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Tag: Abubakar

  • Tinubu has put creative economy on growth path -Abubakar

    Tinubu has put creative economy on growth path -Abubakar

    The National Secretary of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) umbrella body  for professional screen actors in the Nigerian film industry, Abubakar Yakubu, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the growth and development of  the nation’s creative sector for enhanced contribution to national economy.

    The AGN scribe gave the commendation in a recent chat with newsmen in Abuja, adding that the President’s Renewed Hope  mantra was  already reflecting in the creative sector.

    He stressed that as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy mainstay from oil, its robust creative industry was a veritable alternative if given adequate attention, lamenting that successive governments have paid little or no attention to the sector.

    Yakubu, however,  noted that President Tinubu broke the jinx  by taking the bold step to create a stand-alone Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy  in 2023.

    According to him: “With the creation of the historic stand-alone ministry, the entertainment industry and the creative economy at large in Nigeria has  received unprecedented   government involvement and guidance.”.

    “You know, President Tinubu has been a man who believes in inclusivity and support  for creativity, and he demonstrated that during his time as governor of Lagos State.

    “He’s a very creative man, he came and has expressed that by setting up a separate ministry for us because he understands the  role of creativity and how the world is changing, as creative talents now rule the world.

     “He has a special love for us, not just the film industry , but the entire creative space and he has so far demonstrated this  by building the right environment in the form of  good policy direction and  infrastructures for creativity to thrive in Nigeria.”

    The AGN  National Secretary also lauded Minister of Arts, Culture,Tourism and Creative Economy  , Hannatu Musawa for her passion in championing the administration’s  reforms for the sector.

    He noted:“The minister has so far shown genuine interest in what we are doing as creatives and this was clearly demonstrated  in her support when the AGN national office was formally opened here in the FCT some few months back.

    “With our  National Secretariat now in the nation’s capital, we hope to work closely with all relevant authorities in the collective effort towards ensuring that the industry contributes more to GDP and creates jobs for teeming Nigerian talents.”

    Yakubu, who has served as the Guild’s National Secretary in the past six years, is  vying for the office of the National President in an election slated to hold later in the year, as the tenure of the current leadership of the guild comes to an end soon.

    According to him, having been part of a team that worked tirelessly to stabilize the  guild in recent years, he  understands the  dynamics of leading actors of the second largest film industry in the world, and has decided to  bring his wealth of experience to bear in order to consolidate on the giant strides the guild has recorded.

     He  stressed: “ I have  been the National Secretary for six years now, and  I was also part of the government that initiated peace, under this  current National present president when  he was the National Secretary.

    “I was the National PRO under the government of national unity ,and we championed  the  idea of having to bring peace, stability and unity to our noble guild after challenging times,” he said.

    If elected National President , Yakubu, a graduate of  Dramatic Arts from  Ahmadu Bello University(ABU), would be the first thespian from northern Nigeria to emerge helmsman of the AGN in its over 25 years of  existence, a trajectory many industry  players and watchers  have described as ideal and apt for even representation of the nation’s  thriving film industry-Nollywod.

  • How to ensure lasting peace in crisis-prone areas, by CAS Abubakar

    How to ensure lasting peace in crisis-prone areas, by CAS Abubakar

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has said true and lasting peace in crisis-prone areas can only be achieved through good governance and development initiatives.

    He noted that kinetic military actions alone, “no matter how decisive,” cannot fully eradicate insurgency.

    The CAs this was the reason the Federal Government started several initiatives that would empower youths and propel development in the troubled states.

    Abubakar said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone Cargo Airport at Kainji in Niger State.

    Read Also: Why banks, others must join anti-terrorism battle, by NSA

    The free trade zone is designed as a state-of-the-art industrial park, implemented in accordance with the Fourth Industrial Revolution concept, having a smart city for promoting Nigeria’s industrialisation.

    Abubakar said the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, anchored by the Airport Project, would serve as a hub for business opportunities, job creation, and sustainable development for future generations.

    The CAS expressed optimism that the project has the potential to significantly reduce insecurity in Niger State by creating jobs for youths who might otherwise be drawn into banditry and other criminal activities.

