Femi Adesina: An Effective Link In The Chain, By Chioma Ikejiani

June 14, 2019

When President Muhammadu Buhari accepted the mantle of leadership of Nigeria in 2015, it was with a mindset focused on transforming Nigeria and uniting all her people for positive national building action. Prior to that, Nigeria was broken and there was need for a renewed effort at national cohesion and consensus building. In pushing to achieve purpose, President Muhammadu Buhari looked towards the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), a professional association of Nigerian editors, to pick their president, Femi Adesina, an erudite newspaper man, who rose from the ranks to become one of the biggest names in Nigeria’s media space, to lead the charge in creating a narrative that would relaunch nigeria into a glorious era.

Adesina’s ascendancy to an office vacated by his friend, Reuben Abati, was of huge significance. He had before him a nation reeking from the effects of broken nationalism to help rebuild. In discharging the functions of that office, Adesina has brought to bear his deep experience in managing information and driving change through positive narrative. In doing this, Adesina comes across as a viable link in the chain that has kept the narrative about the Buhari presidency coming positive. With his deep contacts within the media circles, Adesina, a quiet and deeply reflective fellow, was able to pull the media along towards helping President Buhari to change Nigeria for the better.

At the heart of changing the narrative on Nigeria and driving a new understanding for nation building, the media has come across as being very critical. The role of the media has remained constant. This is such that even when the opposition drives a narrative that goes to denigrate the purpose and vision of government, Adesina has been found to be in the middle managing the situation and helping the media gain better understanding of issues and trends affecting the Buhari presidency.

Though many see Adesina as a personal friend of the President, the friendship has however been one driven by professionalism and deep respect for the opposition view. This was exemplified openly when Adesina held the reigns at The Sun Newspapers. While he deployed his skills in marketing Buhari to the voting public, he also refused to use his powers to foreclose divergent views about the candidate. By allowing that, Adesina helped to create a very healthy rivalry and understanding at The Sun, which in essence, enhanced the professionalism of the newspaper and its writers. Somehow, the newspaper has been the utmost beneficiary of that singular leadership charge by Adesina.

That understanding has been with Adesina since he assumed office as official spokesman of the president. Though he is within official ranks where he could throw his weight around in forcing media owners and operators to come down hard on writers and reporters who share opposing views, or who had deployed their skills to drawing negative, and often dangerous and nationally injurious narratives, Adesina has rather remined truly professional in the discharge of his office. rather, he opened up his office to become a rallying point for all Nigerians who seek genuine information, and education, on the real issues involved in President Buhari’s administration. He is neither combative nor combustive and is in perfect control of his emotions.

Deeply detribalized, Adesina epitomizes loyalty and honesty. Not known to fight for anything, Adesina rather allows the true love of God to radiate through him touching all who genuinely search for meaning. I have been to his office on several occasions and can confirm that he knows no tribe nor religion when he is called upon. This is a quality that has earned him the respect of so many people who have interacted with him. That is why I believe that President Buhari was deeply insightful when he pointed at Adesina as his spokesman.

As President Buhari works his team for the challenges of the ‘Next Level’, he ought to retain Adesina and empower him more to deliver on the task he began in 2015. The implication of this is that Adesina is ably suited to understand the nuances of the Buhari administration and is intellectually gifted to interpret and translate same to understandable nuggets for the public. This is what Buhari now needs as he seeks to take more Nigerians out of poverty by the run of his tenure. Having worked with Buhari since 2015, Adesina has more than a perfect understanding of the president and is in a better position to translate even his body language for Nigerians.

This, I suppose, is what defines Adesina as a super media and communication guru in the Buhari administration. The Next Level, for him, will be to deploy advantages he has had working as a media practitioner in the past three decades, to strengthen the Buhari persona, re-emphasizing the human side of the president. Adesina, an incorruptible media guru that is not given to foul means, remains a veritable link that had glued the media and the presidency, creating a better appreciation of the value and import of Buhari’s policies.

Ikejiani is the publisher of Amoi and a promoter of the diversification policies of government.

If Obasanjo Wished, He Would’ve Immortalized Abiola As He Ran Autocratic Govt – Osita

Editorial staff

June 14, 2019

Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Chief Osita,

The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has said that if the former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo had wished to, no one would have challenge him if he immortalized the acclaim winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, late Chief Chief MKO Abiola.

