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Tag: governors

  • Cheerful Buhari meets with APC Governors, leaders in London

    Cheerful Buhari meets with APC Governors, leaders in London

    President Muhammadu on Sunday met with All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and leaders with in London.

    Buhari had left Nigeria since May 7th to meet up with follow up consultation with his doctors.

    Among the governors who met with Buhari on Sunday, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, is Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

    Okorocha in a telephone chat said the President was very cheerful and has not lost any bit of his sense of humour.

    The governor said the party delegation spent more than an hour with President Buhari over lunch, and it was very clear from the discussions that he followed developments at home very closely.

    He said the President was delighted to receive the delegation and asked each governor about affairs in his state. He also asked the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, about the state of the railways.

    When asked to react to all the negative things being said about him, the President just laughed, describing such negative reports as lies.

    Governor Okorocha said President Buhari was completely unperturbed by the cocktail of lies. He, instead, sent his best wishes to Nigerians.

    According to the governor, Nigerians don’t have to worry at all, adding that President Buhari will be back as soon as the doctors give him the green light.

    “By our visit to London today, the merchants of lies have been put out of business and Nigerians will not buy the garbage they have been selling. All those who look up to fake news can find better use for their time,” Governor Okorocha noted.

    Governors Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa; Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna; Yahaya Bello of Kogi; and APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, were also in the delegation.

     

  • Governors, state police and political immaturity

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) finally and unequivocally indicated last week its support for the restructuring of Nigeria with particular reference to the establishment of state police. The announcement of this support came after the forum met in Abuja on Wednesday, with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, in attendance. Though the police rehashed a robust argument against the idea, insisting that the country was not politically mature for it, the governors went ahead to constitute a committee to look into the modalities for implementing what they believe to be the answer to ‘mounting insecurity’ in the country.

    In terms of specifics, Mr Idris had argued that a federal police was still the best structure for policing Nigeria. He also suggested that with expanded recruitment totalling some 150,000 policemen over five years, adequate funding probably through the agency of a Police Reform Trust Fund, and the deployment of modern technology in place of manual policing, policing would be far more efficient than it is today. The IGP did not spell out why he thought the country was politically immature for state police. But in reiterating that the current police structure is federal, he misses the constitutional point by a wide margin. The police structure today, constitutionally speaking, is unitary rather than federal, and reactive and presumptuous rather than proactive. What ails the police today is not just funding gap or personnel shortage. The problem is deeper and more complicated than police IGs have made it out to be.

    In the estimation of the IGP, the case he and other stakeholders before him have made for the police is persuasive enough. He recently reprised this argument while speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs at a public hearing on a bill for an Act to Establish “The Nigeria Police Reform Trust Fund” and a “Bill for an Act to Amend the Explosives Act of 1964.” According to him: “…Out of the total sum of N1,164,405,193,431 proposed for capital expenditure by the police between 2012 and 2016, N64,999,567,375 was appropriated out of which N40,474,332,673 was cash-backed, leaving a balance of N24,552,234,702 yet to be released till date…From the estimated sum of N19.9 billion required for fuelling of 14,306 vehicles, including 3,115 motorcycles nationwide, only N809 million was released; out of N7.04 billion required for maintenance of vehicles only N486 million was released while out of N14.5 billion required for uniforms and accoutrements (kits), only N1 billion was released… The police require N700 billion for rehabilitation of existing barracks/quarters; N200 billion for local travels and transport; N1.133 trillion yearly for procurement of arms and ammunitions, purchase of new vehicles, gun boats, helicopters and other technological needs as well as N200 billion for installation of CCTV cameras, database and video cameras in all police stations across the country as required by Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 to build a functional crime laboratories and other investigative aids.”

    In summary, said the IGP, the police would need about N560 billion for the next five years to turn things around and give Nigeria a fully functional and effective police force. He bases this summary financial need on the report submitted by the Parry Osayande and M.D. Yusufu police reform committee reports which submitted in 2008 that the police needed about N2.8 trn to make positive and desired changes in the police force. That study may be some nine years old, and pricing may have changed in ways that probably render many of the underlying assumptions incorrect, but on the whole, should the police be availed of the humongous amount they have requested, either directly through normal budgetary processes or through special trust funds, some positive changes are doubtless bound to be recorded.