  • Abubakar quits Katsina United amid unpaid wages

    Abubakar quits Katsina United amid unpaid wages

    Bala Abubakar has resigned from his position as Head Coach of Katsina United after their Nigeria Premier Football League Match Day 25 game defeat to Sunshine Stars on yesterday.

    The former Kwara United coach said he decided to walk away due to a lack of a conducive atmosphere and the non-fulfilment of his contractual agreement by Katsina United.

    It has been reported that Bala has not received his monthly salary since joining the club four months ago.

    Furthermore, he was twice attacked by irate Katsina United fans, with no efforts made by the interim management to intervene. On one occasion, he was rescued by heavily armed security men.

    Read Also: NPFL sanctions Katsina United for poor dressing

    In his resignation letter, Bala stated: “I humbly wish to resign my position as the Head Coach of Katsina United. This is a result of the lack of a conducive atmosphere and the non-fulfilment of my contract agreements.

     “I’m sincerely grateful for the opportunity and support given to me during my brief stay with the club and wish the team the best of the season.”

    Bala took over as Katsina United’s Head Coach on MatchDay 13 when they were in the 15th position with 14 points, just one point above the relegation zone.

    He played 12 matches, recording 6 home wins, 2 away draws, 1 home draw, and 3 away losses, accumulating a total of 21 points from a possible 36 points.

  • Our combined efforts have decimated terrorist leaders, foot soldiers – CAS

    Our combined efforts have decimated terrorist leaders, foot soldiers – CAS

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, says the combined efforts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security services have decimated and obliterated scores of terrorist leaders, their foot soldiers and structures.

    Abubakar said this during the decoration of the 22 newly promoted Air Vice Marshals and 16 Air Commodores yesterday in Abuja.

    He said that the air operational efforts across various theatres had been decisive in curtailing the terrorists and cutting off their unfettered freedom of movement.

    Abubakar, however, said the threats posed by non-state actors to national security require the emplacement of more robust security architecture for rapid employment of airpower in all spectrums of warfare.

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    The CAS urged the newly promoted officers to bring to bear their vast operational knowledge and skills in adding value to ongoing military  operations.

    He thanked President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for their support to NAF.

    Abubakar saluted the families of officers and airmen and women for keeping the home front while their husbands were away for operations.

    Earlier, NAF’s Chief of Administration, AVM Idi Sani, said the officers being decorated were promoted after thorough and painstaking evaluation and assessment by the promotion board.

    He said that the board found the senior officers worthy in character and professionalism and recommended them for promotion to the next hierarchy.

    According to him, the promotion was a reward for hard work, dedication, discipline and sacrifice, and a challenge for them not to betray the system.

    “You must therefore continue to be diligent, focused and professional in the discharge of your duties and ensure you continue to add value to NAF and indeed the nation for recognising you today,” Sani added.

  • There’s hope for better domestic aircraft maintenance, says Abubakar

    There’s hope for better domestic aircraft maintenance, says Abubakar

    Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has said there are better prospects for aircraft maintenance in the country. 

    He noted that with the facility it had on the ground, Caverton could become the hub for aircraft maintenance in Africa.

    The minister praised the management of Caverton Helicopters for their vision and foresight in bringing a sophisticated facility to the country, thereby promoting economic growth and human capital development. 

    Abubakar spoke on the essence of an efficient aircraft maintenance when he toured Caverton Helicopters’ Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Abubakar, who was the second minister to visit Caverton within a month, said he was impressed by the achievements of the company.

    He said: “Our dream in the Ministry of Defence is to produce all the equipment that we need for Defence in Nigeria. Here at Caverton, I have seen proofs of assurance that we can partner to do it.”

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    “I assure you that you have what it takes to produce what we need and we will partner.”

    The minister was received by the Chairman Caverton Helicopters, Mallam Bello Gwandu; the Chairman of Caverton Marine, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun; the Chief Executive Officer, Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG), Mr. Olabode Makanjuola; and the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola, as well as other top management workers.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, said: “While we were on the tour of the facility, my Honourable Minister said to me in Hausa: ‘Seeing is Believing’. He came to Lagos to see what is on the ground, especially at Caverton.”

