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Tag: Abubakar

  • Jigawa: Abubakar to reduce cost of governance

    Jigawa: Abubakar to reduce cost of governance

    The Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar promised to reduce cost of governance in order to create opportunities and provide dividends of democracy to voters in the state.

    The governor who made the disclosure Friday in Aminu Kano Triangle, Dutse while delivering his inaugural speech shortly after taking oath of office, said his administration inherited over N117 billion left by the immediate fast government.

    According to him “the liabilities left by the previous government is N117 billion contrary to what is contained in the transition note presented by the last government.”

    Alhaji Abubakar explained, “if considering the state’s federation allocation, it would take the state consecutive seven years before it settles the debts we inherited.”

    He said; “This means that we cannot execute any project, it is only to pay workers salaries in the next seven years. Presently there are payment vouchers of N13.3 billion in the state’s treasury due for payment.”

    Alhaji Abubakar added that there are also other certificates of payment of various projects at different levels certified by due process and projects monitoring agencies.

    He promised to lay emphasis on the agricultural sector through mechanized agriculture and further revive and establish research institutions to support the sector in order to ensure sustainable social and economic lives of the state.

  • Abubakar scoffs at harmonisation of League calendar

    Abubakar scoffs at harmonisation of League calendar

    Chief Operating Officer of the League Management Company(LMC) of Nigeria, organizers of the Nigerian Professional football league, Salihu Abubakar has waved off suggestions of aligning the Nigerian domestic league to that of other African countries.

    Abubakar told www.footballlive.ng in a chat that such recommendations really do not hold water but will still consider having a close look at what can be done to come up with a better timing that will help Nigerian clubs prepare well and equipped for the rigors of continental football.

    “Most African league calendars are just like ours, so that argument can’t stand at all. Ghana started their league in January, Ivory coast started theirs  in February. Definitely we will think about how to go about it; maybe we will have to consider adjusting the calendar a bit but not drastically,” stated Abubakar.

  • Lawyers root for Lalong, Abubakar, Tambuwal

    Lawyers root for Lalong, Abubakar, Tambuwal

    Lawyers are drumming up support for their colleagues who will be contesting the governorship election on April 11.

    Among those contesting are Simon  B. Lalong (Plateau State), M. A. Abubakar (Bauchi) and House of Reprsentatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto).

    Leading the call are members of the Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF), who believe their colleagues would transform the region and bring the much-desired dividends of democracy to  their people.

    They said lawyers have always shown the light in the leadership of their countries for others to follow.

    They cited Bill Clinton of the United States, the late Nelson Mandela of South Africa, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Solomon Lar, Babatunde Fashola (SAN),  Dr. Godswill Akpabio as lawyers who have demonstrated efficient leadership.

    Immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Second Vice-President Steve Abar, endorsed Abubakar, saying his candidature “is one of the most welcome developments of this year”.

    “His candidature represents a struggle for justice, fairness, equity and good governance on the Plateau. He represents unity, progress,  development and all well meaning citizens of the State ought to rally round him to deliver the divends of democracy to the people.  Abubakar has successfully steered the ship of Arewa Lawyers for the past two years and has, undoubtedly, given a credible and focused leadership.”

    “Looking at the way Tambuwal emerged as the Speaker of the House and how he sustained the leadership of the House in the face of serious pressure, you easily attest to his mastery of politics and I urge the people of Sokoto State to vote massively for him on Saturday. Tambuwal will make a good governor for Sokoto State because he cares for the feelings, the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    ‘’Only victory for our candidates will reposition the north and fast track the socio-economic and political development of the people.

    “The fact that Lalong is contesting for the office of Governor of Plateau State at this time is one of the most welcome developments of this year. His candidature represents a struggle for justice, fairness, equity and good governance on the Plateau. He represents unity, progress,  development and all well meaning citizens of the State ought to rally round him to deliver the divends of democracy to the people.

    “His previous experiences in governance as a Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly places him in a  vantage position to redirect Plateau on the path of true greatness. At this critical time in our nation’s history, Lalong is the way to go for Plateau,” Abar said

    Former Director, Public Prosecutions in Bauchi, Mr. Haruna Dele Mohammed, listed Abubakar’s attributes as good knowledge, attitude, skill and habits.

