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Tag: Mustapha

  • MUSTAPHA: I love football from the cradle

    The current president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Board of Appeal, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), has described his love for football as inborn and ascribed it to a tradition established by his father, the erstwhile Kwara State Football Association chairman.

    At the last 40th CAF General Assembly in Casablanca, Mustapha was named the new president of the CAF Board of Appeal.

    He noted that he was infected with the love for the round leather game by his father, who was a soccer administrator and supporter. He rarely missed football matches involving the local team and would always go to matches with his entire family.

    He said: “My father was the Chairman of Kwara State Football Association and we used to follow him to the stadium to watch matches, so you can say the love of the game is from the cradle.”

    A distinguished legal practitioner of over two decades, Mustapha has excelled in various assignments in Nigerian football as well as in using strategic thinking to run diverse businesses.

    Mustapha, who has served severally in the NFF committees as well as the National Sports Commission, has assured that his board will employ integrity and justice to all as watchwords during its tenure.

    “For me, the approach to this new assignment will be simple: integrity will be at the front–burner. A lot of people who know me can vouch for me on this. More importantly, we will follow the rules dispassionately to deliver justice to all.

    “I see every assignment as a call to service. I have enjoyed the experience all the way, but I will say the most challenging for me was conducting the 2010 NFF elections, which has been adjudged as perhaps the most credible in NFF history. There were lots of intrigues and attempts were made to compromise us, with threats and invasion of privacy thrown into the bargain.

    “However, our unwavering commitment to a credible process prevailed to the extent that the FIFA observer offered me a job with FIFA, but a highly-placed Nigerian told him that my hands are full in Nigeria!”

    He attended the Harvard Business School (USA), Manchester Business School, Suffolk Law School (both in the United Kingdom) and the Business School Netherlands in The Hague and served in top positions in various businesses and in boards of corporate entities, as well as with the National Sports Commission (Chairman, National Appeals Committee), the NFF as Chairman, NFF Electoral Committee & Deputy Chairman, NFF Committee for Ethics and Fairplay, as well as the Nigeria League (Member, Organising and Disciplinary Committee).

    Speaking recently in Abuja, the former Chairman of the NFF Electoral Committee added: “I want to thank the NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, for making this possible. I never lobbied for the job and I never even knew that I was being considered. Perhaps, the big roles that AITEO continues to play in Nigerian football and at CAF level brought one to prominence. I thank Mr. Benedict Peters (President, AITEO) for his immense service to football.”

  • Mustapha, others dump PDP for APC

    A former lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Lekan Mustapha and ex-Deputy Speaker Ogun State House of Assembly Remi Hassan have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    They yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta.

    The politicians led thousands of PDP members from the district to APC.

    They said they were motivated by the developmental strides of the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration.

  • SGF: Buhari’ll run in 2019

    SGF: Buhari’ll run in 2019

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari will continue in office in 2019.

    “We don’t have an alternative to President Buhari for now. He will continue. The politics of this nation is no more the politics of money or do-or-die … Anybody who wants to lead this nation must make sacrifices. Buhari has already transformed and changed the image of leadership and that of our leaders in this country both locally and internationally,” he said.

    He spoke at the Unity Fountain in Abuja at a rally organised by the Democratic Youth Congress (DYC) to drum support for a second term for the President.

    Mustapha was represented at the event by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters Gideon Sammani.

    Although the President has not announced his interest in contesting again, many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government officials have been urging him to run.

    But former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a special press statement last month advised the President not to contest. Former military leader Gen Ibrahim Babangida issues a statement clamouring for “digital leaders” from 2019. Obasanjo has since been galvanising the Coalition of Nigeria Movement, which is expected to transform into a party before the elections.

    Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu, after a meeting with the President on January 3 said he was sure Buhari would run. He announced his intention to open the secretariat of a support group for the president’s ambition in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Mustapha, who became the first Presidency’s top official to speak on Buhari and 2019, told the DYC led by Kassim Mohammed Kassim  that other aspirants showing interest in the plum job “have nothing to offer.”

    He said: “I will present your entire message to him. I congratulate you for your support for President Buhari to run in 2019.

    ”I am glad you have named some of the aspirants who are interested in leading this nation. If you give them the ticket they will do nothing with it. They have nothing to offer to this nation. You and I are here because we believe in President Buhari and we know he has the capability to lead this nation. Buhari is a man with several qualities of leadership, God sent; his coming is divine, so that he will rescue this nation from the total collapse due to the destruction that has been done to the economy by the past administration.

    ”We all know that Buhari is transparent, honest. He has come with the change philosophy. He has lived for these to bring change to this nation. Since his military days, he stood to fight corruption, indiscipline. Many people fear him because he does not compromise corruption. And corrupt people are afraid that they will be brought to book. And those who have already looted the treasury of this nation are followed by the security agencies. By the grace of God Buhari will not relent in this fight”.

