By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says the State Government’s new transport system will commence operation before the end of July.

Otti said this during the “Promise Kept Carnival”, organised jointly by the Aba Business Community and Landlords Association to celebrate the completion of the reconstruction of the Port Harcourt Road, Aba.

He said that the transport system would begin with the introduction of 20 electric buses and the completion of modern bus terminals across key locations.

He also said that the construction of new transport terminals was progressing rapidly.

The governor described the project as part of his administration’s commitment to transforming Abia’s public infrastructure and embracing clean energy solutions.

“In the next two months, not more than two months, our transport system will start working.

“If you go around, you will see the bus terminals we are building,” Otti said.

He further said that the initial phase of the transport upgrade would include the deployment of 20 fully electric buses, which the state had paid for.

He described the vehicles as world-class, drawing comparisons with international standards.

The Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, commended the State Government for evolving programmes and policies that facilitate development in the state.

Emeruwa said that the House of Assembly under his watch would continue to give the government adequate support to enable it to achieve its rebuilding agenda.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief John Udegbala, said that the Aba business community and landlord association decided to put together an event to show total appreciation to the governor.

“We are saying thank you because the projects executed by this administration are numerous but Port Harcourt Road stands out,” Udegbala said.

He said that the giant strides taking place in Aba had helped to encourage investors and business owners that left Aba to return.

Udegbala said that the governor had shown true leadership by putting the needs and welfare of the citizens first.

The Convener of the carnival, Mr Onyeka Udeaja, said that the event was organised because of the desire of Aba residents to thank God for the transformation in the city.

“This carnival of praise is totally dedicated to God for answering our prayers for good governance.

“What we are witnessing in Abia is the evidence of God’s hand upon you and even those that did not believe can now see.

“Time will not permit me to enumerate your numerous achievements but one sterling project of your administration that stands out is the completion of Port Harcourt Road,” Udeaja said.

He urged the governor to remain steadfast in delivering the mandate given to him by the people of Abia.

In separate goodwill messages, the former Transition Committee Chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief David Onuoha, and a businessman, Chief Leo Okoye, described the road as one of the legacies of Otti’s administration.

They said the road would open a vista of opportunities that would impact on the socioeconomic development of Aba and the state at large.

The Chairman of Abia State Market Traders Association, Mr Alphonsus Odeigbo, commended the present administration for its rebuilding agenda.

Odeigbo said that the agenda of the government for every sector of the economy had greatly improved the state’s ease of doing business.

Also, a student of Umuagbai Secondary School, Victory Samuel, thanked the government for reconstructing the road.

Samuel said that his school suffered great setback because of the deplorable condition of the road for about two decades.

He said that the completion of the road had ended the long suffering by students and staff members of the school plying the completely dilapidated and abandoned road. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Sam Oditah

By Alaba Olusola Oke

The Ondo State Government says the Children’s Parliament will be resuscitated and featured as one of the activities to mark the 2025 Children’s Day celebration.

Dr Seun Osamaye, the Special Adviser on Women Affairs and Social Development, said this at a news conference to outline the programme of activities for the 2025 Children’s Day celebration in Akure.

“Another activity which will be coming up tomorrow is visit to the State House of Assembly.

“We’ll be meeting the Speaker at the State House of Assembly tomorrow and what we are doing tomorrow is to encourage these children to observe the plenary when it is ongoing and also to be able to encourage them to have access directly to first-hand information of what happens in the State House of Assembly.

“Ondo State Children’s Parliament which has been moribund for over 12 years will be revived; the process has been initiated and tomorrow the children will be at the State House of Assembly,” she said.

Osamaye promised that the state government would give the best participating school in competitions N500,000, as it rolled out activities to commemorate 2025 Children’s Day celebration on May 27.

“The first place winner of the competition will be given a lucky star prize of N500,000; the second position will go home with a sum of N200,000 and the third position winner too will be given a sum of N100,000.

“So, in each of these categories, there are expected prizes to be won and these prizes, these trophies will come with some amount of money and all of these things are to promote unity and love.

“Our children will be engaged and that is what this year’s theme is all about, ‘Love and Unity’.

“So that after the celebration throughout the year we can have free-bully schools,” Osamaye said.

According to her, the event will recognise, acknowledge and most importantly, identify with children across the state, especially in primary and secondary schools.

She said that the event would inform school children and sensitise them on what government was doing to make lives better and also ensure that there was continued contribution of government towards children’s development and child education in the state.

“For this year, we have brought about new innovations towards this year’s celebration that is a complete departure from what has been taking place in time past.

“Gov. Aiyedatiwa has said that in his administration, in his agenda for children, the social welfare, the development, the access to health care of our children will be a priority.

“This year’s celebration will not just go the way of the usual celebration but instead, the intellectual capacity of our children will be exposed, especially towards knowledge identification and also reward of every identified intellectual capacity of these children,” Osamaye said.

The Special Adviser said that 2,500 pupils from 100 schools across the state would participate in the event. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

By Opeyemi Gbemiro

Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Mrs Folashade Ayoade, has called on government at all levels to give women more opportunities to contribute to national development.

Ayoade made the call while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

According to her, contrary to some cultural beliefs about female folks, women have the capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development if given the opportunity.

She noted that many women had made great impact as a result of being given leadership positions to serve, adding that the fear of God, commitment and dedication had been her watchword in leadership.

Ayoade thanked the immediate past Gov. Yahaya Bello and Gov. Ahmed  Ododo for identifying with her capacity and for the confidence reposed in her.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the weekend Ayoade was conferred with a Chieftaincy title of “Yeye Oba of Mopa Land” by the Elulu of Mopa, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun.

She was also recently appointed as the Chairperson of the Forum of Secretaries to the Government of APC-controlled States.

She is the only female SSG in the entire Northern states of Nigeria and has served for more than 8 years.

She said her appointment was announced at the meeting of the forum held in Abuja last week.

Ayoade thanked members of the forum for the trust reposed in her, promising not to disappoint them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika