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Robert Akpenpuun Congratulates Newly Elected Vandeikya LG Chairman

Published

4 years ago

May 31, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Vandeikya Local Government Football Council Chairman in Benue state, Mr. Robert Akpenpuun, has congratulated the new elected Chairman of Vandeikya LGA, Madam Tyoer Kukase, over her victory in the last Saturday’s elections.

Just on Saturday, Mrs. Kukase of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner, unopposed, by the BSIEC on May 31st, along 23 other LGs Chairmen.

Reports had it that the elections were conducted in 23 Local Government Councils, across 276 council wards of the state.

Announcing the results of the polls on Sunday in Makurdi, BSIEC Chairman, Joseph Loko, declared all 23 chairmanship positions in the polls won by the PDP including 276 councilors.

Loko commended the BSIEC officials for the smooth conduct of the polls and directed all elected Chairmen and Councilors to report to the Commission’s office in Makurdi on June 1st, for their Certificates of Return.

Mr. Akpenpuun, in a congratulatory message issued, described Mr. Kukase’s victory as a demonstration of people’s confidence in his ability to perform.

According to Vandeikya LG’s FA Chairman, ‘I want to welcome on board the newly (unopposed) but duly elected Chairman of Vandeikya LGA, Madam Kukase .T Garba.

“You have severally demonstrated your dogmatic spirit of hanging-in-there throughout your political perseverance, and through the entire process of finding the right person to mount the seat after Ibrahim Anor.

“Those of us who are close to the scene could testify to the mileage that you covered, and I believe that – this is because you have the interest of Kunav people at heart.

“Kunav people also believe that you ventured into the race because you have travelled round Kunav land during your previous political agitations, and you should know how to usher in development to Kunav Land, if given the chance.

“I personally love your courage which is anchored on the motto that what men can do, women can also do them better.

“It is on this note that Kunav people came to a consensus to allow you as a woman, against all odds, to be our designated pilot for the next 2 years.

“In leadership, no man is an island on its own, and as a pioneer member of Kunav Unity Forum, you should know that we shall always support you with good ideas as one of our own, because we envisage you as the phase 1 embodiment of KUF development aggitations for Kunav Land.”

The statement added that: “Please bear in mind that you have a huge task ahead (and we expect you to roll up your sleeves and hit the ground running, right after swearing in. Please, do not alienate nor distance yourself from the people that projected you to the top, as you may one day need them for remedy plans if by chance you hit pockets of resistance in some communities.

“As you are aware, members of KUF have their ears on the ground, and good brains in their head, they have the ability to write your account of stewardship based on an undisputed KPI, please never take it personally if they encourage you to do better, because these are the same people who will project you, if you are performing better and delivering the proverbial goose to Kunav People.

“We are not going to say much for now, we are only going to fasten our seat belts and carefully monitor your cruising altitude, as our designated pilot.*

“KUF is saying – Goodluck, may God bless you, grant you wisdom, and knowledge to be a true symbol of good leadership in Vandeikya.”

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How Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso Repositioning the Raw Materials Sector For Economic Diversification

Published

4 days ago

September 3, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

As we embark on a journey, we always pray for an able, experienced, and courageous driver, pilot, or sailor depending on the means of transportation.

This is because the captain will have enough experience and boldness to navigate out of turbulence and to bring all the passengers and crew to the intended destination.

Interestingly, these fine qualities of ability, experience, boldness, and many more, abound in the man, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, who we all are pleased was appointed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, the Director General/CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago.

This is because he has brought his knowledge, ability, experience, and doggedness to bear in carrying out his assignment in charge of the Council.

The RMRDC, operating under the Federal

The Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth by optimizing local raw materials exploitation, development, and utilization. RMRDC, ab initio, was conceived as a child of necessity when Nigeria was reeling from the throes of global recession and plummeting crude oil prices.

Without an iota of doubt, today, the council is experiencing a transformation with massive innovation in raw material exploitation, development, and utilization, supporting business and industrial growth, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Speaking this during a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja to commemorate his 100 days in office said the council is laying a solid foundation through numerous innovations that will further enhance growth in the country.

According to him, in the past 100 days, my strategic pursuits have been to lay solid foundations for enduring success in these goals.

“Upon assuming this position, I set five crucial deliverables which include, refocusing the Council as a premier research institution; Strengthening the Council’s productivity and operational efficiency; Significantly improving the staff welfare to be the best in the class of similar organizations;

“Others include, Boosting the Council’s visibility and instituting remarkable culture change that encourages ownership and productivity as well as Strengthening and deepening the Council’s place in the international arena.”

While speaking on his Achievements so far, the DG revealed: “My first task, therefore, was to implement a strategic goal-setting for the Council’s staff to define and set out clear objectives and targets to be achieved by the Council within a specified period towards refocusing on this historical mandate. We unleashed five significant initiatives in that regard.

“The nationwide raw material data collection exercise that focused on technical and investment information. erships to drive our mission forward.

“The restructuring and renaming of the former Technology Innovation Complex (TIC) at the Obasanjo Space Center at Airport Road, Abuja, to a Research and Demonstration Plants Complex (RDPC). This complex will be Africa’s first center of excellence in raw material research, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, technology development workshops, and proof of concept demonstrations.

“We have reactivated the Council’s Journal and repositioned it internationally. The repositioned Journal of Raw Material Research [JORMAR] will host RMRDC’s researchers’ publications, which are crucial in promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge sharing, and informing stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s raw materials sector.

“The collaboration with universities and academies will strengthen our capacity for conducting market-guided research, ensuring sustained workforce training while deepening our orientation in science.

The council has reformulated a new template for all our research proposals to ensure and sustain a clear departure from the old culture of blue-sky and deliberately endless research.

Speaking further, Prof Nwanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso stated that Staff welfare remains a top priority as an issue of unpaid salaries is settled as well as set up a comprehensive welfare program.

“Similarly, we established the RMRDC Training School to sustainably build our staff and stakeholders’ capacity to further the staff welfare improvement goal.

“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance

“To further strengthen our visibility and communication strategies, we are upgrading our media infrastructure, which includes the launch of the RMRDC online media platform, The RMRDC TV Online.

“Additionally, we are working hard to effectively enhance the intellectual property and patent portfolio of RMRDC from its current 40 to approximately 200 new patents within the next 24 months. This proactive approach secures valuable IP assets and positions the Council as a leader in innovation within the raw materials sector, contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.

“As well as launching an e-registration and certification portal to enhance transparency in the raw materials sector,” DG revealed.

He however reaffirmed his commitment to reshape the future of research, technology, and innovation, driving Nigeria towards an industrially vibrant and technologically resilient economy.

“As I mark 100 days in office, I boldly say that the Council is on the verge of rewriting its history.

“I believe that in no distant future, RMRDC will play a leading role in enhancing raw materials’ development to boost raw materials’ industrial trial processing and attain sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.

DG, however, applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for his unwavering support and mentorship, saying the Minister’s leadership has been instrumental in the progress made so far.

In his opening remarks, the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chucks Ngaha commended the hard-working DG who has weathered the storm further to put the Council on the ladder of more prosperity.

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