Works Minister David Umahi has stated that inhabitants of the Southeast have no reason to join other areas to protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over rising costs of living in the country.

Umahi stated that the President had ended the region’s ongoing farmer/herder tensions.

He stated that such fights exacerbated the area’s insecurity and hampered food production, resulting in widespread famine.

The minister stated this while speaking to reporters in his hometown of Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

Umahi explained that the high cost of living in the country was the cumulative effect of past administrations’ actions and inactions, which President Tinubu has started solving through policies and programmes.

The minister said the Tinubu administration favoured the Southeast greatly through appointments to key positions, including himself, the first Minister of Works from the Southeast.

He said the administration has been doing many projects in the region, adding that with all these, the Southeast has no moral justification to join those protesting against the President over the high cost of living in the land.

Umahi urged residents of the region not to be lured by any group or other regions to join any protest against the President.

The former Ebonyi State governor described last week’s protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as unhealthy and unreasonable.

He urged fellow Nigerians to be patriotic and shun any act that could.

“The present hunger that everybody is talking about didn’t start today. It’s a built-up to a number of factors. Before the past administration and present administration, we had been having a build-up of insecurity. We had farmers/herders clashes over a number of years…

“At a time, I was the Chairman of NEC committee on resolving farmers/herders clashes. So, I went through a number of states, especially the northern states, settling the farmers/herders clashes, and it yielded a number of fruits.

“That problem dealt a huge blow to food production. The issue of kidnapping and the issue of insecurity prevented farmers from going to their farms because here we are talking about hunger.

“And so, you expect the administration of President Tinubu to fix all those things within nine months? It’s not possible. It’s a cumulative effect of the past, like I have mentioned. We should be asking ourselves: how do we solve these problems? That’s what the President has started doing. When something has got to the climax, you don’t expect to resolve it overnight.

“If you check very well, especially in the Southeast, you will know that we no longer have incessant farmers/herders clashes. So, why should we join the protest when the President has solved our major problem? The problem we now have in the Southeast is self-inflicted. That is the issue of unknown but known gunmen.

“So, if we are protesting, who are we protesting against? We are protesting against a President that has solved herders/farmers clashes. If you remove the issue of unknown gunmen, the Southeast will be completely safe and farmers can work. So, we can’t go and join anybody to protest.”

In a congratulatory message signed by the coordinator and secretary, the group said Senator Okpebhelo victory was a fight for democracy as the will of the party faithfuls prevail against all odds. His emergence didn’t come as a surprise because he has have been a grassroots politician right from 1999 till date and his good will to the people has spoken volume and hence nicknamed “Akpakomiza”.

Read the full statement below:
Congratulations on your victory at the primaries.

We the Muslim Youths in Politics (MYP) wishes to congratulate you on your victory during the APC Governorship Primaries.

Your victory was a fight for democracy as the will of the party faithfuls prevail against all odds. Your emergence is not a surprise to us because you have been a grassroots politician right from 1999 till date and your good will to your people has spoken volume and hence nicknamed “Akpakomiza”.

Your victory is the victory of all Progressives and we enjoin you to start the process of reconciliation immediately among all aspirants who contested with you and to prepare ahead for the main election slated for September 2024.

Please accept the assurance of our best regards. Once again congratulations.

Sincerely,

Alhaji Saheed Mahmud Alhaji Ahmed Evbareke
Coordinator Secretary, MYP

Celebrities Nollywood actor Mr Ibu passes away months after losing his leg
The national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, announced that the comedian died of a cardiac arrest, according to his manager, Don Single Nwuzor.

This is the timeline of Mr Ibu’s illness until his death.
October 17, 2023 — Birthday in hospital room

The Nigerian public was largely unaware of Mr Ibu’s health issues until he shared a video of himself celebrating his 62nd birthday inside a hospital room.

In the video, the actor was wearing a hospital gown, visibly in discomfort with a swollen left leg, as his family sang him a birthday song.

Before cutting his birthday cake, the ill actor said a short prayer, including praying for peace. His condition worried fans who flooded the comment section with prayers for him.

October 18, 2023 — Mr Ibu begs for financial assistance

A day after his birthday post, the actor and his family posted another video asking for help to sort out his medical bills.

The actor said he’d been sick for weeks and doctors had suggested the amputation of his leg to save his life. “If they cut off my leg, where will I go to? I don’t want my leg to be cut off,” he said.