    However, the trust fund solution is still a long way off and even uncertain in its final composition. And as far as the nation’s annual budgets are concerned, it is inconceivable that the police would ever receive a quarter of what they need or ask for. Meanwhile, insecurity has grown in scope and sophistication, as policing has lagged dangerously and sometimes incompetently far behind. In addition, what worsens the problem is the structure of the police, a problem the police leadership is reluctant to admit, let alone confront. The policing needs of the country are diverse, complex and often indisputably localised. For decades, the country had addressed these diverse and complex needs with just one unresponsive and banal template. While the arguments of Mr Idris are sensible and not misplaced, they are not far-reaching enough to address a problem that constantly morphs indistinguishably along state and regional lines. The current policing structure indeed pretends not to recognise that most states have in one way or the other constituted state police units to suit their own local needs. Indeed, while the country lives in denial on policing and security issues, states have gone ahead, sometimes rapidly, and at other times peremptorily, to lay the structure for the operation of federalism in its classical and constitutional sense. These observations cannot be denied. It is perhaps time the police and the presidency recognised the limits and dangers of a unitary government when the constitution pretends to federalism.

    The Governors’ Forum appears more realistic than both the police and the presidency in grappling with the country’s increasingly dysfunctional democratic processes. By constituting a committee to address the policing needs of states, particularly the restructuring of Nigeria’s unitary police structure, the governors have shown that they appreciate where the shoe is pinching them. However, the NGF special purpose committee is just the first tentative step in a process that is certain to grind on for quite some time. It is clear that the National Assembly is engaged in constitutional reform, and though that effort has yet to bear fruits, it seems this time, it will not be labour lost. Governors are bound to have some influence over the constitutional reform process kick-started by the National Assembly. Consequently, it may already appear that state police is one topic on which there will be early and fairly less controversial consensus.

    But whether at the Governors’ Forum definitive level or National Assembly procedural reform level, there will be effort to understand why there are fears about the sobriety and maturity of states and their chief executives in managing the enormous powers state police would confer. It is to be expected that safeguards would be built into the system. Given the irresponsibility of some state chief executives, weak and conniving Houses of Assembly, and sometimes ingratiating judiciary, fears of misuse of police powers may not be unfounded. But the world is changing, and few things can be done behind closed doors and out of earshot in the age of social media.

    More importantly, citizens and civil society groups are maturing in the art of claiming and enforcing their rights. These processes are now thought to be irreversible, even in totalitarian regimes. One of the fears that accompanied and threatened to vitiate the decolonisation process was whether the independence movements had produced enough mature leaders and democrats capable of projecting their newly acquired powers in healthy ways. Those fears did not stop the independence movements nor the consummation of the decolonisation process. It is becoming apparent that no reservations nor trepidations can stop the rewriting of a unitary constitution into a federal constitution.

    The Governors’ Forum should be encouraged to see the changes they are proposing through to the end. In the same manner, whatever is proposed by the National Assembly concerning state police should in the final analysis be harmonised with the governors’ proposals. The best the police can do is to see how well they can integrate into what is destined to be a new form of policing in Nigeria. That new destination is not far away.

  • Governors, IGP meet over State Police, funding

    Governors, IGP meet over State Police, funding

    The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) in the early hours of Thursday met with the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris over the issue of State Police and funding for the Force.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, NGF Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said that a six man committee has been set up to explore the various options to properly police the country.

    The committee which has representative from the six geo-Political zones of the country was mandated to come up with the best way of policing the country in view of the myriads of security challenges and its attendant lost of lives.

    Yari said that the IGP had sought the permission for the establishment of media outfits like radio and television for the Police Force.

    He said “We discussed and we received presentation from the Inspector General of Police. He made a presentation to us canvassing for the support to introduce media outfits,  radio and television for the force and as well the Police to go technologically from the manual of doing things.

    “The Inspector General of Police dominated the whole day of our discussion today understanding what the issue of Police is into the system whereby in some other nations it is ten to one person but in Nigeria we have four hundred to one.

    “So,  they are having so many difficulties in funding which we are agreed that with the way things are going through the budgeting process, we cannot be able to fund police.

    “So, the Inspector General of Police made us to know that there is a kind of trust fund bill which is before the National Assembly, asked for our support and the members of the national assembly especially the House of Representatives.

    “In our own part,  we have put a committee in place. It is headed by the governors of Kwara, Imo, Delta, Ekiti, Bauchi and Sokoto to lead the committee so that they can be able to  interface with the committee of Police and take the matter before the Acting President for further action. It is important for our nation.

    “And as well there is the issue of kind of state police which is being discussed and we coming with so many options which we are expecting  the committee will do the and find safe way of policing in Nigeria .”

