By Francis Nansak, Lafia

Stakeholders across the Thirteen Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State are in a solitary mood owing to the ruling APC decision filed in consensus candidates for the upcoming LGs election .

This moves was however truncated as the various party chairmen at the local government could not successfully handled the political arrangements, leading to the governor being the leader of the party to taking another decision,urging the party to present Three contestant who had satisfactorily gone through the processes of nominations.

Our correspondent gathered that even before the governor the situation has remained the same, as in some of the local government areas who fielded more than three chairs ship candidates the stakeholders could not broker peace .
This has generated perplexity that has since unsettles stakeholders from Karu,Keffi, Nasarawa and Akwanga the home local government area of Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Findings reveals that a group from Nasarawa Local Government Area have threatened to dump the ruling APC should their candidate be dropped from the race.

Speaking recently in Lafia, the state capital, the group working for Faisal’s governorship ambition, known as Faisal Gida-Gida, revealed that arrangements are in top gear; should all their plots fail, their principal and former NPHDA boss would have no option but to leave APC for the opposition to contest the 2027 gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State.

Mallam Abdullahi Abubakar who addressed reporters, stated that several disputes had been resolved in the Governor’s favor, emphasizing that continued disputes would undermine his credibility in the State.

While all these lasted the immediate past Chairman of Keffi Local Government Area, Honourable Mohammed Baba Shehu who is seeking reelection was dropped by the stakeholders alongside two former State Assembly members who had desired to be selected for the post.

It was learnt that reaching the point where the selection did not favoured the immediate past Chairman, he refused to signed the agreement.

Meanwhile in Karu LGA, it is obvious that the former chairman, Honourable James Thomas has been dropped due to a laid down zoning formula which is in favour of Panda ,a development area of Karu.

R-L: Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh; Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Jibril Abba and Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Chudi Offidile during a courtesy visit by the ICRC management to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.

BY AKUDORO GLORIA

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has asserted that adopting the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is essential for the infrastructural development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The Director General, stated this while hosting Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) at the Agency on Tuesday in Lagos State.

In a statement by Osagie Edward, Head, Public Relations of the Agency, the Director General emphasized the importance of the Commission’s increased involvement in attracting private investors to develop infrastructural capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“We appreciate the Management of the ICRC for being responsive. However, you know that the maritime sector is capital intensive and government funds cannot solely put in place the required infrastructure.

“We need the ICRC to develop PPP based business models that will be attractive to the private sector both from within and outside the country. There is the need to streamline processes by the use of technology, as we will continue to count on the support of ICRC to help drive the Agency’s PPP projects for effective and efficient service delivery to our stakeholders,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ewalefoh, who supported the NIMASA DG’s position, underscored the significance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy and added that the PPP model would facilitate increased funding and expertise from the private sector, thereby accelerating the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector.

Dr. Ewalefoh expressed the ICRC preparedness to engage with NIMASA on its projects and ensure timely execution.

“There is no time to waste; our country needs lots of funding for infrastructure and we need to create an enabling environment for activities to thrive. First, is service delivery, not revenue generation, and people will be willing to pay if they get the right services”, the ICRC boss noted.

The statement disclosed further that PPP model has proven to be the most viable approach worldwide for driving government policies that promote development and economic growth.

“As a regulatory agency and Nigeria’s Maritime Administration, NIMASA has consistently embraced collaboration and partnership through the PPP initiative to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector,” it stated.

Delight Chinedum

Natonal Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to sing the new National Anthem with pride and conviction as part of collective movement for national progress.

Director General of the Agency, Mallam Issa Onilu stated this on Tuesday in Awka during a press conference on nationwide sensitization program centered on National Values Charter and New National Anthem.

Onilu, represented by Deputy Director Procurement, Nwolisa Florence Uju expressed commitment of the Agency to ensuring that the words of the Anthem were not only recited but lived out by Nigerians.

He said, “The press conference is to address important national issues, foster civic engagement and sensitize Nigerians about the National Values Charter and the New National Anthem targeted at inspiring patriotism and national unity.

“The Nationwide Sensitization program will include various efforts to educate the public on the anthem’s meaning and significance.

“The anthem has been carefully crafted to reflect the aspirations, dreams, and values of modern Nigeria. It emphasizes unity. integrity, and progress while honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us.

