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Tag: Gana

  • Middle Belt shorlists Olawepo-Hashim, Gana, Jang, Mailafia for 2019

    Frontline businessman, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, was prominent amongst four presidential aspirants shortlisted by the influential Middle-Belt Forum for the 2019 presidential election.

    Olawepo-Hashim was named alongside former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia; and former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah Jang, amongst a dozen candidates that went through the rigorous screening.

    Chaired by Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, the panel reportedly shortlisted Olawepo-Hashim, the youngest amongst the four, for his deep knowledge of the economy arising from his successful  business endeavours, spanning the breadth of oil and gas , power, communications and marketing.

    The businessman’s urbane and cerebral qualities partly reflected in his feats in the University of Lagos and the Buckingham University where he was best student in his cohort, winning the MaxBerlof Award for Global affairs were also advantages.

    The first elected National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olawepo-Hashim, the youngest of the aspirants screened, is seen as a potential force from the Middle-Belt region, good enough to attract first-time voters on the national voter register numbering over nine million apart from potential voters from the region and elsewhere.

    Other than this are his pro-democracy credentials beginning from his University of Lagos days and growing into his real life experiences, leading to his recognition as Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience in 1989.

    Detribalized with strong bridge-building credentials, his international exposure additionally appealed to the eighteen-member screening committee, spread across fourteen Middle-Belt states.

    The other candidates from the Middle-Belt who made the list of four were noted for also being formidable, given their respective pedigrees as minister and experienced politician (Prof. Jerry Gana); a former state chief executive (Senator Jang); and a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank providing a good ground for understanding the economy, even though lesser known in politics (Dr. Mailafia). The four are to be presented to leaders in other geo-political regions, including the South-East, the South-West, amongst others for their inputs.

    Aside Commodore Dan Suleiman, who is former military administrator and one- time Nigerian envoy to Russia, other personalities on the screening panel include former Adjutant-General of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Zamani Lekwot, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi, former Governor of old Gongola State, Mr. Wilberfore Juta, former Governor of old Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Mr. Sam Ada Maagbe and Chief John Odakun.

    The Middle-Belt region is an important section in the determination of the nation’s presid

  • PDP will move on without Adeniran, Gana, says Babatope

    PDP will move on without Adeniran, Gana, says Babatope

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, believes the exit of Professor Tunde Adeniran and Professor Jerry Gana from PDP will not, in any way, diminish the party’s strength.

    Babatope, a former Minister of Transport told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that although the two politicians contributed greatly to the PDP, the party should respect their decision to leave and move on.

    Adeniran and Gana, both former ministers, dumped the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) recently.

    He said there was no need calling for their return to the PDP as they were competent adults.

    “Both Prof. Adeniran and Prof. Gana were strong members of the PDP; unfortunately, they have left; there is nothing anybody can do about that,” he said.

    “I am not one of those calling for their return to the PDP because they have the democratic right to join any party that suits them.

    “Again, they are competent and intelligent adults who must have reasoned very well before they took the decision.

    “Even though the feeling might not be too good, being that I have known them for long, especially Adeniran, I cannot fault or stop their decisions.

    “I believe the PDP will remain strong even with their exit, as the party was built on strong foundations and not personalities,” he said.

    He said that Adeniran might have left because of what played out during the last convention of the party, when he vied for the party’s chairmanship position.

    Babatope said that he was also affected by the incident, as the candidate he supported, Chief Olabode George, had to pull out of the race to protest flaws in the electoral process.

    He said both George and himself had since put the issue behind them after the party reached out to them through Gov. Seriake Dickson.

    “What the party did to us then was painful especially the candidate I supported, Chief Olabode George.

    “Gov. Dickson, shortly after the convention, visited us on the way forward for the party. So that is past.

    “We remain in PDP and we will never leave. I believe strongly in the PDP and its ideals. Both George and I will be in PDP,” he said.

