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Tag: Boni Haruna

  • Babachir, others urge peace as anxiety over Adamawa gov’ship election mounts

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and some other elders of Adamawa State have advised Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow to accept in good faith the supremacy of the candidate of opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over him in the March 9 governorship election and avoid actions that could plunge the state in crisis.

    There is growing anxiety in Adamawa State following apparent resolve of All Progressives Congress (APC) party and government in the state to have the March 9 election annulled against the suspicion in the PDP family and its supporters that the party’s candidate, Umaru Fintiri, was deprived of immediate victory in the first place when the election was declared inconclusive.

    The PDP which had earlier accused the APC of planning to get the court to stop the scheduled March 23 supplementary governorship election and possibly annul the March 9 main election, openly fingered the APC government on Thursday when the state high court granted an injunction stopping INEC from conducting the supplementary election.

    Babachir Lawal and the other elders who made their appeals for peace on separate occasions, urged Bindow to relax his apparent determination to stick to power and save the state of looming crisis.

    “The only honourable thing to do is for my party’s candidate to concede and give peace a chance,” Babachir said, adding, “the next election is only four years away. Bindow can go back to the drawing board and launch himself back. Therefore, let’s not allow elections to cause trouble between brothers.”

    His and the appeal by others followed a new revelation that the number of registered voters in polling units where supplementary election was planned is not 40,948 as INEC first announced but 34,401 as the same INEC corrected in a reply on Friday to a request for figures from the PDP.

    Read Also: 2019: Voters will go for merit, not parties – Babachir

    Abdullahi Prembe, the PDP scribe, said the governorship election issue was being prolonged unnecessarily. “We have gleaned from INEC records that 34,101 is actually the number of registered voters in the affected polling units, as declared by the state returning officer,” Prembe said,

    A former governor of the state and chieftain of the PDP, Boni Haruna, who had much earlier questioned the rationale for declaring the March 9 governorship election inconclusive, had contended that PDP’s margin of lead in the election, which was 32,467, was higher than 31,027; being the number of PVCs collected in the polling units where election was cancelled.

    Against criticism of the PDP over the suit by the candidate of the MRDD, Rev Eric Theman, that led to the injunction against the scheduled supplementary election, the APC secretary, Wafarninyi Theman, said the MRDD candidate had the right to question the omission of his party logo from the ballot paper because the omission by INEC deprived him of the right to be voted for.

    The PDP had polled 367,471 votes in the March 9 governorship election against APC’s 334,995 to leave a lead margin of 32,467, which INEC said was lower than the number of registered voters in polling units where voting was cancelled, and for which reason INEC declared the election inconclusive.

     

  • Haruna commends Nigerian Army’s response to Boko Haram attacks in Michik

    Former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna has hailed the effort of the Nigerian Army as well other security agencies over their prompt and gallant response to Boko Haram attacks in his community, Michika.
    Members of the Boko Haram insurgents on Monday attacked Michika town, the headquarters of  Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State barely few days to the supplementary election, but the Nigerian Army in a gallant response quelled the uprising by neutralizing the terrorists who came in their numbers
    Mr Haruna in a statement signed personally by him said;
    “It is quite worrisome for Michika to once again experience such attack when the people had almost settled to rebuild their lives after the 2014 invasion  during which  the area and indeed the entire Northern part of the state was overran by the insurgents.
    “I take this opportunity to condole with the people, particularly the families of those who lost their beloved ones most of whom were hit by stray bullets in the course of running for their dear lives. I pray for the quick recovery of the injured ones and for the restoration of the losses that have been incurred.
    “In the midst of this tragic event and the pains and agonies that come with it, I urge all our people to remain calm and steadfast. This sad moment shall also pass as we look into the future with hope and determination.” he added.
    Full Statement
    I wish to most profoundly commend the Nigerian army and other security agencies for the their prompt and gallant response to the attack in Michika, my community yesterday by suspected  Boko Haram insurgents.
    It would be recalled that Michika came under intense attack yesterday night 18th, March, 2019 which lasted  for hours during which the Nigerian army gallantly and professionally  engaged the insurgents in a deadly gun battle, for which we are most grateful.
    It is quite worrisome for Michika to once again experience such attack when the people had almost settled to rebuild their lives after the 2014 invasion  during which  the area and indeed the entire Northern part of the state was overran by the insurgents.
    I take this opportunity to condole with the people, particularly the families of those who lost their beloved ones most of whom were hit by stray bullets in the course of running for their dear lives. I pray for the quick recovery of the injured ones and for the restoration of the losses that have been incurred.
    In the midst of this tragic event and the pains and agonies that come with it, I urge all our people to remain calm and steadfast. This sad moment shall  also pass as we look into the future with hope and determination.
    In  keeping with the spirit of steadfastness,  we must not lose sight of our civic duties and responsibilities as we keep a date  with the March 23rd, 2019 forthcoming  supplementary election in  4 or 6 Polling Units in  Michika and other 13 Local Government Areas across the state.
    We must be part of making history  towards ushering in a purposeful and focused leadership that will fast track the full return to nomalcy of life for our people through the rebuilding of our destroyed houses, schools and infrastructure. It is doable. Yes! it is with the correct leadership.

