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Tag: Yakowa

  • Bayelsa holds valedictory session for Yakowa Tuesday

    Bayelsa holds valedictory session for Yakowa Tuesday

    The Bayelsa Executive Council will hold a special valedictory session in honour of late Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Yakowa died in Saturday’s helicopter crash in Bayelsa.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Markson Fefegha, in Yenagoa on Monday.

    Fefegha said the session would hold on Tuesday at the Government House, Yenagoa.

    “The State Government will, thereafter, send a delegation of top government functionaries to accompany the casket of the governor to Kaduna where it will be formally handed over to Kaduna State government,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said that an enlarged Bayelsa Government delegation, to be led by Governor Seriake Dickson, is expected to visit Kaduna on December 19.

    He said the delegation will participate in the funeral activities scheduled to take place on December 20.

     

  • Governor Yakowa, ex-NSA Azazi die in helicopter crash

    Governor Yakowa, ex-NSA Azazi die in helicopter crash

    The nation was again thrown into mourning with yesterday’s death of Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and ex-National Security Adviser Gen. Patrick Owoye Azazi (rtd) in an helicopter crash.

    Their aides Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal also died as were the pilot and co-pilot of the ill-fated chopper ‘The Navy Augusta (helo 07),’ Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole.

    The chopper was on its way to Port Harcourt from Okoroba in Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa State when it crashed into one of the many creeks in the largely riverine state.

    It burst into flame shortly after take-off before it nose-dived into the the creeks.

    The victims were part of the large number of mourners who attended the burial of Pa Obebara Douglas, father of Mr.Oronto Douglas, Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation.

    A source said the crash might have been caused by “shuttles probably beyond its capacity.

    “We are suspecting that the chopper may have become wearied after many shuttles between Okoroba and Yenagoa. We learnt that it had done up to 10 shuttles,” the source said, adding:”The helicopter was carrying VIPs, in batches because of the coastal terrain. The use of the chopper was meant to hasten the movement of the VIPs.

    President Goodluck Jonathan expressed shock at the crash.

    In a statement last night, Presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed utter shock and sadness over the crash Saturday in Bayelsa State of a military helicopter resulting in the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi (rtd), their aides, Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal and the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole.

    “The President extends deep and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, and the governments and people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States. He describes the sudden loss of these distinguished Nigerians as extremely painful to the entire nation.

    “President Jonathan has ordered an investigation into the cause(s) of the crash.”

    The Kaduna State Government said: “The death has occurred of His Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (CON). He died in a Navy helicopter crash on his way to Port Harcourt from Bayelsa State. Other details and burial arrangements will be announced later. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, amen.”

    The statement was signed by Secretary to State Government (SSG) Lawal Samaila Abdullahi.

    The Navy also announced the crash in a statement by its director of Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu. It said: “A Nigerian Navy Agusta helicopter (helo 07) crashed today Saturday 15 December 2012 at about 3:30pm around Nembe-Okoroba area in Bayelsa State.

    “The helicopter was conveying some VIPs to Port Harcourt from Okoroba Village also in Bayelsa State.

    “Search and rescue operation is on-going by a combined team of personnel from Joint Task Force (OPS PULO SHIELD), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, NEMA and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    “Further details on the crash will be made available as received.”

    A source gave graphic details of how the crash occurred.

    The source said: “The helicopter took off normally from Okoroba at about 2pm for Port Harcourt but it later crashed at about 2.30pm in Nembe area of Bayelsa.

    “The plane plunged into a forest and burst into flame. None of the VIPs at the burial of Pa Obebara Douglas suspected that anything was wrong with the helicopter because it had been making shuttles to ferry VIPs to Yenagoa and Port Harcourt.

    “But following a distress alarm from the control tower in Port Harcourt, when the helicopter was not sighted on the radar, a search and rescue operation was immediately initiated.

    “The bodies of the six victims were later retrieved and transferred to a morgue in Yenagoa.”

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said last night that all six passengers aboard the chopper died.

    NEMA spokeman, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, in a statement, said: “NEMA has just confirmed the death of six passengers in a Naval helicopter that crashed in Nembe area of Bayelsa.”

    It was however gathered that a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe, cheated death by the whiskers as he was scheduled to be on board he helicopter.

    Another source said: “When the short listing was done, Alaibe was expected to be part of the batch that crashed. He was directed to join others to board the chopper but he deferred to Governor Yakowa and Gen. Azazi as a matter of protocol.

