Category: Politics

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Northern group under the aegis of Arewa Consultative Progressive Forum (ACPF), has paid visit to the Deputy Speaker of Federal House of Representative Hon. Benjamin Kalu, saying Nigeria need his kinds of leadership qualities and zeal for the benefit of all.

The forum, during the visit, also endorsed the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu as their patron in view of his untiring support and love for the Arewa North and also his unflinching loyalty to the Speaker, and humanity in general.

Represented in the forum’s delegations to the Dep. Speaker includes the Chairman Arewa Consultative Progressive Forum (ACPF), Alh. Jibrin Madoubi, National Woman Leader Amb Fatima Adams, Deputy National Chairman Hon. Mohammed Auwal Yunusa amongst others.

In an address presented by ACPF National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, the forum stated that without sentiments, Nigeria and Nigerians need a visionary leader at a time like this, adding that the challenges the country is currently facing is temporal, based on their outstanding observation.

“ACPF group told the Deputy Speaker that Nigeria needs leaders with his type of Leadership Qualities and Zeal to act for the benefit of all. And without sentiments, Nigeria and Nigerians need a visionary leader at a time like this”, the statement added.

Forum further observed that the beautiful, passionate, zealous, energetic and ardent heart of the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, has changed the orientation of most Nigerians who feel that religion and ethnicity is a determining factor.

They also thanked the leadership of National Assembly for trying to address the growing needs of women, youth, Orphans/Vulnerable children (OVC) with compassionate care through their support always giving to the government with an intention for the country to move forward.

The group also described the National Assembly as a tool, that God is using for the poor and less privileged in the society especially during this hard time due to security challenges and the fuel subsidy removal.

The Forum listed some of the Challenges, as some of their primary challenges in carrying out their assignments as a non governmental and non profit making organization and also in the entire North that includes.

These primary challenges and assignment includes Farming input and equipments; Storage facilities; Food Processing Machines; Modern Agricultural Marketing Tools; Consumables for skill acquisition and resource persons; Customize and un-customize uniforms and Souvenirs.

Others area logistics for awareness activities, programs, projects, training amongst others to mention but a few of them.

They also expressed the believe that with the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the North will equally not be left out in the areas of Palliative measures and relieved materials being addressed.

The forum also reminded Speaker of “Social Investment Programme, Contract Patronage, Employment and job opportunities, Appointment into boards, committees and other offices”.

They equally seek for Project and Programmes participation for their members and Grants and empowerment programs, requested for major in agricultural valued chain (Empowerment and Food security) initiatives for the North and also advised on Input, production, storage, processing, marketing management.

These, they believe, would assist in providing means of livelihood for the Society from the various business opportunities in which they will have comparative advantage.

“Productivity and economic growth will also be strengthened. It will help in bringing back the middle class. As patriotic Nigerians we are always ready to work for the success of this Government, under the leadership of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“ACPF endorse the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu as their patron in view of his untiring support and love for the North, (AREWA) and also his unflinching loyalty to the speaker and humanity in general.

“You have proven a good record of honesty, truth and personal devotion to our great country. Let us continue with what is just and right, let us continue with what is fair and righteous”, it stated.

ACPF is a Northern proactive progressive group that consist of 36 States of the federation, FCT and in Diaspora, with Diaspora headquarters in Saudi Arabia.

“Their structure starts from the poling units to the wards, Local Government Areas, Senatorial districts, States ACPF is highly felt in all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria”, it noted.

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

The National Association of Retired Hajj Administrators of Nigeria said it will soon convene a Hajj and Umrah stakeholder’s conference to seeks wider support for Hajj and Umrah policies in Nigeria.

The Association which comprises of Former and Retired States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Executives in Nigeria pledged to use their wealth of experience in assisting hajj managers in policy formulations and operations.

A statement jointly signed by the immediate past Executive Chairman of Yobe State Muslim Pilgrims Commission who is also the interim Chairman of the association, Bukar Kime Dapsa and Media/Technical adviser to the Group Ibrahim Muhammed on Sunday said the group ‘decided to come together to discuss ways of strengthening the relationship between pilgrims and hajj managers and also support the hajj and umrah industry in Nigeria having occupied the highest position in hajj management at the state level.

