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Tag: Suleiman

  • You don’t have character as a man without money – Suleiman

    You don’t have character as a man without money – Suleiman

    Popular preacher Apostle Johnson Suleman has preached on the connection between money and a man’s true character. 

    He emphasised that while many men may appear to have good behaviour when they are financially down, their real character only shows when they attain wealth.

    The clergyman stated: “You don’t have character as a man if you don’t have money.” 

    According to him, financial stability tests a man’s ability to remain humble, loyal and respectful. 

    Read Also: Why Bauchi’s future rests with Speaker Abubakar Suleiman

    He explained that a man who, despite his wealth, can control his pride, resist the urge to chase multiple women and still show respect to people—especially women who may not be as affluent—is the true definition of a man with character.

    He warned women not to judge a man’s character solely based on how he behaves in lack, stressing “A broke man can be humble,” but that humility may be a result of circumstance, not conviction.

    Suleman’s message has stirred conversations online, especially around relationships, marriage, and the role of financial power in revealing a person’s true values.

  • Suleiman: the grassroots mobiliser

    Suleiman: the grassroots mobiliser

    Founder and National Coordinator of Tinubu Support Organisation, TSO, Aminu Suleiman, means different things to different people.

    To some, he is a man with a charming character, while some see him as a leader with an uncommon leadership quality and a detribalised Nigerian with a circle of friends across various tribes.

    Some also see him as an optimist and hardworking man who would move mountains with his sanguine view. To him, no mountain is high enough.

    The Jagaban Gwandu and Atona Awe of Akure Kingdom came into the political arena with a garland of experience in corporate and public service, coupled with years of political maturity that is second to none. His rare feats in private and public endeavour in the last three decades are seen as a formidable asset needed by any government that appreciates experience to drive its affairs to fruition and build a new and prosperous nation.

    Read Also: Jibrin Barau is a proud father

    The businessman has occupied various roles as a reputable quantity surveyor, a seasoned administrator, a successful entrepreneur, core technocrat, oil and shipping magnate, grassroots politician,  skilled negotiator, dedicated democrat, man of honour and dignity, respected community leader and traditional title holder with vast reservoir of knowledge.

    But if you think the outspoken man loves to make a noise about this, then you got everything wrong. He loves and enjoys operating behind the scenes while his numerous achievements speak for him.

    His experience and leadership quality earned him many followers in far-flung corners of the country. Little wonder there is a cry in some corners calling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider Suleiman for a position in his administration.

  • Belgore, Suleiman to make no-case submission as EFCC closes case

    Belgore, Suleiman to make no-case submission as EFCC closes case

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Dele Belgore and former National Planning Minister Prof. Abubakar Suleiman for alleged money laundering.

    It also closed its case.

    The defendants told Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos of their intention to file no-case submissions.

    In effect, they intend not to call any witnesses to defend themselves because they believe the prosecution did not present a strong case against them.

    The judge, however, can dismiss the submissions and direct them to open their defence.

    Former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is also named in the charge. EFCC said she is “at large”.

    In the nine-count amended charge, EFCC accused Mrs. Alison-Madueke, Belgore and Suleiman of making cash payment of N10 million to a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo.

    The commission said they also paid N10 million to a Commissioner of Police Garba Saliu.

    EFCC also alleged that the defendants “directly took possession of N450 million,” adding that they “reasonably ought to have known that the money forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    They pleaded not guilty to the second amended charge.

    Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said he had no more witnesses to call.

    Two witnesses testified in the trial which began on February 8.

    EFCC also tended several documents, including those showing how the N450 million allegedly received from Mrs. Alison-Madueke was “shared”.

    Also tended is a receipt, which they allegedly signed to acknowledge receiving the money.

    Defence counsel Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN) indicated that they would file no-case submissions on their clients’ behalf.

    According to EFCC, the defendants allegedly made the payments on March 27, 2015 without going through a financial institution.

    The sums, the commission said, exceeded the amount authorised by law and violated Sections 1(a) and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act of 2012 and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b).

