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Tag: Emmanuel Bwacha

  • Constituent gives kudos to senator for impactful projects

    Constituent gives kudos to senator for impactful projects

    A constituent in Southern Taraba, Yamujeh Usman Ba’aga, has commended Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, for his “unparalleled record of development, empowerment, and responsive leadership” in southern senatorial zone of Taraba State.

    In a statement yesterday, Ba’aga said the senator’s work has “set a new standard for representation,” noting the broad array of infrastructural and humanitarian interventions that have reshaped lives and communities in the zone.

    “Senator Bwacha is not just a lawmaker; he is a builder of hope and opportunity,” Ba’aga said. “His name rings across the length and breadth of the zone not just for promises made, but for promises kept.”

    He listed developments facilitated by the senator—from rural electrification in communities like Nyivo and Mararraba, to rehabilitation of the once-neglected Donga–Mararraba road—as proof of a leadership model rooted in action.

    “In places where darkness once defined the nights, Senator Bwacha brought light. Where roads were death traps, he brought access and dignity. This is the kind of impact that cannot be erased from our memory,” Ba’aga noted.

    Education, healthcare, and digital inclusion were also cited as major areas of intervention. According to Ba’aga, Bwacha’s efforts to equip science laboratories at Federal University in Wukari, establish ICT centres, and provide scholarship to over 260 students have had ripple effects in families and future generations.

    “The youth are not left behind. Whether through scholarship, vocational training, or employment facilitation, he has kept them in focus,” Ba’aga said, referencing over 500 federal jobs and empowerment of more than 750 youths through skill programmes under National Directorate of Employment.

    The constituent further noted the senator’s robust security interventions, including establishment of new police divisions in Mararraba and Donga, donation of patrol vehicles, and installation of streetlights in towns like Takum and Wukari to improve public safety.

    In a zone plagued by communal tensions and infrastructural neglect, Ba’aga said the senator’s leadership has created a “blueprint for peace and development,” noting the provision of boreholes, grinding machines, tricycles, motorcycles, and other economic relief items as critical buffers against poverty and displacement.

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    Healthcare delivery received a boost under the senator’s watch, with construction of a modern primary health centre in Mararraba and support for maternal and child health.

    “In every corner—urban or rural—there is a footprint of Senator Bwacha’s service. He has responded to the pressing needs of people with thoughtfulness and resolve,” he said.

    The senator praised the senator for supporting the justice system through construction of a new magistrate court and transportation logistics for agricultural and community-based initiatives.

    Ba’aga concluded by urging upcoming political leaders to emulate the senator’s approach to public service, which he described as people-focused, inclusive, and sustainable.

    “In a time when trust in public office is low, Senator Bwacha reminds us that leadership can still be a force for good. He is a beacon of hope and a reference point for what democratic dividends should truly look like,” the statement read.

    Senator Bwacha, a former Deputy Senate Minority Leader, has served multiple terms representing the Taraba South Senatorial District. His development-oriented politics continues to draw attention both within and outside Taraba State.

  • Senate to EFCC, Police: Vacate Ekweremadu’s residence

    The Senate on Tuesday resolved to ask operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and police laying siege to the residence of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to vacate residence without further delay.

    The upper chamber said that the security operatives must allow Ekweremadu to enjoy his constitutional rights as a free citizen of the country.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North)

    Utazi told the Senate that the siege on Ekweremadu’s residence by security operatives was a violation of his right to move freely.

    He said, “This morning I left Enugu for Abuja to attend today’s sitting.

    “Half way into the airport, I received a distress call from the aides working with the Deputy Senate President that his residence and the entire street had been cordoned off and nobody can move out of the house.

    “As I am talking the people of Enugu State resident in Abuja have moved to Ekweremadu’s residence and they are there shouting in the rain for his release.

    “What offence has he committed that would warrant his wife and children to be denied freedom to go about their duties.

    “People are worried. We want to know what he has done.

    “Some people told me that they heard some people wanted to defect today and because of that they don’t want him to come to the sitting.

    “I also heard that they don’t want the senate president to come so that both presiding officers will not be here but thank God that the Senate President is in this place.”

    Utazi prayed the Senate to demand that Ekweremadu’s residence be immediately vacated.

    Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East) who seconded the motion noted that the occupation of Ekweremadu’s residence was a threat to democracy.

