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Tag: Yusuph Olaniyonu

  • Late Adeleke, a patriotic statesman – Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Sunday described the late Sen. Isiaka Adeleke (APC-Osun West)  as  a patriotic statesman.

    Saraki, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the death of the two-term senator was “a sad personal loss.’’

    He said  Adeleke,  who was the first civilian  governor of Osun, was an important figure in the 8th Senate.

    Saraki also said: “My heart goes out to the family of Sen. Adeleke and the people of the great State of Osun.

    “Adeleke was a leader in every right, a formidable colleague, patriotic statesman, good family man and complete gentleman whose contributions to the development of Osun State in particular and the nation in general will never be forgotten.”

    The senate president described   the late lawmaker,  who served as Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market,  as  a consummate reformer and  courageous public servant.

    He added that the late senator was a grassroots politician whose love for his people and commitment to national service remained unparalleled.

    “From his track-record as a second term senator, it is clear that Adeleke was a man who his people trusted to carry out their mandate in the Senate.

    “He was always passionate about his work in the legislature  and showed competence, dedication and an ability to work with everyone to bring about the greater good.

    “ He will be sorely missed,” he said.

    Saraki commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the larger Adeleke family, Osun West Senatorial District, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and the entire people of Osun as well as  the 8th National Assembly.

  • Saraki mourns Chanchangi

    Saraki mourns Chanchangi

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has expressed grief over the demise of Chairman of Chanchangi Airlines, Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi, 86, on Wednesday.

    In a statement on Thursday by Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Saraki said Chanchangi, “an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist would be missed for his philanthropy, diligence, management finesse and humility.

    “Chanchangi will be remembered as one of the nation’s great men, who grew from a humble beginning to become a highly-respected international figure through hard work,” he said.

    Saraki commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, especially his son, Mr. Rufai Chanchangi, a member of the 8th National Assembly, the people and governments of Kaduna and Taraba states.

    While praying God to grant the deceased’s soul a place in “Aljanah Firdaus”, he called on his family to take solace in the fact that Chanchangi lived a “highly impactful life worthy of emulation’’.

     

  • Saraki congratulates new CAF President, Ahmad

    Saraki congratulates new CAF President, Ahmad

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday congratulated the newly-elected President of African Football Confederation (CAF), Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad.

    Saraki said in Abuja that Ahmad as a consummate technocrat would help to usher in an era of innovation and positive change in the affairs of CAF.

    “Ahmad’s victory is testament to his determination to positively alter the 29-year status quo in CAF,” Saraki said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu.

    “His predecessor, Issa Hayatou had served the organisation well; now, we look forward to the new leadership to usher in an era of change and effectiveness to raise the standard of African football across all levels.”

    Saraki also urged Football Associations (FA) across the continent to rally support for the new CAF president to deliver on his electioneering promises for the good of African football.

    “This is a new beginning and we cannot afford to make the mistakes of the past.

    “African football has been yearning for a new direction and now that this opportunity to inject fresh blood into the management of CAF has been realised, it is time for stakeholders to extend the frontiers and fortunes of African football at the global level,” Saraki said.

    He commended the outgoing President of CAF, Issa Hayatou, for his services and contributions to the development of football in Africa in his 29-year headship of the body.

  • German parliament pledges support to Nigeria

    Ms Malu Dreyer, Head of Bundestrat, the Upper Chamber of the German Parliament, has pledged Germany’s support to Nigeria in its economic recovery effort.

    Dreyer, who spoke at the weekend while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Senate led by its President, Dr Bukola Saraki, in Berlin said that Nigeria deserved the support of Germany to boost its economic recovery plans.

    A statement by Saraki’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, quoted Dreyer as saying that “Germany will support the on-going economic recovery programme in the country,’’.

    She said that her country would look towards extending the special partnership and grassroots co-operation which it presently had with Rwanda to Nigeria, adding that more exchange programmes between the two countries should be initiated.

