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Tag: Yusuph Olaniyonu

  • Saraki eulogies dead NAF officer, laments crash incident

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the family of the Air Force pilot, who died in a crash in Abuja on Friday.

    The crash involved two NAF fighter jets participating in a flying rehearsal for the nation’s 58th Independence anniversary on Monday.

    One of the pilots, Squadron Leader Bello Baba-Ari, died in the incident.

    Saraki’s reaction came in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Saturday.

    He described the dead pilot and his colleagues involved in the incident as “true heroes dedicated to their national calling.”

    Read Also: Independence Day rehearsal: Pilot dies as two Air Force planes crash in Abuja

    He lamented the accident and called for special recognition for all the officers – both dead and alive – who partook in the “unfortunate national assignment.”

    Saraki said, “I am saddened over the tragic crash of two Nigerian Air Force fighter jets in Abuja that led to the loss of an officer and injuries on others.

    “The affected officers are true heroes among countless other military personnel who continue to put their lives on the line to defend and make the country proud.

    “Nigeria has lost a truly dedicated and patriotic officer.

    “The departed officer and his colleagues, who survived the unfortunate crash, deserve special recognition and place in annals of the nations’s military history.”

    He, however, lauded the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies for the prompt and successful rescue mission, which has helped to preserve the lives of the other personnel.

  • Saraki mourns first military governor of Kwara State

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday expressed sadness over the death of the first Military Governor of Kwara State, Brigadier General David Bamigboye (rtd).

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the late Bamigboye as a torch-bearer who laid a solid foundation for the development of Kwara State.

    He stated that the late Bamigboye was an officer and gentleman who lived an impactful life and left his footprints on the sands of time.

    Saraki stated: “Brigadier General Femi David Bamigboye, led Kwara State through its formative years as the first military governor.  His great work and commitment to the development of our State cannot be over-emphasized. He was a true son of Kwara State.

    Read Also: Presidency tackles Saraki for disparaging Buhari

    “His passage represents a colossal loss to the Government and people of Kwara State in particular and Nigeria in general. I join all Kwarans, and indeed, all Nigerians in celebrating the life and accomplishments of the late General. He will be dearly missed,” he stated.

    The President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased and all Kwarans over the irreparable loss.

    He prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Saraki condemns raid on Edwin Clark’s residence

    …Seeks Probe

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday condemned the search in the Abuja home of nonagenarian, Chief Edwin Clark, by the police.

    He described the action of the police as “unwarranted” and called for an “open, comprehensive investigation into the incident.”

    While insisting that the search was “unwarranted harassment of the statesman who is known for being very vocal in expressing his views on national issues”, Saraki stated that the incident must not be allowed to be covered up without the public knowing all the details, particularly concerning who gave the order, who signed the police search warrant, which officers executed it and what objective was it meant to serve.

    This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

    Saraki said, “Chief Edwin Clark, a Second Republic Senator, former minister under the General Gowon administration is not just anybody. Yes, he is not above the law. If there is a genuine reason for his home to be searched by law enforcement agencies, nobody will object to it. However, as it now appears, for the Police to conduct a raid on the home of a man of that age on the pretense that they were looking for arms and eventually, the claim turned out to be a hoax, then something must be amiss.

    Read Also: Edwin Clark: I got information from a taxi driver, says Informant

    “This type of action by the Police coming at this time when the nation is preparing for election is not reflecting well on the country. Such actions constitute a threat to democracy. They represent gross abuse of state institutions. Now that the Inspector General of Police has denied that the raid was never authorized, the next move should be a thorough, transparent investigation into the Senator Edwin Clark incident to prevent future occurrence.

    “This kind of ugly development must stop. This country experienced peaceful change in 2015 because the government in power allowed democracy to work. If the government had allowed the flagrant abuse and misuse of state institutions to be the norm, we would not have had the change that occurred.”

