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Tag: Peace

  • Adeola preaches peace, release of Dapchi girl

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West) wants his constituents and Nigerians in general to remain peaceful and exhibit the Christian virtues of sacrifice, love and abiding faith in a better tomorrow as exemplified in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    In his Easter message, Senator Adeola said the season symbolises a new beginning of hope and redemption for all mankind adding that for all true Christians the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means that all challenges confronting individuals and mankind are ultimately surmountable by a fervent believe in God Almighty.

    The senator joins  other Nigerians to appeal to the insurgent group Boko Haram for the release of the remaining Dapchi Girl, Leah, still being held in captivity on the basis of her Christian faith as no religion sanctions such act of attempt at forceful conversion stressing that as a federal legislator, he will always support legislations in the interest and development of the people.

     

     

  • Glo urges prayer for peace at Easter

    Telecommunications giant Globacom has admonished Nigerians to supplicate to God for the peace and unity of the nation on the occasion of the 2018 Easter celebrations.

    “Easter period is the culmination of Lent and a vivid reminder to Christian faithful to deepen acts of sacrifice, peace and love for one another as well as the nation during the season and beyond. Let us all continue to pray for peace and economic prosperity that will thwart the efforts of all centrifugal forces in the country”, the company said in a press statement issued from its Lagos head office recently.

    Globacom said  that Easter, a celebration marking the watershed crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a veritable demonstration of divine selfless love which should be emulated by all and sundry to make Nigeria, nay, the world a better place to live in.

    While calling on Christians to externalise the virtues of Easter in all their undertakings by dwelling in love, unity and good neighbourliness that will propel Nigeria to the heights of her dreams, the network assured  its esteemed subscribers of quality experiences on voice and data services throughout the holiday period and beyond

  • Soccer for peace, unity

    All roads led to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Sports Complex for the All Niger State Students’ Football Tournament. The event was organised by the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) to foster unity among ethnic groups. MAHMUD ABDULSALAM and HAMZA ABAGA (200-Level Mass Communication) report.

    For three weeks, academic activities were suspended at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State. Lecture rooms and offices were all deserted, as members of the staff and students relocated to the school’s Sports Complex to participate in the maiden Inter-Local Government Soccer contest organised by the IBBUL chapter of the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS).

    There were 20 teams of students representing their local government areas. Each contested with the other in the group and knock-out stages, leaving four teams from Paiko, Bida, Lapai and Kontagora local governments to slug it out at the semi-final stage.

    To get to the final, Paiko team worked hard to edge Bida team out of the tournament with a lone goal, while Lapai team saw off Kontagora with a 4-2 win in a thrilling penalty shoot-out.

    At the final match, enthusiastic students and members of the staff from the competing local councils thronged the Sport Complex to cheer their teams.

    The final match was graced by the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umar Bago Tafida (II), who was joined by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, to perform the ceremonial kick-off.

    It was a fierce contest among players of the opposing teams, as the game was goalless 35 minutes after the match began. Each team deployed skills in defending its side against the other, leaving the spectators enthralled.

    Paiko team striker, who spotted sky blue jersey with white stripes, took a long-range kick from outside the goal area, but the Lapai team goalkeeper punched away the ball. This excited the crowd.

    Moments later, the rapturous crowd went wild when the Lapai team striker dribbled his way into the Paiko team’s goal area, deceived the goalkeeper with leg-over and scored a goal. However, the goal was disallowed after the striker was adjudged to be at an off-side position by an assistant referee.

    Amid enthusiastic chanting from the spectators, the Lapai team’s attackers worked out a pass from the midfield, which broke the defence of the opposing team. An error by the Paiko team’s defender, who failed to clear a back pass, gave the Lapai team’s striker an opportunity to hijack the ball and netted a goal moments before the first-half ended.

    During the second-half, the Paiko team equalised after the referee awarded a penalty kick in its favour.

    At 87 minutes, the Lapai team striker put the game beyond redemption of their opponent, when he calmly placed the ball into the net. The match ended 2-1 in favour of the Lapai team.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Lapai team coach Abdulhafiz Ndanusa said his side deserved to lift the trophy, having put up a “good performance” at the beginning of the tournament. He praised the team members, saying they showed the best attacking strategies.

