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Tag: Emir of Gwandu

  • Buhari hails Supreme Court victory of Emir of Gwandu

    Buhari hails Supreme Court victory of Emir of Gwandu

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Emir of Gwandu, Major-General Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, following his victory at the Supreme Court in a legal battle that spanned two decades.

    The congratulatory message was conveyed in a telephone call from London, where the former president is currently residing. 

    A statement on Thursday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari, who described the outcome as a “stunning victory,” praised the Emir for his perseverance throughout the prolonged legal challenge mounted by deposed Emir, Major Haruna Jokolo (Rtd).

    “You have always worked for the betterment of your people and the nation, even under those circumstances. I hope you will continue to promote peace, happiness, and prosperity of the people in Gwandu Emirate and beyond,” said Buhari.

    The Supreme Court ruling, which marks the end of a 20-year dispute over the Gwandu throne, has been widely regarded as a decisive resolution to one of Nigeria’s most prolonged traditional leadership cases.

    In the phone call, Buhari also expressed his gratitude to God for the outcome. “I thank Allah for this victory and pray for your long life and good health,” he told Emir Muhammadu Iliyasu.

    Read Also: Buhari, Katsina Governor Radda mourn

    The legal dispute began following the deposition of Major Haruna Jokolo by the Kebbi State government in 2005 and the subsequent appointment of Major-General Bashar as Emir. 

    Jokolo challenged the legitimacy of the new appointment, leading to a protracted litigation process that only concluded this year.

    Major-General Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, a retired senior military officer and respected traditional leader, has continued to serve as Emir throughout the legal proceedings. 

    The Gwandu Emirate, one of the oldest and most historically significant traditional institutions in northern Nigeria, holds a prominent place in the cultural and religious life of the region. 

  • Nigeria on path to prosperity under Tinubu, says Emir of Gwandu

    Nigeria on path to prosperity under Tinubu, says Emir of Gwandu

    The Emir of Gwandu and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs in Kebbi State, HRH Abdullahi Bashar, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for driving Nigeria towards prosperity through the provision of essential infrastructure.

    Speaking on Wednesday night at his palace in Gwandu, when the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, paid him a courtesy visit, the Emir highlighted the importance of trust between leaders and citizens. 

    He urged Nigerians to cultivate trust in their leaders to foster responsibility and ensure good governance for sustained development.

    “Leaders should not fail to connect with followers, especially those at the grassroots, to ensure service delivery impacts their lives,” the Emir said.

    The visit followed the inauguration of the Birnin Kebbi–Argungu–Sokoto State border federal road, recently repaired by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). 

    The Emir described leadership as a significant responsibility and commended the administration’s dedication to improving the lives of Nigerians through infrastructure development.

    “We acknowledge your efforts and resilience towards meeting the fundamental needs of Nigerians by providing basic infrastructure.

    “We also have cause to appreciate  dedication and steadfastness of  current leadership who we gave mandate to lead us on the path of greatness as a nation”, he stressed.

    The Emir also reiterated the call for unity and harmony among diverse settings through which the country would prosper as he offered special prayer for the country while urging Nigerians to have trust in their leaders . 

    Earlier, Bello Goronyo told the royal father FG government was in tune with executing projects that would enhance socio-economic development and transformation for good things to Nigerians.

    Read Also: Emir of Gwandu preaches peace at coronation anniversary

    Goronyo said: “President Tinubu remains focused at providing human oriented opportunities to Nigerians especially in the area of infrastructure  through the Renewed hope agenda. 

    The minister said the roads projects being executed and some commissioned in the North West and other parts of the country were aimed at opening the socio-economic horizon for business, trade, commerce, jobs and ease of transportation of goods and services to attract some boosts for national development.

    “It will also serve as connecting link that will ease the challenges of rough and long drive by addressing potholes issues and will equally boost agriculture production and distribution to markets”, he explained while insisting that  government will no longer condone road maintenance and safety violation by vehicle owners and other users.