     

  • Boni Haruna hails Globacom

    Boni Haruna hails Globacom

    Minister of Youth Development Mr. Boni Haruna has described Globacom as a worthy indigenous telecommunications company adding value to the communication experience of Nigerians with its unique products and services.

    The minister, who spoke in Lagos on Tuesday when he visited Globacom’s corporate headquarters, also welcomed the company’s proposal to supply 120,000 closed user group lines for easy communication among workers of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and corps members.

    He noted that the development would make the ministry trendy and abreast of international best practices.

  • Ministry signs pact with UN Habitat

    Ministry signs pact with UN Habitat

    The  Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, yesterday signed a pact with the United Nations Habitat to strenghten the National Youth Service Corps scheme(NYSC).

    Haruna, who spoke after the signing, stated that the development outputs identified under the agreement particularly the proposed baseline historical and institutional study will lead to the establishment of a mechanism for monitoring and evaluation of the NYSC scheme.

    “This output hopes to assess the overall performance of the scheme after 40 years in view of present realities and enhance the capacity of the Ministry to do so consistently thereafter,” he reiterated.

    The minister expressed confidence that the project will place the ministry in a better position to re-position the scheme for better performance and broader development objectives.

    He therefore pledged the commitment of the federal government to the actualisation of the programmes and project under the agreement.

    The Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Dr. Aisa Kirabo, commended the commitment of the federal government towards improvement of the well being of the youths.

  • Nigeria, Sri Lanka to partner on youth empowerment

    The Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, has said the Federal Government will partner with Sri Lanka to harness the rich potentialities of the youth.

    Haruna made the statement when he received the High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Solomon Liyanage, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to him, the Ministry of Youth Development will collaborate with the Sri Lankan Government in capacity and entrepreneurial skill development for youths in Nigeria and Sri Lanka to create wealth.

    “More than 60 per cent of the Nigerian population is made up of youths who are vibrant, resourceful and dynamic, this calls for a concerted efforts of government at all levels.

    “Well-meaning individuals and voluntary organisations are advised to groom the youth, the youth are the future leaders of any nation,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying at the forum.

    The minister said unemployment among the youth was one of the most challenging problems facing Nigeria.

    According to him, Nigerian government welcomes any deliberate effort by Sri Lanka to exchange ideas and experiences on how best to solve youth unemployment.

  • FG plans bill to fund youths ideas

    FG plans bill to fund youths ideas

    Following the death of 23 youths at the Nigerian Immigration Services, NIS recruitment exercise, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna has said the Ministry is set to establish a youth development bill.

    The bill, if approved by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Executive Council will enable the ministry support youths with entrepreneurial ideas.

    Boni Haruna who received a delegation of former members of Adamawa State House of Assembly led by former Speaker, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi in Abuja Tuesday said the National Youth Development Fund is conceived to deal with employment deficit similar to the Fund established to deal with the current housing deficit.

    The Minister, while justifying the importance of the Fund said “it is not going to be like any other funds, but the bill is conceived to encourage the entrepreneurial skills of the youths which will invariably create wealth and reduce poverty in the society.”

    He said that with over 60 percent of country’s population being youth, the Fund will greatly galvanise the vision of President Jonathan for the youth development sector.

    The Minister expressed the firm belief that the provision of the Fund to the teeming youths will provide them easy access and optimal utilization of their skills tremendously.

