Urhobo News

President Muhammadu Buhari sympathizes with the Eze Isi Ala 1 of Isieketa Ancient Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Eze Elder Nelson Nmerengwa (JP) on the passage of his mother, Chief (Mrs) Comfort Nmerengwa (Nma).

The President says at age 105, Nma can be said to have lived a glorious life, crowned with longevity, but the thing about mothers is that however old they are, “we never want to see them leave.”

“Mothers are from Heaven, and Nma has only returned home,” President Buhari added, urging Eze Nmerengwa and members of the Isieketa Ancient Kingdom to take solace in the quality of life lived by the departed, and the legacy she left behind.

The President applauds the reputation of Nma as a dedicated Christian, farmer, community leader, and loving mother to all her children, encouraging the family to keep the memory of their matriarch aglow through a continuation of her good works.

As a befitting funeral is given to Nma, President Buhari prays God to accept her soul, and give her peaceful rest.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

March 10, 2022

Press Statement

Buni, Pocket-filling Black Legs In Corridors Of Power Tried To Supplant President’s Will-Akeredolu

*except a few ‘Yahoo, Yahoo Govs’ apologies to Former PGF DG, most of us are resolute behind Bello to salvage the party

*no black market judicial procurement can stop convention.

With nostalgia, one can recall the moments of our struggle as compatriots from all walks of life enunciated and berthed Nigeria’s most ingeniously successful political network. Without being immodest, APC’s birth was a novel instance. The party’s philosophical beacon woven around its ideological leaning was alluring.

Undoubtedly, the firm leadership, candour and honesty exemplified by Mr President who heads the administration that is the product of the APC deserve no less of support and complimentary responsibilities from all stakeholders.

The installation of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC was beyond a call to service. It was a child of necessity moulded to one, instill discipline in leadership and engender coherence among stakeholders and more importantly, to deepen the Rule of Law in our party.

However, the insidious and appalling happenings within our party in the last few months, especially under the immediate-past leadership clearly posit a huge embarrassment. Without necessarily dwelling on details that are known to critical stakeholders, the path taken lately by Governor Mai Mala Buni, the immediate past head of the CECPC and an indivisible few, is a unenviable trajectory undeserving of our dear party. It is a disdainful narrative.

Nevertheless, the courage and determination as well as shrewd sincerity of purpose demonstrated by most of the APC Governors remain a delight. Significantly, the swift response and prompt action taken by Mr President have, in no small means, salvaged our great party from internal scavengers. We indeed, survived a Civilian Coup largely inspired by mischief and incurable lust for power through artificial barricades.

Succinctly, aside feeling very delighted as a major stakeholder in the latest successful Rescue Mission, I express my confidence in the ability and capacity of Governor Sanni Bello(ABU LOLO) to take APC through. We, the Governors are for the party except for the few “Yahoo, Yahoo” Governors (apologies to Salihu, former DG of the Progressive Governors’ Forum) who were hand in glove with Buni to circumvent the Will of majority of our Party (APC) members. Progressive Governors in the true name, mostly all of us, are determined to see our Party through these patchy parts at all cost.

None of the scanty number has the guts to carry out their imaginary threats as reported in sponsored stories. We dare them to leave the party. Their short-lived antics in armtwisting Governor Buni and probably, some pocketfilling elements within the corridors of power to supplant the President’s will through fake letters, endorsements as well as ‘Black Market’ injunction (procured since November, 2021) are despicable.

Now that the clear motive aimed at frustrating our national convention as been botched, our dear party is on the track to greatness. Gov. Sanni Bello, ABU LOLO, carry on; you have the backing of the majority of us. You shall see our FULL backing come Thursday, 17th March, 2022 at the National Executive Committee meeting.

But as you know, this is ONLY for the conduct of the NATIONAL CONVENTION.

Signed

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN

Governor, Ondo State

March 10, 2022

“JULIUS BERGER IS STILL THE BEST CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN NIGERIA IN TERMS OF CONTRACTUAL FIDELITY, ENGINEERING COMPETENCE AND TECHNICAL QUALITY”

–       Former FCT Minister and Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed, CON.

Nigeria’s turnkey engineering construction leader and iconic corporate brand, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, widely meritoriously acclaimed as the country’s most reliable partner for infrastructural and building construction services, has again been described as “…still the best construction company in Nigeria”. This was the submission of the former honourable minister for the country’s Federal Capital Territory where Julius Berger’s technical signature of excellence and brand integrity eloquently, empirically tells the historical story of the company’s matchless strength, performance and reliability as the prime contractor of choice.