Reacting to claim by Dr. Doyin Okupe that Northern leaders would have frustrated Obasanjo from recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day, Osita Okechukwu said that Obasanjo was rather more preoccupied with his plan to actualize his third term ‘pet project’ than the issue of recognizing late Abiola.

“It is arrant nonsense to say that Northern leaders frustrated Obasanjo from recognising June 12. Baba was solely engrossed with his pet project – the 3rd Term. He loathed MKO Abiola from their childhood days in Abeokuta. He was busy weaving his life president project.

“How can somebody revise the history of a former autocratic president who captured National Assembly, was changing Senate President like rapper? Obasanjo held the governors under bondage, muscled the press and used the EFCC as attack dog. Who on earth could have stopped him if he wanted to declare June 12 Democracy Day?”

Osita, who is also the chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said: “whereas I agree with our big brother Omoba Doyin Okupe that Nigerian politics is so intricate; however one disagrees that Obasanjo only avoided the controversy and furore that would have greeted recognising June 12 as democracy day, while in office.

”Nobody could had stopped him, he ran an imperial presidency. I doubt if he was not in league with the annulment. Abiola narrated to us at Aba, how Obasanjo envied his capacity to pay his primary school fees from the local entertainment band he used in raising money. Abiola slept with us that night at Aba after the campaign.”

New Senate President Vows To Ensure Budget Is Passed Within 3 Months

Greenbarge Reporters

June 14, 2019

The new President of the Senate has made it clear that the 9^th National Assembly will henceforth pass annual national budget within three months it is presented by the President.

He said: “we have campaigned with that and it’s something both of us in the National Assembly have bought into – that we will pass the budget within three months by the grace of God.”

Speaking to news men today, June 14 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Senate President said however that it takes two sides of government to pass the budget in good time and expressed the confidence that the executive side of the government would like to present the budget before the National Assembly in good time, “say in September or early October, and by the grace of God, we in the National Assembly will ensure that we carry out the budget defence and do the remaining parts of the processes and before we leave for Christmas break, the budget would have been passed and Mr. President would have gotten the budget before him to signed and assent.

“This requires sacrifice in the National Assembly and the executive side of the government that we create a window for budget defence only; a dedicate period and timeframe- say a month of which only budget defence would be carried out in the National Assembly.”

Senator Ahmed Lawan said that it is the desire of the members of the National Assembly that every minister, every chief executive officer of every agency to defend the budget of his agency or her agency before going out of the country.

“That window is going to be available within the one month and that is the only window that is going to be available. After that for example, every minister or head of agency who did not come to defend the budget of that institution, the National Assembly would go ahead to work on such a budget appropriately.

“I believe that nobody would take pleasure in wasting the time of this administration. We are in a hurry; we are thirsty to perform. We want to support Mr. President. We want to see Mr. President achieve those dreams that he has and we are going to work full course and full time to ensure that we give him the maximum support that he requires.”

Buhari Commends Ex Military Leader, Abdulsalami For Handing Over Power To Civilian In 1999

Editorial staff

June 14, 2019

, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended former Nigeria’s military Head of State, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar for handing over political power to civilian in 1999.

Buhiar, who greeted the former military leader today, June 14, on his 77^th birthday, said that Abdulsalami’s visionary and selfless leadership style, “and willingness for inclusive growth and development sets him apart for commendation, while the handing over to a civilian government in 1999 secured an enduring place for him in history.”

The President also extolled General Abdulsalami’s commitment to peace, stability and development in Nigeria, and the African continent, “as he continually and relentlessly follows and counsels leaders and communities on values of togetherness and collective vision.”

Buhari described General Abdulsalami as “African elder statesman and global voice,” even as he prayed to God to him longer life and good health to continue to serve humanity.

Senate President Indicts 8Th National Assembly, Says It Did Not Perform To Full Capacity

Editorial staff

June 14, 2019

The new Senate President, Ahmed Lawan has owned up to the inadequacy of the immediate past Senate, saying that it did not perform to its full capacity.

“I am sure we did not perform to our capacity as a National Assembly in the last National Assembly. This time around, we want to perform to full capacity and by the grace of God, Nigerians will see a positive difference in terms of delivery of service to our country men and women.”

Senator Ahmed Lawan, who was answering questions from news men shortly after observing the Friday (Jum’at) prayer at the Presidential Villa today, June 14, noted that the current Senate is aware that expectations from Nigerians are high.