    He said: “The formation we used all through the game made our opponents to be confused at every encounter. This ensured our victory at each stage of the competition. At the final, both teams showed great skills and amazing attacking prowess. It was glaring that my boys were no match for their opponents. This is the reason why they emerged triumphant. I must commend our opponents for their fighting spirit.”

    In his address before the match, Prof Maiturare hailed the NANISS officials for initiating the tournament to promote unity and sportsmanship among students, noting that the competition would become a source of inspiration for talented youngsters aspiring to become professional footballers.

    He said: “Sport events such as this are beneficial in many ways. It will give students the opportunity to refresh and reclaim their confidence to embrace the challenges they may face in the course of their studies. It is not out of place to say future football stars have been discovered. I urge other students’ associations to emulate the Niger State students’ union in this respect.”

    The VC pledged the management’s commitment to promoting sports, assuring the students that the school would give attention to football.

    Special Guest of Honour Comrade Ahmed Yusuf, who likened the competition to Spanish El-Classico, described the final match as “memorable, highly-explosive and a classic encounter”.

    Yusuf, who is also the chairman of the Niger State Football Association, praised both teams for putting up a good performance and adhering to the rules of the game. He urged the school management to invest in sports, saying it would help to develop students’ mental and physical capacity. If sustained, Yusuf said, the tournament could be a ground for breeding professional footballers.

    Bello Egigogo of Lapai team was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, while Muhammed Bida of the Bida team emerged the Highest Goal Scorer, having scored eight goals.

    Muhammed said his feat boosted his morale to further pursue his goal of becoming a professional footballer. He dedicated his achievement to his team mates.

    The Emir expressed joy that youths in the state were rising above their religious and ethnic differences to promote unity, love and peace through the football competition.

    He said: “Let me tell you that the Lapai emirate council is proud to be associated with the school and students on several programmes being held to promote peace. The supports the emirate will be giving to noble activities, such as the football tournament, will be immeasurable. I will personally engage the youths on the need to embrace programmes that will improve their means of livelihood. This would take them away from crimes.”

    Alhaji Bago urged students to hone and showcase their soccer talents by partaking in sports contests beyone their campus. He, however, admonished them not to lose focus on their studies, describing education as their primary aim in the school.

    The highpoint was the presentation of the trophy to the first prize winner – Lapai team – which also received N100, 000 cash. The second prize winner – Paiko team – got N50,000 cash.

    Yusuf pledged N100,000 to NANISS and N5, 000 each to the Best Goalkeeper, MVP and Highest Goal Scorer to encourage the students.

    NANISS president Hamza Tatiko expressed delight that the competition fulfilled its objective, which, he said, was to promote unity and cooperation among members of the association. He hailed the school and the emir for supporting the event.

    He said: “Beyond the tangible monetary incentives and awards given to the outstanding players, this tournament has strengthened the bond of friendship, love and brotherhood among students of Niger State who came from diverse ethnic groups and religious background.”

    A student, Umar Ibrahim, said the competition eased off the academic tension that enveloped the campus.

    “Many students would resume for lectures with refreshed spirit,” he said.

  • Pragmatism, deterrence and peace  

    The  sacking of US Secretary of State Rex  Tillerson by US President   Donald  Trump  after  a visit  to Kenya and Nigeria and the issues surrounding that situation is food  for thought today in all  its ramifications. We look at that single  incident in the context of today’s  topic   and the lessons  and conclusions to be drawn   therefrom which  are many and so interwoven,  just as they  are far flung across the globe.

    The  first    was that the unexpected meeting   between  the US President Donald  Trump  and North  Korean leader  Kim  Jung Un was  announced while the  US Secretary  of State  was on his African  visit  and he was taken  aback  by the development. The second  was that on the eve of his arrival in Kenya the self – declared  President of Kenya  Ruhallah  Odinga and the elected  President Uhuru Kenyatta   unexpectedly   appeared  at a press  conference where  they announced  to a bewildered  world  and even  more surprised  and astonished Kenyan  citizens, that they are ready  to work together in the interest of Kenyan  unity  and progress. The  third  was  the  reported  announcement  by the Nigerian  Foreign  Affairs Minister,   Geoffrey   Onyeama that Tillerson’s    sack  after  his visit  to  Nigeria will  not affect   whatever  agreements and  deals made  during  his visit  to  Nigeria immediately  after which  he was given the boot by his boss, the US    president.

