Onitsha Port Inaugurated


…will boost SE, Nigerian economy – Moghalu

By Olisemeka Obeche

The federal government says the revival and eventual commissioning of the Onitsha River dry port would open new vistas of opportunity for the economy of the south east region and Nigeria.


The managing director/chief executive officer (MD/CEO), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, who made the declaration on Sunday during official inauguration of the facility, also stressed that the activation of the Onitsha port would reduce unnecessary and avoidable expenses for transporting containers from Lagos and Port Harcourt ports to the South-East.

Moghalu, expressed delight that the long-awaited Onitsha port revival was finally a reality under his reign in NIWA and assured that it would be a game-changer for the residents of Anambra state, the south east region and Nigeria in general.

He enthused: “It is obvious that my commitment to make Onitsha Port functional is no longer a mirage and elusive as many presumed. My good intentions as an Anambra-born MD of NIWA is to make the port operational in order to boost economic activities in Anambra state and South East.”

He added that a functional dry port at Onitsha would “create jobs and wealth, improve ease of doing business, give South East sense of belonging, reduce bottles necks in clearing goods and save monies wasted in transporting containers from different ports to the Southeast.




“It is recorded in history today that containers are arriving in batches to this port after 42 years”, he stressed.

The former national auditor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) added that making Nigeria’s waterways navigable was key to reducing the pressure on Nigerian roads as most of the containers can be transported to their destinations safely by water.

“If our waterways are navigable and open, we can go by water, not by road. It is this aspect that drew my attention to the fact that the pressure we have on our road today can very well be avoided. For example, if 1,000 containers are coming from Apapa port and if half or even 70 per cent are to end in the Southeast – Onitsha, Aba, or what have you – what that means is that 500 or 700 trailers will be on the road,” he disclosed.”

Observers note that so many trailer trucks now taken off the roads through the activation of waterway transportation of containers would be a source of huge relief to, and greater safety on, our roads.

Many business and political leaders have been pleading with successive federal governments to revive and make the Onitsha River Port functional in order to tap from its huge economic benefits to businesses located in the commercial cities of the east, mainly the commercial centres of Onitsha, Nnewi and Aba, thereby saving businesses and the economy the burdened cost of road transportation from Lagos to Eastern Nigeria.

They argued that a functional port at Onitsha would save businesses a lot of money and help to decongest the already stretched Lagos ports.


Moghalu, who identified infrastructural development as a crucial economic initiative that can liberate Anambra state economically, stated that activities in Onitsha Port would create massive employment for the youths and also add meaningful values to the state’s economy. According to him, when fully developed ships will be navigating the Onitsha-Lokoja axis and that, with heightened economic activities around the port, some unemployed youths who may be engaged in negative activities like kidnapping will be engaged.

“The revamping of Onitsha riverport is one outstanding project yearning for attention for many years now. The politics that started in 1980 has ended. This project is going to keep the unemployed youths in Anambra state and South East away from crime as the job opportunities in this project are immeasurable,” he stressed.

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Imo Probe Panel Orders Okorocha, Ohakim To Refund N106bn


The Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Contracts awarded in Imo state between 2006 and 2019 has recommended that former governors who played key roles in the contract awards that turned out to be scams be made to return a whopping N106 billion to government coffers. The ex-governors concerned are Messrs Rochas Okorocha and his predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim.

Submitting the report at the Executive Chambers, Government House, Owerri on Monday, the chairman, Justice Benjamin Iheaka, explained that “there were monumental fraud that were orchestrated by the contractors in the period under review with strong collusion with some civil servants who helped in the fraud which was evidenced in over-pricing of the value of the contracts executed in the state.”


The panel reported that there was flagrant disregard for due process and the rules of the Bureau for Public Procurement Act in the Imo state exhibited in “outrageous contract pricing and shady contract executions as well as payment for non-performing contracts.”

Iheaka also said there were evidences of non-existing and phoney companies that were used to siphon state government funds to the tune of N106 billion.

