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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • MAN advises Govt. on AfCFTA

    THE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has advised the Federal Government to avert Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) abuse.

    The agreement was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 7, at the African Union (AU) Extra-Ordinary Meeting in Niamey, Niger Republic.

    The group also advised the government to constitute a National Action Committee on AfCFTA to coordinate Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) of government and relevant private sector groups to drive the implementation of the AfCFTA readiness projects and initiatives.

    In a statement yesterday, the group urged the Federal Government to adopt technology-based border policing and surveillance to check abuse of the intra-Africa Trade protocols and trade malpractices.

    Read Also: How to benefit from AfCFTA, by NACCIMA President

    MAN said there was need for the government and other private sector groups to critically analyse the market and strategically capacitate Nigeria’s domestic economic actors to benefit maximally from the AfCFTA.

    The group also stressed the need to work towards having a beneficial trade engagement in Africa by effectively mitigating the risks and taking advantage of the opportunities of a 1.2 billion market and $2.5 trillion gross domestic product (GDP).

    “You would recall MAN had earlier cautioned against signing the agreement without first adequately consulting the relevant stakeholders and carrying out a country specific study to assess the potential impact of the agreement on the manufacturing sector in particular and the Nigerian economy in general,” the statement read in part.

  • Buhari’s lawyer shows video to quash Atiku’s server claim

    INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu has ended the speculation about the procedure adopted in transmitting results of the last general elections.

    In a video recording played on Tuesday before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), Yakubu explained that INEC jettisoned its plan to transmit elections results electronically owing to two other challenges, beside the legal constraint.

    Yakubu said before the elections, INEC officials met with telecommunication experts drawn from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the telecoms service providers during which two main challenges were identified.

    The first, he noted, was the inadequacy of telecommunication infrastructure across the country.

    The second, Yakubu said, was that of cyber insecurity which, he added, had marred such experiments (electronic transmission of election results) in some countries.

    Yakubu said: “On the issue of transmission of results electronically, I recall that we had some discussions with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). And, through the NCC, we had meetings with the telecoms service providers.

    “And we have identified blind spots in Nigeria (areas without telecommunication coverage).  Beside the issue of blind spot, we also have discussions with the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT). We have not concluded our discussion with the Nigerian Communications Satellite in that respect.

    “There are two issues. The first one, communication. With respect to the blind spots; how do you communicate?

    “Secondly, the percentage of the country that is covered by 2G, let alone 3G or 4G network, and there are no 5, in Nigeria is very small.”

    He said in view of the inadequacy in the available telecommunication infrastructure, the commission concluded that it was impossible to adopt the electronic method of election transmission, because the plan was not only to send  figures, but, in addition, pictures of forms containing details of the election results.

    Yakubu added that the commission concluded that way “because sending figures is different from sending images. So, we have challenge in the area of communication”.

    According to the INEC Chairman, the second problem was security, particularly cyber security.

    He cited examples of countries, such as Kenya and others, that tried electronic transmission of results but experienced security challenges.

    The recording was of an interview session with the INEC chairman, aired by a private television station on February 6, 2019, and in which he ruled out the possibility of INEC transmitting results electronically.

    Yesterday’s proceedings were a continuation of Monday’s where a petitioners’ witness, Segun Showunmi, tendered 48 compact discs (CDs) two of which showed where Yakubu and an INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, spoke about plans to deploy technology in the transmission of the results of the last elections.

    Showunmi, who, on Monday swiftly identified  Yakubu, Igini and the official of the television station, who anchored the interviews from the DVDs he bought,   stunned all yesterday when he had a difficulty identifying the same people in the DVD brought by President Muhammadu Buhari’s lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN).

    The DVD tendered by Izinyon was played at the resumption of the tribunal’s proceedings on Tuesday.

    Read Also: Just in: Security tops my agenda, says Buhari

    The tribunal had, on Monday adjourned till yesterday owing to the refusal by the lawyer to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, Chris Uche, to allow Izonyo play his DVD in the equipment the petitioners brought, and with which they played their videos.