    Babatope wished Gana and Adeniran well in their new party, saying he was sure they would be loyal to it.

    The party chieftain expressed doubts that the SDP would evolve to be a dominant party before 2019.

    He said that his doubt was informed by his belief that political parties would need time to develop.

    “But if at the end of the day, the SDP develops into a dominant party like its chieftains have claimed, good; then, we will have three dominant parties.

    “We will all be competing together for the votes of Nigerians. I think, that will be good for democracy,” he said.

     

  • NSCDC sets up special squad for Bama

    NSCDC sets up special squad for Bama

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has set up a special squad to boost security operations in Bama community of Borno.

    Spokesman of the Corps, Mr Emmanuel Okeh, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said the squad was codenamed Special Bama Squad (SBS).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bama was declared an “Islamic Caliphate’’ by Boko Haram terrorists, who captured it along with Gwoza in 2014.

    But Nigerian troops reclaimed the community in 2015, and reconstruction works are ongoing in areas destroyed by the terrorists.

    Okeh stated that the Commandant-General (CG) of the NSCDC, Mr Abdullahi Gana, announced the squad while addressing members of management, and zonal and state commandants of the agency in Abuja.

    He quoted the CG as saying that the move was in compliance with a recent directive by the Federal Government to security agencies to beef up their presence in the North-East.

    The government, according to him, specifically directed the Army, NSCDC and the Police to provide 1,500 personnel each to Bama.

    They were mandated to receive the Emir of Bama and other returning IDPs, in addition to providing adequate protection for the civil populace of the community.

    “The Special Bama Squad is an additional number of personnel who will carry out round-the-clock patrols in all the nooks and crannies of Bama community and its suburbs.

    “They have been mandated to synergise with other security agencies in the Bama axis,’’ Gana said.

  • Biafra ‘cabinet’: DSS puts Soludo, Utomi, Gana, others under watch

    Biafra ‘cabinet’: DSS puts Soludo, Utomi, Gana, others under watch

    There were strong indications last night that the Department of State Services (DSS) was planning to invite three ex-ministers and some prominent Nigerians for questioning, following their announcement by a secessionist organisation, Biafra Zionist Federation (BZF) as cabinet members.

    The Federal Government was shocked that none of the people the pro-Biafra group appointed as ministers had reacted more than 72 hours after their names were announced.

    The BZF had on Monday announced the formation of an interim government for the Republic of Biafra, with one Barrister Benjamin Onwuka as the President.

    Some of the people listed as ministers at a press conference the group held in Enugu include former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji; former Minister of Information Prof Jerry Gana and another former Information Minister, Labaran Maku.

    The pro-Biafra organisation also named other key cabinet members to include Prof. Pat Utomi as Foreign Affairs Minister; Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as governor of the Central Bank of Biafra (CBB); Mrs. Aruma Oteh as Minister of Finance and a former Personal Secretary to the late former Biafran leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as Minister of Petroleum.

    Other appointees are ace broadcaster, Amarachi Ubani as Minister of Information; Ohanaeze President, Chief Nnia Nwodo as Ambassador to the US; Gana as Minister of Transport; Maku as Aviation Minister; a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Mrs. Mary Okafor as Minister of Trade and Industry; Benny Lar as Secretary to the Government of the Republic; Gabriel Oluwole Osagie as Minister of Education; Nnaji as Minister of Energy and Philip Effiong Jnr. As Minister of Health.

    The Nation investigation revealed that the Federal Government was disturbed that none of those named as cabinet members has disowned the secessionist movement more than 72 hours after.

    A top intelligence source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent in Abuja, said: “Respected citizens such as these should not in any way be associated with acts of treason. Assuming that it was inadvertently or mischievously done, they have a duty to themselves and the nation to renounce such association.

    “In this particular instance, we are worried about the deafening silence on the part of these respected citizens. What do they lose by renouncing their listing by the secessionists?”

    He, however, said the DSS would wait for a “respectable period” before moving against any of them.

