last six years.

He explained that the funds earmarked for the commissioning of such projects could be used to execute more development projects in parts of the state, hence his decision to ignore the idea.

The Governor who made this known shortly after inspecting ongoing construction work at the Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area, LGA, of the state said if it were the general consensus that it should be done, he would have no choice but to commence the commissioning of projects in the state.

He said: “for me it is not about commissioning of projects because I noticed that each time I want to commission a project, protocol will come with a list of several expenditure, you pay for this and that.

“So I believe that what I will spend in commissioning projects will help me add another development project to the society; that is my take.

“The commissioning of projects should be the siting of those projects and completing them. That is my belief about projects.

“But since people believe in the commissioning of projects, maybe I would have to change my mind about that and start to commission my several projects spread across the state so that they will be appreciated.

“I must say that I am always very surprised when the opposition claim that we have not done projects. We can all see the roads, schools, health facilities, name them in every sectors and all over the state.

“Even in the area of security you can see what we have been able to do. You can see where we were from 2015 and where we are today.

“We have done so well, we are gradually fishing out the deadly criminals operating in the state so that development can come. And I can assure you that in the next few weeks if you ask a criminal to come to Benue whether armed herders or anyone, they would decline.”

Nigerianewslite news

Opposed to Bitcoin Payments, Bank of Russia Says State Should Not Stimulate Spread of Cryptocurrencies

News 

Bank of Russia Reiterates Negative Stance on Cryptocurrencies, Legalization of Bitcoin

A “responsible state” should not stimulate the proliferation of cryptocurrencies, according to Elvira Nabiullina, chair of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR). The head of the monetary authority made the declaration in the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma.

The high-ranking official emphasized that the bank has “an extremely negative attitude towards cryptocurrencies” which she described as “private currencies pretending to be money.” Quoted by the Tass news agency, Nabiullina elaborated:

At the same time, people need to be given an alternative, the governor acknowledged. Bank of Russia is trying to do that through its projects. “I have already spoken about the digital ruble – in our opinion, this should develop,” Elvira Nabiullina added

The head of Russia’s monetary policy regulator remarked that the CBR is not against digital currencies in general, provided they are not used for “shadow operations.” Nabiullina pointed out, however, that Bank of Russia continues to oppose the legalization of bitcoin as a payment instrument in the country.

In response to the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies and the significant increase in electronic payments, the Russian central bank has stepped up its efforts to create a digital version of the national fiat, the ruble. This year, the regulator formed a digital ruble pilot group with over a dozen financial institutions. A prototype of the CBDC platform will be launched in December, with trials scheduled to commence in January.

The digital ruble is what the Russians need as it will facilitate cheap and reliable non-cash payments, Nabiullina recently told participants in an international banking forum. According to the country’s latest financial market development strategy, the state-issued digital currency should prevent citizens from using ‘money surrogates,’ a term used by officials in Moscow to describe cryptocurrencies.

Ekwunife Celebrates Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Okwadike At 83

  Ekwunife Celebrates Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Okwadike At 83

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife, PhD, celebrates the former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Okwadike as he marked his birthday, yesterday November 20, 2021.

Dr Ezeife, a respected Igbo leader was the governor of Anambra state between 1992 and 1993. He was later appointed the Presidential Adviser on political matters to President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Eulogizing Dr Ezeife, Ekwunife describes the Igbo-Ukwu born elder-statesman as a political colossus, accomplished scholar and respected Igbo opinion leader.

"Your Excellency, I remember playing the role of Chairman, planning committee during your 80th birthday celebration where you launched the book Okwadike: Nigeria, Democracy and the State of the Economy. In the book you articulated your vision on how to re-engineer Nigeria and return her to God's original design. Your courage, brilliance, intellect and commitment to nation building were and still remain exceptional.", Ekwunife notes.

"On behalf of my family and the good people of Anambra Central Senatorial District, I thank God for granting you longevity, sound health of mind and body, and pray Him to sustain you as you continue to deploy your experience and knowledge in service to Igboland and Nigeria at large", the ranking lawmaker concludes.

Signed

Kingsley Ubani 

SA Media to Senator Uche Ekwunife

Senator Uche Ekwunife facilitated presentation of Technology Story Board

 News Education

Senator Uche Ekwunife facilitated presentation of Technology Story Board Materials for selected schools in Anambra State

On November 19, 2020, the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife, PhD, facilitated a presentation of technology story board materials to selected secondary schools in Anambra State.

The programme which held in Awka was organized by the National Office for Technology Acquisition And Promotion (NOTAP), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Giving his welcome address, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr Dan-Azumi Ibrahim lauded Senator Ekwunife for facilitating the programme which is designed to cultivate the culture of innovation and productivity in the minds of young Nigerians, particularly pupils and students in primary and secondary schools.

Dr Ibrahim described the Senator as an excellent representative who is committed to touching the lives of her constituents positively. He stated that the programme is geared towards engineering the minds of the younger ones on the role of science and technology in national development.