    “The partnership between Nigeria and Germany is very important and should be nurtured.

    “This partnership, at a very high level, can help the entire population in Nigeria. We have to do all that is necessary to support Africa to prevent internal crisis that would later plague Europe.

    “We should empower African nations to enable the people and their government take their fate into their own hands. We have a gain to make from this co-operation,’’ she said.

    Dreyer said that Germany would tackle the root cause of refugee situation through helping countries to be stable and economically buoyant.

    On renewable energy, Dreyer said Germany was ready to help Nigeria through exchange of technical information and exchange programmes.

    In his remarks, Saraki reiterated the need for Germany to partner Nigeria in the areas of economic co-operation, security and renewable energy.

    He said that the Senate delegation was in Berlin to strengthen the existing relations between both countries as represented by the visit of the German President to Nigeria last year in company of some German businessmen.

    “We appreciate the cordial relationship between Germany and Nigeria. We need German support as our government works hard through progressive policies and legislation aimed at overcoming our current challenges.

    “It may be true that we have economic challenges but the fundamentals remain good and even the prospects are better.

    “That is why we are seriously working to diversify the economy and move away from the dependence on oil.

    “We are moving into agriculture, mining of numerous mineral resources and manufacturing. These areas alongside energy production and funding of key infrastructural projects are areas that German business people can invest in,’’ he said.

    Saraki said power was one area where Nigeria required serious help as its inadequacy affected the success of businesses and limits the productive ability of the people.

     

  • Teachers’ Day: Saraki makes case for teacher’s welfare

    Teachers’ Day: Saraki makes case for teacher’s welfare

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday urged governments at all levels to prioritise the payment of salaries and general welfare of teachers in order to secure the future of the country.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, to mark this year’s Teachers’ Day, congratulated Nigerian teachers and their counterparts the world over for their sacrificial contribution to the advancement of knowledge and by extension, world civilization and development.

    Saraki reiterated his earlier call that teacher’s salaries should be included as an item in the capital vote of the budget to enable them receive their salaries and allowances as at when due.

    Saraki said: “There is an overarching need to prioritize teacher’s welfare so as to enable them continue to discharge their duties creditably and effectively particularly in this age of knowledge. It is only by doing that that we eliminate a situation where people either reluctantly go into the profession or go into it as a last option

    “It is a well established fact that teachers occupy a pristine place in our drive towards progress and development as a nation. Moreover, Teachers are the custodians of the repository of knowledge and as such should be seen as an integral partner towards an enduring development of our educational sector.

    “Issues of capacity building, training and re-training of teachers across the various tiers of our education architecture must form a fundamental aspect of our policies and national strategic plans. We must make deliberate and concise effort to boost teachers’ confidence and welfare. Every teacher must be assured of a minimum safety net during their pre and post retirement life.

    “Our teachers must be effectively protected by the existing pension schemes irrespective of their level of engagements i.e. Federal, State and at Local Government levels. Our teachers remain critical to the change we most earnestly desire in our educational sector in particular and the nation in general. We cannot afford to treat them any less,” he stated.

    He also called on teachers to rededicate themselves to their all important duty of spreading knowledge and banishing ignorance.

    “Our teachers must possess the necessary wherewithal for effective discharge of their assignment,” he said.

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu mourn Keshi

    Saraki, Ekweremadu mourn Keshi

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday mourned the sudden death of the former skipper and Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi.

    While Saraki described as a “rude shock” the news of the death of Keshi, Eweremadu expressed shock and sadness over the death of the former Super Eagles coach.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the sad occurrence was both painful and unfortunate coming at a time the nation is in dire need of wisdom and rich experience of sports professionals like the late international star to stabilize its soccer architecture.

    He lauded the monumental contributions of Keshi to the development of football in the country and extolled his doggedness and exemplary contributions that saw the nation clinch international trophies both as a player and a coach.

