The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Baraje

  • 57 Reps pledge loyalty to Baraje’s group

    57 Reps pledge loyalty to Baraje’s group

    Fifty-seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Representatives have pitched tent with the Abubakar Kawu Baraje faction.

    The lawmakers warned the ruling party against victimising them, threatening to use the law to check such moves.

    Security agencies were also advised not to allow themselves to be used to victimise them.

    In a statement yesterday, they expressed their support for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and congratulated him and seven governors on the faction’s emergence.

    It reads: “We, the members of the House of Representatives under the platform of the New PDP, hereby congratulate our leaders on the emergence of the new party.

    “Although a sizeable number of our members could not append their signatures because of their unavailability in the country, they will do so immediately on arrival. We the under signed salute and appreciate the courage, sacrifice and resilience and patriotism of our leaders namely: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), AbdulFattah Ahmed (Kwara) and Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) and other well-meaning and eminent Nigerians for leading the way for the emergence of the New PDP.

    “We are also using this opportunity to condemn in strong terms attempts by some agents of the Federal Government to use state apparatus to witch-hunt some of these patriots for taking this bold and courageous step.

    “As members of the House of Representatives, we call on the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves to be used by anybody no matter how highly placed for their political ambitions. Remember how you want history to judge your tenure.

    “We won’t hesitate, however, to use all instruments of law within our powers as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to stop this and bring anybody found wanting to book.

    “We wish to state that by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the New PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr Sam Sam Jaja, National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola and other members of the National Executive Committee.

    “We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide a level-playing field for all Nigerians.”

    The lawmakers include: Abdulahi Balarabe (Sokoto), Abudulmumin Jibrin (Kano), Ali Ahmad (PDP, Kwara), Abdullahi Wamakko (Sokoto), Abdullahi Rico (Niger), Abdulmalik Cheche (Niger), Adamu Bashir (Jigawa), Aliyu Pategi (Kwara), Ahmed Zerewa, Aishatu Ahmed (Adamawa), Aiyedun Olayinka (Kwara), Alhassan Garba (Kano), Aliyu Madaki (Kano), Aliyu Shehu (Sokoto) and Aminu Shagari (Sokoto).

    Others are Aminu Suleiman (Kano), Aminu Tukur (Adamawa), Andrew Uchendu (Rivers), Asita Honourable (Rivers), Bashir Babale (Kano), Blessing Usiegbe (Rivers), Dakuku Peterside (Rivers), Dawari George (Rivers), Farouk Lawan (Kano), Gibson Nathaniel (Adamawa), Gogo Bright Tamuno (Rivers), Haliru Jikantoro (Niger), Hassan Adamu (Jigawa), Hussain Namadi (Kogi), Ibrahim Ebbo (Niger), Ibrahim Tijjani Kiyawa (Jigawa), Isa Bashir (Sokoto), Kabiru Achida (Sokoto), Khabeeb Mustapha (Jigawa) and Maurice Pronen (Rivers).

    Also in the group are: Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa), Mpigi Barinada (Rivers), Mohammed Mukhtar (Niger), Mohammed Ibrahim (Kogi), Mohammed Kutigi (Niger), Mukhtari Muhammad, Musa Ado (Kano), Musa Sarkin-Adar (Sokoto), Mustapha Dawaki (Kano), Mustapha Mashood (Kwara), Ogbonna Nwuke (Rivers), Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara), Sa’ad Nabunkari (Sokoto), Sani Aliyu (Kano), Shuaibu Gobir (Sokoto), Sokonte Davies (Rivers), Sufiyanu Ubale (Jigawa), Umar Bature (Sokoto), Usman Wada (Jigawa), Yusuph Dunari Sule (Jigawa), Yusuph Galambi (Jigawa) and Zakari Mohammed (Kwara).

     

  • 22 senators back Baraje

    22 senators back Baraje

    Twenty-two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators yesterday backed the Abdullahi Baraje-led faction of the party.

    The senators, in a statement last night, congratulated former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano State), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Abdul Fattah Ahmed (Kwara), and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), “for the bold, swift and courageous step to reposition the Peoples Democratic Party under a new leadership”.

    They congratulated Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr Sam Sam Jaja, National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola and other members of the National Executive Committee for their emergence as leaders of our great party.They said: “By this decision that no doubt provides a soothing balm that will calm frail nerves in the party, you have written your names in gold and will be remembered in our political histoy as men that stood to save the party and Nigeria’ s democracy.”

    The senators are: Senators Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Ahmed Zainah, Abdulahi Adamu, Abdulahi Danladi Sankara, Abdulmumini Mohammed Hassan,Umaru Dahiru, Ahmed Mohammed Maccido, Muhammad Shaaba Lafiaji, Simeon Sule Ajibola, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Magnus Ngei Abe,Wilson Asinobi Ake, Danjuma Mohammed Goje, Saidu Ahmed Alkali and Ahmed Hassan Barata.

    Others are: Senators Bindowo Umar Mohammed Jibrilla, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, Ibrahim Abdulahi Gobir, Bashir Garba Mohammad. Abdulaziz Usman and Isa Galandu.

    The party has 74 senators.

