The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abubakar

  • Dolphin return not true — Abubakar

    Dolphin return not true — Abubakar

    • I’m still a free-agent

    Ex-Dolphins Chief Coach, Hassan Abubakar has denied reports linking him to a return to the Garden City team.

    Abubakar, a former Eaglets coach stated that: “There’s no such news.

    “Am not surprised as this is the transfer window, they could be reports cooked up by the media. Mind you I take no offence for that, as I have always had a good relationship with the sporting press ever since I started my coaching career.

    “Yes, my one year contract ended at the end of last season, but I must confess that even as my stay was short with Dolphins, I had a nice time and a good rapport with the players, coaching staff and management. So it was not that I was relived of my post what so ever.”

    The former JUTH FC boss who is based in Kaduna went further to say that: “Even as I have turned down one or two offers that I considered not suitable for me, I am still a free-agent.

    “In a nut-shell, I’m open to any move to either a Globacom Premier League or Nigeria National League team once am been contacted.

    Recall Abubakar helped coach Stanley Eguma to guide Dolphins to a 9th place finish on the 2012/2013 season table with 53points.

  • New Year: IGP orders tight security at places of worship

    New Year: IGP orders tight security at places of worship

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered tight security at the various places of worship nationwide.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday by Force spokesman, Frank Mba, the IGP also assured Nigerians of the readiness of the police to effectively provide adequate security for the country in the new year.

    To this effect, Abubakar has directed zonal AIGs and Command CPs to ensure adequate safety and security in their areas of jurisdiction, with special attention on places of worship.

    The statement said: “The IGP is positive that the multifarious strategies adopted by the police and the renewed collaboration with the public are bound to yield more dividends for the country.

    “The police authorities are making robust efforts at locking up all channels of violent crimes in the country. Preservation of public safety, fight against terrorism, rape, violence against women and children, challenges of communal clashes, capacity building and general welfare of police personnel remain top priority for the Force in the in-coming year.

    “The IGP thanked Nigerians for their tremendous support to the police in their sworn resolve to keep the country safe and united. The police and other security agencies have continued to pay the supreme price to ensure that they live up to their mandate of providing effective security for our nation.”

    The police chief called on members of the public, particularly the youth, to desist from any act capable of disrupting the peace of the society in the New Year and beyond.

    He also advised parents and guardians to continue to provide appropriate mentoring to our teeming youths.

     

     

  • 4,000 policemen on peace missions worldwide – IGP

    4,000 policemen on peace missions worldwide – IGP

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, said on Tuesday that more than 4,000 police officers were serving in various peacekeeping missions worldwide.

    Abubakar made the statement in Abuja when he addressed 450 police officers deployed for peace support operations in Liberia and Sierra-Leone.

    He said that the officers were serving in missions of the United Nations, Africa Union, ECOWAS and many others.

    He said the police had upgraded their training level and achieved 85 per cent of contingent-owned equipment all over the missions.

    “We have replaced all the equipment that were not working because you cannot take officers and men and send them to a mission area that is very challenging security wise.

    “Without equipment, that means you are telling them to go and die and that is why you have minimal number of accidents in terms of those who are performing outside, ‘’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the IGP s saying at the forum.

    Abubakar said that the UN was very happy with Nigeria and they also appreciated what the country was doing in terms of peace support missions.

    He urged the officers and men that were being deployed to be good ambassadors of the country and Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    “I want to tell you that there is no monkey style and there is no half measure, you must do your best and continue to be excellent ambassadors of this country as you have always been.

    “In our own commitment, we shall continue to give you all the necessary facilities and equipment, welfare and motivation to make you the best in the world,’’ Abubakar said.

     

  • IGP donates to police widows in Plateau

    IGP donates to police widows in Plateau

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday donated foodstuffs to widows of policemen killed while on duty in the Plateau command.

    The Plateau Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, who represented the IGP, said the items was to enable them celebrate the New Year.

    Olakpe said the items included a cow, 30 bags of rice and eight cartons of vegetable oil.