    He said, “I was with Ekweremadu on Tuesday and there was no notice from the Police. I wonder why his house is under siege today.

    “If he is wanted they should invite him and he will respond.

    Read Also: Enugu community hails Ekweremadu’s representation

    “There will be tomorrow. No matter the intimidation my confidence in you and Ekweremadu is renewed and we must protect this institution.”

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South)who also supported the motion said that the development was not only a threat on democracy but the unity of the country.

    He said, “It is with a heavy heart I rise to contribute to this. This is not only threat to democracy but the unity of the country and we need to thread with caution. What is happening has never happened.

    “When I heard of the siege I became afraid

    “We need prayers and we have to stand up as statesmen. “It is about the institution and the matter is beyond political party but the threat on democracy.

    “I advise that security operatives should know that they are meant to protect us and no country has used violence to settle matters.

    “We can pack our things and go and those trying to dent the image of the president should be careful.”

    Before the adoption of the motion Saraki noted that there was also a siege to his house at the early hours of Tuesday.

    The Senate President said that he was meant to report to the Police due to the invitation to answer to alleged involvement in a robbery case in Offa some months ago but he could not do so.

    Saraki said that there would not have been Senate plenary if he had gone to the Police, due to the fact that Ekweremadu was prevented from leaving his house.

    He said, “Ekweremadu cannot come out for no fault of his and by the plan I wouldn’t have been here as well.

    “It was the intervention of Almighty God that I am here today.

    “The deputy senate president called me that he was blocked from coming out. Even my convoy was blocked.”

    Chairman, South East Senate Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe also cried out over the dawn siege on the residences of and Ekweremadu by the police and the DSS operatives.

    Abaribe who called on “Well-meaning Nigerians and the International community for interventions to save our democracy,” said the country is fast cascading to tyranny and fascism.

    He said, “This dangerous route is unprecedented in modern democracy. It is a sinister plot to throw the country back to the dark age of military dictatorship. Too bad for our unity as a country.”

    Abaribe warned that silence in this circumstance, could sound a death knell on the already challenged unity of Nigeria.

    He said, “This is the time to speak up against the directorship and tyranny of executive arm of government against the parliament.

    “The legislature is the universally acclaimed bastion and symbol of democracy, so attacking this hallowed institution signals the end to our chequered match to enduring democracy.”

    Also a statement entitled “EFCC, Police, lay siege to Ekweremadu’s residence…No going in or out” said that the Apo Legislative Quarters residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is currently under the siege of men of the Nigeria Police Force and the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It said that “With the Senate President Bukola Saraki, expected to report to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Nigeria Police Force in Guzappe Abuja, this Tuesday morning, Senator Ekweremadu is expected to preside over plenary.

    “They took over the entire vicinity before 6am. There is no going in or coming out. Meanwhile, there was no prior invitation to the Senator by any of the security agencies or the EFCC.”

    The statement was signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu.

    Meanwhile, the Senate adjourned plenary till September 28, 2018 to enable senators proceeds on their annual vacation.

  • Bwacha flags off rehabilitation of Wukari-Ibi road

    Sen.  Emmanuel  Bwacha  representing Taraba South District  on Friday flagged off the rehabilitation  of  the 36.5-kilometre  Wukari -Ibi road which is expected to gulp  N1 billion.

    Speaking at the occasion, Bwacha said  the project, which was approved jointly by the Federal Ministry of  Agriculture as well as  Power, Works and Housing  as a rural road initiative,   had  funds appropriated for it  in the 2017 and 2018 budgets.

    The senator commended the Federal  Government for its commitment to  infrastructural development.

    Bwacha, who is also the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, urged  the people of the community to cooperate with  the contractor  to ensure the project was  completed in six weeks  as scheduled.

    The lawmaker  also said  work on the abandoned Akwana Mobile Police Barack which he initiated years ago as a House of Representatives member,  would soon resume as N1.3 billion  had been appropriated for it  in the 2018 budget.

    He said when completed, the barrack would help in ensuring security  on the fringes of the Taraba-Benue border.

    Also speaking at the occasion,  Gov.  Darius  Ishaku of Taraba commended Bwacha for facilitating  the road rehabilitation project for the benefit of the people.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Works, Mr Tafarki Agbadu, Ishaku also commended the Federal Government  for approving funds for the project.