     

  • Baraje: Frequent players’ movement affecting league standard

    • Receives heroic welcome in Ibadan,

    l Kanemi Warriors’ Technical Adviser, Zackary Baraje has attributed the falling standard of the Globacom Premier League to frequent movement of players from club to club.
    Barage told SportingLife that because players switch teams year in, year out, the coaches are unable to build solid squads.
    “There’s no continuity in the Nigerian league. It is a serious issue that is affecting our league today which people are not paying attention to.
    “It is very hard to see a club today having players who will remain at the club for years,” Baraje told SportingLife.
    He continued: “Everyday, we change players and coaches like we’re changing our shirts.
    “Only a few clubs in the country like Kano Pillars and Rangers can boast of long-serving players.
    “It is a sensitive issue that is hindering the job of coaches these days. You have a set of players you have built the team around today, and before you say anything those players have moved to another club.
    “This inconsistency has made it very difficult to see good clubs and good football again, because when you have new players you have to start all over again.”
    Baraje, who managed 3SC in the past, returned to a heroic reception from Ibadan fans on Wednesday.
    “It was an emotional return for me. I have been impressed by the way people have been attending to me since our arrival in Ibadan.
    “Right from the gate, people started calling my name with lots of praises. When I entered the pitch it was my name all over. Even after the game, they came to embrace me as if I won the match with El Kanemi. I thank people of Ibadan for the love accorded to me.”

  • 3SC Vs EL KANEMI El-Kanemi targeting more away wins, says Baraje

    3SC Vs EL KANEMI El-Kanemi targeting more away wins, says Baraje

    El Kanemi Warriors’ Head Coach, Zachary Baraje has revealed that he is working on his side’s not-too-impressive results away from home to balance it up with their commendable performances in Maiduguri.

    El Kanemi have won 12 matches at home and drawn only twice (to Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United in their first two home games) but have only won once away(against Nasarawa United 1-0) and drawn thrice on the road.

    But Baraje, who joined El Kanemi at the beginning of the season, said a couple of wins on the road would give a fitting testimony to the fantastic display of his boys in the Glo Premier League this season.

    He affirmed that the convincing way his wards devoured their opponents at Maiduguri this season was a result of his hard work on the team at the beginning of the season.

    Baraje said that the club might be forced to change their target for the league season – which was initially to stay in the elite division – to being one of the contenders for the league shield if they do not tire out.

    “We have been excellent in our home games and it showed in the results we have been churning out at Maiduguri. We have been very impressive at home. We want to add a couple of wins away from home too to confirm that our home successes were never in doubt.

    “The motivation from the state government is fantastic. The other day (Sunday), he (the governor?) tripled players’ win bonuses and also promised to release for payment the balance of the signing-on fees on Monday.

    “If he does that, Borno will be the first state to settle the signing-on fees of its players.

    “We are happy and the only way to show appreciation is to continue winning wherever the game is played.

    “We had it in mind to only escape relegation at the start of the season but with our current form, laying our hands on the league title is not a tall order. Getting a continental ticket will not be a bad idea either,” Baraje told SportingLife.

    El Kanemi are third on the log with 44 points from 27 matches and they face 3SC at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan today in a matchday 28 clash.

     

  • Nigerians should be patient with NRC, says Baraje

    Nigerians should be patient with NRC, says Baraje

    Nigeria Railway Corporation’s Board Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje spoke with YINKA ADERIBIGBE on the corporation’s challenges.

     

    How would you assess the railways corporation’s recovery journey so far?

    I will say it has been very encouraging for so many reasons; first, when this Lagos-Kano-Lagos train service started last year, it was Nigerians first experience after the railways had run down for over 30 years. So, when we started on December 21, 2012, we were received with skepticism, but early this year, the service was increased to two, and now we are taking off with the third. Let me say this, all these transformations are being carried out with engines and wagons that were refurbished by our local engineers and men. We are yet to deploy any new engines and wagons because those ones are still being manufactured. When those we have placed order for arrive, we will be able to enhance our services. Maybe then, we will be able to increase the Lagos-Kano-Lagos service to a daily shuttle. By that time too, the commuting public will be better aware of the resurgence of the Nigerian railways, and we would then be able to meet demand.

    How do you intend to finance the various NRC projects going on simultaneously?

    In order to meet such targets, we realise we cannot do it alone, we have decided to invite experts to assist us drive the process. We want to shorten to 20 years the journey that took some developed countries 200 years. That is why we are revamping the single rail system and taking on the standard gauge and the fast track gauge at the same time.

     

    How does the government intend to modernise the rail infrastructure, as most of what are on ground today are relics of the colonial masters?

    I can assure you that we are taking the rehabilitation very seriously and this is being addressed in phases. The first phase is to rehabilitate the narrow gauge and get the trains back on track. Soon we shall commence on the second phase, which would address the NRC structures scattered all over the country. Already the Federal Executive Council has given us approval to repossess all our properties, but it is not possible for us to do all of these things at the same time.

    We have revamped the trains and the structures that would make it work, we are moving to constructing the standard gauge and we will put in place all that would make it work before addressing the issue of the facelift of all our properties. That is why I am pleading for patience by Nigerians. It is not possible for all of these to come on board overnight, we are not magicians and government does not have such huge resources.

    By 2014, we hope our invitations to the Nigerian public particularly the private high net worth individuals and private sector will crystalise and sometime by mid next year, we hope to begin implementation. All the infrastructure needed to modernise the railways would be put in place by the federal government.

  • Baraje rues missed chances

    Baraje rues missed chances

    El Kanemi Warriors Technical Adviser, Zachary Baraje was left to rue his side’s missed scoring opportunities in their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) opener against Nasarawa United at the Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday.

    The former Dolphins of Port Harcourt assistant coach, described the game against his former club as a competitive game but insisted that his side would have at least gone home with a victory had they capitalised on the counter-attack opportunities that came their way during the game.

    “It was a first league match of the season for both sides and it was a very competitive game. Nasarawa United were very prepared for the game too. I want to commend my boys for playing to the game plan but they were unable to utilise counter-attack opportunities. We got so many of them but they missed the opportunities. The tempo of the game very high knowing full well that the two sides are coming from the lower league. It was a tough draw no doubt,” Baraje told SportingLife.

    Replying a question, Baraje said: “It is too early to predict what will happen in the league because we all just played one match and we are fighting for one cup.”