A ministerial nominee, Abass Lawal Balarabe has slumped while standing at the podium inside the Senate.
Balarabe slumped after his introductory remarks.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio immediately called for a doctor to attend to him.
He also immediately directed that the Senate resolves into an executive session
He told television cameras the session to immediately stop recording.
Details shortly…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr. Abbas Lawal Balarabe from Kaduna State as a minister.
The President’s request was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which was read on the floor during plenary.
President Tinubu requested the Senate to confirm Balarabe and two other ministerial nominees – Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande.
Last month, the Presidency announced the nomination of Ibrahim and Olawande, following their nomination by President Tinubu to serve as the Minister of Youth and Minister of State for Youth, pending their confirmation by the Senate.
Balarabe was reportedly nominated to replace El-Rufai, whose nomination the Senate had rejected.
Balarabe had chaired a 65-man transition committee ahead of the swearing-in of Senator Uba Sani as governor of Kaduna State on May 29.
He was a Secretary to the Kaduna State Government (SSG) and had headed the transition committee of the state in 2015 and served as the vice chairman of the committee in 2019.
The Red Chamber had, in August, declined to confirm three ministerial nominees, including El-Rufai, Senator Abubakar Sani Danladi (Taraba), and Stella Okotete (Delta) over non-security clearance.
In his letter, President Tinubu urged the Senate to consider his request expeditiously.
Kaduna State deputy governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, has said that for Nigeria to develop as a country, it must liberate half of its population consisting of women from being undermined, underutilized, and de-humanized.
The deputy governor, who stated this in Kaduna on Thursday, September 14, while speaking at the Private Sector Forum on Gender Responsive Supply Chains in Kaduna State, emphasized that women encounter social norms and stereotypes that undermine their economic potential and leadership, such as gender-based violence, discrimination, harassment, and bias.
The event, organized by the African Development Bank, UN-Women and Zamani Foundation with women from the private sector as participants, was designed to train women who own businesses to understand and participate in the public procurement process.
Speaking further, the deputy governor said the issues that concern women are always dear to her heart stating that, “as a woman and mother, I am daily confronted with these challenges. Women have less access to working capital, finance, technology, skills, and information than men, which limits their ability to start, grow, and sustain their businesses.
“Also, women face increased care demands at home which reduces their time and attention for their businesses. Women encounter social norms and stereotypes that undermine their economic potential and leadership, such as gender-based violence, discrimination, harassment, and bias.
“These challenges not only affect women’s economic empowerment but also hamper the overall growth and development in the private sector. Therefore, it is important to address these challenges and support women’s participation and benefit from the private sector opportunities.
“If we want to make progress as a country, we must liberate half of our population, which consists of women, from being undermined, underutilized and de-humanized.”
Balarabe, however, assured that the Kaduna state government is firmly committed to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in all aspects of its development agenda, as it believes that empowering women is not only a matter of right, but also a good economic strategy that can boost growth, reduce poverty, and enhance social cohesion.
Earlier in her presentation, UN-Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong said, that only one per cent of the procurement process in Nigeria goes to women in business, hence the need to organize the training.
Eyong, who was represented by UN-Women Programme Specialist, Chukwuemeka Onyimadu said the UN-Women was not out to force the government to bend the procurement laws in favour of women but wanted to train women who own businesses to be able to compete favourably in public procurement processes.
In her welcome remarks, Founder/President Zamani Foundation, Amb Talatu Zamani-Henry said the meeting was organized to establish a private sector forum on engendering supply chains in Kaduna state and environs, adding that, “we must acknowledge that the journey in the private sector in Nigeria is not an easy one, despite the odds, we are forging ahead, leaving our mark, and paving the way for others to follow.”
The director-general, Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), Sanusi Aminu Yero, said women are left behind in public procurement, hence they are not economically viable.
He said the state government is working towards sensitizing women, giving them preference and giving them some kind of financial assistance to take up businesses.
PEOPLE’S Redemption Party (PRP) Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Alhaji Balarabe Musa has declared that the party and other progressives will not align with any political party for the 2019 general elections.
Musa, a former Governor of Kaduna State, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.
He said any party that wanted an alignment with the progressive forces like PRP, should know exactly what the party stood for.
Balarabe said: “No party has approached me to join forces with them, but the issue of realignment is ongoing.
“I have friends who are top members of the two major political parties and the parties know that they can’t make it alone; they are bankrupt.
“So, they really want alliances to deceive the people; they are now making approaches.
“Some are consulting directly with even material inducement; in cases where they can’t use material inducement, they try to use democratic alliances.
