The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mohammed Namadi Sambo

  • Ex VP Sambo alleges plans to implicate him for corruption

    Ex VP Sambo alleges plans to implicate him for corruption

    The immediate past Nigeria’s Vice President, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo has expressed fear that the nation’s security agencies may plant incriminating objects in his house to implicate him of corruption.

    The former Vice President who reacted to the repeated raids on his Kaduna residence by the anti-graft agencies said he is apprehensive that a repeat of Commando-style raid of his residence will not be surprising if an incriminating object is planted in order to willfully and deliberately incriminate him.

    Sambo in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Umar Sani, lamented that the recent desperation exhibited by some security agencies in carrying out a raid on an unoccupied residence and blocking all entry and exit points, in a ‘commando-style’ and coming along with a bullion van speak volumes of the ‘clandestine’ intention of the security operatives.

    According to the statement, “In the late afternoon of Wednesday, the 28th of June 2017, the Alimi Road, Kaduna un-occupied residence of the former Vice President Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON, was invaded by security operatives armed with a search warrant, who conducted a forensic search of the entire residence.

    “Initially, we were at a loss as to their identity but later discovered that they were operatives from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). This raid brings to five the number of times the residence was searched within a period of six months and on each occasion valuable fittings were deliberately destroyed.

    “It is worthy of note to state that no such brazen attempts were made at any point, either at his Link Road Kaduna residence, or his Abuja apartment, which he presently occupy.

    “As the visit of the operatives was unscheduled, the reasons for the search were not specifically stated. However, the outcome of the search was made known. At the end of the whole exercise, the officers, who carried out the search were satisfied that nothing incriminating was found.

    “As a law-abiding citizen, the former Vice-President did not raise any alarm in the previous invasions in view of the fact that he has nothing to hide.

    “The recent desperation exhibited by some security agencies in carrying out a raid on an unoccupied residence blocking all entry and exit points, in a commando-style and coming along with a bullion van speaks volumes of the clandestine intention of the security operatives.

    “It is therefore worrisome to note that the consistency with which the searches occurred and the intervals between them portrays a desire of a fault-finding mission. We are apprehensive that a repeat of such episode will not be surprising if an incriminating object is planted in his residence in order to willfully and deliberately incriminate him.

    “It is against this background that we wish to draw the attention of the unsuspecting members of the public to this phenomenon. The desperation of some of the security agencies is glaring by the number of times such searches were conducted and still counting. We hope it is not a way to try to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it,” Sambo  said.

  • Sambo reconciles angry Yobe PDP members

    Sambo reconciles angry Yobe PDP members

    Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo yesterday reconciled aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State.

    This followed the disagreement on the primary that produced former Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Maina Waziri as the party’s governorship flag bearer.

    The reconciliatory meeting was held at the Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina House in Kaduna among PDP candidates from the state and other aggrieved members, particularly those who contested the primaries on the platform of the party.

    Sambo assured them that the PDP would consider all its aspirants for greater responsibilities when the party emerged victorious in the 2015 general elections.

    The vice president hailed PDP members for putting aside their grievances and agreeing to work for the party’s success.

    He said: “You have set a good example for others to follow. Rather than engage in anti-party activities or defecting, you heeded my call, which primarily is aimed at sorting out the differences and agreeing on a common ground with a promise to work for the success of PDP, not only in Yobe State but also in the entire Northeast. This is highly commendable and encouraging.

    “With this step you have taken, I want to assure you that all those who are aspirants under this great party will be considered for responsibilities. But the first thing must be done: that is, you must ensure the victory of the party at the polls by working as a team.”

    The leader of the delegates, Dr. Abdu Bulama, who is also the Minister of Science and Technology, said: “Today is very important to the indigenes of Yobe State because reconciliation has finally been achieved among party members in the state.”

  • Fed Govt to resuscitate automotive industry

    Fed Govt to resuscitate automotive industry

    The Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government in restoring the declining fortunes of the automotive industry in the country. He said the present administration will continue to ensure the promotion of manufacturing and assemblage of automobiles as a strategy of launching Nigeria into the class of car manufacturing nations.

    Sambo spoke at the opening ceremony of the 16th Abuja International Motor Fair at Eagle Square in Abuja, saying that there is necessity to move Nigeria from an automobile consumer nation to producers.

