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Ekiti Speaker urges youths to shun drug abuse
The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, has called on the youths in the state to refrain from drug abuse to realize their potentials and contribute meaningfully to societal development.
Aribasoye also charged all stakeholders in the state to join hands to battle the menace of drug abuse to have a saner society.
The Speaker made the remarks on Monday while receiving leaders and members of the state chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) who staged the “Ekiti Youth Peace Walk” to the Assembly Complex as part of activities to mark this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse.
Aribasoye also used the opportunity of the interface to canvass the support of the youths for Governor Biodun Oyebanji, to enable him achieve his Shared Prosperity Agenda for the entire people of the state.
He specifically commended the youths for praising the giant strides of the Oyebanji Administration through the various banners and placards they carried during their procession.
The Speaker, who was joined by other lawmakers from the state Assembly to receive the NYCN team also advised the youths to be part of governance by sponsoring private bills for consideration by the state legislature in critical areas, especially in policy formulation and decision making.
He said the Assembly would like the youth body to work on a Roadmap to Youth Development in Ekiti State which would incorporate vital areas that concern them, like political ascendancy, job creation, and economic empowerment, among others.
The Speaker also disclosed the readiness of the Seventh Assembly to come up with a law that would prohibit smoking in public places noting that “public smoking does not only affect the smokers but also affects non-smokers.”
Speaking on the effects of drug abuse on the youths, Aribasoye regretted that abuse of hard drugs has had a negative effect on the youth population, urging all concerned individuals, authorities, institutions and bodies to come together and halt the trend in the interest of the youths and their future.
He said: “Today, as you have observed, is the International Day Against Drug Abuse. One of the things that have destroyed the future of the youths is drug abuse and all of us must be ambassadors, all of us must be champions to campaign against drug abuse.
“Anywhere we find ourselves, we must campaign against drug abuse. We just have to do it for us to have a saner society, we must campaign against drug abuse, it is very, very important.
“Drug abuse has affected many lives and destroyed destinies. God has given talents to our youth to positively affect their generation and we must not allow drug abuse to hinder them from realizing their potential.
Speaking earlier, the state NYCN Chairman, Mr. Oluwasegun Famuyibo, pledged the support of the body and entire youths of the state for the Oyebanji Administration which he described as “youth-friendly.”
Mr. Famuyibo commended Governor Oyebanji for creating Ministry of Youths and Job Creation which he described as bold step to give the young generation better welfare and tackle youth unemployment in the state.
He appealed for the support of the House of Assembly for the implementation of Ekiti Youth Policy which has its centrepiece on how youths can benefit from various MDAs, provision of jobs, entrepreneurship development, empowerment, among other benefits.
By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
Delta State Government has approved the upward review of contract sum of some of its projects that are at various stages of completion across the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, disclosed this while briefing journalists on some of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by the Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba.
Dr. Osuoza said the upward review of the contract sum of the affected projects was largely precipitated by fluctuations in unit rate for the balance and additional works.
He disclosed that the State Exco approved the upward review of the contract sum for the construction of drainage channels from Owa-Alero and environs through Owa-Alizomo and Owa-Ofie to link Iyi Ama stream in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state due to change of scope, additional works and changes in unit rates.
According to him, Exco gave approval for the upward review of the contract sum for the construction of roads in Effurun and Ekpan in Uwvie Local Government Area of the state, due to fluctuations in unit rate, change in scope resulting in additional works for maintenance, rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of roads in the area.
“We also approved the upward review for the construction of Stadium Road, Ugborodo in Warri South West Local Government Area due to increase in the cost of construction materials and equipment.
“Exco approved the upward review of the contract sum for the construction of phases l and ll of Jeremiah Street, Nwawolo Road/Franca Nkem Okolo Drive/Sir Obiora Obidigwe Street and a discharge drain to Ngozi Ebora Street, Okpanam in Oshimili South Local Government Area due to fluctuations in unit rate for the balance and additional works.
