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SEDC: Group Slams Joseph Onoh Over Desperate Attempt to Undermine Kalu’s EffortsSEDC: Group Slams Joseph Onoh Over Desperate Attempt to Undermine Kalu’s Efforts

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The Coalition of South-East Youths for Democracy (CESYD) has condemned attempts by a certain Dr Josef Onoh to rewrite the history of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

In a press statement signed by its coordinator, Comrade Wisdom Akunna Fabulous, the CESYD described Onoh’s claims as “a joke taken too far” and accused him of trying to undermine the contributions of Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

CESYD noted that Onoh’s misadventure were driven by his own failures and frustrations, including his unsuccessful bid to become the MD of the SEDC.

Fabulous praised Kalu for his role in ensuring the passage of the SEDC bill and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing it into law.

“CESYD is aware that the unfortunate selling point of Josef Onoh is his ceaseless social media applications for the post of the MD of the South East Development Commission, a position he believes is his birthright just because he is the son of a former Governor,” the statement said. 

“We understand his frustrations and wish he puts his acts together inorder to make more meaningful contributions to the SouthEast and Nigeria in future.

“It is no secret that the Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives has lavished profound gratitude to our President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the SEDC bill. These are researchable and verifiable facts laced with empirical evidences.

“We are however taken aback by the obvious show of hate, spurred by the ‘pull him down syndrome’ which is characteristic of crab mentality, exhibited by our friend, Josef Onoh, who has failed to realize that democracy rests on three arms and it is the job of the legislature to make laws including turning Executive Bills into Laws.

“It is no news that there is an age long sense of marginalization – whether real or imagined (in Ala Igbo), and the birthing of the South East Development Commission is a timely corrective measure to erase this impression. We recall that on Thursday 12 October 2023, the SEDC Bill sponsored by Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, began its journey on the floor of the House of Representatives when it went through its first reading, December 20 2023 was for second reading while presentation/consideration of Report took place on the 21 December with third and final reading taking place same date.

“Effectively, the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, presided over by our son the Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, passed the SEDC Bill and transmitted same to the Senate for concurrence and on February 15 2024, the SEDC Bill went through first reading, on 21 February was for second reading while presentation/consideration took place on the 22 of February 2024. The third and final reading held same date i.e. 22nd February 2024. Conference reports by the House of Representatives was on June 5 while that of the Senate was on June 11 2024. Consequently, this landmark Bill enjoyed Presidential assent on July 23 2024.

“Quite sadly, our friend, Josef Onoh reasons he could exchange cheap popularity for putting his boots on the ground to work. As CESYD, we can only say that Josef Onoh has struggled in vain with his wicked attempt at using his media outings to pitch political stakeholders in Igboland either against themselves severally or particularly against our son, the Deputy Speaker.

“We remind our friend, Josef Onoh and his paymasters of the popular Igbo adage which if translated in English simply means ‘the vulture is not comfortable with the position of the Eagle’ (onodi Ugo adighi egbe nma).”

CESYD warned against attempts to distort history and urged Onoh to focus on making meaningful contributions to the SouthEast and Nigeria.

The group also challenged Onoh to provide evidence of his claims, saying that the passage and signing of the SEDC bill were a matter of public record.

CESYD emphasized that the SEDC was a timely corrective measure to address the marginalization of the SouthEast region and praised Kalu for his leadership and commitment to the region’s development.

The statement added: “We end by saying that we are aware of the indubitable fact that the Deputy Speaker on whose young shoulders, fate and God Almighty has entrusted the leadership of Ala Igbo at the centre by virtue of his position, has managed to proactively put Igbo issues and interest ahead of selfish or parochial interest(s). We challenge naysayers to contradict this fact.

“From all our discreet investigations, we can confirm that Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu holds all Igbo stakeholders in very high esteem and it is most unfortunate that any individual or group would seek to undermine his modest contributions by attempting to blindly rewrite history in exchange for prebendal/ephemeral gains.

“Of note is the fact that the passage and subsequent signing into law of the SouthEast Development Commission bill is a watershed in the business of lawmaking in the 10th National Assembly and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; trying to erase the name of our son the Deputy Speaker from this laudable achievement is an attempt to labour in vain!”