    Kassim said his group was working in the 36 states and Abuja for the actualisation of the President’s continuity beyond 2019.

    He explained that they were working with about 15 APC state governors towards actualising their goal.

    He said: “We felt there is a need for us to mobilise for the President’s 2019 reelection. We know the role we played when President Muhammadu was away for medical check-up. A lot of people said Buhari will not come back but we kept the hope alive because many lost hope. We have mobilised for a rally in support of Buhari.

    ”We are calling on Buhari to come out and make a public statement to run in 2019. If this does not happen between now and Monday, we will be forced to go to court and invite him to come and make a public statement. Some of our leaders are misleading the youths in Nigeria that power should be given to the youths. We are not in a hurry, all what we are asking for is that our leaders should involve us in the system; all those who want to contest in other parties are older than Buhari.

    ”This is an association in support of Buhari. We have almost over 20 governors supporting this movement. We are not saying he should declare but he should make a public statement. This was the same group that mobilised to Imo State and knelt down to Governor Rochas Okorocha not to run for the position of the president then. Buhari has done well and he should be allowed to continue. We are not sponsored by anybody; we are sponsoring ourselves as honourable members.”

    DYC unveiled its Abuja secretariat before the rally.

  • Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The FEC meeting which commenced at exactly 10:55 a.m. had in attendance Ministers of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Science and Technology, Mr Ogonnaya Onu.

    Others were Ministers of Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Inelema; Agriculture, Audu Ogbe; Women Affairs, Jummai Alhassan and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim;

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; and the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, among other ministers were also in attendance.

    Also in attendance were other cabinet members, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President Mallam Abba Kyari, among others.

    NAN

  • Court remands man over alleged armed robbery

    Court remands man over alleged armed robbery

    A Sango- Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, on Thursday ordered the remand of 22-year-old Isamaila Jimoh, in prison over alleged armed robbery.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. B. Adebowale, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison, pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

    Adebowale adjourned the case until Dec. 21 for hearing.

    The defendant, whose address was not given, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and army robbery.

    The prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, said that the defendant and others still at large, committed the offences on Sept. 8 at about 10.30 p.m. at Arise and Shine Bus-Stop, Itele, Ota.

    Mustapha said that the defendant and his accomplices used a local gun to rob one Musa Ali of his Bajaj Motorcycle valued at N205, 000.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections (1) (2) (a) of the Robbery and Fire Arms Act Cap R11, Laws of theFederation, 2004.

    Read Also: Court remands man caught with Indian hemp

  • Court adjourns Sule Lamido ’s trial until Nov. 15

    Court adjourns Sule Lamido ’s trial until Nov. 15

    Justice Babatunde Quadri of Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned trial of former Governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, until Nov. 15.

    Lamido is being prosecuted alongside his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and two others by  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on 27-count charge bordering on abuse of office and money laundering.

    At the resumed hearing, counsel to the defendants, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his appearance in the matter for the first time.

    Agabi said “I am coming here for the first time in this case and I am pleading with the court to give me time to familiarise with the case.

    “I know this is a court of justice and the court is interested in speedy trial but I am pleading for time to get to know about the case.”

    The senior advocate took over from Joe Agi (SAN), who was the defendants counsel.

    The prosecuting counsel, Chile Okoroma, who did not oppose the defence counsel’s plea, told the court that he had assembled his witnesses and they were ready to go on with the trial.

    He said he would not oppose the defendants’ right to adequate defence representation in the interest of justice.

    Consequently, Justice Quadri adjourned the matter until Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 for continuation of trial.

    It would be recalled that Justice Babatunde Quadri had on July 7 dismissed an application by the former governor requesting that the trial be returned to former trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

    Justice Ibrahim Auta, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, assigned the case to Justice Quadri when Justice Ademola went on suspension following corruption charge against him and his wife.

    But following judgment exonerating Ademola and wife, Agi requested that the Chief Judge
    return the case to him.

    NAN

  • Mustapha irreplaceable, says Shettima

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has showered encomiums on his deputy, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, who died on August 15.

    Shettima described the late Mustapha as irreplaceable and reliable.

    The governor, in a tribute yesterday, said Mustapha was “an honourable man and extremely loyal; a trusted deputy and ally.”

    He praised his dedication to service, stating that the late deputy “relished hard work and loved to carry out difficult tasks assigned to him and more importantly he possessed an uncanny ability to deliver and speedily too.”

    Borno, he said, will miss Mustapha, pointing out that the only way to immortalise him was to make the state “a bastion of good governance, an enduring model of excellence in sustainable development, a true home of peace and harmony.”

    Though he said the gap left by the demise of Mustapha must be filled, the deputy, according to him, is irreplaceable.