    After the video of the interview granted by Yakubu on February 6, 2019 was played with the equipment brought by Izinyon, Showunmi, who resumed his testimony, said he could not identify the INEC Chairman and his interviewer in the video.

    After the single DVD was played, Izinyon tendered it along with a certificate of compliance, which were both admitted by the tribunal, despite the petitioners’ lawyer’s objection.

    Tribunal Chairman Justice Mohammed Garba advised Uche to include the reason for his objection in his final written address, as agreed by parties at the pre-hearing session.

    Atiku and the PDP are, by their petition, challenging the outcome of the last presidential election won by President Buhari of the APC.

    The petitioners are claiming, in their petition, to have won the election, going by results they claimed to have got from a purported INEC server into which they argued the results were electronically transmitted.

    At the conclusion of Showunmi’s testimony, the petitioners called nine other witnesses, who all made allegations malpractices in the last presidential election.

    The witnesses, who served as PDP agents in Nasarawa State, made series of claims that the election was manipulated, even in areas where the PDP won. But they failed, under cross examination, to sustain their claim of manipulation against agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Rikita Ali, who said he served as PDP Ward Collation Agent in Lafia Local Government, Nasarawa State, claimed in his written statement that an INEC official was caught with $10,000.

    Ali said he witnessed the incident, which happened at Lafia Collation Centre, where he was present.

    The witnesses, who said he had no evidence of the police report of the incident,  said the INEC official is still alive, but that could not say if the official has been arrested or prosecuted.

    Another witness, Mohammed Hayatu, who said he retired as a Customs official, claimed,in his written statement, that Atiku is a Nigerian by birth and was qualified to vote and be voted for.

    Under cross examination, Hayatu, who claimed Atiku was older than him by 20 years, confessed that all he said about Atiku were what his (Hayatu’s) late father told him about Atiku and his family.

    Hayatu said he also learnt that part of Adamawa Province was part of Northern Cameroon, until the plebiscite of 1961, which brought it back to Nigeria.

    The witness said Jadda, where Atiku was born was never part of Cameroon.

    Earlier, another petitioners’ witness, Magdiel  Samaki, who said he was a Nigerian Ambassador to Romania, said he could not recall history relating to the plebiscite conducted in Northern Cameroon in 1961.

    Under cross-examination, Samaki was asked to read part of his written statement, where he said he first met Atiku’s mother in 1965 and recalled Atiku’s early years.

    When reminded that he claimed that his was born in 1946 and could not have witnessed Atiku’s early years, the witness said he read about it and was also told.

    The witness said: “To the best of my knowledge and what I know, Jadda was in Northern Nigeria, in Adamawa Province, even before 1946.

    On whether he is aware that prior to 1919, Cameroon was administered by Germany, the witness said he was not born then.

    Samaki said he did not know when the First World War ended.

    The petitioners are expected to call more witnesses at the resumption of the tribunal’s sitting today.

     

     

  • Just in: Security tops my agenda, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja said successes recorded in degrading terrorists in the North East will be extended to various parts of the country experiencing challenges.

    He assured Nigerians that security still tops his list of priorities.

    Buhari made the remark while receiving the executive members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) led by the President, Dr Francis Adedayo Faduyile, at the State House, Abuja.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also noted that offenders took advantage of the focus on the North East to commit crimes in other parts of the country.

    “If you cannot secure a country or institution, you cannot manage it,’’ he said

    The President said that efforts were still ongoing to improve employment level, following the success in getting many into the agricultural sector.

    He stressed that opening up the economy for investments and getting the youths engaged will control crime rate.

    On health and education, President Buhari urged states and local governments to play stronger roles in complementing the efforts of the Federal Government, especially in getting more children into classrooms.

    “The issues of health and education are constitutional. If there are too many almajiris in a state, then the government is not following the constitution.

