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  • Ambassadors: Why Tinubu opted for Oke, Dalhatu, Are

    Ambassadors: Why Tinubu opted for Oke, Dalhatu, Are

    • ’Court exonerated Oke over lodging of $43m in Osborne Road apartment’

    President Bola Tinubu’s Wednesday’s choice of the three ambassadors designate to the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France was driven by the urgent need for foreign collaboration to tackle insurgency and banditry in the country,The Nation gathered yesterday.

    Integrity, merit and international connections/ acceptability were other factors considered by the president in settling for a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ayo Oke; a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Kayode Are; and Amb. Amin Mohammed Dalhatu,sources said.

    Their names have been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

    Some critics have queried the nomination of Oke on account of the circumstances surrounding his exit from the NIA.

    But fresh facts now reveal that he was exonerated of corruption by a Federal High Court in Lagos in 2023 following withdrawal of allegations of lodging over$43m in Osborne Road apartment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The trio are the first set of nominees for ambassadorial assignments by the Tinubu Presidency.

    A full list is said to be on the way.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said the President decided to return to “pragmatic diplomacy which will boost the ongoing economic reforms and counter- insurgency. To Tinubu, it is merit before any consideration.

    “This government has done its homework before nominating the three candidates.Some of them were even abroad when they heard the announcement. One of them was on his way from London yesterday. You can see the merit factor.

    “Those three nominees have unimpeachable pedigree; they are internationally respected and they can knock any door for Nigeria. When they speak on the nation’s security situation in Nigeria or when they seek international support, they are trusted.

    “They have integrity which has endeared them to the international community. They also seek truth to power. Are’s records in DSS were outstanding to the admiration of the international community.

    “Amb. Amin Mohammed Dalhatu is a diplomatic of repute with a great passion for truth, accountability and transparency.  Nigeria comes first to him before any country.

    “Of all security chiefs, Oke was the only person, in his capacity as the NIA boss, that submitted an accurate report that former President Goodluck Jonathan would lose the 2015 general election. He didn’t care if he was fired by the then President.

    His outstanding contributions in the pursuit of Nigeria’s national interest in international environment culminated in his distinguished career at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London as Special Adviser to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Head of Africa Department of the international organisation.

    “He was also instrumental to the outstanding contributions to the organisational development of the NIA and series of operational successes the NIA recorded under him that earned him noteworthy commendations by two former Presidents…”

    Read Also: Tinubu, First Lady, Shetimma, hail PFN at 40

    Oke and the $43m in Osborne road apartment

    Another source confirmed that Amb. Oke was cleared of any corruption in 2023.

    The source added: “As a matter of fact, the funds were for security project kept in a safe house. The EFCC acted on a false alarm. And instead of inter-agency collaboration, it went to town with the discovery.

    “Many international security organisations and companies connected with the project felt embarrassed.

    “A Federal High Court Order revoked the charges following EFCC’s decision to withdraw the case in June 2023 on grounds of national security. This action was duly noted and approved by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in March of the same year.

    “The six-year controversy around the security lodging of $43 million, 27 thousand UK Pounds, and N23 million, belonging to the National Intelligence Agency [NIA], at an Osborne Road apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, came to an end in 2023 with the legal resolution to terminate the case.

    “The presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, Honourable Justice C.J. Aneke, struck out the case on Friday, June 9, 2023, following the decision of the prosecuting team from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] and the lack of objection from the defence team led by Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN) of the Castle of Law Chambers.

    “The EFCC withdrawal of the case followed its agreement with the NIA that on national security grounds and the fact that full forfeiture of the money required no further action.

    “So there is nothing adversarial or negative on this nomination.”

    When contacted, Ajulo, who is now the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, said: “The case against Amb. Oke was struck out because he didn’t embezzle any money. Based on the facts, EFCC withdrew the charges.”

  • Lagos APC will miss Oba Hamzat, says Are

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) member Alhaji Mutiu Are has described the death of Oba Olatunji Hamzat as a colossal loss to the political family.

    He said the deceased party chieftain and monarch of Afowowa Sodade, Ogun State was an outstanding, loyal, courageous and principled leader who believed in the doctrines  of party supremacy and discipline.

    He noted that Pa Hamzat served Lagos and Southwest progressive bloc with dedication and sense of responsibility.

    Are said in a statement in Lagos that Hamzat was a man of honour and integrity, adding that he will be greatly missed by relations and associates.

    He said: “I received the news of the death of our highly esteemed political leader, mentor and role model, Oba Muftau Olatunji Hamzat, with a mixture of shock and understanding.

    “It was with shock because the passage was not preceded with a long or protracted illness. Few weeks ago, he was at Akoka, Yaba, where he was conferred with a honorary doctorate degree by the European-American University.

    “However, it was with understanding because Allah took him away at a ripe old age of 86, having led a fulfilled life of dignified service to humanity.

    “It is nevertheless painful that he had to exit, 17 days to the inauguration of his beloved son, Dr. Kadiri Hamzat, as deputy governor of Lagos State.

