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Tag: Tambuwal

  • Fashola, Tambuwal, others preach peace

    Fashola, Tambuwal, others preach peace

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has described the Ramadan season as a month to seek peace and a season of joy for all Muslims.

    Fashola, who spoke at the 6th Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu Memorial Ramadan Lecture at Lagos Television (LTV) Blue Roof in Ikeja, urged Muslims to be God-fearing.

    He enjoined them to shun corruption and cheating to enable peace to reign.

    Speaker, House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said Ramadan is not just to fast, but to purge oneself of every iniquity and imbibe prophetic teachings.

    Tambuwal, who chaired the occasion, said: “As Muslims, we are required to rededicate ourselves to Allah, sublimate our desires and ambitions to his will and set ourselves up as examples for others by our honesty, probity and sacrifice.

    “We must imbibe love for truth, humility, integrity and compassion for one another just  like the early practitioners of Islam imbibed, which led them to constantly striving for a society where justice and peace reign”.

    Tambuwal, who was represented by  Mukhtar Ahmed, chided those who commit crime in the name of Islam, saying forcing people to embrace Islam, kidnapoing, killing or maiming innocent people negate the principle of Islam.

    “It is not also Islam for a leader to steal from the commonwealth and live lavishly while the rest of the people get poorer; it is not Islam to make policies that will leave the people more ignorant and unable to fend for themselves,” he said.

    He lamented that in recent times, the religion has suffered a lot of blackmailing and misrepresentations.

    He enjoined Muslims to use the period of the Ramadan to preach ideals of Islam, which he described as full of virtues and compassion.

    One of the guest speakers, Dr. Taofeek Abdul Azeez, said Islamic religion has nothing to do with Boko Haram.

    Dr. AbdulAzeez urged government and the media to stop calling them Islamic militants.

    The second lecturer, Sheikh Munirudeen Ariyadhi, who spoke on the ‘dichotomy between Muslims and the frontlines,’ noted that wearing of Jalamia, hijab or the likes is not what makes a Muslim, rather their actions.

    Muslims are Allah’s best creation for the benefit of mankind, he said.

    Ariyadhi enjoined Muslims to stay away from evil, embrace purity, peace, harmony, and sincerity.

    “This is what makes you a Muslim,” he said.

  • Tambuwal, Imoke urge lawmakers to empower youth, women

    Tambuwal, Imoke urge lawmakers to empower youth, women

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has urged federal legislators to promote youth and women empowerment in their constituencies in order to assist in reducing the rate of unemployment in the country.

    Tambuwal spoke in Calabar during the empowerment programme of the Federal Legislator representing Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi Federal Constituency in Cross River State, Mr Essien Ayi, said he was willing to encourage members of the Lower House to give back to their constituents by personally attending such programmes.

    Tambuwal, at the event where 107 members of the constituency were empowered with cars, computers, hair dressing equipment, among others, said the challenge facing the present administration was job creation and appealed to wealthy Nigerians to bridge the gap by generating ideas that could help solve the problem.

    “I would want to see more of this from our Federal Lawmakers and I promise to personally attend such a programme to encourage them. Of course, programmes like this touch directly on the lives of the people,” Tambuwal said.

    The Speaker commended Pastor Essien Ayi for identifying with his constituents and called on other Legislators to emulate his example.

    Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, said youth and women empowerment was a mandatory obligation of any representative of the people.

    He said representation comes with the duty to identify with the people and to bring democracy dividends to them, which will reduce joblessness and poverty in the society.

    “Empowering the people is an obligation to any representative. If you want to represent the people, you must tell them what you will do for them. We have gone past the time when the people cannot ask their representatives what they have been able to achieve for the people,” Imoke stressed.

    He also commended Ayi for exhibiting what he called an exemplary leadership by donating fifty cars and other empowerment items to his constituents and urged beneficiaries to put the items to good use.

    Director-General of National Directorate of Employment, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, whose organisation partnered with Essien Ayi to train the beneficiaries, said the organisation ensured that all the artisans among the beneficiaries were properly trained to provide opportunities for others and assured that there was reduction in the labour market.

    Ayi said he was only fulfilling his promise to his people as he had empowered the people in the past, “though not at a scale such as this.”

    Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of 50 cars of different brands to some beneficiaries, more than 100 computer sets, sewing machines, Lawn Mowing equipment, among other items.

  • Tambuwal urges insurgents to sheath sword

    Tambuwal urges insurgents to sheath sword

    The Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Saturday called on Boko Haram members to sheath the sword and embrace peace for the stability and development of the country.

    Tambuwal made the call during a conference organised by Jama’atul Naasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna, Kaduna State.

    He said, “ As a political leader, it is incumbent on me to preach peace and unity that should give way for progress of the country.’’

    He said all well meaning people and community leaders across the country must take steps to intervene in the current security challenge confronting the country.