    “The states also have elites who are educated enough to remind their governments about their responsibility to almajiris,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, the President of the NMA congratulated President Buhari for winning a second term in office, attributing his return to efforts made by the government to reposition the country, especially in health sector, like establishment of a cancer centre in University of Lagos Teaching Hospital.

    Dr. Faduyile commended the President for always looking towards the NMA to appoint competent members for positions in the health sector, assuring that the medical association will continue to partner with the government to bring good health services to Nigerians.

    Read Also; Buhari to critics of insecurity: You are not patriotic

    He said there was a need to make the National Health Insurance Scheme compulsory for all Nigerians, including those in the informal sector, as some special treatments, like cancer, will require funds that might be beyond the reach of many.

    The NMA President urged the Federal Government to further strengthen the primary health care system, institute a health bank where medical professionals can access loans for facilities, remove duties on imported medical equipment and give more attention to security.

    He canvassed that the budget on health should be improved from 4 per cent to 15 per cent.

  • Just in: Buhari, NMA panel meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met with the National Officers Committee (NOC) of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

    The meeting started around 11.30am at the President’s office in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    A coaster bus had conveyed the members of the committee to the forecourt of the State House around 11.07am.

    The committee, which has tenure from 2018 to 2020, had paid a similar visit to President Buhari in July 2018.

    The NOC President, Dr. Francis Adedayo Faduyile, is also the President of NMA

    Members of the committee include the 1st Vice President, Dr. Kenneth Mingeh Tijo, 2nd Vice President, Dr. Ofem Egbe Enang, Secretary General, Dr. Olumuyiwa Peter Odusote.

    Others were the Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Benjamin Ikechukwu Umezurike, National Treasurer, Dr. Ayuwaja Nayagawa, National Financial Secretary, Dr. Abdulgafar O. Jimoh, National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Obitade Sunday Obimakinde.

    Read Also:  Buhari plays video on INEC’s stand on results transmission

    Also in the committee are Editor NMJ, Dr. Augustine V. Umoh; immediate past President, Dr. Mike Ozovehe Ogirima and the immediate past Secretary General, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu.

    NMA is established to assist the government and the people of Nigeria towards the provision of smooth, efficient and effective healthcare delivery system in the country.

    It is also to promote the welfare, and interaction of all medical and dental practitioners in the country.

    The meeting with the President was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Breaking: Buhari plays video on INEC’s stand on results transmission

    At the resumption of the proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) on Tuesday morning, lawyer to President Muhammadu Buhari, Alex Izinyon (SAN), played a video, where INEC Chairman said his commission could not transmit results electronically, because of inadequate communication facilities/coverage in the country and the challenge of cybersecurity.

    The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu explained why results of last general elections could not be transmitted electronically, contrary to claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its last presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    Read Also: Obasanjo to Buhari: act now to keep Nigeria one

    Atiku and the PDP, who are challenging the outcome of the last presidential election before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), claimed to have won the election by virtue of some results they got from a certain server, into which they said INEC transmitted the results of the election.

    Izinyon further tendered a digital video disc (DVD) which contained the interview Yakubu granted to a private television station, in which he gave details of the challenges of transmitting results electronically.

    Details soon..

  • Updated: Buhari’s lawyer to play video of INEC Chair ruling out electronic transmission

    The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) suspended proceedings on Monday for lawyer to President Muhammadu Buhari to provide equipment needed to play a digital video disc (DVD)) said a clip where the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu ruled out the adoption of electronic transmission of results of the last general elections.

    The five-member tribunal, led by Justice Mohammed Garba adjourned till Tuesday, shortly after Buhari’s lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN) sought to be allowed to bring equipment to play the DVD after lawyer to Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chris Uche (SAN) objected to the use of their television set and DVD player for the disc the second respondent’s lawyer sought to play.

    Monday was the eighth of the 10 days allocated to Atiku and the PDP, who are, by their petition,n challenging the outcome of the last presidential election won by President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Atiku and his party claimed, in their petition, to have won the last presidential election, going by results they got from a purported INEC server.

