–Says Hon. Minister of Works, Raji Fashola
. As Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari commends progress and quality of works by Julius Berger at project pre-commissioning inspection visit

The Federal Government yesterday reassured that work on the 375.4 Abuja-Kano Road (AKR), particularly at sections 2 at 3 (Kaduna-Zaria-Kano) will be completed and commissioned before the end of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration on May 29 this year. This assurance was given to Nigerians by the significant duo of the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and the honourable Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola during their pre-commissioning visit to the on-going project works last Tuesday.

Fashola said at the end of the inspection of the AKR project works that sections 2 and 3 covering over 210 kilometers from Kano to Kaduna would be completed and commissioned before the end of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency next month.

With regard to section one of the project, that is, Abuja to Kaduna, the honourable minister said that portion of the project lost about an operational year due to the seriously disruptive activities of criminal elements in the area, and also due to the necessity to resolve pending issues of right of way and compensation for affected communities by the client to enable the contractors work without any hindrances. Fashola, however, added that a drive through section one shows the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, still working on the road even with the aforementioned real constraints and challenges to their operations in the area. The honourable minister therefore again assured the public that despite the operational hiccups occassioned by the security challenges and the issues of right of way and compensation to affected individuals and communities, the succeeding and incoming federal administration will of a certainty complete section 1 of the AKR project also. “All we need going forward is to collaborate with the honourable minister of the FCT, the Governments of Niger and Kaduna states, to enable us resolve pending issues so that the works can move faster and smoothly,“ said the minister of Works.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari also assured that funding by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) for the AKR project, as indeed for all the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) projects remains guranteed. Gambari who gave kudos to the Buhari administration for its unwavering and laser focus on the development of critically needed and quality infrastructures for the beneficial use of Nigerians and residents, also commended the contractors, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the good quality and progress recorded in the AKR project thus far.

Professor Gambari used the occasion to state President Buhari’s unparalleled, patriotic commitment to project completion and delivery as he announced that Julius Berger has also now completed and delivered the construction of the 2nd River Niger Bridge, another Buhari legacy project, which he said is slated for commissioning, soon.

Significantly, for the company’s operational competence and reliability, the Federal Government also entrusted Julius Berger Nigeria Plc with the construction of the Lagos-Shagamu Expressway (LSE) project, which is also now near completion and commissioning. Professor Ibrahim Gambari refers to the three major infrastructural projects handled by Julius Berger, that is, the Abuja-Kano Road, the 2nd River Niger Bridge and its related roads and interchange, and the Lagos Shagamu Expressway, as the three Legacy Road Projects of the Buhari Administration.

Other high-ranking government officials that accompanied the Chief of Staff to the President and the honourable Minister of Works during the visit included, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Aminu Umar Sadiq, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Projects, Mr Aniefiok Johnson as well as directors, controllers and project engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works. The Secretary to the (Kano) State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji and the Kano State honourable Commissioner for works, Engr. Idris Wada were also among dignitaries who welcomed the Chief of Staff and the honourable Minister of Works to Kano during the visit.

The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter was at the head of the company’s team to recieve the visiting high-ranking government officials during their visit to the AKR works. Also on the Managing Director’s team in Kano were the AKR project Director, Engr. Benjamin Bott, Engr. Abubakar Gimba, and Prince Moses Duku, amongst others.

PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU PRAYS FOR GUIDANCE, PROGRESS AS TINUBU TAKES OATH NEXT MONTH

•Lagos lesser Hajj pilgrims gather in Makkah to supplicate for peace at home

Ahead of next month’s democratic transition, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, led a special prayer session for the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, supplicating for peaceful transfer of power and progress in the country.

Sanwo-Olu also committed his second term to God, seeking divine guidance in adequately addressing challenges confronting Lagos.

The prayer was held during the yearly Ramadan Lecture organised by Lagos lesser Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the Governor was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

Dignitaries at the event held at Makarem Ajyad Hotels included Chief Judge of Lagos, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Anofiu Elegushi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Ahmad, chairman of Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Prince Rabiu Oluwa and Chairman of Lagos Muslim Pilgrim Board, Alhaji AbdulGafar Mofesaiye.

Hamzat said Makkah remained the rallying point for the Muslims, noting that Muslim pilgrims from Lagos used the occasion of the spiritual journey for us as Muslims to offer prayers for the country, Lagos and their fellow countrymen.