    Saraki said: “Keshi was an excellent star. His soccer artistry and leadership skills remain unparalleled. His days, while donning the national colours and his stint as a National Coach of the Super Eagles could rightly be regarded as “Nigeria’s golden moments” in both national, continental and world soccer.

    “Keshi lost his wife late last year and today we heard the sad news of his demise. This must be a heavy burden for the family to bear. His death at 54 is both a rude shock and highly unfortunate.

    “Nonetheless, we must take solace in the fact that he did his utmost for the development of sports in Nigeria, Africa and the world, during his sojourn on earth.

    “As a player and coach, he was instrumental to superlative victories for the national team.  It could be recalled that the “Big Boss” as he was fondly called, made history by winning the African Nation’s Cup as a player in Tunisia 1994 and in South Africa 2013, he won again as a coach. He was perhaps the only Nigerian to have achieved that feat.

    “He was a great source of inspiration to his contemporaries, team mates and the younger generation who took to football and are still active in sports across the world today. He shall be sorely missed,” he said.

    The Senate President commiserated with the children and immediate family of the deceased, the Government and people of Delta State, the Minister of Youths and Sports, the nation’s football governing body and the Super Eagles over the painful loss.

    While praying God to grant the Soul of the departed eternal rest, he urged his children, loved ones and admirers to emulate the enviable lifestyle of industry and patriotism of the late soccer hero.

    He called on both the Federal and Delta State Governments to immortalize him.

    Ekweremadu on his own said Keshi represented the best generation of the Super Eagles so far and described the ex-international’s death as a big blow to Nigerian football.

    This is contained in statement by his aide, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja

    Ekweremadu noted that late gaffer made Nigeria proud, not only as a successful captain and coach of the Super Eagles, but as one of the first crop of Nigerian players to export Nigeria’s football prowess to the world as a professional player.

    He said: “Keshi captained a generation of Super Eagles that was truly superlative in performance and bestowed on the national team the international fame, respect, and grandeur it enjoys till date.

    “He captained the Super Eagles to the 5th place in FIFA ranking, possibly the best by any African country so far, and capped it up by leading a younger generation of the national team to a successful campaign to the Africa Nations Cup in South Africa.

    “His death is, therefore, a big blow to us as a nation. Keshi deserves our prayers for the peaceful repose of his patriotic soul; and he indeed deserves immortalisation by a country he served so fervently, patriotically, and unreservedly”.

    The Deputy Senate President called on stakeholders in the Nigerian football industry to use this period of mourning to embark on sober and deep reflections on the tumble in nation’s football fortunes.

    He prayed God to grant Keshi’s immediate family and the entire nation the equanimity to bear the irreparable loss.

  • I am the one on trial, not the Senate- Saraki

    I am the one on trial, not the Senate- Saraki

    Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has said that his on-going trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal will not disturb the activities of the Senate.

    Saraki stated this after the Tribunal Chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar announced that the proceedings in the trial involving the Senate President will now hold on a day-to-day basis.
    “I am the one on trial not the Senate. Even though I have been overwhelmed by the solidarity displayed by my colleagues, it is important that the work of the Senate is not unduly affected by this process, ” he said according to a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

    The Senate President affirms that the legislative body being an institution, would not be affected by the absence of any of the principal.

     

     

  • I’m happy my CCT trial commenced, says Saraki

    I’m happy my CCT trial commenced, says Saraki

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that he is glad that his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on alleged asset declaration in 2003 has finally commenced.

    Saraki in statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that Tuesday’s proceedings  gave him confidence that “if the trial is conducted fairly” he would “be vindicated.”

    The Senate President noted that “even though the prosecution tried to bring in some dramatic narratives, it was clear that they were merely thrashing around and hoping to titillate the public with salacious tales.”

    Saraki added that he was “hopeful however that when the time comes, his lawyers will have the opportunity to present his case.”