According to Governor Bala Mohammed, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc remains matchlessly in the lead in the engineering construction sector “…in terms of contractual fidelity, engineering competence and technical quality”. Bala praised and congratulated the Rivers State Government for its wisdom and prudence in subscribing to the proven and lasting Julius Berger quality in its execution of infrastructural works in the State.

The former FCT Minister, who is the current executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, CON, made the remarks when, as special guest of honour of the Rivers State Government, he flagged off the construction works for a tenth flyover, the Rumuokwurusi-Elimgbu Flyover in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State.

Earlier at the Rivers State Executive Council Chambers where the contract for the Rumuokwurusi-Elimgbu Flyover  and adjoining links was signed between the Rivers State Government and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the Julius Berger Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter thanked the Rivers State Government for entrusting the construction works for several key infrastructures to the company. Richter gratefully listed the Rebisi Flyover which was commission on 7^th November 2020; the Rumuokoro Flyover commissioned on 1^st March 2021; the Artillery Flyover commissioned 2^nd March 2021; Rumuola Flyover commissioned 9^th December 2021; and the New GRA Junction Flyover which was commissioned on 11^th December 2021. Engr. Dr Richter recalled that the first three flyovers were constructed in a record time of 16 months, adding that all the earlier 5 flyovers were completed within schedule as contracted to the satisfaction of the client. Richter further confidently promised and assured the Rivers State Government that flyovers nos 6, 7, 8, and 9, all of which are projects steadily currently in progress shall be delivered also as contractually scheduled.

The 10^th flyover for which its commencement contract was signed on Monday, 28^th February, 2022 in Port Harcourt, is contracted for delivery in 10 months. The Julius Berger boss, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, with palpable professional confidence, assured Governor Wike and the people of Rivers State that, with the strong commitment of the client, and in the established contractual tradition of the company, the 10^th flyover will also be successfully delivered as scheduled and to the highest technical standard, “the Julius Berger standard.”

During his visit to Rivers State, Governor Bala was also Special Guest of honour at the commissioning of the Oro-Abali Flyover, Aba road in Port Harcourt Local Government Area. The project, also constructed by Julius Berger, was also celebrated by the Governor Bala the Guest of honour as another outstanding evidence of Julius Berger’s profound attention to details and excellence in engineering design as well as in well-scheduled and timely project execution. According to Governor Bala, Julius Berger’s long-standing, very professional and strict adherence to project delivery deadlines, as so properly funded, very economically saves a client from the problems of cost variations and eliminates the negative spectre of project abandonment.

The events in Port Harcourt were attended by His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS (Africa), and his guest of honour, the executive Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed, CON; the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, DSSRS; members of the State Executive Council; the Honourable Speaker and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Chairman and members of the Rivers State Council of Chiefs; Rivers State Women, Youths and cultural organizations as well members of the Press.

The Julius Berger delegation to both ceremonies was led by the company’s Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter. Other officials in the Managing Director’s entourage included the regional manager, South-south/South-east operations of the company, Engr. Juergen Fischer; Management Staff, South-south/South-east Chief Sam Ngbor; Project Manager Port Harcourt, Engr. Therna; Contract Manager, Barrister (Mrs) Omonigho Brown; and Head of Public Relations, Prince Moses Duku.

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU COMMISSIONS MINI STADIUM, COMPUTERISED YOUTH CENTRE IN IKORODU 

• Governor lists infrastructure scorecard in Ikorodu, as work commences on Ijede-Gberigbe Road 

• 74 claimants get N500 million compensation on properties demolished for road projects 

Ikorodu Division in Lagos State, on Thursday, throbbed with palpable excitement for the inauguration of twin projects built for the youth by the State Government. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu fulfilled his pledge, delivering a state-of-the-art mini stadium and a computerised Youth Centre in Ita-Elewa area of the ancient town.

Sanwo-Olu commissioned both facilities during his working visit to Ikorodu to inspect State Government’s capital projects across the area. A large crowd thronged the Ikorodu Town Hall, where the Governor and members of cabinet met with residents to get feedbacks on how the programmes and policies of the Government are impacting lives.

Chairmen of all the six local councils that make up Ikorodu division were in attendance with their deputies and councillors. Also, members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) from the division attended the event.