    In all, the petitioners, who proposed to call about 400 witnesses, have so far, called 40, having called four on Monday.

    After calling their third witness on Monday, Uche indicated the petitioners’ intention to tender video evidence contained in about 48 compact discs and to play some in open court.

    The petitioners proceeded to call its fourth witness for the day, Segun Showunmi, through whom they tendered the CDs and a certificate of compliance. Showunmi introduced himself as the Media Adviser to Atiku.

    Read Also; INEC, APC, Buhari describe PDP, Atiku video evidence as empty, lacking value

    Although lawyers to the respondents – Yunus Usman (SAN), for INEC; Izinyon, and Adeniyi Akintola (SANN), for the APC objected to the admission of the CD in evidence, the tribunal, in a ruling, overruled the respondents’ objection.

    Justice Garba said the CDs were part of exhibits covered by the pre-election agreement by parties, which the tribunal adopted.

    Upon the ruling, Uche applied that some of the videos be played, following which three of the CDs were played.

    The first was a recording of a television programme – “Sunday Politics” – which featured an interview with an INEC official, identified as Mike Igini.
    Continue on Page 2

  • Just In: I’m worried over insecurity, Obasanjo writes Buhari

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

    In the letter released by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo, said, he is very worried over the high level of insecurity in the country.

    He called on the president to take decisive action to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown crisis.

    “I am very much worried and afraid that we are on the precipice and dangerously reaching a tipping point where it may no longer be possible to hold danger at bay. Without being immodest, as a Nigerian who still bears the scar of the Nigerian civil war on my body and with a son who bears the scar of fighting Boko Haram on his body, you can understand, I hope, why I am so concerned,” he wrote.

    “When people are desperate and feel that they cannot have confidence in the ability of government to provide security for their lives and properties, they will take recourse to anything and everything that can guarantee their security individually and collectively.

    Read Also: Gowon: How we saved Obasanjo from impeachment

    “To be explicit and without equivocation, Mr. President and General, I am deeply worried about four avoidable calamities: abandoning Nigeria into the hands of criminals who are all being suspected, rightly or wrongly, as Fulanis and terrorists of Boko Haram type.

    “Spontaneous or planned reprisal attacks against Fulanis which may inadvertently or advertently mushroom into pogrom or Rwanda-type genocide that we did not believe could happen and yet it happened. Similar attacks against any other tribe or ethnic group anywhere in the country initiated by rumours, fears, intimidation and revenge capable of leading to pogrom; Violent uprising beginning from one section of the country and spreading quickly to other areas and leading to dismemberment of the country.”

  • 2023: Osinbajo, Tinubu face smear campaign

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the national leader of the All progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, appear to be the targets of a vicious campaign ahead of the 2023 polls.

    The aim is to stop  power shift to the South in 2023 and where they are handicapped to “cast aspersions” on some political heavyweights.

    It was gathered that an agenda for a prolonged smear campaign has been put in place beginning with the printing of posters in Dubai by a Kaduna-based politician against Tinubu and the resurrection of a petition against Alpha Beta Consulting Limited.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC)  said  on Saturday that the  petitioner, Dapo Apara, has not substantiated his allegation of a N100billion scam against Alpha Beta.

    The Vice President had his first baptism with the probe of the activities of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) by the 8th House of Representatives in 2018.

    According to findings, the “war” against the Vice President and Tinubu will soon assume a media assault dimension which will spread for two years.

    It was also learnt that the forthcoming serial attacks were part of what is known as “Dubai Strategy”, which was developed by some stalwarts of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A source familiar with the alleged plot  said: “The overall objective of this grand plot by some politicians, including a mix of some APC governors, ex-governors and PDP elements, is to demystify the democratic credentials and integrity of Osinbajo and Tinubu.

    “It is also about permutations for 2023 ahead of a planned alliance by some APC and PDP elements to frustrate the suspected presidential ambition of Osinbajo and Tinubu.

    “They are out to paint Osinbajo and Tinubu as corrupt persons who should not be trusted by the political class, especially the power oligarchy in the country.

