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Tag: Saraki

  • 200 get Saraki’s aides’ job tools in Ilorin

    200 get Saraki’s aides’ job tools in Ilorin

    Aides of Senate President Bukola Saraki in Kwara State have provided materials and cash for 200 people in Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state.

    The gesture, said to have cost about N3.6 million, was to help the beneficiaries start up their businesses in the council.

    The event which took place at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isale-Koko, was attended by the council chair, Abdullateef Okandeji and Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President, Alhaji Saka Onimago.

    One of the legislative aides for Magaji Are 1, Basambo Abubakar, who spoke with The Nation said: “We are here today to give empowerment to our people. As legislative aides to the senate president we have some responsibilities; one of such is to ensure that our people have a sense of belonging and feel the impact of the Senator Bukola Saraki. Today some people will be empowered with some amount of money to start their own businesses; others will be given educational materials.

    “No fewer than 200 people will be proud beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme today. I want us to know that the empowerment is the collective efforts of all the legislative aides to Senator Bukola Saraki from Ilorin East local government area of the state. We have expended about N3.6 million on the project. Hitherto, we had splashed over a million naira on the APC ward and local government exco members.

    Also, a group known as Egbe Omo Ibile Igbomina in the state has given bursary awards to 25 indigent students of Igbomina extraction in eight tertiary institutions in the state.

    The group also said it has floated a-N2 million Education Endowment Fund, immediate past President, Egbe Omo Ibile Igbomina, Chief Samuel Atolagbe told The Nation shortly after handing over the cash totaling N500,000 the beneficiaries.

    The group’s membership is drawn from three local government areas in Kwara state and two from Osun state.

    Said Atolagbe: “We are particular about the development of our youths because they are the elders of tomorrow; and from the look of things now many of them are becoming frustrated. Frustrated in acquiring education; frustrated in seeking for employment, frustrated in realizing their ambition and we feel we should come in.

    “For somebody to be admitted into the university, polytechnic and college of education and he or she is disadvantaged is not acceptable and some of these chaps are very brilliant. I happen to know much about scholarship and bursary because I was the secretary of the Kwara state scholarship board between 1977 and 1982.

    “I felt you could do something for the indigent students; so I approached the youth assembly to help me find out those that are already admitted into higher institutions but are financially disadvantaged.

    “For a start, we began with 25 students for the bursary award which cost us N500,000. That is what we have just celebrated today. Apart from that my executive has floated N2 million Education Endowment Fund, that means it is even more than bursary, when we have more the award can transform into full scholarship. In fullness of time we will call on people from time to time to donate to us.

    “For instance, during Igbomina Day celebration last year, one of our invited guests donated about N3 million for the group; that is where we extracted the N2 million for the endowment fund.

    “I therefore appeal to philanthropic-minded people to donate towards the endowment fund so that we can extend the award to our kiths and kin that occupy two local government areas in Osun state. We have covered all the three Igbomina local government areas in Kwara state, but we still have Ila-Orangun and one other local government area in Osun.”

    Also speaking, President of Igbomina Youth Assembly, Shuaib Oyewole added that the students cutting across eight tertiary institutions in the state are the beneficiaries of the bursary awards.

    “This is the first of the its kind organized by the assembly. The subsequent one would be enlarged to accommodate more schools and beneficiaries. All the beneficiaries are from public owned schools.”

     

     

  • Saraki: Olubadan was courageous

    Saraki: Olubadan was courageous

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has described the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odugade, as a courageous monarch.

    In a statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said the late Olubadan fought valiantly to preserve the dignity of the Ibadan traditional stool and by extension the nation’s traditional institution.

    He described the late traditional ruler as a highly accomplished parliamentarian, frontline politician and a statesman, who was a member of the House of Representatives in the First Republic and remained till his death a role model for lawmakers today.

    Saraki said the late monarch was an inspiration to the Yoruba.

