News
New year: Ortom greets Benue people for supporting his administration
Governor Samuel Ortom, on behalf of his family and the State Government sends new year felicitations to Benue people and other Nigerians.
The Governor says though year 2020 came with numerous challenges such as COVID-19 and increased insecurity, praises and glory must be given God for His grace and protection through the year.
He specially commends the State Action Committee on COVID-19, led by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu and all those who have been diligently serving in the frontline and the back end to contain the pandemic, and notes that their selfless efforts have resulted in the relatively successful response to the virus in the state.
Governor Ortom equally appreciates people of the state for their support which has helped the present administration to record achievements in various sectors of the economy in form of projects in infrastructure, health, education and rural development.
The Governor says the progress made by the State Government despite the difficult period offers the assurance that despite the challenges the state faces, it remains on course to realize the vision of an economically self-reliant and prosperous federating unit of Nigeria that is anchored on the fear of God.
He notes that the economic pressures and fiscal constraints of the outgoing year that prompted the 2020 downward budget revision have necessitated the adoption of new measures by governments at all levels to curtail the high rate of unemployment and poverty, insecurity, youth restiveness and breakdown in citizens’ trust of Government as demonstrated in the ENDSARS protests.
He says arising from the Youth Summit recently held in the state, his administration is introducing programmes to give young people opportunities to maximize their potentials in entrepreneurship, particularly in the agriculture value chain, to add greater value to themselves and the state in general.
The Governor reminds indigenous entrepreneurs in particular of the existing opportunities such as the partnership the State has with Bank of Industry, BOI, to give loans at only 5% interest rate. He encourages the people to massively go into farming and other aspects of agriculture.
On security, Governor Ortom stresses that the steps taken by Benue State Security Council such as the ban on motorcycles and illegal revenue collection points in Katsina-Ala and Ukum have so far yielded positive results in the fight against crimes.
The Governor deeply appreciates Operation Whirl Stroke, the State Police Command, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as all other security agencies for their untiring efforts in guaranteeing the safety of lives and property in the state. He gives assurance that his administration will continue to support them to succeed.
On the 2021 Appropriation christened ’Budget of Resilience’, the Governor Ortom says Government is conscious of the need to strengthen the resolve of the people and the state as it seeks to recover from the global, national and sub-national economic and pandemic crisis which has adversely affected the economy.
The Governor reaffirms the commitment of his administration to providing development projects as resources of the state permit and in accordance with its principles of accountability and transparency.
He reminds the people that as they go into year 2021, they should remember the need to always observe COVID-19 protocol such as wearing of face masks, the use of hand sanitizers, physical distancing and avoiding crowded places.
Governor Ortom calls on Nigerians to work for peaceful coexistence of the country and pray for its leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari to enable it surmount the current security and economic challenges.
He wishes Benue people and other Nigerians a prosperous New Year.
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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