  • I’ve fully complied with law on asset declaration, says Saraki

    I’ve fully complied with law on asset declaration, says Saraki

    Senate President,  Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on said that he has fully complied with the provisions of the law on declaration of assets by public officers.
    Saraki in a  reaction to the claim contained in the Panama-based offshore provider, Mossack Fonseca and shared by the International Consortium of Investigation Journalists (ICIJ) that he failed to declare assets belonging to his wife, Mrs Toyin Saraki, in secret offshore territories, noted that  he has in his different asset declarations included properties owned individually by himself and his wife.
    The statement signed by his Special Adviser Media and Public Affairs, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that the property in question formed part of Saraki’s wife family asset.
    It said: “The property in question forms part of Dr. Saraki’s wife’s family asset. It is public knowledge that Mrs. Saraki comes from a family of independent means and wealth with numerous and varied assets acquired over decades in family estates and investments.
    “Furthermore, the law only requires a public officer to declare both his own assets and those held by his spouse and his children under 18 years of age. The law does not require a public officer to declare assets held by the spouse’s family.
    “It is not expected by the law that a public officer should declare such assets held in the spouse’s family estate.
    “Indeed, the Code of Conduct form does not make provision for the declaration of spouse’s family assets,” he stated.
  • CCT trial: Saraki raises alarm over blackmail efforts

    CCT trial: Saraki raises alarm over blackmail efforts

    Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has raised alarm over ‘the renewed attempts being made by forces behind his on-going trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to muddle up the case and blackmail key individuals and groups involved directly and indirectly in the case’.

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

    The Media Office of Senate President alleged that the said forces, over the weekend preceding the resumption of the case on Friday, began to sponsor various spurious allegations aimed at intimidating members of the Tribunal, lawyers, journalists, legislators, Saraki’s loyalists and aides.

    The statement reads: “Using the same scare-mongering methods that these devious forces have employed since the commencement of the case last September, they have employed an on-line medium known for its shady and unethical reputation and another national newspaper to peddle inaccurate information aimed at prejudicing the coming case and forcing the actors in the case to take certain predetermined decisions.

    “In their desperation, they have been heckling key aides and associates of the Senate President using some unidentified individuals who make phoney calls to the phone numbers of the individuals close to Dr. Saraki, trailing the movement of these associates and giving different interpretations to the actions of these associates, all in a bid to poison the minds of the public against Saraki and to muddy the waters before the case commences on March 11.

    “In one of these desperate attempts, they have tried to set the tribunal members, prosecution and defence lawyers in the case against one another. Yet again, they have sought to intimidate journalists who they envisaged may be assigned to cover the case while also seeking to cause disaffection among loyalists of the Senate President.

    “The people behind these machinations believe they have to intensify these external, dirty campaigns against Saraki as they see that more and more Nigerians now understand that the trial is about who occupies the office of Senate President and not about any campaign against corruption.

    “We will like to recall that this same group of people, using the same set of media and style, have last year successfully forced a Federal High Court judge to withdraw from the case filed by Dr, Saraki at the early stage of the Code of Conduct case.

    “They also blackmailed the Court of Appeal to abruptly postpone its judgement some minutes to the period scheduled for the delivery of the judgement. Similarly, they have waged a war of attrition against Supreme Court Judges shortly before the delivery of the Apex Court’s judgement on the appeal filed by the Senate President on February 5.

    “In this smear campaign, the anti-Saraki forces using their allies in the media have tended to rubbish reputations built by some individuals over several decades. One of such individual was the respected former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Modibo Belgore who they falsely accused of trying to bribe judges on behalf of Dr. Saraki when nothing like that ever happened.

    “We therefore call on members of the public to disregard the antics of these desperate and devilish elements. We assure all Nigerians and other observers of the Nigerian situation to be rest assured that the Senate President is ready to have his day in court. His lawyers are ready to defend his right and prove his innocence.”