Speaking at the event, Ekwunife who was represented by the former commissioner for commerce and Industry Anambra State, Hon Ken Arinze commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition And Promotion (NOTAP) for living upto its statutory mandate of engendering the benefit of science and technology in the country.

She noted that the story boards which show pictorial representations of the technological processes of production will reawaken the interest of primary and secondary school pupils and students in science and technology.

While calling on government at all levels to show greater concern towards science, technology and innovation, the Federal Lawmaker urged the students and other participants present at the occasion to see the event as an opportunity to deepen their interest and knowledge in science and technology.

Some of the students and teachers who reacted to the reception of the story boards appreciated the Senator for making the programme a reality. They prayed for God's blessings upon her and wished her success in all her endeavors.

The beneficiaries include, Federal Government Technical College Awka, Ideke Science School Odekpe, Community Secondary School Akpo, New Era Secondary School Nteje, Obosi Girls Secondary School, Community High School Ogboji, Special Science School Abagana, Abbot Girls Special Science School Ihiala and St Charles Special Science School Onitsha. 

SUEProgrammes

EffectiveRepresentation

OnThisDayIn2020

Gov Obiano appoints new HoS for Anambra

 News

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra, has approved the appointment of Mrs Theodora Igwegbe, as new Head of Service (HoS) of the state.

This is contained in a circular signed by Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Awka.

Chukwulobelu said that Igwegbe would take over from Mr Harry Udu who would retire from service on January 1, 2022.

I am pleased to inform you that His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, has approved your appointment as Head of Service of Anambra with effect from Jan. 1. 2022.

It is hoped that you will bring your wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of the duties of your new assignment.

“The conditions of this appointment will be communicated accordingly,” he said

Igwegbe is a lawyer and a career civil servant who rose through the ranks.
She is presently the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment

 Politics

Ex-Court of Appeal judge hails Obiano for rewarding Anambra woman who rejected bribe

A former justice of the Court Of Appeal, Chinwe Iyizoba, has commended Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, for rewarding the female voter, Mrs Eunice Onuegbusi, who turned down a bribe of N5,0000 from party agents during the November 6 election in the state.

Iyizoba who spoke through a non-governmental organisation, African Women Forum for Good Governance, said there were other exemplary women like Mrs Onuegbusi in Anambra and Nigeria at large.

Onuegbusi, who hails from Ukwulu community in the Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, was seen in a viral video during the just concluded governorship election rejecting a bribe of N5,000, opting instead to vote according to her conscience.

In appreciation of her forthrightness, Obiano invited her for recognition and rewarded her with the sum of N1m.

Reacting to the development the retired judge and founder-CEO of AWFG, said, “Our politicians must learn that the only way to make progress in politics is by providing the people who elected them into office with good governance, through the provision of the necessary social amenities to make life worth living — good roads, good schools, jobs, good healthcare, water supply, electricity.

She said her group was into women empowerment and advocacy, dedicated to good governance and the socio-economic development of Africa through gender empowerment.

Nigeria vs Cape Verde:

 Sports News

Nigeria vs Cape Verde: Eagles should look to Ronaldo’s Portugal for inspiration

The Eagles need just a point to progress, but the team must have the mindset to win to be on the safer side.

On Sunday, Portugal started ahead of their opponents, Serbia, and needed only a draw in the race for a ticket to Qatar 2022.

However, despite scoring first in the second minute, Portugal lost 2-1 at home to crash into the playoffs.

This is just one example as history is replete with teams who need just a point for progress in qualifiers and tournaments but fall at that hurdle because of a relaxed posture and not enough intensity from the team needing just a draw.

Tuesday’s clash between Nigeria and Cape Verde is based on the assumption [and rightly so] that the Super Eagles need just a point as they lead Group C with 12 points while their opponents, the Blue Sharks have 10 and need to win to progress to the last round of CAF 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

This is the first time-especially in Gernot Rohr’s reign as Super Eagles gaffer that the Eagles have not qualified for the next round with a game to spare. That will bring its own pressure as the Eagles look at their last home clash-the loss to the Central African Republic. That result is what has made Tuesday’s match a must-not-lose encounter.

Based on the way the qualifiers have panned out, the Eagles have scored in four of their five previous matches and conceded in two. They have scored eight goals and conceded two. Cape Verde have scored in all of their five qualifiers but have kept just one clean sheet in the qualifiers.

In a post-match interview after the 2-0 win over Liberia in Morocco, Rohr revealed that the pressure not to lose is a good one as it will keep his players on their toes.

“Yeah, of course, we have to make a result not to lose the final game. But we are at home. It’s good to have pressure for my players.”

“If they believe it’s easy if they believe it’s done, it’s always difficult. So it’s good to play with pressure. So we will be able to honour this situation to handle it like we did all the time.”

The Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa added, “No one is thinking of a draw. It is a must-win match, as far as we are concerned.

Musa, who scored his 15th goal for the Eagles in the 2-0 victory over Liberia on Saturday, added: “The mindset is to win and reach the final round of the World Cup series without any story.”

The match is slated for the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, and the kickoff is 5 p.m.