    “Apart from creating a wedge between President Muhammadu Buhari and the VP and Asiwaju, some of these schemers do not want power shift to the South in 2023 because of their secret presidential ambition.

    “They actually intend to provoke Buhari to move against Tinubu and Osinbajo under the guise of anti-corruption fight.”

    The source also said the assault on the VP and Tinubu was in connection with plans to decimate APC before 2023.

    “They see Osinbajo and Tinubu as stumbling blocks to their ambition. They have concluded plans to cause crisis in APC, destroy the party and use a new alliance to form a new party for their presidential aspiration.

    “Why will they go to Dubai to print 2023 posters to paint Tinubu as anti-Buhari? They are desperate to finish these two leaders. It is a crooked plot.”

    Petitioner can’t prove allegation against Alpha Beta, says EFCC

    The EFCC declared on Saturday that a petitioner, Dapo Apara has not substantiated his allegation of a N100billion scam against Alpha Beta Consulting Limited.

    It said although the investigation of the firm has been ongoing, it will not act on hearsays.

    The anti-graft agency, however, said its doors are open if Apara has any further proof with regards to his petition

    The EFCC, which made the clarifications in a statement by its Acting, Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade said it was false to claim that it has not acted on Apara’s petition in the last one year.

    The statement said a reporter sent apologies for not reflecting EFCC’s part in the story.

    The statement said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has noted a story in THE PUNCH newspaper of Saturday, July 13, 2019, titled: Osinbajo’s firm linked to company fingered in alleged N100bn Alpha Beta scam.

    “While not denying the fact that such petition was received on Alpha Beta by the Commission last year, preliminary investigation has shown that the petitioner did not substantiate the allegation contained in his petition.

    “For the records, the Alpha Beta investigation is ongoing and we have nothing to hide over the matter.

    “If the petitioner has any further proof with regards to the petition, our doors are wide open.”

    The EFCC said it does not conduct its investigation on hear says.

    It added: “As a tradition, we do not deal on hearsays, we act on facts and raw data.

    “The Commission will not allow anybody to drag its name and reputation into the mud for ill-motive reasons.

    “To underscore the desperation of the editorial team that anchored the report, Mr. Tobi Aworinde contacted the Commission’s acting Spokesperson at exactly 9:44 pm on Friday, July 12, 2019, on the subject matter.

    “Mr. Aworinde called the Spokesperson to know the position of the Commission on the petition.  The Spokesperson sent a response via a WhatsApp platform. Unfortunately, this response was not captured in the Punch report.

    Read Also: Osinbajo: Basic Education is a must

    “When contacted why the response of the Spokesperson was not reflected in the report, Mr. Aworinde replied and said: “I forwarded the message as soon as I got it.

    “It must have been the race to press. We were behind on our production deadline when I called for the reaction. My apologies sir.”

    “There is no doubt that the ‘race to press’ and ‘we were behind our production deadline when I called for reaction’, as explained by Aworinde, is suggestive that there was an agenda and a motive.”

    The anti-graft agency said it has attended to Apara’s petition contrary to insinuations.

    It said: “It is erroneous for the newspaper to claim that the Commission did not do anything in respect to the petition for one year.

    “It is also unfortunate and unprofessional for a paper like The Punch Newspapers to champion such misinformation and also rush to the press on a sensitive matter like this.

    “As we continue our investigation, we urge the media to be circumspect, fair and balance in their reportage.”

    Meanwhile, a group, Initiative to Save Democracy (ISD) has faulted a report linking Osinbajo with a firm implicated in the alleged N100b Alpha Beta scam.

    ISD, in a  statement on Saturday by its President, Sunday James Akinloye, also cautioned the press against being used by the People’s Democratic Party to propagate its Dubai strategy aimed at tarnishing the image and goodwill of persons in government, especially the President and the Vice President.

    ISD said although a national newspaper failed to establish any clear cut relationship between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s former law firm and Ocean Trust Limited, it still went on to publish the report.

