The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Recession: Lawmaker launches ‘Operation Back to Farm’

    Rather than dissipate energy debating whether it was the Goodluck Jonathan administration or that of President Muhammadu Buhari that caused the recession, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Sunday Karimi has said it is better for Nigerians to return to agriculture as a way out of the economic crisis.

    Karimi who spoke in his native Yagba, Kogi State, told his audience that the only option available to them if they must combat the looming hunger in the land was for all and sundry to return to the old culture of farming, which used to be the mainstay of the economy of the area.

    He disclosed that plans were afoot to launch “Operation Go Back To Farm” in Yagbaland that would see each family encouraged to own a farm. This, he stressed, was the case in the his days as a teenager when students spent their holidays farming, noting however that “modernisation has since made youths of nowadays to think of farming as a dirty job.”

    Under the scheme, he assured of support to would be farm owners in the areas of planning, funding, farm implement and seedling, among others.

    The 2016 empowerment programme  tagged “Town Hall Meeting, Empowerment and Financial Aid”.

    The federal lawmaker, accompanied by journalists and party loyalists embarked on tour of the three councils in Yagba Federal Constituency, namely Yagba West, Yagba East and Mopamuro. According to him, the programme, the fourth of its kind since he was elected as a federal lawmaker in 2011, was with a view to sharing with the electorate in their time of needs.

    It will be recalled that Hon Karimi in 2014 initiated Yagba People Empowerment Initiative (YAPEIN) through which small and medium entrepreneurs were given revolving loans to boosts their businesses.  Buses, cars, motorcycles, grinding machines among others were also freely given to hundreds of beneficiaries across the 34 electoral wards in Yagba Federal Consistency.

    However, pressed by the biting hardship and growing demands from parents who could not meet up with the school fees of their wards in the various tertiary institutions as a result of lack of or irregular salaries, Karimi disclosed that aside the distribution of items such as motorised tricycles, motorcycles, grinding machines, sewing machines, he decided to include financial aids to indigent students.

    Breakdown of items distributed across the three local governments are as follows: 130 motorcycles; 20 tricycles; 55 grinding machines; 40 sewing machines; 15 2.5 KVA power generating sets; 310 KVA power generating sets; 4 Nos block moulding machines; 350 students disbursed with student aids (N20,000 each).

    Total value of this year’s empowerment programme is put at about N70m.

    A beneficiary, Blessing Ojo Oluremi, HND 2 student of Kogi State Polytechnic said “I don’t have much to say. It is a difficult time for our parents, difficult times for the students, difficult times for everyone. In fact I am so much happy. Not everybody has benefited anyway.  I pray pray God to continue to help him so that he can extend similar gesture to others”.

    Karimi’s predecessor, Hon TJ Faniyi who spoke at Isanlu, headquarters of Yagbe East Local Government said without any doubt Nigerians going back to farming was the surest shortcut to the country’s economic downturn, saying Hon Karimi’s farming initiative was a welcome development and came at the auspicious time.

    “That is the aspect I cherished most,” he added.

  • From the Villa- Enter Jonathan’s Queens

    History was made on October 8, 2016 when the first set of female regular course combatant cadets passed out from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

    A total number of 19 female cadets were part of the newly commissioned officers at the Professor Yakubu Mahmud Multi-purpose Hall on the NDA premises.

    They excelled both in the classroom and in the field drills and trainings alongside their male counterparts.

    Such feat had never been achieved in the 52 years of the Academy.

    Through former President Goodluck Jonathan’s belief that whatever a man can do, a woman can do better and should be given the opportunity to excel, the female cadets for the first time were admitted for regular course at the NDA under his tenure five years ago.

    As new entrants to the Academy, Jonathan was always very proud of the female regular combatant cadets as he never failed to showcase them anytime he had a major function in the country, showing how his administration had promoted gender equality in the country.

    In the book titled ‘Goodluck Ebele Jonathan: Champion for Women’ released by his cabinet at the tail end of his administration, the female combatant cadets were referred to as Jonathan’s Queens.

    The book on page 41 reads: “It took the historic vision of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to change that (admission for only men), with the directive that the NDA should admit its first female Regular Combatant cadets in 2011.