    Also speaking to journalists, the IGP said that security challenges in virtually all parts of the country was the dominant issue in the meeting, stressing that matters that border on security required a collective effort to confront.

    He said the essence of the meeting with the governors centered on “Our efforts to address some of the challenges in the Police unit. We had a fruitful discussion with them and obviously all of them are concerned about security in some parts of the country, virtually in all parts of the country.

    “They are ready to support the Police Force to see how we can address some of the challenges.”

    On the Acting President’s charge for reinforcements in the security apparatus of the country he said “Obviously it is a normal procedure, when we have challenges we normally reinforce.

    “Having insecurity all over the country requires the participation of every citizen of this country. We have to put our heads together to address all the security challenges.

    “The governments are doing well, they are trying to bring communities closer and I think it takes a long time but by and large, with the cooperation of community members and all the security agencies we have met to synergies,” he said

  • Governors from East

    Governors of states carved out over the years by the military regimes from the old Eastern Nigeria, met recently in Enugu, their iconic regional capital, to deliberate on modern challenges and socio-economic prospects for the old region. According to the host Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the peoples of the present South-east and South-south regions are one people, joined by history, culture, values, geography, brotherhood, friendship and more recently, common challenges.

    Similar sentiments were expressed by the Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, who is the chairman of South-east Governors Forum. In his address, the governor said: “we will also talk about economic survival of the two regions and look at possible ways of bringing our ingenuity and making use of our huge deposit of both human and natural resources to attain economic viable zones in Nigeria.”

    I dare say that the assembly which came on the heels of the meetings of south-east governors, the traditional leaders and eminent persons from the region with the acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, in Abuja, to stem the tide of stringent agitations for Biafra is a measured counter-punch against the separatist movement pushed by Nnamdi Kanu’s led IPOB and a faction of MASSOB.

    The attendees were Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), while the deputy governor of Anambra State, Nkem Okeke represented Governor Willie Obiano.

    Of course, the hosting, polemics and quality of attendance was impressive. But beyond seeking to re-assert their mandate, which Nnamdi Kanu and his extravagant separatists are trying to forcefully appropriate, to what benefit is the gathering? So, the governors must walk their talk, otherwise the time spent together would turn a mere jamboree.

    While I congratulate Governor Ugwuanyi and his colleagues for the strategic meeting, they should quickly isolate a few priority projects to pursue. I make a few suggestions. The group should set up a lobby group to negotiate for a restructuring of the federation with the entrenched interests benefitting from the present chaotic federation, and another to pursue economic interests of the zones.

    The group can set up a technical consortium to study the power needs of the old Eastern Region for the short and medium term. They should lobby for and gain approval for a future regional grid, so that someday the region will move away from the dilapidating national grid that has stunted economic development of the country.

    They should seek partnerships for the power plants to generate electricity needs of the old region, using the region’s endowment in gas, coal, water and solar resources. If a single-minded approach could be gained from the joint effort of the governors, I imagine the innumerable benefits for the peoples of the region and Nigerians.

    Of course, to gain the licences and approvals will not be easy, considering the stranglehold of the so-called exclusive legislative list and the machinations of those within the corridors of power. But a combination of the executive powers of the governors of the old region should count for something. This column has argued in the past that a single national grid is physically and economically unviable.

    Another important economic propellant the group should lobby for is a standard-gauge railway line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri with a detour to Bayelsa and Abuja. It speaks volume of the governors’ sense of responsibility that they are missing in action, even as the present government audaciously sought to exclude that regional artery from the railway modernisation projects going on across the country.

    Luckily the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, is from the old Eastern Region. So, the governors should mount an uncompromising lobby to get the project started. While some lame excuses have been given to explain away what this column vigorously described as an unconstitutional exclusion, a combined lobby of the group should force the hands of the federal government.

    Another major artery to the south-east and south-south zone is the second Niger Bridge, tragically abandoned by President Goodluck Jonathan’s government and its predecessors. While the predominant political party in the region should be ashamed for the neglect while Jonathan was in power, it should not detract the governors from mobilizing to get the project off the ground under President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency.

    The recent double-speak of the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun about putting a cap on national borrowings while in a ceremony with the acting President Yemi Osinbajo, even as she changed her mind a day after, shows that the new Niger Bridge and other important projects in the budget predicated on substantial borrowing, may become major causalities under this budget. Again, considering that the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has bemoaned the deductions from the budgetary allocation for the bridge by the National Assembly, there is the likelihood that in the absence of a strong lobby, the prospects of starting the second Niger Bridge is slim.