    The source said: “If the silence persists, we reserve the right to read meaning into it, and that could lead to the law taking its course.”

    Findings made at press time revealed that the activities of BZF had been placed under surveillance.

    “We will not condone any act of treason anymore in this country. We have had enough of secessionist agitations under any guise.

    “The BZF is under investigation and surveillance by the DSS and other intelligence agencies,” another source added.

    Some of the affected people contacted last night reacted in different ways.

    Maku said: “Somebody called that I have been appointed a minister of Biafra. How can somebody associate me with a micro in Nigeria? What does that tell you?

    “It means there is confusion and desperation among the youths. You need to bring the youths together and reassure them that they have a future.”

    A media adviser, Mr. Ike Abonyi, who spoke on behalf of the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said: “The President of Ohanaeze is presently engrossed in tackling challenges facing Ndigbo. He will not be involved in every issue. He will not give credence to any group.

    Disowning the BZF, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Beni Lar, said: “It has come to my notice that several media outlets published my name as being part of a Biafran declaration, to include me as a cabinet member. I dissociate myself with any such move or movement.

    “As a true democrat, I have repeatedly granted interviews on the need for Nigeria to remain one, indivisible country. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Asked to react to his inclusion in the cabinet of the Republic of Biafra, Prof. Gana, who said he was in transit, said: “I am on my way back, I will talk to you later. I will call you back.ý”

    Efforts to speak with Utomi was unsuccessful as calls and text message to his mobile number were neither answered nor replied.

  • Obasanjo, Gana, others celebrate Badejo at 70

    Friends, well-wishers and Christian leaders gathered last weekend to celebrate the immediate past General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, Rev Wilson Badejo, who clocked 70.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the occasion, described the septuagenarian as a “good man” who performed well in all his endeavors.

    “As a farmer, he performed well. As a pastor he did the same, he is also a good family man,” Obasanjo said.

    The former president recounted his years of friendship with the Ogun- born farmer- cum pastor, saying “I learnt a lot from Dr. Badejo. When I left office as an unwanted Head of State, I needed something to do and all the lessons I got from him about the farming business were put into practice.”

    He also declared that the celebrator was the one praying for his release while in jail.

    Convener of Save Nigeria Group(SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare, who was the guest speaker, described Badejo as “a man of many parts” who has lived a “purposeful life.”

    He described him as a mentor with whom he has had a great relationship over the years, recalling how Badejo commissioned his church, Latter Rain Assembly years ago.

    Former Minister for Information, Prof Jerry Gana who was chief launcher for Wilson Badejo’s book My spiritual odyssey described him as a man of honor who speaks the truth at all times.

     

  • Benue places N10m bounty on wanted gang leader, Gana

    Benue places N10m bounty on wanted gang leader, Gana

    The Benue State Government has announced a N10 million reward for anyone who volunteers information leading to the arrest of wanted criminal, Terwase Akwaza, also known as Gana.

    Gana was declared wanted after he allegedly killed Governor Samuel Ortom’s Special Assistant on Special Security Denen Igbana.

    He was also linked to the recent massive attacks and killings on Zaki Biam town in Ukum local government area where over 17 people were shot dead in broad daylight.

    Ortom announced the bounty yesterday at the burial of Mama Kwaghnzuul Naikyo Degarr, the mother-in-law to Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Ijohor, at Tse-Degarr in Mbajir, Shitile, Katsina-Ala local Government Area.

    He explained the upward review of the reward from N5 million will be formalised at the next State Security Council meeting.

    He restated the resolve of his administration to expose criminals and advised the people against shielding hoodlums in their midst.

    The governor said those with useful security information should contact relevant authorities and gave assurance such informants would be protected.

    Ortom stopped over at Ayati village to sympathise with the community attacked recently by armed men leaving some persons dead.

    Chief Shima Ayati who received the governor thanked him for the visit.