His family said the cash donations would help him fly abroad for better treatment, as he’d been ill on and off for years.

October 31, 2023 — Mr Ibu undergoes five surgeries

Mr Ibu’s family announced in late October he had received a lot of help from the public and had gone through five successful surgeries.

The family also expressed hope he would be stable enough to fly abroad for further treatment.

November 6, 2023 — Mr Ibu’s leg is amputated
Mr Ibu’s family announced in November that doctors had to amputate one of the actor’s legs after two additional surgeries, in a bid to save his life.

It was an outcome that was received with sadness by the actor’s fans who had hoped he responded well enough to treatment to avoid the fate he didn’t want.

“This development has been hard on us all but we’ve had to accept it as Daddy’s new reality to keep him alive,” his family said.

The family further noted that the actor was still delicate and needed all the assistance he could get from Nigerians.

December 16, 2023 — Clarification on his condition
In a final official update on his health issues, Mr Ibu’s family noted that he was suffering from “constant clotting of the blood in his leg (diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges,” not diabetes as rumoured.

The family also clarified that only one of his legs was amputated, not both of them, as was reported on social media. The first amputation didn’t completely correct his health predicament so doctors had to amputate the same leg further.

The family also noted he wasn’t flown out of the country as initially planned because doctors determined that he wasn’t fit to fly.

With no further updates from the family for over two months, news of Mr Ibu’s death on March 2 came as a rude shock for many of his fans.

In the hours following the announcement of his death, one of Nollywood’s most popular comedians has received posthumous plaudits for his onscreen career which spanned 40 years

Just few days into the month of March, the average price for refilling cooking gas per kilogram stands at N1,300, marking a significant consideration for budgeting within Nigerian families.

However, the price remains relatively uniform across states, with minor variances sometimes as little as N50

The versatility of cooking gas, now widely used not only for cooking purposes but also for powering generators, has led to a surge in demand.

This increased use, particularly for those using gas carburetors in generators, underscores the growing reliance on cooking gas as a multi-use energy source.

However, it’s crucial to note that a kilogram of cooking gas offers about 7½ hours of usage for cooking but dwindles to merely 3 to 4 hours when powering generators.

The dynamics of cooking gas prices are subject to change, reflecting the fluidity of the gas sector in Nigeria. This variability necessitates continual updates to provide consumers with the most current information on gas costs.

See some prices of refilling cooking gas for different sizes of cylinders below:

1kg – 1,300

2kg – 2,600

3kg – N3,900

5kg – N6,500

6kg – N7,800

8kg – N10,000

9kg – N11,300

10kg – N13,000

12kg – N15,600

12.5kg – N16,250

25kg – N32,500

50kg – N65,000

Duration For Cooking Purposes Only:

1kg – 7.5 hours

3kg – 22.5 hours

5kg – 37.5 hours

6kg – 45 hours

12kg – 90 hours

12.5kg – 93.75 hours

25kg – 187.5 hours

50kg – 375 hours

Don’t give in to his requests easily

While you don’t need to reject all his efforts, you can appear unimpressed with insincere efforts or lackluster attempts at wooing you. This will send a clear message that he needs to make improved attempts to reinvigorate the dying intimacy between the two of you.

Walk away when he tries to initiate conversations

As men tend to get easily insecure, this lack of interest will provoke them to take on actions of your interest like buying flowers, tidying the house, and even cleaning the dishes to win back your affection.

Make Your Partner Jealous By Going Out With His Friends

Make sure you post Instagram stories while you are on an outing with his friends so that it generates a feeling of insecurity within his mind

Compliment other men

Just as women feel intimidated by the presence of other women, men also hate it when their ladies compliment another man’s gentlemanliness in front of them and this will undoubtedly make your partner jealous.

Ask your friends to speak highly of you

One of the simplest ways of reminding your boyfriend that he hit the jackpot when he met you is to ask your friends to praise you in front of them.

Ask your besties to roll on the floor laughing at your jokes and shower you with unending compliments to rekindle the fading spark in your relationship and remind your partner of your worth.

Recollect experiences from previous relationships and Praise your crushes

Reminiscing the bitter-sweet experiences of your previous relationships without giving away too much is a lightning-fast way of making your boyfriend jealous. These tactfully concealed details will drive him crazy and he will try to get friendlier and closer to you

State governors and senior civil servants have been tasked to give maximum support to President Bola Tinubu in his efforts to fix Nigeria’s economy.

