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Pay more attention to unsettling security situation, nation’s unity, Uzodinma tells Media
Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has urged the media to pay more attention to issues like the depletion of the country’s crude oil output and the unsettling security situation in the country.
The governor made the call while fielding questions from State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.
Uzodinma was reacting to a question about the choice of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to go for Muslim – Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
He said the issues of Nigeria’s unity, increasing cases of oil theft and security challenges should be of more concern to Nigerians rather than granting media space to champions of religious dichotomy and ethnic jingoism.
“I think that even the media – I want to use this opportunity to invite you people to prioritize our areas of interest.
“First, the mood of the country today is not about who the candidates are.
”The mood of the country is that two or three years ago, we were producing 2.1 million barrels of crude oil every day.
“For over 12 years, that has been our main source of foreign exchange.”
He decried that because of the activities of those who are anti-national interest, Nigeria had lost over a million barrels and barely managing to produce one million.
“I think we should arise in unison to condemn the activities of crude oil theft by anti-Nigerian interest groups and bring back the economy of the country, because you have to have a country first before you have a president.
“Look at the quantum of banditry going on in Nigeria today, to the extent that bandits are courageously coming into the capital city.
”We should rise in unison and condemned these activities,’’ he said.
Uzodinma stressed that the media should concentrate more on things that would unite the diverse ethno-religious groups in the country.
He said: “We should make emphasis on things that will unite the country and by the grace of God abandon those things that are capable of dismembering the country.
“Our national interest is important. Our national unity is important. Our ability to live together as brothers and sisters is also important.
“The primary purpose of government is for the security of lives and property and the welfare of our citizens. To what extent have we supported federal government in achieving this primary purpose?
“Those are things that should occupy our minds now. But if you throw Nigeria into a situation where religious dichotomy, ethnic jingoism will be at the front burner, it means you are working against Nigeria.
“So, let us allow political parties who have chosen their candidates, no matter the religion where they come from, to go out and do their campaign.”
According to him, it is left for the electorate to reject the ticket by not voting for them or accept the ticket by voting for them.
“But, if we continue to make these things headlines, you are heating up our polity unnecessarily.
”I want to beg you in the name of God, let us save our country,’’ he said
Speaking to the issue of oil theft, the governor charged the federal government to identify the brains behind the menace in the country and bring them to justice
The governor said “the act is a cancer which must be dealt with to steady the economy.’’
He warned against treating perpetrators as sacred cows, saying that anyone involved in the practice must be brought to book irrespective of the status in the society.
“Crude oil theft is like cancer to our economy and a thief is a thief, no matter his class.
“So, the process that will address the issue of crude oil theft will identify those behind it, irrespective of their class and for me, I don’t see any profile that will make a criminal not to be a criminal.
“All I will pray is the repentant mind to believe in the country and save the country the agony of this criminality.
“So, it is something that is very serious, as a matter of fact, it is something that government must take very seriously.
“Nobody should be a sacred cow; whether your profile is high, whether you’re middle-class profile or low profile, you’re considered a thief to national treasury.
”Commensurate punishment should be mated on such an individual, once identified,’’ he added.
Reacting to a recent World Bank outlook on Nigeria’s economic future, which projected that the country faces an existential threat, he said:
“Even 25 years ago, before 1999, World Bank has always said Nigeria will break into pieces and today Nigeria has not been broken into a half piece.
“This country is loved by God and our faith in God has been keeping this country.
“We have had friendly enemies as partners, both internationally and nationally, but yet Nigeria continues to exist.
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“There is nowhere in the world you will go and the gas stations you will see are not Shell, ExxonMobil, Texaco (Overseas), all the major oil producing companies.
“It is only in Nigeria that you will hear languages like independent market, Okafor & Sons Filling Station and all that. What is the World Bank saying about that?
“It is only in Nigeria you talk about subsidy. What is World Bank saying about that?
”It is only in Nigeria you hear jargons like Turn-Around-Maintenance, where else in the world do you have such language?’’
On his meeting with the president, Uzodinma said he sought his s approval for the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to be converted to Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital and for Alvan Ikoku College of Education to become Federal University of Education, Owerri
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.
The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.
The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London
In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.
The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.
The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.
Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.
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“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”
The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.
It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.
Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.
“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”
The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.
The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.
The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.
The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.
The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.
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According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.
“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.
The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.
Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.
The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.
Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.
A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.
“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.
The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.
While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.
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