    It goes without saying that the planned economic integration should be anchored around agro-allied and petro-chemical industries. With the present centralized sourcing of fertilizer by the federal ministry of agriculture, I hope the relevant authority spares a thought about the differences in soil texture, between the savannah region of the northern part of Nigeria and the forest region of the south. So it won’t be a bad idea for the new group to encourage blending plants to serve the soil needs of the southern part of the country.

    Of course, while the agro-allied industries would be concentrated in the upland areas of the old east, aqua-agriculture and petro-chemical industries should be the main interest in the riverine areas of the emergent economic zone.   With the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, threatening to overwhelm our foreign exchange bank account with dollars coming from the export of yam tubers, the region should boost his boast, even as it should encourage processing plants for yam flour and allied bye-products to feed our country, threatened by population explosion.

    Another very urgent matter of regional importance should be the dredging of River Niger. With strong mercantile interests of their upland brothers, the ports at Calabar and Port-Harcourt will gain immensely if the Niger River is opened to smaller vessels after dredging. Again the past governments and leaders from the old region bear heavy responsibility for wasting humongous resources budgeted for the dredging, but their guilty-by-association should not deter them from asking for a fair share of economic opportunities.

    In making the above projections I am aware of the constitutional restraints placed on the part of regional economic regeneration by the duplicitous drafters of the quasi-unitary constitution that we operate. But I am optimistic that a combined lobby of the two zones can gain lots of concessions. Interestingly the national legislative committee on the amendment of the 1999 constitution is showing some prospects.

     

  • Governors angry as EFCC is set to recover $3m refund

    Governors angry as EFCC is set to recover $3m refund

    Governors were up in arms yesterday against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which they accused of “shadow boxing” one of their own.

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) asked the EFCC to allow Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari face his job.

    But the anti-graft agency told The Nation that a member of the House of Representatives had offered to surrender for investigation on how $3million was laundered for a governor from the London-Paris Club refund.

    The EFCC source did not name Yari, who is also the chairman of the NGF.

    Of the three suspects wanted in connection with the cash, one has refunded about $500,000.

    Also, in another investigation, a governor made about 24 calls to pressurise a consultant to launder N500million into a mortgage firm for him.

    The consultant was paid about 0.64 per cent of the N19billion and $86million deducted from the London-Paris Club refund and remitted into two accounts of the NGF.

    The House member wrote to the EFCC on June 30, saying he is ready for interrogation. But he pleaded for  one or two weeks to travel overseas.

    The EFCC team was expected last night to agree on a date for his appearance subject to the convenience of the lawmaker.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Concerning the ongoing probe of a $3million traced to another governor from the London-Paris Club refunds, EFCC detectives have been able to identify three suspects and two companies.

    “Two of the suspects are from the same parents. They played key roles on how the cash was laundered.

    “Out of the suspects, a serving member of the House of Representatives, who was a former commissioner in a state, has been implicated. He actually went underground and evaded arrest in the past few months.”

    Asked of the next step, the source said: “Our immediate target actually is to recover the $3million, seize it under Interim Asset Forfeiture and return the illicit cash to the treasury.

    “So far, one of the suspects has refunded $500,000. We are waiting for the House member, who controlled how the cash was wired for the governor, to face our team and tell us the whereabouts of $2.5million balance.

    The NGF, in a statement signed by its head of Media and Public Affairs Abulrazque Barkindo, said Yari  had told the EFCC that he owned no land or hotel in Lagos.

    Meanwhile, fresh facts emerged yesterday on how a governor routed N500million cash illegally deducted from the London-Paris Club refunds to a mortgage firm.

    Another source said: “A track of the transactions showed that following the payment of about 0.64 per cent commission to a consultant, the governor instructed in less than one hour that the cash should be transferred to a mortgage firm.

    “In between the transfer process, the EFCC team discovered that the governor made about 24 calls in desperation to see that the cash was paid to the mortgage firm.

    “All the call logs of the governor have been traced and it is obvious that he will be arraigned anytime he is out of office.

    “But all those he used to siphon the cash are likely to face trial any moment from now.”

    The Presidency has released N1. 266.44trillion to the 36 states in the past two years. This includes N713.70billion special intervention funds to states.

    Following protest by states against over deductions for external debt service between 1995 and 2002, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of N522.74 billion (first tranche) to states as refund, pending reconciliation of records.

    Each state was entitled to a cap of N14.5 billion being 25% of the amounts claimed.

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the payment of the claims will enable states to offset outstanding salaries and pension which had been “causing considerable hardship”.