    “We want to have motorable and safe roads and anyone who damages our roads will be ordered to repair and face the law as appropriate as the huge resources invested in the constructions and repairs and maintenance, are tax payers money which must not be wasted”, he said. 

  • Buratai flags off Operation Python Dance in Kebbi

    The Emir of Gwandu and the chairman Kebbi state council of chiefs, Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar has commended the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Burutai for their role in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

    The royal father made the commendation when he received the chief of Army Staff who paid him homage at his palace ahead of the Flag off of operation Python Dance in Kebbi state.

    The Emir expressed his delight with the visit commending the army for serving the country diligently.

    He said:” I am happy that you are doing your best with absolute efficiency to defend the nation, Nigeria is lucky to have you as soldiers”. Keep the good work going said the emir.

    In a related development the Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu has earlier commended the military for their sacrifice in keeping Nigeria safe and secure.

    Read Also: Fake News may cause 3rd world War- Soyinka

    Bagudu who also received the chief of Army Staff and his entourage at Government House Birnin Kebbi on a courtesy visit extolled the good qualities of lieutenant General Tukur Burutai and his professional conduct in the military.

    He thanked the army for helping the state in its infrastructural development and establishment of two command secondary schools in the state. Bagudu explain further that

    ”The establishment of two army command secondary schools for boys and girls in the state shows the level of cooperation between the army and the state government”” Bagudu also condoled the army for the loss of lives of its personnel in combat operations across the country while assuring them of the support of his administration at all time.

  • Emir of Gwandu urges Nigerians to embrace community policing

    The Emir  of gwandu has urged Nigerians to embraced community policing in other to complement the efforts of the security agencies in kebbi state.

    The emir made this statements in Birnin-Kebbi, during the 5th anniversary and launch of N150 million appeal fund for building office accommodation and acquire of working equipment for the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), in Kebbi State .

    The royal father ,who was represented by the Wazirin Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar, noted that security was paramount in achieving development in the country and charged  community members to organise themselves by engaging in community policing to complement efforts of the police and other security agencies.

    According to Emir, “Security is important in our lives, no security no development, hence the need for more community involvement in maintaining security of our communities.

    “Members of the community are part of us, their involvement is important because they know their environment just like the vigilante who knows nook and crannies of the community.

    “All security agencies should be assisted in doing their work,” he said.

    In his remark, the National Commander of VGN, Alhaji Ali Sokoto, commended both the Kebbi State Government and Gwandu Emirate for supporting his association, while stressing that his members had been trained to shun corruption, uphold the truth and work in collaboration with security agencies.

    Sokoto disclosed that the bill to officially formalise rebranded VGN has been before President Muhammadu Buhari for his consideration and ordered the State chapter of VGN to increase its members in the state from 8,317  in order to beef up security in Kebbi State.

    Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, represented by the Chairman of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), called on the Vigilante Group of Nigeria to form a synergy with the other security agencies in order to have a smooth and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections in the state.

  • Army: First Battalion celebrates WASA in Kebbi

    Army: First Battalion celebrates WASA in Kebbi

    The 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Kebbi state has celebrated the 2016 annual West African Social Activities (WASA) to mark the end of year successful end of training and operational activities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was marked by officers, soldiers and their families with varieties of activities that included tug of war, cooking, cultural dances, songs as well as mini Durbar by the Gwandu emirate horsemen.

    The colourful event, sponsored by the Diamond bank, also featured cultural dances by the Tiv, Yoruba and Kalagu musicians, the NYSC cultural dance troupe as well as the presentation of awards of honour to distinguished friends and well wishers of the soldiers.

    The debate on the topic ”Public schools are better managed than private schools”, that was won by Miss Jamila Usman of the Nigerian Army primary school, Dukku Barracks in Birnin Kebbi.

    The Charlie Company of the 1 Battalion, Dukku Barracks won the Diamond bank price as the best in cooking competition while the administration company came second.

    The Galadiman Gwandu emirate, Ibrahim Bashar, represented the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, who inspected the mini Durbar and the delicacies prepared by the wives of the soldiers from different formations.