    “Therefore, as part of his far-sighted and principled decisions regarding women, the 63rd Regular Combatant Course (63 RC) of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) saw 20 female officer cadets take their places on the course alongside 155 male counterparts.”

    The book also revealed that Itunu Hotonu became the first female Rear Admiral in the Nigerian Navy and in Africa in December, 2010 under Jonathan.

    It also disclosed that a 28-year-old Blessing Liman became the first female military pilot in the Nigerian Air Force in December, 2011, also under Jonathan.

    No administration before Jonathan that preached gender equality ever intervened to promote admission of female regular course cadets in NDA.

    At the parade ground on October 8 where the cadets stood still, did silent drills, slow and quick march for over six hours under the scorching sun, none of the graduating female cadets showed any sign of weakness.

    They were tough, if not tougher than their male counterparts that graduated in the class of 63rd regular course cadets.

    As a result of their toughness, they equaled the number of male cadets that excelled and won awards during their five years training in the school.

    President Muhammadu Buhari at the passing out parade presented the awards to three male and three female cadets that performed excellently well.

    A male cadet, A.D Mohammed won three awards including the Sword of Honour award, the Commandant’s award and the Army Gold award.

    A female cadet, C. Lord-Mallam won the Navy Gold award while another male cadet, M. U Aminu won the Air Force Gold award.

    The Army Silver award went to a female cadet, K. O Dayo-Karim while P. E Miyaptong, a male cadet, won the Navy Silver award. The Air Force Silver award was won by a female cadet, O. S Ijelu.

    All the graduating 63rd regular course cadets, comprising 59 personnel for the Nigerian Army, 40 for the Nigerian Navy and 29 for the Nigerian Air Force, were conferred with presidential commission, ministered oath of allegiance and also received the flag of allegiance.

    President Buhari was very elated by the smartness, silent drills, march past and parade by the graduating cadets.

    He said: “The excellent parade we have just witnessed is a testimony to the high standard of training and discipline the Academy has set. I, therefore, commend the Commandant, instructors and gentlemen officer cadets for this outstanding parade.

    “Today’s Passing Out Parade has an added significance because, for the first time in 52 years, this Academy is graduating female cadets who will be commissioned as regular officers into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    “While congratulating these soon-to-be pioneer female Regular Combatant officers for their courage and resilience in the past 5 years, I advise the Services to put in place adequate institutional mechanisms to evaluate the deployment or otherwise of our female officers in active combat roles.  But we must be careful to carry public opinion with us and respect cultural sensitivities.

    “To the passing out cadets, I want to observe that you are graduating into the Armed Forces at a very auspicious time when the gains of several years of sacrifice by our troops are being consolidated.  You are indeed moving into a path of honour, sacrifice and responsibility.

    “You are also moving to the next level having been found worthy in learning and character to move from being Cadets to officers. Therefore, as you step out of this noble institution, your character will determine how far you can go.

    “Endeavour to be patriotic and exhibit the highest level of discipline and loyalty to one Nigeria.  Above all you must strive to keep to the tenets of the profession by remaining apolitical.  You are also required to exhibit the highest sense of integrity, patriotism and exemplary service to the nation and its people.

    “Gentlemen and Lady officer cadets, today you have entered a new chapter in your life.  I can assure you that it is going to be adventurous, turbulent but interesting. Your survival as an officer in the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be dependent on the extent to which you are able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during your academic and military training in this Academy.

    “You are expected to serve this country selflessly with loyalty and integrity and set new records of gallantry in the defence of our dear nation as former cadets from this Academy have done and are still doing in various military campaigns within and outside our dear country.

    “Our nation puts its trust in you and looks up to you with a lot of expectations which you must never betray.  You no longer belong to your parents or your family alone. You no longer belong to your village, town or state.  You now belong to the Nigerian nation and you will serve it selflessly and be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice if the need arises.” He added

    Since the initial admission of female cadets for regular course in NDA five years ago, more ladies have been admitted for regular combatant course at the Academy.

    Only the sky can now be the limit for female military officers in Nigeria.

    With the progress they are making, Nigeria will start having female Chief of Defence Staff and also occupy other Service Chiefs’ positions not too long to come.