The Youth Centre project, initiated and completed by the Sanwo-Olu administration, is aimed at providing a conducive environment for sporting and catering for education and vocational needs of youths in Ikorodu.

The mini stadium, built with a semi-standard basketball court, was developed by the State’s Ministry of Youth Development. Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the President and member representing Ikorodu in the House of Representatives, Hon. Jimi Benson, supported the stadium project by building spectators’ stands and the pitch.

The intervention, Sanwo-Olu said, are initiated to address growing social vices and create platform for young people to realise their potential in sports, education and vocational development.

The Governor said more youth centres were at various stages of completion in some areas across the State, including Badagry, Orile Agege, Isheri, Epe and Ikeja, pointing out that the objective was not to leave young people behind in development programmes of the Government.

He said: “The visit to Ikorodu today is to meet and engage with our citizens to see first-hand, how programmes and policies of our administration are touching and impacting lives. This visit comes with a package of treats for the youth, as I am pleased to deliver the newly completed Ikorodu Youth Centre here in Ita-Elewa. Also being commissioned is a mini stadium built by our Government.

“These youth-focused projects are to provide a conducive environment for sporting activities, while also catering for education needs and vocational development of our teeming youth population of Ikorodu and environs. With facilities like these ones, we hope to keep our young people off the streets and reduce social vices, such as drug abuse, prostitution and hooliganism.”

Ikorodu division has benefitted immensely from numerous infrastructure renewal projects initiated by the Sanwo-Olu administration in areas that include healthcare, housing, agriculture, education, drainage, roads and transportation. The Governor, last year, completed and commissioned Ijede Road, which opens into Ewu Elepe and Itamaga.

Ongoing projects of the State Government in Ikorodu include the construction of Agric-Isawo-Konu-Arepo Road, Ikorodu Roundabout, construction of Emuren Junction and Parafa Along on Ikorodu-Imota Road, upgrading of Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Igbogbo-Igbe Road, construction of Oba Sekumade Road, improvement project at Sulaimon Soderu Bypass and construction of Powerline Road in Akasoleri, among others.

Responding to Ikorodu residents’ feedbacks, Sanwo-Olu announced that construction work on the second phase of Ijede Road, which starts from Ewu Elepe into Gberigbe, would commence on Saturday, noting that the Government and the contractor had sorted all issues delaying the road project.

The Governor also informed the Ikorodu residents that the State Government had set aside funds for the overhaul of Odogunyan Expressway, a boundary road that connects Lagos and Ogun States. He said the only thing delaying the project was the counterpart funding from the Federal Government, promising that the rehabilitation work would commence on the road immediately the counterpart funds were made available to the contractor.

He said: “Ikorodu division offers the State a vast area of land for agricultural development. It is for this reason we chose the division as the site of the State-owned 32 Metric Tonnes per hour Imota Rice Mill, which is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. We will be bringing Mr. President to commission the rice mill, which has annual production capacity of 2.5 million bags of 50kg rice.

“On business and investment front, our administration has facilitated the establishment of Libra Cycle, a Domestic Export Warehouse (DEW), sitting on 12 hectares of land in Ibeshe, and which serves as a bonded terminal providing depot services to eight of the world’s biggest shipping lines. We completed and delivered 480-unit homes in Babatunde Olushola Benson Estate, while also commissioning a 40 metric tonnes Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Refill Plant in Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), thereby creating hundreds of jobs for young people in the supply chain.”

Sanwo-olu praised all the six council chairmen in the division for good representation which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has at the grassroots, urging them to deliver more projects that would change the lives of the residents.

Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Segun Dawodu, listed other facilities in the mini stadium to include volleyball court, table tennis section, 200-capacity hall, snooker and pool table, fully-equipped gymnasium, ICT Centre with Internet, counselling section for wellness and people with drug and mental challenges.

Also, there is vocational section for training of youths in different vocations. The facility is powered by 250Kva generator.

Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government Area, Hon. Wasiu Adesina, acknowledged the Governor’s transformation strides and commitment to physical development of the town, stressing that all challenges being faced by Ikorodu residents were being gradually solved.

The council boss said despite paucity of funds, all councils in the division had complemented the State Government’s efforts in road construction, strengthening of security architecture in the division, and empowerment programmes.