    He observed that the Youth Ministry having to cater for over 60 percent of the population is definitely crucial and central to the development of the nation in general.

    The Minister thanked the delegation for their show of solidarity and support stating that he was overwhelmed by the unity and oneness of purpose which he declared is needed for the development of Adamawa State and Nigeria as a whole.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi while thanking President Goodluck Jonathan said the appointment of Mr. Haruna is the right choice.

    Noting his pedigree as former Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi expressed confidence on the ability of the Minister to realise the mandate of the Youth Development Ministry.

  • Suntai fit to take charge now, says ex- Adamawa governor

    Suntai fit to take charge now, says ex- Adamawa governor

    Recuperating Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, is fit to resume his constitutional duties as the executive governor now, the former governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Boni Haruna has said.

    He said the most important thing is that Suntai has capable hands around, including his deputy Alhaji Garba Umar, who can complement his efforts.

    Haruna, accompanied by his wife, spent several hours with Suntai at the Government House, Jalingo on Sunday.

    Haruna clad in an ash short-Safari suit while the governor wore a milky baban riga.

    From the governor’s living room, the two kinsmen of the defunct Gongola state went to sit outside, in white rubber chairs. This discussed for several hours.

    Most of the discussions centred on the governor’s air crash and the political impasse in Taraba.

    Present were their aides and journalists who later interviewed the former Adamawa governor.

    Haruna warned politicians, particularly the Taraba State House of Assembly members to stop playing politics with Suntai’s health.

    “Governor Suntai is fit to take charge now,” stated Haruna who said he wonders why some overzealous persons in the state have continued to play politics with the governor’s health, thereby denying him the right to resume office.

    Haruna said he was sad at the way and manner the lawmakers in Taraba were handling the state’s political crisis which erupted when Suntai returned from abroad after a 10-month medical treatment of the injuries he sustained when an aircraft he piloted crashed near Yola, Adamawa state in October last year.

    He said the crisis in Taraba were issues of “morality and the constitution.”

    “It is not my intention to dabble into the affairs of Taraba, but as a leader I have a responsibility to do so.

    “The issue of health or ill-health is not in the control of anybody, it is with God and anybody could be involved in an accident.

    “The constitution does not give a time frame within which if you don’t recover, you should be removed from office. And in his case, Suntai has recovered.

     

  • Na’Abba, Kure, Boni Haruna, other ministerial nominees undergo security screening

    Na’Abba, Kure, Boni Haruna, other ministerial nominees undergo security screening

    The security agencies have commenced the screening of President Goodluck Jonathan’s prospective candidates to fill the 12 vacancies in the Federal Executive Council.

    Some of them have personally appeared before the agencies,The Nation can now confirm.

    They include ex-Speaker Umar Ghali Na’Abba (Kano); ex-Governor Abdulkadir Kure (Niger); Senator Umar Gada (Sokoto); a former Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Alh. Hamizu Mai Rago (who is a die-hard loyalist of the VP) and a former Minister of State for Works, Isaiah Balat (Kaduna); ex-Minister Aliyu Idi Hong and ex-Governor Boni Haruna (Adamawa); a former MD of African Petroleum, Bukar Abba Gana; Hon. Muhammed Kumalia and Nicholas Msheliza (Borno); ex-Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Alhaji Fatai Akinbade (Osun).

    It was, however, gathered that some PDP leaders are trying to build consensus on Engineer Ezekiel Adeniji, Chairman, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to make the list.

    Investigation in Abuja revealed that a blanket screening of the potential candidates was conducted all through the week to weed out those unfit for cabinet positions.

    It was learnt that the screening was kept secret to avoid pressure on security agencies.

    A top source said: “Some of those short-listed for the vacant slots are already undergoing screening. This exercise will enable the President to have comprehensive information on them.

    “We have also sent some officers to the field to crosscheck certain information at our disposal on some nominees to prevent error of judgment.

    “The report of the screening will determine those who will make the final list and those to be dropped.

    “I think in the next one week or two, the list should be ready. The National Assembly will soon get a letter to that effect.”

    Meanwhile, another source confirmed that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State have been building consensus around the Chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engineer Ezekiel Adeniji.

    The source said: “I think Adeniji has appeared before one of the security agencies for screening.”