     

  • Entrepreneurs return to varsity which groomed them

    Entrepreneurs return to varsity which groomed them

    Years after graduation, ex-students of Salem University, Lokoja share acquired values that are helping them navigate the curves of life and careers, reports SUNDAY OGUNTOLA

    Fidelis Ekom was all smiles as he walked to the podium. Many in the audience clapped. Others nodded delightfully. All simply cheered the young entrepreneur that defines many values Salem University (SU), Lokoja represent. It was at the fifth convocation ceremony of the institution last Saturday.

    The cheering audience had reasons to be excited. Just three years after graduation, Ekom has set up three thriving business outfits.  Wear with style perfumes deals with sales and distribution of quality perfumes across the nation; Diplomatic Republic Entertainment-D.R.E is an entertainment company that has the recording artiste on its label; Under 30s C.E.O Naija, a media outfit profiles young entrepreneurs.

    The cheers over, Ekom said everything is down to the quality education he received, especially in entrepreneurship while in SU. The institution has an entrepreneurship programme that seeks to make job creators out of students as against being job seekers. He said: “The institution is not just an educational learning hub but truthfully a transformational, leadership training ground for optimistic, innovative, goal-driven minds,” Ekom submitted.

    His speech was punctuated by more applause. But he wasn’t done yet. “The trainings made me a pace setter and an improved being in the society. It’s not surprising that today I find myself so passionate about my engagements to the extent it has become a lifestyle,” he added.

    It was Precious Oyem’s turn to share how much difference the institution has made in his life. Amid cheers, he held the hall spell-bound. During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days, Oyem was one of those hired by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by election into a vacant House of Assembly seat in Abia state. He thought his assignment was over after the results were declared. But few minutes after, agents and chieftains of political parties approached him for assistance.

    They were willing to offer him anything just to allow them thumb print and change the declared results. Oyem was stupefied. He knew he wouldn’t do it. But how can he tell the old men and women begging him frantically that he cannot help them? It wasn’t that he didn’t need the offered money but he cannot sell his conscience.

    Everything he learnt at Salem University flooded back to his memories. “I recalled how it was always being hammered into our hearing that smartness can take a man to the top but only integrity can keep him there,” Oyem recounted. He had to tell them anyway. Saying no is a no-brainer. It can hurt feelings but save one a lifetime of heartaches.

    “With God’s wisdom I refused the bribe and stood my ground based on my background in Salem University which I have imbibed,” he remembered. Even when the incensed party agents mobilised a mob to attack the unyielding, unprotected corps member, God was there to help him escape unhurt.

    Sandra Nnadozie is a 2014 graduate of Microbiology from the institution. In four years, she said the school transformed her “from a shy, naïve and timid girl to a reserved, god-fearing, relentless, goal-oriented woman.”

    Today, as an operation manager in an international networking company, Nnadozie said she owes everything to the tutelage she received from SU. “Salem University not only equipped me educationally but also spiritually and mentally and I was prepared to face the world and be a change agent anywhere I go.”

    Godwin Awojobi is Senior Software Engineer at Biscom. He said the Total Leadership Training Concept (TLTC) courses offered in the institution equipped him with the right skill sets for his current high-profile, demanding job.

    Awojobi said, “Paired with academics, my degree played integral role in the development and preparation of my quantitative and qualitative skills for career success in information technology. Salem University has helped me grow my skill-set and put me in a position to succeed and also help others to succeed.

  • 16 herdsmen convicted, 36 cows impounded

    16 herdsmen convicted, 36 cows impounded

    Herdsmen who graze their cattle in the Abuja metropolis are being tried and convicted, report GBENGA OMOKHUNU and GRACE OBIKE

    The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Task Team on Environmental Sanitation have started arresting and prosecuting herdsmen grazing cattle in Abuja.

    In the seven days exercise so far, 36 cows and 38 sheep have been impounded, while 16 herdsmen have been arraigned and convicted before the Sanitation Mobile Court.

    The AEPB and the Task Team  tendered the impounded cows and sheep as exhibits to secure the conviction of the arrested herdsmen.