    “To think that three reporters and perhaps two editors sat down to deviously concoct a fake news against the Vice President is rather frightening. Prof Osinbajo has nothing to do with this old and stale matter, yet the paper used his name as the headline, trying so hard and desperately to link him to it.

    “Is the newspaper saying that if the VP has stakes in First Bank, MTN or any other company he is responsible for the actions and inactions of such organizations?

    “This is the worst kind of reporting particularly from a newspaper that is fully implementing PDP’s Dubai strategy.

    “Nigerians and all people of goodwill are hereby reminded of the evil intentions behind the whole charade against the VP.

    “Let me state categorically that Simmon Coopers is not Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s firm as alleged by the newspaper. Even the skewed report stated that Simmons Coopers was listed as a company in which Prof Yemi Osinbajo (now Vice-President) ‘had’ a stake in his asset declaration form in 2015. The VP could not have continued with the firm and he resigned before he became VP. This is public knowledge.”

    Mr. Akinloye then went on to explain that not only does VP Osinbajo have nothing to do with the law firm or its transactions; Simmon Coopers again has said it is not the Company Secretary. This is also in the public space.

    “Our checks with Corporate Affairs Commission officials show that Simmon Coopers were never appointed Company Secretary instead there was a resolution to appoint Simmon Coopers but they were never appointed.

    “The newspaper was handed fake documents which they published on their website. Anyone can go to CAC to verify the documents, they are completely fake claims.

    “A paper submitted by a company to CAC of its plans or intentions is not the same thing as a CAC document.  It is intriguing that the newspaper editors and reporters could not understand or comprehend these basic things.”

    “Students of history, will be perplexed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in July 2018 had investigated this matter, and the Vice President was not associated with the case in anyway.”

    He said the reporters who wrote the story, they have a track record of reporting falsehood especially against the VP, a part of the Dubai strategy.

    “This is unacceptable to attempt to link a man to an issue he has no business with and this is the way that newspaper has been conducting itself for many years.

    “Prof Osinbajo is a man of integrity, he is a honest man who has served Nigeria in every way possible, the least he deserves is this kind of fake reportage. Nigerians must be weary of reports like this.”

    This story is a clear malicious attempt to impugn the stellar credentials of perhaps Nigeria’s most influential and hardworking Nigerian VP.”

     

  • ‘Buhari should hasten formation of cabinet’

    The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute his cabinet without delay to restart the country’s economic growth.

    APBN said the economy will be on a standstill till the president constitutes his cabinet, and operators in the economy can discern the clear direction of government leadership and policies.

    At the board meeting of the hosted by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) in Lagos, the Chairman, Olumuyiwa Alade, urged Buhari to expedite action on constituting the cabinet considering the fact that the National Assembly will also take time to screen and confirm the nominees. He advised the president to put round pegs in the round holes to achieve the best results in the conduct of government business.

    He said: “In addition to having the best talents in the driver’s seat, emphasis must be put on the set goals of government to which each arm of government must submit, with discernible plans to realise it. This will ensure orderliness and consistency in the perception, formulation and implementation of government policies towards the ultimate goals.”

    Read Also: Cleric to Buhari: Prioritise security

    Alade explained that APBN was against signing of the bill to establish the Chartered Institute of Forensic Professionals of Nigeria because it was a product of a flawed process, as the bill was passed without a public hearing, having gone through the first, second and the third readings within three days of the sitting of the House of Representatives.

    According to him, the association’s opinion is that if the bill is passed into law, it will usurp the rule of law and the constitutional rights of member-bodies of APBN which, among others, are already playing the roles that the proposed bill seeks to reassign.

    He noted that the APBN is not averse to the development of competencies that may lead to a full fledge profession, but legislation on an aspect of the competencies of other existing professions will be counterproductive.

  • Buhari, Oyetola, Abiodun, Okowa, others greet Osoba at 80

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday led governors and other eminent personalities in congratulating veteran journalist and former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba on his 80th birthday.