    Sambo, represented by the Minister of State, FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, said all hands must be on deck to achieve this goal.

    “Our achievements in sports and our success in the fight against Ebola Virus Disease are great testaments to what we can accomplish if we work together. We hope that very soon, Made-in-Nigeria cars will jostle for space in motor fairs both in Nigeria and globally, along with the Toyota, the Hondas and Peugeots of this world,” he said.

    The Vice President said the motor fair offers an insight into the shape of things to come in the industry especially with the present government’s resolve for a paradigm shift in the sector.

    Sambo noted that restoring the automotive industry has a part to play in the economic development of any nation. “This includes its capacity for employment creation, GDP contribution and Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises (SME) development,” he said.

    FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed noted that the Abuja International Motor Fair has the potential to bolster the efforts of the FCT administration towards the realisation of the Abuja Urban Transportation Master Plan and the making of a smart city.

    He urged the dealers and other stakeholders in the automobile marketing industry to evolve a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategy for developing the area, saying that the FCT administration is willing to partner with interested investors in this regard especially using its Land- Swap model of infrastructure development to fast-track development in the FCT.

    Director–General, National Automotive Council, Mr Aminu Jalal, an engineer, stated that Tokunbo vehicles that flooded the Nigerian automotive market after the liquidation of nearly all the local assembly plants and components manufacturing companies would soon become a thing of the past.

    This, he said, is because the investment in the automotive industry in Nigeria has opportunities in the manufacture of vehicles, spare parts and components.

    “Presently some Assembly Plants have commenced production in the country. They include Peugeot Nigeria in Kaduna, National Trucks Manufacturers in Kano, Stallion Nissan Motors Nigeria Ltd in Lagos, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd in Nnewi, Zahav Automotive Company Nigeria Ltd in Lagos and VON Automobile Nigeria Ltd in Lagos.

    He said the new policy is also expected to boost the revival and expansion of petrochemical and metal/steel sectors; conservation of huge foreign exchange presently being used for vehicle imports; opening of automotive training centres; building of new vehicle manufacturing plants and price reduction on brand new Nigerian made cars to about N1.5million.

    “The new automotive development policy would also salvage the honour and tastes of Nigerians in increased flow of investments for the development of the automotive industry in Nigeria; proactive tariff differentials targeted at encouraging local production; government’s patronage of products of local assembly and operation of vehicle purchase schemes, among others,” he said.

     

  • PDP not under threat, says Sambo

    PDP not under threat, says Sambo

    Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo said in Kaduna yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not under any form of threat whatsoever, regardless of the efforts of the opposition to displace it.

    “We must shun all overtures by those who are bent on destroying the party and be unified in our quest to strengthen a party that has made its mark and improve the lives and wellbeing of our citizens,” he said.

    Sambo also enumerated the various programmes being carried out by the Jonathan administration across the North, pointing out that when completed, such projects will impact positively on the economy of the North and generate employment.These include the 700 MW thermal Zungeru plant and the 350 MW hydro plant in Mambilla, Taraba State .

    The VP in a veiled rebuttal of allegations that the Jonathan Administration has done little or nothing for the North said: “The Kaduna/Abuja fast rail line is near completion. When completed, the project will not only boost trade and commerce, but will bring development closer to our door steps. This is to the fact that we have already benefited from the Lagos/Kaduna/Kano narrow gauge line. The idea is that Kaduna will be the industrial hub that will supply Abuja and other parts of this country.

    “The recent approval of N1.6 trillion which will be spread over six years is another bold initiative at ensuring that we bequeath the best quality education to the oncoming generation by laying a solid education foundation. Of particular mention is the construction of 12 new federal universities of which, the President has approved the construction of nine in the northern part of this country.

    Sambo said Kaduna State remains a PDP state contrary to suggestions that the opposition is making an inroad.

    He said: “This state has always been a PDP state and collectively, we should all strive to maintain the status quo not withstanding that we are under no threat. Our meeting today is party of the requirement of the party constitution to meet regularly to discuss issues affecting the party at the state level.

    “Let us settle down and examine the party’s opportunities ad strength so as to consolidate on our established potency. Let me assure you that at the national level, all hands are on deck to ensure that the party continues to grow from strength to strength and to assure you that the transformation agenda of Mr. President is on course.”

  • National Productivity Order of Merit Award

    National Productivity Order of Merit Award