    The defendants were further accused of making cash payment of N61,656,000 to Isa Biu on the same day, exceeding what is authorised by law.

    EFCC said they also paid N87,962,000 to Sola Adeoti and Hajiya Dankaka on the same day “without going through a financial institution”.

    The prosecution accused them of “indirectly” using the sum of N450 million on March 27, 2015, and of making cash payment of N450 million, which exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned till January 16 next year.

     

     

     

     

     

  • EFCC amends charge against Diezani, Belgore, Suleiman

    EFCC amends charge against Diezani, Belgore, Suleiman

    •Accuses defendants of paying Kwara REC, CP N10m each

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has amended the charge filed against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr Dele Belgore and former National Planning Minister Prof Abubakar Suleiman.

    Former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke is also named in the charge. EFCC said she is “at large”.

    Belgore and Suleiman, who were arraigned on February 8, are on trial before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    In the nine-count amended charge, EFCC accused Alison-Madueke, Belgore and Suleiman of making cash payment of N10million to Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo.

    The commission said they also paid N10million to a Commissioner of Police Garba Saliu.

    According to EFCC, the defendants allegedly made the payments on March 27, 2015 without going through a financial institution.

    The sums, the commission said, exceeded the amount authorised by law and violated Sections 1(a) and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act of 2012 and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b).

    The defendants were accused of making cash payment of N61,656,000 to Isa Biu on the same day, exceeding what is authorised by law.

    EFCC said they also paid N87,962,000 to Sola Adeoti and Hajiya Dankaka on the same day “without going through a financial institution.”

    The prosecution, as in the previous charge, accused the defendants of violating the Money Laundering Act by dealing in excess cash without going through a financial institution.

    EFCC said they “directly took possession of the sum N450million,” adding that they “reasonably ought to have known [that the money] forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    It also accused them of “indirectly” using the sum of N450million on March 27, 2015, and of making cash payment of N450million, which exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    According to the commission, Mrs Alison-Madueke, Belgore and Sulieman, on the same day, made cash payment of N50million to one Sheriff Shagaya, an amount in excess of what the law allowed.

    Count one of the charge reads: “That you Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (still at large), Muhammad Dele Belgore and Prof Abubakar Sulaiman on or about the 27th day of March in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to directly take possession of the sum of N450,000,000, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.”

    The amended charge is dated November 22 and signed by Rotimi Oyedepo.

    Belgore and Suleiman are expected to be re-arraigned tomorrow.

  • And the Suleiman contagion spreads

    Help, the Suleiman contagion is spreading!  But blame no one, but the security agencies, who allow subversive religion to pervert their sense of duty.

    Such laxity created the violent Fulani herdsmen menace, which not a few insist created the Suleiman monstrosity, which Hardball wagers, may soon spawn many more bizarre situations.

    Auchi-based Apostle Johnson Suleiman, you would recall, called on his flock to “kill” any Fulani herdsmen, found prowling around his church.  He said some elements among the herdsmen were out to get him.

    When he had a meeting with the DSS, according to news reports, he boiled down the “kill them” diktat with “defend yourself”, if attacked.  Sure, that isn’t irrational.  But a state that let things slide to where self-help, from the mouth of a hate-filled cleric assumes a redemption halo, only baits anarchy.  That is no model state.

    Still, you could feel the “man of God”, goading his Christian followers to “kill”, for whatever reasons, do a partial recant, when the full impact, of his ugly and reckless charge, hit him outside the euphoria of the cathedral.

    Other radical — or, shall we say, soon-to-be killer — clerics are following suit: one in Lagos; the other, by the sound of his name, from the Southeast, although it is not clear where he is based. Both of them have pronounced their own “kill-before-you-are-killed” decree, the second one even filming his own video, unleashed on cyberspace!

    Good Lord, hate is tearing away at your ministers’ heart here!

