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  • Olunloyo shaped future leaders, strengthened institutions — Ex-Oyo commissioner Akanbi

    Olunloyo shaped future leaders, strengthened institutions — Ex-Oyo commissioner Akanbi

    A former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, Waheed Akanbi, has paid tribute to the late former governor of old Oyo State, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, describing him as a visionary who influenced future leaders and fortified educational institutions across Nigeria.

    Akanbi made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday, while reacting to the passing of the former governor, who died in the early hours of Sunday. 

    Olunloyo, notably the first Ibadan indigene to serve as governor, held office briefly between October and December 1983.

    He commended Olunloyo’s outstanding academic and professional accomplishments, noting that his intellectual contributions left a lasting impact on governance and education in the country.

    Reflecting on his short-lived tenure, Akanbi said Olunloyo’s leadership was defined by foresight and depth, describing him as “a reservoir of knowledge in both modern and indigenous science.”

    “Dr Olunloyo will be celebrated in academic circles for his brilliance and foundational contributions to applied mathematics and number theory. As an educator, he profoundly influenced future leaders and fortified educational institutions. 

    Read Also: Ex-Governor Olunloyo dies nine days to 90th birthday

    “Olunloyo’s tenure as Governor of the old Oyo State, though his time in office was brief, his tenure was marked by exceptional vision and leadership.

    “The demise of this illustrious son of Ibadan is sudden to me despite his old age, I’m not a person given to emotions but the death of Dr. Omololu Olunloyo took the sails out of me because we were planning to celebrate his 90th birthday, Alas, it dawn on me we have lost a gem – an intellectual passè of the highest order.

    “A very brilliant man, simple yet beneath that mien is a powerful and articulate mind that cut across all strata of life. A reservoir of knowledge both modern and native science. Someone who sees tomorrow today. One of my political mentor is gone.

    “I am not crying neither would I mourn but would celebrate him with a bottle of very cold Star or Heineken beer for a life well spent. He was a jovial man. Sieve through his library, I’m damn sure he predicted his last moments on Mother Earth.

    “I recall his advice to me during the the Ladoja impeachment period. He call me about 3 am and asked where I was. Emphatically, he said I should stay away from the Secretariat Agodi that morning and if I have to go to office I should ensure I have a female buba, iro and gele. That pave my way for escape from battle field Secretariat that morning.

    Sleep well Baba. May your soul rest in peace”. 

  • Sen. Tejuoso, Akanbi back in APC

    Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, who left the All Progressives Congress  (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday returned to APC on Wednesday.

    Tejuoso, representing Ogun Central, announced his return  at a meeting between APC Senators and President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock on Wednesday night.

    While introducing himself to the President, he said:  “Mr President, your son has returned home.”

    Also at the meeting was Senator Adesoji Akanbi, Oyo South, denied the list of defectors as dubious the following day, saying he remains a member of the APC.

    His showing up at the meeting with President Buhari affirmed his faith in the APC.

    Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna was also at the meeting, exchanging banters with his colleagues.

    Those attending the meeting included  Sen. Adamu Aleiro, Bala Ibn Na-Allah, Aliyu Wamako, Ibrahim Gobir,  Kabiru Marafa and  Abu Ibrahim.

    Others were Kabiru Gaya, Barau Jibrin, Abdullahi Gumel, Ahmed Lawan, Ali Ndume, Abubakar Kyari, Baba Kaka Garbai, Aliyu Abdullahi, David Umaru and Abdullahi Adamu.

    Sen. George Akume, Francis Alimekhina, Andrew Uchendu, Magnus Abe, Ovie Omo-Agege, John Enoh,  Nelson Effiong, Andy Uba, Sunny Ugboji, Hope Uzodinma, Ben Uwajimogu,  Yusuf Abubakar and Oluremi Tinub were also in attendance.

    Other senators in the meeting were Gbenga Ashafa, Solomon Adeola, Tayo Alasoadura, Ajayi Boroffice , Yele Omogunwa, Fatima Rasaki, Olanrewaju Tejuoso and Yahaya Abdullahi.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, believed to be hobnobbing with the PDP, was among those who were not at the meeting.