“They want a National Assembly that is very focused, that is very united, that is very patriotic and nationalistic and that is by the grace of God, the National Assembly that we shall have.

“From my interactions with my colleagues when I was contesting, every senator has one massive experience or another. I saw my colleagues exhibited patriotism and desire to work for Nigerians and therefore we hope to have a National Assembly that will work for Nigerians optimally and patriotically.

“, We also hope to have a National Assembly that will work with the executive arm of government in a partnership and synergy to ensure that we perform our functions as a government because we are a single unit. I also foresee a National Assembly that will insists that whoever has a responsibility in government performs that responsibility because it takes all of us to work together to ensure that no part or nobody is left behind. If there is anyone that is deficient it would cost the system.”

No One Can Stop Me From Second Term, I’m The Landlord – Kogi Gov

Greenbarge Reporters

June 14, 2019

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has made it clear that no one can stop him from going for his second term of four years from November this year.

“I am the Governor today and In sha Allah, l will return as the Governor for another four years, after the November 16 election. As for the ticket, the analogy is that the tenant cannot send the landlord out of his house. So, APC in Kogi state was rebuilt by me, after the good job done by our late leader, His Excellency, Prince Abubakar Audu. After his demise, l came, rebuilt it from the scratch to what it is today. That is evident in the last outing of the party where we had 25/25, in the State House of Assembly. We also won seven out of the nine contested positions in the House of Representatives and two out of the three Senators representing Kogi state in the Senate. So, anybody that is making such noise does not disturb me , because, in the market place, noise is allowed.”

Governor Yahaya Bello, who spoke to news men today, June 14, dismissed the insinuation that APC will not give him the ticket to run for second term.

“You know, Kogi politics is the loudest, so people must make noise and you can’t stop that. But surely, l am very good with my party from the local government to the national level. “They know that l am the leader of the party in my state. I have built it and it is very strong. “Anytime, any day, we will win elections in landslide. That l am going to win in the primaries is given by the grace of God, by which ever means, direct or indirect.
“Secondly, in the November Governorship election, we are not just talking of wining, we are looking at the margins. The margin is going to be such that whoever comes far second, will be discouraged to go to court.”

Okorocha To Fellow Igbos: Forget About Presidency In Near Future

Editorial staff

June 13, 2019

The immediate past governor of Imo State and now, a Senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha has asked his fellow Igbod from the South-East region of Nigeria to forget about the issue of becoming Nigeria’s President in the near future.

Speaking to newsmen today, June 13 shortly after he was sworn in as a Senator in Abuja, Okorocha said that the rotation of power will not get to the South-east because: “power is not given, power is taken.

“The South East cannot just fold their arms and expect power to be given to them just because you want power. Power does not go with sentiment some of the times, it’s on issues on the ground.

“Democracy is about the people and the South East alone cannot make themselves president. So you cannot be talking about Igbo presidency, it doesn’t exist. We may be talking about Nigeria’s president of Igbo extraction but that depends on what other geopolitical zones think about the issue.

“For me, what is important is let power be given to somebody who has something ‘upstairs’ who can put food on the table of common man, irrespective of religion or where you come from.”

According him, the South East needs to mend fences across the country in other to remain relevant politically.

“There is a need for the Igbo to mend fences. We are neither here nor there politically. We are not in the ruling party or are we making an impact on the opposition. So, there is a need for us to get married to the rest of the nation politically.

“I am here to do things dear to my heart. One of them is: the bridge connecting the south-east to other ethnic groups seems to be very faulty, resulting from the politics we have played in the south-east. It will be my pleasure to reconnect this bridge so that the south-east people will move along at the same pace with other geopolitical zones.

“My second mission (at) the National Assembly is to see the possibility of making free education a reality so that the children of the poor can go to school. If I achieve these, I will be glad that I did, as a member of the senate.

“The third one is, I am concerned about the killings and destruction of lives in the northern part of this country. Whatever we can do on the floor of the Senate, we will to have the executive curb this insurgency. I will be here and happy to work with my colleagues.”

Okupe Defends Obasanjo, Gives Reason Why He Did Not Immortalize MKO Abiola

Editorial staff

June 13, 2019

Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has defended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for not immortalizing the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, saying that he would have been misunderstood.