The chairman, therefore, appealed to the governor not to sweep their report and recommendations under the carpet, but to do whatever is in his power to ensure that those indicted are made to return the monies.

The Commission, however, identified some civil servants who were honest, dedicated and resisted every pressure by the contract scammers to use their offices to defraud the state government during the period under review.



Receiving the report, Governor Hope Uzodimma assured that all those indicted and identified in the report as having played a role in frittering away public funds through criminal ways would be made to return them.

He said opportunity would be given to them to return the monies as the state was in dire need of funds to deal with pressing developmental issues in the face of dwindling resources.

The governor assured that, in a few days, government would set-up a Review Committee to look at the report and documents submitted and produce a White Paper that will give government the actual direction to follow in implementing the report in full. He said the mood in the state indicated that the people were anxious to know what government would do with the report and others before it.

He, therefore, assured the chairman and his members that much as government would not witch-hunt anyone, it would definitely not shy away from implementing the recommendations on those who wilfully fleeced the state of her scarce resources.

He commended the members for taking time to do a thorough job, considering the intricacies of their assignment which warranted their visiting project sites and asking difficult questions, promising that government would surely show appreciation for their sacrifices.

Present at the submission were the chief of staff, Government House, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, some members of the expanded executive council and other government appointees.

All members of the Commission, including its secretary, Dame Comfort Obi, were in attendance.

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Biafra Agitators React To Presidency’s Position On Restructuring

President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has come under serious attack after it foreclosed the possibility of restructuring Nigerian under the current administration. Some socio-cultural groups and individuals, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Afenifere, as well as Niger Delta agitators have renewed the call for restructuring of Nigeria.

The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has also joined the clamour for restructuring, with a strong warning to the government. However, Buhari has dismissed their demands as unpatriotic outbursts.


In a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Buhari said his administration would not succumb to what he tagged “threats and undue pressure” over the matter.

The statement referred to what it called “the recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country” saying they were unpatriotic, unhelpful and unwarranted and vowed that “this administration will not take any decision against the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the president’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats.”

Reacting to the development, pro-Biafra groups claimed the statement was a vindication of their quest for Biafra. One of the groups, the Biafra Zionists Federation, BZF, through its self-acclaimed president, Barr. Benjamin Onwuka, said they had always insisted that it was Biafra or nothing.

In a statement, Onwuka said “we have always laughed at those who are thinking that anything will come out of restructuring.

“We knew that there (was) no road there; what are you even restructuring? (Is it) the forced entity called Nigeria? The Buhari government has given them over dosage of disappointment. I wonder whoever told them that this government will restructure anything.

“However, all hope is not lost. It is now time for all our people to join the Zionists.

Similarly, Comrade Uchenna Madu, described as the national leader of the Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, told Orient Daily that the statement from the presidency marked the end of Nigeria. “Restructuring or no restructuring, we will collapse Nigeria,” he declared, adding that “we were not expecting a different thing because the Fulani government in power will always protect the interest of their British masters; but we will disgrace all of them.”

Madu further stated that “there is no way Buhari will support anything that can balance Nigeria. He does not want to offend his masters but this his stand has marked the end of Nigeria. Many parts of the country are now talking about their own country, including the Yoruba. “We are talking about Biafra, and at the end of the day, the colonial masters, even the Fulani cabal will be exposed. They can’t stop what is about to happen to Nigeria.”

#orientdailynews

IPOB Seeks Foreign Intervention Over SARS Killings, Clampdown On Members.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPO has raised the alarm over alleged disappearance and secret killings of its members by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad across Biafra States, calling on the Federal Government to halt such killings.

The group alleged that many non members of IPOB were arrested by SARS and their whereabouts remain unknown, with the organization insisting that they have been killed by SARS operatives.