    According to a statement issued by the  Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the exercise is sequel to the directive of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, for the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the FCT Task Team on Environment to stop forthwith the grazing of cattle within Abuja metropolis.

    Those arrested have been made to face the consequences of their actions as they have paid various fines to serve as a deterrent to others with strong warning to desist from doing same.

    The exercise that commenced about a week ago by the AEPB and the Task Team on the instruction of the Minister is a continuous one.

    Meanwhile, peeved by the continued movement of cattle in Abuja metropolis in despite several warnings to their owners by the Federal Capital Territory Authorities, the Senate, through its Committee on FCT has asked residents of the area to, henceforth, slaughter cows found in the city centre.

    The directive was handed down to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, by Chairman of the committee, Senator Dino Melaye, (APC, Kogi West), when he appeared before the committee.

    Melaye, who gave the order in a speech read at the session, said it was very disappointing, annoying and embarrassing that despite the ban placed on cattle grazing in FCT by FCTA authority, some stubborn herdsmen were still moving cows along and across highways within the metropolis. He ordered the FCT Minister to go beyond the ban by facilitating the slaughtering order issued by the senate committee. Melaye told the minister, “the Senate is not happy at how herdsmen continue to move their cows across the city centre, which we are aware you had given directive against some time ago. “From now on, get knives and ask your men to slaughter cows found in the capital city or prosecute herdsmen seen with cows in the city centre with a fine of N50,000 per cow. This order must be carried out.”

    Melaye further revealed that the Senate was in receipt of complaints that some residents of the territory were converting their apartments into hotels and brothels, a situation he said was distorting the original master plan of the city. He noted that some people were already undermining FCT authority under his watch, which he said was unacceptable.

     

  • 36 in psychiatric test for traffic violation

    Thirty-six drivers in Abuja have been subjected to psychiatric evaluation for beating traffic light.

    All the drivers taken to the hospital in ambulances were made to undergo psychiatric test, with doctors certifying their level of mental fitness.

    Deputy Director /Chief Press Secretary FCT, Muhammad Sule made this known in a press statement, he stated.

    “The FCT Police Command in collaboration with officers of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services have so far arrested 36 motorists for beating traffic lights in the Federal Capital Territory and have subjected them to psychiatric evaluation at the Karu Psychiatric Hospital.

    “This is sequel to the directive of the FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, for the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command to arrest any motorist that beats traffic lights in the Federal Capital Territory and be taken to psychiatric hospital for immediate test.

    “All the motorists so far arrested and conveyed in ambulances to the hospital have undergone psychiatric tests at the hospital but were certified by the doctor to be medically fit.

    “Those arrested have been made to face the consequences of their actions as they have been made to pay fine to serve as a deterrent after bearing the cost of the psychiatric test.

    “Meanwhile, the culprits have also been made to attend a compulsory three-day lecture at the headquarters of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services on the importance of complying with traffics signs and road markings.

    “The exercise that commenced about 5 days ago (5/10/16) by the Police on the directive of the Minister is a continuous one as it has entered week two.

    “It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force recently deployed very senior officers within the ranks of Assistant Superintendent of Police and Inspectors to man the speed bikes to ensure high level of discipline from them to curb impunity and work in disciplined, efficient and effective manner.”

  • Council chief seeks transparency in government

    It was a night of many awards as serving and retired staff members of the FCT Administration, and others stepped forward, one after another, to collect awards for service to their fatherland. The Gala and award night, held at the Abuja Sheraton and Towers, was the grand finale of the press week organized by the FCTA NUJ Chapel, last week.

    By seven o’clock in the evening last week the hotel’s Ladi Kwali Hall was filled to capacity with top government functionaries from the FCT Administration, as well as the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chair, Hon. Adamu Abdullahi Candido with his entourage, among several others.

    First on the list of the awardees was a former Director of Information and an erudite speech writer, Mr. Ezeako Odi, who bagged the Most Outstanding Pioneer award for his effectiveness in the management of information in the Administration, as well as engineering the employment of many staffs in the department.

    While Hon. Adamu Candido was enviably given the Outstanding Leadership award for his wonderful performance in office so far, Alhaji Ibrahim Biu was awarded for his meritorious service to the country.

