News
Plateau 2023 – Group backs Nentawe’s guber ambition
Ahead of 2023 gubernatorial election, a pressure group, Concerned Plateau Citizens for Good Governance, CPCGG, has thrown its weight behind Dr Nentawe Yilwatda saying that he has all it takes to take Plateau to the next level.
The group further called on the aspirant (Nentawe) to remain focus and not be distracted stressing that the propaganda against Nentawe has attracted them to him.
It could be recalled that Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, the former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State last Thursday picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Nomination and Expression of Interest forms ahead of the primaries for the 2023 elections
In a statement signed by the group’s President, Kenneth Lawrence Bogol and made available to newsmen in Jos on Tuesday , it described Dr Nentawe as an accomplished administrator who has garnered enough experience to pilot the affairs of the state.
“We have sampled opinions across all the 17 local government areas of the state and we have come to the conclusion that Nentawe fits all the qualities our people are yearning for.
“The group which describes Yilwatda as highly qualified and competent for the job, pointed out that his vast experience stands him out and makes him the candidate to beat .
They further declared that there is no better candidate for the 2023 Governorship election in Plateau than Nentawe .
“We call on citizens of the State to support the aspirant whose objective is to further transform the State.”
Our correspondent reports that Dr Yilwatda, a former engineering lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, was appointed REC in July 2017 and posted to Benue State.
During his four-year stay in office, he participated in the conduct of over six elections in Benue and other States such as Anambra, Osun, Rivers, Kogi and Cross River States where he delivered free and fair elections.
The group further said that Dr Nentawe Yilwatda has what it takes to consolidate on the achievements of not only Governor Simon Lalong but all other Governors before him.
They described Dr Nentawe as what Plateau needs at the moment as he did so well in all tasks he had handled in the past
“Yilwatda has good political antecedents ,”No doubt, he has the pedigree to make Plateau one of the best and most developed states in the country . “
“As a group we are postive ,he would turn around the fortunes of Plateau if given the mandate “.
It is true that there are other contestants vying for the gubernatorial slot but I can assure Plateau citizens that Nentawe is the man to beat in next year’s election,” he said.
He explained why the people of the state should support Nentawe adding that Plateau citizens need him to improve on the laudable achievements of Governor Simon Lalong .
The group further added that if elected Dr Yilwatda would deploy technology to secure Plateau state”.
“Nentawe is the man for the Job and we call on citizens of the state to support him ,”the group further added .
All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.
Agency Report
The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.
Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night.
He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.
Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
He noted that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.
Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.
NAN
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline, in partnership with Niger State Government, is pleased to announce the commencement of flight services to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport Minna, the capital city of Niger State from Lagos and Abuja, effective April 23, 2025.
Overland Airways will operate three (3) weekly flights on the Minna-Lagos-Minna route and three (3) weekly flights on the Minna-Abuja-Minna route. These flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft.
Flights will depart Lagos to Minna at 8am and Minna to Lagos at 3pm. Flights from Minna to Abuja will depart at 9:30am while Abuja to Minna will depart at 2pm.
Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways says: ‘We are excited to commence flight services to Minna from Abuja the Federal Capital and Lagos the Commercial hub of Nigeria. This flight services will facilitate trade, tourism and economic activities in Niger State and its environs and support the Government of Niger State in its quest to attract more direct investments and improve the livelihood of citizens of the State. We thank particularly His Excellency Mohammed Umar Bago, the Executive Governor of the Niger State for his passionate commitment to the growth and development of the State and for making the dream of a connected Niger State come true.”
The Niger State Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), jointly stated, “It has been an uphill journey to bring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport to fruition—from its construction to its operationalization. Today, we are immensely proud to see this dream become a reality. We are honoured to have Overland Airways as the pioneer airline for this project, setting the foundation for expanded air travel connectivity in Niger State. Mr. Governor is particularly proud of this achievement, which aligns with his vision of modernizing infrastructure and boosting economic development in Niger State.”
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the New Niger Aviation, Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, says: “This partnership with Overland Airways will ensure regular and robust flight services from Abuja and Lagos to Minna, Niger State. We are thrilled to partner with Overland Airways, which has a reputation for excellent customer service and reliability, and look forward to working together to reposition the aviation sector and economy of Niger State.”
“Known as the Power State, Niger State, the largest state in Nigeria by landmass and host of major hydroelectric power dams and other businesses, requires reliable air services to drive its economic development and Overland Airways is uniquely positioned to meet this need”, says Capt. Boyo.
Overland Airways service offering has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets. In October 2024, Overland Airways renewed its IOSA safety certification for the 5th consecutive time reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
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