In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said it has sent a Save Our Soul, SOS, message to the United Kingdom, UK High Commission in Nigeria, Amnesty International in Nigeria, Human Rights Watch, US Embassy in Abuja, Canada, African Union, Commonwealth, European Union, UN Human Rights, and civilised nations across the globe, asking them to prevail on the Nigerian government to stop the dastardly and inhuman act.

The pro-Biafran group also drew the attention of the international community and the world to beam their search light on SARS in Awkuzu, Anambra State, Obigbo in Igweocha, Rivers State as well as Anti kidnapping Squad of thePolice stationed at Enugu Ukwu in Anambra State.

The statement read in part: “We, the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to bring to the notice of the international community, the unabated secret abduction, torture, detention and killing of our members by the wicked Nigeria security agents.

“These callous beings in security uniform, mainly SARS, in Awkuzu, Anambra State, Obigbo in Igweocha, Rivers State, as well as Anti kidnapping Squad of thePolice, stationed at Enugu Ukwu in Anambra State are at the helm of this atrocity and inhumanity to man.

“The Nigeria Police SARS in Awkuzu, Anambra State and Obigbo in Igweocha Rivers State, as well as Anti kidnapping squad security stationed at Enugu Ukwu in Anambra State are in constant hunt for innocent IPOB members.

“They have also been responsible for the disappearance of many innocent Biafrans some of whom they have wasted thinking they are IPOB members. Many Biafran youths detained illegally in their different cells have disappeared mysteriously without any trace of their bodies until recently when our intelligence revealed what they did to them. Some were destroyed with acid to conceal evidence.



“IPOB members in Anambra, Enugu, Igweocha, Rivers, Delta, Abia, Imo and other states are missing everyday. It is regrettable that many parents and families looking for their children detained illegally in the SARS cells across Biafraland may not see them again.

“For instance, Mazi Isaac Okwuchukwu from Ogidi, Mazi Solomon Nwankwo from Oraifite and Mazi Tochukwu Onyebuchi from Nkpor and many others, were all taken away by men of Nigeria Police SARS at Awkuzu in Oyi LGA of Anambra State but have not returned till date.

“Since 1945, the elimination of Biafra civilian population and unarmed citizens has continued unabated in Nigeria. But it’s time to stop this systematic massacre of Biafrans in Nigeria. IPOB will no longer tolerate this dastardly wicked act and state -sponsored genocide. The world must rise against this abomination.

“It’s rather a shame and an international embarrassment that the same Nigeria security which could not protect Borno State governor from Boko Haram terrorists who attacked his convoy and killed no fewer than 30 persons including security operatives, is busy chasing innocent IPOB members in Biafra land.

“Instead of dealing with the terrorists that are daily reducing the number of Nigerian soldiers and civilians, the security agents are busy crushing unarmed freedom agitators. What a shame!

“We are sending a Save Our Soul, SOS, message to the United Kingdom, UK High Commission in Nigeria, Amnesty International in Nigeria, Human Rights Watch, US Embassy in Abuja, Canada, Africa Union, Commonwealth, European Union, UN Human Rights, and civilized nations across the globe including civil society organizations to please come to our rescue.

“We call for unbiased investigation of this matter. For God’s sake, the international community should rise up against this wickedness. They must prevail on the wicked Nigeria security particularly SARS in Awkuzu; SARS in Obigbo; SARS in Aba and Enugwu Ukwu, to stop killing our people without provocation or any offence.

“We also want to state that IPOB has no hand in the alleged killing of a SARS operative in Obigbo Rivers State. The police should look for those responsible for the alleged killing and stop linking IPOB with the incident.

“We are a peaceful movement seeking the restoration of Biafra. We are not after security agents but any day they push us into arms struggle, they will live in regrets all through their lives. Our peaceful disposition should not be taken for a weakness.”