    He said: “He is well-read in law and administration. Has travelled extensively within and outside the shores of this country all in search of knowledge,  travel in itself they say is education and Knowledge.

    “Good Attitude, calm, calculated, good mind set and above all respect other peoples opinion and advice.His skill are immeasurable, he has a lot of experience in his training and practice as a Lawyer as well as in Administration  He has gathered administrative experience serving in the under listed but not limited capacities: DPP Bauchi State,twice  Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bauchi State.

    “He was chairman NBA Bauchi and he gave us good and credible leadership. He grew from the ranks, he knows his home state very well, he has always been with the people of Bauchi State and knows  their problems and the need areas. He is a man who matches words with action, he is not dogmatic, he is willing to borrow ideas from sister states, technology etc for the benefit and betterment of the people of the state.

    “I urge the people of Bauchi to come out en masse on Saturday, April 11, 2015, to vote for him, for transparency, accountability, drive, honesty, security and dividends of democracy  for everybody in the state.”

    Matthias Tsuwa, a National Executive Council (NEC) member in Bauchi, said he had known Abubakar since  2001, adding that he is a great achiever.

    “His having won the primary election of our great party, the APC, is really a great feat because he contested the primary with seven others who are no push overs and for him to have surmounted them is a great feat indeed. In fact, knowing the terrain of Bauchi  State very well, I can tell you confidently without any equivocation or shadow of doubt that Abubakar is the Governor of Bauchi State in waiting, the exercise of April 11, 2015 will confer the people’s mandate on him,’’ he said.

    Tsuwa said Abubakar would make a very good governor because he is a seasoned administrator. He said Abubakar worked in the Ministry of Justice, Bauchi and became the Attorney-General of the state between 1990 and 1992, adding that his tenure was very eventful. He turned around the fortunes of the ministry and affected the judiciary of state positively. “He later joined INEC and rose to the position of National Commissioner before he retired and continued with his active private legal practice where he left to join INEC.

    “The people of Bauchi really love him and they have demonstrated this in the rousing welcome he has been receiving from the tumultuous crowds that have turned out to receive him on his campaign tours of the nooks and corners of Bauchi. Also, judging from the past performances of the APC in Bauchi, it is clear that it is the party of choice in the state and Abubakar is only waiting to be sworn in come May 29, 2015,” Tsuwa said.

    Danlami Hassan Garba described Abubakar as competent, disciplined and trust worthy; he is legally minded, respects the rule of law and due process; he is  experienced as one time Commissioner both at state and federal level, he is Incorruptible and humanitarian in nature.  “He is just the person Bauchi people are yearning for, voting Abubakar as the Governor of Bauchi  will bring the change we had hitherto desired in the state. Bauchi will surely be better than ever under the leadership of  Abubakar as a Governor,” Garba said.

    Lalong, former Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly in the Joshua Dariye administration, is seen by many as  humble and has leadership qualities that stand him out as the man for the job. “They see him as the man who has the capacity to step into the big shoes of late Solomon D. Lar because he shares the rofessional calling and idiosyncrasies with the late elder  statesman,’’ a lawyer said.

    Mr. Nankin Bagudu said: “Anybody who loves Plateau and is outside the state, should be back home from Wednesday,  April 8, latest to join in the struggle to free our people from the stranglehold of bad governance.

    “To our people this election is a decisive one, we must be united in the single minded determination to vote for change. We have two options, one will make us second class citizens  and the other  will free us from internal servitude, tribalism and corruption. The rightful candidate is Simon Lalong. Nothing less, nothing else, nothing more. To do otherwise will be to condemn our state, our children and the future generations to two different societies.

    “I believe Simon Lalong is it because he is not an appendage of the current government. He would do things differently and would correct the very many problems that the current government has created for us as a people. He is simple, teachable and ready to work with all manner of people to ensure that there is balanced development in the state.’’

    It was reported that some present and former elected and appointed leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau, operating under the auspices of Kice Awareness for Change, have rejected the PDP governorship candidate in the state and adopted the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Lalong.

    The Kice Awareness for Change members said at a conference in Jos, that the governor was wrong when he anointed his kinsman from Plateau North Senatorial Zone whereas  popular opinion favoured a southern Plateau person as the job.