He said: “We believe prayers have been helpful for us to achieve our objectives and sustain our unity. In Lagos, we usually commit everything we do to prayer and God willing, things have been really promising for us.”

Hamzat described Tinubu’s victory in the last general election as an “answered prayer” for Nigerians, stressing that the former Lagos State Governor had comprehensive plans towards improving the conditions of the citizens. He, however, urged Nigerians to be patient and give the incoming administration the necessary support to implement its programmes and satisfy the yearnings of the electorate.

He said: “We’re not saying all our problems will be solved in one day when Tinubu takes the mantle of leadership next month, but his plans will redefine governance and change the narrative of development of the country. We are here to pray for guidance, sustenance, wisdom and good health to enable him pilot the affairs of our country. As citizens, we must be patient to understand that governance is a process; we must give the government the leeway to articulate its priorities and satisfy the yearnings of the countrymen.

“Election is over but there is still a lot of pent-up anger largely driven by hatred. We must all calm our frayed nerves and embrace one another. We are all humans equal before God and the law. As a State, we have been projecting tolerance in Lagos and we will continue to do so. All Nigerians must see themselves as one, because without peace there can’t be progress.”

In his lecture taking from Surat An-Naml (Quran 27: 15-19), Prof. Wale Paramole, said Muslims must always remember the mercy of Allah over their affairs by constantly showing gratitude to the Almighty through establishment of prayers and keeping faith with the commandments of Allah.

He noted that tribulations and afflictions were brought upon people who never showed gratitude to Allah, saying: “There is nothing the humans amass on earth that will be useful to them in the hereafter; only Ibadah (established prayers and good deeds) will be the only beneficial value on the Day of Judgement.”

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
19 APRIL 2023

Remain Calm, Steadfast to the Course – Obi Urges Obidients, Nigerians*

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has encouraged Nigerians to remain calm and steadfast in their journey of reclaiming their mandate of a New Nigeria, noting that he will never give up on the journey, until victory is achieved.

Obi explained that he never expected the journey to New Nigeria to be an easy one, saying that the forces who had, over the years, lived off the old order, were bound to fight back, as is being experienced now. He said, “if they come at us through land, air and sea, we will respond to them through land, air and sea, but we will remain law abiding and will never give up on the nation.

“We are on the right path, and we will remain commited to the course,” Obi said.

Obi made the remarks at the National Executive Council Meeting of the Labour Party held in Asaba today. He reiterated his commitment to a ‘Nigeria that will be beneficial to every Nigerian.’ He maintained that the struggle to reclaim the mandate was not about him, as a person, but about millions of Nigerians who reposed their trust on him through their votes.

“The millions of Nigerians who voted for me did not just cast their votes, but they invested their hope in me. They deserve justice. So we must stay the course. And beyond regaining our mandate, I am commited to lifting people out of poverty. I remain commited to transforming Nigeria, starting from the North to every part of the nation,” Obi stated.

He further revealed that there may be more mud slinging on him from those who are against the emergence of the New Nigeria, but he said he would never be deterred by the obstacles along the way to victory. “I have always lived my life in the most law abiding manner possible. Sometimes, as humans, we make mistakes, but I will never knowingly break any law. I am, therefore, not afraid of the lies and propaganda against my person. They are part of the journey to a New Nigeria,” Obi concluded.

Okowa didn’t sign new governor’s pension’s law – Aniagwu

Delta State Government on Tuesday said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa did not sign any new law approving jumbo pay and other allowances as pensions for ex-governors.

State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu at a news conference in Asaba, debunked the rumours making the rounds in some sections of the media and said that the pension law for Ex-Governors have been in place in the state since 2005.

He pointed out that the only time the House effected minor changes in the law was in 2019 when the State House of Assembly amended the law to include the late Prince Sam Obi who was acting Governor between Nov. 10, 2010 and Jan. 10, 2011.

Aniagwu challenged the purveyors of the fake news to provide the date the law was passed by the House and when it was signed by the state governor.

According to him, you are all aware that for any law passed by the State House of Assembly that the Governor assents to, we don’t do it in secret.

“The Assembly sits in the open, deliberates on both first, second and third readings on any of the Bills before they are passed in the full glare of the media and members of the public.