    He, however,  appealed to the Federal Government  to refund the N32 billion the state government  had spent so far  on the rehabilitation  of federal roads.

    Mr Samuel  Oyafami, the  Director of Moulds Nig. Ltd, the company handling the Wukari –Ibi road project, said the road was first constructed in 1974 and had  not undergone full rehabilitation.

    Oyafami said his company would restore the road to its original state  within a record time.

    Reports from our reporter confirmed that Bwacha later proceeded to Jandeikyula village near Wukari where assailants  recently killed  32 people to commiserate with the families of the victims.

    NAN

     

     

     

     

  • Anambra election: Senate gives IGP 24-hrs to restore Obiano’s aides

    Anambra election: Senate gives IGP 24-hrs to restore Obiano’s aides

    The Senate on Wednesday directed the Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Mr Ibrahim Idris to restore security aides of Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra within 24 hours.

    The directive was sequel to a Point of Order raised by Deputy Minority Leader, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha during plenary in Abuja.

    The Upper Chamber also directed the Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Abu Ibrahim to ensure that the order was carried out and report back to the Senate on Thursday, Nov. 16.

    It can be recalled that the IGP had on Tuesday withdrawn Obiano’s security aides on the excuse of providing level playing ground in Saturday’s governorship polls in the state.

    Bwacha described the withdrawal of the governor’s aides as unjust.

    “As a senator, I know that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. If we don’t arrest the matter the President may be made hostage unknown to him.

    “If we allow such cabal to grow and are not tamed, the Federal Government may be brought down to its knees.”

    He said as members of parliament they had a duty to ensure that “What happened in Anambra did not happen anywhere again.

    “Candidates should be allowed level playing ground but nobody should do a thing as crude and shrewd as what happened in Anambra. This was wrong.

    “I will make attempt to try and reach the President that some of his aides are been over zealous in discharging their constitutional duties; this is not good and it is uncalled for.”

    In his comment, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, described the development as unfortunate, but said the Senate would not debate on the matter as it was brought under an order not debatable.

    Rising under Order 45 and 52, Deputy Minority Whip, Sen. Biodun Olujimi said the whole idea of the Point of Order she raised was for the lawmakers to be allowed to make contributions on the matter.

    “The issue is very important to Nigerians and democracy. It is a nascent democracy and there is a need for us to nurture it, to ensure that we don’t truncate it easily.

    “The action of the IGP in taking over the aides of a sitting governor means that in 2019, even the Senate President will lose all his aides,’’ Olujimi said.

    She added: “every governor regardless of his political party is entitled to security and as chief security officers of their states they are entitled to security.

    “It is unimaginable that the IGP will say because he wants to provide level playing field because there is an election, he will withdraw the ADC of a governor so that he goes without his retinue of aides. That is wrong”.

    NAN

  • Senate fails to lay 2017 Budget Proposal as promised

    The Senate on Thursday, failed to lay the 2017 Appropriation Bill in plenary, contrary to its promise to Nigerians that the bill would be passed before Friday.

    The tenure of the 2016 Appropriation Act would end on Friday.

    Against expectations, the Leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, moved a motion for the bill to be stepped down till Tuesday. The motion was seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha.

    Lawan said that he had been informed that the budget would be ready and laid on Tuesday and therefore, urged the lawmakers to wait until that day to have the report from the Appropriation Committee.

    In his remarks, Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, who presided at the plenary, explained that the development was to enable both chambers of the National Assembly to complete the budget harmonisation.

    He said that though the senate was billed to receive the report on Thursday, it was informed in the morning that it was important for “it to be on the same page” with the House of Representatives.

    “Let me emphasise for the benefit of the public that we were to receive this report today.

    “It was only this morning that it was necessary for us to be sure that we are on the same page with the House of Representatives to avoid any possible conferencing.

    “So, what we like to see is the House and the Senate laying just the same documents so that once we pass it, we will now send the documents to the President for assent.

    “I think it is important that the point be made and the public know that the harmonisation which is going on should be concluded over the weekend to enable us receive the budget report by Tuesday.

    “By the grace of God, we will have it passed by next week and we send it to the President for assent,” Ekweremadu said.