    “We must preach peace and unity to unite our country and our immediate society,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Speaker as saying at the forum.

    Tambuwal said dialogue was the utmost solution to curtail insurgency in Nigeria, adding that confrontation would prolong terrorism in the country.

    “We need to dialogue and ensure that those recalcitrant citizens are brought back to normal social fold.

    “But the state would not fold its arms and watch while other innocent citizens are being killed.

    “The state will continue to use its military might to defend the territorial integrity of the country until victory is achieved,” he said.

  • Tambuwal laments executive impunity

    Tambuwal laments executive impunity

    … Says, ‘We’ll not be intimidated’

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, on Thursday said the House will not be intimidated or allow itself to become a rubber stamp to the Executive arm of government.

    The Speaker in a speech marking the third anniversary of the seventh House of Representatives, blamed the nation’s decline into corruption, insecurity, disregard for the rule of law and impunity on the Executive.

    Tambuwal, who said the state of the nation, “is dire and disturbing,” lambasted the Executive for refusing to be accountable, and highlighted instances “where obstacles were deliberately placed on the path of our progress to genuine democracy.”

    “During the session under review, findings at oversight visits as well as complaints and petitions from members of the public consistently revealed the extent to which corruption has eaten into the fabric of the stewardship of public resources,” he stated.

    He said the House responded by launching necessary investigations “to shine needed light into the darker recesses of public resource management in Nigeria, and where routine investigation is inadequate, we empanelled special committees to carry out a more thorough inquiry.”

    He, however, said the attitude of the Executive has not helped matters.

    “Strangely, the collective experience of our members in the course of the exercise of their oversight functions is that there is a growing culture of impunity on the part of public officers in Nigeria which makes them inclined to resist the ethos of accountability. Some hesitate to honour their invitation to appear before the House, while others resort to litigation in an attempt to frustrate legislative oversight of their activities,” Tambuwal noted.

     

  • There’s no evidence of economic growth – Tambuwal

    There’s no evidence of economic growth – Tambuwal

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Monday questioned the Federal Government’s claim that the economy is growing.

    Figures from the recent rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product placed the country as Africa’s largest economy and the world’s 26th.

    But Tambuwal said there is nothing to show that such a claim is true.

    Nigeria, he said, is full of paradoxes, as corruption and violence threaten its existence despite the churches and mosques that abound everywhere.

    He said this in his keynote address at the Eight Annual Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL).

    It has the theme: “Exemplary governance: enhancing economic development in Nigeria.”

    Tambuwal, represented by Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), said only good governance can rescue Nigeria.

    He said: “We live in a country of inexplicable contradictions. We have great human and material resources yet we are always on the list of countries with the worst poverty index.

    “Our economy is alleged to be growing, including the recent rebasing, but the lives of the majority of our citizens do not convey this testimony.

    “We have more places of worship per square meter than most nations on this earth yet corruption and violence threatens our very survival.

    “We have some of the best agricultural lands in the world but we import food. We are the sixth largest producer of crude oil, but we import finished petroleum products.

    “We have lived together as a nation for over 100 years yet daily you hear stories of threats of our breaking up.

    “Only good governance and true development can unravel these paradoxes which are clear indices of underdevelopment.”

    Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said there cannot be good governance when Nigerians refuse to vote in elections.

    He said during his re-election, only 31 per cent of the registered 6.4million voters turned out.

    “Do we vote? In India, 73.3 per cent of registered voters turned out to vote. In South Africa, 72 per cent turned out to vote in their last election. But I can’t recall when last up to 50 per cent of registered voters in Nigeria came out to vote,” Fashola said.

    According to him, such indices send negative messages to investors, adding that it takes the votes by the electorate to choose good leaders.

    “Do we deserve to ask for good governance when we stay away during election?” Fashola asked.

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, said exemplary governance is critical for economic development.

    She said economic development also hinges on strict observance of the rule of law, and an efficient and independent judiciary.

    For Justice Phillips, represented by the Head Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, good governance entails a system that encourages transparency and accountability.

     

  • Honour for Obasanjo, Kuffour, Tambuwal, others

    Honour for Obasanjo, Kuffour, Tambuwal, others

    FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo and his onetime Ghanaian counterpart, Mr. John Kuffour have been listed for recognition at the Annual Leadership Award for African Achievers. The event which will hold on Sunday June 1, 2014, at the Balmoral Event Center, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos is the brainchild of Celebrity International Limited, publishers of Celebrity magazine. Other notable Nigerians listed for recognition are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal, Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State), Rauf Aregbesola (State of Osun), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Babatunde Fashola ( Lagos).

