Headline

Shettima harps on value of traditional institution

Published

3 weeks ago

August 31, 2023

Shettima harps on value of traditional institution

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has reiterated the value of the traditional institutions in the country.

Shettima made the statement when he received a delegation led by the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, retired Justice Sidi Bage I, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

He expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers, the government and people of the state for their love and support to President Bola Tinubu during the last electioneering campaign.

” You are the custodians of our rich cultural heritage, the people listen to you more than us because you are the closest to the people. We appreciate you and value you because you are our link to the past.”

” If we productively utilise our solid minerals, Nasarawa can be to the North what Lagos is to the South-West and can be the engine room in this region because of its proximity to the FCT; opportunities abound more in Nasarawa State,” he said.

He urged the people of the state to be peaceful in order to develop, adding that Nasarawa is home to all the solid minerals in the country.

In an interview with newsmen, Bage, said the aim of the visit was to reiterate the support of the people of Nasarawa to President Tinubu’s administration.

” We are here today on a courtesy visit to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by extension, we are here on a courtesy visit to this administration.

” This administration is our friend. It’s a friend of Nasarawa, it’s a friend of our people and added to it both Mr President and the Vice President all of them are our own.

” They know how close they are to Nassarawa State and since the assumption of office, we’ve not had the opportunity of coming around physically to and congratulate them that’s why we’re here today.

” It’s not very easy to see Mr President at his desk, but it could be slightly easier to see the Vice President at his desk.

” That’s why we booked the appointment first, to see the vice president at his desk, congratulate him and give him all our assurances that our people are with this administration.

” Our loyalty, our support to this administration is 100 per cent and we are there in support of all their aspirations, all the good things that they have laid out for this country.

The traditional ruler expressed confidence in the ability and capacity of Tinubu’s administration to move the country to the desired level.

” They are people that we know and we know very well and people that we can give a trust to. We are sure that tomorrow will be better than today with the two at the helms of affairs in this country.

” What we are saying is that Mr President has started and we are confident that he has started right. The policies and all of those things that are laid out for this country are the best that should happen at this time.

” So we are here to tell Mr President to please carry on with the good work that he is doing for this country . Nasarawa State is with you. We are behind you.

” We give you all the support that is necessary for you to succeed in what you have laid out to do for this country. Thank you.

Among the delegation were the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, Emir of Awe, Alhaji Isa Abubakar, Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Usman Jibrin among others.

Headline

Tribunal upholds Gov. Alia’s election

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2023

Alero Danjuma

The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi on Saturday upheld the victory of Gov. Hyacinth Alia of the APC in the March 18 Governorship Election.

Delivering the judgment, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Ibrahim Karaye, held that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain pre election issues raised by the petitioners, Titus Uba and PDP.

Karaye, who read the unanimous judgment, stated that only the Federal High Court had the exclusive jurisdiction to entertain issues bordering on pre-election matters.

He further said the petitioners’ case was also an abuse of court processes because the same case was filed by the petitioners before the Federal High Court Abuja Division and its judgment was not challenged by the petitioners.

He said the petitioners lacked locus standi to challenge the nomination of the 2nd and 3rd respondents by the 4th respondent since they were not members of the 4th respondent.

Justice Karaye further said that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of forgery against the 3rd respondent before the tribunal.

He said the 2nd and 3rd respondents were qualified to contest the March 18 Governorship Election and therefore, dismissed the case.

The petitioners, Titus Uba and the PDP, had dragged the respondents, INEC, Hyacinth Alia, Dr Sam Ode, and the APC before the tribunal, challenging their declaration by the INEC.

The petitioners argued that the 2nd and 3rd respondents, Gov Alia and Dr Ode, were at the time of contesting the election, not qualified to contest the March 18 Governorship Election.

They averred that the 4th respondent – the APC – did not follow the provisions of the law in the nomination of the governorship and deputy governorship candidates.

They also alleged that the 3rd respondent had presented a forged certificate to the 1st respondent, INEC, therefore, should be disqualified.

They, therefore, prayed among other things, for the nullification of their election and declare the petitioners as winners of the election, having scored second highest lawful votes.

The also contended that having not qualified to contest the election, their votes should be declared invalid and certificates earlier issued to them by INEC be withdrawn.

NAN reports that the petitioners in the suit did not challenge the result of the March 18 Benue Governorship Election but qualifications of the candidates.

However, the respondents in their counter arguments, urged the tribunal to dismiss the suit in its entirety as it was an abuse of court processes.

The respondents stated that the Federal High Court Abuja Division, had before the election, delivered judgment on the same matter which was filed by the petitioners but they did not appeal the judgment till date.

They also said that the issues raised were all pre election matter and only the Federal High Court had the exclusive jurisdiction to entertain same.

The 2nd and 3rd respondents clearly stated that since the prayers sought by the petitioners were all pre-election matters, the petitioners case was status bar and should be struck out.

They said the petitioners lacked locus standi to challenge the nomination of candidates of other political parties as they were mere meddlesome interlopers.

Headline

LASTMA, others combat Ilupeju industrial fire outbreak

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

The operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders at early hour on Saturday combated an industrial fire outbreak at Mega Plastics Company at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass.

Mr Taofiq Adebayo, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos on Saturday.

Adebayo stated that the industrial fire outbreak took place at Mega Plastics Company at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass beside Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ilupeju area of Lagos.

“The Traffic Officer of LASTMA, Mr Ayo Olaosebikan (Falcon) of Zone 21, confirmed that LASTMA rescue team arrived at the scene of the industrial fire outbreak around at 6:30a.m. before other emergency responders were contacted by LASTMA.

“Immediately we arrived at the scene of the industrial fire, we quickly informed other emergency responders particularly the Lagos State Fire, Rescue Services and the Nigerian Police.

“The causes of industrial fire could not be immediately ascertained, he said.
Olaosebikan noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the storage and factory section of the petrochemical company were seriously affected by the fire outbreak.

According to him, emergency responders on ground include Federal and State Fire Services, policemen and LASTMA Response Unit.

Olaosebikan said that neither injury nor death had been recorded.