<strong>President MUHAMMADU BUHARI has asked operators and stakeholders in the maritime industry to come up with solutions to the numerous challenges facing the sector.</strong>

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<b>The president was speaking while declaring the conference of the international Association for Ports and Harbors open in Abuja.</b>

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<strong>He re-iterated the commitment of the federal government to improve infrastructure that will enhance connectivity in order to achieve efficiency in the movement of cargoes.</strong>

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<strong>The conference themed: “African Ports and Inter Land Connectivity” is targeted at improving the capacity of African </strong>

<strong>National Emergency Management Agency has declared flooding a national disaster. </strong>

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<strong>The agency declared the emergency in four states including Kogi, Delta, Niger and Anambra. </strong>

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<strong>The Director General of NEMA, MUSTAPHA MAIHAJA says eight other states have been placed on the agency’s watch list. </strong>

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<strong>The declaration by NEMA comes after President MUHAMMADU BUHARI gave the directive following the major alert issued to states across the country of further incidents of flooding. </strong>

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<strong>More than 100 people have died in series of floods across the country over the past two weeks after heavy rains caused the Niger and Benue Rivers to overflow. </strong>

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<strong>Thousands of people have been displaced and vast swathes of farmlands have been destroyed by the floods in central and southern Nigeria. </strong>

<strong>the Independent National Electoral Commission, has banned the use of mobile phones, cameras or any recording devices by voters during the Osun State governorship election.</strong>

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<strong>INEC Chairman, Professor MAHMOOD YAKUBU, disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting in Osogbo, the Osun state capital ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.</strong>

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<strong>He said the ban will help reduce the risk of vote buying and selling which he described as a norm amongst politicians.</strong>

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<strong>The INEC boss explained that voters will not be prevented from using their devices at the polling units, but would be banned from holding their cameras and telephones, once the ballot papers are issued and until they cast their votes in the ballot boxes.</strong>

All Progressives Congress led by President Muhammadu Buhari turned out in large numbers to drum support for the candidate of the party, Gboyega Oyetola ahead of the Saturday governorship poll.

While addressing the gathering, President Buhari assured that his administration will complete all ongoing projects across the country.

He said the development in Osun state in the last seven years under the ruling party justifies the need for continuity for the benefit of the people.

President Buhari said never again should Nigerians allow the PDP to return to the seat of power in Abuja.

On his part, APC national leader, Bola Tinubu said the party is proud of the infrastructural renewal in Osun state.

The national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomole advised the people of Osun not to toy with their votes saying governance is not meant for the beginners.