    With Tejuoso and Akanbi and Sani now firmly identifying with the APC, the party has now increased its majority in the Upper Chamber to 54.

  • Akanbi laid foundations for anti-graft war, says Buhari

    •Eighth day prayer held for late ICPC chairman

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the late pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, for laying the foundations of Nigeria’s anti-graft institutional framework.

    Buhari spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the eighth day prayer for the late jurist.

    The President, who was represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the event.

    He said: “So, many years after completion of his tenure of office, he remained a strong and persuasive moral voice in articulation and implementation of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agenda.

    “The legacy Justice Akanbi has left behind for Nigeria in general and for the legal profession in particular is one that will continue to inspire us all for years to come. It is indeed by appreciating those attributes that we are consoled at his departure at this time, at the blessed age of 85 years.

    “Throughout his impressive career on the Bench, which culminated in his ultimate elevation to the position of the President of the Court of Appeal, he displayed an uncommon sense of integrity, diligence and capacity for team work.”

    The President, who said the country would forever be grateful to the late Justice Akanbi for his positive contributions, added that he would be remembered in noble terms and that Nigeria would continue to be inspired by his ideals and values.

    “He played his part fully as a responsible family man, a strong voice for religious values, a crusader for humanitarian causes and a pillar of support to his immediate and extended communities.

    “It is particularly gratifying to note that these personal values and norms as well as his commitment to high human ideals will continue to be promoted by the various foundations, which he either founded or was affiliated to, like the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation, Maasalam Islamic Foundation and the Mustapha Akanbi Library and Resource Centre, among others.

    In his sermon at the occasion, Grand Mukadam of Ilorin Sheikh Sulaiman Dan Borno enjoined all to emulate attributes of the late Justice Akanbi, saying that his abhorrence of hypocrisy made him to be feared by many people.

    The cleric, who described his death as fall of one of the pillars of the Ilorin Eemirate, said the late judicial icon was not in habit of concealing truth.

    Dignitaries at the prayer include Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Senator Mohammed Sha’aba Lafiagi, former National Planning Minister Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, Dr. Wale Babalakin and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

    Others are former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Modibbo Alfa Belgore (retd), former Appeal Court President Justice Issa Ayo Salami, former United Nations Undersecretary Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, labour leader Issa Aremu, Senate President Bukola Saraki, who was represented by Saka Isau (SAN), Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) Dr. Muritala Awodun, Secretary to the Kwara State Government Isiaka Gold, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) and Chief Executive Officer of Lubcon Oil Alhaji Jani Ibrahim.

    The Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari led traditional rulers that the prayer. Other personalities at the event include Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Prof. Sulyman Abdulkarim, his predecessor Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, Chief Imam of Ilorin Alhaji Mohammed Bashir.

    Malami, who also visited Ahmed in Ilorin, said the Federal Government was saddened and touched by the demised of the anti-corruption czar.

    The Attorney General noted the antecedents of the deceased as the President of the Nigeria Court of Appeal and maintained that he left indelible marks in the legal profession that was worthy of emulation.

    According to the Attorney General, it was in appreciation and recognition of the deceased’s contributions to the national growth that the President raised a high powered delegation to commiserate with the state government, the good people of the state and his immediate family as well as attend the prayer.

     

  • Late ex-ICPC Chair Akanbi buried amidst tributes

    Former Appeal Court President and Pioneer chairman of the independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (lCPC) Justice Mustapha Akanbi who died early Sunday morning has been buried.

    The son of the late octogenarian, Prof  Mohammad Akanbi  said his father died in a private hospital in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital after a brief illness.

    The remains of the late jurist  were interred at his Ilorin GRA residence around 2.30 P.M .

    The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashir led the Jabazah prayer that preceded internment.

    The ceremony did not last more than ten minutes.

    The Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed led the crowd of dignitaries that attended the burial.