“This anthem is more than just a song; it is a rallying cry for every Nigerian to contribute positively to the growth of our nation. It is a reminder that regardless of our differences in culture, ethnicity, or religion, we are bound by one identity: Nigeria.

“We will ensure that its words are not just recited, but lived out by all citizens. From schools to public institutions, we want every Nigerian to sing the anthem with pride and conviction, knowing that they are part of a collective movement for national progress.”

According to the DG, Federal Executive Council has mandated that the first stanza of the anthem be rendered at all official functions, while the three stanzas should be for special occasion such as Independence Day, Democracy Day, Inauguration of the National Assembly. Children’s Day, Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Workers Day.

“Similarly, the third stanza has been adopted as the new National Prayer to further inspire unity and greater patriotism among Nigerians.

“FEC has also approved that National Orientation Agency as the custodian of the national symbols should be the source of all official symbols to ensure standardization. Also 16th of September every year be observed as National Symbol Enlightenment Day (Ordinance Day),” he stated.

While reiterating Tinubu’s administration steadfastness in its mission to bring about transformative changes across all sectors, from energy and infrastructure to education and social welfare, Onilu urged all stakeholders, religious leaders, Civil Society Organization and the citizenry to continue supporting its initiatives and work together toward achieving a more prosperous and united nation.

“The achievements of the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, numerous policies have been initiated to tackle Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.

“These initiatives are set to transform key sectors and uplift the socioeconomic status of our citizens.

“Some key policies and initiatives include Student Loan Scheme, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Economic Reforms, Social Welfare Initiatives and Energy Sector Reforms.

“Others include infrastructure Development, National Philanthropy Office (NPO) and Crude Oil Sales in Naira.

Describing National Values Charter as cornerstone of the current administration’s commitment to reinforcing the values of unity, the DG said the document, which would soon be unveiled by the President, outlined core principles of democracy, equality, transparency, peace, respect for diversity, and integrity, as well as providing a moral compass for both citizens and the government.

His words, “The Charter establishes mutual expectations, where the government pledges accountability and the citizens uphold their civic duties.

“The National Values Charter is divided into two broad sections namely; The Nigerian Promise (Seven Core Promises made by the country as represented by all elected leaders) and Citizens Commitment to the Nigerian State (Seven Point Obligations of the Citizenry to contribute to the nation) i.e., Seven for Seven.

“This national values charter captures the social bond that guides the relationship that exists between the Nigerian people and the state as represented by its agents and all of it organs.

“The Seven (7) promises of the Government to the people are: Equality, Democracy, Entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, Peace and security, Inclusivity, Freedom and justice, Meritocracy

“In return, the citizens are obligated to demonstrate these seven cores of discipline, duty of care, tolerance and respect for others, leadership and patriotism, transparency, environmental awareness and resilience.

“Additionally, the Federal Executive Council has mandated that these values be included in school curriculums in both basic and post basic schools to ensure that every Nigerian is educated on these principles from a young age.

“Also, approval has been given that National Value Charter be made mandatory component of resumption retreat for Federal Executive Members, National Assembly Members, the Judiciary, and other government appointees.

“The establishment of National value brigade in all schools both primary and secondary across the country, this would help to raise model citizens amongst Nigerian children as Ambassadors of values, thereby creating role models as one of the sustainability of the national identity project of the renewed hope programme of the government

“Citizenship studies to be made compulsory component of our educational systemt from primary to secondary school level of education.

“The approval of Nationalization of cartoon content in Nigeria to break the dominance of foreign cartoon in the country and to promote indigenous cartoon content creators which will also promote our values, cultures, lifestyle and give room for job creation.

“Approval of value orientation be made compulsory component of the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Scheme with NOA working with NYSC to inculcate national values on fresh graduates of higher institutions of learning.

State Director, NOA, Edozie Ajegbu restated the Agency’s committement to its mandate of information dissemination and public enlightenment towards positive values and moving Nigeria forward.

“We’ve designed a thought-out and sustained value re-orientation campaign strategy aimed at changing the current low level of patriotism and citizen’s loyalty to the nation.

“The charter developed by NOA consists of two parts, nicknamed 7 for 7 – Nigeria 7 core Promises and Citizens 7 core commitments.

“We firmly believe that if both parties keep these 7 promises and obligations the country will be on the part of long lasting peace and progress,” he added.