    He stated that the items were for 30 widows that lost their bread winners in the line of duty within the past 12 months.

    “The IGP wishes you a happy New Year because he has not forgotten the services that your husbands rendered to the force.

    “The force will not leave you to suffer, the IGP has your husbands in mind and that is the reason for this occasion.

    “You should stop weeping and intensify prayers so that your children will become important people in the society.

    “We have a responsible administration that is ready to assist the widows and the children to achieve their educational desires,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the police commissioner as saying at the forum.

    Responding on behalf of the widows, Mrs. Nandi Edache, commended the IGP for the gesture.

    Edache called on the IGP to accelerate the payment of their husbands’ benefits to enable them settle their children’s school fees.

     

     

  • Eaglets’ defender, Abubakar won’t rush to Europe

    • Belgium, Polish and Swedish clubs scramble for him

    Golden Eaglets star Aliyu Abubakar Audu’s agent is in advance discussions with Anderlecht, Wisla Krakow and an unnamed Sweden club SportingLife can authoritatively affirm.

    Abubakar played four matches in Nigeria’s road to victory at the FIFA U17 World Cup hosted by the United Arab Emirates and he has caught the eye of many clubs after his impressive display in the competition.

    The Mutunchi Academy player’s agent Babawo told SportingLife that there are many clubs that have shown interest in the defender but they have only settled with three clubs for now based on their seriousness.

    The former JUTH of Jos player revealed that Anderlecht (Belgium) and Wisla Krakow(Poland) have shown genuine interest in the lad and that he has been discussing with their sporting directors unlike Sweden’s coach whose identity has not been made known.

    “There are lots of clubs on the trail of my client but for now, we are in talks with three clubs. Anderlecht of Belgium, Wisla Krakow of Poland and a club from Sweden whose identity has not been made public.

    “We are discussing directly with the sporting directors of the first two clubs but the third is through a third party. We are optimistic that Abubakar would sign a good deal in the coming days, Babawo told SportingLife.

    Babawo who retired from the round leather game recently to concentrate on player management has six players he manages from the conquering Golden Eaglets’ team. They are Abdullahi Alfa, Musa Yahaya, Chidera Ezeh, Zaharadden Bello, Akinjide Idowu and Abubakar

    In a related development, Aliyu Abubakar Audu has informed SportingLife that he would review all contract offers tabled before him with his advisors before penning a deal with any club.

    The player said that he was not in any rush to sign for any European side and that he would be patient enough to listen to wise sayings before making a decision on his preferred club.

  • nPDP to IGP: Probe disruption of G-7 governors’ meeting

    nPDP to IGP: Probe disruption of G-7 governors’ meeting

    The leadership of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) has demanded a probe into the November 3 disruption of a meeting of the G-7 governors at the Kano State governor’s lodge, Asokoro, Abuja by a Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Nnana Amah.

    Amah had barged into the Kano State Governor’s lodge where the governors were meeting, saying that he had “orders from above” to stop the meeting or to get the governors arrested.

    The governors at the meeting were – Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and others.

    The party’s call for probe is coming on the heels of a submission by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar that the order to disrupt the meeting did not emanate from his office.

    In his submission before the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs last week, Abubakar had said: “I want to state categorically that neither myself nor any of my officers directed anybody to disrupt any meeting. But the officer has a duty to account for his actions and activities within his domain.”

    In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the nPDP, Chukwuemeka Eze, the party challenged the IGP to prove his sincerity by instituting a probe into the incident.

    The statement said: “This is the only way to convince Nigerians that he (IGP) had no hand in the brazen attempt by the Divisional Police Officer of Asokoro Division, CSP Nnanna Amah, to abruptly and illegally terminate a legitimate gathering of seven of the country’s governors.

    “CSP Nnanna Amah, who had the temerity to threaten to arrest the G-7 Governors if they did not stop the meeting, claimed to be acting on orders from a higher authority from the Villa. Who is that authority in the Villa? Nigerians surely deserve to know.”