    He assured that the national assembly would do everything possible to see that the bill was passed next week in view of the fact that the tenure of the 2016 budget would end on May 5.

    According to him, the 2016 budget was passed on May 5, 2016 but under the Constitution, the Federal Government is entitled to continue to spend money based on the 2016 estimates up to June 30, 2017.

    “We will not allow us to get into the reliance on the constitutional provision. Hopefully, by the grace of God, we will have this budget passed next week so that implementation will start in earnest.

    “I just want to appeal for the understanding of the people of Nigeria, ”he said.

  • Taraba: Dangers of ethno-religious politics

    Taraba: Dangers of ethno-religious politics

    IT is not surprising that efforts are being orchestrated by a section of the political elite in Taraba State, led by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, to drag the acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar into unnecessary controversy. With the 2015 elections at the corner, those who are interested and eager to run for the office of governor of the state and who suspect that the acting governor may also be throwing his hat into the ring have become increasingly uncomfortable and desperate. The strategy is to throw as much mud as possible at the person of the acting governor and to diminish his rising political profile in order to gain unfair advantage in the race for which he has neither declared nor indicated interest.

    One of the issues being played up as part of this unhealthy political game is the serial crises in Southern Taraba, particularly, Wukari. Those who are determined to give the acting governor the bad name that he certainly does not deserve are out proclaiming that he is behind the crises. No falsehood can be more callous than this. To create the kind of political situation that they desperately require to achieve their purpose, they are even asking that a state of emergency be declared in the state. And for Senator Bwacha who has been a regular face in the corridors of power in the state and benefitted immensely from the generosity of the present and past administrations as well as the goodwill of the people of the state to accept to play the unpatriotic role as arrowhead of this campaign of denigration is shocking.

    At this point, it is necessary for me to say for the avoidance of doubt and misunderstanding of the purpose of this article, that I’m not an indigene of Taraba State. I have only lived in the state for many years and followed the socio- political trends in the state very closely. Over time, I have become emotionally attached to the state and I frequently get bothered when things are going wrong. It is for this reason that I am compelled to draw public attention through this medium to some of the unhealthy developments in the state which I believe are capable of dragging down the state into the abyss of underdevelopment.

    I’m particularly worried at the desperate effort being made to demonise the acting governor, a man who had, at very critical times in the political life of the state, had been a stabilizing factor. His present role is one of such special opportunities to play a leading role in restoring stability negatively jolted by the sudden departure of the governor for medical attention abroad following injuries he sustained in a plane crash. I believe the campaign which, unfortunately, carries the stamp of Senator Bwacha’s endorsement, is baseless, unfair and unnecessary.

    It is obvious that the Senator wants to be governor. He has not hidden his desire for that office which is now boiling over and turning into a consuming passion. It is a legitimate aspiration, no doubt. He, as well as any other indigene of the state, has a right to aspire to the position of governor or any other position for that matter. What he has no right to do and should not do, however, is to seek to blackmail those he suspects, rightly or wrongly, to be interested in the same office on account of their advantage of political visibility and unassailable record of achievement in the position that God had given them in the past.

    The campaign against Umar is particularly unfair and distasteful. Umar has been unfairly put on the spot and in the eye of the storm since Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai was involved in a plane crash in which he suffered serious injuries and had to spend quite some time in hospitals abroad.  That unfortunate incident brought Umar, a quiet, amiable and unassuming personality, into the driving seat in an acting capacity. The decision that Umar stepped into the shoes of the governor in an acting capacity as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has not gone down well with those who think illegality – which means using a proxy to run the administration rather than the deputy governor –  would have been a better option. He is seen and treated as a stranger in government and every official action he takes is misunderstood and misinterpreted.

    A few days ago, Senator Bwacha, through an open letter published in some Nigerian dailies, made sweeping allegations against the person of Umar. In that letter, he made no pretensions that his motive was to thoroughly paint Umar in the most unsavoury colours just to make him objectionable and un-electable in the 2015 race for the office of governor, in case he decides to contest. And in doing so, Bwacha desperately sought to play the ethnic and religious cards in order to win sympathy and support for his war of attrition. This cruel game of political name-calling cannot help Taraba State.  What will help the state is unity of purpose. Ethnic and religious sentiments have proved over the years and in many countries to be extremely destructive. The Rwandan experience which is about the worst globally in recent times should serve as a warning to those still seeking to ride to power on the wings of ethnic or religious sentiments.