    “Most of the VIPs who saw Alaibe off to the temporary helipad assumed that the former NDDC boss had died in the crash.”

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), said it has no mandate to investigate military air accidents.

    Mr Tunji Oketunbi, spokesman for the AIB, said: “The crashed helicopter is a Naval aircraft. AIB investigates only civil aircraft accidents. You may want to contact the military authorities for further information.”

    Governor-Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State is currently hospitalised in Germany following the injuries he sustained in a plane crash in Yola on October 25.

    In March, a police chopper crashed in Jos, killing senior police officers including Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Haruna John.

    On June 3, a Dana commercial aircraft which took off from Abuja crashed into residential buildings on the outskirt of Lagos. All 153 people on board died.

     

  • Yakowa, Azazi’s death painful, say northern governors

    Yakowa, Azazi’s death painful, say northern governors

    The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has expressed shock and sadness at the news of the passing away of the Kaduna State Governor Ibrahim Yakowa and former National Security Adviser Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi.

    Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu described the death of the duo as a great loss not only to the people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States but to the entire nation.

    In a condolence message signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, the forum said “their passage constitutes a big blow to the people of Nigeria whose lives they touched in their eventful lives that were devoted to public service”.The forum said it is particularly pained by the death of Governor Yakowa who consistently hosted the meetings of the NSGF but has “taken solace in the fact that he lived exemplary and purposeful life with remarkable achievements as a public servant, administrator, community leader and a dedicated family man.”

    The statement said the late Yakowa and Gen Azazi were rare gems who would be missed for their immeasurable contributions towards the development of the country.

    “They were uncommon statesmen, dependable team players, highly disciplined gentlemen and respected mentors of their sub-ordinate officers”, the statement added.

  • PDP mourns Yakowa, Azazi

    PDP mourns Yakowa, Azazi

    THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Saturday, said it was shocked beyond imagination on the news of the death of Kaduna State governor, Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser, NSA, General Owoeye Azazi in a military helicopter crash in Bayelsa State.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party described the death of these Nigerians as a colossal loss.

    The statement reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed utter shock and devastating grief at the news of the death of the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and other prominent Nigerians, including the former National Security Adviser, General Owoeye Azazi in a helicopter crash today.

    “ Our great party is shocked beyond imagination and no words can adequately give expression to the depth of our grief. What a colossal loss!

    “ The nation has lost a great patriot who in about two years in saddle as the Governor of Kaduna State demonstrated an unyielding capacity in welding together varying fragile interests. He rendered quality stewardship to his people.

    “ Even in the face of daunting security challenges, nothing came close to compromising his iron cast resolve and faith that the phase must certainly pass. It is unfortunate that the nation has lost him at this critical curve in our national history.”

  • Bayelsa condoles with Yakowa, Azazi families

    Bayelsa condoles with Yakowa, Azazi families

    Bayelsa State Government last night condoles with the families of Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa and ex-National Security Adviser Gen Owoye Azazi, who died in yesterday’s chopper crash along with their aides and the pilots.

    In a statement by Commissioner for Information and Culture, Markson Fefegha, the government said:

    “The Bayelsa State Government wishes to condole with the family, people and Government of Kaduna State over the ill-fated helicopter crash that claimed the life of His Excellency, Patrick Yakowa, while returning from a funeral ceremony of the father to the Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, the late Pa Douglas at Tombi area of Okoroba Community, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State at about 16:00 hours on the 15th of December, 2012.

    “The Bayelsa State Government also wishes to condole with the family of the immediate past National Security Adviser and the Chairman of Bayelsa State Post Flood Management Committee, General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd).

    “Our heartfelt condolences also go to the families of the personal security aides to both Governor Yakowa and General Azazi .

    “The vacuum created by the demise of these notable personalities will be difficult to fill given their contributions to the growth of not only their respective states but the country as a whole.”

  • FG confirms Yakowa’s, Azazi’s death in crash

    FG confirms Yakowa’s, Azazi’s death in crash

    President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed utter shock and sadness over the crash on Saturday in Bayelsa State of a military helicopter resulting in the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State,  former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi (rtd) and their aides.

    A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also confirmed the death of Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal, the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole in the crash.

    The President, according to the statement, extends deep and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, and the governments and people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States.

    He described the sudden loss of “these distinguished Nigerian”s as extremely painful to the entire nation.