    Makanjuola described the minister’s visit as special and hinted of the plan to list Caverton Offshore Support Group on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court sets hearing date for Atiku, Obi, APM’s appeals

    BREAKING: Supreme Court sets hearing date for Atiku, Obi, APM’s appeals

    The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for Monday, October 23, in the appeal by Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last presidential election.

    Read Also: Busted: Atiku signed his 1973 ‘Sadiq’ WAEC affidavit in court on a Saturday

    Atiku is challenging the September 6, judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) which dismissed his petition against the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 presidential election.

    The Nation learnt that the apex court has sent out a hearing notice, to that effect, to the parties.

    Also, The Nation learnt that the apex court would also hear appeal by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and the the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) on Monday.

    Details shortly…

  • Financial autonomy: LGAs can’t pay salaries, says Abubakar

    Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State said employees of some of the local government councils in the state will not be receiving their salaries regularly, despite the financial autonomy given to local governments.

    The governor, who raised the concern over the looming danger, said with the financial autonomy, local government councils must learn to live within the limit of their statutory allocations as his government would not continue to augment the gap in salary payment of some councils, which operate in deficit.

    According to him, the state had to augment the salaries of Hadejia Local Government Council with over N40 million before the council could pay salaries last month, adding that such magnanimity would not be sustainable as all the three tiers of government are now independent of each other.

    He added that based on this reason, he is imploring the local government councils in the state to look inward on how best to sustain themselves, especially those that cannot cater for regular payment of salaries.

    He said:“The state government will continue to assist the local government, but what is obvious is there is a limit to such magnanimity.

    “I must advise the council chairmen to start thinking on how their respective local government councils could be financially sustainable, including considering the downsizing in some local governments with bloated workforce.”

  • Buhari didn’t shun Abubakar – Gov’s aide

    Special Adviser, Media and Strategy to the Bauchi State Governor, Ali M. Ali, has described as false, reports that President Muhammadu Buhari shunned his boss, Governor M. A  Abubakar, at the Presidential Villa recently. He claimed the governor was at the villa to meet with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and never had any meeting with the president in the first instance.

    Reports have it that the incumbent governor who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress [APC] against former Federal Capital Territory [FCT] minister, Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], had gone to Abuja to seek assistance in tilting the outcome of the March 23 re-run election in his favour.

    Ali, in a statement, said the report is nothing but outright falsehood being peddled by desperate politicians since INEC declared the Bauchi State gubernatorial election inconclusive. “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have responded to this bare-faced lie and misrepresentation. Happily, this kind of journalism is restricted only to partisan interests. We are compelled, however, to respond because lies repeatedly told may become the truth if Goebbelean philosophy is anything to go by.

    “We put the records straight. The president didn’t shun Gov Abubakar because there was no meeting between them. The governor was at the villa to meet with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. It is therefore perplexing that such a report will be made. According to this very fantastic story, the president shunned them on account of the political developments in their respective states.

    “We have noticed the fury of half truths and outright falsehood being pushed as gospel truth by a slimy desperate megalomanic circle since INEC declared the Bauchi State gubernatorial election inconclusive. This cabal has unleashed a blistering and sustained propaganda against the person and government of M.A Abubakar. Every day, a generous dose of fiction is served to an unwary citizenry via shadowy and equally crooked cyber media,” he said.

  • Postponement: Abubakar peace panel seeks stakeholders’ understand 

    •Ex-head of state urges INEC to redeem credibility

    National Peace and Reconciliation Committee  Chairman Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be focused on how best to reclaim its credibility and integrity.

    This is as he also appealed to Nigerians to put aside the disappointment of the postponement of the general elections.

    The commission had announced the postponement of the general polls over alleged logistics problems and sabotage of its effort.

    The former head of state, in a statement titled: Nigerians: Rise up and obey the nation’s call”,  noted that Nigerians must remain hopeful.

    He stated:  ”After trying to explain your situation, it is now important to focus on how best to reclaim your credibility and integrity. Patiently continue to focus on attaining internal cohesion and coordination. Do not give room to external enemies to infiltrate and destroy the confidence and trust that your organisation has earned.