    “We strongly support and endorse the candidature of Rt.  Hon Lalong and Prof Sunny Tyoden (as governorship candidate and running mate respectively) in the April 11, 2015 general elections. We reject in totality, political imposition or hegemonic local imperialism by a microscopic cabal in Plateau State” Kice said.

    Former chairman, Jos branch of the NBA, Mr. Caleb Dajan, said: ”I believe that Lalong will make a good governor. Every lawyer, by virtue of  his  training is a leader. Most countries that have made a choice of a lawyer as either President or Governor have never regretted it. Examples abound in the  United States, where we have lawyers as presidents and they performed very well. In Nigeria, we have examples of governors Babatunde Fashola (SAN)  of Lagos State, Dr. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and coincidentally,  all of them are my mates at the Nigerian Law School. You have the late Lar of the old Plateau State, who performed very well. I recommend Lalong to the people of Plateau State. He will not disappoint.”

    Former Secretary, NBA Jos branch and a member of the National Executive Committee of (NEC) of the NBA Jim Gotom, said: “Lalong’s record of community service has been remarkable. From his excellent record as national president Gamai youth movement he endeared himself to his people. As speaker Plateau State House of Assembly for two terms, he exhibited uncommon leadership. He resisted the offer to be governor by illegally impeaching former governor Joshua Dariye. That is uncommon principle.”

  • BUHARI’S VICTORY: Abdulsalami Abubakar

    BUHARI’S VICTORY: Abdulsalami Abubakar

    IN Nigeria, 2015 began with numerous prophecies from several prophets who foresaw doom and disintegration once this year’s general elections are concluded. Conversely, the period coincided with the renewed vigour of former Head of State, Major-General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s quiet domestic diplomacy in the quest for enduring peace.

    Even, long before then, he had been making visionary projections and pragmatic efforts that helped nullify predictions that Nigeria would disintegrate by 2015. For instance, on October 18, 2013, he strongly expressed his conviction that despite the growing fear of a possible breakup of the country by 2015, those drumming for disintegration of the country would be disappointed, as the umbilical cord of the federating units cannot be separated. According to Abdulsalami, “God has joined us together. Whether you break Nigeria into pieces, we will remain joined by our umbilical cord. No matter what happens, our umbilical cord is still there. We will live together either as neighbours or as communities.”

    As a concerned elder seeing beyond present realities, he had consistently warned about the implications of various actions and decisions in the North and the nation. For example, while emphasizing the urgent need to end the insurgency in the North and allow peace to reign, he emphatically warned that it will take the North nothing less than about 20 years to clear the mess created by insecurity.

    Before, during and after the 2015 general elections, Abdulsalami Abubakar’s passionate commitment towards ensuring peace helped Nigeria to successfully navigate landmines that political interests had laid at various points. Three days after the presidential election, Abdulsalami, who heads the 2015 Elections Peace Committee, was at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat to the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the committee was in the Villa to ensure that peace was maintained in the country and that he was happy that President Jonathan had already called Gen. Buhari before the committee arrived at the Villa. He said: “We were here to ensure peace is maintained at this moment; we thank Nigerians and all international community who came to support during the elections.

    The elections have been very peaceful despite the hitches here and there. At the end of the elections, at the counting that there are a lot of upheavals that have happened but thankfully, they have been contained.

    “We were at the middle of a meeting with the international observers to try to see how we can still water the tension down, when gladly I called Gen. Buhari that we are going to see him, he told me that Mr. President has called him at about 5:15 p.m. and congratulated him and conceded defeat.

    “We were spell bound and the reason we have come here is to thank President Jonathan for this statesmanship. In the history of Nigeria, I think this is the first time where a contestant has called his rival to congratulate him and through this point, President Jonathan maintained a point that the blood of Nigerians is not worth his presidency and by his action he has proved that.

    “He has proved that he is a man of his word‎ because during our interaction on this peace committee, he has always maintained that he is going to accept the result of the elections whichever way it is done. And he has proved this.”

    Before the elections, the Abdulsalami Abubakar Peace Committee had drawn Buhari and Jonathan together to secure a second peace pact against post-election violence. The two candidates had earlier signed one when US Secretary of State, John Kerry, visited them. For millions of Nigerian citizens, the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, had consistently expressed his message of peaceful electioneering. He was once quoted to have said: “Without peace, development cannot be achieved. The people should be peaceful. For democracy to strive, they should embrace peace.”