    The governors sought for the refund to states and local governments at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on May 24, 2016.

  • Osinbajo, governors, others mourn ‘illustrious son’

    Osinbajo, governors, others mourn ‘illustrious son’

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has led tributes to Nigeria’s former UN ambassador Maitama Sule who died yesterday.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande,Osinbajo extended deep and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, associates and the government of Kano State, praying that the Almighty God comforts all.

    The late Sule, according to the Acting President, is best remembered on the global scene, as one of Nigeria’s foremost envoys whose clarity of voice and vision contributed significantly to the high esteem and respect the country earned at the UN.

    At home, Osinbajo also remembered the late Sule as an illustrious son of Nigeria, noting that his death is a loss to the nation.

    Osinbajo observed that the late Sule, a great Nigerian leader and a committed nationalist, who positioned himself as an agent of unity.

    Even as he advanced gracefully in age, Osinbajo said the late Sule was always prepared to reach out to other leaders of thought across the country in the noble quest for unity, tolerance and national cohesion.

    “He did not waver in lending his voice to the promotion of moderation in national discourse, and his graceful conduct thereto would be sorely missed,” he said.

    According to him, the late Sule never relented applying his wealth of experience to advance the cause of unity, peace and progress of Nigeria, and his fatherly counsel to those in authority had always been bold, sincere and untainted.

    While commending his patriotic fervour, and passionate zeal for public service, the Acting President recalled the late Sule’s unparalleled dedication to duty as a formidable diplomat, politician, minister and acclaimed orator whose well researched and excellently delivered speeches inspired and impressed several Nigerians, including himself.

    Osinbajo urged the octogenarian’s family, friends and associates to be consoled by the fact that his selfless commitment to the stability of Nigeria will not be forgotten and would always be honoured.

    On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Government and the entire people of Nigeria, the Acting President conveyed heartfelt condolences on the loss of a great national asset.

    He prayed that Allah will bless his memory, grant the family and all Nigerians the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki described the late Sule as a detribalised Nigerian who spoke truth to power at all times.

    He described the late Sule as an avowed and highly respected personality, core democrat, fearless politician, exceptional orator and an accomplished public servant.

    Saraki urged Nigerians to toe the path of dialogue in addressing their grievances and to eschew ethnic tensions as embodied by the late former minister, noting that “this is the highest respect we will pay to his legacies”.

    He called on both the Federal and the Kano State governments to immortalise the icon of peace and an advocate of justice and fairness.

    “Through sheer oratory, the name Maitama Sule had become synonymous with wit and wisdom. He never minced words when speaking against ills in society and how to curb them,” he said.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu expressed deep grief, saying: “This is the exit of a patriot, true statesman, role model, social crusader, diplomat of an uncommon pedigree, and an orator, who served the nation and humanity in many capacities.

    “Although he was popularly known as Dan Masanin Kano, some of us preferred to call him Dan Masanin Nigeria, for he had a rare national appeal and loomed larger than life itself even in his humility. A man of unimpeachable integrity and agent of national rebirth, Dan Masanin was, true to his title, a man of the people, mouthpiece of the poor, master of words, peacemaker, and diplomat per excellence”.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara described the death as a monumental loss to the African continent.

    He said the Dan Masani was a colossus, patriot, father to all, and a distinguish. elderstatesman who wrote his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

    ”From struggle for independence to his stewardship as a Federal MP, Federal Commissioner of public complaints, to his service as Nigeria’s permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule’ s record of public service was excellent, exemplary and worthy of emulation.”

    “Even at old age, and faced with health challenges, the late elderstatesman never relented in building bridges of friendship, peace and preaching love amongst Nigerians.”

    “Undoubtedly, he was an icon of peace, transparency, a born orator, patriot and a distinguished statesman who gave his all for the unity and prosperity of Nigeria as one indivisible nation.”

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said the late Sule impacted the nation positively in various spheres of human endeavour.

    The governor said: “Our country has lost a rare breed. A leading light from the old generation has been extinguished. He was a complete gentleman whose honesty, commitment and dedication to the unity of Nigeria will forever be cherished.

    “Dan Masani’s name will continue to be identified with everything positive about Nigeria and its people. Whenever the future generation reads about Dan Masani, they will encounter a man who was cherished and respected by the high and mighty from all parts of the country.”

    Jigawa State Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar expressed his “heartfelt condolences” and described the deceased as “a prominent community leader who served his people with all ability; an eloquent politician like no one in his time and a prominent traditional title holder that earned respect from all.”