    Other dignitaries that thronged Ilorin to pay their last respect to Akanbi include a retired Appeal Court President, Justice Ayo Salami, pioneer Grand Kadi of Kwara state, Justice AbdulKadir Orire, Kwara state’s Chief Judge, Justice Sulyman Kawu,Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), Adelodun Salman(SAN),Kehinde Elena(SAN),Saka Isau (SAN)and state’s  Grand Kadi, Justice Ola AbdulKadir.

    Others were former grand Kadis in the state, Imam Oba Fulani, AbdilMutalib Ambali and Solihu Mohammed, the national publicity secretary of APC, Bolaji Abdullahi, JAMB’s Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, Vice Chancellors of the University of Ilorin, Kwara state University, Malete, Al- Hikmah university; Professors, Sulymam AbdulKareem, AbdulRasheed Na’ Allah and Ibrahim Taofik respectively.

    Also in attendance were former Kwara Chief Judge, Justice Raliat Elelu- Habeeb, Rector, Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin, Mas’ud Elelu, former minister of Transport, Bio Ibrahim, former speaker, Kwara House of Assembly, Babatunde Mohammed, members of the state execution council, and prominent Islamic scholars from far and near.

    In a brief prayer after the burial rites, the Chief Imam of Ilorin,Sheikh Mohammed Salihu prayed Allah to receive Justice Akanbi as his true servant.

    He expressed delight that the late Jurist led a virtuous and righteous life, urging Nigerian leaders across board to emulate his simple life style and exemplary conduct ” through which he impacted positively on the lives of numerous people.”

    Governor Ahmed, in his condolence message, described as shocking and devastating the passing away of the pioneer chairman of ICPC.

    Governor Ahmed in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba said the state and indeed Nigeria has lost a rare gem, philanthropist and revivalist.

    “Justice Akanbi’s years in the bench as an incorruptible judge, his stint at ICPC, struggle for good governance and involvement in community services would remain indelible in the history of Nigeria,”Ahmed said.

    The governor explained that his philanthropist gesture and investment in education, which is a key component of human capital development, will be greatly missed by all.

    Ahmed described Justice Akanbi as a true Nigerian, Pan Africanist and lover of his community with exceptional penchant for the advancement of humanity irrespective of race, ethnicity and religious belief.

    According to the governor, Late Justice Akanbi was an epitome of humility, uprightness, honesty and discipline whose virtues would remain exemplary to generations to come.

    He recalled that Justice Mustapha Akanbi was among eminent Kwarans honoured by the state last year for his contributions to national development during the 50th anniversary.

    “The state and indeed the entire country is grieved that it has lost one of its finest. The state is saddened that the outstanding contributions of the elder statesman will be sorely missed. But we take solace that Justice Akanbi lived a pious, modest and exemplary life worth of emulation”.

    Ahmed prayed Allah to grant the truly incorruptible Judge Aljanat fridaus and give the family, the Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole the fortitude to bear the loss.

    In his own message,the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed sadness over the death of  Justice Mustapha Akanbi.

    In his condolence message signed by the National Secretary of Shehu Alimi foundation for peace and development, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, the emir described the late Akanbi as an incorruptible judicial officer who served the nation without blemish.

    He also recalled that the late jurist was instrumental to the mentorship of many legal practitioners both in the bar and on the bench through his unique and sterling qualities of equity, fairness and justice to all.

    According to him, “ We have lost a rare gem in the Ilorin Emirate and nation at large.
    The history of judicial system in Nigeria would not be complete without adequate reference to the tremendous contributions of the late Wakili of Ilorin. We were together in the judiciary at different point in time up to the Court of Appeal.

    “I can vouch for him anywhere because he was such an indefatigable personality whose major interest was nation-building, uprightness, preservation of professional ethics among other salient features of a worthy ambassador.”

    The monarch however noted that “although, the late Wakili of Ilorin lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation but his death is a great and colossal loss to the entire nation and humanity at large due to the fact , “he was a unique symbol of truth, equality and justice”.