     

  • Borno Mourns Deputy Governor

    Borno Mourns Deputy Governor

    Mustapha, died of in his sleep

    The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, yesterday died of cardiac arrest in his hotel room in Yola in Adamawa State.

    He was buried yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State according to Islamic rite.

    He was said to have been found dead by his security aides.

    According to a reliable source, the deceased had arrived in Yola on Friday and lodged in Hometel Hotel along Army Barracks Road, which is very close to the Adamawa State House of Assembly.

    The source said: “The Deputy Governor of Borno State was found dead in his room on Saturday morning by his security aides. He died of suspected cardiac arrest.

    “Unlike his normal routine, the aides became curious when the Deputy Governor did not come out or ask them to do a few things for him.

    “When they entered his room, they saw him not responding, they decided to rush him to the Federal Medical Centre in Yola where he was certified dead. The corpse was later deposited in the morgue of the medical centre.”

    Sources at the hotel however told The Nation in Yola that the dead body of the late Deputy Governor was discovered when the Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Mr. Martins Babale, went to the hotel to pick his colleague from Borno State. According to the account, after knocking severally on the hotel room without reply, the hotel manager forced the door open only to find the body of Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha lifeless on the bed.

    When reporters first approached the Adamawa State Deputy Governor for comments, he was in shock and could not respond. Also, Babale’s Press Secretary, Mr. Samuel Gangwaja, declined to confirm the death then, stressing that the National Security Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari will be in the state by 3pm to confirm the medical position of the Deputy Governor of Borno State to Nigeria.

    “In spite of the fact that no autopsy was conducted, hospital sources said cardiac arrest might account for the death of the Deputy Governor.

    “Members of the entourage had alerted the Adamawa State Government which raised a team to convey the corpse to Maiduguri. The Borno State Government has also made provision for a chartered jet to convey the remains of the Deputy Governor. The Adamawa delegation will be led by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Bindir.”

    A statement by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, confirmed the passage of the Deputy Governor.

    The statement said: “It is with deep sense of utter shock and disbelief but with complete submission to the will of the Almighty Allah that the Borno State Government hereby announces the passing away of His Excellency, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, the Deputy Governor of Borno State.

    “He died in his sleep this morning in Yola, Adamawa State where he was to represent Borno State Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.

    “He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno State citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “His remains would be brought to Maiduguri for funeral at the Government House, Maiduguri at 4pm today, Saturday, 15th August, 2015. He will be buried in Maiduguri.

    “His Excellency, Hon. Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governor of Borno State, expresses his heartfelt condolence to the family of the Deputy Governor and the entire people of Borno State for the irreparable loss and appealed for prayers for the repose of the soul of our late Deputy Governor. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.”

  • Mustapha was a tested, committed patriot, says Tambuwal

    Mustapha was a tested, committed patriot, says Tambuwal

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has expressed shock over the death of Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.

    He described the late Mustapha as a tested and committed patriot that gave his time and energy to the peace and development of the entire people of Borno State.

    In a statement yesterday in Sokoto by his spokesman, Mallam Imam Imam, made available to newsmen, Governor Tambuwal also described deceased as a committed democrat who worked hard to ensure the return of peace to his dear state in particular and the North East in general.

    The late Deputy Governor was reported to have been confirmed dead yesterday in a hospital in Yola, Adamawa state.

    He said Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has lost a trusted ally and a refined human being who never shied away from giving his best for the people.

    While sending the condolence of the people and government of Sokoto State to their Borno counterparts, Tambuwal prayed to almighty Allah to grant the decease eternal rest, and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Mustapha was a devoted servant-leader – Saraki

    Mustapha was a devoted servant-leader – Saraki

    Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday received with shock the news of the death of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.

    Saraki in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, said it was difficult to believe the information that a man he met in Borno about a week ago during his tour of some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri could have left this world so soon.

    Saraki said: “When I met Umar Mustapha in Maiduguri, he was so full of life that it could not have crossed ones imagination that we were meeting for the last time.

    “He came across to me as a complete gentleman who was doing all in his power to assist his principal, Governor Kashim Shettima, not only to defeat insurgency in the zone, but to bring succour to the entire people of Borno State, especially those adversely affected by the insurgency.

    “It is a pity that today he is not going to witness the imminent end of the mindless bloodletting and destruction of property being visited on a peaceful and hospitable people in the North-East zone of the country.

    “We can only take solace in the fact that he lived a good life and died in the service of his people. He was a complete gentleman and a devoted servant-leader. May Almighty Allah grant him a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus”, Saraki stated.

    The Senate President also commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the governor and people of Borno State and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the sad incident.

    He added that “Only the complete and total eradication of insurgency from every part of the North-East and other affected parts of the country can serve as a befitting tribute to this great Nigerian who has departed so soon.”