#orientdailynews

Eagle Players Big Euro Transfer Chance Will Come – Shorunmu


Ike Shorunmu has exclusively told Orient Sports that there is no reason for Nigerians to dispair over Super Eagles players apparent inability to command big transfers in Europe, insisting their chance will come in no distant future.
The 2020/2021 transfer window in Europe came to a fitting close Monday night with only Victor Osimhen enjoying a huge and celebrated transfer from Lille OSC, France to Napoli in the Italian Serie A with the deal thought to be in the neighborhood of €50m euros.
But Shorunmu, 53, who accumulated 36 caps keeping for Nigeria National Team, Super Eagles, rubbished suggestions that low performance or poor quality on the part of Nigerian players abroad could be reason for their low rating and consequently non attraction of big transfers.

In the opinion of the former Besiktas (1999-2001) shot stopper, Nigerian players in Europe are doing good and that it is only a matter of time for them to begin to hug the big headlines in transfer matters.

“Nigeria has good players in Europe, no doubt about that”, Shorunmu who stood between the sticks for Samsunspor of Turkey (2002-2005) when Orient Sports called him up.
“You know there is time for everything in life. It is a matter of time for them to begin to enjoy such big transfers.
“In the past, Nigerian players were in high demand out there. But you know time changes, so I believe they will get their due and deserved opportunitie soon.
“My only prayer is for them to stay off injuries and once they are fit and always playing, why not, they will be in hot demand sooner or later”, Shorunmu said with confidence.
The former Shooting Stars Sports Club, 3SC Ibadan goalkeeper who also kept the goal for defunct Concord FC Abeokuta called time on his career after a two season spell at Juventus Zurich, Switzerland in 2006.

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Nnaji Heads Ikuku Oma Mbaise Unity Cup Committee

No fewer than 32 teams have queued up for the 2020 edition of the annual Ikuku oma Mbaise Unity Cup tournament even as the steering committee headed by Hon Julius Nnaji has been inaugurated, Orient Sports reports.
Tournament sponsor and vision bearer, Dr Summers V. C. Nwokie (Aka ji Ikuku 1) inaugurated the committee.




Performing the inauguration at his country home, Ezeagbogu in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA of Imo State, Dr Nwokie charged the members who were drawn from all parts of Mbaise, to fish out the best legs that will make Mbaise and the nation proud in the future, assuring that players discovered at the tournament will have the opportunity of taking their career to the next level.



Responding, the Organising Committee Chairman, Hon Nnaji promised that his team will perform the task with all their ability to make the competition the best in the state,
32 teams will feature in the competition which kicks off after the covid-19 pandemic rules barring contact sports are lifted in the country.

The tournament will also be used to honor deserving sports administrators from the area who have distinguished themselves in sports administration and practice in the last decades.

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Missing Child : Court Sentences Prophet, 5 Others To Life Imprisonment

Justice Olusegun Odusola of the Ondo State High Court in Akure has sentenced a clergy, Prophet Babatunde Alfa, to life imprisonment over the disappearance of a one year old boy, Gold Kolawole, in his Church.
The prophet was sentenced alongside five other workers of his church, the Sotitobire Praising Chapel, who were all arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and aiding and abetting kidnapping.

The other convicted church worker are, Omodara Olayinka, Margaret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo and Esther Kayode.

Justice Odusola said that the accused were convicted based on the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution.

The trial judge condemned in strong terms “the complicity, connivance and compromise of the Ondo State Police Command in the whole saga.”

He stated that the lackadaisical attitude of the founder was a pointer to his involvement in the disappearance of the missing child, Gold Kolawole, from his church in November 2019.

On count one, the prophet and five church workers were sentenced to seven years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit felony to wit aiding and abetting kidnapping.

Life imprisonment was, however, handed down to the accused persons on the second count charge of aiding and abetting kidnapping.

The offences, the Prosecution said, were contrary to and punishable under the Section 5 of the Ondo State Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Abduction law 2010.

Meanwhile, the seventh defendant, Peter Anjorin, was discharged and acquitted for lack of substantial evidence adduced by the prosecution.

Anjorin had been accused of destroying evidence contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Criminal Code, Law of Ondo State, 2006.