    The governor also visited the family of Akiga, who just laid wife of former Minister of Sports, the late Steven Ibn Akiga, Mrs. Margaret Akiga, to rest.

  • PDP, Gana, Usman fail in bid to stop suit over N360m campaign debt

    PDP, Gana, Usman fail in bid to stop suit over N360m campaign debt

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Minister of Finance  Nenadi Usman and two chieftains of the party, failed yesterday in their bid to to stop a suit instituted against them over a N360m campaign debt allegedly owed an Abuja-based firm, Twinkle Nigeria Limited.

    Apart from Usman and the PDP, others are Senator Ahmadu Ali and Prof Jerry Gana.

    The N360m debt was said to have been incurred by the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Organisation for the 2015 election, in which Usman served as Director of Finance;  Ali as Director General and former Information Minister, Gana as Director, Contact and Mobilisation.

    The plaintiff, Twinkle Nigeria Limited, said in its suit suit marked CV/2733/2015,, that it rendered support services for the PDP presidential campaign in all the 36 states, and for which the the party’s committee managed by Usman, Ali and Gana failed t pay.

    Justice Salisu Garba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama yesterday dismissed an objection filed by Usman seeking the dismissal of the suit.

    In a ruling yesterday, Justice Garba held that contrary to Usman’s contention the suit filed by Twinkle Nigeria Limited was competent as it raised “triable issues”.

    Usman is also being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in relation to the disbursement of funds for the PDP presidential campaign.

    Justice Garba also held that the suit by Twinkle was competent. He directed Usman, Ali, Gana and their party, who are respondents in the suit, to file their defence.

    “The plaintiff can sue the 4th defendant (Usman) being the Director of Finance and acted on behalf of the organisation.

    “I also hold that the suit discloses reasonable cause of action.In the light of the analysis above, the notice of preliminary objection is hereby dismissed.

    “There are triable issues to be determined in the suit.I here direct the respondents to file their respective pleadings,” Justice Garba said.

    He adjourned to September 27 for hearing. The long adjournment was as a result of the impending court vacation.

  • Gana group rejects Makarfi, insists on BoT

    Gana group rejects Makarfi, insists on BoT

    The Concerned PDP Stakeholders have rejected the choice of Ahmed Makarfi as chairman of the caretaker committee of the party, saying the appointment was a violation of the party’s constitution.

    Rather, the group insisted that the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) should be allowed to run the affairs of the party pending the conduct of an acceptable national convention.

    Speaking at a media briefing yesterday evening, the leader of the party’s leagues of former cabinet ministers, Mr. Taminu Turaki called on the BoT to step in.

    Said he, “It is now time for the BoT to step in and take charge. It is there in our constitution that in a situation like, the BoT, which is the conscience of the party as well as the father of the party should step in immediately.

    “There shouldn’t be any vacuum and we are concerned that what is coming out of the party from Port Harcourt may likely deepen our disagreements.”

    “In this situation therefore, the BoT leadership must take up its responsibilities for the running of the affairs of the party and bring all members of the party back home for us to sit down and find a way forward as members of one family.”

    Also speaking at the briefing, co chairman of the Concerned Stakeholders, Senator Ibrahim Mantu echoed Turaki’s position but added that the group welcomed the removal of Ali Modu Sheriff as chairman.

    Mantu said the next thing for the party to do was to cancel the state congresses conducted under Sheriff’s leadership.

    He also said that the zoning of the party’s 2019 presidential ticket and the chairmanship position to the North cannot stand. According to him, one of the slots must to the South.

    Mantu and Turaki however said consultations were still ongoing with the view to ironing out other issues arising from the botched convention.

     

  • PDP crisis: Gana, Maduekwe, others set for parallel convention

    PDP crisis: Gana, Maduekwe, others set for parallel convention

    Governors, BoT chair, National Assembly caucus back Sheriff

    The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new twist with the party set to hold two separate national conventions on Saturday.

