The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has been named Spark News Daily’s Best Performing Governor for 2024.

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The Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin (Kano North) Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) and Senator Rufai Sani Hanga (Kano Central) were also named the Best Performing Senators.

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Rising from its first quarterly consultative meeting with editorial board members, staff and associates, the management of Spark Media & Entertainment Ventures, the publisher of Spark News Daily – Nigeria’s most sought-after online newspaper, honoured these prominent Nigerians for their sterling performances in their respective offices.

A statement by Prevail Inegbenose, the Editor-in-Chief of Spark News Daily, on Wednesday 12th February, 2025 and made available to newsmen in Abuja, stated that the versatile Ondo governor was selected after a painstaking review and consideration of his achievements in 2024.

According to the statement, Gov Aiyedatiwa stood out among others with his leadership style, infrastructural developments as well as the massive transformations the Sunshine State had experienced since his assumption of office.

The statement further stated that the varied on-going projects in the State, particularly road constructions, educational revamps and investment in agriculture are clear indications that the governor is on a mission to make Ondo an enviable state among the states of the Federation.

“From 27 December 2023, when he was sworn-in as the governor of Ondo State to the time he was re-elected, up to this day, Gov Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has brought infrastructure and human capital development to the state”.

The governor’s proactive initiatives have positioned Ondo State as an emerging and attracting investment hotspot.

Meanwhile, the Aiyedatiwa-led administration has cultivated a peaceful environment where both residents and businesses can thrive securely.

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A first time Nigeria House of Representatives member, Honourable Clement Jimbo has boasted that he empowered his constituents with a TIPPER to set an empowerment standard in Nigeria.

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Jimbo disclosed this on Tuesday in a chat with selected journalists at his National Assembly‘s office in Abuja.

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Rep Jimbo who is representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the 10th Assembly said since the history of political empowerment in Nigeria, no politician; President, Governor, Senator, Honourable Members or whoever has given a Tipper to his/or constituents as a result of empowerment.

“I donated a Tipper to “Tipper Loaders Association” in my Constituency in fulfillment to my campaign promises to them. During my campaign, I told them if you support me and i win my election I will make you Tipper owners instead of you to remain loaders and that was what we did in December last year.

“And I equally check it was the first time ever such an empowerment was carried out in the history of Nigeria political empowerment. No Parliamentarian, no governor, no president in the history of empowerment has ever given a Tipper to Constituents Literally that gesture just elevated those who were just loading Tipper to been the owners. Take it or leave it from that moment their standard of living has change and the joy of been a Tipper owners has overwhelmed them, I am happy about .that,” he boasted.

However, Jimbo noted that, none of his predecessors has achieved in four or eight years what he has achieved in less than two years in terms of empowerment and representation.

He also expressed optimism that his bill on the Establishment of the National Commission for Technology Transfer, Acquisition, and Promotion will be passed for third reading in the House and receive assent from the President. Adding that the bill was born out of patriotism to help ramp up the solid minerals of Nigeria and add value to our raw materials.

Rep Jimbo insisted that the bill will add to our GDP and reduce our unemployment rate as well as other beautiful advantages for Nigeria.

“If you look at the Super powers, America, China, Germany, Canada and others, it clearly underscores the essence of the bill. So, I am not worried that the house committee on science and technology is yet to report back to the house for further legislation after a public hearing in December. They are still working on it-remember it has been 2025 budget defence all this while and until the budget is finally pass the committee won’t have chance for other matters

“ As a country you must have what you need to bargain what you want.The core value of the bill was to leverage on our huge population to attract what we do not have to further add value to our raw materials.

“I think the committee on science and technology will do the needful looking at the merits of the bill.”

On the bill to Establish Federal University of Agriculture, Abak, Akwa Ibom which scaled second reading on the floor of the senate, Jimbo commended the senate and particularly the sponsor of the bill.

Reacting to the jack up of the 2025 budget from the initial N49.7trillion to N54.2trilion by the executive, he said it was a pen staking work of the parliamentarians to make sure every development component was captured in the budget and coupled with complaints from the MDAs of inadequate provisions of their 2025 appropriation.

The vice chairman house committee on National Planning and Economy Development said his committee in conjunction with Finance and Appropriation looked at the merits and demerits of the complaints by the MDAs and advised the executive to give attention to grey areas as contained in the complaints. That he said gave birth to the jack up of the 2025 budget.