    Acting Governor Umar, and this is the view of most of the ordinary people of Taraba State, has done his best in the circumstances that he has found himself. The political atmosphere is very volatile and this is adversely affecting everything in the state including the machinery of governance. Those who do not want to see Umar as the face of the government of Taraba State are unrelenting in their campaign to stifle the machinery of government. And they are the ones who also shout the loudest that the state is stagnating, that it is not getting adequate touch of development through the provision of modern amenities. What a contradiction!

    The real grouse of the leaders of the “put down” campaign project launched against Umar is that Suntai did not return to office on his return from abroad, even as unfit as he was. But this was not the decision of the acting governor. It was obvious that Suntai was still incapacitated. That position was backed by the report of foreign medical experts. Since the wish that he returned to his seat did not prevail, nothing else is good enough and whatever else is in place must be destroyed. This attitude is outrageous and unhelpful to the interests of the state.

    It is true that unity is gradually being eroded in the state. People who before now lived as one, united by their affection for the state and all that it stands for, are being consciously or unconsciously encouraged to think and believe that they are no longer bound by the same common bond of unity. It is largely the handiwork of the political elite in the state which include people like Senator Bwacha. And the earlier the elite group realises that this game of deliberate disinformation is a destroyer the better for the good people of Taraba State.

    I also believe that Senator Bwacha and his group have not been fair to Umar in their reading of the latter’s attitude to the governor’s unfortunate state of ill-health and the manner in which he has handled the affairs of the state since the governor took ill. My understanding which is based on very reliable information of some friends on both sides of the political divide in the state point to the fact that Suntai’s family has not been denied anything that is necessary to make them comfortable. All their entitlement are settled promptly while most of the key people working with the acting governor are members of Sunta’s political family even though they have remained unwavering in their attitude of deliberate belligerence toward  the man who is running the government of state today.

    As earlier stated in this article, Suntai’s plane accident is unfortunate. It was an act of God and he has the sympathy of the entire people of the state. We all wish him well and pray that he gets well quickly to be able to return to his seat as governor. Umar has always wished him well and had ensured that he used every opportunity to speak at public forums to pray for the governor and to wish him speedy recovery. He has also left nobody in doubt, through his utterances and actions, that he is just filling a gap temporarily created by the governor’s accident and injury. This attitude is very well known and appreciated by the good people of Taraba State except in the political camp of Senator Bwacha.

    These, certainly, are difficult times for the people of Taraba State, a time when some people are out on a deliberate mission of mischief. The sooner leaders in the state realise that people are being misled, the better for the state. Deliberate efforts should be made to change direction and navigate in right direction, that is, in search of peace and cooperation. Bwacha should reach out to the acting governor to discuss the best way forward for the state. No leader can succeed if the followership is split into several pockets opposition camps. The government must enjoy a reasonable level of support and cooperation of the people. Bwacha should be bold enough to reverse himself and play the role of a support pillar for the government which Umar is merely tending to on behalf of Suntai. I join Umar, Bwacha and all the good people of Taraba State in wishing Governor Suntai quick recovery and in praying for peace and understanding to reign in Taraba State.

     

    • Aboki  wrote from Jalingo. Taraba State

     

     

     

  • Senator to Umar: you can’t be Taraba governor

    Senator to Umar: you can’t be Taraba governor

    •‘You swore you won’t contest’

    The senator representing Taraba South, Emmanuel Bwacha, said yesterday that Acting Governor Garba Umar cannot contest next year.

    The senator revealed that Umar swore to Governor Danbaba Suntai that he would not run for office.

    Bwacha said he opposed Umar from the onset because he envisaged the acting governor was not good for Taraba.

    The senator, in an open letter, vowed to stop Umar, if he insists on contesting.

    Bwacha said: “I am compelled to write this letter because I owe it as a responsibility to provide leadership and light where darkness and confusion have taken over. There comes a time in the life of a man when silence is no longer considered golden.”

    He accused Umar of instituting in the state “tyranny and dictatorship,” which he said is the “worst possible disservice to mankind.”

    Bwacha said: “I opposed your becoming deputy governor from day one and now I’m more than vindicated.

