Akpabio tasks South-South APC state chairmen on party unity, cohesion

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has charged state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South geo-political zone to work toward uniting the party and gaining more grounds.

Akpabio gave the charge when the APC chairmen paid him a visit in Abuja on Sunday.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by the chairmen, he assured them that a meeting of critical stakeholders from the region would soon be convened.

“The meeting will work out modalities to support the party at various state chapters to engender unity and understanding among members.

“The major focus is to foster social cohesion between the party and elected/appointed officials in government,” he said.

He commended the APC chiefs for the visit and explained that the President Bola Tinubu-led government was working on an economic prosperity agenda that would return Nigeria to greatness.

Akpabio thanked Tinubu for the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, describing it as very visionary.

In his remarks, Mr Alphonsus Ogar, the APC Chairman in Cross River, commended the harmonious working relationship between the Senate President and the only governor from the zone, Cross River’s Bassey Otu.

Expressing solidarity with the President of the Senate, he recalled that the South-South geo-political zone last held the seat in 1979, 45 years ago.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the chairmen declared total support for Akpabio’s commitment towards the growth of the area, and particularly commended the federal government for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road and railway line project.

They declared that the completion of the project would imortalise President Tinubu in the hearts of the people of the region

Minister donates N3.5m to victims of attacks in Kogi

Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, has donated the sum of ¦ 3.5 million to the victims of attacks in Kogi.

This is contained in a statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Lizzy Okoji, on Sunday in Abuja.

Okoji said that Audu made the donation during his visit to Omala Local Government Area of Kogi to sympathise with the victims over the incident.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that bandits had, on April 4, attacked Abejukolo and Agojeju communities in Omala council area of the state during which no fewer than 25 persons were reportedly killed and several others injured.

Okoji said that the minister, an indigene of the state, made a personal donation of ¦ 2.5 million and some relief items to the victims in Agojeju-Odo community.

NAN reports that the victims are currently staying in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp, while some were in the hospital.

She said that Audu also donated ¦ 1 million to some people in the community, adding that the gesture was aimed at alleviating their plight.

The media aide further stated said that the minister’s visit was expedient as their representative at the Federal Executive Council, to commiserate with them and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the level of destruction.

NAN reports that the minister had earlier condemned the attack and enjoined the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, and Gov. Usman Ododo to take necessary actions to enhance security in Kogi communities.

The minister, who met with the Chairman of the local government council, traditional leaders and other key stakeholders, said that the move was to understand the root cause of the crisis.

He also said that it was to enable them make informed decision in determining the best interventions and solutions.

“Coming here today, I have listened to all that the local government chairman has said, explaining the root cause of these lingering clashes.

“Be sure for me to take this to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for their prompt intervention,” he said.

Audu urged the affected communities to disregard the blackmail and narratives being spread on social media about the situation and remain resilient in contributing to the progress of the state.

“There are lots of stories and blackmail that are being conducted and peddled around the social media space, which I urge you all to disregard.

“It is in our interest to put in place things that will move our Igala nation forward,” he said.