“Before the governor assents to any Bill we do invite the media to brief them as to the import of such law and all of you are aware that Okowa did not sign any new law with respect to Governor’s pension.

We did not sign any new law. What we have is an existing law that has been there before now. But just because they just want to talk and get at us, they are pushing it in the social media to make it look as if we are signing in new law to get home with new benefits and all that.

“Let them tell you the date the law was signed, they should also tell us when the House of Assembly considered the law and what was the debate like, and they should also tell us the people present when the law was allegedly signed.

“They know the truth but they just want to tell stories that are very much at variance with realities,” he said.

The Information Commissioner commended journalists in the state for their objective reporting of activities of the state government and urged them to continue extending same hand of fellowship to the incoming administration.

“Deltans believed that Sheriff Oborevwori is a man that has what it takes to do more and sustain the legacies of Okowa and that it was time to reward the PDP administration and so they voted massively for Oborevwori.

“For those who lost we have extended the olive branch to them to join us in building a much more stronger Delta but instead of doing that they have started telling stories to diminish the hard earned reputation of this administration and especially that of our governor.”
April 17, 2023

*Guinean Citizenship: Speak up now, POSN tells Tinubu; says alleged Presidential mandate at risk*

The Peter Obi Support Network (POSN) has asked All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to speak up and clear the air over his alleged dual citizenship. It said in a statement issued on Monday that Tinubu, who was controversially declared President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “must come clean on the issue of perjury circulating on the social media”.

A picture of the bio-page of a Guinea Conakry passport belonging to Tinubu has been trending online after popular journalist David Hundeyin shared a copy on his Twitter handle.

Reacting to the development in a statement signed on its behalf by FCC Onwuasoanya Jones of its Directorate of Strategic communications, POSN noted that “Tinubu’s alleged presidential mandate is at risk as the laws of the land are clear on the issue dual citizenship”.

The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the bio-page of a Guinea Conakry Passport belonging to Mr. Bola Tinubu which has been trending online after popular journalist David Hundeyin shared a copy on his Twitter handle.

“The Passport carried Tinubu’s image and said it was issued in 2015, expiring five years later in October 2020.

“It is public knowledge how cordial relationship is between the Guinean President, Alhpa Conde, and Tinubu, as Tinubu had publicly claimed credit for helping Conde secure his re-election in October 2015.”

POSN said that “the allegation of dual citizenship by Tinubu has called for the need to investigate the former governor for perjury, as Section 56 of the Penal Code clearly states, ‘Whoever, being legally bound by an oath or by any express provision of law to state the truth or being bound by law to make declaration upon any subject, makes any statement, verbally or otherwise, which is false in a material particular and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, is said to give false evidence’.”

The group noted that “Tinubu did not disclose his Guinea citizenship in a document submitted to INEC for the recent Presidential election in Nigeria.

“With the allegation of dual citizenship against Mr Tinubu, it is every expedient for him to respond to the allegation because any political office holder with dual citizenship risks losing his mandate according to the laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“Mr Tinubu needs to come out as early as possible to clear the air on the allegation of dual citizenship, which puts his alleged Presidential mandate as controversially declared by INEC at great risk,” POSN further said.

SANWO-OLU REITERATES LAGOS PARTNERSHIP WITH NORWEGIAN GOVT, COMPANIES
•We’ll contribute to Energy Transition Plan, Foreign Minister assures LASG

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday reiterated the State Government’s commitment to further develop relationships and build partnerships with the Norwegian Government and companies in the area of energy, infrastructure and technology to create a thriving economy.

The Governor said his government was committed to ensuring clean energy, providing infrastructure, and investments in the technology, health, and educational sectors so that the state can continue to remain resilient.

Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday when he received the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt and her entourage, on a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Marina.

He said the state had been pushing itself to tackling all its challenges, especially the ones that had affected its Gross Domestic Product over the years and appreciated Lagosians for believing in his administration.

“We have created an economy where investment is real, where there is the ease of doing business, both local and foreign, and they can believe in the stability of the State. Yes, we are sub-national but we want to continue to remain the destination of choice for investors. So, we are open to investments in new areas, especially in technology, which is one area, in which we know that all the unicorns have a career in Lagos. We want to become the destination, where people can come and sort resources in terms of the skills that are required.

