I’m angered, troubled by terror across Nigeria, says Tinubu

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has expressed displeasure at the terror and cruelty being visited upon the people of Borno, Yobe, Benue, Niger, Imo and other parts of Nigeria.

Borno and Yobe states have been facing attacks from Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State in West Africa Province for years now.

Benue State on its own part has been troubled by the activities of criminal herdsmen who have been killing, maiming, and kidnapping citizens of the state for ransom.

According to Tinubu who shared on Twitter, these attacks have caused many to disparage the military and security forces in the country.

He, however, advised Nigerians against playing the blame game but to united against the enemy because “discord will only invite defeat.”

He said, “Like all decent Nigerians, I am angered and troubled by the terror and cruelty being visited upon the people of Borno, Yobe, Benue, Niger, Imo and other parts of the nation.

“These attacks have caused many to disparage our military and security forces. This we must not do. Valiant men and women serve in our security forces, risking their lives to protect us.

“We stand with them. Government also must continue to encourage the security forces to do their utmost to subdue this threat. The lives of innocent Nigerians and the future progress of the nation may lie in the balance.

“As a people, we must never surrender to the fearful temptation to blame one another. Regardless of region or religion, we must unite against a common foe. Discord will only invite defeat.

“The enemy’s attacks seem to focus on our schools, religious institutions and security forces. They seek to extinguish the light of knowledge and hope by shrouding us in the darkness of fear and brutal ordeal.

“We must not tremble. They will be vanquished. In the end, tolerance, justice and compassion shall win the day.”

Olofa unveils Abdullahi Abdulmajeed Foundation

 

... As 500 indigents benefit from scholarship, skills acquisition sponsorship, health insurance enrollment, cash presentation

... You'll govern Kwara for second term, ignore vociferous minority, Olofa tells Gov AbdulRazaq

His Royal Majesty, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, the Olofa of Offa unveiled the Abdullahi Abdulmajeed Foundation on Tuesday, 27th of April, 2021 at his palace in full public glare.

The event also featured the empowerment of scores of youths, aged women, students and People Living with Disabilities through various community support interventions comprising scholarship, skills acquisition training sponsorship, presentation of cash and enrollment into health insurance scheme.

The empowerment programme was in honor of His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Executive Governor of Kwara State.

Earlier, the Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh Muhyideen Salman Hussein delivered the First Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Foundation, commending the community support initiative of the Founder, Mallam Abdullahi Abdulmajeed.

Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, Ilorin-born mining tycoon who is the Chairman of the occasion saluted the courage of Mallam Abdulmajeed, noting that the empowerment programme will go a long way in benefitting the indigents.

Dignitaries who graced the occassion include: Sen. Makanjuola Ajadi, Alhaji Salman Oyeleke, Bar. Kunle Sulyman, Alh. Raheem Adedoyin, Hon. Kale Oloje, Hon. Femi Agbaje Whyte, Hon. Tunji Oladipo, Hon. Rotimi Iliyasu, Hon. Musbau Esinrogunjo, Hon. Ibrahim Akaje, Mallam Salman Abdullahi, Ag. Managing Director, Harmony Ventures and Supplies Limited.

Others are, Alhaja Risikat Alabi, Executive Secretary of Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Bunmi Jetawo-Winter, Alhaja Aolat Dundu, Alhaja Wosilat Macarthy, Alhaja Aminat Gbolasere (Iya Ewe), Alhaja Taiye Omotosho, Alhaja Nimotallahi Folake Shittu, Hajiah Nana Hawau Omeiza, Ag. Managing Director, Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre and Mrs Funmi Abdulkadir, Acting Managing Director, Kwara Hotel.

While unveiling the Abdullahi Abdulmajeed Foundation, the Olofa of Offa lauded the efforts of the Founder, saying he is a replica of the first AA, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Aare Soludero of Offa Land).

The monarch also endorsed Governor AbdulRazaq for second term, while advising him not to lose focus on delivering the dividends of democracy due to the rantings of a vocal minority who are only concerned about their stomach.

The Founder noted that the Foundation will sustain its empowerment project and monitor beneficiaries of scholarship and skills acquisition training sponsorship very well to become better persons in life.

According to him, beneficiaries of the skills acquisition training can learn fashion design, cosmetology, ICT or photography.

Ajoshe Media Team

Reps to Convene National Security Summit

 

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Green Chamber's Special Ad-hoc Committee on National Security.

The inauguration followed Tuesday's resolutions of the House in which it condemned the insecurity in the country and called for a state of emergency on security.

At the inauguration of the panel, Gbajabiamila said the committee would take a holistic look at the security situation in the country with the climax of a Four- day National Security Summit in May.

The Speaker said it was the prevailing situation in the country today that made the leadership of the House to set up the special committee to tackle the situation.

Gbajabiamila said the security situation called for "a clear and urgent need to take all necessary action, across the different arms and levels of government, to articulate solutions to ensure an effective response to the challenges we face.

"At the same time, there is a need to proceed with caution and wisdom so that as we respond to existing problems, we do not further compound them or create new difficulties.