    Elder statesman Tanko Yakasai described Sule’s  death as a colossal loss, not only to his family, his friends and political associates, but to the entire Nigerian nation.

    ’’Even though, we parted ways politically at a certain stage of our political life, fate brought us together when Kano State was created, where we both served as pioneer members of the state executive council to the end of the lifetime of our administration,’’ he said, adding:

    ‘’We remained as best of friends right from our childhood, never had any personal quarrel. Extremely jovial person, there was never a dull moment with Maitama.”

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr Kayode Fayemi said Sule’s death had robbed the country of a true patriot, nationalist and peace maker.

    The minister described the late Ambassador as a distinguished leader, political thinker, strategist, foremost diplomat, courageous politician and elder statesman who brought a touch of courage and candour to whatever he did.

    Dr Fayemi recalled his relationship with the late Sule, whom he described as a man who possessed a great depth of wisdom and wit and leader with a huge sense of history.

    The minister recalled his last meeting with the late politician in Abuja last week, after he took ill. “Before then we were putting finishing touches to his book launch. Little did I know that that would be our last meeting.”

    “Ambassador Maitama Sule  was a man of distinction, a compassionate and courageous leader, who was moved more by conviction. He was indeed a good man who stood out among his peers. He was the last of the titans,” Fayemi said.

  • Southeast governors, others reject agitation for Biafra

    Southeast governors, others reject agitation for Biafra

    Igbo leaders seek restructuring

    Arewa Youths to reconsider quit notice

    Political leaders in the Southeast have disowned the campaign for secession being championed by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The secession calls gained momentum after Kanu, who is standing trial for alleged treason, was released from prison on bail.

    The leaders were accused of keeping silent while the separatist group, joined by a faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Soverign State of Biafra (MASSOB), shut down commercial activities in the Southeast on May 30.

    Following this, a group of youths in the North gave the Igbo an October deadline to leave the region.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo held series of meetings with political and religious leaders as well as traditional rulers from the North and the Southeast. He declared at the end of the meetings that there was a consensus that Nigera would remain indivisible. He said all grievances would be addressed.

    The Igbo leaders who met in Enugu yesterday said they resolved in favour of a united Nigeria “where peace, love, fairness, justice, equity and equal opportunity are paramount, regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender or political affiliation”.

    They rejected the claim by MASSOB and IPOB that they speak for the zone.

    At the meeting were the five Southeast governors, National Assembly members, led by Deputy Senatre President Ike Ekweremadu, apex Igbo socio-cultural Igbo organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo, religious leaders and other others.

    The meeting ended in the wee hours of yesterday with a communique read by Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum. It condemned hate speeches and conducts emanating from any segment of Nigeria.

    The Igbo leaders supported the restructuring of Nigeria on the basis of fairness and equity.

    The communique states: ”We therefore call on the Federal Government and all Nigerian leaders to commence a process of dialogue among Nigerians on the modalities of achieving this pressing question within a reasonable time frame.

    “Ndigbo support the report of the National Conference of 2014 and urge the Federal government to set up structures that will enable the implementation of same within a reasonable time.

    “That the South East governors, members of the National Assembly from the South East and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo should henceforth constitute the official organs that will speak on behalf of Ndigbo on political matters.

    “That the South East leaders in consultation with leaders from other parts of the country, will engage the Federal government on all areas of concerns to Ndigbo and to Nigeria as a whole.”

    The leaders assured Ndigbo residing in other parts of the country of protection. Besides, they promised to ensure the safety of non-Igbo in the Southeast.

    Also at the meeting were the Ohanaeze leadership, led by its President John Nwodo, former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and Adolphus Wabara, former Chief of General staff Commodore  Ebitu Ukiwe, former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu; Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu; former Inspector General of Police Ogbonnaya Onovo and former Ohanaeze President Gary Enwo Igariwey.

    There were also traditional rulers, including Obi of Onitsha Alfred Achebe; National Chairman of United Peoples Party (UPP), Chekwas Okorie, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Bishop Maxwell Anikwenwa; Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Gilbert Nnaji, Chukwuka Utazi,  and Ben Obi as well as members of the House of Reps, among others.

  • Ministers, governors, others for researchers’ conference

    Worried by the paucity of research-based policies on economic development, the International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators (IARSA), will hold an Education, Technology, Transportation and Disaster Management (ETTDM 2017) conference at the Airport Hotel, Lagos on July 6 and 7 to address the problem.

