Features
Zamfara PDP And Misrepresentation Of Facts
By Balkisu Salisu Gusau
It has come to many citizens of Zamfara with surprise and Schick when PDP decided to chose the way of lies and deceit in attacking the APC government led by Bello Matawallen Maradun in one of its publications in Vanguard, Trust, and the Nation Newspapers.
Though as opposition they are allowed to make a holistic review of our stewardship and present it for public judgement, as political party they are not expected to lay foundation with lies and deceit because instead of succeeding in castigating the government they will rather put fear in the mind-set of the public regarding their sincerity to governance.
In my last article published in Daily Trust, I have pointed clearly the crises with the PDP and why it can’t win election in Zamfara and these facts presented do not change for now, I expected them to join issues and tell us how things have changed against my submission but instead they started beating around the bush.
As for me I will go their path by picking all issues they raised against the government of APC one by one and counter it on the basis of fact for anyone to verify but they should also take note that they still have to respond to us on whether or not they are really battling with leadership crises as party and whether if it is true they can’t win election in Zamfara come 2023.
Before I went deep to bring down their lies and deceit to the water way, let me reminded our readers that, one of the reasons why Matawalle decided to abandoned the PDP and join the winning team in the APC is because PDP does not believe in reality and the party’s ideologies do not always think the fate of the citizens rather than self enrichment.
Now that he has left the party, they believed they have to go extra mile to castigate his long celebrated achievements which they were even blind to see and appreciate.
Let’s take education as they argue it, at the inception of Matawalle’s government within the first one hundred days Matawalle released over N3b to the state universal basic education as matching grants to UBEC counter part funds that were laying dormant for years.
This singular effort resulted to the construction of over 1000 units of class rooms as well over 100 additional blocks with office and toilet facilities across the LGA’s.
He had also ensure the reinstatement of (500) teachers already employed and neglected by his predecessor for months and also ensure that their salary arears were paid.
He ha fixed and completely renovated Muallayadi day school in Maradun upgrade it’s facilities and set up a state of the earth ICT center for it’s students.
He has done the same for Science Shinkafi which is currently undergoing total renovation and upgrading with additional blocks of classrooms and ICT facilities.
Under the state government whole school renovation programmes Unity Gummi, GDSS Tsafe, GTC Kaura and rest have been marked up for repair and upgrading and the initiative has reached the final stage of completion.
The Governor within his first one hundred days in office has also initiated his way to secure grant of one billion naira for the smooth take-off of the state University Talatar Mafara from Tetfund and also appointed principal officers for the university.
He also set up a committee to review the entire academic and administrative architecture of the University and came up with a complete strategy that will ensure smooth take off of the University.
Under the existing plan the total of N5b has been pumped to the committee to ensure balance in the allocation of resources to the university. The Governor has also provided vehicles had also instructed the finance ministry to settle all outstanding liabilities of the visiting lecturers.
The Governor had also expanded between three to four billion naira to support the state college of education, polytechnic, school of nursing and college of health sciences.
If PDP Zamfara is not aware Matawalle has invested heavily in infrastructural revolution in the state school of nursing to ensure that it has secured it’s migration to college and the ministry of health had soon unveiled it’s financial plans for the massive infrastructural revolution in the state school of nursing.
The Governor is also expending about a billion naira to finance the take off of another school of nursing in Zurmi. A site has been allocated and funds have been provided while a committee to ensure the smooth take off of the school was set up.
Coming back to the human resources also the administration had done well in making sure that all promotion for teachers are implemented and salaries of the teachers are paid uninterrupted since his assumption in office.
Government has paid millions of naira to finance (200) state indigenes to Cyprus, India and Sudan all to study engineering, medicine, nursing and other science related courses.
In the area of health sector, Matawalle has done well by providing additional (145) primary health centers and also renovated and upgraded many of the existing ones.
He recruited (500) health workers in his first year in office and additional (500) during his third year in office.
He also recruited over (150) medical doctors while he funded the completion of Shinkafi referral hospital which was started by the regime of Mahmuda Shinkafi since 2009.