  • Why we extended emergency rule – Tambuwal

    Why we extended emergency rule – Tambuwal

    The House of Representatives has given reasons for the extension of emergency rule in of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States as requested by President Goodluck Jonathan

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, said the  need to provide a legal framework for the war against terrorism and to consolidate on the successes recorded in recent past are some of the reasons why the House extended the emergency rule for a further  six months in the affected states.

    Tambuwal, who spoke while receiving the Botswana High Commissioner in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. Louis M. Fisher, at the National Assembly on Tuesday, said the granting of the extension would not only provide a enabling environment for foreign countries who are in the country to help the government locate the abducted Chibok girls and solve other security challenges, but would also give them a legislative instrument to carry out their operations.

    He said the House is working closely with other arms of government to ensure that the abducted girls are returned to their families alive and in good condition.

    He added that the House is determined to continue appropriating funds and put in place enabling laws to allow the armed forces operate efficiently.

    “Our effort is not just geared towards safe return of our girls, but is also targeted at ending insurgency in the country as a whole,” Tambuwal said.

     

  • Kuffour wants ‘Chibok girls’ released

    Another voice has joined the call for the release of over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14 by the Boko Haram sect.

    Former President of Ghana, Mr. John Kuffour, made the appeal while leading members of Nigerian Institute of Animal Sciences on a courtesy call to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.

    The former Ghanaian leader said: “if there is any issue to be settled, it should be settled among the elders. The youths should be left out.”

    “Everybody looks up to Nigeria and it (the abduction) generates nervousness among us.”

    Kuffor called for dialogue on the matter, saying there is no matter that cannot be settle through dialogue.

    Tambuwal in his response said the government is doing all within its power to ensure that the abducted girls were rescued and returned to their parents safely as soon as possible.

    He thanked all the foreign countries supporting Nigeria in the efforts to rescue the girls.

    “We are very much concern as a government. We will do our maximum best and ensure that the girls return to their parents safely. The government is not sleeping,” he said.

  • Tambuwal, Babangida, Ribadu, others seek more prayers for Nigeria

    Tambuwal, Babangida, Ribadu, others seek more prayers for Nigeria

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida called yesterday for more prayers for the unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    Gen. Babangida addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja at the end of the fidda’u for the late Captain Yusuf Sabo Sambo, the younger brother to Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

    Capt Sambo died on Sunday in an accident in Abuja.

    Babangida, who assumed the role of the chief mourner, expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the love they showered on the family of the deceased.

    The former military leader noted that every life must taste death, even though Almighty Allah, in His wisdom, would not reveal to humans how they would die.

    Gen. Babangida’s late wife, Maryam, was the elder sister to the late Capt Sambo’s wife.

    The former leader also prayed Allah to grant the vice-president the gratitude to bear the loss and the ability to shoulder the load left behind by his younger brother.

    He also prayed God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Tambuwal said continuous prayers would engender peace, which would bring even development to the country.

    Those who are saddled with leadership responsibilities, he said, must ensure that they leave good legacies that would stand the test of time.

    The Speaker said leaders should ensure that they discharge their responsibilities with the fear of God, adding that this is the only way they would be remembered when they are gone.

    Ustaz Musa Mohammed, the Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, who led the opening prayers, called for prayers for the family of the deceased and the nation.

    The Muslim scholar said this was especially necessary because of the security challenges facing the nation.

    A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and a former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Rufai Alkali, also said the nation needed more prayers to stabilise.

    Ribadu noted that the country was passing through a trying moment, which required everyone’s prayers.

    The former anti-graft chief said the outpouring of emotions and sentiments that followed the death of Capt Sabo was an indication that he lived a good life.

    Ribadu urged the vice-president and the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that their bread winner left a good legacy.

    Governors at the occasion included Idris Wada (Kogi), Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Kaduna).

    Also there were PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu; Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar and former IGP Gambo Jimeta.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, led other members of the cabinet to the occasion.

  • IBB, Tambuwal seek prayers for Nigeria

    Former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, on Wednesday called for continued prayer for unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
    He spoke with journalists at the end of the Fidda’u prayer organized for late Captain Yusuf Sabo Sambo, brother of Vice President, Namadi Sambo.
    Yusuf Sambo died on Sunday following a ghastly auto crash along Bill Clinton Drive, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
    Babangida, who assumed the role of the Chief Mourner at the occasion expressed gratitude to all Nigerians for the love showered on the family of the deceased and declared that every life must taste death, even though Almighty Allah in His wisdom had not revealed to humans how they would die.
    Babangida’s late wife, Maryam, was the elder sister of the late Yusuf’s wife.
    The former leader also prayed to Allah to grant the Vice President the gratitude to bear the loss and the ability to carry the load left behind by his younger brother.
    He extended his gratitude through the Vice President to President Goodluck Jonathan for the show of comradeship he demonstrated during the incident
    The Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, also called for more prayers for Nigeria.
    He said continued prayers from all Nigerians can only bring about peace that will ensure even development in the country.