    Sulu-Gambari therefore prayed Allah to grant him eternal rest, grant him al-janatul firdaos and give his immediate family, the people of Ilorin Emirate and the entire nation the respite to bear the great loss.

    The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly,Dr. Ali Ahmad has described Justice Mustapha Akanbi as one of the best judges ever produced by the Nigeria judiciary.

    A condolence message issued by the Speaker’s Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir said the late jurist was an icon of Nigeria’s judiciary, stressing that his demise was a collosal loss to the nation.

    The Speaker noted that the pioneer chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) was acknowledged for his deep knowledge in law, disciplined personality and as an incorruptible jurist per excellence.

    Ahmad added that throughout the Late Justice Mustapha Akanbi’s sterling career as a judge, he rendered selfless service to the country, saying that several years after his retirement lawyers still revere him as a result of his expertise in the field of law.

    These qualities, according to him, made former President Olusegun Obasanjo to appoint Late Justice Akanbi as pioneer Chairman of ICPC shortly after Nigeria’s return to civil rule.

    The Speaker lamented that the erudite jurist died at a time his wealth of experience and wisdom were still required, particularly as the nation’s judiciary is passing through difficult moment, in the nation’s chequered history.

    He said it was, however, gratifying that having served the Nigeria meritoriously for greater part of his life, Justice Akanbi, a Pan African of note, retired to his country home to dedicate his remaining years to serve Allah and humanity  through the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation.

    Ahmad described the late Wakilin of Ilorin Emirate as one the personalities who contributed significantly to the growth and development of Ilorin in particular and Kwara State at large.

    He then consoled the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over the loss of one the illustrious sons of the state.

    “Late Justice Mustapha Akanbi was a source of inspiration to every Muslim, the Bar and the Bench. He was a big source of inspiration to baby lawyers in the legal profession and to a lot more people in community service. He was very religious. We can only pray Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-janah Firdaos”, he said.

    The Speaker equally prayed Allah to grant the Emir of Ilorin, his family, Mustapha Akanbi Foundation and Kwarans the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    He also urged Justice Mustapha Akanbi’s immediate family to see his death as a challenge to sustain the legacies of their father.

    Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bolaji Abdullahi has commiserated with the family of Justice Mustapha Akanbi .

    Abdullahi said the passage of Justice Akanbi is a painful and irreplaceable loss to the Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.

    He described the late Akanbi as a man of peace, integrity and honour who, as a lawyer and judge, contributed greatly to the development of Nigeria’s legal system.

    ‘’His tenure as the first Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) provided a solid foundation for the organisation and recorded several cases of prosecution of corrupt persons.

    ‘’The late Justice Akanbi was incorruptible, Spartan and fair to all.  Though he had a pan Nigerian outlook, he was very passionate and committed to issues of development of Kwara State.

    ‘’His death at this time when his fatherly insight is more needed than ever before is a painful one. May his soul rest in peace,’’ Abdullahi said.

    In his own message, a chieftain of the APC, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje expressed shock over the demise of  Akanbi.

    He described Akanbi was a father to all, a truly incorruptible judge, anti-corruption czar and great philanthropist which made him to establish his Non Governmental Organization, Mustapha Akanbi Foundation to cater for the poor and needy in the society.

    Baraje said during his lifetime, the late jurist served Allah wholeheartedly, the country diligently and made positive impacts on the society which made him a role model to many people in Nigeria.

    The APC Stalwart said the late  former President of the Court of Appeal, played greater roles in the fight against corruption and dispensation of justice in Nigeria, pointing out that he would be missed by all and remembered for his laudable contributions to the progress of Nigeria , humanity, and his candid opinion, honest mentorship and his gullible desire to touch lives positively.

    Baraje condoled the immediate family of the late Justice Mustapha Akanbi, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Balogun Gambari, the entire people of Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State at large and Nigeria as a whole on the loss of a great son of the Ilorin Emirate.

    He prayed Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al Banat Fridaus, while also praying Allah to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable los

  • Ex- Court of Appeal President Akanbi is dead.