    Saraki reminded the government of its recent commitment to world leaders on the need to create a peaceful and conducive atmosphere necessary for a credible, free and fair elections where citizens can freely exercise their franchise, devoid of intimidation, suppression and abuse of their fundamental human rights.

    He noted that incidents like the one in the home of Chief Clark is in conflict with the promise the government made to these world leaders.

    “Democracy is not only about elections. Circumstances that will create tension in any part of the country or make people feel that their fundamental human rights are being trampled upon should be avoided. If a man of the calibre and status of Senator Edwin Clark could suffer such unwarranted raid on his home, then what happens to ordinary Nigerians as we move towards the 2019 polls and beyond?”, he asked.

  • Saraki frowns at refusal of Kwankwaso use of Eagle Square

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday condemned alleged last minute cancellation of the approval granted to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to use facilities in Eagle Square, Abuja for his 2019 presidential declaration.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, to the Senate President Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that Saraki was emphatic that the “Eagle Square belongs to all Nigerians.”

    It said that Saraki added that the alleged “cancellation sends a wrong message about the tolerance level in our politics.”

    Read Also: I regret supporting Buhari – Kwankwaso

    It quoted Saraki to have insisted that “The refusal to allow Senator Kwankwaso to utilize the Eagle Square for his Presidential declaration, despite an earlier approval, sends a wrong message about our democracy, particularly the tolerance level in our politics.

    “That square belongs to all Nigerians because it was built with public funds. We hope this is not what we will be seeing as we approach the 2019 General Elections,” the Senate President said.

  • Saraki explains failure to honour police invitation personally

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Wednesday said that he did not honour the invitation by the Police to report to their station in Guzape Abuja over the Offa robbery because he answered all the questions raised in a letter to the police.

    The Senate President said that his letter to the Police on the invitation written on Tuesday was duly acknowledged.

    Saraki who gave the explanation through his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that all the issues and questions raised in the police invitation letter were answered, Saraki said that the letter was written and dispatched to the police on Tuesday.

    Read Also:Police denies besieging Saraki’s residence

    He noted that after answering all the questions raised by the police in his letter, he did not believe that there was any further need for him to go to the police personally.

    The Senate President added that he believed that his letter to the police was enough hence there was no need for him to go personally to the police for the same issue.

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had on Monday invited Saraki to appear before the Police Special Anti-Robbery Unit in Guzape to answer questions over his alleged involvement in the Offa robbery incident.

    Saraki had stated in an earlier response that the invitation to him by the Police to report to a station in Guzape over the Offa robbery investigation was “a mere afterthought which is designed to achieve political purpose. “

    He said that he has it on good authority that the Police had already decided on the suspects to arraign in court in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mohammed U.E. and that the turn around to invite him was a ploy aimed at scoring cheap political points.

    He said, “I have been reliably informed that the police invitation was planned by IG as a ploy to stop an alleged plan by some Senators and House of Representatives members from defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was also said that if I was detained between Tuesday and Wednesday, that will abort the so-called defection plan.

    “While I continue to maintain that the issue of my position on the 2019 elections is not a personal decision for me alone to make, it should be noted that all these concoctions and evil plot cannot deter me. Those behind this fresh assault will fail as I have nothing to do with the robbery incident or any criminal matter for that matter.

    “I am aware that following a request made by the Police on June 13, 2018 to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation had written a legal advice  dated June 22, 2018, in which he stated on page 5, paragraph (f) that “For the Senate President and the Kwara State Governor, this office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged office and the suspects”.

    “The Police have obviously corrupted and politicized their investigations into the Offa robbery incident. They have turned it into an instrument for the party in power to suppress perceived opponents, witch-hunt issue for blackmailing people from freely choosing which platform on which they want to pursue their ambition and a matter for harassing the people whose exit from APC would harm the chances of the party in the forthcoming elections.

    “I want to make it apparent that I have no hand in either the robbery incident or any criminal activity. The Police in their haste to embarrass me sent the invitation to me at 8pm and requested that I report to the station by 8am tomorrow morning. This obviously demonstrated their desperation as I do not see why they are now in a hurry.

