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Tag: Yakubu Gowon

  • Society honours Okoya-Thomas

    Society honours Okoya-Thomas

    The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) will honour Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CFAO Nigeria Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas and, Founder, Kesington Adebutu Adebukunola Foundation, Chief Kesington Adebutu with the award of Selfless Service to God and Humanity on Friday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

    It is part of the activities marking the organisation’s Sixth Founder’s Day Annual Lecture.

    The theme for the year’s lecture is: “Transparency in Service, The Hallmark of True Leadership.”

    The Guest Speaker is Prof Vincent Anigbogu, the director-general, Institute for National Transformation.

    The event will be chaired by former President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Doyin Owolabi, while the Special Guest of Honour is former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt.-Gen Jeremiah Useni.

    Father of the Day is former Head of State and Patron, BSN, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

     

  • Gowon, Ogbemudia decry failure in governance

    Gowon, Ogbemudia decry failure in governance

    Former two-time governor of old Midwest and Bendel states, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, has attributed failure in governance to a situation of one person in position exercising the powers of all.

    He spoke yesterday at the University of Benin during the inaugural national summit on peace/security organised by the Edo Youths United for Democracy (EYUFD) in Benin City.

    Dr. Ogbemudia, who was represented by his son, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia jnr, said the aspect of governance was critical “because you cannot have one man doing everything.”

    The former governor, who talked on the theme: “Peace and security, the trim oracles of solid justice,” said security plays a vital role in the issue of poverty.

    The chairman of the occasion and ex-Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon decried a situation where politicians engaged youths in social violence.

    He urged youths to see their lives as more important than any politician or leader.

     

    Former Commissioner for justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, said to achieve social justice, there was need for equal opportunity and equality among the people.

    The EYUFD President, Adaze Emirals (Esq), who delivered his speech on the topic: “State police or a governor’s police: Legal implication of regional or state created law enforcement agencies,” described the situation in the country since the civil war as worse.

  • Danjuma faults Obasanjo on letter to Jonathan

    Danjuma faults Obasanjo on letter to Jonathan

    A former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, has faulted ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said it was better to join issues one-on-one with the President instead of writing a letter.

    He said Nigeria is undergoing a dangerous political period which imposes a responsibility on leaders to be cautious on what they say.

    Danjuma made his position known on Friday night at the 6th edition of the Abuja Praise Festival, which he hosted at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    He said: “I wish to align with what Gen. Yakubu Gowon has said. These are difficult times and I urge leaders to be careful with their utterances, especially in the public.

    “When people ask me what I think of the letter, I said I don’t have to talk on the pages of newspapers. I have unimpeded access to the president. If I have anything to say to him, I would meet him directly.”

    Danjuma’s comments on Obasanjo’s letter were greeted with a loud applause.

    The former Minister added: “We should always pursue peace as believers because without peace, we cannot fulfill our destiny.

    “We as leaders must continue to have peace with men and with God.”

    A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, also advised Nigerian leaders to be wary of comments that could compromise the peace of the nation

    He demanded caution from all in public speeches because “the times are indeed testy.”

    He said: “ Peace is a very important factor for growth. So, we must not be distracted. And we must not be tired of suing for peace. We must watch our utterances as leaders whether past or present.”

  • Ex-commissioner removes Fashola’s cap

    Ex-commissioner removes Fashola’s cap

    FOR a brief moment yesterday, Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State cast aside protocol for a ‘do-as-I-say’ session with elder statesman, Alhaji Femi Okunnu.

    Before an audience of about 5000 at a religious event in Lagos, the former Federal Commissioner for Works in the Gen Yakubu Gowon administration removed the governor’s cap and replaced it with another.

    And he ‘directed’ the governor to wear that particular cap to every function of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, an Islamic group of which he (Okunnu) is president.

    “I gave you one cap the last time you came to our programme. I don’t know why you decided not to use it today. Don’t worry, I have another one here and I will not hesitate to give you. Stand up,” he told the governor, who instantly rose on his feet.

    He removed his old cap for the new one, smiling.

    The hall roared with shouts of ‘Allahu Akbar’ and a thunderous applause.

    The governor explained why he has not been putting on the society’s cap.

    “Sir, I have been in pain each time I put it on. If you look at me and at Wale (Dr Wale Babalakin, who was at the function), you will discover that we are blessed with head (i.e big head), so the cap is too tight but I think this one is better,” the governor said.

    Fashola thanked Alhaji Okunnu who turned 80 last March.

    The governor hailed the society for celebrating a milestone and honouring 42 great people.

    The event was the Ansar-ud-Deen 90th Anniversary Grand Finale held at University of Lagos (Unilag) Multipurpose Hall, Akoka. It featured book launch and Merit Award.