BELOW ARE SOME ACHIEVEMENTS OF REP. CLEMENT JIMBO AS A FEDERAL LAWMAKER IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS

BILLS

1. A Bill for an act to establish Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Midim, Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. (Passed in the House)

2. A Bill for an act to establish National Commission for Technology Transfer. (Passed 2nd reading)

MOTIONS

1. Motion calling on the FG to construct Obiobom Community Collapsed Bridge, Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

2. Motion for Amendment of 2014 Pension Act.

3. Motion calling on FG to end food insufficiency through Mechanized farming

4. Motion to curtail incessant arrest and detention of journalists in Nigeria.

5. Motion mandating the Inspector General of Police to aide the release of abducted Akwa Ibom State prospective corp members in Zamfara State.

6. Motion mandating the Executive Arm of Government to comply with section 11(1) b of Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007

7. Motion for inclusion of Odukpani-Itu road project in 2025 Appropriation and ensure adequate budgetary provision.

8. Motion for Federal Government to wade into Nkari Communal crisis to restore and maintain peace in the area.

PETITIONS

1. Petitioning of Nigerian Army to pay Compensation to Ibagwa communities land owners.

2. Petitioning of Nigerian Army to release Mfonma Mfon Effiong who was illegally detained in their Barrack.

3. Petitioning of Nigeria Police Force to reinstate one of his constituents, Imo Jackson who was unlawfully dismissed from NPF.

4. Petitioning of Nigerian Army for reinstatement of Mr. Udoekong Inibehe who was unlawfully dismissed from Army.

5. Petition against Discrimination, Victimization and Wrongful Disengagement of Mr. Simon Archibong from service by Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and also call for his reinstatement.

TRAINING/EMPOWERMENT & DISTRIBUTION OF PALLIATIVE

1. Training of 75 Youths on ICT and also empowered them with HP Laptops.

2. Training of 31 Female Youths on Cosmetology and provision of start up grants.

3. Empowerment of 31 constituents with hair dryers and start up grants.

4. Empowerment of 31 constituents with sewing machines and start up grants.

5. Training of 200 youths on Silk Plastering and empowering them with starter pack.

6. Empowerment of four constituents with four first grade Toyota Camry Cars.

7. Distribution of grains as palliatives which includes:

(a) 50 bags of 50kg rice.

(b) 4,500 bags of 10kg rice.

8. Empowerment of 93 Women with 50,000 business grants in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency

9. Free premium motor spirit distribution to motorist in Abak, Etim Ekpo & Ika Federal Constituency.

10. Distribution of 300 bags of 10kg rice, 300 bags of 10kg garri, 300 bags of 10kg beans, 30 cartons of vegetable oil, 40 cartons of tin tomato, 40 cartons of seasoning, 2 pieces of blankets and 200 pieces of blankets to Flood victims in his constituency.

11. Human Capacity Development Training/Empowerment of 250 Women and Youths in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.

12. Empowered Abak Tipper Loaders Association with a Tipper

13. Empowered a Cobbler with half a million naira to support his shoe making business.

FACILITATION OF PERSONABLE JOBS

Federal Government jobs has been facilitated for his Constituents in the following Federal Government Agencies:

1. Nigerian Navy.

2. Nigerian Army

3. Nigeria Police Force.

4. Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps.

5. Federal Civil Service.

6. Federal Capital Territory Administration.

CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS

1. Completion of Abak Village TowwaPHall.

2. Grading of Ediene Abak – Etinan 8.10km road.

3. Installation of hundreds of solar powered street lights in Ediene Abak and Premium FM Avenue, Utu Abak.

4. Solar Powered Borehole, Ikot Oku Ubara, Ediene, Abak Local Government Area.

5. A Block of Six Classrooms at Government Primary School, Ibanang, Ediene, Abak Local Government Area.

6. Solar Powered Borehole, Eka Offiong, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

7. A Block of Six Classrooms at Qua Iboe Church Town School, Uruk Ata 2, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

8. Solar Powered Borehole at Ikot Abara Village, Ika Local Government Area.

9. A Block of Six Classrooms at Primary School, Ikot Inyang Village, Ika Local Government Area.

10. Installation of solar powered street lights in rural communities of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.

11. Grading of roads in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES

1. Distribution of 100 carton of chalks.

2. Free distribution of 2,500 school bags to pupils in public Schools in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.

3. Distribution of 20,000 copies of exercise books.

4. Payment of 50,000 Bursary each to 80 Students of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in Tertiary Institutions.