He has passionately taken the bold step of not only renovating General Hospital Mafara but upgraded it to the status of a Specialist Hospital and also ordered that the job be completed before the end of his first tenure.
While coming on board, he completely renovated General Hospital Kagara in Talatar Mafara and that of Birnin Magaji including brand new doctors and nursing quarters.
He is currently undergoing the total renovation of General Hospital Gummi, Tsafe, King Fahad Ibn Abdul Aziz hospital, Farida Specialist Hospital and that of Bakura.
He has launched the distribution of ambulances to all the (23) secondary health facilities and also provided (145) Keke Ambulances for the primary health care centers.
He has invested heavily in setting up one of the best Covid-19 treatment center in Nigeria with state of the earth facilities and ensure that Zamfara was among the Frontline states that worked harder to ensure the Covid-19 pandemic has not done bad to the socio economic development of the state.
Coming to the area of security, I think it is only if PDP is blind that it will boldly say nothing is done to manage the inherent security situation rocking the state.
The Governor within his first one one hundred days in office distributed (200) operational vehicles and visited security chiefs and President for so many number of times to agree on common modalities to end the social conflict facing the state.
He has came up with the idea of RUGA and set up two prototypes in order to ensure that Fulani herdsmen are made to be comfortable as citizens of the state.
He has provided funding to the security operatives, and supported them with additional reinforcement of the local vigilante all to ensure that security is restored back.
When thi
ngs get out of hand, the Governor has introduce the doctrine of self defense and took the mostadvl appropriate steps of making sure that weapons are legitimately issued to citizens and groups to support the existing effort of conventional security outfits.
Because the security situation is not peculiar to Zamfara the Governor sometimes last year took the bold steps of shutting down telecommunication network in order to abort the activities of the informants the same supporters of the PDP kept putting unnecessary pressure despite the fact that the measures are yielding the desired result.
Coming to Agriculture though the insecurity is doing harm than good to our farmers the government has never been relaxed in doing the needed things.
Since inception it has sustained the culture of issuing fertilizer to local farmers on subsidized basis and also provided agro-allied facilities.
This year alone the government is planning to distribute close to (1000) trucks of assorted fertilizer to local farmers and it is making effort to ensure that the needed security is provided for the farmers to their farms through the recently employed community protection guards (CPG).
It will be interested to remind PDP that for the past fifteen years this administration has taken the giant step of reviving the Zamfara poultry production company and now eggs are being produced and sale to the citizens on subsidy basis.
An approval was also issued to begin poultry production in large scales so that our poultry farmers must not go to Kaduna or Ibadan before accessing day old broilers or layers chicken.
In the area of job creation PDP is not aware that for the first time this administration had graduated over (10,000) people who were trained on various skills acquisition programmes and through the ministry for commerce, a grant of over a billion naira was distributed for young skilful entrepreneurs to start businesses.
Through the bank of industry and Covid-19 initiative thousands of young entrepreneurs were also empowered to start a business and even recently the development resulted to empowering over (1000) people on various business loans.
It is on this premise I challenge the PDP to instead of resulting to misleading the public concentrate in supporting the state government initiative aimed at bringing lasting peace.
When it is time for politics APC would face Zamfara people and give narration of its stewardship but it is unfortunate that PDP is bending on using lies and deceit to gain support.
Community
Abiodun declares state of emergency on flooded Isheri community
…assures residents of permanent solution after comprehensive assessment
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday declared state of emergency on the flooded Isheri community, in Ifo Local Government Area of the State, as he assured residents of the area quick intervention to save the situation.
The governor added that a comprehensive assessment that would lead to permanent solution to the menace of flooding in the affected area would be conducted very soon.
Prince Abiodun, who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after inspecting the flooded community, said that his administration is working with the federal government to deal with the situation as an emergency case.
He noted that the time has come to find a lasting solution to the perennial flooding to make the area morw conducive for living.
According to him, the state government will see to the elevation of some roads in the area as parts of the solutions to the problem.