    “They also stated in today’s letter that because in my response of June 7, 2018 to their own letter written on June 4, 2018, I stated that I was responding simply to the contents of the letter and that the full text of the statement made by the arrested suspects which they claimed indicted me was not made available to me, they were now including the suspects statements in the current letter. Yet, instead of including the suspects’ statements, they only attached two copies of my own letter to the invitation. No suspects’ statement was made available.

    “This plot aimed at compelling me and my associates to stay in a party where members are criminalized without just cause, where injustice is perpetrated at the highest level and where there is no respect for constitutionalism is an exercise in futility and it will fail.

    “Once again, my confidence in God and our judicial system remains intact and unshaken. The truth shall also prevail in this case.”

     

  • Saraki congratulates Fayemi

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday congratulated the Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on his victory in the just-concluded Ekiti gubernatorial election.
    Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that the Governor-elect of Ekiti State should use his second-coming to continue the people-centered policies and programmes of his first term, while urging him to also work to grow the State’s economy in order to leave behind a sustainable legacy.
    He said the victory was a sign that the people of Ekiti State still have confidence in the former minister’s ability to provide good governance and render efficient service to the state and its people. He also advised the Governor-elect to maintain his focus on how to bring more development to the State and improve the standard of living of the people.
    The Senate President also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the law enforcement and security agencies, the government and entire electorate to learn some lessons from the Ekiti State gubernatorial election, which has served as a fore-runner to the 2019 General Elections and ensure that all areas of complaints and inadequacies are corrected before a similar election in Osun State and the 2019 general elections.
    “To ensure that the Nigeria people have continued trust and faith in our electoral system, we must continue to work to improve our electoral policies and practices. We must look into the issues that have been identified in this last election to ensure that they are not repeated in the upcoming Osun Gubernatorial election, and during the 2019 elections. Definitely, the 2019 elections must be better in all ramifications than the 2015 polls”, he said.
    Saraki prayed that God will bless and guide the Governor-elect as he prepares to assume Office, and called for a smooth transition between the outgoing government and the incoming one.

  • Eid-el-fitr: Saraki, Ekweremadu congratulate Muslims, calls for sustained prayers

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy on Thursday congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fast and called for sustained prayers for peace in the country.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations said that in spite of Federal Government’s appreciable efforts in combating the challenge of insecurity, it is imperative for Muslim faithful to utilise this period to pray fervently for peace and unity in the country. 

    “We have just ended a month long fast thus paving way for the Eid-el-fitr celebrations. These two periods are such times that the Almighty Allah enjoined us to ask for his blessings. We should therefore seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” Saraki said.

    Saraki called on Nigerians to use the season  to promote national integration, saying “Eid-el-fitr is a time of love and goodwill. It gives us a message to love all and hate none.”

    He said despite numerous challenges in the country, ‘’hope is not lost”, adding that, “only tolerance, stronger sense of patriotism and love for one another will help the country surmount her present socio-economic challenges.”

    Ekweremadu, also congratulated the Muslim Umah on the successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast, urging them to continue to pray for the nation, especially towards the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Ekwereamdu stated this in his Eid-el-Fitr message to the Muslim Umah.

    Read Also: Offa robbery: Saraki writes Police

    He also enjoined Muslim faithful to remain true to the teachings of Islam imbibed during the fast even after the holy month.

    “I congratulate our Muslim Umah for successfully observing the Ramadan Fast and prayers, with its life-enriching lessons in the virtues of love, forbearance, unity, patriotism, self-sacrifice.

    “In the last one month, I observed the piety and the spirit of giving associated with the month and, therefore, urges our Muslim bothers and sisters to remain their brother’s keeper till eternity so as to make the society better for it.

     “I urge them to continue in a life of prayers for the nation. Being the last Ramadan before the 2019 general elections, I urge our Muslim brethren and indeed all Nigerians to continue to pray for the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections”, he added.