    A former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Adebayo  Akanbi is dead.
    Akanbi who was former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)  died about 1am on Sunday morning in Ilorin, Kwara State.
    One of his children, Barrister Kabir Akanbi, who spoke with our correspondent at 4.25am,  confirmed the death of the and foremost jurist. He will be buried later today.
    Akanbi was born on 11 September 1932 at Accra, Ghana.
    After completing secondary school, he worked as an Executive officer in the Ghana Civil Service. He was also active as a trade unionist. Moving to Nigeria, he worked in the School Broadcasting Department of the Ministry of Education.[1]

    He obtained a scholarship to study law at the Institute of Administration, now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, followed by legal studies in the United Kingdom.

    He was called to the English Bar in 1963, Nigerian Bar in January 1964 and  joined the Ministry of Justice where  became a Senior State Counsel in 1968.

    In 1969, he set up in private practice in kano but was appointed a judge of the Federal Revenue Court in 1974.  In January 1977, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench. In 1992 he was made President of the Nigerian Court of Appeal, a position he held until retiring in 1999.[1] His son is also a successful Lawyer, becoming Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch.[2]

    In 2000 President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Akanbi as Chairman of the newly established Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). Four years later, the ICPC had failed to make any significant convictions. Akanbi publicly questioned why the government had set up the ICPC and appointed competent people to run it “only to frustrate it from performing by starving it of funds”. He said that another issue was that the law forbade it from investigating corrupt practices dating before the creation of the ICPC.[3] In March 2004, Justice Mustapha Akanbi urged parliamentarians to ratify the United Nations and the African Union Conventions Against Corruption, which would greatly assist the struggle against corruption.[4]

    As of July 2005, the ICPC charged 85 people but had only secured two corruption-related convictions. Commenting on this record, Akbani said he suspected that some judges had been paid off to toss out cases.[5] In September 2005 Akanbe said, “Corruption has been described as a cankerworm, a malaise that has afflicted our nation and done havoc to our corporate existence”. He attributed the problem to lack of will by past military leaders to fight corruption, inconsistency in government policies, and reluctance by law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute “sacred cows”.[6]

    Akanbi retired in 2005 on completion of the first term of office, and was succeeded by Emmanuel Ayoola.[1] He joined the board of the Justice and Law Enforcement Reformation Organization, a non-profit organization that aims to eradicate corruption and poverty from the perspective of the Judiciary and Law Enforcement agencies.[7] In 2006, Akanbi established the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation in Ilorin, Kwara State, dedicated to strengthening civil society groups, governmental agencies and private business concerns and helping them imbibe a culture of transparency and accountability.[8]

    In August 2009 he called on Nigerian Muslims to shun the ideas of the Boko Haram sect, which teaches that non-Islamic education is a sin. He said that both Western and Islamic education were germane to the development of mankind.[9]

  • Renounce sins, Akanbi charges Nigerians

    Renounce sins, Akanbi charges Nigerians

    eneral Overseer of God’s Mercy Revival Ministries (GOMERM), Dr James Akanbi, has charged Nigerians to stay away from sin, warning the nation is under the plagues of corruption and sin.

    He spoke last Sunday at the grand finale of a six-day annual power conference of the church with the theme crossing-over: breaking boundary time for radical breakthrough.

    Akanbi said Nigeria’s backwardness is attributable to sinful practices, saying the nation needs divine intervention to scale through.

    He led the congregation to pray against the plagues of sin, corruption and darkness working against the progress of the country.

    He also requested special prayers for leaders, in spiritual and physical offices, to govern with wisdom and lead Nigeria to the desired Promised Land.

    Urging church leaders to become change agents, Akanbi said they wield enormous influence that can transform the nation.

    According to him, the pulpit is more than a podium, wooden or marble lectern.

    “It is an instrument through which impartation is released,” he declared.

    He said pulpit pulls from the pit, delivers from oppression, anoints, sanctifies and moulds.

    “It’s your pulpit that will determine who are your congregation. If the pulpit is aggressive, holy, prayerful or weak, that’s what the pew will be.