The govenor said: “We will prioritize the works here because I am touched with what I have seen. I will ensure that we immediately begin to see signs of relief as we are stepping this up. The Minister of State for Environment is already aware. The Vice President is already aware and also the president. It will be dealt with as an emergency and we are taking it as such.
“As an emergency, I will like to take it up myself. Please continue to bear with us as we are going to conduct a comprehensive assessment of what we need to do to make this place conducive for living.
“Whatever that assessment comes up with is what we are going to implement. So, we are going to first start with ensuring that we have the required road infrastructure at the appropriate levels.
“So if you now built in such a way that we need to relocate you, we have to do that. Whatever it is that we must do to ensure that place does not persistently experience flood, we will do it. But let us wait for the result of the studies to come back and then we will begin to take that decision as and when the situation arises.”
Addressing residents of Riverview Estate, Governor Abiodun said he has requested for an area survey of the entire estate to identify critical areas that needed immediately intervention.
He assured that the intervention would come through the construction of an elevated road with adequate drainages to mitigate their suffering.
“I want to assure you today, knowing fully well that we are a promise keeping administration, we do not say what we do not mean, my heart goes out to you, it is very unfortunate, I am giving my commitment today, the commissioner for works will come and see what needs to be done.
“We have also engage the Minister of State for the Environment, who fortunately, is from Ogun State and I have already brought this to his attention.
“Before the end of the week, I will also table it before the Vice President and the President as well so that we ensure that this problem gets all the desired attention and consequently gets the desired solution so we can bring this to an end,” he said.
The governor also disclosed that he and the Minister of Water Resources would visit the community in few days time.
“We will also discuss the issue of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority and try and interrogate the activities there and understand how their activities affect this community and other communities with respect to the opening and closing of the dam,” he said.
The governor described the environment around the Kara cattle market as an eyesore and not befitting the dreams of a “new Ogun State”.
He said that the market was not conducive for human living and not in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals and waste disposal.
He, however, acknowledged the area as one of the biggest commercial operation that provide services to a large number of people, even as he assured that government would go into a satisfactory agreement with the market men and women after which a comprehensive beautification of the area would take place.
The Chairman, Riverview Estate, Abayomi Akande, in his remarks, intimated the governor of the suffering residents of the area are going through as a result of the flooding.
He said that there is a need for a panel of inquiry into the operations of Oyan Dam to stop incessant release of water to cause havoc in the State
He applauded the governor for sending miscreants packing from the road, saying residents of the axis have suffered robbery attacks and other criminalities for quite awhile.
Akande urged the state government to think of converting the area into a Government Residential Area (GRA) through Public Private Partnership arrangement to fast track its development.
Features
MediaTek, Airtel Nigeria intensify collaborative efforts to bolster mobile connectivity in Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria – October 12, 2023 – MediaTek, a global leader in semiconductor industry together with Airtel Nigeria, a leading telecommunications service provider, briefed the local media on Thursday on their collaborative efforts, to drive technological advancements and improve mobile connectivity across the nation.
The collaboration introduces MediaTek’s T750-powered Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), a groundbreaking technology that enhances internet connectivity. This advancement allows users to access high-speed 5G networks from the comfort of their homes, opening doors to remote work, gaming, online education, and entertainment streaming like never before.
Speaking during the session, Rami Osman, Director for Corporate Sales and Marketing at MediaTek, Middle East Africa, highlighted MediaTek’s commitment towards expanding its footprint across the Smartphone and Smart Device ecosystem in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region.
“MediaTek is at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry, and we are proud to lead the way in key sectors like Smartphones, 5G Fixed Wireless Access, Wi-Fi, TV, and AI-IoT. In Nigeria, our collaboration with Airtel Nigeria, revolves around three core areas of focus. In connectivity, we are enhancing high-speed internet access with our advanced chipsets.”