    “Oba Hamzat was a principled politician, a courageous leader, incorruptible actor, an Awoust, and consistent player who never defected from the progressive camp.

    “The hallmark of his political career was loyalty. He was a believer in party supremacy, party discipline and the pre-eminence of gerontocratic monitoring.

    “Oba Hamzat will be greatly missed by his community, Afowora Sogade, Ogun State, where he was the monarch, his ancestral Ajiborisa family of Epe and the wider political class, particularly the progressive bloc.”

    Are noted that Hamzat left behind a formidable ruling party, the APC, a peaceful and potentially greater Lagos warning up for a new dawn on May 29 and durviving compatriots in the Lagos State GAC who will continue to guide the process in the wider interest of Lagosians.

    He said: “It is gratifying that the beloved leader is survived by worthy and promising children who are doing well in their chosen fields.”

    Are added: “Pa Hamzat was an outstanding and experienced politician, who moulded the lives of younger generation of political actors who subscribe to the progressive creed.

    Read Also: Lagos APC will miss Oba Hamzat, says Are

    “He was not a politician without a second address. Pa Hamzat was a successful banker and technocrat, who was fortified by the dignity of labour and involvement in community service before becoming a full politician.

    “In the First Republic, he entered politics as a member of the Action Group (AG) Youth Association, led by Pa Ayo Fasanmi. The motivation for joining the party was the captivating progressive ideas espoused  by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who presided over the pioneer administration in the defunct Western Region that has remained a reference point in Africa.

    “In 1979, Pa Hamzat became a chieftain of the proscribed Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led Awolowo, and was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly, where he aspired to serve as Speaker.

    “However, shortly after the inauguration of the House under Speaker Osinnowo, Pa Hamzat was appointed as Commissioner for Transport by Governor Lateef Jakande, following recommendation by the Mushin UPN leader, Chief Isola Solomon. In 1983, he was reappointed into the same position after Jakande was reselected.

    “Pa Hamzat played a great role in the initiation of the light rail project spearheaded by his ministry under the Jakande administration. The project, which was approved and launched by former President Shehu Shagari, was one of the casualties of military intervention of 1983.

    “Following the violent change of government, Hamzat and many of his colleagues in the Jakande cabinet were hounded into detention by the military. After extensive investigations, nothing incriminating was found against him.”

     

  • Are leads Ibadan reconciliation committee

    Are leads Ibadan reconciliation committee

    •Ibadan elders, mogajis wade into Olubadan chieftaincy crisis

    Ibadan elders have again waded into the crisis rocking the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

    They are working with some mogajis and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) to find a truce between the Olubadan and 21 other obas as well as other stakeholders in the crisis.

    To broker peace, a Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC), led by an elder, Dr Lekan Are, has been set up.

    A spokesperson of Authentic Mogajis in Ibadan, Chief Wale Oladoja, told reporters that a meeting of the TRC, which Dr Are convened, was ensuring “that the pride and dignity surrounding the obaship crisis in Ibadan will be amicably resolved within the shortest time possible”.

    Oladoja said the Reconciliation Committee has Are as Chairman while the President General of the CCII, Chief Yemi Soladoye, would serve as the Coordinator.

    The authentic mogajis, like Alhaji Abass Oloko (Mogaji Oloko), Chief Abduljelyl Karheem (Mogaji Adanla), Alhaji Moshud Gbolagade (Mogaji Akere), Alhaji Ademola Oladosu (Mogaji Olasomi), are members of the reconciliation committee.

    Also listed are: a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, General Raji Rasaki (retd.); a former Commissioner for Information and CCII chieftain, Chief Adegboyega Arulogun; Primate Ola Makinde; the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land; Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola; Prof. Adeola Adeyemi; Chief Lere Adigun; Dr. Kunle Oyedele and other eminent elders in Ibadan.

    The maiden meeting, according to Oladoja, was held last Thursday evening at Kakanfo Inn Hotel in Ibadan and had all the aforementioned in attendance.

    To sustain the new rapprochement, Oladoja said their camp had agreed to the peace moves in a way that the pride and dignity of Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, as the paramount traditional ruler in Ibadan would be protected.

    He said the meeting was successful because of the presence of “respectable and prominent peace-loving Ibadan elders” in the meeting.

    Oladoja thanked Ibadan indigenes for allowing peace to reign, adding: “We are still solidly behind the Kabiyesi and we shall not waver. We use this opportunity to felicitate with all Ibadan indigenes on the Christmas and New Year celebrations. We wish to assure them that truce is on the way, and our prayer is that the ongoing reconciliation ends well.

    “As true born and mogajis, we are sheathing our swords, especially now that our respected Ibadan elders, under the leadership of Dr. Lekan Are, has waded in to reconcile the issue. We are ready to give peace a chance. We shall continue to communicate with Ibadan people as family heads.”

  • ‘Protect facility in your area’

    ‘Protect facility in your area’

    Pesidents of Nsirimo in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State have been told to protect the water borehole that has just been sunk there.

