The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Former military President

  • Jallo tackles Osinbajo over comment on IBB 

    …says no gov’t has performed like IBB’s

     

    Former National Democratic Party (NDP) chairman in Kaduna State and a die-hard supporter of former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) during the build up to 2011 presidential race, Hassan Mohammed Jallo, has tackled the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo over the VP’s recent public comment against the past regime of IBB.

    Osinbajo who was answering questions from Nigerians at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, United States last Sunday, had spoken on how huge funds went down the drain in previous administrations, which earned much and invested little in infrastructure.

    Read Also:Osinbajo tackles Obasanjo, IBB, Jonathan over oil cash

    On OPEC statistics on oil revenues accruable to Nigeria under successive administrations between 1990 and 2014, the Vice President said not much had been done in terms of infrastructure, despite the huge oil revenues.

    He said: “Under the IBB/Abacha administrations (1990 – 1998) Nigeria realised$199.8 billion; under the Obasanjo / Yar’Adua governments (1999 – 2009), the country got $401.1 billion; and during the Jonathan administration (2010 – 2014), Nigeria got $381.9 billion from oil revenues.

    “The question that we must all ask is what exactly happened to resources? The question that I asked is that where is the infrastructure?”

    However, addressing journalists on Monday, Jallo who said he is for IBB till eternity, advised Osinbajo to retrieve his comment, particularly against IBB administration.

    He said this was because IBB’s achievements were too lofty not to be noticed by any Nigerian, adding that the Aso Rock, the seat of the Federal Government was built by IBB.

    He listed few of IBB achievements out of 277 items to include construction of ECOWAS Headquarters, Abuja international airport phase 1&11, Nigerian Dockyard Snake Island, Lagos,  National Assembly, Abuja, Maitama General Hospital, Abuja, boreholes for 1004 Housing Estate, Third mainland bridge, Lagos.

    Others, according to IBB supporter, was the removal of Decree 4 on the press, establishment of Nigerian Broadcasting Commission along with Nigerian Telecommunication Commission which has powers to give private license.

    Jallo challenged the number two citizen to tell him the most productive and widely accepted Nigerian leader other than the former military president.

    He said, “It is unfortunate that since the declaration of intention of IBB to contest the 2011 presidential elections, certain negative reaction and stories are being made by very few unprogressive Nigerians, but the glorious image of IBB as an excellent God fearing leader, father, peacemaker, diplomat and a living legend of our time remains positive in the minds and memories of the Nigerian majority.

    “There is no respected statesman as much as IBB in Nigeria and that is the role he is playing. He is ready to support whoever emerged the flag bearer of PDP presidential race because he is a founder and a card carrying member of the party.

    “I will continue to react and redirect whoever makes derogatory comments on my leader (IBB) because no Nigerian leader dead or alive had achieved what IBB had achieved for the country”.

  • Okowa, Markafi, Darius Visit IBB

    Okowa, Markafi, Darius Visit IBB

    The National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmed Markarfi and the Chairman of the PDP National Elective Convention Committee, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa Wednesday visited former military President,  General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida at his Uphill residence in Minna.

    The duo came along with Taraba state Governor, Darius Ishaku, Senator Obi and Senator Abdul Ningi.

    The group arrived the Minna International Airport at about 1pm and headed straight to the Uphill residence of the former military President.

    Newsmen were not allowed into the indoor meeting that lasted more than an hour.

    However, The Nation gathered that the purpose of the visit may be related to the PDP National Convention coming up on Saturday.

    Read Also: Makarfi: Atiku’s defection won’t stop me

    A Source in Babangida’s house said that the Chairman of the Convention and Delta State Governor was said to have assured the elder statesman that all aspirants would be given a level playing field stating that the convention would be hitch-free.

    After the visit to Babangida, the team visited the Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello at the Government House in Minna.

    Attempts to speak to the Governors at the Government House also proved abortive as they said that they were on a private visit to see a fellow colleague.

  • Restructuring: Ekweremadu seeks patience, more enlightenment

    Restructuring: Ekweremadu seeks patience, more enlightenment

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Friday called for patience, more enlightenment and dialogue to actualise the restructuring of Nigeria.

