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Kachikwu Bags Honorary Citizenship In U.S.

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The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, was on Thursday conferred with multiple honours, including honorary citizenship of the State of Georgia in the U.S., the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Mr Kachikwu was also conferred with honorary doctorate degree by the Trinity International University of Ambassadors, and Keys to the State of South Carolina and City of Stonecrest, State of Georgia.

The event, which held at the Capitol Hill of the state in Atlanta, also featured the declaration of October 25 as `Emmanuel Kachikwu Day’ by the State of South Carolina.

Senatorial and Legislative hosts, the Black Caucus of the State Legislature, took turns to eulogise Mr Kachikwu’s “unimpeachable” reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness and kindness.

The legislators – Gloria Butler, Michael Rheft, Donzella James, Roger Bruce, Billy Mitchel, Howard Mosby, Erica Thomas, Sandra Scotts, Pam Stevenson, Jason Lary, and John King, also expressed pride at their African heritage.

NAN reports that the State of Georgia has the largest Black Caucus in the U.S. hosting 60 members, and is described as the ‘heartbeat of African-Americans, with about 3.2 million black population.

Dawkins Haigler, Chair Emeritus of the Black Caucus, and most of the other legislators, said they had done their ancestry tests, which confirmed that they were between 65 per cent and 85 per cent Nigerians.

The lawmakers said they always knew they were Africans and were proud to identify with their motherland, adding that they had sponsored several trips to Nigeria.

Responding to the awards, Mr Kachikwu, who was visibly elated at the honours, said he was “extremely humbled” and dedicated the honours to President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Usually I don’t lack words but today, I think I do by the happenstance of today. I think the award is fantastic but what I think is more important is the symbolism of the awards.

“The fact that citizens of the United States, especially our Black brothers and sisters, decided today to recognise a very humble nation that has nearly half of the population of Africa and command the great economic heights of Africa and is bound to be the leader of tomorrow in the world.

“That country is Nigeria; and for those of you who haven’t been there, you should be there; you should be in a hurry to get there.

“You will attest to the fact that it is only a matter of time before Nigeria finds its feet and finds its own and become a power to recognise.

“I thank President Muhammadu Buhari who gave me the opportunity to serve in various capacities that are bringing some of these awards today.

“Not only for his self belief but his determination as the leader to go outside the political mainstream and pick somebody he believed could help in the arduous task of trying to change the oil environment.

“It is still work in progress; there’s still a lot of work to be done but we’re very committed.

“The problem with Nigeria isn’t the disagreement that we have, it isn’t the things that we have not achieved, it isn’t the sometimes black sheep name that pervades all over the world about Nigeria, that is not the problem with Nigeria.

“The problem of Nigeria is the unwillingness of the young and the old to forge collectively in a very transparent manner, to shake up what is vibrantly sleeping giant.”

According to him, Nigeria is primed for growth, success, generative leadership and to hopefully be the sitting home of most Black Americans.

Mr Kachikwu said he was always very humbled to be called a Nigerian because “despite its challenges, it is the most wonderful place in the world to be in”.

The minister also said he was always proud to be called a ‘minister’ in the sense in that it was not different from an ordained pastor there to serve his people with a lot of transparency.

“Quite frankly, I’m nothing more than a humble servant. And if there’s something this President has achieved, it is the fact that ministers have become commonplace people, no longer the ego-strapped people to be celebrated,” he said.

Mr Kachikwu recalled the challenges the administration was confronted with when it came on board, including the crash of oil price, the lowest crude production in decades, and recession.

He, however, commended management and staff members of the ministry who worked assiduously with him.

According to him, they set ambitious goals, and expressed pride that most of the targets are being met.

“So, today, the recognition that I get, I receive in honour of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Also, in honour of my colleagues who have worked very deeply with me and I think some of the things that we’ve achieved over the last three years, we didn’t think were possible.

“Into the next five years, I see a Nigeria where there will be power available for all nationals, where our refineries will work so we do not have to import petroleum products, where young people can set up businesses and do not need to know anybody in the system to be able to make that business grow.

“A Nigeria where irrespective of where you come from – North, South, East and West – we will become brothers,” he said.