Earlier, Justice Odusola had struck out an application by Prophet Alfa’s counsel, Olusola Oke, seeking to vacate the court order that the defence lawyer should be investigated.

The judge at the last sitting had ruled that Mr Oke be investigated by the Department of State Services (DSS), following some allegations raised by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adekola Olawoye.

Justice Odusola, however, at today’s sitting struck out the application dated 29 September, 2020 after Mr Banjo Ayenakin, who stood in for Olusola Oke moved a motion for adjournment of hearing of the application to enable him file his counter affidavit to the state’s reply.

The state counsel, John Joshua Dada, said he was ready with the case, but Mr Ayenakin insisted on an adjournment and withdrew from the case when the judge did not grant his application.

Justice Odusola therefore struck out the application since there was no longer an applicant and proceeded to deliver judgement in the trial of Prophet Alfa and the other church members.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Prophet Alfa, who is the founder of the church located in Akure, was on Nov. 10, 2019 accused by the parents of the missing child over the mysterious disappearance of their son who had not been seen till date. (NAN)

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Troops Overrun Militants’ Camps, Rescue Kidnapped Expatriates In N/Delta

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Delta Safe have overran identified sea pirates/militants hideout at Ibiakafemo, Idinkiri, Tombie and Ogboma and rescued five expatriates who were kidnapped in May.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Enenche said that some expatriates were on May 9, onboard MT RIO MITONG and MT DJIBLOHO, were kidnapped by unknown militants group in Yellow Island.


He said that a joint team from Forward Operating Base Bonny, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder and troops of 146 Battalion combed the creeks in search of the kidnapped victims acting on credible intelligence.

According to him, after a thorough search and rescue operation, the gallant troops raided and destroyed the hideouts to deny the pirates freedom of action.



“Consequently, in the early hours of Oct. 6, the pirates/militants compelled by the ongoing operation surrendered to the gallant troops and handed over the five kidnapped expatriates at Iwofe Waterfront.

“The five expatriates comprising three Russians, one Ukranian and one Equatorial Guinean are presently at NNS Pathfinder medical centre receiving medical attention.

Enenche further disclosed that the joint team also intercepted two large wooden boats laden with an estimated 350,000 litres of suspected stolen illegally refined AGO and about 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

He said that the stolen petroleum products had been recovered to the Base.

“The Military High Command commends the gallant troops for their resilience and encourages them to sustain the tempo against the enemies of our country.

“The general public is always encouraged to support the troops by providing credible intelligence that will aid the operations,” he said. (NAN)

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Anambra Flood: Obiano Updates Buhari, Seeks Presidential Relief Package

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra on Tuesday in Abuja updated President Muhammadu Buhari on destruction and damages caused by flood in four out of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with the president, the governor said he also briefed Buhari on the developmental efforts of his administration in Anambra.

He stated that four out of 21 Local Government Areas of the state had been submerged by flood while over 5,000 people were displaced.


“As usual, I come once in a while to brief Mr President on the developments we are having in Anambra, and we do have a lot of beautiful developments.

“We also have ones that bothered me to come right now, which is the flood. Four out of 21 Local Governments in Anambra are under water now as we speak – because of this flood, and it affected a lot of things, property which includes farm produce and many others.

“So, I call on Mr President to assist us at this very crucial time, being COVID-19 time. The flood we are experiencing this time around is like 2012, which is terrible. So, he promised to do something immediately,’’ he said.

Obiano maintained that the state was in dire need of financial assistance running into billions of Naira for reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of property and families affected by the disaster.

“The other point was on the Federal University of Education in Aguleri.

“Anambra North Senatorial District does not have any federal institution at all. Other two senatorial districts have two or three federal institutions.



“The place is part of the place I just told you that is flooded – Anambra West, Anambra East, the whole of Anambra West is under water now, half of Anambra East is under Water, Ogbaru area is under water.

“All these are majorly Anambra North. So, the Senate graciously approved and wrote to Mr President to assent to the bill that they passed. This letter was written on Sept. 19, 2019.