    While the faction loyal to National Chairman Ali Modu Sheriff will be holding its convention in Port Harcourt, another faction, headed by a former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana will hold its own in Abuja.

    The two factions met simultaneously in Abuja yesterday to fine-tune plans for their separate conventions.

    The pro-Sheriff convention is backed by the party’s governors, its National Assembly caucus and a faction of the Board of Trustees (BoT) led by chairman Senator Walid Jibrin.

    The Gana group, under the aegis of Concerned PDP Stakeholders, inaugurated its 56-members steering committee to conduct its convention and pilot the affairs of the party afterwards.

    Members of the group include Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Amb. Wilberforce Juta, Alhaji Ibrahim Bunu, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Bala Mohammed, Mr. Taminu Turaki, Dr. Doyin Okupe and Mrs. Remi Adiukwu.

    Also in the group are Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Prof. ABC Nwosu, Sen. Ben Obi, Mr. John Odey, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Alh. Shittu Mohammed Kabiru, Senator Grace Bent, and Senator Anietie Okon.

    A group of former PDP governors who are also named as members are Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Mr. Bonnie Haruna, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, Mr. Donald Duke, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, Alhaji Mahmood Shinkafi, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure, Sen, Ahmed Makarfi, Chief Achike Udenwa, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and a former PDP national Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.

    At a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Walid said he met with the Gana group up to 2.30 am yesterday and pleaded with the aggrieved members to drop plans for a parallel convention.

    “I pleaded with them to refrain from actions capable of destroying the unity and progress of the party. I made it clear to them that I will not be attending meetings other than the ones called by the organs of the party.

    “As a matter of fact, I made it clear to them that I will be leading the BoT members to the Port Harcourt convention”, the BoT chair said.

    Also speaking at the NEC meeting, Sheriff said the party had resolved to cancel results of the just concluded congresses in some states and that fresh congresses would be conducted in the affected states.

    He listed some of the states as Lagos, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara and Anambra.

    Sheriff accused the Federal Government of singling out members of the PDP in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

    According to him, the affected party members only collected campaign money from given to them by officials in the last administration.

    He said: “PDP was not the only party that used campaign funds. The All Progressives Congress (APC) also did the same. So members of the APC should also be investigated.

    “The PDP members only collected the campaign funds. They did not know the source of the funds. So the APC should also submit its members for investigation”.

    Those at the meeting included two former party chairmen, Dr. Ahmadu Ali and Prince Vincent Ogbulafor.

    Governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Abia, and Ebonyi states also attended. Others in attendance were former Senate President Adolphus Wabara; Chief Tom Ikimi; Chief Bode George and Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun.

    Also at the meeting were a number of the party’s ex governors and former members of the National Assembly.

  • My role in N500m bank loan, by Gana

    My role in N500m bank loan, by Gana

    Former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana yesterday explained his role in the controversial N500 million bank loan which he joined others to obtain for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

    The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff had accused Gana of unilaterally collecting the loan on behalf of the party without approval, threatening to drag the professor before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning.

    But Gana, responding to questions yesterday, said it was the leadership of the party at the time that mandated him to source for funds to enable the party organise fund raising dinner and other activities for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign.

    Said he, “As chairman of the fund raising committee, I was mandate by the party leadership to raise funds and I had the party’s National Financial Secretary and others as members.

    “The then National Working Committee was briefed and we were given the go ahead to obtain the loan on behalf of the party, with the agreement to pay back from the money expected to be realised from the fund raising.

    “But after losing the election, leading to the resignation of the former chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, the party leadership refused to pay back the money as earlier agreed.

    “The issue of repayment was what led to the crisis and the bank has already taken the matter to court. The money was used by the committee for what it was meant for and account was dully rendered. The records are there. The fact is that I was not even a signatory to the account”.

    Meanwhile, Sheriff had already apologised to Prof. Gana over the accusation, saying he never authorised his media aide that leveled the accusation to do so.