    The president has ordered an investigation into the causes of the crash.

     

  • Yakowa, Azazi die in helicopter crash

    Yakowa, Azazi die in helicopter crash

    Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser Andrew Owoye Azazi died in an helicopter crash today (Saturday)  in Nembe , area of Bayelsa  State,

    Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi, a retired military general who served as chief security adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, were among passengers in the ill-fated helicopter.

    They were returning from the burial  of the late father of a special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on research and documentation, Mr Oronto Douglas.

    Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) it was learnt indicated that the agency had activated a search for a crashed helicopter.

    Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi were among many political figures who reportedly attended the burial of   Douglas’s father.

    The crash comes on the heels of another helicopter crash on October 25, 2012 that has left Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State severely injured.

    Mr. Suntai was moved to a hospital in Germany where he receiving treatment.

    Aviation authorities are yet to speak on the latest crash.

  • Yakowa urges council chiefs to boost revenue

    Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa yesterday urged newly elected local government chairmen to generate enough revenue to fund their projects.

    The governor noted that this would reduce the dependence on statutory allocation.

    Yakowa spoke at an orientation for the newly elected council members and their management workers.

    He advised them to complete ongoing projects before starting new ones.

    The governor said his administration was examining alternative sources of funds, including the collection of taxes to boost its revenue.

    According to him, with the reforms taking place in the local governments, they should generate enough revenue to defray some of their major expenses, including salaries.

    Yakowa congratulated the new council chiefs for their success at the poll and the orderly conduct of the election.

    He said the government and the people were working together to restore confidence in the state.

    Yakowa said: “The local government, as I have often said, is the closest tier of government to the people. This underscores the need for quality leadership to ensure that citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    “I, therefore, challenge all elected officials to ensure that they initiate programmes that will impact positively on the people. All programmes and projects embarked upon by the previous administration should be carefully studied and completed before new ones are conceived. You should also take advantage of the ongoing budget process to ensure that your programmes are well-articulated in the 2013 proposals.”

     

  • Kaduna ACN to Yakowa: sack your SSG

    The Kaduna State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday accused the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawada, of undermining the authority of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

    The party urged the governor to sack him.

    In a statement in Kaduna, its Chairman, Mohammed Musa Soba, ACN alleged that Yakawada was positioning himself for the 2015 governorship election.

    The party noted that the SSG was playing on ethnic and religious sentiments to oil his political machinery ahead of the 2015 election at the expense of the unity and development of the state.

    The statement said: “It is an open secret that Yakawada’s actions and utterances are always at variance with the collective decisions reached by the government he serves, all in an attempt to garner support and sympathy from the populace pursuant to his political project.”

    ACN alleged that the SSG was calling clandestine meetings of “trusted” political aides to achieve his 2015 plan.

    The party also alleged that the money meant for state projects and security matters were diverted.

    It explained that since the SSG could not be trusted to handle state matters without undermining his duties, “we urge you to remove him from office with immediate effect to pave the way for the appointment of a competent person that would assist in surmounting the barrage of socio-economic, political and security problems confronting Kaduna State”.

    The statement added: “We have a stake in the Kaduna State project and we will not allow a few people in government to personalise and commercialise the operations of government in a manner that is detrimental to the unity, peace and development of Kaduna State.”

     

  • 2015: Speculations on ambition unsettle Yakowa

    2015: Speculations on ambition unsettle Yakowa

    The political arena in Kaduna State has been busy with the rumoured presidential ambition of Governor Ibrahim Yakowa, but, to him, such is coming from his political adversaries. TONY AKOWE reports.

     

     

    The 2015 presidential election is well over two years away, but prospective contenders have started flying their kites; some aimed at creating bad blood among friends and party members and others purely for the purpose of testing the waters in order to know how to make their political calculation ahead of the elections.

    Although the northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said it oftentimes that it was too early to begin campaign for 2015, political jobbers have continued to hint on possible candidates for the elections. Names that have been mentioned especially in the north include Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido. In a recent interview with The Nation, ACF spokesman Anthony Sani asked people to stop talking of the presidential election on zonal basis, pointing out that the election of President Goodluck Jonathan by the Nigerian people in 2011 killed the politics of zoning. He also believes that bringing the 2015 politics to the front burner at this point in time will be a distraction to qualitative governance.