    Starting from the  announcement from S Korean envoys who  visited the N Korean leader in his country and went to the US to  brief the American  president on that  historic meeting before  making the announcement   that made the world hold its breath in   disbelief  and  relief, that a nuclear holocaust  has been averted in our time, it was  obvious that a  scenario of unprecedented  diplomatic  pragmatism was  unfolding right before an unbelieving world.  That  two strong global  leaders who had called each other idiots without  mincing words  and  had  boasted  that each  had enough nuclear arsenal  to wipe out the  other and the rest of the  civilized  world,  have now agreed  to  meet and discuss, was a break through in international relations  and should  qualify the two  for at  least  a Nobel  Prize.  That  is if  the wise  men in Oslo  know what they  are  doing and  can  remember  that they gave the last  US President, Barak  Obama the Nobel  Prize  for peace at the beginning of his presidency for  its potential  for peace and that   presidency after two terms averted its own  red line in Syria  and created ISIS which has spawned  the greatest  terrorism,  migration  and security  crisis of our time.   Surely, the saying in Shakespeare’s  Julius  Caesar   that  ‘ambition should   be made  of sterner stuff  is applicable here. This  is because    this  time,  two strong  headed  leaders have sheathed their dangerous nuclear  swords,   unbelievably after  a sporting  event, to the relief of a frightened world that had prepared itself  for the worst. This  to  me is  a’ real    world ‘  balance  of  mutual   deterrence  that has resulted in a  real  euphoria  of global  peace and is   vintage  diplomatic  pragmatism  that merits genuinely  a Nobel  Prize  for peace, regardless  of the personalities  and past    mutual   and   global  annihilation  tantrums that have  brought us to this present  scenario. Really,  in my view, this is the stuff  of which  genuine Nobel  Prizes   for Peace  are  made as   incentives  for peace should be  generous and  encouraging  especially   at this point in time.

    In  Kenya, the US Secretary  of State  fell  sick  and had  to skip  some functions but  his host  the president of  Kenya  had  a pleasant  surprise  for  him in terms of peace and reconciliation in Kenya which must  have been on top of his visiting agenda.  Kenya had been victim of terrorism in recent times and the US was trying to shore up regional effort  to combat  terrorists who had struck US embassies  and shopping malls in the area   for  some time. But  what  stole the thunder on Tillerson’s visit  was the unexpected and inexplicable and almost  unAfrican  way the two antagonists in the last presidential elections in Kenya came out to say they  are fed up with fighting and election violence and have made peace. That  to me is highly commendable and I recommend  it to  African  nations  especially  Nigeria where  Boko  Haram  is still  kidnapping  our girls in broad  daylight while  Fulani herdsmen  and farmers are  at loggerheads over farming and grazing rights  while the  government struggles  openly  to be objective and fair  in resolving  the violent and  highly  provocative situation in terms of  huge   loss  of  human  lives now  all over the nation.

    Indeed   Nigeria  could  be said to  be the Waterloo  of  the short  diplomatic career  and    shuttle  of the US Secretary of State Tillerson  as he was fired by the US president shortly  after visiting Nigeria.  The reason  given  by the volatile  US president was that they  disagreed  on the Iran Nuclear  Deal put in place by the Obama Administration  which the new US   president called the worst  deal in US history  and promised to destroy. An  interview  by CNN Christine  Amanpour  of a former US Secretary of State, a lady  recently  shed  more light on the dismissal of the US Secretary  of State. Amanpor  had asked a  leading question ostensibly  to portray the US  president in bad light over the sacking but was unpleasantly  disappointed  by the response  of the lady  diplomat  who served the Obama Administration.   According  to the former  Assistant  Secretary  of State, Tillerson  was pursuing a personal  agenda as Secretary of State  when  he should have subsumed that  to the wishes  and leadership of the US president who  appointed him  in the first  instance. As  if to buttress  this view point   Donald  Trump  announced  that Tillerson’s  replacement,  former  CIA  chief Pompei   is someone who is on the same wavelengths  as him  on most  matters    and especially  the Iran Nuclear  Deal  just  as he thanked  Tillerson with a wave  of the hand for his services. That  really  meant  goodbye  to  bad rubbish as  far  as the Tillerson tenure  as Secretary  of State  was concerned.

