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Lagos Govt. to deepen relationship with Norwegian Govt. – Sanwo-Olu

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GOV. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says the state government will further develop and build partnership with the Norwegian Government on energy, infrastructure and technology.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt and her entourage, at the Lagos House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu said that such relationship would help to create a thriving economy.

He said that the government was committed to ensuring clean energy; providing infrastructure; investments in technology; health; and educational sectors, so that the state could continue to remain resilient.

The governor said that the state had been pushing itself to tackling all its challenges, especially the ones that had affected its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years and appreciated residents of the state for believing in his administration.

”We have created an economy where investment is real, where there is the ease of doing business, both local and foreign, and they can believe in the stability of the state.

“Yes, we are sub-national but we want to continue to remain the destination of choice for investors.

“So, we are open to investments in new areas, especially in technology, which is one area, in which we know that all the unicorns have a career in Lagos. We want to become the destination, where people can come and sort resources in terms of the skills that are required.

”We know that Norway, Finland and few others were the powerhouse for technology at a time but Nigeria also, especially Lagos, wants to develop that capability that we must be big, large and technology companies require young people who can actually come here and take charge.

”These are some of the economic drivers that we will see and we will continue to push in the next couple of years for our government, so that the city can continue to remain resilience, forward-looking, and a safe home for all of the residents, citizens, and international markets and audience,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu, who appreciated Huitfeldt for congratulating him on his re-election victory, thanked residents of Lagos for believing in his administration and giving him the democratic power to run for another four years.

”We are happy that at the end of the (gubernatorial) elections, the voice of the people, especially Lagosians was very loud and clear, and they gave us an overwhelming majority.

”It wasn’t an election in which anybody was in doubt. It was, indeed, a landslide victory; thanks to every Lagosian for believing in us again and giving us the constitutional and democratic power to run for another four years. We feel very humble,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Huitfeldt, also restated her country’s support and cooperation toward energy transition plan in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.

”We are trying to do our best to support and improve the cooperation between the two countries in the area of Green Transaction. We will like to contribute to your action plan.

”We are looking forward to more business opportunities and areas we can collaborate with you,” she said.

Huitfeldt congratulated Gov. Sanwo-Olu for being re-elected by Lagos residents during the March 18 gubernatorial election.

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Bribery allegations: Kano court fixes date for Ganduje’s arraignment

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Kano State High Court No. 7 has re-scheduled the arraignment of the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje to June 5.

Ganduje is standing trial alongside his wife Hafsat Umar, his son, Abdullahi Umar and five others

The defendants in the case included Abubaka Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari textile Ltd., and lasage General Enterprise Ltd

Kano State High Court No. 5 presided over by Justice Usman Na’abba had earlier scheduled May 16 for ruling on the request substituted service on the defendants.

This was before the State Chief Judge, Justice Dije Aboki reassigned the case to High Court No 7 presided by Justice Amina Adamu.

The new charge sheet sighted contained 11 count charges against the initial eight count charges against Ganduje and his co-defendants.

They include allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

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Edo elections: INEC to commence distribution of 373,030 uncollected PVCs

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Over 373,030 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be redistributed to the owners from May 27, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha stated that the PVC collection exercise would be done side-by-side with the CVR exercise, also scheduled for May 27.

Recall that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had announced to begin the CVR exercise in Edo and Ondo ahead of the governorship elections in the two states.

Onuoha says while the statistics of registered voters in Edo is 2,501,081, collected PVC is 2,128,288 and uncollected PVCs stand at 373,030.

He said both the CVR and the PVC collection would be a 10-day exercise, starting from May 27 to June 5, from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. daily, including weekends.

The REC explained that the exercise would be conducted in the 192 wards and the state headquarters of INEC in Edo.

He also disclosed that each registration centre would be managed by two officials drawn from the commission and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

“In addition to the registration of voters, the commission will also make available the uncollected PVCs for collection during CVR.

“Also note that no PVC will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their cards.

“There will be no pre-registration option because of time constraints,” he said.

Onuoha, however, appealed for the support of the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional rulers and religious leaders in encouraging voters to locate and pick up their PVCs.

According to him, the commission has published the final list of candidates for the Edo governorship election following the conclusion of primaries of the political parties.

The Deputy Director, Voter Registry, INEC Abuja, Mrs Doris Kande-Wyom, who took stakeholders through CVR processes, appealed to them to mobilise prospective registrants for the exercise.

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Gov. Namadi inspects road projects, insists on timely completion

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By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse

The Jigawa state governor Malam Umar Namadi  has inspected 26 ongoing road projects across the state and insisted for timely  completion of the work.for the benefit of the public.

The ongoing projects inspected by the governor were mostly rehabilitation and reconstruction of the  roads and bridges damaged by the flooding in the last two years.

Speaking to various contractors, Governor Namadi expressed satisfaction on the quality of the job at the site and urged a speed  work rate for a timely completion.

The Governor told the contractors that Jigawa state is ready to continue patronising any company that demonstrates seriousness and sincerity in handling its work.

“We will not joke about paying your money as soon as you complete the work, however, we will not tolerate or accept any breach of contractual agreement particularly on quality and timely completion in accordance with the specification.”

Governor Namadi assured the Jigawa state people that his government will ensure the completion of all the ongoing road projects, and award new ones to facilitate the movement of goods and services for social and economic development.

While shading more light, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport Engineer Gambo S Malam said, the ongoing road projects have a total distance of 360 kilometers, while in some roads the works included rebuilding the collapsed bridges and provisions of new ones .

He added that so many measures were taken in the reconstruction of the roads and bridges damaged by the flood to prevent such problem In case of any flood in the future..

On their side, the contractors handling various road projects across the 27 local government areas of the state, assured the state governor that they will deliver a quality job and in a good time.

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