The statement said the under-listed has been selected to lead NARHAN towards achieving its set objectives pending the formalization of all Executives and legal procedures.

Former Executive Chairman of the Yobe State Muslim Pilgrims Commission Bukar Kime Dapsa will serve as the Interim Chairman while the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Kano State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Alh Muhammad Abbah Dambatta will serve as first Vice Chairman and former Executive Secretary of Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Alh Adeniyi Okoya will serve as second Vice Chairman.

Former Executive Secretary of Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Yusuf Bako appointed Secretary General while the Former Executive Secretary of Jigawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Alh Sani Alhassan serve as Assistant Secretary General.

Former Executive Secretary of Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Barr Awwal Abdullahi is to serve as Legal Adviser while immediate past Executive Secretary of Niger State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Alh Umar Makun Lapai appointed Financial Secretary.

Former Executive Secretary of Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Hajiya Jimoh Fatimah Abolore was appointed Treasurer while Former Overseer of Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards Hussaini S. Tsoho serve as PRO I and Former Executive Secretary of Ekiti State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards Salam Fatai serve as PRO II with Former Overseer of Bauchi Muslim Pilgrims Boards Kasim Danlamin Shall serve as welfare officer.

The Publisher of Hajj Reporters, Ibrahim Muhammed appointed to serve as Media and Technical Adviser to the Group.

E-Signed Bukar Kime Dapsa Interim Chairman Ibrahim Muhammed Media/Technical Adviser For: National Association of Retired Hajj Administrators of Nigeria 24th February, 2024

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has commended the Kogi State Government for what it described as a highly impressive performance in infrastructure, education and health department.

The Guild gave the commendation during a tour of some of the projects initiated and completed under the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, who briefed journalists at the end of the project tour said, from what he and other editors had seen, first-hand, the former governor had left a legacy worthy of emulation in critical sectors.

He, however, added that the current Governor of the state, Alhaji Usman Ododo, is doing well to consolidate on the good work of his predecessor.

The NGE was in Lokoja to hold its standing committee meeting. In all, about 40 editors, across the print, electronic and online media participated in the meeting. The editors used the opportunity to inspect some of the projects executed by the past administration in the state.

According to the NGE President, the Reference Hospital in Okene is one that can help the country in the area of medical tourism.

“Recently, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria told the whole world that medical tourism alone was costing this country a fortune. So, if Nigerians patronise this hospital, it will save this country a lot of money and help put our economy in good shape. With what we have seen here, Nigerians should be happy for it,” he said.

He stated, “The immediate past administration has left a legacy worthy of emulation. I am appealing to the current administration to consolidate on the good work of the immediate past Governor of the state because he has done a lot in education, health and infrastructure development and such achievements should be sustained by the present administration.

“I and other members of the NGE have gone round projects executed by the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration and I am saying this without mincing words that Kogi State is working and the current administration under Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is doing well to sustain the legacies of his former boss.

“Democracy is about the people and the facilities we have seen, including the network of roads. If the road network is strong like we saw, I am sure Nigeria will be better for it. I am highly commending the State Government for what my team and I have seen so far.

“Government is a continuum. I would advise the current Government to follow the footstep of his predecessors. It is only in that way the Citizens will benefit and Kogi State will become the best place in the Country. People will know that democracy has taken root in Kogi State and the people are benefitting.

“At the end of the day, Governance is about the people. From what I have seen, from what my colleagues saw, Kogi is working in terms of education infrastructure and medical care.

“From a lay man perspective, I am not a Doctor. From what the Doctors have told me and my team and what we saw with our eyes, it is hugely impressive. The MRI machine and other laboratory equipment are very impressive. I have to commend the Kogi State Government for making this available.

The Commissioner for Information in Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo; and his Health counterpart, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez, thanked the editors for finding time to inspect the projects and encouraged them to tell Nigerians exactly what they saw.

“If we are to go round all the projects initiated and completed under the immediate past administration in Kogi State, you will be here for more than one week. There was massive projects execution,” Fanwo told the editors.

By JABIRU A HASSAN, Kano.

Traditional institutions would continue to serve as pillars of development because their contributions to the promotion of peace and unity remained fully unrecognised at all levels.