    While the nation is yet to come to terms with the talk of a Sule Lamido/Rotimi Amaechi ticket allegedly being floated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, political jobbers have gone to town with a Yakowa/Ladoja ticket even when Ladoja is yet to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A group which called itself Northern Democratic Alliance took a paid advert in Kaduna-based weekly newspaper to announce that a group of civil society organisations, youth organisations, trade unions and religious organisations had met and decided to endorse Yakowa for the 2015 elections. The faceless group did not mention those organisations that decided to endorse an unwilling person who has not declared any intention for an office.

    Interestingly, a few weeks earlier, security agents in Kaduna were said to have uncovered a plot to flood the streets of Kaduna with posters of the governor aspiring for the Presidential seat. That was a few days before President Jonathan visited Kaduna for the passing out parade of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA). With that discovery, Yakowa, at a media parley, said he had no interest and had never shown interest in the presidential race. He said at the parley that there was no sense in thinking about another election when he had not even spent half of the four-year mandate given to him by the people of Kaduna State. That seems to have done the magic as the sponsors of the poster held them back, but apparently decided to come in another way to drive home their point. They took a paid advert to announce their plan. But in a swift reaction, the governor warned those responsible for such an action to desist from it. The governor said his primary attention at the moment was how to deliver on his electoral promises to the people of Kaduna State and was therefore not interested in contesting the nation’s presidential election in 2015. Thus, he warned against dragging his name into the race. Speaking through his media assistant, Reuben Buhari, Yakowa described those behind the said publication as mischief makers, pointing out that the attempt at dragging his name into the 2015 presidential race was a deliberate and calculated mischief aimed at pitching him against President Jonathan and Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo.

    The statement read: “The motive of the sponsors of this mischievous advertorial is to pitch His Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa against President Goodluck Jonathan and His Vice, Arc. Namadi Sambo. Dragging the name of Governor Yakowa into the 2015 presidential race, when the governor is yet to reach the half-way line in his first tenure is a deliberate and calculated mischief. The real intention of the promoters of this ‘tale by moonlight’ is to portray the governor in bad light, as a disloyal party member and to also justify their own mischievous intention. The governor has made it very clear that everybody has the constitutional right to contest for any political office he is interested in, but such ambition should not be built on the destruction of His Excellency’s hard-earned reputation as a trust-worthy and loyal party member.

    “The sponsors of such write-up should feel free to market themselves to the people with whom the final decision rest but should leave the governor out of it as he has never shown interest in the 2015 presidential race. For the avoidance of doubt, the focus of Governor Patrick Yakowa is the continued delivery of democracy dividends to the good people of Kaduna State through his three widely-acclaimed agenda of Security, Unity and Development. This explains the award last week of N28 billion contract for 31 new roads, in addition to about 684 kilometers of roads at various stages of completion,  the purchase of equipment of about N200 million for the Kaduna State Public Works Agency for the maintenance of failed roads, and the  first phase of the conversion of the Barau Dikko  Hospital to a University Teaching Hospital at the cost of  N474 million among other critical projects in the  education and agricultural sectors.”

    It explained further: “To do more than he is presently doing, the governor has embarked on an aggressive Internally Generated Revenue. As a law-abiding citizen, the governor is exploring the options of legal actions and a formal report will also be lodged with the Nigerian Press Council, in view of the professional issues involved in the matter. The governor will at all times remain a friend of the press, whose contribution to national development can never be questioned but will always frown at mischievous write-ups.” He pointed out that the phone number of the signatory to the advertorial was traced to a woman in one of the south-eastern states.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that the sponsors of the advertorial may have been acting a script which aides of the governor believe is aimed at destroying the existing relationship between Yakowa and the Presidency with the aim of running him out of the 2015 governorship contest in the state. It is an open secret in the state that there are moves to ensure that Yakowa does not contest the 2015 elections. However, a group which called itself Kaduna Democratic Watch believes that those behind the advertorial endorsing Yakowa is like shaving a man’s head without his permission. According to them, aspiring to political offices no matter how small or how big is supposed to be a personal decision, adding: “It is the right of every individual to aspire to any office. Even though consultations are necessary in any contest, these consultations must be done with the person aspiring for any contest and not behind him by people who pretend to have his interest at heart and behind his back. The fact that they did not even do their home work to know that the former Oyo state governor, Senator Rasheed Ladoja who are they proposing as Yakowa’s running mate is not a member of the PDP. Ladoja is, in fact, a member of Accord Party that is forming an alliance with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo state to fight the PDP in the state.