    The statement said: “Looking at the life and times of the late Olubadan, I cannot but hold my breath considering his achievements.

    “This was a man who started as a clerk, became a teacher, soldier, politician, educationist, parliamentarian, philanthropist and first class traditional ruler in a span of 100 years.

    “I will simply say he lived a worthy and exemplary life. His was a true life story of grass to grace. This I believe would remain a great source of inspiration to all of us and the coming generation.”

  • Saraki seeks review of Assembly’s security

    Saraki seeks review of Assembly’s security

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has directed a review of security arrangements in the National Assembly complex.

    Saraki said the review of the  became necessary, especially now that Boko Haram insurgency has receded.

    This was contained in a statement by Special Assistant to the Senate President on Print Media Chuks Okocha.

    Okocha, quoting Special Adviser to the Senate President on Security, Major General Saleh Maina (rtd), said the review was part of the periodic plan to ensure better protection of life and property.

    Maina also said heads of security agencies in the complex and other officials, responsible for security, have met to devise a water-tight plan.

    Following the meetings, it was decided that legislators, staff and visitors to the National Assembly shouldwear identity tags, Mania said.

  • CCT: Judge’s absence stalls proceedings in Saraki’s new suit

    CCT: Judge’s absence stalls proceedings in Saraki’s new suit

    The absence of Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja stalled proceedings Wednesday in a suit instituted by Senate President, Bukola Saraki for an order stopping the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) from further trying him.

    The judge was to conduct proceedings in the substantive suit Wednesday, having earlier refused Saraki’s application for an interim injunction to stop the trial.

    When parties got to court Wednesday, they were told that the judge was not available and that the court would not sit.

    The suit was filed in Abuja in November by Saraki’s lawyer, Raphael Oluyede shortly after Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Lagos division of the court struck out the suit on the he lacked the territorial jurisdiction to hear the case.

    Justice Buba, in his ruling on November 6, said his court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case. He added that it ought to have been filed in Abuja where the cause of action took place. The judge noted that Saraki could not prove that his rights were about to be violated in Lagos.

    “He has to proffer the reason for the court to hold that his right is about to be violated in Lagos State. The key word is ‘state,” Justice Buba said.

    This suit is the third of such suits filed before the Federal High Court by Saraki. Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, before who the first of such suits was filed, withdrew from the case on September 30 this year and returned the case file to the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

    As is the case in the fresh suit, Saraki had sought to restrain the CCT, the Federal Ministry of Justice and others from proceeding with his trial on the false asset declaration charge against him before the CCT.

    Justice Mohammed declined, on September 17, to grant Saraki’s prayer for an order restraining the respondents in the case. Saraki had applied for the order via an ex-parte motion.

    Instead, the judge ordered that the respondents be put on notice and show cause on September 21, why the prayer sought by Saraki should not be granted.

    On September 21, the judge, after arguments from parties, elected to hear the substantive suit. When parties returned to court on September 30 for the hearing of the main suit , Justice Mohammed announced his decision to withdraw from the case  following publications in the social media, which portrayed him compromised.

    He said the publication cast doubt in his integrity as a judge hearing the case, which will make any of the party doubt his intention, whichever position he takes in the case.

    Justice Mohammed said it was more honourable for him to hand the case file to the chief judge for reassignment.

    It is not clear why Saraki filed the fresh suit since the Supreme Court, where his appeal against the CCT’s decision to assume jurisdiction over his trial was still pending, has directed the CCT to suspend proceedings in the trial of Senate President pending the determination of his appeal.

    The Supreme Court has fixed judgment in the case for February 5.

  • Buhari, Saraki meet at Villa

    Buhari, Saraki meet at Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday met briefly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Saraki, who came out from the President’s office about 30 minutes after his arrival, declined to speak to journalists on the alleged missing 2016 Budget proposal.

    When asked to speak on the alleged missing budget, Saraki exclaimed ‘Ha, ha, ha,’ and jumped into his vehicle.