    It  therefore  came   as a surprise  that the Nigerian  counterpart of the sacked US Secretary of State, our Foreign  Affairs   Minister  Geoffrey  Onyeama  reportedly  said  that whatever  Tillerson  agreed  with Nigeria was  valid because he came  to  Nigeria as US  representative  and the mouth piece  of the US  president .  Surely  that  is being diplomatically  correct  but   very  realistically  and pragmatically  wrong.  It  is another way  of saying  our Minister of Foreign Affairs  was  being presumptious. Any  agreement with  Tillerson  as US Secretary  of State  will  not be worth the paper it is written  on because of his frosty  relations with  his boss whom  he reportedly  called  a moron  and never retracted  that description when given  the opportunity. Anyway  his boss, the US  President  Donald  Trump   never  forgave him. Tillerson  was a CEO  of  Exxon  Mobil  and was a successful  oil  man  close  to Russia’s Putin   and    was also against sanctions against  Russia  over the invasion  of  Crimea.  Nigeria is well advised to take any agreements with him with a pinch of salt  until  his successor  reaffirms any such  paper  tiger  of   agreements. Once again long live the Federal  Republic of Nigeria.

  • Buhari seeks peace over order of elections, budget

    Saraki, Dogara, others at Aso Villa

    A major trouble-shooting effort was launched last night to halt the imminent showdown between the Executive and the Legislature.

    On the agenda were:

    • the controversial election sequence reordering, which is a subject of litigation;
    • the 2018 budget, which is stuck at the National Assembly— four months after it was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari; and
    • the worrisome security situation.

    Last night President Buhari met at the Presidential Villa with the leadership of the National Assembly.

    The meeting, which started around 9p.m, was attended by Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Lasun Yussuff, Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan and House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.

    After the meeting, Saraki told reporters that the frosty relationship between the Executive and the Legislature was discussed. The budget was also discussed, he said.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha confirmed that the threat by the lawmakers to override the President’s veto on the Electoral Act amendment was discussed. He gave no details.

    On the budget, the lawmakers were said to have complained that some ministers were yet to defend their inputs.

    Buhari was said to have directed the SGF to write the ministers, directing them to defend their budgets.

    Earlier in the day, the Senate during plenary decided to write to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to protest the ruling stopping the lawmakers from overriding the President’s veto on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

    It was also learnt that based on legal advice, which suggested that the President’s reasons for declining assent was not watertight, the lawmakers had decided to override the veto next week.

    The controversy trailing the rejection of the Electoral Act 2018 amendment by President Muhammadu Buhari may be far from over.

    The National Assembly yesterday listed “flaws” in the constitutional provision relied upon by President Buhari to withhold assent to the Bill.

    The leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly is said to have met Wednesday night to consider submissions from the legal department of the Assembly.

    It was gathered that the legal advice dismissed the constitutional provisions cited by President Buhari as basis for his action “as baseless and of no effect to form the basis of withholding assent to the Bill”.

    The Senate and House Representatives leadership “accepted the submissions received from the legal department,” a source said.

    The implication of the acceptance of the submissions of the legal department, the source said, “is that the two chambers may go ahead to override the veto of Mr. President to the Bill.”

    The source hinted that “the two chambers appeared to be poised to do battle with Mr. President by exercising their power to override the president on any issue they feel strongly about”.

    He added that the amendment of the Electoral Act which altered the sequence of elections, seems to be one of the issues the lawmakers are convinced was done “in the best interest of the country”.

    The legal advice obtained by our reporter states: “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vetoed the 2018 Amendment of the Electoral Act of 2010 passed by the National Assembly in the exercise of its constitutional powers under Section 58(4 oi) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended following reasons.

    “Each of the legal and constitutional reasons advanced by the President as a basis for the veto were examined in details below.

