Former Governor of Anambra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has described the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria as God’s plan for the country to develop into a world power.

Ezeife told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that Nigeria was endowed with human and natural resources capable of making it a rallying point for other countries.

He said, ``The colonial masters were only implementing the desires of God. God wants us to be together,’’ the former governor said, referring to the 1914 unification of the two protectorates by the British colonialist to form Nigeria.

The former governor also said, ``Black men need a rallying point and a big brother.

``They need someone to develop into a super power to raise the prestige and respect of black people anywhere they are, and that is the role of Nigeria.

``That is Nigeria’s destiny which we are running away from.’’

He called on Nigerians to harness their potentials towards developing the country, adding that the clamour for the country to divide would not be in the interest of peace and harmony.

``We have competed with whites in several ways and we have proved beyond reasonable doubt that Nigeria is richly blessed, but how do we show the world what we are made of if we keep developing backward.

``There is the need for us to harness our potentials so that the country can compete favourably with other countries of the world,’’ he said.

The former governor called on politicians to emulate the American election to enhance development.

He described Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s acceptance of defeat in the U.S. Presidential election as a wakeup call for Nigerian politicians to avoid unnecessary bickering in the interest of the country.

``We should give peace a chance in Nigeria.

``There were lots of problem between Romney and Obama but they had to tolerate each other.

``At the end it was what they could do for America that mattered,'' he said. (NAN)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Ashiru, on Tuesday stressed the need for training on global best practices for officials at the nation’s port of entry. Ashiru said this at a two-day workshop on ``Global Best Practices’’ ...

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, in Abuja on Tuesday called for the inclusion of water experts in the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geosciences (COMEG).

Ochekpe made the call at the ``Stakeholders forum on Mapping Fresh Water Aquifers of Coastal Nigeria”, organised by COMEG.

She expressed concern on the non-recognition of the water sector in geosciences, which she described as worrisome.

The forum was organised to present the report on salt water intrusion study in coastal areas of the country and discuss ways to tackle it.

``I have been informed that the water sector is not represented in the membership of COMEG because of its merger with the agriculture in the past.

``The non-recognition and inclusion of a major sector like water in geosciences is, therefore, worrisome to me.

``May I appeal to the chairman of the council and its members to kindly review the situation and grant water the deserved recognition and inclusion on the council.

Ochekpe, who said the challenges in meeting the country’s water needs was multi-faceted and daunting, however, praised COMEG and its registered members for their efforts in solving some of the problems.

She expressed regrets about the intrusion of salt water in fresh water, particularly in the coastal areas of the country, pointing out that this was one of the major challenges facing the country's water sector.

The FCT Independent National Electoral Commission has said that preparation is on top gear for the area council elections scheduled for March 16.

Mr Okezie Nwankwo, Head, Department, Public Affairs, Political Party Monitoring and Liaison of the commission, dropped the hint in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said, ``We have started holding meetings with various stakeholders; we have held inter-agency consultative committee meeting on election securities which the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner co-chaired with the police commissioner.

``The meeting was also held with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Federal Road Safety, Immigration, the State Security Service and other relevant security agencies .

``We are also training and re-training staff of the commission, there will be workshops on voter education in all the six area councils of the FCT, which will include the electoral officers.

``The workshop will also involve Assistant Electoral Officers and officials of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).''

Nwankwo said the aim of the meeting was to ensure security of the electoral process and avoid violence during election.

He said that the commission would hold meetings with the traditional institutions at the grass-roots level on the rudiments of elections. (NAN)

The Police on Tuesday arraigned one Nnamdi Ezeh before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly seizing one Austine Ochoga’s school certificate for a four million naira ransom. Ezeh of no fixed address, is therefore, standing trail for joi...

Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Tuesday announced approval for the release of N5.5 million for 11 internally displaced communities in the state. The governor made the announcement at Basa in the Kokona Local Government Area of the state...