"Security, governance, and sustainable economic development are a tripod upon which a nation’s prosperity and wellbeing stand. In the absence of a national security guarantee, neither effective governance nor sustainable development can be achieved.

"The compounding negative impact of insecurity on the socio-economic fabric of the country is obvious to all and calls for targeted intervention now before the very foundations of nationhood are put at risk.

"It is in the context of these prevailing realities that the House of Representatives has appointed a Special Committee on National Security to undertake a comprehensive study of the issues and challenges of our national security from the perspective of the legislature, and recommend innovative, practical solutions that can help to relieve us of our present national security challenges."

Photo News: Photos: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Visits President Buhari

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Visits President Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

Picture getting clearer by the day

Tinubulate Nigeria 2023

PRESIDENCY 2023: Young Nigerians abroad endorsed Governor Yahaya Bello, scores him high in Security, Youth/Women Inclusiveness, religious tolerance and unity in leadership.

A group of young Nigerians across Europe, America, Asia and Australia have thrown their support behind the Governor of Kogi State, Alh Yahaya Bello for President of Nigeria in 2023, the group under the auspices of Young Nigeria Professionals Abroad paid the Governor a courtesy visit on Sunday and described him as a unifier, developer and truly detribalised Nigerian in view of his religious sensitivity, Youth/women Inclusiveness in governance, security of his state despite the spate of insecurity in Nigeria and his sense of unity as expressed in his style of leadership.

The leader of the delegation, Amb Akinmosun Kolawole who lives in London, United Kingdom while addressing the Governor says the group is pleased with his forthrightness, decisive leadership, approach to security issues and bringing youth and women to center of leadership in Kogi state, saying he is needed in Nigeria at this time to reposition the nation on the path of unity, Security and progress. Amb Akinmosun who hails from Ondo state says diasporans have followed the unique leadership style of the Governor and that forms the basis for the support for his Presidential aspiration. He further said the manner with which the Governor resolved the Northern food sellers and Southern peoples crisis during the food supply strike is an indication of his innate ability and capacity to lead Nigeria, he enjoined the Governor not to be deterred but remain focused as he represent the voice of millions of voiceless Nigerians. 

Earlier while introducing the group, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters and facilitator of the visit, Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi thanked the Governor for his openness, patriotism and sense of responsibility to national issues. He said the group is a conglomerate of young Nigerian professionals living abroad whose objectives are in sync with Governor Yahaya Bello's vision for a united, progressive and egalitarian Nigeria and are on ground to lend their support and solidarity for the Governor. Omoluabi says the group had in February addressed a world press conference in support of the Governor and have come to Nigeria to consolidate on their agenda for the Presidential aspiration. 

Speaking in the same manner, the Majority Leader, Kogi state House of Assembly Hon Bello Abdullahi who happens to be a diaspora professional in London before being elected says the group is the strongest Nigerian diaspora movement abroad, he commended the group for being conscious of what Governor Yahaya Bello represent, he vowed to jon them soon abroad to mobilise every diasporan for the Presidential project, he thanked the Governor for his visionary leadership and promised to use all within his means to promote the project.

In his speech the Deputy Governor of the state who was present at the meeting, His Excellency Chief Edward David Onoja thanked the group for their support, he enjoined them to galvanise Nigerians abroad to come home and lend their voices for the youth agenda, he says Governor Yahaya Bello has the right solutions to the myriad of issues confronting Nigeria, he said his stance on religion, youth Inclusiveness and unity in Nigeria have already been demonstrated in Kogi State, saying that is what Nigeria need at this time to move forward.

While responding, the Governor, His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello thanked the group for finding him worthy of their support, he thanked them for their confidence in the unity and progress of Nigeria. He said his mission for Nigeria is to restore peace, promote unity, bring youth and women to center of government and stop religious animosity. 

*When we came on board in Kogi, the myriad of challenges we met on ground was far worse than what the country currently face and by the grace of God we've restored normalcy and have united the people of Kogi, this is exactly what we will do in Nigeria when elected. I therefore charge you Nigerians abroad to go out and mobilise yourselves for the task ahead as we journey together in this project* Governor Yahaya Bello says.

In the last few months many Nigerians from various fields of endeavors have continued to endorse Governor Yahaya Bello for Presidency of Nigeria

Falana, Olorode, others float new political movement

Say platform out to mend a divided country, bring hope where there is despair

A new radical political movement, the Peoples Alternative Political Movement, (TPAP-Movement), with promoters including Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Prof Toye Olorode and many labour unions across the country, said it is set to mend a divided country and bring hope where there is despair.

The new political movement gave this assurance in a joint statement signed by Falana, Jaye Gaskiya and Olorode, copy of which is made available to newsmen, urging Nigerians, workers, students, women, youths and defenceless people alike to be ready to confront the exploitative system in order to secure eternal freedom from anguish and misery.

TPAP-Movement, while assuring that it had rolled out several socio-political programmes to save the country from imminent economic and moral collapse in the hands of those it described as corrupt and visionless elite, declared that only a radical intervention would save the country from a shipwreck.