The call is contained in a statement issued by Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State on Sunday.

Oyintiloye said it was not possible for the president alone to achieve his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ for the people without the support of governors and top civil servants.

He insisted that the governors needed to support the various initiatives of the president in fixing the economy by utilising their monthly allocation for poverty alleviation in their various states.

The APC chieftain said the various efforts of the president in fixing the economy may not be immediately visible to many Nigerians if the state governors refused to utilise their monthly allocation for the benefit of the masses in their states.

According to him, “What the state governors are earning from the federal allocation since the removal of the fuel subsidy is capable of putting smiles on the faces of the people if judiciously used.

“This is the time for state governors, irrespective of political affiliation joins the president in fixing the economy by attending to the welfare of the people.

“What the president is doing at the centre to fix the economy will only be meaningful to the people if the state governors can lend a helping hand.

“What the governors are currently collecting as monthly allocation is more than enough to lift the people out of poverty in relation to what the president is doing.

“While the masses are shouting the name of the president at every slight discomfort, they should also hold their governors accountable, asking them what they are doing with the improved monthly allocation.

“To set the record straight, the governors have to come out and tell people of their states the amount they have collected since June last year and how they have administered the funds.

“In the reckoning of most Nigerians now, the governors are seen as part of those sabotaging efforts of the president to lessen effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on the people.”

He also said the senior civil and permanent secretaries must not allow unnecessary bureaucracy to undermine the efforts of the president in fixing the economy.

“They should heed the directive of the president during his meeting with them in which he warned against ineffectiveness and unnecessary bureaucracy that could result in the delay of interventions in the economy and programmes targeting vulnerable citizens.

“This is the time for the senior civil servants and the Permanent Secretaries to be on the same page with the president towards improving the lives of Nigerians by acting with dispatch on matters that border on the welfare of citizens.

“We are in a very critical situation in which unnecessary bureaucracy which can hinder the efforts of the president be suspended.

“Any act of sabotage in whatever form in the civil service should be rooted out for the sake of the benefit of the masses,” he said.

Oyintiloye, however, appealed to the masses to be patient with the president, adding that with all the various interventions the president is putting in place, the country will soon attain the height of desired greatness

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday said his administration has zero tolerance for corruption, telling Qatari investors not to hesitate in reporting any of his officials that demand bribe when they decide to invest in Nigeria.

Tinubu who is on a visit to Qatar, told the international business community that Nigeria is ready for serious business.

He assured that his administration will deal decisively with any and all entrenched interests in the country who undermine investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.

He also promised to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise in Nigeria.

The President gave the charge at the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum in Doha, on Sunday.

According to him, Africa’s largest economy and its systems are being reformed and upgraded.

“For you Qatar’s captains of industry report any government official who demands a bribe or any form of inducement at any point in your business endeavour. I give you full assurance of your direct access to the President’s Office.

“I am here to give you the assurance that reforms are going on; forget about whatever you heard in the past. Whatever is the obstacle or problem that some of you might have experienced; it is in the past, because there is no obstacle in the future.

“Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us. You will have access to me. Nigeria will no longer be defined by the past, but by what we do now and moving forward.

“Do not let perceptions become a hindrance to your will to invest. Nigeria is serious about revolutionizing investment promotion. We are removing obstacles today and we are going to continue to remove all obstacles.

“We have done so much within nine months. And I am assuring you, it is free entry, and free exit. Your funds will flow smoothly into and out of our country. Bring your investments,” the President stated.

The Nigerian President added that the war against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria had been significantly strengthened with the appointment of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser, NSA.

“We have a man who has won many global awards for anti-corruption as an anti-corruption czar.

“My responsibility is to tell you that Nigeria is open for business, and to assure you that your investments are safe in our hands. We have men and women of great reputation here. And we believe we can forge a good committee that will advance our discussions to fruitful conclusions.

“A nation is an artificial entity unless there are good people to drive it. People build great nations and we have great people. We are ready,” the President affirmed.

Tinubu also noted that Nigeria possesses vast opportunities in various fields, telling his host: “We have oil and gas; we have solid minerals. I do not see why we cannot become prolific partners in exploring iron ore, as well as steel production, and energy across the board.

“I am here to give you assurances in all spheres: tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and in many other opportunities that abound around us. Do not be the investors who miss out on the golden opportunity we present.”

