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  • Sambo: North’s leaders must galvanise human, material

    Sambo: North’s leaders must galvanise human, material

    Former Vice President Namadi Sambo has said the North needs to galvanise human and material resources to fight ravaging insecurity and other challenges facing the region.

    Sambo said this when he hosted members of the newly formed League of Northern Democrats at his Abuja home.

    The ex-Vice President expressed concern that insecurity has crippled every aspect of life in the North.

    He said: “It is very worrisome to note how insecurity has crippled agriculture, while threatening the education and health of our children and women. These have continued to widen the net of poverty and inequality among people of the North and, indeed, the entire country.”

    Identifying with and pledging full commitment to the initiative, Sambo said: “Irrespective of political lineage, leaders of the North must continue to leverage their experiences and resources to play their part in order to meet the aspirations of our people while engendering sustainable peace and socio-economic development.”

    Also, a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahaman Dambazau, pledged his support for the group.

    Read Also: League of Northern Democrats will address North’s challenges – Sambo

    In a letter of appreciation to group through its Convener, Dr. Umar Ardo, Gen. Dambazau said: “The deteriorating conditions in the whole of northern Nigeria, which include insecurity, banditry, illiteracy, endemic poverty, drug abuse, proliferation of arms and collapse of our institutions, require urgent and coordinated action.

    “The LND presents an opportunity to galvanise the efforts of our leaders and stakeholders to address these challenges and reposition the North for a more prosperous future.”

    The former minister promised to participate in the group’s activities to address the region’s chellenges.

    The League of Northern Democrats was launched recently at a meeting attended by critical northern elites.

    It appointed former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau as its Protem Chairman and former House of Representatives member, Emmanuel Jime, as Secretary.

    The group is scheduled to hold a historic summit next month in Kaduna which Vice President Kashim Shettima and other eminent indigenes of the North are expected to attend.

  • Four Sambo athletes to represent Nigeria at African Games

    Four Sambo athletes to represent Nigeria at African Games

    The Sambo Association of Nigeria (SAN) has named four athletes for the 13th African Games taking place in Accra, Ghana from March 8 to 23.

    According to the Vice President of SAN, Sheriff Hammed, the contingent is made up of two men and two women and they are Jonah Kajido (79kg), James Chegwam (58kg), Fatima Ogbonyomi (65kg) and Charity Jatau (59kg).

    “We carefully selected these athletes to represent us at the African Games based on their knowledge of the sport and Sambo being one of the demonstration sports in Ghana, we want to ensure that we are well represented in the event. This is the first time that Sambo will be part of the African Games as the sport is gaining ground across the globe and Nigeria should not be an exception. For now, the athletes are going camping in readiness for the games as we are just going there to add to the number but to make our presence felt in the event,” he said.

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    Hammed, who is also the Joint Secretary of Africa, International Association of Combative Sports (IACS), said participating in the games would give more people the opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness of the sport, being one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

  • Former VP Sambo seeks compensation for Tudun Biri victims

    Former VP Sambo seeks compensation for Tudun Biri victims

    Nigeria’s former Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, has pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all the victims of the Tudun Biri bomb mishap are duly compensated and those at the hospitals are properly taken care of.

    In the same vein, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Bamali, has cautioned people against reckless utterances on social media.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN0 reports that the duo made this known in an interview shortly after they paid  condolence visits to Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State to commiserate with him on the sad incident.

    On his part, Sambo, who prayed to Allah to grant Aljanat Firdaus to the departed and grant quick recovery to the sick, said he was at Government House on behalf of himself and his family to thank Sani for his support to the victims.

    He also expressed delight over the directives of Tinubu for compensation to be paid to the people, reconstruction of the community and the planned provision of amenities of global standards to it.

    Similarly, Bamali prayed that the incident should be the last that would befall the state and the nation at large.

