By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Chiedu Ebie, on his 50th birth anniversary on Saturday.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika on Saturday in Asaba, thanked Ebie for his outstanding contributions to governance in the state.

He said that Ebie’s contributions had remained commendable as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, and now, SSG.

He said that the SSG, an astute lawyer, had brought to bear in the governance of the state, his experience from his distinguished career in the private sector as an entrepreneur and oil and gas executive.

The governor urged him to sustain his contributions to state and humanity by enunciating more ideas and strategies that would lead to the efficiency and effectiveness of governance and sustainable development of the state.

He also acknowledged Ebie’s sound knowledge of governance with his core competence in strong leadership and execution skills.

According to him, Ebie has brought his wealth of experience to bear by providing leadership towards the attainment of the Stronger Delta Agenda of our administration.

“Over the years, your sound and unblemished leadership style as an industry player has endeared you to many people in Delta and Nigerians.

“As Secretary to State Government, you have exhibited absolute knowledge of your core responsibilities with your robust coordination of government in the state.

“We appreciate your role in the revamping of schools sports through the Zenith Bank Delta Principal’s and Headmaster’s Cup under your tenure as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, my dear brother and friend, Mr Chiedu Ebie, on the occasion of your 50th birth anniversary.

“As you turn 50, your family and indeed, political and business associates and admirers, have cause to be grateful to Almighty God for having granted you a life of wonderful milestones”.

By David Adeoye

The Oyo State Government has warned purveyors of fake news to leave the state or risk sanctions.

Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde, said this in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday.

The statement was a reaction to some online publications speculating that the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was burgled last week.

The state government however described the report as fake news, stressing that there was no iota of truth to the claim in the story.

It admonished newsmen to always seek clarifications from relevant authorities to avoid the allure of fake news.

“Checks with all arms of security at the secretariat confirmed that the story was fake, unfounded and indeed an outright lie.

“Indeed, the original publisher of the story, Mega Icon, was so mischievous that he didn’t crosscheck the purported story with any government official.

“He only added a line debunking the story after an official of the SSG had questioned the veracity of the fake report.

“He had claimed to an official of the government that he had to publish the fake news because he was once shunned by officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Surprisingly, Sahara Reporters lapped up the fake news, an indication that the integrity of the media houses is at stake.

“The story not only failed the simplest tests that newsmen worth their onion subject news stories to, it raised all the red flags of fake news, as it claimed that no arrest had been made without stating which police station the alleged burglary was reported to and by whom.

“The fake news had also gone ahead to state that imaginary valuables were carted away without stating what and what was stolen.

“Sadly, the purveyors of the fake news have also let down their readers by not being able to provide further details days after publishing the initial lie,” the statement read in part.

The state government further advised information carriers to always ensure professionalism in the discharge of their duties, stressing that responsible and ethical journalism espouses truth and the sanctity of facts above fiction.

It threatened that anyone who deliberately publishes fake and concocted report would be made to face the wrath of the law.

“There are constitutional stipulations that guide against publication of falsehood.

“We find it appalling that a media house worth its name would publish a story that has no basis and is not in any way close to reality.

“In fact, we can no longer doubt the fact that the purveyors of this fake news are out to blackmail the government in an attempt to rubbish the initiatives of the administration in the security sector.

“We want to, however, state categorically that the state will ensure no offender goes unpunished, as there are constitutional provisions against the publication of falsehood by the press despite the fundamental freedom of expression,” it emphasised.

The statement said the administration can no longer condone the excesses of mischief makers. (NAN)

South Africa’s Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel on Friday urged manufacturers and farmers in the country to prepare themselves for opportunities in export markets following the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

AfCFTA came into effect on Friday.

Patel, while believing the agreement could lead to more employment opportunities, said it could also help manufacturers in South Africa to expand to new markets available in West, Central and East Africa.

“Trade with the rest of the continent is a critical source of output and jobs growth. African countries recognise that industrialisation is critical to the development of the continent,” he said.

Patel said the agreement could potentially transform business in Africa though its impact will not be immediate.

“The new agreement that comes into effect today will take some time to be fully operational but has the potential to be transformative for Africa, breaking our dependence on a neo-colonial pattern of trade that characterised trade,” he said.

He also said this was a chance to build advanced economies and innovative businesses.

“It will take dedication and disciplined implementation over the next few years to fully realise the benefits,” he added.

The free trade agreement, launched in March 2018 in the Rwandan capital city Kigali, has so far gathered 54 African Union member signatories.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa said the African free trade accord has the potential to boost the level of intra-Africa trade by more than 52 per cent by the year 2022. (Xinhua/NAN)