    Mrs. Victoria Umana, Director of the FCT department of Science and Technology grabbed the Most Innovative Director award. It was revealed during her citation that Umana initiated numerous innovative programmes, bothering on modern agriculture and production of household items, among others.

    Another retired Deputy Director of Information who served with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Ikokwu Okonkwo also received an award for his commendable service during his days in charge of FCDA information.

    Others who were also awarded on the event include the General Manager, Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), Alhaji Muhammed Tukur Arabi, who got Community Service award and Mrs. Helen Odika of the FCTA Permanent Secretary’s office –the youngest of the awardees who was commended for commitment to duties.

    Mrs. Umana while responding on behalf of the awardees expresses gratitude to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and the Permanent Secretary for permitting the Chapel to elaborately organize the event. She therefore prayed God to guide the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), especially at such a time when the truth was not only lacking but was also difficult to identify in the society.

    Representative of the Permanent Secretary who is Director of Information, Mrs. Stella Ojeme noted that the three-day event provided the opportunity for the Information Officers to learn a lot, urging them to put in practice what they learnt for the betterment of the FCT Administration and the entire territory.

    The Permanent Secretary therefore urged the audience to have a nice time during the gala night.

    NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Mr. Paul Ella who also spoke at the event pledged the continued support of his colleagues to the FCT Administration, even as he commended the efforts of Malam Muhammad Musa Bello “who has been doing wonderfully well” and the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye for his efforts.

    In an interview with journalists after the event, the AMAC Chairman stated that the award was a “call for further service to the citizens of Nigeria” and called for “transparency, truthfulness” and the maintenance of the mandate of public office, but not to abuse it.  He also tasked public servants to imbibe “the spirit of humility in service.”

    Earlier, Chairman of the FCTA NUJ Chapel, Comrade Nnachi Okafor in his welcome address said that the event provided an opportunity for reflection on the challenges of the journalism profession and commended his colleagues for laboring so hard to fight corruption in the society and wielding through economic challenges.

    The event was also attended by Mrs. Joy Okoye who represented the Director of FCT Treasury, Acting Secretary, Agriculture Secretariat, Alhaji Musa A. Aliyu, among others.

     

  • ‘Our kids shouldn’t study under trees

    ‘Our kids shouldn’t study under trees

    It is not entirely strange that trees have long provided shelter for pupils in some parts of the country but in Benue State, chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board or SUBEB, Dr. Philip Tachin has said the practice must stop forthwith.

    On a tour of projects being built or rehabilitated in the state schools, Tachin found pupils studying under a mango tree because classrooms were inadequate.

    The SUBEB chair seized the opportunity to urge contractors handling school projects to expedite action and save children the agony of learning under trees, among other inconveniences.

    In some places, Tachin read the riot act, saying any contractor who did a shoddy job or was lazy would not be paid until the work was redone or finished according to schedule.

    He, alongside management and members of a special task force, inspected projects whose contracts were awarded under the UBEC/Benue State Government intervention funds for the years 2012 to 2015. In the state’s northwest senatorial zone, they inspected primary school projects comprising Local Government Authority (LGEA) Gbajimba, RCM Primary School Daudu in Guma Local Government Area. Others included Col. Nenge LGEA Primary School and LGEA Primary School, Tarhembe in Tarka Local Government Area as well as LGEA Primary School Adem, Uchen CAC Primary School, Wadadta in Makurdi Local Government Area.

    At Gbajima, the SUBEB chair praised the contractor for the good work done, but urged him to ensure he met the three months deadline. From Gbajimba, the team headed to Daudu where a block of four classrooms was completed with modern toilet facilities, though Tachin noticed some shoddy work and asked that it be corrected before payment.

    At Tarka Local Government Area, the county home of the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator George Akume, Tachin and his team expressed satisfaction with the work done Nenge, the SUBEB chair was less satisfied with the dressing of a school teacher, which he described as shabby.

    “You are dressed like those on construction site,” he charged the teacher.

    At Tarhembe, he sought better work attitude, asking for the number of teachers at a junior secondly school and warning that he would return for a head count.

    In Makurdi, the state capital, there were some leaky roofs, which must be fixed before contractors could expect pay.