Adesina said: “We are delighted that you have shown exceptional courage in the manner in which you championed the course of the upgrade of Lagos State Polytechnic in Ikorodu to University of Science and Technology. On agriculture, it gives us a lot of joy that Ikorodu houses the biggest rice mill in West Africa. Your vision for Ikorodu development is becoming a reality and your policies have brought about laudable developments in the area of security, infrastructure, tourism, transportation, and job creation.”

The council boss appealed to the Governor on the upgrade of Odogunyan Industrial Estate and renovation of royal palaces in Imota, Igbogbo, Isiwu, Ipakodo, Ijede and Ibeshe.

In line with promises made to those affected by construction projects going on in Ikorodu, Governor Sanwo-Olu handed N500 million compensation to 74 claimants and worship centres whose structures were demolished to pave way for the construction of Igbe-Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

10 MARCH 2022

JULIUS BERGER AND NLNG CSR PARTNERSHIP REBUILDS AND COMMISSIONS HISTORIC BONNY CONSULATE BUILDING

“Project conceived and accomplished to deepen company’s Corporate Social Responsibility in appreciation of the thriving relationship with the Bonny community” – Julius Berger MD, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, in a unique corporate social responsibility initiative, have collaborated and rebuilt the historic Bonny Consulate Building in the ancient Bonny Kingdom.

The partnership for the project between Julius Berger and the NLNG began two years earlier when both corporations came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding at Grand Bonny to commence the reconstruction of the historic  Bonny Consulate Building.

At the project commissioning ceremony on Saturday, 5 March 2022, both Managing Directors of Julius Berger and the NLNG, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter and Dr. Philip Mshelbila respectively, celebrated the good relationship between the companies and the Bonny community.

Richter who described the project as far-reaching in significance also said it has a potential to boost the prominence of Bonny Island. He recalled that way back in the 15^th century, Bonny was a major international trading post, which in the course of time has transformed into a central hub renowned for natural gas exploration and production in Nigeria.

Richter traced the relationship between Julius Berger and the Grand  Bonny Kingdom to the mid-1990’s, that is, over 20 years to date, when as a major contractor, the company was entrusted with the development of  infrastructural work for NLNG’s first liquefied natural gas plant on Bonny Island. Since entering the Isnad, Julius Berger, he added, has “continuously and harmoniously working on significant projects on the Island, including most recently, the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road, which shall soon be the first road link into Bonny Island, and which, upon completion, will serve as a catalyst for the continued success of the Island and the greater advancement of the Niger Delta.”

Speaking further, Richter said, “…partnering with NLNG for the reconstruction of the Bonny Consulate Building, has provided Julius Berger the opportunity to deepen (Julius Berger’s) CSR efforts, and to contribute towards preserving the rich history of the Island, by applying our knowhow and expertise for the development of a purposeful building infrastructure.” With brimming professional confidence, the Julius Berger Managing Director added that, “…we constructed the consulate according to our trusted standards of quality, reliability and high-value partnership”. The aim, he emphasized, is to ensure the greatest integrity in restoring the memory of the original Consulate Building while also delivering a highly functioning structure that futuristically stands to support the aspirations of His Royal Majesty, to diversify the economy of the Grand Bonny Kingdom through tourism.

Saying that Julius Berger is honoured to partner with NLNG for construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road and the Bonny Consulate Building considering the socio-economic impact of both projects, Engr. Dr. Richter on behalf of the Board and entire management of Julius Berger, thanked NLNG for their collaboration, which he said “stands strong and proud to support the continued development of Bonny Island….”

Richter also thanked the King and people of the ancient Grand of Bonny Kingdom for their continued trust and cooperation.

The Governor of Rivers State His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Wike, ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, His Royal Majesty King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, JP, CON, Perekule XI, the Amayanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, the chairman of the Bonny Council of Chiefs, Chief (Ambassador) Claude Dagogo-Wilcox, the Managing Director of the NLNG, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, and other important dignitaries at the commissioning ceremony also celebrated and praised the developmental Julius Berger-NLNG CSR partnership, which in a timely, qualitative and with exemplary professionalism and show of respect for communal values, successfully delivered the Bonny Consulate Building as desirably conceived.

The Julius Berger delegation to the event was led by the company’s Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter. Other members of the Julius Berger entourage included Coordinator, Executive Projects, Koehler Kai-Uwe, Operations Manager, Bonny Consulate Building & Bodo-Bonny Road Project Engr. Ulrich Stahl, Technical Manager, Engr. Ingo Edinger; and Project Manager, Bodo-Bonny Road Project, Engr. Thomas Haug.