“We know that Norway, Finland and few others were the powerhouse for technology at a time but Nigeria also, especially Lagos, wants to develop that capability that we must be big, large and technology companies require young people who can actually come here and take charge. These are some of the economic drivers that we will see and we will continue to push in the next couple of years for our government so that the city can continue to remain resilience, forward-looking, and a safe home for all of the residents, citizens, and international markets and audience.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who appreciated Huitfeldt for congratulating him on his re-election victory, thanked every Lagosians for believing in his administration and giving him the democratic power to run for another four years.

“We are happy that at the end of the (gubernatorial) elections, the voice of the people, especially Lagosians was very loud and clear, and they gave us an overwhelming majority. It wasn’t an election in which anybody was in doubt. It was indeed a landslide victory; thanks to every Lagosian for believing in us again and giving us the constitutional and democratic power to run for another four years. We feel very humble,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt, also reinstated her country’s support and cooperation toward Energy Transition Plan in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.

“We are trying to do our best to support and improve the cooperation between the two countries in the area of Green Transaction. We will like to contribute to your action plan. We are looking forward to more business opportunities and areas we can collaborate with you,” she said.

She also congratulated Governor Sanwo-Olu for being re-elected by Lagos residents during the March 18 gubernatorial election.

Huitfeldt was accompanied by Norway’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Kuit Eiliv Lein; Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vebjorn Dysvik; Norwegian Consul General in Nigeria, Taofik Adegbite; Deputy Director, Ms. Nini Halle; Senior Adviser, Ms. Ane Lunde and other top government officials from Norway.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
17 APRIL 2023

Dettol introduces new Dettol Cool soap with new and improved formula

Lagos, Nigeria-19 April 2023. Nigeria’s leading hygiene brand, Dettol, has relaunched one of its soap category products, Dettol Cool with a new and improved formulation. The announcement was recently made at a press conference and internal engagement event held at the Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa Headquarters in Lagos.

As Dettol endeavours to keep Nigerians cool and refreshed all day, the newly improved Dettol Cool soap provides the triple benefits of protection against 99.9% of disease-causing germs, up to 5 degrees of cooling sensation, and protection against body odour.

Speaking at the press conference and internal engagement event, Akbar Ali Shah, General Manager, Reckitt Sub Sahara Africa, said, “At Reckitt, we have a purpose, which is to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We also continually innovate to enable access of our high-quality health and hygiene products to every member of society. Our Dettol Cool bar soap is enriched with the power of menthol that helps to protect against bacteria and odour causing germs.
“With this new product, we look forward to driving conversations on the importance of hygiene and keeping yourself healthy, especially after both high and low-intensity activities which cause you to sweat. In the long run, we aim to achieve a behavioural change towards good hygiene,” Shah concluded.
Zara Adoki, Category Manager, Dettol Sub Saharan Africa, addressing the importance of the newly improved hygiene bar, affirmed that, “Dettol’s purpose is to protect life by making good hygiene simple to adopt. This is why we are excited to announce the launch of the brand-new Dettol 5C Cool. This innovative product is the result of years of research and development, and we are confident that it will be a game-changer in the hygiene industry.”

“At Dettol, we understand the importance of good hygiene practices, especially in these challenging times. Our mission is to help our customers protect themselves and their loved ones from harmful germs and bacteria, and we are committed to delivering the highest quality products that meet their needs,” Adoki added.

With the reintroduction of Dettol 5C Cool, Dettol has once again reinforced its commitment to protect consumers, promote good hygiene practices and inspire Nigerians to lead healthier lives — while keeping them cool and refreshed all day.

Nigeria has medical practitioners export capacity – Okowa

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Monday said Nigeria had capacity to export medical officers to needy nations if available potential were adequately harnessed and proper planning done.

He said that rather than contemplate restricting medical practitioners from moving out of the country, more of them could be trained, and from the pool, enough would remain in the country while some could be exported to needy nations.

According to the governor, Nigeria can leverage the massive demand for medical professionals trained in the country by signing bilateral agreements with foreign nations to train and export more of the professionals to these countries.

He stated this while inaugurating the Collegiate System in the State’s Schools of Nursing held at the College of Nursing, Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

He frowned at the prevailing development where medical professionals no longer empathised with humanity, saying that it had become commonplace and unethical.

Okowa urged all medical workers to adhere to the ethics of their professions by ensuring that they put in their best to render assistance to patients by showing them love at all times.

