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FCT Minister receives UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, seeks partnership in tourism development
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has called for cooperation and partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to develop Abuja’s tourism potentials.
The FCT Minister made the call when he received the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Monday, November 13, 2023.
The Minister noted that the UAE has become a tourist centre of the world and expressed the desire of the FCT to also improve its tourism potentials in partnership with the UAE.
Responding to the revelation by the ambassador that President Bola Amed Tinubu will be visiting the UAE soon, the Minister informed the Ambassador that the FCT Administration will be part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s delegation to the UAE to seek foreign investments, adding that the FCT also intends to complement the efforts of the President in the area of tourism.
He said, “I know the President, for him governance is business. For him, whatever that is going to make Nigeria great is what he stands for and so we are here as his foot soldiers to complement his efforts to see that the Renewed Hope agenda is fulfilled,”
Barrister Wike also spoke on the lingering issue of travel bans and flight restrictions imposed on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates.
The Minister said Nigerians love the UAE, especially Dubai, and called for a quick resolution of the process of Visa allocation, which he noted was becoming too cumbersome and therefore hindering smooth relations.
He said, “We also hope that the issue of visa ban and flight restriction of the United Emirates will be resolved as soon as possible. Nigerians love UAE, Dubai especially. We believe that we will not have hindrance in terms of visa procurement.”
In his response, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Al-Shamsi stated that Nigeria and UAE have a lot in common but explained that the travel restrictions were introduced to close existing gaps.
Disclosing that the door to the UAE was not entirely closed to Nigerians, the Envoy said: “Regarding the VISA issue, I would say that the door is not closed, but it’s not widely open We issue a lot of visa daily. A lot of people from Nigeria go to the UAE and come back with very easy access to get the visa”
Also at the event were the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation, Barrister Benedict Dauda, the Secretary, Economic Planning Revenue Generation and PPP Secretariat, Mr Charles Elechi and senior officials of the embassy.
News
Austin Okai retracts N13. 4 billion LG fund diversion allegation against Governor Ododo [See letter]
His Excellency,
Alhaji Usman Ododo
The Governor of Kogi State
Government House
Lokoja, Kogi State
Formal Retraction of Media Statement Regarding Alleged Diversion of N13.4 Billion.
Your Excellency, I would like you to accept this letter as a formal retraction of the statement that I, Usman Okai Austin, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob and Peter Onuma made during a press briefing of last month, as it has to do with the matter titled “Group Demands Immediate Refund of N13.4 Billion Allegedly Diverted from State Coffers by the Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo.”
Upon further review and diligent comparison of the relevant facts, particularly those provided by the State Government concerning the disbursement of funds intended for local government development, I came to the realization after much briefing and clarification of the significant discrepancies in the information upon which the previous statement was based on at the material time. Specifically, I now understand that the funds in question amounts to Three Billion Naira (N3,000,000,000.00) and that the State Government has provided documentation outlining the approved sharing formula for these released funds, which are hereby attached for your kind perusal.
Consequently, I acknowledge that our previous comments may have inadvertently caused confusion and were based on inaccurate information about the financial details *available to us* at that material time.
I hereby apologise on behalf of myself, Okpanachi Jacob, and Peter Onuma, who were invited as part of the press conference and withdraw the said statement in its entirety.
Furthermore, we wish to categorically state that our activities within Kogi State are devoid of bigotry or Party differences as alleged by some quarters, rather a sincere participation in ensuring that you write your name in the golden history of our dear State.
Our collective intention has consistently been to provide an opposing voice and contribute to holding the government accountable, a role we believe is vital in a democratic society.
We have no personal animosity, hatred, or ill feelings towards your Government, Personality, Tribe, or any member of your family. We hold your Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, in high regard as the duly elected Governor of our esteemed state.
It is never our intention to demean your Excellency in Person, your Family or Office. However, we take full responsibility for any damage or inconveniences my assertions may have caused.
This retraction is made in good faith, and we deeply regret any distress or harm the previous remarks may have caused to your Excellency, the administration, or the good people of Kogi State.
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.
Long live Kogi State!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Yours Faithfully,
Comr. Usman Okai Austin, CCA
Documents outlining the sharing formula of the N3 Billion local government development funds.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has denied that its Chairman Mahmood Yakubu has bèen sacked by President Bola Tinubu.
The statement issued by the Spokesman of the elctoral body, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi to address social media reports which went viral on Monday described the reports as fake.
The report which began to trend in afternoon of Monday said, Prof. Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Olamilekan.
“INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu,” the message, which had no attribution, read.
Rotiminurges Nigerians to disregard the sack rumour, “Please, disregard. It is not true.”
Yakubu, who is rounding off his second tenure in office, is expected to exit the system towards the end of the year.
The process of appointing an INEC chairman is the President nominating a candidate and forwarding his particulars to the Department of State Services, DSS, for profiling.
After such screening, the President thereafter takes the name to the National Council of State for its advisory review. Based on the outcome, the President sends the name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended warm felicitations to the former Governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris on the occasion of his 76th birthday anniversary.
In a congratulatory message to the elder statesman and political icon, Governor Ododo described Alhaji Ibrahim Idris as a patriotic leader and a bridge-builder whose contributions to the growth and development of Kogi State remain enduring and exemplary.
The made available to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismaila Isah describe ex-governor, “Alhaji Ibrahim Idris as a leader of uncommon wisdom, humility, and foresight. His years of service as Governor of Kogi State were marked by inclusive governance, peaceful coexistence, and remarkable infrastructural growth across all parts of the state. He remains a father figure to many of us in leadership today, and his legacy continues to guide the path of governance and unity in our dear state.”
The Governor further noted that the former Governor’s calm disposition, ability to mentor younger leaders, and his unwavering belief in the unity of Kogi State are values worthy of emulation.
Governor Ododo also expressed appreciation for the former Governor’s continued support and wise counsel, especially in matters of governance, peace building, and political stability in the state.
He prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) grant Alhaji Ibrahim Idris long life in good health, renewed strength, and continued fulfillment in service to humanity and the nation.
Alhaji Ibrahim Idris served as the Executive Governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2012.
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