    In the same,  the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna branch and the Trade Union Congress

    led by its Chairman, Mr Ayuba Suleiman, also  commiserated with the governor and the people of the state

    He said the incident came to them as a shock, adding ”on behalf of all our affiliates, we condole with the government and pray for the repose of the souls of the departed.”

    NLC  also shared its concern with the government, saying, ” we have confidence in the security agencies and the government. There is a need for thorough investigations into the incident for record to be kept straight to avoid future occurrence.”

    Read Also: Sambo, Binani, Oyegun, Kwankwaso, Akande commission El-Rufai’s projects

    Responding, Sani appreciated them for the visit and the support given to the state government, assuring that the Federal Government has ordered immediate investigations into the incident

    He said, ”Nigerians  have  shown a high level of solidarity and support.

    ” And for me, it is satisfying, most importantly that President Bola Tinubu has shown leadership by initiating an investigation into the incident and his commitments to rebuild the community and payments of compensation

    “What we are emphasizing is calling on the people of Tudun Biri  to continue to have faith in the president who has shown leadership by example.”

    (NAN)

  • Election: Southern Kaduna asks Makarfi, Sambo, Hunkuyi, Ashiru to explain PDP’s failure

    •Threatens to shift loyalty to APC at guber poll

    THE people of Southern Kaduna have vowed to align with another party and possibly the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not explain to them what led to the woeful performance of the party in the northern part of the state during the presidential election.

    Southern Kaduna people who spoke through Coalition of Southern Kaduna Nationalities (CSKN) lamented that, none of the PDP’s bigwigs from Kaduna north, including former Governors Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Isa Mohammed Ashiru and Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi could deliver their respective local governments areas to the PDP during the presidential and national assembly polls.

    Towards this end, the CSKN said, an ultimatum of 24 hours is issued to the PDP and the party bigwigs in question to respond accordingly, or may be left with no option than to shift their loyalty to another party that will take care of their aspirations and yearnings in the zone.

    Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on yesterday, the leader of CSKN Dr. Yusuf Gandu Magaji said, “the Southern Kaduna Nationalities are disenchanted by the voting pattern as revealed by the results from Zone 1. We believe that there is a betrayal of confidence and trust along the party (PDP) stalwarts in Zone 1 who can no longer be trusted.

    “The pattern of the results of the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections conducted on the 23rd February. 2019 leaves much to be desired. The results from Kaduna North caused a shock to the Southern Kaduna Nationalities and instigated a rethink in our longstanding marriage and commitment to the opposition party, PDP.

    “The result shows that PDP won overwhelming in the Southern Senatorial Zone. This stresses a fact that, the zone remained faithful and voted for the party en-mass. However, in a sharp contrast, the party performed woefully in Zone 1 as their loyalty was shifted to APC.

    “The key issue here is that most of the party heavy weights and those who benefitted during the PDP’s reign concentrate in Zone 1, yet they failed to deliver their wards to the party.”

  • Obasanjo, Saraki, Sambo, Aregbesola, El-Rufa’i, others condole with Shagari’s family

    MORE eminent Nigerians  yesterday  condoled with the family of late ex-President Shehu Shagari.

    They include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki,  ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Nasiru el-Rufa’i have

    They described him as an epitome of personal integrity, commitment, forbearance, forgiveness and faith in God.

    Obasanjo, Saraki, Sambo, el-Rufa’i and Shettima spoke in their condolence remarks at the residence of the late Shagari.

    Aregbesola expressed his condolences in a statement by his spokesman Mr. Sola Fasure.

    Obasanjo was led to the Sama Road, Sokoto family house of the late Second Republic President by Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal after arriving through the Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto at about 9a.m.

    The former president, who was received by Shagari’s eldest son, Muhammadu Bala Shagari, said the late elder statesman was a man of simplicity, faith in God and commitment to the fatherland.

    Obasanjo, while noting his days in service and closeness to the late Shagari when they were both Federal Commissioners of Works and Finance in Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet, said the late Shagari was an honest, transparent and committed Nigerian.