“We also approved the upward review of the contract sum for the balance and additional works for the completion of the dualisation of Ughelli/Asaba Road, sector A, kilometre 0+000 to 39+000 with spur to Oleh,” Dr. Osuoza added.
The Commissioner pointed out that approval was equally given for the upward review of the contract sum for the completion of Ogwashi-Uku to Asaba part of the Ughelli/Asaba Road dualisation, stressing that the state Exco, also, approved the completion of the dualisation of Ughelli – Asaba Road, Sector C 1, kilometre 92+000 to 117+000, Ossisa to Kwale Junction in Ogwashi-Uku.
He added that the State Exco approved the contract for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Oviri Court, Eruiyen, Akugele, Ojedi/Adagbasa Road in Okpe Local Government Area.
Dr. Osuoza noted that the appointment of three traditional rulers in the state were approved by the Exco.
He said, “We approved the appointments of His Royal Majesty, Obi Charles Ikechukwu Abiagum as the Obi of Ubulubu Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area; His Royal Majesty, Elder John Arimoro Alika lbiri as the Okpara-Uku of Idumuesah in Ika North East Local Government Area and His Royal Majesty, Edward Isama Ofuezuem as the Okpara-Uku of Obikwele in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state.”
Also speaking during the post Exco press briefing, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze said the state government was able to save over N6 billion in the Ughelli/Asaba dualisation project due to the bargaining power of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Izeze assured Deltans that the present administration in the state would not compromise standards while ensuring that Deltans got value for their money in project execution.
By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state has congratulated Delta and Nigerian muslims as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
Governor Oborevwori in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, exhorted the adherents of Islam to follow the footsteps of Prophet Mohammed by absorbing the principles of selflessness demonstrated by the Holy Prophet.
He said Eid-el-Kabir celebration was a time of sacrifice, love, harmony, and family time and urged Nigerians, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, to keep up their peaceful coexistence and to love and care for one another.
He urged Muslims and Nigerians in general to keep up their prayers for the country’s advancement and peace.
While assuring of a peaceful celebration in the state, the Governor said security agencies were fully prepared to ensure that the Sallah celebration in the state was peaceful and devoid of any incidents.
Governor Oborevwori assured the Muslims commended in the state that his administration would continue to partner them to move the state forward.
He said, “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the country on the occasion of the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir.
“We must use the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to reflect further and pray for our country to overcome the many problems confronting it.
“As we work to solidify the reigns of administration throughout the nation, let’s continue to live in harmony and cooperate with all tiers of government.
“I implore everyone of you to ensure that, as we rejoice, let us all learn to be our brothers’ keeper by promoting peaceful coexistence amongst people of different tribes and religious beliefs.”
By Jeleel Olawale
The Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Cooperatives and Empowerment, Honourable Durojaye Isaac, has felicitated with Muslims in the country as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, which he said is about sacrifice, endurance, fulfillment, and seeking blessings and forgiveness from the Almighty Allah, the creator of mankind.
Durojaye, in his goodwill message, said the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir should be translated to daily lives and work towards ensuring unity, peace and progress of the country.
“Eid-el-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, begins on the tenth day and ends on sunset of the twelfth, during this month Muslim pilgrims from all around the world congregate in Mecca to visit the Kaaba.
“The Hajj is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. Day of Arafat takes place on the ninth of the month and is also a relevant period for the Muslim Ummah as it gives opportunity to the muslim faithful to move closer to Almighty God,” he said.
Durojaye also congratulated people of Ile-Ife and Osun State in particular on the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebration and urged them to support the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke for betterment of the State.
He therefore said the spirit of sacrifice, which Eid-al Adha embodies in the lives of Muslims, should be demonstrated in the coming months to promote peace and harmony in Ile-Ife and Nigeria at large.
Delta approves upward review of contracts due to price fluctuations
Oborevwori salutes Muslims at Eid-el-Kabir