The statement, while noting that the founders of the new movement were the country’s labour movement, farmers unions, women groups and hundreds of civil society organisations spread across the country, said sadly that the country was once again at a perilous crossroads with the deteriorating socio-economic situations in the face ridiculous living conditions of citizens and extremely poor quality of life.

President Buhari returns to Abuja

President Buhari returns to Abuja after Private trip to London on 15th April 2021

 

ALLEGED $1BN ARMS DEAL: Civil Rights group exhonorates ex-service chiefs, challenges defence ministry to come out clean

A group of civil society organizations numbering thirty-five have challenged the Ministry of Defence to stop the hide and seek game and come out clean on the issues surrounding the procurement of ammunition with the one billion dollar alleged to have been carted away. It will be recalled that the National Security Adviser,  Maj. General Babangana Monguno was quoted to have alleged that ex service chiefs have not accounted for the amount in question and arms are not on ground to show for the Money, although the NSA had since denied making such statement.

Concerned by this development, the House of Representatives set up a probe panel to look into the regime of arms purchase in the last ten year's. During one of its sitting, the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Attahiru further compounded the issue when  he was answering questions from the lawmakers and requested the committee to invite the former service chiefs to provide answers to the questions since he was not the COAS that supretended over the purchase.

Dissatisfied with the turn of events, a group of thirty-five registered civil society organizations under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have condemned the action of the Chief of Army Staff, silence of the defence ministry and conspiracy of a section of the media, stressing that the entire agenda might be a plan to tarnish the image of the immediate past service chiefs whom they claimed have served the nation with diligence and commitment and should not be subjected to needless embarrassment,  saying that the Ministry of Defence knows the truth and can conveniently furnish the probe panel with every information needed. 

The group tasks the Chief of Army Staff to be extremely cautious, professional and civil in his approach to important issue as the one at hand, stating that the former Chief of ArmyStaff did proper handing over and since government is a continuoum he should be civil and professional enough to answer the questions without asking for his predecessors to be invited.

Reading the press text on behalf of the Coalition, Comrade  Tijanni Abdul says that even though the National Security Adviser who was alleged to have mentioned the issue has since denied it, the House of Representatives still went ahead to constitute a probe panel, an action he said raises suspicion. Comrade Tijjani says though it is the constitutional right of the National Assembly to probe, he said the Hose of Representatives and other stakeholders must demonstrate outright fairness and allow only the truth to prevail, he said the CSOs will keep monitoring the process keenly to ensure the retired service chiefs are not deliberately blackmailed.

While answering questions, Dr Peter Amenebo, President Transparency and Accountability in Leadership Initiative and member of the Coalition says it is unfortunate that politics has been introduced into the matter, saying that the process and outcome of the probe will be an integrity test for the House of Representatives, he alleged that the entire drama suggests that some individuals are behind the scene instigating the plans to implicate the ex service chiefs. He argued that the ex service chiefs have contributed immensely towards the peace we enjoy today and shouldn't be blackmailed, he said such action will demoralise serving officers in the military

Guber aspirant advocates innovative approaches to boost Anambra IGR

IGR

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Abuja, April 14, 2021 (NAN) A PDP governorship aspirant in Anambra, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, on Wednesday called for innovative approaches to boost the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Okwenna in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja said that the state must change approaches to boost its IGR and enhance development.

He said that there should be an improvement in the state IGR, especially now that allocation from the Federal Government was reducing.

“Our allocation from federation accounts keeps reducing because oil is dwindling; unfortunately we depend on what comes in to run the state.

“This will make us debtor state, which we are already. If we don’t get innovative approaches to boost our IGR system and expand the net, we can’t get results anywhere.

“That is why my economic and growth plan is comprehensively integrated to grow Anambra State, create wealth, bring stability, improve the living standard of our people.

“This will also promote entrepreneurship and bring peaceful discipline,’’ he said.

Okewnna, who expressed confidence of getting PDP ticket, said he had a clear manifesto and innovative plan to change the narratives of Anambra.

“We can’t continue to do things the same way in Anambra, if we do so, we will be getting the same results.

“We must make innovations that will move us to the next level, we have to build a new height that will make the state to emerge victorious again,” he said.

Okewnna, who said that the state election was important for PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections, said that if he gets PDP tickets, victory was sure for the party. (NAN)

IGP Reappoints Owohunwa As PSO

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has re-appointed Ag. CP Idowu Owohunwa as principal staff officer (PSO) to the IGP.

Ag. CP Idowu Owohunwa, the newly re-appointed principal staff officer, holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Studies and Policing from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

A Chevening scholar, Ag. CP Owohunwa also holds a Diploma in Police Strategic Management at the University of Virginia, USA and a graduate of the globally recognized FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, USA.

Ag. CP Owohunwa was the PSO-IGP between 2015 and 2016, and to the immediate past Inspector General of Police.

This re-appointment marks the third time he is holding the position as the Principal Staff Officer to the inspector-general of Police.

☆ Ben Kabba Owoleke