    Obasanjo recalled how the late Shagari expressed surprise when the mantle of leadership was handed to him in 1979 by a military head of state, who happened to be himself.

    The junior Shagari thanked the former President for the condolence visit and appreciated his closeness to late Shagari.

    He noted that Obasanjo was the man, who assisted their late father to have a house of his own in Abuja.

    “Sir, I must say that of our family members of nine children to late Shagari, none of us, if not of recent that two have such property in Abuja. We are living his life style too.”

    He ushered the former President in to condole with the widows.

    Saraki has said Nigerians should learn from the sense of humour, wisdom and patriotism of late former President Shehu Shagari.

    According to Saraki, he was a true and reliable democrat. If we hold on to that, our democracy will be more strong and promising. He stood for the development of Nigeria as a nation.

    Saraki who visited the family of the former President  yesterday afternoon whom he regarded a father and close associate of his late father, described the death as a great loss to Nigeria.

    He said Shagari lived a worthy and trusted life for the development of the country.

    “He lived a humble life to the fullest with exemplary sense of commitment and dedication to service”, he pointed out.”

    Saraki was in company of the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, Sen. Sani Yariman Bakura, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, Ataahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa among others led by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    Aregbesola said yesterday that he received with much sadness the news of the passage of the first democratically elected president.

    The former Osun State governor said he, however, accepted the news of Shagari’s exit with total submission to the will of Allah, describing it as an irreparable loss to the country.

    He described the former President as a complete gentleman and a devout Muslim through his life.

    He said the deceased could hardly hurt a fly, but found himself among political hawks during his tenure as President.

    Aregbesola noted that the late Shagari was a compassionate person, a patriot, believer in project Nigeria and its unity, which was evident in the slogan of his party – One Nation, One Destiny, One Country.

    Aregbesola noted that Shagari’s demise closed the chapter of the vibrant and colourful presidential gladiators of the Second Republic democratic experience.

    Sambo urged Nigerians to emulate the worthy legacies and principles of the deceased, whom he described as a father.

    Praying for the deceased, Sambo urged other Nigerians to emulate Shagari.

    Also, el-Rufa’i described the late former president as a symbol of respect and humility.

    “We heard a lot about him in our youthful days as students in Barewa College, Zaria on his good leadership virtues,” he said.

    Welcoming them, Shagari’s son expressed gratitude to Allah for the remarks on his late father, whom he described as an uncommon symbol of good relations across the country.

    To Shettima, the late Shagari was a shining example for his unequalled democratic legacies as a unifying factor for Nigeria’s prosperity.

    According to him, “he would be remembered for his humility, selfless service and good governance as a true democrat.”

    More sympathisers also visited and registered their condolences to the family.

  • Sambo: no regret serving Nigeria as vice president under Jonathan

    FORMER Vice President Namadi Sambo has said that he has no regret serving as vice president under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Sambo spoke yesterday while on a condolence visit to the Toru Orua country home of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson on the death of his mother, Mrs. GoldCoast Dickson.

    Also, a former Senate President and People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential aspirant, Senator David Mark, paid a condolence visit to the governor in his country.

    Sambo, according to Dickson’s Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve the country as vice president.

    The former vice president, who said he had just been appointed as an active ambassador by Afrexim Bank and the African Union (AU) for an intra African trade fair in Cairo, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do the right thing in the forthcoming election of 2019.

    He said INEC has a responsibility to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections next year.

    Sambo said: “I have no regret serving Nigeria. There is no cause for any regret. I thank the Almighty Allah that he gave me that opportunity to serve our country.

    “First and foremost I am here to condole with my brother and sister on the loss of our mother and we pray that almighty God will grant the family to bear the great loss.

    “Also, we are seeing what is happening and we are expecting that INEC will do the right thing and that there will be a free and fair election come 2019.”