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Jos DisCo to Launch Feeders Management System and Bilateral Arrangements

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Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) has announced the upcoming launch of its Feeders Management System and Bilateral Arrangements starting on November 1, 2024. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of energy distribution to customers.

In a press release signed by Dr. Friday Adakole Elijah, the Head of Corporate Communications, JED stated that the new system is designed to provide customers with consistent and reliable electricity based on their service bands, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.

As part of the scheme, 76 feeders classified under Band A have been selected, with a commitment to ensure uninterrupted power supply in accordance with the Band A schedule. Customers on these feeders will be required to pay for 100% of their consumed energy.

To support the program’s success, JED has established a seven-member team for each feeder, consisting of a network engineer, a marketer, and other personnel dedicated to ensuring seamless energy delivery and managing post-paid billing. This team will also focus on promoting collaboration to achieve customer satisfaction.

In line with its commitment to providing 100% of the promised energy supply, JED expects customers to fulfill their obligations by paying their energy bills in full each month, as partial payments will no longer be accepted. Only customers who have settled their bills will continue to receive electricity, and defaulters will be disconnected from the supply.

Customers are encouraged to embrace the new system to enjoy improved services and reliable electricity.

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Kebbi Government Disburses N629m Compensation for Tsamiya Inland Dry Port and Argungu Old Bypass Road Dualization

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The Kebbi State government has allocated a total of N629.455 million in compensation to individuals whose farmlands and properties were acquired for the construction of the Tsamiya Inland Dry Port in Shaguna, Bagudo Local Government Area, as well as for the dualization of the Argungu Old Bypass Road.

Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, confirmed the disbursement in Birnin Kebbi. He stated that ₦289.542 million was paid to compensate for over 200 hectares of land and economic trees acquired for the Tsamiya Inland Dry Port project, located in a border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. This payment was made on Wednesday and was witnessed by various officials, including the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Muhammad Dangi Juli, and the Bagudo Local Government Chairman.

Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the successful execution of the compensation process, attributing its effectiveness to the cooperation from the local community. He also thanked Governor Nasir Idris for ensuring the availability of the necessary funds.

The Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of the Tsamiya Inland Dry Port for enhancing trade and commerce between Kebbi State and the Republic of Benin, which is expected to facilitate easier movement of goods and boost the local economy.

Additionally, the government disbursed ₦339.913 million for the compensation of structures affected by the 6.5 km dualization of the Argungu Old Bypass Road, a project that was recently flagged off by Governor Nasir Idris. This compensation was also distributed in Argungu in the presence of relevant officials and community leaders.

Ahmed praised the state government for the timely release of funds, stressing that it would facilitate the prompt completion of these crucial projects.

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Borno: Governor Zulum Praises NCAA DG Najomo for Enhancing Aviation Safety

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Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum has commended the safety standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector, attributing this achievement to the leadership of Captain Chris Najomo, the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

During a courtesy visit to the NCAA in Abuja, Zulum acknowledged the significant improvements in the aviation sector since Najomo took office, highlighting enhanced compliance with flight regulations and safety measures. He noted that Nigeria continues to attract investments in aviation due to the confidence investors have in the regulatory authority.

Zulum stated, “No one is and should be surprised at what is happening in the sector. On a daily basis, we see developments in different aspects of the industry. It all has to do with the leadership of the civil aviation authority. When you put the right person in position, this is what you get. Here you find a round peg in a round hole, so you do not expect anything different than the success being recorded. I commend the DGCA and his team and urge you to keep the flag flying.”

In response, Capt. Najomo emphasized the NCAA’s goal to ensure that Nigeria’s aviation industry competes on a global scale, saying, “Ease of doing business” is his primary focus, complemented by “Ease of doing business without compromising safety.”

Najomo also expressed sympathy for the recent flooding in Borno State, commending Governor Zulum for his development efforts and flood management. The two leaders discussed potential collaborations that would benefit both Borno and the NCAA.

In a related development, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), led by Mr. Kamil Alawadhi, Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, visited the NCAA to discuss partnership opportunities for workforce training and retraining. Key priorities included meeting mandatory requirements for the Civil Aviation Authority, cost recovery, and providing IATA and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) training for staff.

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