    The governor bought 1000 copies of each of the two books launched.

    The books highlight the activities and achievements of the association in the last 90 years of existence.

    Fashola also got an award presented to him by Alhaji Okunnu, who then asked the National Missioner of the society, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, to decorate the governor with the society’s lapel and bless him.

    Sheikh Ahmad referred to Fashola as Shehu (a title for the elderly or Islamic scholars)

    The audience roared in return with shouts of Fashola Shehu.

    The society also honoured Babalakin and Sir Bode Emmanuel, a Christian.

    An elated Fashola described Ansar-ud-Deen as a worthy organisation whose honour he was proud to receive.

    He praised the Islamic society for bestowing honour on Christians.

    “This kind of honour is not strange to us in Lagos; I urge you to continue to build on the harmony and tolerance,” he said.

    Chairman of the occasion, Admiral Jubril Ayinla (retd), congratulated the awardees.

  • Jonathan, Gowon, others attend Lar’s funeral

    Jonathan, Gowon, others attend Lar’s funeral

    President Goodluck Jonathan and former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, were among the many dignitaries that attended Friday’s funeral rites of Chief Solomon Lar in Jos, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    The Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, his Board of Trustees counterpart, Chief Tony Anenih, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, are also attending the funeral at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

    Also at the stadium to bid Lar farewell are – former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani; Governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Idris Wada of Kogi, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State.

    Ministers in attendance are – Labaran Maku (Information); Abba Moro (Interior), Bala Mohammed (FCT) while the Senate President, David Mark and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha are graced the occasion.

    Others were retired senior military officers like Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, Gen. Joshua Dogon-Yaro as well as Sen. Isaiah Balat, Special Adviser to the President (Special Duties).

    NAN reports that as the funeral ceremony continues, security has been tightened around the venue and other parts of Jos metropolis.

    Security personnel were deployed to strategic junctions, while vehicular movement had been diverted to other areas considered less busy.

    The spokesperson of the Plateau Police Command, Mrs. Felicia Anselm, while commenting on the security arrangement, declared that adequate measures were put in place to avoid any hitch.

    “We have left nothing to chance; we have enough men on ground and the situation is fully under control,’’ she told NAN.

     

     

  • Gowon tasks veterinary doctors on ethics

    Gowon tasks veterinary doctors on ethics

    FORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), has challenged members of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) to maintain professionalism and ethical practices in the industry.

    He spoke at the 60th celebration of the association and 50th celebration of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) in Abuja.

    Gowon, who signed decree 37 that established the association in 1969, expressed satisfaction that the veterinary profession has taken its place at a time the services were needed most in the nation.

    According to him, the number of Veterinary Colleges in Nigeria was an indication that the government envisages a lot of economic benefits from the profession.

    Gowon, who was conferred with the Honorary Fellowship of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, explained that with the breakthrough in science and technology, the profession will witness great improvement for the benefit of Nigerians and animals.

    He said: “It is my hope that the profession and its practitioners would build on what has been handed down to ensure that the role of veterinarians in the Nigerian economy is properly enhanced and recognised.

    “The fact that you have over 6000 veterinary doctors on your register is an indication that you are doing every possible thing to discourage quackery in your profession.”

     

  • I would have been on the crashed chopper, says Gowon

    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) recounted on Tuesday how he would have joined late Kaduna state governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi in the Naval Helicopter that crashed last Saturday.
    General Gowon said in Kafanchan, southern Kaduna that the chopper was being arranged for them to fly to Port Harcourt when another one was provided for him and five others necessitating a change of plan for him.
    Gowon spoke newsmen at the special thanksgiving service to mark the 50th birthday anniversary of Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, the founder of Throneroom Ministry, Kafanchan insisted that the incident was not a sabotage.
    “We were with the aide of the President to pay our condolences and they started arranging for a Navy Helicopter to take us to Yenogoa (with Yakowa). But, another Helicopter was arranged for me and five others. And that was it.
    “So when I heard about this accident, it really pained me. And I want to say, well, you can never tell with some of these things. It was an accident. Don’t impugn any meaning to it. Don’t say that it is plan to get rid of some people or something like that.
    “It is an accident, yes it was an accident. There was this young pilot of the Helicopter, who came to me after another helicopter was found for us, and he said to me, ‘sir, but I was ready to take you to Port Harcourt, as part of my duty today’. And I said to him, ‘don’t worry, there will be another time. I really hope I will have the pleasure of flying with you again’.
    “These were nice innocent people. Something, probably mechanical, went wrong to have caused the accident. So it was not a plan to get ride of the Governor for whatever any reason people want to guess,” Gowon stated