    The party further charged the IGP to prove beyond doubt that he was not being economical with the truth about the incident.

    “We hope that IGP Abubakar is not trying to hide behind a finger in this instance.

    “We are just thinking aloud because the IGP cannot claim ignorance of the impunity being perpetrated in Rivers State by the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, who has continued to be retained in that sensitive office despite requests for his transfer out of the state by the Rivers State Government, the National Assembly and many other eminent groups and individuals.

     

  • Salaries: IGP threatens banks

    Salaries: IGP threatens banks

    Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar has threatened to withdraw police accounts domiciled in some commercial banks for deliberately delaying payment of monthly salaries to policemen.

    The affected banks are First Bank, Skye Bank, UBA and Zenith Bank. Abubakar was said to have summoned officials of the banks to the Force Headquarters to register his displeasure.

    In a statement yesterday by Force spokesman Frank Mba, the IGP described the bank’s failure to release the salaries as a conspiracy against the Force.

    Abubakar said the situation has continued to expose police officers and men to undue pressure and extreme difficulties.

    “The IGP warned the banks and their personnel of the dire consequences, including, but not limited to a reconsideration of the existing relationship between the Force and the banks if the situation persists”, the statement said.

    The police boss was particularly peeved that the Federal Government has been releasing police salaries early enough, only for the banks to deliberately delay payment.

    The statement added that with the e-payment system currently in place, all police officers receive their salaries directly through the banks.

  • IGP to banks: Stop delaying police salaries

    IGP to banks: Stop delaying police salaries

    The Inspector- General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has threatened to withdraw police accounts domiciled in some commercial banks for deliberately delaying payment of monthly salaries to police personnel.

    The affected banks are First Bank, Skye Bank, UBA and Zenith Bank.

    Abubakar was said to have summoned officials of the banks to the Force Headquarters to register his displeasure.

    In a statement on Wednesday by Force spokesman, Frank Mba, the IGP described the failure by the banks to release the salaries as a conspiracy against the Force.

    Abubakar said the situation has continued to expose police officers and men to undue pressure and extreme difficulties.

    “The IGP warned the banks and their personnel of the dire consequences, including, but not limited to a reconsideration of the existing relationship between the Force and the banks if the situation persists,” the statement said.

    The police boss was particularly irked that the Federal Government has been releasing police salaries early enough, only for the banks to deliberately delay payment.

    The statement added that with the e-payment system currently in place, all police officers receive their salaries directly through the banks.

     

     

  • Abubakar wants improved revenues for states, LGs

    Abubakar wants improved revenues for states, LGs

    Former head of state, Gen. Abdulsallami Abubakar (rtd), said the Federal Government should hands off from certain responsibilities that ordinarily are better handled by states and local councils.

    He spoke to journalists in Abuja when officials of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) visited him to get his in-put in the proposed new revenue formula.

    Abubakar said the federal government is taking on too many responsibilities, adding that there should be a dilution of federal government’s activities particularly in secondary school education which should be left to local governments.

    “The earlier we start thinking of rationing what our local governments, state governments and the Federal Government do, I think we are now on a certain point that will help the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to make their recommendations on the way forward to share this revenue, “ the former head of state advocated.

    He also lent his voice to agitations by states and local governments for improved revenue from the expected revenue formula. He said states and local governments should get more allocation from the Federation Accounts in view of their roles in development.

    Also speaking at the parley, the Chairman of the RMAFC, Engr. Elias Mbam, said the parley was fruitful as members were better informed on issues that would ultimately determine the outcome of the ongoing exercise.

     

  • IGP to meet UN police adviser in New York

    IGP to meet UN police adviser in New York

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, is expected to embark on a working visit to the United Nations in New York between October 20 and 23, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    The police chief, who will visit the Police Commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), is also expected to visit the UN Police Adviser.

    The IGP would also hold discussions with the Under Secretary-General Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) and the Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Rule of Law and Security Institution (ORLSI).