    The advice was given by former governor of the state Theodore Orji who represents Abia Central Senatorial district at the Senate. The senator, who facilitated the project, told the people to watch over the facility knowing that its parts could be vandalised if not protected by the residents.

    He said, “Nsirimo is very dear to my heart, I could have sited this project anywhere, other than here so when the need for this water project came, my mind went straight to you people and I am happy that it was sited at the appropriate place”.

    Speaking while commissioning the project, Orji pointed out that in the six council areas he is representing there is none without his project.

    He said, “It is a debt I owe you for voting for me and ensuring that I am a senator today, that is the way it should be and that is what leadership should be, when God blesses you, you have every right to bless others around you”.

    “Anyone who is in a place of authority should be able to help those who are beside them, as it is one of the ways to spread the dividends of democracy and not to be like those who do not want the state to grow or be at peace with their petition writing”.

    “There are people who are bent on destroying my name through negative write-ups in different media outfits. I forgive them as they do not know what they are doing but only trying to be politically relevant as they know that when they mention my name they will be noticed”.

    In his speech the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh charged the people of Nsirimo to utilise the motorised borehole project handed over to them and not to allow it to be vandalised.

    Ogbeh who was represented by the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ebere Oziri said, “The people of Nsirimo should be aware that this project belongs to them and should therefore do everything to protect it”.

    The President General, Nsirimo Amaise Development Union (NAIDU), Chief Raymond Nwosu described the gesture as a dividend of democracy.

    He said, “Representing the people without positively affecting the lives of people is no representation. Our distinguished Senator here is actually representing the good people of Abia Central well at the senate”.

  • Who are Boko Haram Islamists?

    Who are Boko Haram Islamists?

    Nigeria’s militant Islamist group Boko Haram – which has caused havoc in Africa’s most populous country through a wave of bombings – is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.

    Its followers are said to be influenced by the Koranic phrase which says: “Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors”.

    Boko Haram promotes a version of Islam which makes it “haram”, or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society.

    This includes voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education.

    Boko Haram regards the Nigerian state as being run by non-believers, even when the country had a Muslim president.

    Mohammed Yusuf, bare-chested and with a bandage on his arm, surrounded by soldiers Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf was killed after his arrest

    The group’s official name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”.

    But residents in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, where the group had its headquarters, dubbed it Boko Haram.

    Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, this means “Western education is forbidden”.

    Boko originally means fake but came to signify Western education, while haram means forbidden.

    Since the Sokoto caliphate, which ruled parts of what is now northern Nigeria, Niger and southern Cameroon, fell under British control in 1903, there has been resistance among the area’s Muslims to Western education.

    Many Muslim families still refuse to send their children to government-run “Western schools”, a problem compounded by the ruling elite which does not see education as a priority.

    Against this background, the charismatic Muslim cleric, Mohammed Yusuf, formed Boko Haram in Maiduguri in 2002. He set up a religious complex, which included a mosque and an Islamic school.

    Many poor Muslim families from across Nigeria, as well as neighbouring countries, enrolled their children at the school.

    But Boko Haram was not only interested in education. Its political goal was to create an Islamic state, and the school became a recruiting ground for jihadis to fight the state.

    In 2009, Boko Haram carried out a spate of attacks on police stations and other government buildings in Maiduguri.

    This led to shoot-outs on Maiduguri’s streets. Hundreds of Boko Haram supporters were killed and thousands of residents fled the city.

    Nigeria’s security forces eventually seized the group’s headquarters, capturing its fighters and killing Mr Yusuf.

    His body was shown on state television and the security forces declared Boko Haram finished.

    But its fighters have regrouped under a new leader and in 2010, they attacked a prison in Bauchi state, freeing hundreds of the group’s supporters.

    Boko Haram’s trademark has been the use of gunmen on motorbikes, killing police, politicians and anyone who criticises it, including clerics from other Muslim traditions and a Christian preacher.

    The group has also staged several more audacious attacks in different parts of northern Nigeria, showing that it is establishing a presence across the region and fuelling tension between Muslims and Christians.

    These include the 2011 Christmas Day bombings on the outskirts of Abuja and in the north-eastern city of Damaturu, a 2010 New Year’s Eve attack on a military barracks in Abuja, several explosions around the time of President Goodluck Jonathan’s inauguration in May 2011, followed by the bombing of the police headquarters and the UN headquarters in Abuja.

    In a 15-minute video posted on YouTube, the group’s leader Abubakar Shekau defended the group’s targeting of Christians, saying this was revenge for previous attacks on Muslims.

    He also said his group would not be defeated by the security forces.

    The attacks have raised global concern, with a US Congressional report – released in November 2011 – warning that Boko Haram was an “emerging threat” to the US and its interests.

    The report said Boko Haram may be forging ties with al-Qaeda-linked groups in Africa, but the group denies this.

    Analysts say northern Nigeria has a history of spawning groups similar to Boko Haram.

    The threat will disappear only if the Nigerian government manages to reduce the region’s chronic poverty and builds an education system which gains the support of local Muslims, the analysts say.