“So, I want to warn them that as far as I am concerned, we will not be involved in alliances with any of the group until the group knows exactly what we stand for.”
The production and circulation of an anti-Igbo song in parts of North is “embarrassing and unfortunate’’, a former old Kaduna State Governor Alhaji Balarabe Musa has said.
Musa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Kaduna that the content of the song did not reflect the true feelings of most northerners.
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) described the alleged hate as orchestrated out of jealousy and envy.
Musa described the promoters of the song, which calls for violence against the Igbo, as “criminals’’, whose objective is to threaten the peace and security in Nigeria.
The former governor stated that the song is a deliberate ploy by the originators to generate disaffection towards northerners.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government not to take the issue lightly in view of the potential threat it constituted to the country’s peace.
“The song is not only embarrassing but unfortunate and capable of threatening the peace of the country.
“So, the Federal Government should act fast before the issue escalates so that we do not have a repeat of sad tales of history.”
The former governor, who said he would never support violence, criticised the October 1 quit notice given to Igbos by some Northern youths.
He said an insignificant number of youths could not have been speaking for the people of the North, “who are accommodating and peace-loving”.
But, MASSOB said it sees it as a sign of deep frustration and disorganisation on Arewa people and their leaders.
A statement issued by its leader, Uchenna Made said: “This uncontrolled and loosed frustration, envy and jealousy of Arewa people through another dimension of hate song is a clear and eloquent evidence that Nigeria is doomed and doomed forever, which can never be redeemed.
“They have further proved to the world that Nigeria is not and can never be one entity. We are Biafrans, Hausa Fulanis are Arewas while Yorubas are Oduduwas. We can never continue to deceive ourselves as if Nigeria is one because God did not create or establish us as Nigerians.
MASSOB welcomed the hate songs from Arewa people against the people of Biafra. We have listened to the song, we have it both in audio and script. MASSOB once again remind our people residing in Hausa Fulani land to immediately commence relocation back to Biafra land because a stitch in time saves nine.
Former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa has asserted that the Bill before the House of Representatives seeking amnesty for treasury looters will only legitimise corruption.
Musa, speaking in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said he was disappointed with the lawmakers for even discussing the bill.
“Honestly, I am terribly disappointed that a bill like that is being discussed at the National Assembly.
“The bill is immoral and it shows the level of moral degeneration the country has attained, especially at the leadership level.
“The proposal to me, is a way of legitimising corruption, because you are telling people to loot and declare may be part of the loot, then you are set free.
“This is not good for Nigeria, for development and for the fight against corruption,” he said.
The bill, sponsored by Linus Okorie (PDP Ebonyi), was read for the first time on the floor of the House on June 14.
It seeks to allow those who looted public treasury to return certain percentage of the money in exchange for total amnesty from prosecution.
Musa, who questioned the morality of the lawmakers for even discussing the bill, urged them to drop it, saying it hurt the collective interest Nigerians.
Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) Mr. Debo Adeniran said if the bill was allowed to become law, it would encourage corruption with impunity.
Adeniran said what the country needed at this time were laws to strengthen the anti-corruption war and ensure punishment for looters.
“This bill is uncalled for because the only thing it will achieve is to encourage people to steal and return part of the money for amnesty.
“At the end, it will still be victory for corruption and that is not good for the development of the country,” he said.
Adeniran also spoke on the decision of the government to publish names of looters, saying the move would go a long way in discouraging corruption.
He, however, urged the government to ensure judicious use of recovered looted funds so as to impact on the lives of the masses.
“Yes, the decision of the Federal Government to publish names of looters following a court order is a welcome development.”
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the late founder of the National Advance Party (NAP), Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, fought for a better Nigeria.
He spoke at a colloquium in Lagos to honour the deceased.
The colloquium reflected on his political, spiritual, legal, constitutional, revolutionary and activist life.
Represented by The Nation’s Editorial Board Chairman, Sam Omatseye, Tinubu said Braithwaite’s name would stand out in the annals of the country’s history, adding that he challenged societal ills always.
The APC chieftain said the NAP founder’s quest for justice, fairness and equity were reflected in his thoughts.
He said: “Braithwaite represented robust and principled temperament of the left.
“There is no way you can write Nigeria’s history, especially the struggle, without his name coming out boldly.
“When Dr. Braithwaite said he wanted to eliminate mosquitoes and cockroaches, people were laughing, but if he had done that then Nigeria would not be facing the crisis it is going through today.”
Tinubu maintained that if the deceased’s ideas were carried out, things would have been better.
“You can imagine the type of country we would have if his philosophy of killing the mosquitoes, rats and cockroaches were carried out.