    “1. The President claims that the Amendment introducing a specific sequence for elections under Section 25 of the Principal Act 2010 infringed the discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission to “organise, undertake and supervise elections.” This argument is flawed because correct legal position however is that by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 First Alteration Act 2010, Act No. 1, specifically, Section 5 provides that “Section 76 of the Principal Act is altered thus

    “(a)subsection (1) in line 2, by inserting immediately after the word ’commission’ ’the words’ ’in accordance with the Electoral Act. “

    “From the above amendment, it is crystal clear that the power to regulate the principal elements of all Federal Electoral process was expressed by the above amendment, removed from the Independent National Electoral Commission and vested in the Assembly (N.A) which has the power to make laws for peace, order and good government” of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and any part thereof.

    “Furthermore, the phrases ‘organize, undertake & supervise’ elections under Section 15(a) of the 3″ Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  according to the President, allegedly infringed the discretion guaranteed” to lNEC by Section 25 of the of the Principal Act.

    “1. The argument of the President that the sequencing of the elections under Section 25 infringed the discretion of INEC without expressly pointing out what specific aspects or ways and manner cannot be a basis for legal or constitutional argument or decision. With due respect, the opinion expressed is too general to establish a basis for the exercise of a legal or constitutional power, more so because “discretion” is a principle governed by the rules of Administrative Law and not that of Constitutional Law, on which the President claimed to have anchored his arguments.

    “2) .Thirdly, the terms “organise, undertake and supervise” may have conferred a wide discretion on lNEC in matters of all logistics in the preparation and conduct of elections, the issue of discretion only comes to fore in the actual details of the preparation, organizing and conducting elections.

    ”It is respectfully submitted that the sequencing of the elections in a Bill as to which was scheduled as first or last in the conduct does not in any way hamper or affect the discretion and capacity of INEC to organise, undertake and conduct these elections into various constitutional offices provided.

    “3) The new subsection (3) introduced into Section 138 of the Electoral Act, which the President argued repealed two crucial grounds upon which elections could be challenged, is not entirely correct and the view could be misplaced for the following reason:

    “a. The new Subsection (3) to section 138 actually clarifies the ambiguity contained in subsection 1 of the Principal Act and reinforces the constitutional standards specified in Sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. In addition, it further provides that no person shall be qualified to contest elections in breach of any of the ‘Sections 66, 107, 137 or 182 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    “The amendment to Section 152 (3)-(5), which collectively imposed an obligation on the State independent Electoral Commissions to apply the standard of ‘free, fair and credible elections in the conduct of Local Government elections’ is within the competence of the National Assembly to make laws in respect of the procedure regulating elections into the Local Government Councils in accordance with item 11 (Eleven) of the Concurrent Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution as amended. What specific aspects or ways and manner cannot be a basis for legal or constitutional argument or decision. With due respect, the opinion expressed is too general to establish a basis for the exercise of a legal or constitutional power more so because “discretion” is a principle governed by the rules of Administrative Law and not that of Constitutional Law which the President claimed to have anchored his arguments.

    “Thirdly, the terms “Organize, undertake and supervise” may have confer a wide discretion on lNEC in matters of all logistics in the preparation and conduct of elections, the issue of discretion only comes to fore in the actual details of the preparation, organizing and conducting elections. It is respectfully submitted that the sequencing of the elections in a Bill as to which was scheduled as first or last in the conduct does not in any way hamper or affect the discretion and capacity of INEC to organize, undertake and conduct these elections into various constitutional offices provided.

    “3) The new subsection (3) introduced into Section 138 of the Electoral Act, which the President argued repealed two crucial grounds upon which elections could be challenged is not entirely correct and the view could be misplaced for the following reason:

    “a. The new Subsection (3) to section 138 actually clarifies the ambiguity contained in subsection 1 of the Principal Act and reinforces the constitutional standards specified in Sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. In addition, it furthe provides that no person shall be qualified to contest elections in breach c any of the ‘Sections 66, 107, 137 or 182 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”

    “The amendment to Section 152 (3)-(5) which collectively imposed an obligation on the State Independent Electoral Commissions to apply the standard of “free, fair and credible elections in the conduct of Local Government elections” is within the competence of the National Assembly to make laws in respect of the procedure regulating elections into the  Local Government Councils in accordance with item 11 (Eleven) of the Concurrent Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    “It is therefore not entirely correct, with all due respect, for the Mr. President to argue that the amendment may raise constitutional issues over the competence of the National Assembly to legislate on Local Government elections. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has decided on this issue in the famous case of Attorney General of Abia State & Ors v Attorney General of the Federation & Ors.