Welcoming the Nigerian delegation in the presence of Qatari captains of industry, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, said his country looks forward to exploring opportunities in Nigeria, owing to its population demography and market.

He said the country is prioritizing new investments in low carbon initiatives, mineral products, petroleum chemicals, industry, and consumables.

“We look forward to working with our Nigerian counterparts to achieve our joint objectives in these sectors,” the minister said.

Afemai Reporters gathered that the late policemen were among the four officers attached to the former lawmaker.

It was learned that the policemen allegedly crushed to death a woman, student, and motorcycle rider in front of Ikpeshi Grammar School in the locality.

It was gathered that the mobile policemen were attached to Police Mobile Force 19, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

DAILY POST further learned that the Toyota Hilux Van conveying the four policemen was on escort duty with Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje before involving in an accident with a motorcycle conveying a woman and child.

It was gathered that in the process, the rider and passengers died on the spot.

A police source, who pleaded anonymity, said in reaction to the death of the motorcycle rider, the woman, and the child, the angry mob attacked the policemen and beat to death an inspector and a sergeant.

According to him, one Toyota Hilux van conveying four policemen, namely Inspector Brownson Brown, Inspector Abubaka Fakkuk, Sergeant Taiye Ojiefo, and Sergeant Elisha John attached to Police Mobile Force 19 Port Harcourt on escort duty with Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje, a former Edo State House Assembly member, was involved in an accident with a motorcycle conveying a woman and child by Ikpeshi community.

“In the process, the rider and passenger died on the spot and in reaction, the angry mob attacked the policemen, beat Inspector Abubaka Fakku and Sergeant Elisha John to death while two others are receiving treatment at Ifejola Hospital, Igarra,” he said

He added that the youths invaded the Edo State Security Volunteer Network office in the locality where the policemen ran to for custody.

He said the youths overran the facility and beat two of the policemen to death, while the vigilante group was able to rescue the other two officers.

According to him, the angry youths were said to have attacked the vigilante office and destroyed its furniture while threatening to deal with their members who tried to rescue the police officers.

He also added that the officers’ four rifles were recovered while the corpses of the dead policemen and accident victims were evacuated to the mortuary for autopsy.

The source disclosed that the police are making efforts to arrest the suspected murderers of the officers.

When contacted on the phone, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident on Sunday but said more details would be made available to the public in due time.

He said they were not officers of the Edo State command but Police Mobile Force 19, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Reacting to the incident, the chairman, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Hon. Tajudeen Alade, condemned the dastardly act by the youths and commended the efforts of the vigilante to save the life of the other policemen.

He said those involved would be brought to book and promised support for the twin sister of one of the occupants of the motorcycle.

In a statement signed by the coordinator and secretary, the group said Asue score in the primaries was a testament that he is loved by the party and that the party carefully selected him to be their flag bearer.

The statement reads:
Congratulations on your victory at the primaries.

We the Muslim Youths in Politics (MYP) wishes to congratulate you on your victory during the PDP Governorship Primaries.

Your score in the primaries was a testament that you are loved by the party and that the party carefully selected you to be their flag bearer. We are pleased to note that you have already congratulated other candidates and you advised them to based their campaign on ISSUES.

We shall be listening carefully to your manisfesto as you unleash them daily and we wish you success in the poll.

Please accept the assurance of our best regards. Once again congratulations.

Sincerely,

Alhaji Saheed Mahmud Alhaji Ahmed Evbareke
Coordinator Secretary, MYP

Ihama’s experience in the House of Representatives has equipped him with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively work with Hon. Philip Shaibu, the PDP governorship candidate to drive progress and development in the state.

He understands the intricacies of governance and has a deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by the people of Edo state. His expertise in legislative matters and policymaking will be invaluable in supporting the Governor in implementing effective and sustainable solutions for the state.

In addition to his experience, Ihama’s youthfulness and energy make him a dynamic and forward-thinking leader.

He is well-positioned to engage with the vibrant youth population of Edo state and bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. As the Deputy Governor, Ihama will work alongside Shaibu to empower and uplift the youth, creating opportunities for growth and development that will set Edo state on the path to prosperity.

Overall, the combination of Ihama’s experience, passion for public service, and youthfulness makes him a strong candidate for the position of Deputy Governor.

His collaboration with Hon. Philip Shaibu will undoubtedly bring about positive change and progress for the people of Edo state.

With their leadership, the future of Edo state looks brighter and more promising than ever before.