    “I warned Suntai, now see what we have. I’m aware you swore to Suntai about your ambition.

    “You know this and your God knows, because Suntai actually expressed his reservations a day before he accepted you.

    “You told him that you won’t pursue any personal ambition but see what you are doing: campaigning vigorously.

    “Did you expect me to keep quiet when our people were ambushed and killed by insurgents who confessed that someone paid them to come and unleash hell in our area?

    “You expected me to chicken out when you told some of your minions in Jalingo that it was not herdsmen who were attacking the Tiv people but the Jukun dressed  like Fulani.

    “This, you had hoped would incite Tiv against Jukun. You don’t know that Jukun and Tiv are now united against any form of criminality?

    “It is better for a primary school leaver to be governor than allow you ruin Taraba. We won’t let that happen to our people.”

  • ‘Umar responsible for Taraba crisis’

    ‘Umar responsible for Taraba crisis’

    The senator representing Taraba South, Emmanuel Bwacha, has accused Acting Governor Garba Umar of failing to protect lives and property.

    Bwacha spoke yesterday in reaction to Umar’s allegations that the senator was attempting to “incite division and violence” in the state.

    The acting governor, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Aaron Atimas, said the senator has been trying to hijack power from him.

    Bwacha said: “Umar has demonstrated he is really a neophyte, who has failed in governance and protection of lives and property.”

    “Who should be accused of inciting violence? A man who has aided “genocide” in the state and the other who is calling on the Federal Government to stop the killings?

    “I called for a state of emergency in Taraba State because we cannot continue to watch the daily killing of innocent people in hostilities, which can be prevented.

    “The violence today is being perpetrated by armed insurgents.

    “Why is the spate of crime and violence in Taraba increasing robustly, despite an increase of security votes from N80 million to N200 million?”

    The senator also accused Umar of identifying with only Muslims.

    “Records of the Sure-P scheme and his unconstitutional appointments are lopsided.

    “Christians and Muslims in Taraba had been co-habiting in peace and harmony, until he came to polarise them in his “illegitimate” government.

    “On the issue of my political ambition, we are working as a team to get a consensus candidate from southern Taraba who would become the next governor.

    “It could be me or another person and I am willing to support whoever the stakeholders endorse.

    “I am not desperate like Umar, who is afraid of me. I have never relied on anybody than God in my political career.”

  • Lawmakers seek passage of Agric Support Bill

    Lawmakers seek passage of Agric Support Bill

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Mohammed Moguno, and his Senate counterpart, Emmanuel Bwacha, have called for the quick passage of the bill on Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.

    The lawmakers said it was important for the project to surpass the present administration and avoid policy somersaults.

    They spoke yesterday in Abuja at the launch of the Dry Season Farm Support Programme.

    Moguno said the sector was capable of creating jobs and reducing insecurity.

    The GES is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It ensures that farm input is distributed to registered farmers at subsidised rates.

    The programme is targeted at increasing the harvest of local farmers to ensure food sufficiency.

    Moguno said: “As a parliament with responsible and responsive people, we have decided to introduce a bill for the GES to surpass the present administration. As we all know, policy somersault is a major challenge in our country.”

    Bwacha described the project as successful, adding that the GES broke the literacy barrier in the North.

    He said: “For the first time, agriculture is occupying a centre space. Even when the oil well in Delta, Port Harcourt is finished, agriculture will be able to stand.”

    The Minister of Agriculture Dr Akinwumi Adesina said about 10 million farmers had received input through the GES scheme.

    On dry season farming, Adesina said the ministry began farming last December.

    The President’s N14 billion financial commitment, he said, would boost the country’s self-sufficiency in food production.

    The Federal Government got about 1.1 million metric tonnes of rice paddy through the N9 billion intervention from the President for last year’s dry season farming. But larger produce, especially from rice, is expected in this year’s dry season farm support programme.

    Adesina expressed optimism on the potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector to make great impact, adding that the nation would move from being a food import dependent nation.

    Speaking on fish imports, he said the nation is abundant in water such as ocean, seas and rivers. The minister added that the federal government had commenced supports for fish farmers.

    He stated that benefitted farmers got 5,000 free fingerlings.

    “We are providing nets to our farmers free of charge. I will not allow people to dump fish here because my job is to create job here and not for other countries.”