    “The formation of godly character makes your pulpit to be strong. For you to be able to preach to the whole counsel of godly character and affects people’s lives, you must have developed the whole counsel of godly character,” Akanbi stressed.

    He said the angel of the commission cannot lift ministers until they become loyal to your commission.

    “When you are not called to do something, you will be cursed by it when you engage in it,” he said.

    The 18th edition of the conference was characterised by miracles and testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

    Honesty Eyo from Lagos said at the June miracle service, the spiritual intervention of the GO elevated him from nobody to becoming special adviser to a serving minister.

    Sister Kolawole said she has been visited with several miscarriages in the past three years and was quite desperate until the man of God declared into her life.

    Another sister, Deaconess Yetunde, told the congregation that Mercy Day produced her double miracles.

    “Three years ago, I saw blood and I thought it was my monthly flow until it became a major crisis that nearly claimed my life.”

    She said at the camp ground, the GO declared on the issue of blood and she linked her faith with the prophecy.

    “So when I got home, I checked the pad I used when I was leaving the house in the morning and there was no single stain on it. Since then my monthly issue has been regulated according to daddy’s declaration.”

  • 2017 year of pleasant surprises, says Akanbi at 55

    General Overseer of God’s Mercy Revival Ministries (GOMERM), Dr James Akanbi, has declared 2017 as a year of pleasant surprises.

    He said the nation, especially Christians will witness pleasant surprises that will transform their lives.

    Akanbi spoke at the 3 supernatural Sundays of the church with the theme ‘total transformation’.

    Speaking on the last Sunday, which coincided with his 55th birthday, Akanbi said:  “Where people will see you soon, the level where they will meet you, the atmosphere where you will manifest, will beat the imaginations of your enemy.

    “Every day, every week and every month in 2017 shall be fruitful and productive for you. Your land shall bring forth its greatest fruitfulness this year.”

    He said those who remain faithful to God will thrive in 2017, regardless of the general economic outlook.

    Akanbi charged Christians to look up to God and operate within divine instructions for unimaginable productivity in the year.

    Zonal pastors who ministered at the supernatural Sundays include Pastors Emmanuel Odunmorayo, Ezekiel Adewuyi, Victor Idowu, Josiah Mogbonjubola and Joe Odiase, all members of the Ministry’s Management Group.

    Different prophecies and words of knowledge were released during the programme.

    But the programme wasn’t about word ministrations and prophecies alone.

    There were also power prayer sessions just as many sinners surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and accepted him as the Lord and saviour.

    Many in the service also shared testimonies of how they received the divine touch of God and were instantly healed of long-terms ailments during the programme.

    The Zion Voices, the church choir, also ministered in songs along with invited gospel artistes like Evang. Bukola Akinade (Senwele Jesus), Evang. Seun Makanjuola (Gbemisoke) and Olanrewaju Bolaji (Big Bolaji).

    They led the congregation in a glorious praise and joyful celebration of God for His continuous faithfulness in the ministry.

  • Tukur, Akanbi: Buhari on course

    Tukur, Akanbi: Buhari on course

    Two elder statesmen – Justice Mustapha Akanbi and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur —yesterday endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s battle against corruption.

    Justice Akanbi, a retired President of the Court of Appeal and pioneer Chairman of the  Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said the only thing needed is for Nigerians to “pray for Buhari to succeed”.

    He spoke to reporters in Ilorin as part of activities to mark his 83rd birthday.

    Tukur, a former Chairman of the PDP, commends Buhari for keeping faith with his campaign promises.

    His position is contrary to that of his party which said Buhari had derailed in the implementation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto.

    Justice Akanbi said:  “I did not imagine in my time that people will work for six months and they are not paid salaries. How will they feed their families? It is because people have stolen the money. Many political office holders have stolen money.

    “This administration has given more hope for now. I spoke against ICPC that they have not been working; that they should wake up from slumber just as EFCC has woken up. The body language and spoken words of Buhari show that he is going to fight corruption.

    [ad id=”403656″]“Let us all support Buhari. Nobody will succeed in fighting corruption if government does not show political will and Buhari has demonstrated the political will in what he is doing now.”