Among the dignitaries who attended the event were the permanent secretary of the ministry, Folashade Yemi-Esan, directors, heads of agencies of the ministry, Nigerian officials in the U.S., and members of the Nigerian community, among others.

(NAN)

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Late COAS, Lagbaja, To Be Buried Friday

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Barring any unforeseen circumstance, the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, would be buried in Abuja on Friday.

His immediate elder brother, Moshood Lagbaja, disclosed this in Osogbo, Osun State during a condolence visit by St Charles Grammar School Osogbo Old Boys Association (SCOBA).

He said the military could not release his remains to the family, but assured them he would be given a befitting burial in Abuja on Friday.

The delegation presented a condolence letter signed by Global President of the association, Tade Adekunle and and General Secretary, Leye Odetoyinbo, to the family.

Speaking on behalf of SCOBA during the condolence visit, the leader of the delegation, who is also the 1st Vice President, Engineer Adesina Salami, described late Lagbaja as an exceptional individual, a proud Charlean, and a distinguished military leader who served the nation with unwavering dedication.

Salami said, “We mourn the loss of an exceptional individual, a proud Charlean, and a distinguished military leader who served our nation with unwavering dedication. Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s remarkable life, selfless service, and enduring legacy inspire us.

“He made an inspiring and unforgettable impact on the Charlean Family Worldwide during his glorious lifetime.

“May the comforting presence of Almighty God surround you during this difficult time. May His peace, love, and strength sustain you as you navigate the darkness of grief.

“We pray that the cherished memories of Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s love, wisdom, and accomplishments bring solace to your hearts and may his exemplary life continue to inspire generations to come.”

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Relief for Nigerians as petrol landing drops to N976/litre

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Nigerians may see a much-needed reduction in petrol prices as the landing cost of the product has reportedly dropped to N971 per litre, raising hopes of potential relief for consumers facing high petrol prices.

Using an exchange rate of N1,665.84/$, data sourced from the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) showed the 30-day average landing cost for petrol into a tank cost stood at N976.73/litre.

The decrease in the landing price is expected to lead to a corresponding reduction in pump prices at filling stations across the country.

However, the extent of the price reduction will depend on various factors, including the cost of transportation, storage, and distribution.

MEMAN data also revealed that the landing cost of Automative Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel stood at N1,082/litre, while that of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), known as aviation fuel stood at N1,135/litre.

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Lakurawa: Intelligence Has Failed – Shekarau On New Terrorist Group

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Former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has blamed lack of proper intelligence gathering for the emergence of new terrorist group, Lakurawa.

Shekarau said the federal and state governments can address the issue of new terrorist groups emerging through proper intelligence gathering and community policing.

About six people have reportedly lost their lives, with scores injured after angry youths attacked Fulani residents in Mera community, Augie Local Government Area, Kebbi State.

SaharaReporters reports that the youths reportedly carried out the attack on Sunday in response to allegations linking some Fulani individuals to recent bandit raids in the area.

According to the report, the violence was allegedly triggered after a survivor of Friday’s bandit attack informed the community youths that he recognised some Fulani faces among the attackers, known locally as “Lakurawa.”

Featuring on Channels TV’s programme, Sunrise Daily, Shekarau said: “This is giving us an impression that our intelligence gathering is still below average because if the intelligence have been up and doing from all the agencies, then this thing should have been discovered earlier than now. The new insurgents have already started attacking communities by giving them all kinds of nightmares and collecting levies.

“I think we have had enough of insurgents we are battling with, so for them to have come in from neighbour countries like Niger Republic into the borders of Sokoto and Kebbi, I think we need to do a lot of restructuring of the security architecture.

“When I was a governor, I always meet with the security committee and I directed all the local government to meet on the last Thursday of every month. The state security committee, the local government security will meet and report back whatever they have.

“If government will initiate a proper community intelligence gathering there will be peace.We did in Kano and the people trust this arrangement far more, the traditional institution was greatly involved and we empowered them.

“One of the major things to do is to improve the nature of intelligence gathering. The number of police, Army, and military is not enough for them to be all over the place. Through intelligence gathering you will be able to identify informants who are working with insurgents.

“If we want to address this issue, the government (Federal and State) must work together to improve intelligence gathering through community watch and policing. Up till now, we have not been able to produce some of these things.”

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