    Sambo hailed Dickson for the execution of several big projects in Bayelsa, especially the Bayelsa International Cargo/ Passenger Airport.

    He added that Dickson has a reputation in the North as a great unifier with a passion to build bridges across the country.

    Sambo, who also hailed Dickson for leaving behind enduring legacies in Bayelsa, described the airport project as a lifetime achievement that is critical to the state’s socio-economic growth.

    Mark, who also led a high-powered delegation to the governor’s community, said the late Mrs. Dickson lived well and had gone to be with her maker.

    He said she left behind enduring legacies, which should console the family on the painful loss.

    Dickson restated his family’s decision to establish a cancer awareness centre in honour of the memory of his mother through the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.

    He hailed both leaders for their loyalty and commitment to national stability in support of Jonathan’s administration while in office.

  • PDP: Jonathan, IBB boys, Gusau, Sambo, governors battle to hijack party

    PDP: Jonathan, IBB boys, Gusau, Sambo, governors battle to hijack party

    Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is rolling out his political armour against several Peoples Democratic Governors ( PDP ) in a fierce battle for the soul of the party at Saturday’s crucial national convention.

    Also scheming  for  control of the party’s machinery are ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo; ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar (who is yet to officially join the party); ex-governors,  loyalists of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida led by a former National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau; ex-President of the Senate, Chief David Mark; Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu; ex-Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu; members of the party’s Board of Trustees being coordinated by its chairman, Sen. Walid Jibrin, Sen. Ahmadu Ali and Prof. Jerry Gana, a former Minister of Information.

    Serving governors are being coordinated by Mr. Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Ayo Fayose.

    Former governors of the party including Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada (both Kogi) are not left out.

    Investigation revealed that almost every godfather in PDP is backing one candidate or the other for election into the National Working Committee (NWC).

    The objective is to enable the godfathers have a say in the management of the party especially in the choice of the party’s presidential candidate for the 2019 election.

    It was gathered that the interest of the godfathers has complicated the intrigues surrounding the contest for party offices at the December 9 convention.

    Although some party leaders are pushing for merit, some other leaders believe that all the candidates have been tested in the past.

    The positions of  National Chairman, National Secretary, Deputy National Chairman (North); Deputy National Chairman (South) , the National Organizing Secretary and the National Publicity Secretary are attracting more interest from the godfathers.

    The top contenders for the national chairmanship are a former Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; a former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; a former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George; a former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja; a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; ex-Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja; a media mogul, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; and a former governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje.

    A breakdown of the support base of the chairmanship aspirants is as follows:

    • Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Wike, Fayose, PDP governors, state PDP chairmen
    • Tunde Adeniran—-Jonathan, IBB Boys, Gusau, Gana, Ali, Mantu, BOT members
    • Otunba Gbenga Daniel—-Ex-governors, a splinter of IBB Boys,
    • Olabode George—-Some BOT members
    • Taoheed Adedoja—-BOT members, some Northern delegates
    • Jimi Agbaje—–South-West delegates, BOT members
    • Rashidi Ladoja—-Ex-governors but under pressure to accept concession of Deputy Chairman slot to his choice

    A top party source said: “The jostle for offices at the national convention is going to be a battle royale because the godfathers in the party and the governors want to slug it out to install their loyalists.

    “For ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, the convention will be a litmus test for his plans to be a father-figure for PDP. But if he fails, it might be another political setback for him after the loss at the poll in 2015.

    “Jonathan and others, especially loyalists of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida, are working hard for a national outlook for PDP but some of the governors think otherwise. They said they are already conducting some permutations.

    “Our greatest fear is that all these forces are trying to outsmart each other. If the party leaders can cage the governors and allow the delegates to have a final say, we will be opening a new chapter for PDP.”

    A member of Board of Trustees of PDP said: “we are all worried because if we do not get it right, we might as well say goodbye to our chances in 2019.