“We would have cleaner roads, healthier and robust people.
“We have rats that are now giving our economy Lassa fever and mosquitoes giving resistance malaria to our economy.
“At that time, N2.8 billion was stolen and the nation came down. Today, if such an amount is stolen, the nation still stands as if nothing has happened.
“So, when you are speaking of Dr. Braithwaite’s legacy, it is in symbolic and physical trend.
“He has been fighting corruption for a long time and providing a metaphor and a right term to tell the story.
“He fought the battle in both political and legal fronts. He stood up to fight for justice and fairness on the economic sphere, especially during the subsidy imbroglio.”
The General Overseer of the Soul Winning Ministry, Rev. Moses Iloh, said the deceased hated corruption, noting that he was proud to be his associate.
“Associating with him was like associating with a disciple of Jesus Christ.
“He bears visible fruit through which you could easily identify him. I’m grateful I met him.
“Mingling with him provided a vital opportunity to understanding the comfortable enslavement of most contemporary Christians.
“Braithwaite understood politics as the proper management of the affairs of men preferably by the righteous.”
Former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa, who was represented by the Director of Research of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Richard Umaru, said Braithwaite loved the ordinary people and pursued their cause.
The PRP leader said his character was translated in conscientiousness, constancy and comradeship.
“He charted a course which was consistent with PRP goals. He was always concerned about doing something for the masses.
“When General Ibrahim Babangida banned old politicians, Braithwaite assembled a team of competent lawyers to fight.”
Prof. Pat Utomi said Braithwaite never pursued any selfish agenda unlike the present crop of politicians.
“Today’s leaders are selfish and are only concerned about the gains they can make.
“There is need to have a new orientation that will redefine our goals in life. The wrong signals sent out by our leaders are not helping the youth. We need to follow his examples.
“It is only in Nigeria that when a serving minister drives himself that people see it as abnormal. It is here that leaders don’t feel the pains that ordinary people pass through,” he said.
At the colloquium were Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Chief Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Comrade Abiodun Aremu; Comrade Debo Adeniran; Dr. Sylvester Odion- Akhaine; Malachi Ugumadu; Ayo Adewale; Wale Okunniyi; Ike Ezechukwu; Kitoye Branco-Rhodes; Ajibola Oluyede and others.
One-time Governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, is not a flippant politician by any standard. He is fearless, principled and ideological. You may disagree with him, and even find some of his political views sometimes sectional and uncompromising, but he never leaves you in doubt what his views are, whether trenchant or mild, wholesome or objectionable, nationalistic or insular. In fact, for a man and politician whose politics and ideological position offer a breath of fresh air, his supporters sometimes feel his ideological rigidity gets in the way of his advancement. Had he been a little bit more flexible, it is suggested, he would probably have achieved so much more politically beyond the consolatory self-fulfillment he ensconces in.
Last Sunday, in an interview with the Sun newspaper, he reflected on the efforts by progressives to come together in the Second Republic to form the national government, and why they failed. Among the shocking disclosures was that Ebenezer Babatope, former close associate of the late statesman, Obafemi Awolowo, and also former Minister of Transport in the Sani Abacha government, opposed the plan by the coalition of progressives to make Chief Awolowo the presidential candidate in 1983. The choice was between Chief Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe. Chief Babatope, said the former Kaduna governor, was among those who believed a younger person should become the candidate.
Given the way the former governor framed his statement on the part played by Chief Babatope, the self-confessed and avowed Awoist, it was clear he had contempt for the former Transport minister’s continuing posturing as a nationalist, Awoist, and principled politician. Mallam Musa did not mince words. Chief Babatope has, however, promised to react next week. Whether he will be as believable as the more reflective former Kaduna governor remains to be seen. But meanwhile, the public will juxtapose Chief Babatope’s metamorphosis over the years, right up to his romance with the Goodluck Jonathan government, with his ideologically laced statements and ethical grandstanding of many decades in order to evaluate and deconstruct the essential Babatope. Let us hope the real Babatope will emerge, and that what finally emerges will not be off-putting.
Former Governor of the old Kaduna State Alhaji Balarabe Musa has lauded the defection of the Alhaji Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also known as the nPDP, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Musa told The Nation that he supports the development, describing it as “very good for the country’s democracy”.
He urged APC to bring the Labour Party (LP) and other progressives into its fold.
Musa said: “At the moment, the APC has strengthened its might towards 2015. All it needs is to bring the LP and other credible parties into its fold.
“Also, I think the APC should not insist on merger alone. It should accommodate any party that wants to maintain its identity but form an alliance.”