    But blame not these fanatics. Blame the lax security people. When Suleiman made his own incendiary statement, he knew what mattered was not what he said but who said it.  True to type: the moment DSS summoned him for questioning, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), hitherto deaf to his reckless statement, suddenly sprung to life to mediate peace. Is violence now part of the official CAN agenda?

    From newspaper reports, DSS accepted the so-called peace and sent off the man of God.  To sin no more?  Hardly!  But to go on to other mischief, in the name of Christianity. No wonder other hustlers in priestly robe, anxious to secure popularity with notoriety, are towing this line of self-ruin.  As they say, “nothing will happen”!

    The same “nothing will happen” mentality also brewed the killer Fulani herdsmen.  Had the security agencies strictly done their duty, and hit hard at the criminals parading as “Fulani herdsmen”, all these would have been averted.

    But even if a few criminals slur their ethnic collective and religion with murderous acts, must Christians too, who have the divine injunction to “turn the other cheek”, bring their faith to ridicule, simply because a few pastors, projecting personal hate as collective duty, allow explosive emotions to get the better part of them?

    But that is exactly the point: Christian, Muslim, northerner, southerner, Hausa, Fulani, Ijaw, Yoruba, Igbo — what are these labels got to do with crime?  Does murder cease to be murder, simply because it is done by a Christian or a Muslim?  Or because it is done on behalf of each faith?

    Let the security agencies do their work.  Suleiman has charged his flock with free murder.  Yet, what he got was a slap on the wrist.  Maybe very soon, we would have crusading Christian Killers, matching violent Fulani herdsmen, on the killing turf!  Maybe then, this madness would sink in!

    Let the security agencies do their work.  All criminals, Christian or Muslim, Fulani or any other ethnic group, must face the dire consequences of their crime.  That is the only antidote to the new “kill them” madness all over the land.

  • Suleiman: compel El-Rufai to produce herdsmen he paid

    Suleiman: compel El-Rufai to produce herdsmen he paid

    General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman has asked the Federal Government to compel Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to produce Fulani herdsmen to whom money was paid so as to disabuse the minds of Nigerians that Christians are not the target of President Muhammadu Buhari’s  administration.

    The cleric in a statement by his Communications Adviser, Phrank shaibu in Abuja, said failure to compel El-Rufai to produce the herdsmen who purportedly collected money from the Kaduna State Government is an indication of the insincerity of the Buhari administration.

    “The governor of Kaduna State confessed that he paid money to some Fulani herdsmen as compensation to stop the killings in Southern Kaduna. That means he knows those who have committed atrocities against Christians. He must be made to produce them to answer to charges of murder and other crimes”, he declared.

    “El-Rufai can be safely regarded as an apologist of the herdsmen, and with a fact. On July 12, 2012, he tweeted the following: “We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes.”

    Apostle Suleman’s statement came ahead of the invitation by the Department of State Services (DSS) to report at their office in Abuja today, for reportedly asking members of his church to defend themselves if the Fulani herdsmen attacked them.

    But the General Overseer, through his communications adviser said the Federal Government would be engaging in double standards by asking the DSS to invite him while allowing El-Rufai to move about scot free, while adding that the fact that the latter had immunity does not preclude him from investigation.

    Apostle Suleman wondered why his recent speeches have been branded by agents of the Federal Government when all he had done was to remain consistent in telling the truth irrespective of whose ox is gored.

    Said he: “Which is worse? Saying the truth or offering money to murderers? Did El-Rufai offer money to ghosts? For you to pay someone money, the person must have a known and fixed address. As chief security officer of the state, was it not his business to arrest and put these hoodlums on trial? How come no one has been caught or being prosecuted for the massacre in Southern Kaduna? Obviously, there’s more to it that meets the eye”.

    The head of the Omega Fire Ministries admonished security agents not to allow politicians and ethnic warlords to use them to achieve parochial objectives, warning that such a development may lead to grave consequences for the nation.

  • Suleiman bows out of Central Naval Command in style

    Suleiman bows out of Central Naval Command in style

    After seven months of holding sway as the Flag Officer (FOC), Commanding Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, bowed out in style.

