President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr Ali Muhammed Ali as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday in Abuja.

The other new leadership of the departments and agencies in the Ministry of Information and National Orientation are:

(1) National Orientation Agency (NOA) — Director-General /CEO — Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu

(2) Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) — Director-General/CEO — Mr Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos

(3) Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) — Director-General/CEO — Dr Muhammed Bulama

(4) National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) — Director-General/CEO — Mr Charles Ebuebu

(5) Voice of Nigeria (VON) — Director-General / CEO — Mr Jibrin Baba Ndace

(6) Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) — Director-General / CEO — Dr Lekan Fadolapo

(7) Nigerian Press Council (NPC) — Executive Secretary / CEO — Mr Dili Ezughah

The President tasked the new leadership to innovate and create new opportunities for Nigerians to leverage on through the effective reform of these key institutions of government.

He added that these institutions function to unify the people, reshape mindsets, and showcase Nigeria to the rest of the world.

The appointments of the new leadership take immediate effect.

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU, ABIODUN, DANGOTE, OTHERS BID AKINTOLA WILLIAMS FAREWELL

• He was an outstanding Nigerian, big Lagosian, says Lagos Governor

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday joined his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, among other eminent Nigerians, for the funeral service of the first indigenous chartered accountant in Nigeria and elder statesman, Chief Akintola Williams.

The funeral service held at the Shell Hall of the Muson Centre, Onikan by the Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, Lagos, was also attended by former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; founder of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), cap­tains of industry, bank execu­tives, bishops, priests, family, friends and associates of the deceased both home and abroad.

Speaking at the funeral service, Governor Sanwo-Olu, described the late Williams as an outstanding Nigerian and big Lagosian.

He said: “At 104, how well would you describe a man that God first blessed with a long life and for a very long time, good health, and he had shown leadership at all levels? He was an outstanding Nigerian; a man who took his professional colleagues to enviable level worldwide.

“He was also a lover of God, a churchgoer, and a man who built the altar of a church. He had all of the pillars to tick as a good man. We can only wish the family all the very best.

“To the country, we have lost an outstanding Nigerian and for us in Lagos, we lost a big Lagosian. We will continue to have memories of the hospitable life that he lived. I will miss him personally. I believe he lived a good life.”

Also speaking, Governor Abiodun said the footprint of the late Akintola Williams will remain in the sand of time for many years because of what he stood for during his lifetime.

He said: “Baba (Akintola Williams) was an exceptional Nigerian because the Almighty God granted him the grace to live up to 104 years old. I am not sure we know many Nigerians that lived that long.

“He was a man after God’s heart. He was a big philanthropist and a lover of music. He was a man whose footprint will remain in the sand of time for many years for all that he stood for.

“On behalf of the government and the entire people of Ogun State and my family, we commiserate, congratulate and celebrate with the members of Baba’s immediate family and friends, the government and people of Lagos State, and of course Nigeria at large. We pray that God Almighty will grant the family and well-wishers the heart to bear the colossal loss.”

In his sermon, the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Makinde, urged family, friends and associates to immortalise the deceased by supporting the Akintola Williams Centenary Building Project of the Church.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

19 OCTOBER 2023

JULIUS BERGER PROJECTS: “We are looking forward to a successful partnership, great achievement and the commencement of a new era to the benefit of the people of Delta state.”

– Julius Berger MD, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter as Delta State Government and construction leader sign contract for construction of multiple flyover projects in Effurun, Warri.

Delta State Government and frontline engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, on Wednesday, signed a N78 billion contract for the construction of flyovers, cloverleaf and road expansion projects in Effurun and Warri metropolis of the state.

At the historic event, the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori said the choice of Julius Berger was informed not only by their excellent record but also by their experience in road construction, particularly in riverine terrains. Governor Oborevwori said the signing ceremony was a culmination of days and months of critical planning and deft negotiations and a major step forward in his administration’s plan to start an infrastructural revolution that would change the face of Warri and environs. “Today’s event is the high point of months of vigorous planning, meetings, reviews and tough negotiations. I am pleased that we have reached a point of agreement,” he said.

Continuing, the Governor said, “…it is pertinent to know that this is the first time in Delta State that we are engaging Julius Berger Plc in construction jobs. They have been in Delta, they worked in NPA, but this is the first time the state government is engaging them for construction projects. “On behalf of the government and the people of Delta state, I want to express my deep appreciation to Julius Berger PLC, the Ministries of Works (Highway and Urban roads), Justice, Finance and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for the countless energy invested in the process.”

The Governor said the choice of Julius Berger was informed not only by their excellent performance records but also by their experience in road construction in riverine terrains. He tasked the contractor to deliver the projects within 27 months. “We have seen what they have done in other states with topography like Warri and we are confident that they will replicate the same feat here.”
Governor Oborevwori added that upon completion, these projects will not only change the face of Warri and its environs, but also ease the traffic congestion in the area and alleviate the hardship faced by commuters.

On the good multiplier effect and positive collateral benefits of the projects to Deltans, Oborevwori said, “…it is often the case with road construction projects, there will be direct employment benefits for our people, especially, engineers, artisans and even food vendors. Transporters and so many others in the construction value chain also stand to benefit.”

The contracts include road expansion of a section of DSC/NPA Expressway, including a Cloverleaf Interchange at the existing Effurun flyover, alongside two pedestrian bridges, Flyover bridges at Enerhen junction to Marine Gate, DSC roundabout and PTI junction.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, and  the Honourable Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads),  Comrade Reuben Izeze, signed on behalf of the State Government, while the  Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr Lars Richter, and the  Regional Manager, Engr Friedrich Wieser, signed for the construction giant.

While thanking Delta State Government for giving the company the opportunity to deliver on the projects, Julius Berger Managing Director commended Governor Oborevwori for the vision and foresight in a huge investment and for the commencement of a new era for the people of the state. “We commend the Delta State Government for these projects, and we are honoured to be the chosen technical partners for the delivery of this vision. We are also looking forward to a successful partnership, a great achievement of the vision and the commencement of a new era to the benefit of the people of Delta state,” he said.

The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Omamuzo Erebe,  and  the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr Fred Edafioghor, witnessed the signing.

The Julius Berger team to the event in Asaba led by the Managing Director also included the company’s Regional Manager, South-south/South-east operations, Dr. Fiedrich Wieser, the Head of Contract management, Barrister (Mrs) Omonigho Brown, the Head of Media Relations, Prince Moses Duku, Esq; and Security Manager, Ferdinand Ugbomeh.