    “The party is on the edge again. We are however struggling to appeal to all groups to sheathe their swords and avoid implosion at the convention.”

    Responding to a question, the BOT source added: “All our leaders are conscious of the 2019 poll and they are struggling to be relevant. You cannot blame them because in politics, relevance matters.”

    A governor, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said: “I think the way out of any crisis at the convention is to allow for a free and fair contest. We need to live up to our appellation as a democratic party.

    “We are already working on a unity list because we do not want to play into the hands of the ruling party. Certainly, there will be more horse-trading in the days ahead but we will survive it.

    “We urge the judiciary not to entertain any frivolous application to stop the convention from holding.”

     

  • Buhari, Sambo, Saraki observe jumaat prayer

    Buhari, Sambo, Saraki observe jumaat prayer

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday observed juma’at prayer with some highly placed Nigerians at the State House, Abuja as part of the activities to mark Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary.

    Among those who attended the special Juma’at prayer were former Vice President, Namadi Sambo; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. T.Y. Buratai and Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

    Others include Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, Chief Whip Senator Rafiu Ibrahim and Senator Mohammed Lafiaji.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the prayer, Saraki said: “A lot of people would say what are we congratulating ourselves about? We have achieved a lot.”

    According to him, it is very important for Nigeria to stay together.

    He said: “We have been able to maintain our peace despite our diversity. Every nation has been tested. The most important thing now is for us to stay together.

    “We shouldn’t lose hope. We should continue to pray for the unity of Nigeria.”

  • Buhari, Saraki, Sambo observe Juma’at prayers in Aso Rock

    Buhari, Saraki, Sambo observe Juma’at prayers in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday observed Juma’at prayers with some top placed Nigerians at the State House, Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary.

    Among those who attended the Special Juma’at Prayers were former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate president, Bukola Saraki, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. T.Y. Buratai, and Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

    Others were – Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, Senate Chief Whip, Rafiu Ibrahim, and Senator Mohammed Lafiaji.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the prayer, Saraki said: “A lot of people would say what are we congratulating ourselves about, we have achieved a lot.”

    “It is very important for Nigeria to stay together.

    “We have been able to maintain our peace despite our diversity. Every nation has been tested, the most important thing now is for us to stay together.

    “We shouldn’t lose hope. We should continue to pray for the unity of Nigeria.”

  • ICPC raids ex-VP Sambo’s home

    ICPC raids ex-VP Sambo’s home

    Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) operatives yesterday raided the Kaduna home of former Vice President Namadi Sambo.

    They had a search warrant and a bullion van.

    It was learnt that the operatives of the anti-graft agency stormed Sambo’s home on Alimi Road, Kaduna  about 3pm.

    Eyewitness accounts also said the ICPC operatives, who rode in a bus, two Hilux vans and a bullion van, searched the house for two hours.

    According to the residents, “They (ICPC operatives) came with heavily armed security personnel and raided the house for two hours between3pm and 5pm”.

    When our correspondent visited the house, fierce-looking securitymen threatened to shoot at anyone who came close to the house. They did not listen to reporters.

    “We are not sure whether this time they found something in the house. But we are suspecting something, because this time, they came with a bullion van,” a resident of the area said.

    A source close to the former VP said anti-graft agencies had raided the house five times without finding anything.

    He said: “I want to assure you that this time again nothing would be found because the former Vice President is not a corrupt person.”

    The spokesman of the former Vice President, Mallam Umar Sani, said the ICPC officials came with a court order to search the residence and tha it was not the first time.

    He added: “This is not the first time they are searching the house. They have csearched the house on several occasions. Today, they came with a court order and gave a copy of the court order to the CSO (Chief Security Officer) in the house.

    “After they finished the search, they wrote at the back page of the court order that they gave to the CSO that they didn’t find anything and they left. So, we are not surprised because it has now become a routine activity.”