    Undoubtedly, Suleiman left indelible marks in all the Areas of Responsibility (AoR) of the CNC, especially in bringing vandals and other maritime criminals to their heels and in remodeling the headquarters of the command in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The outgone commander, who was redeployed to Defence Headquarters, inaugurated five projects he initiated and executed within seven months before handing over the mantle of leadership to the first indigenous FOC, Rear Admiral Tarioworio Dick.

    Suleiman built and commissioned the senior rates mess, a17-self content apartment ratings transit accommodation and galley. He remodeled the main gate of the headquarters and the command’s provost and regulating office.

    Since the command headquarters was far from the sea, he created an expansive swimming pool to keep the navy familiar and abreast with its natural environment. He said after every three months, the ratings and officer are expected to undergo a swimming test.

    “Cultivate water because it is your theatre of operation”, he charged them adding that a 22.5KVA generator was dedicated to pool to ensure it continuously flow uninterrupted.

    Under his command, the CNC for the first time began its publication entitled, Central Searchlight, a publication of the CNC. He launched the glossy magazine which was edited by the command’s Public Relations Officer.

    While asking the officers and the ratings to cooperate with the new FOC, Suleiman said the navy was determined to crush pipeline vandals and oil thieves within its Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

    He said concrete foundation had been laid by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas, to actualise the mandate of the Federal Government against oil thieves and pipeline vandals. Suleiman said the naval headquarters recently fortified the assets of the CNC with additional 10 patrol boats.

    He said within seven months, the command destroyed 100 illegal refineries, arrested many suspected oil thieves and impounded ships and other vessels used by vandals.

    He said: “We advise thieves to desist. The command will sanction offenders severely in accordance with the extant rules and regulations. We will continue to curb maritime crimes”.

    He said within his seven months stint, the command maintained adequate presence at sea and fully deployed operatives in strategic maritime assets adding that oil theft was highly reduced. He said the Shell a Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) reported almost zero crude theft adding that CNC was adjudged the best command in the Nigerian Navy within his period.

    He thanked the officers, ratings, the state government and residents of the state for their cooperation and asked them to extend such partnership to the new commander.

    In recognition of his excellent performance, the Community Media Network (CMN) led by Delight Ozoegbe, the publisher of a local newspaper, Delight, presented an award to the FOC. He thanked him for reducing maritime crimes especially in the state.

    Also Dick, who hails from Nembe Local Government Area of the state, vowed to deal with crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals, kidnappers and pirates.

    He, however, appealed to the communities to cooperate with the navy by volunteering information.

    He said: “We solicit the community to provide information for us to act. Those who perpetrate this criminality do not represent any community but the live in communities and the communities are not happy with what they are doing.

    “I am disturbed by the actions of crude oil thrives because they dig the ground and use it as a storage facility. It damages the environment to the extent that our own children may not recover from what they have done.

    “They are not friends and so there should be the whole community approach towards tackling crude oil theft, sea robbery and piracy”.

    social commitment and responsibility, in the earnest efforts to facilitate the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

    At the grand finale of the GEMS competition, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari was placing high premium on science and technology, in order to ensure sustainable development in Nigeria and diversification of the nation’s economy.

    Onu was represented by the Director, Gender Desk of the federal ministry, Dr. Nnenna Okoronkwo.

    The acting managing director of NDDC, in her welcome address at the GEMS’ grand finale, urged the nine governors of states in the Niger Delta to partner with the Federal Government’s intervention agency on science and technology.

    Mrs. Semenitari stated that the greatness and power of countries were interrelated, in no small measure; with the top priority they accord science and technology.

  • Suleiman targets promotion with new Swedish club

    Nigerian striker Ahmed Suleiman has said his priority with his new club Ljungskilesk in Sweden is to help them secure promotion to the top flight.

    The Jos-born forward signed a two-year deal with the club last week and was delighted for the deal.

    “I signed a two-year contract with Ljungskilesk in Sweden,” he disclosed.