    Ekweremadu blamed misconception and ethno-sectional suspicions for the opposition to the idea of restructuring of the country.

    A statement the Special Adviser, (Media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu, said that Ekweremadu made the call in Calabar in a keynote address he presented at the opening of a retreat by the Southern Senators Forum themed “National Unity and Restructuring”.

    He likened Nigeria to a vast building expected to accommodate a multiethnic, multicultural, multi-religious, and politically diverse people.

    Ekweremadu said, “To ensure equity, justice, and prosperity of the various families and sections; to ensure completive development; and to allay fears of possible domination, our founding fathers settled for a federal constitution or structure after various conferences on the type of building, the architectural design, number of rooms, and rules of cohabitation,

    “Sadly, the rain started beating us from that fateful January coup, especially following the violation of the covenant of our fathers by the promulgation of Unitary Decree, 1966. Although the July 1966 countercoup was, among other things, predicated on the need to correct the General Aguyi Ironsi’s misadventure, subsequent regimes after him have steadily and deliberately corrupted the architectural design and undone all the foundations laid by the founding fathers. For more than half a century, we have done every imaginable violence to the federal principles and the results have been disastrous.

    “In simple terms, therefore, the quest for restructuring is a quest for a return to the old covenant, the original foundation and master plan agreed on and laid down by our fathers” Ekweremadu explained.

    He reasoned that, being the case, “restructuring should unite rather than divide the nation”.

    He recalled that but for the wisdom of the nation’s founding fathers in giving more room for more consensus building after the initial motion for self-rule was opposed by mainly northern parliamentarians; the map of Nigeria could probably have been different today.

    “Therefore, faced with divided opinions and sentiments on such a fundamental issue as restructuring, we must borrow a leaf from our fathers.

    “Whereas restructuring has become inevitable if we are to truly reap the blessings of self-rule, it must be done in a way that brings every part of the country on board and guarantees our unity as a nation.

    “We must be patient with one another. We must embark on more responsible and patriotic public discourse and enlightenment to break down the meaning, processes, and gains of restructuring.  We need to also address the fears”, he admonished.

    The lawmaker also suggested a piecemeal approach to restructuring, noting that people would gradually drop their fears and crave for more restructuring as they begin to reap the gains of each successful restructuring effort.

    “If you insist on addressing all the issues at the same time, your compatriots may begin to misread your motives”.

    The Senator urged pro-restructuring Nigerians to leverage on the influence of prominent northerners, such as former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubabar; and President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, who believe in restructuring, to win more converts in the north.

    Read Also: FG lauded by Ekweremadu on 41Km Enugu-Ebonyi road rehabilitation

  • Abia key to Nigeria’s growth, says IBB

    Abia key to Nigeria’s growth, says IBB

    Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida has described Abia State as key to the economic development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

    He also praised Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his efforts in repositioning the state for growth.

    The state was created in 1991 by the Babangida administration.

    A press release by Ikpeazu’s Chief Press Secretary Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos said Babangida was speaking when Governor Ikpeazu visited him at his Hiltop home in Minna, the Niger State capital.

    Babangida said, “Abia is very important to Nigeria and Africa. I hear about your efforts to reposition the state. God will bless you for the good work you are doing for us in Abia. Please do not stop the good work you are doing already, and always remember that the opportunity to serve has expiry date. I am indeed happy when I read of your good works in Abia.”

    In his response, Ikpeazu thanked the elder statesman for giving his best to Nigeria and promised that his effort and that of other leaders of Nigeria will be sustained.

    Governor Ikpeazu said, “I must thank you, Sir, for your efforts in keeping this nation as one. You gave your best and we will not allow your efforts for a better Nigeria to be in vain.

    “I must also thank you, Sir, for your support to us in Abia, you encouraged us a lot and I promise that we will keep doing our best in Abia. It has not been easy, but we are addressing the issue of infrastructure in the state, particularly in Aba.”

    Governor Ikpeazu was accompanied on the visit by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia including, Chief Allen Nwachukwu, Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba and Ambassador Empire Kanu.