    On the delay in appointing minister, Justice Akanbi said “Buhari has said that we should wait till 30th of September, if he has not appointed, then you can go on with your criticism for not appointing ministers. So he has given a deadline. He must have reasons for giving that date.

    “When it comes to the issue of appointment, I understand that there are thousands of appointment to be given.  Buhari is the president for the good and the bad and for every Nigerian. I am sure that by the grace of God, he will balance his appointments.”

    According to Tukur, Buhari has hit the ground running in tackling corruption, insurgency and unemployment with the efforts already yielding positive results.

    “As far as I am concerned, the President is going according to his agenda. So you can judge as well as I can judge. Buhari wants to confront corruption, he wants to confront insurgency, he wants to tackle unemployment. So for me, he is going the right way, he has not deviated.

    “We must remove religion from politics. We must accept ourselves as Nigerians and not see ourselves as being from A or B state, or local government. We must ensure that culture, ethnicity, religion or anything we cannot change, we don’t bring to the table”, Tukur said.

    Tukur spoke with reporters at his Abuja residence, ahead of his 80th birthday anniversary, coming up on Tuesday. He cautioned the PDP against destructive criticism of the President and his policies.

    “My advice is that they should not allow religion, ethnicity and other parochial considerations creep into the nation’s politics”, Tukur said.

    The ex-PDP chair advised President Buhari to choose his ministers on merit, above any other considerations, saying “Buhari should not appoint those who want the job; he should appoint those the job wants”.

    Such appointees, he said, must be credible, experienced and incorruptible   with proven integrity to make a difference.

    He counseled that politics should be built on justice, equity and fairness to deepen the nation’s democracy and governance.

    The ex-party chair said the PDP would have recorded a better outing in the last general election if he had remained the chairman, adding however, that the Nigerian people got the change they desired.

    He foreclosed the possibility of defecting to the APC at his age, saying in democracies any where in the world, there must a be a ruling party and the opposition.

    Recalling the circumstances under which he was forced out of the PDP, Tukur said some power brokers in the party found it difficult to embrace his principled leadership style.

    “I preached what I believed. I wanted election and people in the PDP said they wanted selection. If the majority or the strong people in the PDP did not believe in it, then the choice or the next thing for me to do was to leave.

    “Under the circumstance, it is either I leave or they leave. But I did not want them to leave, so I decided to leave. At that time, people said I was preaching internal democracy instead of imposition. So it was difficult for me to sit there and allow them to leave”, Tukur said.

  • Jega’s resignation portends danger, says ex-anti graft chief Akanbi

    Jega’s resignation portends danger, says ex-anti graft chief Akanbi

    Pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) Justice Mustapha Akanbi warned yesterday that Prof. Attahiru Jega’s resignation as Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) chairman portends danger for the nation.

    The ex-Appeal Court president, therefore, urged the citizenry to encourage Prof. Jega not to resign, adding that if the INEC chairman resigns few days to the general elections, it might be the beginning of violence.

    He spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a special public lecture titled: “Towards Peaceful Elections in 2015: The Roles of Stakeholders in Nigeria.”

    The lecture was organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin.

    Akanbi cautioned Nigerians against doing anything that would make predictions about a possible breakdown of the country after the general elections a reality.

    He reminded the citizenry of the unfortunate incidents that led to the cancellation of the 1993 presidential elections believed to have been won by the late Chief Moshood K.O. Abiola.

    Akanbi, who condemned Monday’s attack on the convoy of Mrs. Aishat Buhari in Ilorin, said the sad occurrence in a town reputed for peace and harmony, “instilled fear in me that we may not have peaceful elections”.

    His words: “We must encourage Jega not to resign before the elections. If he resigns, that will be the beginning of violence. Jega that I know is a man of integrity; if you change him at this nick of time, that will draw us back.

    “We should not do things that led to the cancellation of the 1993 presidential election won by the late MKO Abiola. We should know that Nigeria is greater than all of us. Therefore, whatever we do concerning these elections must meet international standard. I’m happy that Jega has declared that he would not resign before the elections.

