"I Am Am The Most Popular Governor In Nigeria"- Okorocha

By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has declared himself the most popular governor in Nigeria based on the caliber of personalities and institutions that visit the state to have a look at some of his projects and policies. Okorocha declared during a media parley hosted in the Government house, Owerri on Monday that he has outperformed other 35 state governors because internationally recognised personalities had been trooping to Imo to cel- ebrate his idea of moulding statues, creating Happiness Ministry amongst others; a development, he claimed, glad- dens his heart. According to the governor, what had happened to Owerri, the state capital in terms of Urban Renewal, would shift to Orlu and Okigwe towns with the N27billion mapped out for construction of more 600 kiliometers of roads across the 27 local government areas, LGAs. He further disclosed that his administration plans to covert Arondizuogu Secondary School to a college of education while Ahiara Technical College in Mbaise will be converted to a polytechnic. Three day policy ban Meanwhile, a swift change in policy has seen the governor announce the cancellation of the controversial three day work policy for civil servants in the state, barely two years after it was initiated. Following the cancellation of the policy, Imo state workers are expect- ed to resume normal five work- ing days. Okorocha explained the reason for the policy volte-face: “recession has ended and things have stabilised. We can return to normalcy and work is inclusive. So, from March 1, 2018, civil servants will now work five days as was the practice before”. Succession plot Reacting to the allegation that his cabinet members angle to succeed him, Okorocha said he has not endorsed anybody because if he does, op- ponents will pull the person down before time. The governor said “I have not endorsed any of my appointees yet; I have not made my decision to support any of them because am waiting for Imo people to choose and show us and I will support that person. I know chief of staff, Uche Nwosu, deputy governor, Prince Eze Madumere as well as representative Chike Okafor are all interested”, Okorocha stated. He reeled out his achieve- ments saying he has out- performed his predecessors all put together, even as he said this year, Imo people should expect more projects and infrastructure. He disclosed that the state is set to celebrate her 42nd anniversary adding that activities which include conferment of Imo Merit Award, Imo day of thanksgiving, State of Imo ad- dress are some programmes lined up to celebrate the state’s creation anniversary. Okorocha said this year, his government would address social ills in the state which includes confronting hard drugs use, even as he warned that anyone caught peddling and using will be dealt with. https://orientdailynews.com.ng/cover-story/remain-popular-governor-nigeria-okorocha/

Africa: AfDB Must Lead Fight to End Poverty in Africa - Finance Minister

By Bassey Udo

Nigeria has urged the African Development Bank, AfDB, to lead the fight to end extreme poverty ravaging conflict affected states in Africa by 2030.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, made the call at the commissioning of the new AfDB Nigeria Country Office building in Abuja.

Mrs. Adeosun said considering Nigeria's contributions to the bank since its inception, the country has demanded to be allowed to host the bank as its West Africa regional hub.

"Being the largest shareholder of AfDB since inception and the country with the largest portfolio of projects, we think Abuja - Nigeria is the natural and logical place for the Bank's regional hub," she said.

Nigeria, the minister explained, was a great place to do business, based on the recent World Bank 2018 Ease of Doing Business Report which adjudged the country as one of the ten most improved economies in the world in 2017.

Mrs. Adeosun, who described the challenge of ending extreme poverty and boosting capacity for shared prosperity as the bottom-line, said the government was determined to work with AfDB and other partners to fight poverty and reach the milestone.

She noted AfDB's role on poverty alleviation and development in Africa, saying Nigeria in particular needs the bank and its programme 'High 5s' to realise these objectives.

The AfDB's programme of the 'High 5s' deals with investing more in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, and increased access to affordable energy and water.

Mrs. Adeosun expressed excitement over the decision by the AfDB Board to build and own its first ever permanent office in Nigeria, outside its headquarters in Abidjan.

"Through this investment, AfDB has made Nigeria the first regional member to host the Bank-owned office complex," the minister said.

She expressed the hope that the building would not only serve as the pride of Africa, but also stand as a worthy testament of AfDB's resolve to contribute in shaping Africa's economy in years to come.

Describing Nigeria as the bank's strong ally with a long-standing relationship that has resulted in several beneficial outcomes, the minister said her wish was for continued cooperation and collaborative engagement.