  • Peace, security behind my success, says Ugwuanyi

    Peace, security behind my success, says Ugwuanyi

    •Gburugburu Movement inaugurated

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has attributed the development strides recorded by his administration to the peace and security in the state.

    Ugwuanyi spoke at a reception in his honour by the people of Nsukka Local Government Area. The “Gburugburu Movement” was also inaugurated at the event.

    The governor urged members of Gburugburu Movement to reconcile various warring groups and individuals in their different areas, saying: “This government is for peace”.

    The governor, who stressed that Enugu is known for peace, added that it was because of this that the state is adjudged one of the safest in the country.

    He also appealed to the people to continue to pray for his administration, noting that their prayers helped to resolve the salary crisis even when some other states could not pay.

    He said: “I will continue to lead and render selfless service to you and the people with the fear of God.”

    Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area Patrick Omeje said the people are “eternally grateful” to Ugwuanyi for the good works his administration has done, especially in Nsukka, in less than two and half years.

    “These good works, visible to even the blind and audible to the deaf, have gone a long way in transforming Nsukka to a mini mega city in line with your promise when you assumed office,” he said.

    The Director-General of Gburugburu Movement, Senator Fidelis Okoro, explained that it is a support group of the governor launched to consolidate his firm footing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2019.

    Sen. Okoro urged the people of the council area to join the movement, noting that it is open for everybody and targeted at every nook and cranny of the state.

    He also stressed the importance of voters’ card, urging the people to go and register to be able to transfer their support and love for the governor into reality for him to continue with his good works in the state.

    Other speakers such as Senator Chukwuka Utazi; Rt. Hon. Pat Asadu; Amb. Justina Eze; Commissioner for Housing, Barr. Peter Okonkwo, etc, appreciated the peace and good governance in the state and commended the governor for his uncommon leadership style and commitment to the wellbeing of the people of the state.

     

  • Gowon reiterates call for peace, unity in Nigeria

    Gowon reiterates call for peace, unity in Nigeria

    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon has reiterated his call on Nigerians to pray for peace, unity and prosperity of the country.

    Gowon made the call on Saturday during a two-day National Prayer Rally organised under the aegis of Nigeria Prays, at the Government House, Maiduguri.

    He noted that such prayers were imperative to promote unity and harmonious coexistence as well as address the nagging social and economic problems bedeviling the country.

    He also admonished Nigerians to shun violence and acts capable of disrupting peace and stability in the country.

    The former head of state lauded the Federal and State Governments efforts to restore peace and address the humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast region.

    Gowon further commended the Borno Government over its rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement programs designed to provide decent residential homes, schools, clinics, religious places of worship and other public structures.

    He said: “the governor’s commitment to the restoration of peace is acknowledged by Nigerians. On behalf of Christian’s community, I commend you and associate with your achievements.’’

    In his remarks, Gov. Kashim Shettima said that the people of the state had demonstrated high level of religious tolerance and harmonious coexistence in view of its diverse cultures and beliefs.

    Shettima commended Gowon for his patriotism and selfless service to the unity and progress of the nation.

    “Gowon worked for Nigeria without enriching himself and making sure that the word of God remains his watch word in the unification of the country.

    “We are one people and must remain one; as leaders, we must work to make our people unite for the betterment of all,’’ he said.

    According to him, the state government has been providing relief materials to the people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency to assuage their sufferings.

  • COSON: Group sues for peace

    COSON: Group sues for peace

    •As NCC reportedly annuls return of Okoroji

    Following the ongoing leadership tussle between supporters of Chief Tony Okoroji and Mr. Efe Omorogbe in the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, the Association of Music Artiste Managers of Nigeria, AMAMN, has said the time is ripe to mend fences.

    This was just as reports say the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has annulled the return of Okoroji as Chairman of the society.

    Okoroji was returned as COSON chairman at an extraordinary general meeting held on December 19, 2017, days after Efe Omorogbe was installed by the board of COSON.