Chairman of the House of Representatives on Petroleum (Downstream Sector) Dagogo Peterside said: “The defection is a watershed in our democratic journey and hope rekindled. The beneficiaries are Nigerians. Our democratic institutions will be strengthened by implication. Never again will the people be taken for granted. I congratulate these men of courage.”
Second republic governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, has asked the G-7 governors and members of the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop overheating the polity.
He charged them to wait for the 2015 elections to vote out President Goodluck Jonathan if they don’t want him.
The former governor also said the All Progressive Congress (APC) can only dislodge the PDP if they capitalise on the crisis in the ruling party.
He spoke exclusively with The Nation yesterday in his residence.
Musa said: “As far as I am concerned, I don’t care if he (Jonathan) runs and what I can tell Nigerians is that if they don’t want Jonathan to run, make sure his party does not nominate him and if the party nominates him and you still don’t want him to run and succeed, all you need to do is to organise and vote against him.
“But don’t mess Nigerians up because it is a simple thing. We say we are in a democracy and in a democracy it is the votes that decide.
“So, since your protest for or against Jonathan is causing a high level of insecurity and instability in the country, if you are really patriotic and you care, leave that issue until the date of voting.”
He went on: “If you don’t want Jonathan to be President of Nigeria in the 2015 election, don’t vote for him but organise against him and if you want him to do it, organise for him and vote for him. So, don’t heat the polity the more.
“PDP has been discredited and nobody wants them right now even within the party, and the evidence is quite open. APC can capitalise on this and let Nigerians know the difference between what APC stands for and what the PDP stands for at least, in terms of the programmes and objectives filed by the two with INEC when they were looking for registration.
“At the moment, the APC is limited to ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA. Is that enough? There are credible political parties even among those that don’t control a local government. In any case, where is Labour? Can’t the APC make the compromise and have Labour go with them?
“But definitely, the APC has a chance but it depends on how they utilise the opportunity. Let them not make the mistake CPC made in 2011. According to our estimate, the CPC would have won at least 12 states in the North simply because of the bankruptcy of the PDP and they would also have been able to win one or two states in the South.
“Even if they don’t, they would have been able to get the required one third for national spread to avoid a second ballot. If the second ballot became necessary, the CPC could have won by the require majority but they ended up with one state because of the mismanagement of opportunity.
“They thought they could do it all alone because of the popularity and integrity of one man. So, APC should learn from that. They should learn that they are not the first merger to contest the presidency of the country. There have been three others in the past and the only one that succeeded was that of the SDP.”
Insisting that leaders of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) sold out the June 12 elections, Musa said: “First, let me tell you what happened. Every informed Nigerian knew that MKO Abiola won the presidency and the government also knew this.
“But a combination of some military men and their civilian counterparts were not prepared to let Abiola be the president because they would not be able to manipulate him.
“He made it clear that he was for the masses despite his wealth and so, they had to annul the election. You know that later, the Chairman of the election body announced 15 years later that MKO Abiola actually won the presidency.
“Immediately after that election, you know there was uproar across the country because of the annulment and the threat to security and stability was quite clear.
“It was so that leaders of the NRC began to think that there is a lot for everybody in Nigeria and the fact that if the instability continues, everybody will pay the price for it. They have actually made money and had opportunity to make more.
“So, they were prepared for a government of national unity under Abiola and a meeting to this effect was held at NICON NUGA. The SDP held a number of meetings insisting on the disannulment of the June 12 election and then, first at the Benin meeting and later at the Abuja meeting agreed for government of national unity under Abiola.
“That government was to include both the NRC and the SDP. But those who annulled the election did not want that. So, after we met in Abuja and agreed for a government of national unity under Abiola, they felt threatened and while we were at that meeting, they were organising outside to undermine that decision.
“We prepared a seven paragraph communiqué at the end of that meeting but in order not to give opportunity for people to misunderstand what we meant by government of national unity, it was reduced to a three paragraph communiqué and agreed openly to call for government of national unity.
“We were still inside the hall with Jakande when a reporter came and said to me, ‘what are you people doing?’ At the meeting here, you agreed on a government of national unity but outside the meeting venue, some leaders of the SDP are saying something different and that was it.
“We learnt that money was used to buy six leading members of the SDP with N40 million. At the end, you know what happened. Abiola was harassed until he was murdered.
“The APC should know this story. At least, members of the SDP who are in the APC should know this story. Those in CPC, ANPP and APGA are ignorant of that time, but those in the ACN were not ignorant of how it happened. It is time they learn lesion from that and not take things for granted.”