    The team also saw a school which was razed down by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The entire school is to be renovated.

    In some other places, it was observed that pupils now have good water supply, thanks to a borehole which also served the community.

    Addressing journalists, Tachin expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done and the professionalism of the contractors. He also hailed the state governor Samuel Ortom for releasing funds to enable the SUBEB change the face of schools in the state.

  • Buhari and book publications

    Just like past leaders at the helm of affairs, President Muhammadu Buhari has begun to receive book publications in his honour.

    The first major book at an elaborate function at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja on Thursday 29th September 2016 was a pictorial book titled ‘Buhari: A New Beginning.’

    The book was authored by President Buhari’s Personal Photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo.

    The second major book was presented to the public four days later at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    The book titled ‘Muhammadu Buhari – The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria,’ was authored by Professor John Paden.

    It did not only attracted the presence of the high and mighty in the Nigeria society, but was also attended by Presidents of Niger, Chad, and Benin Republic.

    The Presidents of Cameroon and Equitorial Guinea also sent representatives to the book launch.

    Before the two books, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has also been receiving books written on Buhari on his behalf.

    The Leadership Scorecard Magazine, in collaboration with Arewa-Kebbi Investments Nigeria Limited, on Tuesday, 28 June 2016 visited State House, Abuja to present Adesina with some books on Buhari.

    Adesina also got an award from them for his contributions towards nation building.

    The group had maintained that the recognition was in commemoration of President Buhari’s one year in office, and Adesina’s role as Agent of Change.

    The two last major book presentations will definitely not be the last as more will come in the coming months.

  • Dalong’s metamorphosis

    The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalong stunned his colleagues when he turned up for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House a fortnight ago.Most of his colleagues did not recognise him from the distance until they came close to him and saw his face while he was busy chatting away with other cabinet members before the commencement of the meeting.

    They could not recognise Dalong because he was dressed differently from his traditional attire.

    Right from when the cabinet was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in November, 2015, Dalong’s dressing had always been unique to the extent that none of the cabinet members could mistakeDalong for anyone else even in the dark.

    Whenever Dalong appeared in public since the cabinet inauguration, he more than 99.9 % appeared dressed as a comrade.He always cut the appearance of a military man, clad mostly in brown khaki safari, red beret, black bootsand dark eyeglasses to match.He never failed to stand at attention like a military man during the rendition of the national anthem in the Council Chamber.

    By his posture and unique dressing, he was, most often, the only Minister competing with Buhari’s Aide-De-Camp (ADC), Lawal Abubakar, during rendition of the national anthem.

    But he was more relaxed as the national anthem was rendered a fortnight ago as if his transformed dressing had an influence on him.

    Dalong attended the FEC meeting clad in a black caftan, black cap, black shoes and a white shirt under the caftan. His new dress code made the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu to jokingly refer to him as the latest capitalist in town.

    Among his colleagues who were impressed by his appearance and came to greet him where he was standing included Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, FCT Minister, Muhammadu Bello, Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal also shook hands with Dalong before calling the house to order in preparation for President Buhari’s entry to the chamber.

    As if Dalong’s new dressing code has come to stay, the Minister again represented Vice President YemiOsinbajo two days later at the National Central Mosque, Abuja dressed in the same manner.

    Dalong at the Public Lecture in the mosque was dressed in ‘Babanriga’. The occasion was part of events marking the 56th independence anniversary of Nigeria.

    But Dalong, a week later, reverted to his customary comradeship dress code.

    He met with President Buhari last week Tuesday dressed in brown kaki safari, red beret, black boot and dark eye glasses.

    Dalong was also dressed in his traditional attire when he attended FEC last Wednesday.

    He was the only Minister in kaki safari in the hall standing at attention and with his right hand on his chest pushed forward during rendition of the National Anthem.

    Another person like him in the hall was Buhari’s ADC who stood still at attention and taking salute behind the President through the duration of the national anthem.

  • Ishaku’s peace and development agenda

    Ishaku’s peace and development agenda

    They are like Siamese twins. Peace and development. They are inseparable. This twin concept has proved an enduring but regrettable fact of life in many countries and communities around the globe where hostilities in all their manifestations and ramifications have crippled human efforts at improving the quality of life and living. Many societies that had earned for themselves the reputation as great and enviable signposts of human creativity in development have crumbled and their progress retarded due to the absence of peace necessitated by wars and other forms of inter-communal hostilities.