    For a man, who holds on to this credo of peace, it was not surprising that he was one of the first visitors to the Presidential Villa on a day President Goodluck Jonathan poured cold water on the burning tension across the land by not only conceding defeat but also speaking on the imperative for peace if Nigeria must move forward. He must feel proud that his interventions yielded the kind of result that has sent the entire country on a wild celebration.

    Now in his twilight years, General Abdulsalami Abubakar can cast a retrospective glance backwards to behold the hands of destiny and joyfully, carry on with the quest for peace and consensus-building even as the nation is set for another democratic experience under a different government with a different ideology.

  • PSC shortlists two DIGs, two AIGs, CP to succeed Abubakar

    PSC shortlists two DIGs, two AIGs, CP to succeed Abubakar

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar may not get a tenure extension from President Goodluck Jonathan, it was learnt yesterday.

    Already, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has submitted the files of two Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs), two Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) and a Commissioner of Police (CP) to the Presiden to enable him make a choice.

    It was learnt that President Jonathan was studying the files and may make a pronouncement any moment.

    Abubakar is due for retirement on July 31. He will proceed on retirement on that date and hand over to the most senior officer, if the President refuses to extend  his tenure before that day.

    A source said: “If the President does not announce Abubakar’s tenure extension before July 31, he will proceed on retirement. This is because that is his terminal date in the police. If it happens that a new IGP is not appointed, he will hand over to the most senior officer, that is the DIG ‘A’ Department.

    “He (Abubakar) cannot stay a day beyond July 31, unless his tenure is extended. This is because all  his course mates would retire on that day. In fact, about 60 senior officers are retiring this July.”

    It was also learnt that if the President is really interested in the tenure extension of the IGP, he would not have requested fom the PSC the files of those considered qualified for the job.

    Among the DIGs being considered, one would be retiring next year, it was learnt. The other, the source said,  has about seven years to stay in service.

    The DIG has about seven more years to put in service and is from the Northwest. The other is from Southsouth.

    Sources told our reporter that the DIG from the Southsouth may not be favoured because the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, is from that zone. His choice may mess things up for the President. He is also said to be a loyalist of a former military leader from the North.

    Of the two  shortlisted AIGs, one is highly educated and a respected detective, who was a Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to three former IGPs. He is from Edo State, the Southsouth. He is also said to be highly favoured among those shortlisted.

    The other AIG, it was learnt, is from Niger State in the Northcentral. He was a Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and was in Lagos State as the supervising CP during 2007 elections.

    The sources said the only police commissioner on the list is a former controversial Rivers State police chief.

  • Democracy Day: IGP promises hitch-free celebrations

    Democracy Day: IGP promises hitch-free celebrations

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has assured the citizenry that effective security measures have been put in place towards ensuring a hitch free Democracy Day celebration.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said the IGP had directed police formations to be on the alert and ensure the security of Nigerians and the diplomatic community during the celebrations.

    He also directed zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Intelligence, Command Commissioners of Police and the Commissioners of Police in-charge of the various Police Special Squads such as the Counter Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force and Special Protection Unit (SPU) to ensure effective and strategic deployment of police personnel.

    The IGP was quoted to have promised the total commitment and focus of the Nigeria Police along with other security agencies towards ensuring the safety and security of the citizenry at all times.

    He also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and security conscious against the backdrop of the security challenges confronting the country.

  • Jos blasts’ death toll rises to 127

    Jos blasts’ death toll rises to 127

    The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sidi Sani and the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar were in Jos, Plateau State, on Wednesday for on-the-spot assessment of the twin explosions that rocked the city Tuesday afternoon.

    They visited the Jos University Teaching Hospital to empathize with some of the victims who are still on admission.

    The Medical Director of JUTH, Dr. Edmond Banwat, while briefing Sani and Abubakar said 48 people were brought from the scene of the explosions with various degrees of injuries.

    He said 22 corpses were brought to the hospital on Wednesday.

    “Two of the dead victims are children, while majority of them are women,” he said.

    The NEMA Director General assured victims recuperating in the hospital of the agency’s support at this period.