He said Nigeria had the challenge of nurses, midwives and doctors exiting the country, and pointed out that the situation had begun to trouble the healthcare system in the country.

The governor, however, said ‘’I think that as a nation, if we know where our strength lies, we can do things that can enable us to improve on where our strength lies.

“There is nothing wrong if there is a planned programme by Nigeria to train many more nurses than we need, and we enter into a bilateral relationship with other countries to export some of our nurses, midwives and doctors.

“I am not one of those that will come out to say that we are trying to make laws to stop or restrict the movement of medical personnel out of the country.

“What we need to do is to ensure that there is a planned programme by Nigeria to truly train more than our daily and yearly need and ensure that we are able to enter into strategic alliances with other countries’’.

He commended the Ministry of Health and management of Schools of Nursing in the state for their efforts at upgrading the institutions to the collegiate system, adding that such a system could enhance the training of more nurses and other medical workers.

“I believe that the college system that is starting in Delta will encourage this and I hope that we have people who are able to encourage and support you to do this.

“I believe that we have the capacity to train a lot more nurses than we need at the moment; it just requires a little more resource and focus,” he said.

Okowa also appreciated the Central Bank of Nigeria for supporting the state government to upscale some facilities in the college in Agbor.

“I also want to thank the Registrar of Nursing and Midwifery Council for promising to see how they can further upscale the number of students in the school.

“I can see that the students are very excited because beyond becoming nurses and midwives, they now have the opportunity of having a Higher National Diploma (HND) in nursing services,” he said.

Secretary-General and Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Farouk Umar Abubakar, in his remarks commended Okowa for his great commitment to the development of the state, including health and other sectors. He said that Okowa had written his name in gold for his positive contributions to nursing and other health professions in the country.

Abubakar disclosed that Nigerian nurses and midwives were performing well globally, and that the country had produced no fewer than 21,000 nurses in the past six years.

He said that domestication of the community-nursing programme in most states in the country had contributed immensely to producing adequate nursing and midwifery grassroots manpower for primary healthcare services.

Welcoming guests earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, said that the transition from School to College System wouldn’t have been possible without the unalloyed support of Governor Okowa to the ministry.

He said that the Colleges of Nursing in Agbor was indexed from 30 to 100 students; 50 to 75 for Warri and 50 to 70 for Eku, while the two schools of midwifery in Asaba and Sapele were indexed at 50.

Governor Okowa later inspected ongoing work at the College of Medicine, University of Delta, Agbor where he stated that the project would be completed in 18 months.

He stated that the university’s management had made arrangements for the College to start from a temporary site, with accreditation of courses already being worked out.

Zagg wins Innovative Brand of the Year at Industry Summit Awards 2022

Zagg Energy+Malt Drink has won the prestigious Innovative Brand of the Year award at the Industry Summit Awards 2022. The award recognizes Zagg’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the beverage industry following its successful launch in November 2022.

The Industry Summit Awards are widely recognized as one of the most respected awards in the marketing industry, attracting top industry professionals and experts worldwide. The Innovative Brand of the Year award is given to the brand that demonstrates exceptional innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking in its product development and marketing.

“We are thrilled to receive this award and be recognized for our innovative approach to developing and marketing our product,” said Olaolu Babalola, Portfolio Manager- Beyond Beer. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who have worked tirelessly to create a unique and delicious product that meets the needs of our consumers.”

Zagg Energy+Malt Drink is a unique blend of energy and malt, providing consumers with a refreshing and energizing beverage. In addition, the drink contains a combination of natural ingredients, making it an excellent choice for those who need a quick energy boost.

“We believe that our product fills a gap in the market, and we are thrilled to see that our customers agree,” added Sandra Amachree, Head of Marketing Communications, Nigerian Breweries Plc. “We are grateful to the Industry Summit Awards for recognizing our efforts, and we look forward to continuing to innovate and develop new products that meet the changing needs of our customers.”

With this award, Zagg Energy+Malt Drink has cemented its position as a leader in the beverage industry.

Other awards won by Nigerian Breweries Plc at The Industry Awards includes Industry Brewer of the Year 2022, and 2022 Industry Best Company in Partnership. Nigerian Breweries’ Head of Marketing Communications, Sandra Amachree also won Industry IMC Practitioner of the Year 2022.