    The vehicle immediately sped off from the forecourt of the Presidential Villa.

    The National Assembly was expected to begin work yesterday on the budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Buhari on December 22.

  • Buhari, Saraki meet at Aso Rock

    Buhari, Saraki meet at Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday met briefly behind closed-door at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Saraki, who came out from the President’s office about 30 minutes after his arrival, declined to speak to journalists on the allegedly missing 2016 Budget proposal.

    When asked on the on the budget, Saraki exclaimed “Ha, ha, ha,” and jumped into his vehicle.

    The vehicle immediately sped off from the forecourt of the Presidential Villa.

    The National Assembly is expected to begin work Tuesday, on the Budget proposal which was presented to the lawmakers by President Buhari on December 22 last year.

  • Saraki decries violence

    Saraki decries violence

    Senate President,  Abubakar Bukola Saraki last night lamented reports of violence and deaths that trailed the rescheduled governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa State.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja said it was unacceptable that an election meant to produce a governor for the state was turned into a theatre of warfare with attendant loss of lives and destruction of property.

    He called on the security agencies already mobilized to the state to quickly restore peace, while urging them to ensure that the perpetrators of violence are identified, arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

    He said, “The sheer level of violence that has been reported following the conduct of the rescheduled elections in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area is absolutely unacceptable.

    “To descend to the use of force in a democratic process will no doubt negate and put a question mark on the outcome of the elections.

    “I call on the security agencies to quickly end the bloodbath and also ensure that those responsible for the violence are arrested and prosecuted irrespective of their political affiliation.” .

  • Saraki, Kogi governor-elect mourn Atta

    Saraki, Kogi governor-elect mourn Atta

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed sadness about the death of the ex-Permanent Secretary in the Northern Region’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdul Atta.

    A statement yesterday by his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Atta as a super physician, who practised his trade with dexterity, compassion and dedication.

    He said the deceased left a legacy, having rendered medical and administrative services as the personal physician of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

    Saraki commiserated with the deceased’s family and the government as well as  Kogi State people over the loss, saying Atta used his knowledge to ensure quality healthcare services were given to the people.

    He prayed God to grant his soul rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Kogi State Governor-elect Yahaya Adoza Bello yesterday described the death of Dr. Atta as a personal loss.

    Bello, in a statement from his media office, said he departed the world when his experience in healthcare and good governance was needed.

    Said he: “This is the time the experience garnered over the years by Dr. Atta is most needed to help reinvigorate our near comatose health care services in Kogi State. But this is the time God has called him.”

    Bello urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the ideals of patriotism, hard work and unity, which were the attributes of Dr Atta.

  • Saraki to meet IMF chief Lagarde today

    Saraki to meet IMF chief Lagarde today

    SENATE President Dr. Bukola Saraki will today lead the Senate’s leadership to a meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, who is on a four-day working visit to Nigeria.

    The meeting, holding at the National Assembly, will focus on the nation’s economy, particularly the global developments and their impact on Nigeria.

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday by his Media Adviser, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki noted that falling oil prices at the international market had negatively impacted the nation’s oil revenue, external reserve and increased pressure on the Naira at the foreign exchange market.

    The meeting of the Senate leadership with the IMF chief will be coming after a similar exchange Lagarde had with President Muhammadu Buhari and other managers of the national economy.

     

  • Senate, IMF chief meet Wednesday

    Senate, IMF chief meet Wednesday

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    President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, will on Wednesday lead the leadership of the Senate to a meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, who is currently on a four-day working visit to Nigeria.

    The meeting, billed to take place at the National Assembly, is expected to focus on the nation’s economy, particularly the recent global developments and their impacts on Nigeria.

    In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki noted that falling oil prices at the international market has negatively impacted the nation’s oil revenue, external reserve and increased pressure on the Naira at the foreign exchange market.