This was expressed by the national President APC initiative For Good governance, Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken at the Bauchi emir palace shortly after the coronation of Dr. Abdulrahman Sade as First Sadaukin Bauchi by the emir of Bauchi.

Ambassador Musa Tsoken added that traditional rulers plays an important role in the successful implementation of so many government’s programmes as well as the promotion of peace and loving one another as the royal fathers.

” We respects the traditional rulers because they are working selflessly to ensure that peace and national unity prevails, and I am certain that their regular intervention in various tussles have made it clear that they are the pillars of development with reconciliation know how”. He lamented.

He congratulates the first Sadaukin Bauchi De. Abdulrahman Sade on his recent coronation and assured the Bauchi emirate that the First Sadauki would serve within his capacity towards the development of the emirate, and promote unity among all the people of Bauchi emirates without bias.

The recent announcement lifting the economic sanctions mounted to Niger, Mail, and Burkina Faso would restore the glory of the west African states and enhance the economic progress with optimum results.

This was contained in a press statement signed and issued to newsmen by the national President APC Initiative For Good Governance, Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken adding that ECOWAS leaders deserved respect in this regard.

” On behalf of the national executives officers of our support group, the zonal and states coordinators, local government and wards leaders as well as the members of the initiative across the country, APC-IGG commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ECOWAS leaders for lifting economic sanctions to Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso which is an excellent process to promoting the economic structure in west Africa”. The statement said.

In conclusion, Ambassador Musa Tsoken disclosed that APC-IGG as one of the most formidable support groups to the ruling party would continue to work selflessly towards the success of the present administration for the actualization of the renewed hope.

Youth Leader Mainasara Shedrack has appealed to the citizens of the Nation irrespective of their ethnic and religious inclinations to support President Bola Tinubu led administration, inorder to deliver sustainable dividends of democracy and build a prosperous future for all citizens .

He made this known in Bokkos local government of Plateau state in his goodwill speech when Senator Nora Ladi Daduut donated relief materials to victims of Plateau attacks .

The Youth leader who condemned the attacks that occurred in Bokkos ,Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local government councils of the state recently expressed confidence that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration is determined to put an end to the carnage .

Mainasara Shedrack while speaking at the occasion said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to better the lives of citizens of the country.

He also lauded the first Lady of the Federation Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the good works she is doing in the country.

According to him ” Our First lady is doing well by empowering citizens in the nation as well as putting into motion her pledge to support the cause of citizens through the launch of the “No Woman No Nation”, renewed hope, a women empowerment initiative.”

According to him ” The zeal of our first lady to uplift women out of poverty can not be underestimated, the launch of her initiative underscores the importance of empowering our womenfolk as an integral part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s economic policies.’

“Our first lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu is doing excellently well in complementing the efforts of the administration of the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR ‘Towards a Better Life for Families’.”

He also added that the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been an inspiration and role model to countless Nigerians .

“Our First lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been an inspiration and a role model to countless Nigerians .”

Her unwavering commitment to empowering women and youth, improving education, and promoting healthcare, among other vital issues, is truly commendable.”

“Our First Lady’s passion for serving the people of Nigeria has been evident throughout her illustrious career, and dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of the less privileged is a shining example of what we should all aspire “.

” As you all are aware our first lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu recently visited Plateau to condole with the people of the state and donated 500 Million naira to reduce the challenges faced by victims of Plateau attacks” .

Mainasara Shedrack also commended Senator Nora Daduut who served in the 9th National Assembly for remembering the Victims of the attacks in three local government councils of the state .

” I condole with the Governor of Plateau state Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the people of the state over the unfortunate attacks on innocent villagers .”

He prayed that God would continue to protect the people of the state at all times .

Senator Monday Okpebholo has emerged as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Edo State.

Okpebholo secured a total of 12,433 votes, defeating 11 other aspirants in the re-run election. The re-run was necessitated after the initial contest was declared inconclusive by the party’s leadership.

Among the aspirants, Senator Okpebholo was one of the three winners from the shadow poll held last Saturday.

The final results were officially announced in Benin by the newly appointed Chairman of the election committee and Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, following the collation of votes from the 18 Local Government Areas.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who was initially appointed as the chairman, was replaced by Otu, as he indicated his unavailability for the re-run election, according to the APC.

Further details will be provided later…