    Lead Facilitator of the conference, Prof Akin Ogunsakin, said it would be an an opportunity for researchers and policy makers to share their findings and cutting edge technologies in education, transportation and disaster management.

    He listed keynote speakers as:  Education Minister Malam Adamu Adamu; Science & Technology  Minister of gbonnaya Onu; Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi; Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi; Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr.  Mustapha Yunusa Maihaji, among others.

    Special guests of honour are: Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger),  Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Emir of Zazzau  Shehu Idris, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwunsi, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Isaq Bello, among others.

    “IARSA was founded as a result of discussions among international and national educational research associations and several major research institutes globally which identified the need for an international association to foster the exchange of ideas amongst international researchers,” Ogunsakin said.

    Members include vice chancellors of universities, renowned academics, local and international research professors , among others.

  • Restructuring will check lazy governors, says Rep

    A member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Sergius Ogun, has reeled out the benefits of restructuring the country saying it would help to check lazy governors and nonperforming states.

    Ogun, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Local Content, spoke in an interview in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, when the committee visited the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to perform its oversight functions.

    The lawmaker and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  who represents Esan North-East/Esan South-East Constituency of Edo State, said most state governors only survived on federal allocations.

    He insisted that only restructuring would make the governors to engage in healthy competition and think out of the box to increase  their revenues.

    He said:  ‘’I agree with restructuring 100 per cent. You tell me, if you don’t have any need to work and you earn a salary, will you wake up in the morning to go to work? That is what is happening.

    ‘’Today, state governors all over the country just send their commissioners to Abuja and at the end of the month, they bring a cheque. Some months back, I went to the North, I had a governor friend, I was trying to see for four days, I could not see him.

    “There were investors that were coming into the country to see him, yet I could not see him. When I went there, I saw fruits just wasting.

    ‘’ I called a friend in the UK; we were talking, he said I should not bother that he was going to call a friend with a production company if they could use some of the fruits for their concentrates.

    “You can imagine, to see that governor to let him know of the investors from the UK, he was unreachable. So, if he was not getting free money from the federation and he had to get that money, would he behaved like that? So, restructuring might just be the future of this country – the answer to  all of these problems.

    ‘’On the handling of the Niger Delta problems, I do not know whether the Federal Government is being honest, that is the honest truth. I don’t know. Now, you are talking of modular refineries, they have said they would do this and that, where is the timeline to finish this?

    ‘’So, that is why it has become a protracted problem. So, they come and say we will do this to get them busy, they take the oil and sell, and then when the guys strike again, they say they will do this and do that. That is not honesty; we just want the solution to the problems.’’

    Despite the gale of defection in the PDP, Ogun said he had never thought of changing his party.

    He stressed that instead of defecting to any other party, he would go back to his business.

  • Governors preach peace, national integration, love

    Governors preach peace, national integration, love

    Governors across the federation have felicitated with Nigerians on the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

    The urged the citizens to shun divisive tendencies, embrace national integration and love.

    The governors spoke in interviews with reporters, broadcasts as well as in separate statements issued yesterday to mark the end of Ramadan fasting.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola implored citizens to put the country’s stability and progress at heart before taking decisions on matters of national interest.

    He stated this yesterday while addressing reporters after the Eid-el-Fitr prayers, at Osogbo Central Eid praying ground, Oke-Baale, Osogbo.

    He called on the political office holders to inculcate right attitude that would guarantee unification, peace and stability.

    From the Government House Oke Fia, Osogbo, where the governor took off to the praying ground, his convoy snaked through a thick crowd of residents, who expressed support for him.

    Many climbed rooftops and stand at vantage positions to catch glimpses of the governor as residents waved at him.

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi congratulated the state’s Muslim community on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

    The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy,Yomi Layinka, in Ibadan, called for spiritual rebirth among the Islamic faithful.

    He enjoined Muslims not to deviate from the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed on the essence of Ramadan, even after the Sallah celebrations.

    Ajimobi said: “Since Ramadan fasting symbolises the period of spiritual rejuvenation, I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to continue to put into practice the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.”

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal called on the citizenry to engage in acts that promote national integration and feeling of brotherhood.

    The governor noted that exemplary leadership cannot be achieved without the active and patriotic participation of the citizenry.

    He said: “We should, therefore, be ready to individually and collectively give our modest contributions.”

    Tambuwal spoke Saturday night in Sokoto in a special sallah broadcast to the people to mark the end of Ramadan and Eid Fitr celebration.

    “We must share our joys with the less-privileged among us and should be ready at all times to love for others what we love for ourselves.”