    Abubakar, who was also in JUTH called on Nigerians to be united against terrorism.

    Meanwhile, relations and family members besieged the three hospitals hosting the victims to find family members not seen after the blast.

    The three hospitals – JUTH, Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) and Plateau State specialists’ hospital were besieged by apprehensive relations on Wednesday.

    They checked morgues and the wards with hope of discovering their own. Some were lucky to find the bodies of their loved ones, while many searched endlessly.

     

  • IGP orders security audit, threat analysis in schools

    IGP orders security audit, threat analysis in schools

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered Commissioners of Police to immediately carry out a nationwide security audit and threat analysis of boarding schools.

    A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, said the measure was part of a deliberate and proactive effort to bolster security network in the schools.

    The statement also said it was to ensure the safety and security of students and other stakeholders in the schools.

    “The outcome of this exercise will greatly assist police authorities and other security agencies in the task of designing security strategies that will help in promoting safety and security in schools.

    “It is equally expected that the result of the consultations, threat analysis and the attendant security awareness campaigns will help in reducing the vulnerability of the schools and strengthen an otherwise soft terror target,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Force spokesman as saying in the statement.

    The IGP advised the commissioners to collaborate with other security agencies, the Ministry of Education in the various states, as well as the management and staff of the schools.

     

  • Sultan seeks efforts to combat terrorism

    Sultan seeks efforts to combat terrorism

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Monday in Sokoto called for global efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Abubakar made the call when the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, visited him in his palace.

    The Sultan said the menace of terrorism, violence and extremism were common to the two major religions of Islam and Christianity.

    According to him, no one country can solely fight terrorism or extremism because they were not common to Nigeria alone.

    “Nobody will wish his country to be embroiled in violence or crises.

    ”Problems such as suicide bombing and other forms of extremism had crept into Nigeria.”

    He said that the people must be educated in order to fight the menace effectively.

    On the 2015 general elections, the Sultan said that Nigerians were determined to ensure transparent, credible, fair and acceptable polls in 2015 and beyond.

    “We want elections not based on ethnicity or religion; Nigerians need peace and harmony.

    “This is the Nigeria of our dreams, where all the citizens are free and equal.”

    Abubakar urged the U.S and other countries to help Nigeria to fully achieve her goals and commended the U.S Government for its positive disposition towards Nigeria.

    “The two countries have mutual and sustainable partnership that is working and it covers health, peace, education and democracy, among others,” he said.

    Earlier, Entwistle had told the Sultan that he was in state as part of his nationwide visit to see things for himself and assess the realities.

    He said that Nigeria and the U.S would continue to do things together to make the world a better place.

     

  • Alleged fraud: Police ask for more time

    Alleged fraud: Police ask for more time

    INSPECTOR-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to grant him more time to respond to a suit by the Managing Director of Biowish TM Africa Limited Mr. Jim Daniels-Nnah.

    Police lawyer Frank Emerho said he had filed a motion for an extension of time, which had been served on other parties.

    Justice Mohammed Yinusa fixed January 27 for hearing or a possible report of a settlement on the matter.

    The judge, on December 24, last year, granted an ex-parte order in favour of Daniels-Nnah to enforce his fundamental human rights.

    The court ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.

    Environ Aid Technologies and Enercon Nigeria Limited petitioned Abubakar and the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) on October 11 and December 29, last year.

    They alleged that Daniels-Nnah “fraudulently” obtained $350,000 from them under the guise of supplying chemicals for environmental remediation from Biowish Inc in the United States.

    The petitioners said between September 2012 and December last year, $350,000 was transferred to Biowish, but the chemicals were allegedly not supplied.

    Daniels-Nnah was said to have urged the court to enforce his rights by, among others, stopping his arrest.

    At the last hearing, the plaintiff’s lawyer, C. U. Nkwocha said the parties had been served with the motion ex-parte.

    He added that he and his client had been unable to meet with the respondents to discuss and settle the outstanding issues.

    Counsel to Environ-Aid and Enercon Mrs. C.E Ikebuasi, confirmed that her clients had petitioned the police over the alleged fraud.

    She said rather than allow the police ascertain the veracity of the allegations, the plaintiff sued.

    Justice Yinusa adjourned till January 27 for counsel to brief him on the next line of action.