News
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs flags off empowerment project, distributes aid to IDPs in Borno
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has flagged off the harvest of the Renewed Hope Empowerment Project (REHAEPI) in Jere, Borno State.
The Minister performed the ceremony in the company of the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, and other dignitaries from the federal and state governments during his official visit to Borno State.
This was revealed in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Iliya Rhoda Ishaku, on Wednesday.
The agricultural project was initiated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The farm covers about 150 hectares of land donated by the Borno State Government and cultivated by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), with beans as the main crop.
Prof. Yilwatda commended the Borno State Government, the Commission, and the Consultant of the project, Chief Samuel Pukat, Chairman of PS Foodmaster Nigeria Limited, for the initiative.
He stated that the farming model represents a global best practice for providing sustainable and durable solutions for IDPs that go beyond humanitarian aid. He added that such a farming model will be replicated for refugees in Nigeria.
According to him, durable solutions improve livelihoods, build hope, and provide economic empowerment to displaced persons.
In another event, the Minister distributed food items to over 300 households in Amaruwa Resettlement City, Konduga, Borno State.
He reassured the IDPs that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware of their challenges and that his administration is making every effort to address the plight of vulnerable persons in society.
During his courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, the Minister expressed condolences to the government and people of the state over the 2024 flood disaster and prayed against future occurrences.
He revealed that the Ministry will launch the Humanitarian Response Plan in 2025 and ensure that Borno State will be part of the Humanitarian Response Plan Committee.
He assured that the Ministry will continue to work with the state, not only on issues related to IDPs but also on the return of Nigerian refugees to the country.
The Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, congratulated the Minister on his appointment.
He said the state is working to resettle all displaced persons in a dignified and sustainable manner. He also reaffirmed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to repatriate Nigerian refugees back to their ancestral homes.
A 40-year-old beneficiary of the food items in Amaruwa Resettlement City, Konduga, Mr. Garba Sheriff, expressed gratitude to the President, the Ministry, and the NCFRMI for the kind gesture. He said the food items will significantly reduce their suffering as IDPs.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Honourable Federal Commissioner, Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, and his entourage, Directors of the Ministry, top officials of the State Government, Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, Special Assistants to the Minister, and Chief Samuel Pukat, Consultant of the project and Chairman of PS Foodmaster Nigeria Limited, among others.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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