Wike, Obaseki and El-Rufai assure citizens of a better 2021

The Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to inaugurate more projects in 2021 while assuring citizens that infrastructural development will continue to take priority in the state.

In his New Year broadcast message, the governor announced plans to begin the new year with the commissioning of projects in some parts of the state from January 4th.

According to the governor, some of the completed projects were inaugurated in December 2020 while several uncompleted projects including the Mother and Child Hospital, The Real Madrid Academy buildings, Okoro-Nu-Odo flyover, the Sakpewa – Bori dual carriage way, the Abonnema ring road, the 10 kilometer Bolo internal roads, and the Eteo – Sime – Nowan – Kira road are due for inauguration from the 4th of January 2021.

Wike further noted that his administration’s agenda for the state have been clear from the very beginning, and far from the misguided views of critics, his administration is not reworking old recipes in it’s development efforts.

“We will therefore continue in 2021 to focus on the fundamental task of creating a new Rivers State through prudent, efficient and transparent management of available resources”‘, Wike assured.

The governor also restated the commitment of his administration to recruit 5000 youths into the State’s public service in 2021 in order to reduce the unemployment rate and give the beneficiaries a new ease of life.

In his statement, the governor emphasised the importance of adhering to the COVID-19 protocols particularly in the face of the currently experienced second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Rivers State.

“This makes it necessary to remind everyone of our responsibility to adhere strictly to the existing protocols on compulsory wearing of face masks, maintenance of social distancing, avoiding large gatherings and the regular use of hand sanitisers so that we can reasonably prevent the rate of transmission and avoid needless deaths from the disease”‘, Wike said in his broadcast.

Obaseki assures citizens of making Edo great again

In his New Year Message, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state says he is determined to make Edo great again.

The governor made this promise noting that his administration will begin with reforms in various sectors including security, healthcare among others.

Obaseki noted that the reforms exercise have commenced with over 1,400 vacancies to be filled with young professionals who would utilise technology to enhance better service delivery for Edo people.

“We are determined to continue providing durable public infrastructure and a maintenance culture in government, as we continue to prioritise development of road infrastructure, public buildings and many projects in our rural areas and urban areas. We have now appointed a transaction adviser to assist in getting the Benin River Port to actualisation”‘, Obaseki said.

The governor expressed optimism that his administration will continue to follow through in it’s campaign promise to make Edo a hub for technology in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We have signed our first partnership agreement with a highly-rated software engineering company, which will culminate in the training of over 15,000 software engineers in Edo by 2025. The first set of 250 young persons will be on-boarded into the Edo Tech Park programme by February this year”, He said in his statement.

He further mentioned that the government will also explore more avenues to sustain employment creating opportunities for youths by offering them more training and apprenticeship programmes so that they can take advantage of the expansion of the private sector with the influx of new investors.

El-Rufai pardons 12 prisoners on New Year’s Day

The Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai has used the New Year as an opportunity to order the release of 12 convicts.

This is in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 212 of the constitution on the recommendation of the advisory council on prerogative of mercy.

The pardoned convicts comprised 10 people who are serving sentences of three years and above with six months or less to serve.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye.

Adekeye said two convicts among the pardoned “were released on the grounds of age.”

“Tunde Ikuenaya was imprisoned on November 16, 2017, for four years for criminal misappropriation, adding that he is 64 years old and he was expected to be released on March 16, 2021.’’

“Ifeanyi Chiebuike Nweke, Mohammed Mamman Santare and Samaila Danjuma were convicted and sentenced at various times for culpable homicide,’’ the statement read.

The governor further praised citizens for their resilience amidst challenges while appealing for peace in the communities. He also assured that his government will sustain its resolute focus on development of people and infrastructure.