    The birthday was beautifully heralded last Monday in Lagos with the launch of Osoba’s memoir, “Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics”.

    Buhari felicitated with family, friends, professional colleagues and political associates of the elder statesman and loyal All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart.

    Also on Sunday, Governors Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) separately described Osoba as a leader with great accomplishment in his journalism profession and as an administrator.

    The Ogun State APC extolled his virtues, describing him as “an epitome of integrity and service”.

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Kunle Adeyemi, called the former governor a “die-hard progressive and staunch believer in grassroots development”.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Osoba has successfully translated words into action by fully participating in politics and governance, and leaving a legacy of service as a governor of his state in two republics – 1992-1993 and 1999-2003.

    The President hailed Osoba’s unwavering commitment to building strong institutions that would encourage participatory democracy and development in the country.

    He noted that their many conversations, including the visit to the State House last week, had always centered on Nigeria and her people, with wise and insightful counsels on engendering a better country.

    “President Buhari prayed that the almighty God will grant the former governor longer life, good health and strength to continue serving the country he loves so much, and bless his family,” the statement said.

    Oyetola, in a letter to the APC leader, also noted Osoba’s “contributions to the development of the country and service to humanity over the years”

    According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, the governor said: “Your attainment of the octogenarian rank attests to the fact that you have enjoyed tremendous divine grace and blessings from the Almighty God.

    “You have distinguished yourself in all your endeavours as a journalist, political leader, governor, administrator and elder statesman.

    “Your impact as a two-time Ogun State Governor is etched on the minds of citizens and residents of the state. No wonder you were bestowed with important chieftaincy titles in acknowledgement of your performance by the key traditional rulers in the state.

    “As you look forward to your next birthday, I, on behalf of my family, the government and people of Osun State, share in your celebration and pray that the Almighty God will continue to protect you and grant you good health and longer life.”

    To Abiodun, “Chief Osoba will be remembered for his resilience, tenacity of purpose and political brinkmanship that has honour”.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Kunle Somorin, Abiodun said: “The title ‘statesmen’ is not an honorific ascribed or acclaimed by default of social status. It is a journey through the path of excellence, sacrifice, selflessness and dedication to the destination of honour and fulfillment.

    “You have journeyed that path for eight decades as a thoroughbred reporter, politician and administrator.”

    He said as a political son of Osoba, he has learnt a lot from the octogenarian, saying: “We are so very proud of the heritage you bequeath to us”

    Okowa described Osoba as an “accomplished patriot and role model to modern day journalists in Nigeria”.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba, noted that Osoba did not only excel in journalism, but also in politics, culminating in his election as Ogun State governor on two different occasions.

    The governor lauded the celebrant for his exclusive reports that shook the nation in his heydays in the journalism profession, adding: “Chief Osoba is a man of “courage and resilience”, whose selflessness is worthy of emulation by the younger generation of journalists and politicians.

    The Ogun State APC extolled his virtues, describing him as “an epitome of integrity and service.”

    The Ogun APC, in a statement on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Caretaker Committee, Tunde Oladunjoye, remarked that it acknowledged the ex-governor’s contributions to the overall growth of Nigeria and the state.

    The party added that Osoba is a pillar the party rested on when it was abandoned and also confronted by the party’s biggest beneficiary in the last eight years.

    Read Also: Osoba: No longer waiting for Godot

    The party stated:  “As you celebrate your  80th birthday today sir, we acknowledge and appreciate your contributions to the overall development of Nigeria, especially Ogun State. As a leader, you have demonstrated uncommon passion for mentoring and actualisation of common goals for the benefit of the greater majority.

    “Yours is a commendable and recommendable model. On behalf of the leadership and entire members of the ruling APC in Ogun State, we wish you many more years in good health and in service to humanity.”

    Adeyemi, who represented Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2015 at the National Assembly, said Osoba’s background in journalism contributed immensely to his penchant for progressive politics, which culminated in the pursuance of grassroots development while he governed Ogun.