    “Let’s hold the elections and show the world that we are decent people. We should not allow predictions about possible breakdown of Nigeria after the elections become a reality.” (Continued on Page 2)

  • Calls for polls shift mischievous, says Akanbi

    Calls for polls shift mischievous, says Akanbi

    The call for the postponement of the next month’s general elections by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki is suspicious and mischievous, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pioneer chairman Justice Mustapha Akanbi said yesterday in Ilorin.

    The retired Appeal Court President also lashed out at Chief Edwin Clark for openly accusing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chair Prof Attahiru Jega of bias and incompetence.

    Justice Akanbi spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at a public lecture organised by the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation (MAF). The topic of the lecture is “Voters Education: Rights, duties and responsibilities”.

    He said: “The unsolicited advice by Col. Sambo Dasuki in London that the 2015 election be postponed has ill-motive; I see mischief in that advice as it must be evident even to the unwary, that such postponement will do more harm than good. The advice is suspect and not from the best of motives. It is, however, a delight that majority opinion has rejected it. More importantly Jega has rejected it outright.

    “The second issue is the statement credited to the political octogenarian, Chief Clark, an Ijaw people’s leader. He openly castigated Prof Jega, accused him of bias and incompetence. This is most unfortunate.”

    The retired jurist added: “With the approach of the 2015 elections, the threat to national unity and cohesion has been on the increase. Political gladiators have been spitting fire and heating up the polity as never before.

    “Threats of taking up arms and breaking up Nigeria, if a particular candidate does not win the election rent the air. Some of the protagonists of disintegration are elders who should know better but have chosen to serve personal ends instead of national interest.

    “Our teeming unemployed youths are now being mobilised and recruited to re-enact the events of 1993 which sent Nigeria into the doldrums. We are told that arms and ammunition are being stockpiled by the war mongers and ‘commercial politicians’ to plunge Nigeria once again into a state of unnecessary civil war.”

    Another former Appeal Court President, Justice Ayo Isa Salami (rtd), berated the military and the para-military for siding with one of the presidential candidates.

    Justice Salami added that the judiciary is in near total collapse, having been intimidated to submission by the powers-that-be.

    The fearless jurist ascribed the voters’ apathy to collect the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to failure of successive governments to meet their expectations.

    The retired Appeal Court president, who was a special guest at that event said: “We have problem now in persuading the voters to come and vote. That is why they are not collecting their PVCs. There is apathy and this might have been generated by various reasons. These may include failure of government to meet their expectations and failure of agencies of government established to make their expectations realised.

    “The military and the other para-military forces thought that they are part of one of the presidential candidates. Of course, they are not. They are an agency of the federal government. They are a federal government institution. So they are to make the field even for both presidential candidates. They are not to side one candidate against the other. An institution of federal government is different from the candidate who incidentally is the president.

    “Just like the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kwara state, Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo, said that is INEC’s work to facilitate voters’ education, but the other day, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NAO) was in President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign team. Is he playing his role as the agency of the federal

    government?

    The coalition of civil society organisations in Bauchi State yesterday noted that accepting Col. Dasuki’s suggestion could lead to civil unrest.

    Speaking on behalf of others, the chairman of the Bauchi State Youths Consortium (BAYCON), Bala Mahmood, said any attempt to postpone the election would infringe on Nigerians’ fundamental human rights as some have travelled home already for the elections and would incur financial loss in case of a postponement.

    “With the knowledge of public expenditure and the current inflation rate because of the devaluation of our Naira, it appears obvious that postponement of election will lead to variation in some of INEC’s contract agreement, if not all. What this means is additional money to be spent from public treasury,” he said.

    Mahmood said the insecurity in Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe states, as mentioned by the NSA could not be compared to that of Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt, which despite their security challenges conducted elections and new governments put in place.

    The coalition said “in the spirit of the Abuja Accord”, the government should allow the elections as scheduled since INEC has not complained.”