Dr. Okupe, who spoke yesterday, June 12 on the theme, “June 12: The Yoruba race in a reunited Nigeria,” at the maiden edition of the commemorative lecture to mark June 12 Democracy Day, organized by a former governorship aspirant in Ogun state, Oladipupo Adebutu in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, said that only a respected northerner like President Muhammadu Buhari, could honour Abiola and his action would not be greeted with criticism.

“One, it is not all that is known that should be said by an elderly person.’ Two, nothing can happen in this world until God Almighty ordains it. Three, the politics of Nigeria is so intricate. When they started Sharia in Zamfara, Obasanjo publicly endorsed it and allowed it.

“No northern President can do that effectively without incurring a major riot.

“There is no better person, there is no better government that can institutionalize June 12 except a government headed by a strong northerner otherwise, it will create a serious controversy.

“Buhari by providence has been well-placed. He is not just an ordinary northerner, (he’s) a very strong one that a lot of northerners respect, that even if they disagree (with him) they will not vent their disagreement. They will hold their peace.

“And therefore, it was easier for him to do it. We give God the glory that it has been done. Delay is not denial.”

I Know Everything About June 12, 1993; I Will Soon Make It Public – Kingibe

Editorial staff

June 13, 2019

Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, who was the running mate to the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election in Nigeria, late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola has said that he knew everything that happened around the annulled June 12 election and that he will one day make it public.

“I know every detail of what happened and there is no way that one can tell the truth about June 12 without perhaps diminishing some people’s own; without taking away from the significance and the solemnity of that day.

“I have actually recorded my recollections of those days and those events. I hope that I will have the opportunity to air my recording one day. It is in video recording, not audio recording.”

Kingibe, who opened up on the controversial June 12 election for the first time since 1993 when he appeared on a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme last night (June 12), confirmed: “this is the first time that I am addressing the issue. Sometimes, I am bemused; I am saddened, perhaps sometimes I am not surprised about the comments that people were making about June 12; the claims on June 12, those who stood on June 12 and so on.”

Abiola’s running mate, who was also honoured by President Muhammadu Buhari, said that Buhari’s position on the June 12 election was very clear over the years that the annulment was unjustified.

“In the aftermath of the annulment, one of the architects of the annulment, former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to get some elder statesmen (former presidents and so on); I think at the African Leadership Forum to see how the aftermath of the annulment could be addressed or to see how the problems arising from the annulment could be addressed.

“And I think President Muhammadu Buhari did attend the meeting once, the inaugural meeting. I understood that when he (Buhari) saw the direction of the meeting, he decided not to attend again.

“Every time the issue of the annulment came up over the years, his position was very clear; it was very firm that the election was free, fair and there was a clear winner. And that the annulment was unjustified.

“So, having had the opportunity, perhaps, to right the wrong, I won’t be surprised he did so because it is in his character to try and do justice, however, belated and under whatever the circumstances.”

Asked if he was surprised by the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day, Kingibe said: “In a way, yes. I was surprised more by the timing of it than that it happened.

“I was actually on lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia when the announcement was made. I was not surprised that it was made because I knew President Buhari felt strongly about June 12.”

He paid glowing tributes to Abiola for being the arrowhead of the campaign for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 mandate.

“You know, June 12 was the creation of all Nigerians. All Nigerians were the architects of June 12.

“Like all collective endeavours, there is always a leader, and one can never diminish the role of MKO Abiola in the final stages of this political journey to democracy in giving the leadership; in being the arrowhead and the symbol of that struggle for democracy.”

How Buhari’s Honouring Of Late MKO Abiola Put Obasanjo In Shame – Ex Gov Fayose

Editorial staff

June 13, 2019

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has said the ego of the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo stopped him from honouring the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola, while he was in office.

On his verified Twitter handle, Fayose said today, June 13: Obasanjo was the biggest beneficiary of the 1993 election, yet failed to honour Abiola.

He tweeted: “Honouring MKO Abiola by @MBuhari is to Obasanjo’s shame. It remains a sore-point of his political history that because of ego, Obasanjo, who’s the greatest beneficiary of the June 12, 1993 struggle failed to honour his kinsman, MKO Abiola. So, I commend President Buhari.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had last year recognized June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, as well as giving national honours to him posthumously.

Yesterday, June 12, during the maiden celebration of June 12 as the National Democracy Day, Buhari renamed the National Stadium after the late Abiola.

Source: Punch

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