“So, Mr President has agreed to quickly acquiesce to that so that this institution can move on.

“On my own, I have paid compensation to the land owners and I have started the fencing of the massive property that is. And I’m doing the gate-house of the institution.

“All I require is Mr President’s support by acquiescing to the recommendations of the Clerk of the National Assembly on Sept. 19, 2019.“

He stated that he used the opportunity of the meeting to commend the president for his efforts toward the completion of the Second Niger Bridge.

Obiano, however, urged the president to direct the Central Bank of Nigeria to come to the rescue of the contractors handling the construction of the bridge to enable them move vital equipment to site.

“I did also apprise him on the progress so far made on the 2nd Niger Bridge. If you watch from their side, you will see that almost half of that bridge has been done.

“But because the water level is very high, the contractor working in that bridge requires some equipment which they’ve already purchased long ago sitting in Germany and requires some support from Central Bank to be able to bring in those equipment.

“I did mention that to him and the President noted that and said he will do something about that,’’ he added. (NAN

#orientdailynews

Bayelsa By-Election: APC Charges Members To Shun Violence.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged its members in Bayelsa to play politics in accordance with the provisions of the electoral Act and to shun violence to make a difference.


Mai Mala Buni, Chairman APC Caretaker and Extra Ordinary National Convention Committee, gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja while inaugurating the Reconciliation and Election Committee for Bayelsa Central and West Senatorial districts by-elections slated for Oct. 31.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee is chaired by Gov. Mohammad Yahaya of Gombe while Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate, will serve as its Vice Chairman.
The committee has Ekemini Udoh as secretary with other members as: Sen. Abdullahi Sahabi, Sen. Ali Ndume, Sen. Uba Sani, Amb. Fatima Goni, Sen. Chris Adighije, Alhaji Yusuf Ocholi, Mr Enyi Enyi and Pearl Inwang.
Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, said the assignment of the committee was to provide genuine reconciliation and give every party member in Bayelsa a true sense of belonging.

He said members of the committee were carefully and deliberately selected for the assignments because the party had lots of confidence in their individual and collective capacities to execute the assignments successfully.
“The party is confident that you will reconcile all aggrieved persons or groups, and deliver the two seats to APC and improve its fortune in the South-South and Nigeria.

“You should, therefore, be just, fair, transparent and objective in executing your assignment. We should always place party interests over and above personal interests and carry everyone on board for us to succeed,’’ he said.
He added that the party`s success in Bayelsa Central and West Senatorial districts’ by-elections was crucial and strategic because of the need to have more supporting hands in the National Assembly.


This, he said, was necessary for improved collaboration and synergy with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to successfully execute its policies and programmes to improve the lives of Nigerians.
He said it had, however, become imperative for the APC as a leading political party in the country to build a virile, strong, vibrant and more united party.
He added that retaining political power for long remained the surest way for the party to fully actualise its manifesto and improve the lives of Nigerians.


“We must not allow the good foundation laid by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to be wasted and for Nigeria to be taken back to the dark ages,’’ he said.
He expressed confidence in members of the committee to deliver on their mandate, saying that as grassroots politicians and team players, they should work as a team and lend their experiences to promote team work.
He said the Caretaker and Extraordinary National Convention Committee had been reconciling aggrieved party members and rebuilding people’s confidence, trust and hope since it was constituted.


“Let me say with all sense of appreciation and fulfilment that the committee had in the last three months reconciled life threatening challenges for the party in 11 states across the country.
“Today, we proudly parade political heavy weights such as the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Yakubu Dogara, former PDP National chairman, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, and several members of the National Assembly.

“Many others have also indicated interests to join the party; this was possible with the support the committee enjoyed from the stakeholders as we continue to move the party away from unnecessary wrangling, squabbles and disputes,“ he said.
Gov. Yahaya while thanking the party`s leadership for the opportunity to serve, assured that the committee would deliver on its mandate.(NAN)

#orientdailynews