    The acting commanding officer of the formation, Capt. Ibrahim Aliyu commended the soldiers for discipline and dedication during the year and called for peaceful coexistence with the immediate community.

    A cross section of people who converged at the Barracks described the annual event as entertaining and a major avenue to mingle and share goodwill between civilians and the soldiers and their families.

  • Appeal Court reinstates deposed Emir of Gwandu

    Appeal Court reinstates deposed Emir of Gwandu

    The Court of Appeal in Sokoto on Thursday upheld the decision of the Kebbi High Court which reinstated the deposed Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo.

    The appellate court also ordered that all his salaries and entitlements for the 10 years that he was not on the throne be paid to him.

    The incumbent Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar, had appealed against the judgment of the lower court, which reinstated Jokolo.

    In a unanimous judgment, the three judges of the court led by Justice Tunde Awotoye, held that the deposition of Jokolo by the then governor contravened Sections 6 and 7 of the Chiefs Appointment and Deposition Law of the state.

    “It was because the governor neither made an inquiry into the allegation against the emir nor consulted the state’s Council of Chiefs before arriving at his decision.

    “The former governor’s action had contradicted Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The deposed emir was not given a fair hearing before he was dethroned and as such the decision was null and void,’’ the court held.

    The judge ordered the reinstatement of Jokolo and the payment of his 10 years salaries and entitlements.

    In his reaction, Counsel to the appellant, Mr Hassan Zakariyya, said they were not satisfied with the judgment.

    Zakariya said they would study the judgment and advise their client on the next step.

    But Jokolo’s Counsel, Mr Ahmadu Zumaru, commended the court, and described the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

  • NASS donate N10m to victims of Birnin Kebbi fire outbreak

    NASS donate N10m to victims of Birnin Kebbi fire outbreak

    Members of the National Assembly from Kebbi have donated N10 million to victims of the Birnin Kebbi Central market fire, which occurred on March 26, 2016.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that a former governor of the state, Sen. Adamu Aliero, announced the donation on Monday when he led the NASS members on an inspection of the burnt market.

    He noted that the fire had led to colossal loss and resulted in serious setback to economic activities in the state.

    Aliero told the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, who was on the entourage, that the donation was to assist the victims to come back on their feet.

    He called for investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the inferno and adoption of measures to prevent future occurrence.

    “I recall that 15 years ago when the market was commissioned fire preventive measures had been put in place,” he stated, and advised traders against erecting structures that would impede rescue operations.

    “I urge the authorities to promptly determine the extent of damage and to seek for assistance from the Federal Government, individuals and groups.”

    Responding, the deputy governor commended the lawmakers for the donation and pledged that the money would be utilized judiciously.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NASS members also visited the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, to sympathise with him over the incident.

    Aliero called for prayers to prevent future occurrence and urged the traders to accept the calamity as an act of God.

     

  • Court reinstates Emir of Gwandu

    The Kebbi State High Court V1, presided over by Justice Abbas Ahman, yesterday ordered the reinstatement of the dethroned Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Haruna Jokolo.

    The monarch, who was dethroned in 2005, had been challenging his dethronement in court in the last eight years on the grounds that it was an abuse of privilege which did not comply with due process.

    He also said it was an outright disregard for his fundamental right as a Nigerian.

    In the nine-year trial, Justice Abbas Ahman said the deposition of Jokolo was contrary to law and that due process was not followed.

    The judge agreed with the submission of the deposed Emir and declared the appointment of incumbent Emir Alhaji Iliyasu Bashir as null and void and ordered that Jokolo be reinstated as the Emir of Gwandu.

    It was learnt that the judgment elicited jubilation on the popular Ahmadu Bello Way, Emir Haruna and many major roads in the state capital and in Gwandu town.

    Though Jokolo was not in court when the judgment was delivered, his lawyer, Mr. Sylvester Imanoibe, expressed satisfaction with the judgment.

    But addressing reporters on the judgement, the Secretary to the Kebbi State Government (SSG), Alhaji Rabiu Garba Kamba, urged the people to remain calm and law-abiding.

    The state government was joined in the suit with the 20th Emir of Gwandu.