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A'Ibom govt explains JSM's exit, defends new worship centre

dailypost.ng 07-01-2024 01:48 3 Minutes reading
The Akwa Ibom State Government said the major reason the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing, JSM, company in Onna suspended its operations in the state was due to the national economic crisis rocking major businesses in Nigeria. Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, speaking on Arise Akwa Ibom, a popular radio program in Uyo, at the weekend, blamed Nigeria's current business environment for the continuous exit of multinational companies. He said it would be unreasonable for anyone to criticise Governor Umo Eno or his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, who brought the company, over the temporary suspension of operations at JSM company in Onna. Recall that JSM, inaugurated in 2017 by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, had on January 3, 2024, announced a temporary suspension of its operations, citing unforeseen circumstances affecting business operations in Nigeria. Some critics blamed the governor and his predecessor, Emmanuel for the exit of the company which was called the largest syringe manufacturing company in Africa. But, Essien said such criticisms were targeted at scoring cheap political points from the unfortunate situation, noting that other multinational companies such as GSK Plc, Nigeria's second-biggest drug producer, GlaxoSmithKline and Unilever, producers of famous brands like OMO, Sunlight and Lux have also announced cease of operations due to harsh business terrain they were grappling with. "We all know that since the removal of fuel subsidy, Nigeria is undergoing a serious economic crisis. Foreign exchange, import duties, and interest rates are basically the reasons companies are closing down in Nigeria. "Outside Akwa Ibom State, several SMEs, according to reports, have completely shutdown operations while several big names have also scaled back operations. Reports on Business Day newspaper indicate that companies like GSK Plc, Nigeria's second-biggest drug producer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Unilever, producers of famous brands like OMO, Sunlight and Lux, have also announced cease of operations," he said. On the criticism against the international worship centre in Uyo, Essien said there was nothing wrong in having a befitting central place of worship in Akwa Ibom State, which is 99 per cent dominated by Christians. "Before the Worship Centre was built, Akwa Ibom people, who are devoted Christians, used to gather under the sun at Ibom Hall grounds to praise God and for all other religious activities. "For those who say that the money used to build a befitting temple of God would have been channelled into other things, let me ask; those states that haven't built international worship centres, do they have free and compulsory education? Do they have better roads than Akwa Ibom State? Do they have more peace than our dear Akwa Ibom State? In what way are they better than Akwa Ibom State? "When people talk about generation of revenue, have they told us how the Statue of Liberty in the US generates revenue? "The same people who gather every year to source for funds and visas to travel to the Middle East to go and worship God are now turning around to criticize a befitting centre of worship that would engender religious tourism by our people. "If the government in a State named after God ought not to build a centre of worship for God, would they rather have built a shrine?" Essien queried.

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Following the affirmation of his election as Governor of Plateau State on Friday, Caleb Mutfwang has commended President Bola Tinubu's neutrality and the courage of the Justices of the Supreme Court. He also said their actions have left an indelible mark on the hearts of the people of Plateau State who are rolling out drums to celebrate his victory at the Supreme Court. He acknowledged that power comes from God and called on the people to unite and give him the maximum support to deliver good governance. The governor was received on his return from Abuba by a large crowd at the Yakubu Gowon Airport before making his way through the line-up of citizens along the highways to a grand reception at the Langfield Resort in Jos. Addressing the mammoth crowd, Mutfwang said, "God is the giver of power, we know no one but we know God, and he looked at us with mercy and gave us victory. "Thank you, God, thank you Plateau people, thank you, Mr President, thank you Supreme Court for doing the right thing. "This is the gathering of Plateau people, it is beyond PDP. We have always believed in the judiciary as an institution, our respect and belief in justice was restored." According to him, "What the people of Plateau, Nigerians have done has spurred me and I will continue to live for the interest of Plateau and bring good governance to the people." Also speaking, former Governor of the State, Jonah Jang, called for unity among citizens. Jang said, "I only give glory to God for this victory. If there is any party without structure in Plateau State, it is the APC people who walked out during their congress and the former governor announced the APC flag bearers. "Their state chairman didn't buy form but that was not our business. Governor Mutfwang is a man with a lion's heart, he is a God-given governor. "Plateau people prayed, Nigerians prayed, people around the world prayed and God answered the people's prayers and touched the heart of the Justices of Supreme Court of Nigeria and they brought the truth out. "Mutfwang should forgive, but when you see any wrong done to Plateau people, look into it according to the law. "Now is the time for governance, I challenge you to work and surpass my record." Also, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Gabriel Dewan assured the governor of the support of the legislature and called for unity among the people. In his remarks, Chairman of PDP in the state, Chris Hassan, said, "The journey had been tortuous but the Lord saw us through. "Plateau people didn't make a mistake in voting Governor Mutfwang of the PDP. "I assure you that the PDP is well structured and we will support the governor to deliver good governance to the people."

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