    It is for this reason that some leaders pay attention to the task of forestalling crises and promoting peace through deliberate policies. One good example of such modern day leaders is Architect Darius Dickson Ishaku, governor of Taraba State who came into office in May 2015 trumpeting the philosophy of peace and stability as a necessary and desirable ingredient of the enabling environment for sustainable development.

    People who are familiar with the recent history of Taraba State will not find it difficult to appreciate the wisdom in Ishaku’s choice of the twin concept of peace and development as the underlying philosophy of his administration. Within the period of two years before he assumed the leadership of the state as governor, Taraba was a state in political and inter-ethnic turmoil. The situation had prevailed even uptill the elections that brought him in as governor. The crises left in their trail frightening memories that had destroyed the fabric and fibre of mutual trust among the various ethnic groups in the state. The ultimate loser was development which the state was in dire need of. For this ugly situation to change, Governor Ishaku had to take the message of peace to all corners of the state in order to help heal the social and emotional wounds inflicted and to psych up the people to believe in themselves and their state once more. It was also woo them in support of government’s development agenda to which the governor had unequivocally committed himself.

    Today, just over a year after, the peace effort of the governor has proved a wise political and social investment. Through the machinery of security surveillance established by the governor, crime and criminality have been drastically reduced in the state. But the bigger frontier of achievement is inter-ethnic crises and herdsmen attacks on farmers. These were the major causes of bloody clashes with heavy casualties under the immediate past political dispensation in the state. It gladdens my heart and, I believe the hearts the hearts of numerous Tarabans and Nigerians also, that the gory spectre of socially and economically ruinous crises have ended, thanks to Governor Ishaku’s peace and reconciliatory efforts. Those bitter religious and inter-ethnic ill-feelings that often fuelled crises in the state have been subdued.

    It is in the interest of all indigenes of the state this situation is sustained. Crises of the magnitude that were witnessed in the state in the past two or three years can, apart from the social and psychological trauma that they inflict on the people, also be an unfortunate source of distraction and financial waste for the government. Funds that could have been otherwise channelled into the execution of projects with direct benefits on the social condition of the people will be wasted in the promotion of government’s peace efforts. Government may also lose concentration in the process and its development plans and projections greatly jeopardised.

    Today the people of Taraba State can thumb their chests and say that their state is at peace. That was not the case before the coming of Governor Ishaku. They can also now say with pride that they have a government that is not only deliberately promoting peace but determined to develop the state through the execution of people-centred projects. For example, the scarcity of portable water in Jalingo and other major towns and cities in the state is now being aggressively tackled by the governor. I’m also aware that government is working on a partnership with the African Development Bank for a more dramatic, all-encompassing approach in addressing the problem. This is highly commendable.

    In the past one year, Jalingo has turned a huge construction site. Road projects have received the attention of government. This trend is replicated in other major towns in the state. Electricity power generation and rural electrification projects are being vigorously pursued as part of government’s overall poverty alleviation and job creation package. There has also been a deliberate government emphasis on agriculture to achieve increase in food production, reduce hunger and poverty as well creating employment opportunities. These projects, some already completed and others on-going, are only possible because of the relative peace the state has enjoyed so far. The state would have fared worse if the security situation had been otherwise.

    The lesson behind this development requires no emphasis. The people of the state must give peace a chance to reign. Some people have said in the past that most of the crises in the state are fuelled and even sponsored by the political elite in the state for their selfish political gains. This is not far from the truth. The ordinary people of the state usually nurse no ambitions and desires that bring their communities and ethnic groups into conflicts and crises with others.  The elite do. That is the reason they are the target of this writer’s appeal for peace in the state.

    Politicians and political leaders in the state should now realise that the elections are over and time to work for the people is now here. The state must now move forward. The luck of the state today lies in the fact that Darius Ishaku is governor. He is a man with a big dream of a greater Taraba State. Such a man deserves the support of all the people.

     

    • Magaji is a current affairs analyst