    “I thank God for making it happen, my dream is to score goals to help the team get promotion ticket to the top flight.”

    The former Heartland star reunites with one of his ex-Ullensaker/Kisa players at the Swedish team.

    The 23-year-old striker has played for Valerenga and Ullensaker/Kisa (both in Norway).

  • Suleiman emerges as Deputy Speaker

    Yusuf Lasun Suleiman (Osun) was declared Deputy Speaker after defeating Mohammad Monguno (Borno) with 203 votes to 153.

    Suleiman was nominated as Deputy Speaker by Ibrahim Babangida  (Zamfara) while Alhassan Doguwa (Kano) nominated Mohammad Monguno.

    For more than 30 minutes, proceedings were delayed as lobbying prevailed on the floor with groups seen in consultation with Monguno and Lasun and other key supporters of the contestants on how to avoid an election that would run late into the evening.

    Speaker Dogara  later consulted with Gbajabiamila on the next step on the Deputy Speaker.

    At the end, voting got underway after Monguno accepted his nomination.

    With the completion of the exercise, Lasun had 203 votes to defeat Monguno who polled 153 votes.

    The oath of office and oath of allegiance was admitted on him immediately by the Clerk if National Assembly.

    Afterwards, the Clerk of the House was asked by the Speaker to administer the oath of office and oath of allegiance on the legislators.

     

  • IGP Suleiman must hear this!

    SIR: It is a fact that Nigeria is battling with high level of law-breaking and criminality in various guises, which need the various arms of law enforcement agencies to contain. It is however shocking and maddening to have this enforcement agency deal seriously with ordinary citizens instead.

    How else can one explain away the rough treatment meted out on a Journalist in Taraba State recently and the couple manhandled in Lagos State by men in police uniforms as widely reported in the media?

    Police cruelty, almost akin to the types in Mexico, happens unabated in this country and I wonder if the Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba can ever rise up to the occasion to check this rising tide in callousness.

    On December 5, at about 11pm in one of the streets in Port Harcourt, residents suddenly heard sporadic gun shots, after which all were caught up in a panic frenzy. For those among us gutsy enough to peep in order to ascertain what was going on, we saw a team of policemen cocking guns, shooting and breaking doors to gain entrance into people’s homes.

    These policemen went into a compound at Rumuigbo (opposite MCC gate) where two men were working to fix a sunk soak-away within the premise of the houseand arrested them. Concerned people recounted the cold-bloodedness at Rumuodumaya Police Station the same night and the following day when they went to the station to explain that these were occupants of the house trying to repair their soak-away. A noticeably drunk officer at the gate threatened to shoot them if they moved beyond a point and they needed no second telling to run back home bearing in mind the numerous unresolved extra-judicial killings by the police in the country.

    Another team of concerned people the next day went to the same Rumuodumaya Police station again to try and secure the freedoms of these innocent men. Surprisingly they were asked to provide Izal disinfectant and tissue paper. Why anyone should be compelled to bring such items before seeking bail of two innocent young men and any other beats ones imagination.

    At this point, a call was put through to the elder brother of one of the detainees who arrived without delay and made frantic efforts to speak with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO); all efforts proved abortive. He then decided to see the officer that made the arrest. Asked why his brother was arrested, the officer shockingly brought out a nylon bag filled with cannabis sativa a.k.a Indian hemp.

    It is outrageous that police officers can cook up lies to frame up people without conscience and it is vexing especially when these innocent people are law abiding citizens who go out daily trying to eke out a living.

    This officer (name withheld) demanded N20,000 each (a total of N40, 000) to release the two suspects. Efforts to appeal and negotiate the amount greatly infuriated him that he went in and started beating the other detainee.

    They increased their plea until the officer finally accepted N15,000 to release these men.

    Thinking that they were through with police troubles, they got to the counter only to be told by another officer to pay another N4,000 (counter department fee) before they would be released.

    Its high time IGP, Suleiman Abba does something about the rot in the police.

    • Yakubu Ibrahim

    Port Harcourt, Rivers State