    “Avoid panic measures, continue to communicate effectively with Nigerians and build up your confidence. Listen to the politicians, but do not be distracted. Perhaps, just perhaps, your being accused by both sides might be your vindication. You might still be vindicated in the end. Focus on the big picture.”

    Agreeing that there were reasons for people to be angry, Abubakar, who was more philosophical in his statement, said although, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has already addressed the nation and the leaders of all the political parties, very little has happened to assuage the deep feeling of embarrassment, pain and disappointment across the land.

    “The impact of this decision has permeated every stratum of our lives and has the potential to dampen the confidence of our people in the political process. It has further deepened anxieties within the international community about our country.”

    Abubakar noted that the disappointment should be seen as a battle that must be won collectively by all.

    “There is enough blame to pass around. The real challenge now is for us as a nation, to reach out to the deepest instincts of faith in God and our country. We must put everything aside and see this as a battle that all of us must win. The challenge is not who to sacrifice, but what sacrifice to make.

    “We must remain hopeful because God is perfect and all-knowing. We are humans, He is the God of history and all power belongs to Him alone. He will give to whom He wishes, how and when He wishes. We are merely instruments of His plans. It is against this background that we wish to appeal to our fellow citizens,” he added.

    To Nigerians, Abubakar stated: “We understand your right to feel betrayed and humiliated by INEC. However, we appeal to you all to see this as a watershed in the life of our fledgling Democracy. The only way we can ensure a steady democracy is for us to learn the lessons from these sad developments. Therefore, we appeal to you not to count the cost of the setback, but respond to the call to patriotism. Do not relent, go out and fulfill your duty to your family and country on election day. We will soon turn the corner in hope.  Rather than despair, rise up to defend our democracy.”

    To the political class, he stated: “What we have before us is well beyond the struggle for power. Our predicament calls for character and grace. The politicians must own this process by showing their readiness to collaborate with INEC and to inspire our people to new heights. The challenge before you goes beyond the narrowness of political opportunities.

    “This is not time to trade blames or to incite your supporters. Be temperate in your language so that we do not inadvertently set up our people for violence. Sadly, for us, politics of the last few years have further polarised our people along dangerous religious, regional, ethnic and party lines. We must aim at trying to avert this precipice and try to heal our nation.”

    He also called for the understanding of the international community, saying: “We appreciate the sacrifices that you have made to come to Nigeria to monitor our elections. We see your engagement with us not as an act of interference but as the extension of the hand of friendship and encouragement. With your co-operation and encouragement, we will deepen our political culture and turn democracy into a tool for development and progress for our people. We know it is a long road and we are prepared to walk it to the end.”

    He also asked God to “take control of all the relevant agencies in this election and let your will be done.”

  • FG challenges PDP to prove allegation of campaigning with state funds

    The Federal Government on Friday challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prove its allegation that the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government was using state resources for electioneering campaign.

    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed in a statement in Ilorin said that the allegation was made by a media aide to the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    According to Mohammed, Abubakar’s media aide’s allegation was provoked by the ministry’s widely circulated testimony series showcasing the achievements of President Buhari’s administration.

    He dismissed the allegation as “acute paranoia’’, stressing that those who made the comment should prove it.

    “It is up to those who made the accusation on the use of state resources for electioneering campaign to prove it, in line with the maxim that he who alleges must prove,’’ the minister said.

    He said that the Buhari administration’s massive achievements had rattled the PDP and its candidate, and their actions amounted to an acknowledgement of the administration’s impressive accomplishments.

    “In publicising the activities and achievements of the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture is only carrying out its statutory role.

    “Long before the elections, the ministry has used various platforms, including town hall meetings, to showcase the activities and achievements of the administration.

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    “We understand that the PDP and the Atiku Campaign Organisation have been rattled by these successes as well as the effectiveness of the campaign to showcase them.

    “We are sorry we can’t help them,’’ the minister said.

    He expressed surprise that the PDP that had said earlier that the Buhari administration had not achieved anything had now changed its tune.

    Mohammed said the PDP had turned around to admit that the media was awash with video testimonies from Nigerians on the Buhari administration’s achievements.