     He wished the Muslim Umah a merry Eid-el-Fitr and God’s blessings.

  • Saraki mourns late Sen. Mustapha Bukar

    President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Senator representing Katsina North, Mustapha Bukar, after a brief illness in Abuja.

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the death of Bukar as one too many coming a few weeks after the Red Chamber lost Sen. Ali Wakili.

    “I am saddened to learn about the passing of another friend and colleague, Sen. Mustapha Bukar.

    “When I and some of my colleagues visited Sen. Bukar in the hospital after Jummat prayers last Friday, we prayed with him and we were filled with hope that he would soon recuperate and resume his normal life and legislative activities.

    “As a first-time lawmaker, Sen. Bukar stood out for the quality of his contributions on the floor, his pragmatism and his work to strengthen the institution of the legislature.

    Read Also: Saraki eulogises colleagues as 8th Senate passes 201 bills

      “We shall surely miss his vibrancy and progressive mindset.

    “But now that he is no more, we cannot query Almighty Allah over the incident because He gives and takes as it pleases Him.

    “The late Bukar was forthright and gentle in all his dealings.

    “This is indeed another painful moment for the Senate, a sad moment for his immediate family, his constituents in Katsina North Senatorial District and the people and government of Katsina State.

    “As we mourn his passing, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, President Muhammadu Buhari and the government and people of Katsina State.

    “I pray that the Almighty Allah, in his infinite grace, grant the dear and departed senator a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus,” Saraki said.

    NAN

  • Saraki mourns ex-Adamawa Gov. Michika

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Sunday expressed sadness over the death of the first civilian Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Abubakar Saleh Michika.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the late Governor as a hardworking and patriotic Nigerian who served his country both in the public and private sectors with merit during his lifetime.

    “Alhaji Michika’s contribution to democratic governance and national development remains legendary. He will be sorely missed,” Saraki said.

    He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the people and Government of Adamawa state over the irreparable loss.

    Saraki also prayed God to count the soul of the departed among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus and grant his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Saraki, PDP task security agencies on female students

    Saraki, PDP task security agencies on female students

    President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have tasked the nation’s security agencies on the 94 school girls allegedly abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The latest mass abduction by the insurgents was reported to have taken place at Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State Monday night.

    Saraki, in a statement Wednesday by his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, condemned in strong terms the attack on the school by the insurgents.

    Saraki described the attack as one too many even as he urged the security agencies to get to the root of the matter, with the view to bringing the perpetrators to book and ensuring that all students of the school are properly accounted for.

    He called on security agencies to reinforce security around academic institutions in the country in order to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of such soft targets to disrupt academic activities.

     

    Read Also: Yobe girls’ school attack one too many –   Saraki

    The President of the Senate bemoaned the attack, regretting that it’s coming at a time the Federal Government was working assiduously to end the incidents of terror in the Northeast and other flash points in the country.

    He urged the security agencies to be proactive in protecting lives and property in the country and also ensuring that accurate information about attacks such as the one recently witnessed in Dapchi, Yobe State, is promptly made available to members of the public to prevent unnecessary speculation and panic by family members of victims and citizens alike.

    Saraki expressed sympathy with the affected students, parents, school authorities and the government and people of Yobe State over the unfortunate incident.

    In a similar vein, the PDP also expressed shock at the development, adding that the party was seriously disturbed by this ugly incident, especially given the conflicting reports on the whereabouts of the innocent girls.

    In a statement Wednesday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP stated that the life, safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians were of paramount importance to the party.

    The party called on the federal government and the security agencies to ensure no effort is spared in the search for the missing girls.

    “The PDP is monitoring development on the position of the Nigeria Police investigation of the matter. We however charge the Inspector General of Police to immediately put all machinery in place to unravel this disturbing situation and recover the missing children.

    “We also urge the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Federal Government to live up to its basic responsibility of protecting lives and property in our country”, the statement added.