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Tag: Northern Governors

  • Northern governors mourn Isa Funtua

    Northern governors mourn Isa Funtua

    The Northern Governors Forum has described the death of Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, a life patron of the International Press Institute and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, as painful.

    The Chairman of the forum and governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, in a condolence message by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos said Funtua’s death was a loss to the nation.

    “This is a great loss to his family, the Northern Region and the entire nation considering his immense contributions to national development.

    “He is one person that has built bridges among people of different ethnic, religious and political persuasions and also encouraged unity, peace and tolerance,”he said.

    The chairman said the deceased distinguished himself in the journalism profession where he played critical roles for freedom of expression and the press.

    He said the elder statesman also encouraged responsible journalism practice aimed at promoting nation-building and propagation of truth, justice and the fight against corruption.

    Lalong said the business acumen, humility and hard work of Funtua among his many achievements would continue to inspire the younger generation especially as a worthy role model amidst loss of confidence of selfless leaders in the nation.

    He also commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari over the loss of the deceased who was his long term associate, supporter and political ally and offered counsel to the government on many issues.

    Lalong condoled with Funtua’s family and prayed for God to give it the fortitude to bear the loss.

    He said Nigeria, particularly the Northern Region, would miss his wealth of wisdom and knowledge which he offered during critical times while praying to God for his soul to rest in peace.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased died at 78 years.

    He was the founding Managing Director of the New Africa Holdings, publishers of the defunct Democrat Newspapers.

    The deceased was also the founder of the indigenous construction company, Bulet International Nigeria Ltd.(NAN)

  • Northern Governors Are Determined To End Almajiri System – El-Rufai

    Northern Governors Are Determined To End Almajiri System – El-Rufai

    The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that the Northern Governors Forum is determined to bring an end to the Almajiri system in the region.

    The governor said this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, while explaining the repatriation process.

    According to him, part of the steps agreed upon to end the system was to repatriate all almajiris back to their states of origin.

    Speaking further, the governor noted that 169 almajiris have been brought back to the state since repatriations began.

    65 out of the 169, according to him have tested positive for the coronavirus.

    The governor stated that although the situation was not pleasant, the state is happy to receive them.

    He explained: “In particular, the situation in Kano is such that if these children were not brought to us, they would simply have died in Kano. Some of them would survive the disease but the situation in Kano is overwhelming, I don’t think anyone would remember to look out for almajiris so, we’re happy to receive them from every part of Nigeria.

    “But what the northern governors’ forum is determined to do, is to end this system once and for all because it has not worked for our part of the country and we are determined to end it once and for all.

    “We are ready to face anyone that wants to confront us on this matter,” he added.

    The governor stressed that they didn’t reach the decision just because of the COVID-19 but the plan had been in the pipeline all along and the emergence of the pandemic has only helped to fast-track the process.

    Another step which the governors took was to review a law to prohibit the system.

    “Today, we reviewed a law that would formally prohibit this system. We are not just abolishing the system, we are telling the parents of the children that they must go to school when schools re-open and we have tracked each and every one of the parents and counsel them on parental responsibility.

    “It is a long process, but the children will go to school. They must go to school at least in Kaduna State, I can assure you of that,” he said.

  • Northern Governors congratulate Obasanjo @83

    Northern Governors congratulate Obasanjo @83

    The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated a former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on his 83rd birthday.

    The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, in a congratulatory message, praised Chief Obasanjo for his visionary and patriotic service to Nigeria, the African Continent and the world.

    In the message that was issued on Wednesday in Jos by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, Lalong described Obasanjo as a leader who had given his best to the nation and humanity in the various positions and responsibilities he held over the years.

    He also lauded Obasanjo’s commitment to the growth of democracy, good governance and human rights ,which he had pursued in and out of office and under different platforms across the globe.

    The chairman urged the former President not to relent in offering his wealth of wisdom and experience to the present leaderships at all levels, especially as Nigeria continued its march toward consolidating democracy and the fight against corruption and insecurity.

    He wished him more years of good health, God’s wisdom and protection as he continued serving Nigeria, Africa and the world.

    Obasanjo was born on March 5, 1937. He served as a military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007.(NAN)