     

     

     

    “But I believe over the next three years we are going to continue to reduce the level of our fish imports by 25 percent every year.”

    He emphasised need for fish importers to commence local production of the commodity so the country could feed itself, rather than depending on food import.

    On the 2014 budget, Adesina said the ministry did not solely rely on government for its funding. He said within the past two years, the ministry had secured about $4 billion worth private sector investments into the country which are also being implemented.

    But, he affirmed increase in budgetary allocation was important to further take care of interest of the Nigerian farmers.

    “We are registering more farmers. As Mr. President had called for more irrigation and shown supports for stabilising prices, government will continue to do more. We are driving agriculture as a business activity, not as a development programme.

    “Banks are lending, private sectors are coming in and I know as you can see that N14billion is in addition of what we will continue to get for the dry season farming,” Adesina added.

     

  • Jonathan, Gowon: Danjuma is ‘Field Marshal’ of Africa

    Jonathan, Gowon: Danjuma is ‘Field Marshal’ of Africa

    FORMER Chief of Army Staff and Defence Minister, Retired General Theophilus Danjuma, is now the ‘Field Marshal’ of Africa, President Goodluck Jonathan and former Head of States, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) said yesterday.

    Jonathan and Gowon spoke in Donga, Taraba State, where Danjuma was conferred with the traditional title of ‘Gam Gbaro’ Donga.

    A Gam Gbaro in Chamba language means a War Field Marshal.

    Jonathan and Gowon said Danjuma is not only a Field Marshal of Donga but also of Africa.

    “The civil war is now over, but TY Danjuma is a Field Marshal to deal with the war against poverty, social ills and health problems,” Gowon said.

    Gowon jocularly said that with the Field Marshal title, Danjuma has become his senior in rank.

    President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of State for the Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Dickson Ishaku, said Danjuma’s “valuable advice”, which has most times helped in steering the affairs of the country, makes him the Gam Gbaro of Africa.

    He said: “General TY Danjuma is a forthright and frank person, sometimes uncomfortably frank.

    “I admire him because his philanthropy is quite amazing. He has retired but he is not tired.

    “He has made more achievements during his retirement era than when he was in the army. He is Gam Gbaro of Africa.”

    Danjuma, in his early military career, served in Congo as Company Commander with the United Nations Forces in 1961 and 1962.

    He also served as Company Commander with the Nigerian Army contingent to Tanzania I964. Upon return from Staff College, he was posted to Nsukka front of the Nigerian civil war where he commanded the brigade that overran the Biafra capital, Enugu in October 1967.

    Danjuma was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3RD Infantry Division in 1971 and Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs in 1975 to 1979.

    Gowon said Danjuma was one of his young brave soldiers whose courage helped the government of Nigeria during the civil war.

    According to him: “Danjuma’s spectacular victory in Nsukka-Enugu front with his Textbook Operation and leap flogging from one village to another in Enugu in October 1967 gave the government the courage and filips.”

    The Gara Donga, His Royal Highness Dr. Danjuma Banyonga, who decorated Danjuma in Chamba cultural regalia and conferred on him the chieftaincy title, described him as a “well disciplined and gallant soldier”.

    “Despite all his achievements and several positions of authority, he never oppressed his subordinates,” the monarch said.

    Gara Donga said they honoured Danjuma because of his achievements in the Army during his retirement as Minister of Defence and his philanthropy to the poor.

    “Despite his successful businesses, he remains humble and selflessly committed to health as socioeconomic development of the nation, assisting the less-privileged irrespective of tribe and religion.

    “He is a frank and uncompromising person in all his dealings,” Banyonga said.

    Other dignitaries at the occasion included former head of states, General Muhammadu Buhari; former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana; Senator Emmanuel Bwacha(Taraba South) Real Admiral Akin Aduwo; former Taraba State Governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame; former Minister of Commerce, Idris Waziri and former Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Obadiah Ando.

    Danjuma, in his response, said the occasion was unique because the traditional title conferred on him was an international title as the Chamba people are unique and found in Togo, Ghana and Cameroon.

    “I was able to achieve as a commander in the army because I had an excellent Commander- In- Chief in person of Gen. Yakubu Gowon who kept the Armed Forces and Nigeria together,” he stated.