     

    ‘No to secession’

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello joined other leaders in condemning the call for secession and break up.

    He said the agitators should channel their energies towards other national issues that unite the country.

    Speaking after observing the two Rakat prayers to mark this year’s Eid-Il-Fitir celebration at Minna Eid praying ground, Minna, the state capital, the governor advised the promoters of secession to desist from their unpatriotic act.

    He added that the government was set to deal with anyone who plantothrow the nation into chaos.

    “Nigerians are better off together. We can together channel our useful energy to other more important national issues that unites the country rather than dwell on those little things that differentiate us.

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu rejoiced with Muslims faithful on the successful completion of the 2017 Ramadan.

    The governor, in a statement, urged them to put into practice all the lessons learnt from the annual religious exercise.

    Akeredolu,who hailed the unflinching support of the Muslim community to his administration,urged them to continue avoiding divisive tendencies and actions capable to cause mistrust among the citizenry.

    He pleaded with Muslims to embrace the virtues of love and sacrifice,as they join their fellow brothers and sisters worldwide in celebration.

     

    Nigeria’s strength lies in unity, says Amosun

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun urged Nigerians to live in peace and harmony with one another, saying the greatness and  strength of Nigeria  lies in its unity.

    Amosun urged Nigerians to identify things that bound people together and reinforce them and shun divisive tendencies.

    The governorspoke after observing the Eid-el-Fitri prayer at the Muslim Prayer Ground, Lantoro – Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    He advised Muslims to imbibe the virtues of Ramadan during the month-long prayer and fasting by putting them to practice.

    Amosun said Nigerians should work towards cohesion and unity at this period of the nation’s history.

    He explained that one of the virtues of the holy Ramadan is love and harmony, urging Muslims in Nigeria practice those virtues.

    Also, the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu, in his sermon, urgedMuslims to persevere in doing good and helping the less-privileged in the society.

    Kogi Staate Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello called on the citizens, irrespective of religious faith, to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood in order to live harmoniously in the interest of peace and growth.

    Bello spoke after the observation of the Eid-el-Fitr prayer at the Old Stadium, Lokoja.

    The governor’s appearanceat the venue surprised Muslim faithful, who had in the past witnessed his predecessors observe the annual end of Ramadan prayer at the Felele Eid praying ground.

    Bello enjoined Nigerians not to relent in fervent prayer for President Muhammadu Buhari for quick recovery, and for the Acting President, Prof. YemiOsibajo, to succeed in the challenges of piloting the country’s affairs.

    Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson also joined others in felicitating with Muslims, especially in the state, on the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

    In a statement in Yenagoa, the governor called for more tolerance, unity and peaceful coexistence as the citizens celebrate.

    He emphasised that no meaningful growth could take place without those conditions.

    The statement, which was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson,  urged “Muslim faithful to love their brothers and sisters in other religions and see themselves as one at all times”.

     

    Ugwuanyi visits mosque

    Engu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who paid a surprise visit to the Muslims at their Central Mosque located in Owerri road, Enugu to felicitate with them, noted that Eid-el-Fitr offers an opportunity for both Muslim and Christian faithful to continue to live in harmony for the progress.

    He added that the country’s strength lies in its diversity and ability to overcome challenges despite socio-political differences.

    The excited Muslims, through their Leader, the Sarkin Hausawa, Alhaji Yusuf Sambo, hailedthe governor for the surprise visit, “even when you had earlier sent gift items to us through your Special Adviser on Security Matters, Gen. Fred Eze (rtd)”.

     

    El-Rufai: resist division

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai urged Nigerians to uphold national unity and jointly resist agents of division.

    El-Rufai, who spoke after Eid prayers in Kauru town, headquarters of Kauru Local Government Area, said Nigerians should not allow agents of doom to realise their sinister agenda.

    “We should use this celebration to reflect and pray hard for peace and unity of Nigeria. As citizens, we should stand together against those preaching division and violence. Our diversity is a source of strength, and our common humanity is a threat to those, who earn their living by manipulating differences.

    “Let us be uncompromising about maintaining peace and promoting harmony.”

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to exhibit the strict spiritual teachings of the holy month of Ramadan in their daily affairs.

    In a statement signed by Commissioner for Information Malam Muhammad Garba, Ganduje said the lessons of tolerance, peace,fairness, justice, love and support for the needy and less-privileged learnt during the month-long fast should bepractised by all beyond the holy month to attain spiritual uplifting, peaceful coexistence and national unity.