  • Jonathan, Tinubu, Murray-Bruce, others in Minna for IBB daughter’s wedding

    Jonathan, Tinubu, Murray-Bruce, others in Minna for IBB daughter’s wedding

    Former President, Goodluck Jonathan on Friday led other top dignitaries which comprised of state governors, business moguls, Senators, top politicians and the who is who in the country at the wedding between the daughter of former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida and Alwak Lawal Ibrahim.

    Minna, the capital of Niger state was a bevvy of activities as dignitaries gathered for the wedding between the last daughter of former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida and the Sarkin Sudan of Gombe, Alwak Lawal Abdullahi.

    The security around the Minna metropolis and roads leading to the Uphill Mansion of Babangida was tightened as early as 7:00am.

    The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello was on hand to welcome guests at the Minna airport. Former President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan were among the first dignitaries to arrive at the Minna Airport

    The wedding fathia began at 2:00pm.

    The Chief Imam of Wushishi, Shrek Habibu Wushishi conducted the wedding prayer which lasted for twenty minutes while a bride price of N500,000 and ten cows was paid and collected by General Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi who also gave out the bride.

    The Governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo received the bride on behalf of the family of the groom.

    Dignitaries at the wedding include, former President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, former Vice President, Nmamdi Sambo, APC Chieftain Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Aliko Dangote, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dogara Yakubu, PDP Chairman, Ali Module Sheriff.

    Governors of Taraba state, Architect Darius Ishaku, Plateau statE, Simon Lalong, Kano state, Alhaji Abdullahi Gaduje, Nasarawa state, Alhaji Tanko Almakura, Jigsaw state, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar.

    Former PDP Governors, Sule Lamido, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Alhaji Attahiru Bafawara, Isah Yuguda, Mahmud Shinkafi, Ibrahim Shema, Abubakar Dakingari, professor Osumbo, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

    General Garba Duba, Senator Magoro, AVM Hamza Abdullahi, Olu of Kuta, Oba Hamid Adekunle, former PDP Spokesman, Professor Alkali, General Aliyu Gusau, Senator Ben Obi, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Chairman UBA, Tony Elumelu, One of the Directors of Vanguard, Alhaji Ahmed, Dr. Ekwesileze Nwodo, former FCT Minister, Alhaji Modibo, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Senator Sanusi Dagash.

    Others include Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, MD Dornic Aviation, Mark Snoxell and wife, Wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori, Wuraola Ogunwusi, Alhaji Muhammed Abacha and wife, Former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenme.

    Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha congratulated General Babangida saying that he is the happiest man on earth, “President Babangida should be the happiest person, he has accomplished his mission because he came, he saw and he conquered.”

    He advised the newly Wed to always pray and communicate with each other at all times, “most marriages break up because of lack of communication and prayer. Marriage is all about communication, I urge the couple to communicate at all times.”

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello congratulated the newly weds urging them to be patient with each other and pray at all times especially in challenges.

  • Buhari greets IBB at 75

    Buhari greets IBB at 75

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) as he marks his 75th birthday anniversary.

    In a message he personally signed, the President also commended IBB for his commitment to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.

    It reads: “On behalf of myself, my family, the government and people of Nigeria, I wish to heartily congratulate you on the milestone of attaining 75 years.

    “I equally wish to congratulate you on your service to the country, and your commitment to oneness and indivisibility of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “There is hardly any major episode in Nigeria’s short history where your name and contribution does not feature.

    “On this special occasion, I pray that Almighty Allah grants you many more years to see Nigeria grow and develop beyond all of our wildest dreams,” It stated.

  • IBB arrives Minna after medical treatment abroad

    IBB arrives Minna after medical treatment abroad

    Former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has arrived Minna after a medical trip in Germany.

    Babangida arrived the Minna International airport in a chartered aircraft N550 DR  at about 3.30 pm.

    The former military leader was spotted wearing a black caftan and black cap to match.

    He was in company of his son, Aminu and daughter, Halima while he was welcomed at the airport by former governor, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, Mohammed Babangida, Aisha Babangida, Umar Ndanusa and former federal permanent secretary, Idris Adamu Kuta.

    IBB was speculated to have died in Germany as there were reports that he was in critical condition and was in coma.