The improved relationship between Nigeria and the bank, she said, led to a $6 billion investment portfolio spread over 73 projects across other private sectors.

Mrs. Adeosun thanked the President of the bank, Akinwumi Adesina, a Nigerian, for his responsive leadership, which she noted brought landmark transformation in Nigeria and Africa's economies.

While appreciating AfDB's role in supporting Africa in a different way from other multilateral development banks, she noted the assistance to Nigeria at the time the country was in recession.

She acknowledged the $1 billion budget support loan that gave the country a lifeline during the economic recession in 2016 though she said only a part was received.

"We have only $600 million of the loan. That singular act gave the country's foreign reserves the much needed boost, which helped stabilise the Nigerian currency," she said.

The minister canvassed support for Nigeria's quest to emerge as the host of AfDB's regional hub.

In his welcome remarks, the President of the Bank, Mr. Adesina said the bank would continue to support Nigeria and other African countries to accelerate the development of infrastructure and energy in the continent.

"The Bank's portfolio in Nigeria is currently about $6 billion. We expect these investments to grow to about $8 billion by the 2019," Mr. Adesina said.

He said the bank had invested in a number projects in Nigeria to boost infrastructure development, agriculture, power and energy, including over $200 million in the Transmission Corporation of Nigeria, TCN for the building of transmission system in the country .

The building was later commissioned by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Read the original article on Premium Times.

Real Madrid boss Zidane explains Ronaldo substitution

The Blancos coach has admitted that the decision to bring off the Portuguese attacker was a tactical one and nothing to do with fitness






Cristiano Ronaldo's substitution in Real Madrid's 2-2 draw at Levante in La Liga was not to rest the player, Zinedine Zidane has confirmed.
Ronaldo was taken off by Zidane immediately after substitute Isco had struck with nine minutes left to put Madrid back in front at Ciutat de Valencia on Saturday.
But a lapse in defensive concentration subsequently allowed Levante to score their second equaliser of the game one minute from time, substitute Giampaolo Pazzini striking on his debut for the club.


Madrid's latest setback leaves Zidane's men 18 points behind Liga leaders Barcelona and with an upcoming Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain growing in importance, with the competition their only realistic chance of winning another trophy this season.
After the match, Zidane insisted Ronaldo's substitution was not fitness-related.
"No. It was planned to change him, and that's all," Zidane told beIN SPORTS after the match.
"We had the game under control, the most difficult is to score goals. We got to 2-1, but in the end, two mistakes cost us the two goals.
"This year is being difficult for us. We cannot put three or four results together. I am not happy with the result. We were in control of the game, above all the first half, so not happy, of course.
"The pity is that after we scored our second goal, we were not able to keep hold of the ball, and defensively we were not good."
Asked again about Ronaldo in his post-match press conference, Zidane added: "I changed him as I wanted another player a bit more in the middle of the pitch, to defend with Marco Asensio and Karim [Benzema]."

Zidane previously indicated he believes his job is on the line when Madrid host Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League on February 14, but the Frenchman appeared to row back on his comments after Madrid missed the chance to climb above Valencia into third.
"I just think about the next game, nothing else," a frustrated Zidane said.

Article continues below
"La Liga will not be over until the end. There are a lot of points, and two more today, even when we had the game under control. We should have won a third consecutive game, but we did not.
"When it was most difficult we got the second. Then we must be clever, avoid the second goal, and we did not. We were not focused, and that is hard to take as it is two points lost.
"That means we must work even harder. This is football, and the opponent can make things difficult for you. But we could have avoided their second goal. That annoys me, as we have worked on that, and knew they could counter-attack."
PRIMERA DIVISIÓN

REAL MADRID

LEVANTE V REAL MADRID

LEVANTE

REAL MADRID V PSG

PSG

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Z. ZIDANE

CRISTIANO RONALDO

"La Liga will not be over until the end. There are a lot of points, and two more today, even when we had the game under control. We should have won a third consecutive game, but we did not.
"When it was most difficult we got the second. Then we must be clever, avoid the second goal, and we did not. We were not focused, and that is hard to take as it is two points lost.
"That means we must work even harder. This is football, and the opponent can make things difficult for you. But we could have avoided their second goal. That annoys me, as we have worked on that, and knew they could counter-attack."


Source:Google news