“In the Smartphone domain, we are committed to offering a wider range of premium and flagship devices while supporting the transition from feature phones to smartphones. In the realm of AI-IoT, we are exploring new possibilities and technologies. Thus, this will promote digital inclusion, revolutionize connectivity in Nigeria, and contribute to sustainable development goals,” said Osman.
In addition, he said, “This collaboration aligns seamlessly with our MEA agenda, laying a robust foundation for the future of 5G technology. As we move forward, we are excited to lead in technological progress within this continually evolving region.”
Ismail Olusegun Adeshina, Director, Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, emphasized the importance of the partnership with MediaTek and how it will provide affordable connectivity to Nigerians. He stated, “Our commitment to innovation is evident through our early adoption of 5G technology. We’re proactively investing in this technology to improve connectivity, to tackle coverage and cost challenges, and make 5G devices more accessible across Nigeria”.
MediaTek powers globally recognized brands and remains dedicated to providing state-of-the-art innovations through its latest products and solutions. These offerings span a diverse range, including smartphones, smart devices, automotive technology, satellite connectivity solutions, and next-generation wearables.
MediaTek’s product portfolio includes MediaTek Dimensity for 5G smartphones, MediaTek HelioG series for 4G gaming smartphones, MediaTek Kompanio for arm-based Chromebooks, MediaTek Pentonic for Smart TV technologies, MediaTek Genio for Internet of Things applications, MediaTek Filogic for advanced Wi-Fi 6/6E & Wi-Fi 7 solutions, and MediaTek Dimensity Auto for cutting-edge automotive technologies, among others.
For more information, please visit: https://www.mediatek.com/
The award-winning Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink brand, a product of Rite Foods Limited, is delighted to unveil her highly-anticipated fourth edition of its “Bigi Watch and Win” promo. Designed exclusively for movie enthusiasts in Lagos and Abuja, this exciting promo offers participants the opportunity to watch their favourite movies and win fantastic prizes.
From September 18, 2023, to November 18, 2023, movie goers can enjoy any film of their choice at Silverbird Cinemas and receive a raffle ticket. These tickets can be redeemed for a chance to win incredible prizes, including laptops, Bigi products, printers, perfumes, and more. The grand prize for this edition is a brand-new car.
The first edition of “Bigi Watch and Win” took place in 2021, and later that same year in December, the Bigi brand held another edition. Since then, it has become an annual tradition, demonstrating Rite Foods Limited’s commitment to rewarding brand loyalty among its valued consumers.
Ms. Biola Aransiola, Assistant Brand Manager for Bigi, expressed her excitement about the fourth edition of the promo, saying, “We’ve partnered with Silverbird Cinemas to enhance people’s movie-going experience. Movie lovers can enjoy any of our 13 Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink flavours while watching their favourite films and stand a chance to win amazing prizes.”
Ms. Aransiola also mentioned that her favourite part is witnessing participants’ reactions when they discover the incredible prizes they have won, particularly the grand prize—a brand-new car. She encourages potential participants to check @getbigi on all social media platforms for the terms and conditions.
Through the “Watch & Win” promo, the Bigi brand accentuates Rite Foods Limited’s dedication to supporting the entertainment industry. The brand continues to sponsor movie premieres, as it has in the past with movies such as “The Prophetess,” “Progressive Tailors Club,” and “Aki and Pawpaw.” Additionally, it has been a consistent sponsor of the popular talent discovery platform, Nigerian Idol, for three consecutive seasons (6, 7, & 8), helping aspiring Nigerian singers achieve their dreams of stardom in the music industry.
The “Watch & Win” promo, combined with other effective marketing initiatives, has earned the Bigi brand numerous awards within its market segment. In 2023, Bigi Cola was honored with the “Best Value for Money” award at the BrandXchange Consumers Value Awards. In 2022, it received the “Fastest Growing Cola Brand of the Year” award at the Marketing Edge Brands and Advertising Excellence Awards in Lagos. The Bigi brand also claimed the “Most Outstanding CSD Brand of the Year” award at the 2021 Brandcom Awards, solidifying its position as a market leader in the beverage industry, outperforming its competitors.
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