    Qed.ng reports that the annulment is contained in a letter dated February 19, 2018 with reference number NCC/DG/I/66 signed by the commission’s Director General, Afam Ezekude.

    The regulatory body added that it will act within its oversight function to examine the books of COSON and advise as appropriate.

    According to a statement from AMAMN, the association, on a fact-finding mission, met on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 with Chief Tony Okoroji and his team. A week later, it met with Efe Omorogbe and Mr. Joel Ajayi on ways to resolve the ongoing crisis.

    It says: “Despite the fact that Mr. Efe Omorogbe is not only a bona fide member, but a founding member of our association, we decided to adhere to the principles of “Audi Alterem Partem” (let the other side be heard as well) and give both sides a chance to present the facts as they see it.”

    The association therefore implores both parties to comply with the position of the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) in the matter.

    “The regulator has finally spoken and we are grateful.  We implore all parties to please adhere to the ruling of the NCC and allow the proposed probe and forensic audit that the NCC has asked to be carried out.

    “As a body, we have resolved to follow this situation to a legal and logical conclusion and ask all artiste managers, to join in this agitation. We don’t get paid if our clients don’t get paid; let us therefore secure the rights and livelihood of our clients.” AMAMN says.

  • Tinubu’s peace moves will succeed, says cleric

    Tinubu’s peace moves will succeed, says cleric

    The National President of the All Christian Leaders/Ministers Forum (ACLMF), Dr. Sam Ogedengbe, has said the appointment of Asiwaju Bola  Tinubu as the chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Consultation and Reconciliatory Panel by President Muhammadu Buhari was a welcome development.

    Ogedengbe, who spoke to reporters at the headquarters of the group in Abule-Egba, Lagos, said: “Such a delicate but very important assignment like this ought to have been given earlier, considering preparations for the coming general election.”

    He, however, said Tinubu, being a light-hearted person, could only be advised to take up the rigorous assignment, if the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, could resign honourably to enable him (Tinubu) concentrate on the assignment and correct the wrongs.

    Ogedengbe said: “If the President can allow Odigie-Oyegun to resign and let Asiwaju Tinubu do the job, the better for the party and Nigerians. But in a situation where stakeholders are not ready to hold on to the truth and extract the needed facts, the end will not augur well for all.”

    He said everything should be done to ensure that Asiwaju Tinubu is not fooled and advised that the needed tools and memorandum of understanding should be provided, to ensure the success of the assignment.

     

  • Adams seeks better relationship, peace for Yoruba

    Adams seeks better relationship, peace for Yoruba

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba, Gani Adams, has said there is need for the race to have a better relationship and peaceful co-existence with the rest of the world.

    Adams spoke yesterday in Lagos when he visited the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany.

    Adams, who arrived the consul’s office at 11 a.m with his entourage, was received by the consular, Mr. Ingo Herbert.

    Giving reasons for the visit, Adams said as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, it is important for him to interact with the international community to promote the Yoruba culture, seek a better relationship and forge a better economic tie among top European countries.

    He said from history, Aare Ona Kakanfo is a unique and the most prestigious title in Yoruba land, created about 558 years ago by Alaafin Ajagbo to defend and protect the interest of the Yoruba race.

    Adams described the past holders of the title as brave and courageous personalities.

    He said: “With due respect to the past holders of the title, as a modern holder of the title, we are not fighting any war at the moment. It is time for peace. I am here to promote our cultural identity and enhance economic ties with Germany.”

    The Aare Ona Kakanfor described the Yoruba race as a nucleus in Nigeria with over 70 million people and about 250 million across the world.

    Adams said: “I am here to seek a better relationship between my office and the office of the Consular General and see how we can benefit from the relationship.

    “As a regular traveller, I have been to over 54 countries across the world. I have visited Hamburg and other great cities in Germany.

    “I have a formidable structure across the country, most especially in the Southwest, with the Oodua Progressive union (OPU) in 79 countries. I think we can forge a better relationship.”

    Herbert congratulated Adams on his new title.

    He expressed his readiness to facilitate a lasting relationship with the office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo, especially on the need to enlighten Nigerians on the danger of illegal migration to European countries.