5. Purchased of 80 JAMB forms to prospective candidates and sponsorship of free JAMB classes.

6. Scholarship award to Abak Federal Constituency International and Local Students.

FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH

Free medical treatment/ surgery and distribution of medicines to over 2,500 constituents in Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika Federal Constituency.

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Maison Martell proudly unveils The Martell Tower, an extraordinary installation that brings Martell’s timeless elegance and audacious spirit to Lagos. Launched alongside Lagos’s influential figures and tastemakers, this landmark stands as a bold statement of Martell’s vision to blend heritage with modernity in one of Africa’s most dynamic cultural hubs.

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As the first Atelier Martell in Africa, The Martell Tower reimagines luxury across four immersive floors, each one an invitation to experience the meticulous craft, history, and bold creativity that have defined Martell for over three centuries. "We built The Martell Tower as a beacon of Maison Martell’s legacy and the spirit of audacity we share with Lagos,” said Evane Chenuet, Marketing Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria. “This experience brings our brand’s essence closer to a community that values refinement, innovation, and cultural depth. It’s a true celebration of Martell’s daring ethos and Nigeria’s vibrant culture.”

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The night’s pinnacle came with the unveiling of Martell’s diamond-encrusted, limited-edition XO bottle—a stunning collaboration with Nigerian music icon Davido. Revealed for the first time in Nigeria, this exclusive XO edition sparked awe among guests, as Chenuet announced a special auction to be held in December, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting emerging Nigerian artists.

“By merging Martell’s heritage with the vibrant creativity of Nigeria, this auction is our tribute to the future of African artistry,” Chenuet remarked.

Upon entering The Martell Tower, guests were greeted with the refreshing Fine L’Eau cocktail, setting a tone of sophistication for the journey ahead. The first stop was L’Atelier Martell – Art of Cognac & Boutique, Africa’s first Martell boutique, where guests explored Martell’s Legacy Wall and selected exclusive offerings—from collectible bottles to bespoke merchandise like silk scarves and artisanal perfumes that reflect Martell’s dedication to quality and artistry.

The second level, L’Atelier – Taste and Tour, offered an immersive tasting experience where guests sampled Martell’s finest, including Martell VS, Blue Swift, and XO, paired with visuals and textures that heightened the sensory experience. In L’Atelier Mixology on the third level, guests crafted their own Martell cocktails under the guidance of expert mixologists, creating drinks infused with personal flair and inspired by Martell’s legacy of innovation.

At the pinnacle of the tower, La Suite 1715 and L’Horizon by Martell welcomed guests with sweeping views of the Lagos skyline, creating a high-end ambiance for tastings of Martell’s prestige range, XO and XXO, alongside expertly curated chocolate pairings. The rooftop offered a perfect backdrop for signature cocktails like the Coconut Sunrise and Nigerian Swift Sour, with live music enriching the evening’s atmosphere as guests mingled under the stars.

Michael Ehindero, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, captured the essence of the evening, saying, “The Martell Tower Experience goes beyond what you'd tag an event. It’s a landmark of our commitment to excellence, cultural connectivity, and audacity. Tonight, we celebrated the spirit that defines Martell and Lagos—daring, elegant, and unforgettable.”

Alex Combescot de Marsaguet, Martell’s Global Brand Ambassador, added, “The Martell Tower Experience is a testament to the enduring legacy of Martell. We’ve brought to Lagos an unparalleled blend of our cognac heritage and a vibrant cultural exchange. It’s an invitation for guests to experience our brand with new depth, fostering connections that honor both tradition and innovation.
”

With The Martell Tower experience set to run for 10 weekends, guests can look forward to more innovative gatherings, each one a blend of tradition, artistry, and excitement. The unveiling marks the beginning of an exceptional journey through Martell’s world, a season where elegance and audacity meet.

About Maison Martell

The oldest of the great cognac houses, founded by Jean Martell in 1715, Maison Martell is renowned throughout the world for the finesse and elegance of its cognacs, the result of a legacy of savoir-faire handed down through nine generations. Together with a passion for its craft and a profound attachment to the terroir, Maison Martell is defined by the audacity with which it has challenged convention to create new expressions of cognac, including the icon Martell Cordon Bleu in 1912.

The free spirit of the House is symbolized by its historic emblem: the swift. Martell's commitment to excellence is reflected in its range of exceptional cognacs, including Martell Blue Swift, the first-ever cognac finished in bourbon casks. Martell is dedicated to celebrating art, culture, and the spirit of innovation, making the Martell Tower a natural extension of its values.

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